The dining room glowed with the soft light of lanterns, the table crowded with steaming dishes. Haru moved between the kitchen and the table with practiced ease, setting down bowls of miso soup and grilled fish while Aara poured tea.
"Everyone, sit," she called, though it was mostly drowned out by the sound of four voices colliding at once.
"Mama, today I got full marks on my essay!" Kaien declared proudly, dropping his schoolbag neatly by the wall before pulling out his notebook. "Do you want to see my teacher's comments?"
Ren groaned, slumping into a chair. "Do we have to? He's been bragging about it all the way home."
"It's called sharing achievements," Kaien said matter-of-factly.
"Achievement would be winning a fight," Ren muttered.
Aara gave him a sharp look. "No fighting."
Ren pouted, stabbing his chopsticks into his rice. "It wasn't a fight. Just… defending Mika."
Mika perked up, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. "He really did. That boy was teasing me about the project I made, saying girls can't build things."
Ayin, who had arrived just in time for dinner, leaned her chin on her hand. "And you told him otherwise, didn't you?"
"I showed him the solar car," Mika said, cheeks flushing with pride. "He couldn't even understand how it worked."
"Of course he couldn't," Haru said, setting another plate down. "You're smarter than most adults I know."
Mika beamed, while Ren puffed out his chest. "See? We made him eat his words."
Kaien sighed. "Words aren't food, Ren. You should try studying instead of fighting."
Ren scowled. "You sound just like Mama."
"Thank you," Aara said dryly, sipping her tea.
Hana climbed onto her chair, swinging her legs. "Guess what, Mama! I was picked to lead the line again today. I even made sure everyone stayed in order."
Ayin reached over, ruffling her hair. "So you're the boss now, huh?"
"I was already the boss!" Hana giggled, stealing a piece of fish from Haru's plate.
"Hey," Haru said, pretending to glare at her. "That was mine."
"You can cook more," Hana replied cheekily, grinning wide.
The table erupted in laughter.
Aara glanced across at Haru, catching his eye. For a brief moment, the noise of the children faded, replaced by the warmth of his gaze. His scarred lips quirked upward just slightly—an expression meant only for her.
She reached under the table, brushing her fingers against his hand. He squeezed back, firm and steady.
Ayin noticed, her lips curling in a knowing smile, but she said nothing. Instead, she lifted her cup. "To peace," she said softly.
"To peace!" the children chorused, raising their cups of juice.
The clink of porcelain filled the room, followed by more chatter, more laughter, more little arguments and teases.
And Aara, sitting there with her family, realized this was what victory truly looked like—not silence after a battle, but noise after dinner.