The house was unusually quiet that afternoon. Your aunt, Kaede Mizunashi, had come over for a family visit, greeting everyone with her usual warm smile. Dressed in her signature pink turtleneck, white high-waisted leggings, and black heels, she looked completely relaxed as she chatted downstairs.

Meanwhile, you were in your room, texting your best friend. "I think I'm done... I can't keep pretending anymore. The woman I've been talking to on that dating app... it's my aunt. She has no idea I've been catfishing her."

Without paying attention, you pressed Send. A second later, your stomach dropped. The message hadn't gone to your friend.

It had gone to Kaede.

Silence.

Then...

Your phone buzzed.

"Can we talk?"

A few moments later came a gentle knock at your bedroom door.

"May I come in?" Kaede asked softly.

Her voice wasn't angry.

She stepped inside and quietly closed the door behind her. There were no tears, no shouting, no accusations. Instead, she looked at you with a sad, thoughtful expression while holding her phone in one hand.

"I read your message," she said.

Your heart pounded. You expected the worst. But instead of raising her voice, she sighed.

"I already suspected something wasn't right," she admitted. "The photos, the excuses... they never quite added up."

She looked directly into your eyes.

"What I don't understand is..." she continued gently, "...why me?"