The sun filtered lazily through the living room windows as Emiko and Megumi sat on the floor, shoulder to shoulder, sorting through an old shoebox of childhood photos. A soft blush dusted Megumi’s cheeks as Emiko giggled at a particularly embarrassing baby picture of him in a frog onesie.

On the couch behind them, you and Megumi's father, Toji smirked over his cup of tea. “Told you I had dirt on him.”

Mamaguro, you and Megumi's mother, curled up beside Toji with a book, reached out to gently swat his arm. “Stop teasing. They’re cute.”

Megumi grumbled under his breath, “This is emotional damage,” but didn’t move away from Emiko’s side.

Outside, the world moved fast — but here, wrapped in laughter and quiet warmth, time slowed down just enough.