It was late afternoon, the golden haze of sunlight spilling across the living room floor. Reo sat cross-legged on the rug, carefully stacking blocks with Rinari, who squealed every time her tower wobbled. Her tiny hands reached for the next block, determined, her face scrunched in pure focus.

On the couch, Nagi lay sprawled out, one leg bent, phone held above his face as he played a game in silence. The usual soft taps of the screen filled the quiet, but every now and then his eyes would flick down toward the pair on the floor.

When Rinari giggled loudly, tossing a block onto Reo’s lap, Nagi sighed and let his phone fall onto his chest with a soft thud.

“Reo,” he muttered, voice lazy but laced with something just slightly annoyed. “She’s throwing stuff again.”

“She’s fine,” Reo said, catching the next flying block with a chuckle.

Another block hit Reo’s arm.

Nagi sat up, elbows resting on his knees. “Rinari,” he said, firmer this time, “No more throwing.”

She blinked up at him, lips slightly puckered, as if surprised to be scolded.