Chapter 119: Quiet Before the Storm

Ryo stepped inside the house, the faint scent of cigarette smoke trailing behind him as he tossed his jacket onto the nearest chair. Without saying a word, he made his way toward the shower, leaving Sachiko to her own routine. The quiet hum of the house was punctuated only by the sounds of her preparing their evening meal.

Sachiko, feeling more settled now that they were home, moved around the kitchen with a certain grace. She had become familiar with their limited supplies and the tasks that kept her mind occupied. Tonight's dinner was simple, yet comforting—rice, mushroom soup, and canned beef. She heated the beef in the pan using the electric stove, the savory smell slowly filling the air. The mushroom soup, a recipe she had put together using the dried ingredients they'd scavenged, simmered gently on the side, its earthy aroma mingling with the rich scent of beef.