The front door of the Kageyama household clicked shut, sealing out the encroaching night as Seijirou and Yuko stepped back into the warmth of the foyer.
The house was quiet, save for the low hum of the television emanating from the living room.
"We're back," Seijirou called out, his voice echoing slightly against the high ceilings.
On the plush sofa, Haruka and Erina were sitting side-by-side, with the glow of the TV screen dancing across their faces—one perfectly stoic, the other carrying a trace of lingering anxiety that softened into relief at the sight of the newcomers.
"Welcome back," both girls greeted them.
Haruka's greeting was, as always, a model of monotonous voice, while Erina's held a note of genuine warmth.
Yuko, still clutching the bags of fresh produce and meat, didn't waste a second.
The encounter at the supermarket was already tucked away in the back of her mind, replaced by her duties as the heart of the household.
