FAMILY TIES

**Family Ties**

The festival had finally come to an end, and with it, the whirlwind of events that had kept Kyoshi on his feet for days. He had shared memorable moments with each of the girls, and the warmth of those experiences still lingered in his mind. But as he stepped off the festival grounds and began the walk home, he realized that something was missing. It had been a long time since he had spent quality time with his own family—his mother and his younger sister, Emi.

The house was quiet when Kyoshi opened the front door, his footsteps soft on the floor as he made his way inside. The festival had been exhausting, and all he wanted was a moment of peace. As he kicked off his shoes and wandered into the living room, he found his sister, Emi, sitting cross-legged on the couch, engrossed in her phone.

"Hey, Emi," Kyoshi greeted her with a tired smile. "What are you up to?"

Emi looked up, her eyes lighting up at the sight of her brother. "Kyoshi! You're finally home. How was the festival?"

"It was fun, a little crazy, but fun," he replied, sitting down next to her. "What about you? I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever."

Emi rolled her eyes, but there was a fondness in her voice. "That's because you've been too busy running around with your friends all week. Mom and I barely saw you."

Kyoshi chuckled, leaning back against the couch. "Yeah, it was kind of hectic. But we should hang out. It feels like we haven’t done that in a while."

Emi's face brightened at the suggestion. "Really? You mean, like, just the two of us?"

"Yeah," Kyoshi said, smiling. "Why not? What do you feel like doing?"

Before Emi could answer, their mother stepped into the room, a towel in hand as she dried off her hands from doing dishes. "Did I hear you right, Kyoshi? You want to spend time with your family? I almost don’t believe it."

Kyoshi grinned at his mother. "Come on, Mom, I'm not that bad. I just had a busy week."

His mother smiled warmly and shook her head. "Well, if you're serious, I think Emi and I would love to spend the day together. How about we all go out? We can have lunch, maybe take a walk in the park, just like we used to when you were little."

Kyoshi thought for a moment, realizing how long it had been since they had a day like that. "That sounds perfect. Let’s do it."

---

The next morning, Kyoshi, Emi, and their mother headed out for a day in the city. It was a bright, sunny day, and the cool breeze made it the perfect weather for an outdoor family outing. They started with lunch at a small, family-owned restaurant that had been their favorite spot for years.

As they sat around the table, enjoying their meal, Emi couldn’t help but ask, "So, tell us more about the festival. I saw some pictures online, but what was it really like?"

Kyoshi smiled as he recounted the events of the past few days—the mix-up with the maid and butler outfits, the fun he had at the booths with each of the girls, and even the photo booth he and Mayumi had gone to. His mother listened intently, her eyes soft with the kind of quiet pride only a parent could have.

"You’ve really grown up, Kyoshi," she said softly. "It feels like just yesterday you were Emi’s age, running around, causing trouble."

Kyoshi laughed. "Yeah, I guess time flies. But honestly, I don’t think I’ve changed that much."

Emi, ever the mischievous younger sister, jumped in. "Oh, come on, Kyoshi. You’ve changed a lot! You’re way more responsible now. And, like, all those girls you keep talking about? Do you have a girlfriend or something?"

Kyoshi choked on his drink, coughing as he waved his hands. "No! It’s not like that. They're just friends."

Emi raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced, while their mother chuckled. "Well, if they’re just friends, it sounds like you’ve made some good connections. Friends are important."

Kyoshi nodded, though he couldn’t deny the strange feeling in his chest when he thought about the girls—especially how each of them had been so open with him lately. There was definitely something deeper forming, but he wasn’t ready to admit it, not even to himself.

---

After lunch, the family decided to take a walk in the nearby park. The trees were starting to turn golden with the onset of autumn, and the park was filled with families and children playing. Kyoshi couldn’t help but feel nostalgic. He remembered running through these same paths as a kid, his mother chasing after him while Emi toddled along behind them.

As they walked, Kyoshi found himself falling behind, watching his mother and Emi laugh together up ahead. The sound of their laughter made his heart swell. He had missed this—just being with his family, without any stress or distractions. It was a reminder that, no matter how busy life got, these moments were the ones that mattered the most.

"Hey, Kyoshi!" Emi called, waving for him to catch up. "Come on, slowpoke!"

Kyoshi jogged to catch up, and as they walked together, they talked about everything and nothing—school, movies, random jokes. Emi, despite her usual teasing, was actually very interested in her brother’s life, asking him about his plans and what he thought of his friends.

As they neared a small pond, they stopped to sit on a bench, watching the ducks swim lazily across the water. Kyoshi’s mother sat next to him, and for a moment, they just enjoyed the peacefulness of the scene.

"You know, I’m proud of you, Kyoshi," his mother said quietly. "You’ve grown into a kind, thoughtful young man. And I know things haven’t always been easy, but you’ve always taken care of us. I don’t say it enough, but I appreciate it."

Kyoshi felt a lump form in his throat. His mother had always been there for him, and though he had his own struggles, he realized just how much she had supported him, even when things were tough.

"Thanks, Mom," he said, his voice soft. "I appreciate you too. And I’m glad we got to do this today."

His mother smiled and leaned her head on his shoulder for a brief moment before sitting up. "We should do this more often."

Kyoshi nodded. "Definitely."

---

As the sun began to set, casting golden hues across the park, the three of them made their way home, tired but happy. Kyoshi couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of contentment. The festival had been a blast, but this—this time with his family—was what truly grounded him.

As they walked, Emi suddenly ran ahead, turning around to face them with a playful grin. "Last one home has to do the dishes!"

Kyoshi and his mother exchanged amused glances before taking off after her, laughing as they raced down the street.

For Kyoshi, it wasn’t just about winning the race or avoiding dishes—it was about cherishing these fleeting moments, the ones that made life feel full and meaningful. No matter what the future held, he knew he could always count on his family to be there, just as they always had been.

---

**End of Chapter**

Chapter end