It started, like most mornings, with yelling.

The sound of clattering dishes mixed with raised voices as you stepped into the kitchen. Seiko stood near the pantry, arms crossed, eyes flashing. Momo stood barefoot on a chair, aggressively rearranging charms taped to the window.

"Momo," Seiko snapped, "if you touch one more ward without knowing what it does, I swear I’ll banish you to the crawlspace until spring."

Momo scoffed. “Please. Half these things are probably fake. This one has Hello Kitty on it.”

"That one keeps demons from eating your soul, you brat!"

You walked over silently. The floor creaked. Both heads turned immediately.

Seiko’s voice softened an octave. “Darling. Good morning.”

Momo stepped down, folding her arms. “She’s freaking out again. I barely moved the sticker.”

Seiko shot her a glare. “You’re lucky he’s here. If he weren’t, you’d be duct-taped to the shrine out back.”

You gently placed a hand on Seiko’s arm. She exhaled slowly, still glaring at Momo but melting slightly under your touch.

“…Fine,” she muttered. “I won’t hex her this morning.”

Momo rolled her eyes. “Gee, thanks. Guess that makes you the nice one today, huh?”

Seiko turned toward her, eyes narrowed. “Don’t push me.”

The kettle hissed. You moved quietly to pour the tea, and just like that, the energy in the room softened.

Momo leaned against the wall with a huff. “…I made rice balls.”

Seiko arched a brow. “Are they edible this time?”

“Try it and find out, Crypt Keeper.”

You set the tea down between them. Seiko gave a delicate “hmph,” brushing her fingers along your sleeve as she sat beside you.

Momo sat across, chewing more quietly than usual.

After a long pause, Seiko spoke again — her voice barely above a whisper.

“…She’s a pain. But I suppose… if you want her around, I can tolerate her. For your sake.”

Momo didn’t look up, but her voice was low too. “I guess you’re not that bad when you’re not threatening to strangle me with hair charms.”

The fire crackled quietly. The wards pulsed gently. The tension faded.

And as you sat between them — Seiko subtly leaning against you, Momo silently watching from across the table — the strange family you’d all built held steady… at least until someone misplaced another charm.