New house, New life.

The day is gray and oppressive, though perhaps it only feels that way to Saki, who sits in the back seat of the car. Her mother drives in silence, and the only sound is the soft hum of the engine. Saki gazes out the window, her reflection superimposed over the slowly passing landscape. The dark circles under her eyes are obvious, remnants of weeks of restless nights since the accident that took her father.

"We didn't have the best relationship," Saki thinks, recalling, "but I never wished for him to die." The word "death" still feels difficult to process. She replays in her mind the moment they received the news, just hours after saying goodbye to him. She had been next to her mother when the call came. Neither of them took it well; her mother collapsed almost immediately.

"It was an accident," they were told. "A failure in the company car that was transporting him. The driver also died." The officers had tried to soften the news, but the words were etched into Saki's mind.

"My mother didn't have to fight a lawsuit," Saki remembers. The company chose to settle financially. It was quite generous. That compensation seemed to ease her mother in some ways; at least they no longer had to worry about money. Still, Saki has heard her mother crying on some nights, though she always tries to keep a smile on when they're together. And Saki is grateful for that, even if the sadness still weighs heavily on both of them.

The car comes to a stop in front of a house. "We're here!" announces Mrs. Yoshida, trying to sound cheerful as she steps out of the car.

Saki follows her mother with slow steps. As she gets out, her eyes fall on the house: It's pretty, she thinks, but not much bigger than the last one. She can't help but remember why her mother decided that moving was for the best.

"Too many memories," Saki thinks as she follows her mother toward the entrance. That was the reason her mother gave for moving. "We need a fresh start, a change of air."

"I didn't object... I had no reason to stay. There's no one tying me there. I have no friends." Saki feels a lump in her throat as she steps toward the house. She tries not to cry. Instead, she takes a deep breath and forces herself to think of something else, anything other than her loss.

Saki gets out of the car and grabs her suitcase while her mother heads toward the entrance. She follows at her own pace, dragging her feet slightly. The house is already furnished, though many boxes remain unpacked, stacked in various corners. Still, the essentials are in place: the sofa in the living room, the dining table, the appliances in the kitchen.

Saki wanders through the house in silence, her gaze drifting over each room. Mrs. Yoshida watches her from the doorway, her face reflecting a mix of concern and hope. She notices the indifference on her daughter's face and can't blame her. Even so, she tries to encourage her. "Why don't you check out your room?" she suggests in a warm tone. "Maybe it'll surprise you."

Saki doesn't reply but nods slightly before heading upstairs with her luggage.

It doesn't take long for her to find a door with her name written on a sign. "Mom must've put it there," Saki thinks, though the idea doesn't manage to bring a smile to her face. She pushes the door open and steps inside.

The room is bigger than the one she had in the old house. The bed is made, with a new comforter that matches the curtains. There's a desk by the window with a comfortable chair, and a few boxes stacked beside it, likely holding her manga and video games. Saki appreciates her mother's effort to make her feel more comfortable, but her spirits remain just as dull.

She steps closer to the window, ready to shut the curtains and lie down on the bed. She doesn't really plan to sleep, but she doesn't have the energy to do anything else. However, before closing the curtains, something catches her attention: the neighboring house.

It's big, larger than hers, and surrounded by a tall wall that hides most of the yard. From her room, she can glimpse a small part of the garden, though not much more, and only because she's on the second floor.

"What kind of person lives in a house like that?" she wonders, but the interest disappears as quickly as it came. She sighs, closes the curtains, and lets herself collapse onto the bed, wrapping herself in the blankets. She doesn't have the energy to do anything but lie there, trying to quiet her thoughts, though she knows they'll soon come back to torment her.

Meanwhile, downstairs, Mrs. Yoshida is worried. She checks the time on the clock and sighs. "What should I do…?" she murmurs to herself, crossing her arms.

She needs to step out for a moment to take care of some errands; it's nothing important, and it won't take much time, but she worries about leaving Saki alone.

Even though she trusts that she'll be fine, she can't stop an irrational fear from settling in her mind. "What if something happens to her while I'm gone?" Although she knows Saki will be okay, that small fear clings to her, fed by the terror of losing her too.

Mrs. Yoshida closes her eyes for a moment, trying to calm herself. "It'll just be for a little while… She'll be fine…"

Her thoughts are interrupted when the sound of the doorbell rings, pulling her out of her musings. Surprised, she wonders who it could be, since she isn't expecting anyone. She heads toward the door and, upon opening it, finds an unexpected surprise: someone is holding a large basket filled with gifts and flowers.

"Hello?" Mrs. Yoshida asks, confused but polite, trying to see who's behind the basket. Then, peeking his head out, almost hidden behind the large object, appears the face of a young boy, his eyes bright and his smile charming.

"Hello!" the boy greets cheerfully, adjusting the basket in his arms. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Aiden, your neighbor, and I wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood."

Aiden's open smile and enthusiasm disarm Mrs. Yoshida, who, after a brief moment of surprise, responds with a broad smile.

"Oh~ What a lovely gesture! You're such a kind young man," she says gratefully. Then, considering how thoughtful his gesture is, she adds, "Would you like to come in? At least let me offer you something for this warm welcome."

"I'd love to!" Aiden replies enthusiastically as he steps into the house, carefully carrying the heavy basket.

"Right this way," Mrs. Yoshida says, guiding him to the kitchen. Aiden follows her with light steps, and when they reach the table, he places the basket down with a small sigh of relief. Mrs. Yoshida watches him attentively, surprised by his cheerfulness and confidence.

"Did your parents not come with you?" Mrs. Yoshida asks, a little curious. It's unusual for a young boy to do something so considerate on his own.

Aiden takes a moment before responding, maintaining his smile. "The truth is, I'm alone. My mother travels a lot for work, so I'm on my own most of the time," he explains in a casual tone.

Mrs. Yoshida listens intently but can't help asking, "And your father?"

Aiden lowers his gaze slightly before shaking his head, though his tone remains positive. "It's just my mother. I lost my father a long time ago," he says with honest simplicity.

Mrs. Yoshida feels a pang of guilt for asking something so delicate. "Oh! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to…" she tries to apologize, visibly embarrassed, but Aiden interrupts her gently.

"It's okay," he says with a carefree gesture. "You didn't know. Besides, it's been a long time, and I'm okay with it. So really, don't worry."

The sincerity of his words, combined with his optimistic attitude, eases Mrs. Yoshida's discomfort. She nods with a small, grateful smile.

Mrs. Yoshida feels relieved to see she hasn't offended Aiden. That would have been a poor start to their first day in the neighborhood. "Do you give baskets to all your neighbors?" she asks with a smile, trying to lighten the mood.

Aiden laughs softly. "No, just you. You're the first family to move in since I can remember."

"Did you know the people who lived here before?" Mrs. Yoshida asks curiously. Besides wanting to learn more about Aiden, she's also interested in knowing a bit more about the neighborhood. When she made the decision to move, the only thing she knew was that it was a quiet and safe place.

"Yeah," he replies casually. "It was a very kind elderly couple. They always talked about how they wanted to live by the sea. Funny enough, they won a prize a while back and decided to move to fulfill that dream." His eyes reflect a hint of nostalgia. "I'll miss them."

"They were very lucky." Mrs. Yoshida nods with a smile. "Good for them."

As she watches Aiden, Mrs. Yoshida can't help but think he seems like a good kid. Then, an idea begins to take shape in her mind. "You know? I have a daughter about your age," she says, thinking about how to continue. "She's... well, we're going through a situation I think you might understand."

Aiden tilts his head with curiosity. "I'm listening," he says, showing his attentiveness and willingness to help.

[Minutes later]

Saki's bedroom door opens slightly. "Saki," Mrs. Yoshida calls softly. As expected, her daughter is lying in bed, wrapped in her blanket.

"Yes?" Saki responds without moving, her voice flat.

"Well, I just wanted to let you know we have company," her mother says with a playful tone.

"Who?" Saki asks disinterestedly. She assumes it's either a neighbor or maybe one of her mother's friends—those are the most likely options. But when she turns around, her eyes widen slightly in surprise at the sight of someone she doesn't recognize standing next to her mother.

Saki suddenly feels uncomfortable. She quickly straightens up, pushing the blanket aside and sitting up on the bed. "Mom…" she murmurs through gritted teeth, embarrassed. "You can't bring strangers into my room without telling me."

Mrs. Yoshida laughs softly, brushing it off. "Well, that can be fixed." She gestures toward the young man. "This is Aiden, our neighbor. He's been kind enough to come and welcome us to the neighborhood."

Saki looks at Aiden, who gives her a friendly smile, while she tries to process the situation.

"But I have a few errands to take care of," Mrs. Yoshida adds. "I'd like you to be a good host and keep him company until I get back. I won't be long." With that, Saki's mother starts to retreat slowly toward the door.

Saki's survival instincts kick in immediately.

"W-well, I don't think this is such a good idea…" she starts to plead, but doesn't get to finish.

"Thanks! Be nice to him!" her mother interrupts, before practically running out of the room. The last thing Saki hears is the sound of the front door closing with a firm, loud thud.

…

…

An awkward silence settles between Saki and Aiden. Time seems to stop for a moment, but Aiden is the first to break it.

"Ahem…" Aiden clears his throat, breaking the tension. "Well, I'm sorry if my presence is a little too unexpected," he says with a kind smile.

Saki quickly gets up from the bed. "N-no, it's fine, it's no bother," she replies, trying to adjust her clothes to look more presentable. Yet the silence creeps back in, oppressive and strange.

"Why is it so hard to talk? What do I do now…?" Saki thinks, avoiding looking directly at Aiden while feeling the pressure building in her chest.

Her eyes wander to the stack of boxes in the corner of the room—the same ones she hadn't bothered to unpack. "Sorry for the mess…" she says, embarrassed. "I haven't had time to organize everything," she adds quietly, while a wave of shame washes over her. "What a terrible first impression…" she thinks, her discomfort growing with each passing second.

Aiden puts a hand to his chin, as though he's pondering something. "How about I help you out a little with this?" he suggests, his smile reassuring.

"Huh? W-wait!" Saki panics immediately, flustered. "No, that's not necessary!" she replies, trying to sound firm. She can't imagine anything more embarrassing than having her guest help her sort out the chaos of her room. "I can do it myself."

Determined to prove her point, she tries to move one of the boxes, but the weight stops her in her tracks. Aiden, noticing her struggle, steps in and lifts it effortlessly.

"You don't have to…" Saki tries to protest, but Aiden interrupts her. "Really, it's fine. You don't seem to have much energy right now, and I honestly don't mind."

Saki hesitates, but eventually gives in. Even though she feels mortified, she decides to help organize while he does too.

Aiden starts carefully moving the boxes, clearing up space. Bit by bit, items begin to emerge: manga, games, figurines, and other personal belongings. Saki's embarrassment grows with each thing that comes into view.

"I see you like manga," Aiden comments, picking up a few volumes and placing them on the shelf.

Saki sighs, her tone subdued. "Yeah…" she says softly, avoiding his gaze.

Aiden notices the change in her demeanor and watches her curiously. "Is something wrong?" he asks, pausing for a moment.

She hesitates but eventually replies, "I'd rather no one saw it…" Her tone is almost a whisper, heavy with insecurity.

Aiden blinks, confused. "Why? Are you embarrassed?"

Saki's silence is answer enough. Aiden takes it as a yes and smiles faintly. "You shouldn't be," he says sincerely.

Saki looks up, surprised. "Don't you think it's weird?"

Aiden shrugs, thoughtful. "Honestly, no. Manga is one of the most popular mediums in the world. There's nothing weird about it."

Those words ease Saki's anxiety a bit, and she feels comfortable enough to keep talking about it. Shy at first, but then with growing enthusiasm, she begins sharing things about her favorite manga and what she loves about them.

Aiden listens attentively as he continues unpacking boxes and putting things away, letting Saki get distracted and feel more at ease.

While opening another box, he comes across a photo. It's a portrait of Saki, her mother, and a man who is clearly her father. Aiden stops for a moment, studying the picture with quiet attention.

Saki notices and quickly moves closer. She takes the photo from his hands and places it alongside the others. "That's my dad…" she murmurs, assuming Aiden was curious. "He…" She tries to say more, but the words get stuck in her throat.

"You don't have to say it," Aiden interrupts softly, his tone gentle and calm. "Your mom told me part of what happened."

Saki blinks, surprised. For a moment, she doesn't know how to react. However, a faint discomfort begins to form in her chest. "Why would she tell him something like that?" she thinks, irritated.

The idea that Aiden might be there out of pity crosses her mind, and it unsettles her. "Is that why he's here? Out of sympathy?" she wonders, clenching her fists. Frustration creeps through her, and although she tries to keep her composure, she can't help but feel defensive.

Aiden continues moving a few boxes. "Well, when I arrived, your mom and I started talking," he begins, his tone light. "At first, it was just small talk, but eventually, the topic of my parents came up. I told her that I lost my father a long time ago, too…"

His voice remains natural, without a trace of melancholy, as if he's told the story many times before. Then he pauses, turning to look at Saki.

"I think your mom thought it might be a good idea for me to talk to you," he says as he sets a box on the desk and turns back toward her.

Saki lowers her gaze immediately, feeling uncomfortable. A knot forms in her chest, along with a wave of guilt. "Sorry… I didn't know," she murmurs, nervously playing with her hands. "I must've looked like an idiot."

She makes a sad face, her shoulders slumping slightly.

Aiden shakes his head, offering a reassuring smile. "Don't worry," he says, his tone calm and sincere. "You're going through a tough time. It's normal."

Saki looks at him. Aiden doesn't seem as affected as she expected. After a few seconds, she asks cautiously, "Does it get better?"

"What does?" he responds, visibly confused.

"This feeling," Saki says, touching her chest, as if trying to pinpoint the weight she feels inside.

Aiden lowers his gaze, reflecting before he answers. "Ah… it does," he says honestly. "Though I'm not sure if 'better' is the right word. It's a strong feeling that lessens, but it never really goes away. It's more like… learning to live with it."

Saki isn't satisfied with that answer. She was hoping for something more hopeful than just give it time. "How do you get better?" she insists, looking for something more concrete.

"Time," Aiden replies simply. "Relying on your family, talking to your friends… that usually helps."

Saki listens to those words, and a deeper sadness washes over her. She lowers her gaze, trying to hold back tears.

Aiden notices the shift in the atmosphere. "What's wrong?" he asks, concerned. He looks at Saki, who somehow seems even more downcast—if that's even possible.

Saki wipes away a tear threatening to fall. "I… don't really have friends."

Aiden, who had been hanging a picture, hits his head against the wall with a dull thud. "Now I feel like an idiot," he says, putting a hand to his forehead.

He stops what he's doing and walks over to Saki, who's trying to hide her sadness while quickly drying her eyes. Aiden sighs. "I won't lie to you, I really don't know how to comfort people… don't judge me," he says before giving her a sudden hug.

Saki remains still, unsure how to react at first, but soon she hugs him back. I really needed this… she thinks as she closes her eyes, holding onto the moment.

"There, there," Aiden says, awkwardly patting her back. "You're starting at a new school, right?"

Saki listens and nods without speaking. She feared that if she did, only sobs would come out.

"It's a new chance to make friends. You just have to give people a chance…" Aiden says softly.

Those words comfort Saki a little, though the warmth fades when Aiden adds, "And maybe you'll make enemies, too…"

Saki looks up, clearly confused.

"What?" Aiden says, realizing how his comment sounded. "In life, there's all kinds of people. I'm sure someone out there won't like you…" He pauses and quickly tries to fix it. "But! I'm sure most people will, and that's what matters."

Saki sighs. "You're not very good at this."

"Ah… no, I'm not," Aiden admits, sounding defeated.

She lets out a small laugh, though her tone remains melancholic. Still, that little moment makes her feel just a bit better.

The sound of a throat clearing startles them. "Ahem."

They both turn toward the door and find Mrs. Yoshida watching them with a smile. "Well, it seems like you two got along quickly," she comments teasingly.

Saki and Aiden separate at once, both visibly embarrassed. Aiden clears his throat, trying to appear natural. "Well, I think it's getting late. I should go," he says as he walks toward the door.

However, he quickly comes back. "Here's my card," he says, handing it to Saki. "It has my number, in case you need to talk or… something…" His voice trails off awkwardly. "I'd better go," he adds before hurrying out.

Saki's mother, with a knowing smile, gives her a thumbs-up of approval. Saki doesn't say anything, but her cheeks turn visibly red.

-/-

Author's note: Too cliché? I hope so. Another thing, how do you feel about the writing? I asked before, but the truth is I tend to use different writing standards.

Also, I was supposed to upload this yesterday... but my AI that checks +18 stuff is useless. So, I'm buying time to write those scenes.

Lastly, I really enjoyed writing Tomoko in the interlude. I think I'm going to include her in the trips, let the multiverse get ready. [Image]

Kisses and hugs!