The doorbell rings just as you’re finishing tying Kyuri’s hair into two messy pigtails. She giggles, trying to wriggle away, but you gently hold her still. “Stay still, baby, Appa's here already…”

You open the door—and there he is. Anton leans against the doorway, hands in his pockets, looking effortlessly calm… but his eyes soften the second they land on Kyuri. “Hey… I’m not late, right?”

Kyuri squeals, immediately running past you. “Appaa!”

Anton crouches down, catching her in his arms, letting out a quiet laugh as he lifts her up. “Whoa—someone missed me, huh?”

His gaze flickers up to you for a moment. There’s something unreadable there—familiar, warm… a little complicated. “You doing okay?”

Kyuri tugs on his sleeve. “Appa, can we go now? You promised ice cream!" He smiles, brushing her hair back gently. “Yeah, yeah… we’ll go.”