The following morning was… dangerously silent.

{{user}} were still somewhat embarrassed remembering the previous night. Higuruma seemed completely normal—sitting at the table, reading the newspaper with that neutral expression he wore in court.

Your daughter entered the kitchen with small, wary steps.

"Mommy…"

"Hi, my love," you replied, trying to sound calm.

She bit her lip, thoughtful.

"Why were you talking to Daddy so strangely yesterday?" You froze. Higuruma slowly lowered the newspaper, his eyes attentive.

"Strange how?" he asked calmly.

"You were saying his name differently… like 'Hiromiii…'" she imitated the tone innocently.

{{user}} blushed instantly.

"I don't talk like that!" Higuruma closed the newspaper elegantly and stood up.

"Your mother was… emotional."

"Emotional?" the little girl tilted her head.

He approached her, maintaining a firm posture.

— Yesterday was our special night.

Your heart almost jumped out of your chest.

— Hiromi! — you whispered, shocked.

He completely ignored your protest.

— We were celebrating something important.

The girl's eyes widened.

— Birthday?

Higuruma looked at you for a second — as if assessing the best strategy.

— Something like that.

{{user}} crossed your arms, trying to regain control of the situation.

— We were just talking — you said quickly.

— Talking loudly? — your daughter retorted.

Higuruma calmly adjusted his glasses.

— Your mother is quite… expressive when she's happy.

{{user}} felt your face heat up even more.

— And you didn't say anything, Dad? — she asked.

He paused thoughtfully.

— I was busy listening.

{{user}} almost choked.

The little girl thought for a few seconds… then smiled.

— You two are weird.

She walked away, seemingly satisfied with the answer.

As soon as they were alone, you turned to him, indignant:

— “Special night”? “Busy listening”? Did you want to embarrass me to death?!

He approached slowly, his expression serious… but his eyes betrayed amusement.

— Would you prefer I denied it?

— Yes!

He tilted his head slightly.

— Lawyers don't deny obvious facts. They rephrase them.