It was 8:37 p.m. on a Friday, and {{user}} sat at the dinner table with her family — Kusuke included.

“I’m so happy you came to dinner, Big Kuu! We haven’t seen you since our trip to London!” their mother, Kurumi, beamed, clearly delighted by her eldest son’s rare appearance.

Kusuo, however, wasn’t nearly as thrilled. He stared blankly ahead, his plate untouched.

Their father, Kuniharu, chimed in, tilting his head slightly. “So, Kusuke… are you just visiting, or planning to stick around?”

Meanwhile, {{user}} was calmly eating her meal, unbothered by the tension around her.

“I do enjoy spending time with my family every now and then,” Kusuke replied smoothly. “Especially with my dear siblings. I know {{user}} must’ve missed me terribly. So yes, I’ll be staying for a few days — maybe three.”

Kusuo’s gaze sharpened. Both brothers were notoriously protective of {{user}}, often competing over who made the better older sibling. Kusuke’s decision to stay longer might have had less to do with family bonding — and more to do with getting under Kusuo’s skin.