Chapter 45: White Album
At nine o'clock in the evening—
"I'm back."
Kasumigaoka Utaha opened the large door of the Yukima household, announcing her return.
"Welcome home," came Yukima Azuma's voice from the living room, where he sat with his head lowered, focused on something.
Kasumigaoka took her white slippers from the shoe rack, but just as she was about to slip them on, her gaze caught on a newly unboxed pair of cherry pink slippers in the corner.
"Sora Ginko came by today?" she asked, casting a glance toward the living room.
Yukima looked up. "No, why do you ask?"
Utaha lingered for a moment, eyes on the pink slippers. Then she stepped into her own and walked toward the living room—only to be met halfway by something soft rushing toward her feet.
"Wha—!?"
She let out a startled sound, quickly looking down. A small, snow-white creature clung to her leg, staring up at her with mismatched eyes that shimmered like gemstones.
In that instant, Kasumigaoka Utaha felt something in her heart soften.