Laughter,silence and that one brother
495 Words
“Lena,” her father’s voice came gently as he stepped into her room.
She was sitting near the window, pretending to be blind as usual, sunglasses on and cane by her side.
“I have to fly to Singapore for a three-day conference,” he said, placing a soft kiss on her head. “The boys will be here. If you need *anything*, they’ll take care of you.”
She smiled. “Be safe, Dad.”
He lingered for a moment, his hand tightening slightly on her shoulder—as if he didn’t want to leave. Then he was gone.
The mansion was too quiet after his departure.
Or it would have been… if it weren’t for Riku.
“Game night!” he yelled across the hallway, his voice echoing like a chaotic parade.
Soon, they all gathered in the main lounge: Lena curled up on a plush couch with a blanket over her legs, Riku with a bowl of chips too big for his head, Ren pouring wine like a fancy host, and even Toma standing stiffly by the bookshelf with his arms crossed.
Sora sat silently on the floor by the window, sketching something in his notebook.
“Let’s play *Who’s the Worst Liar*,” Riku announced.
“That’s not a game,” Ren said flatly. “That’s court.”
“You’d know, Judge-san,” Toma muttered.
That made even Ren smirk.
“Alright then,” Lena cut in playfully. “How about we play *Guess the Secret*?”
Riku gasped. “Are you trying to expose me?!”
She grinned. “Yes. Start talking.”
Ren chuckled and leaned back. “I have a secret. I once defended a man I knew was guilty—just to prove I could win.”
“Classic Ren,” Toma said dryly.
“I’ve got one,” Sora said quietly from the corner, surprising everyone. “I once painted on the mayor’s wall and signed it with Ren’s name.”
“Wait—*that was you?*” Ren choked.
Even Toma chuckled.
Lena laughed so hard she nearly dropped her cane. “That’s amazing.”
And just like that, something shifted in the room.
Even Toma’s cold face cracked into a very faint, barely-there smile.
Lena couldn’t believe it.
She made them all laugh.
Well… almost all.
Because Kaito was standing in the doorway the whole time.
Silent.
Watching.
And then, without a word, he turned and walked away.
Lena’s laughter faded just a bit.
She glanced toward the others. “What’s wrong with him?”
The brothers exchanged looks.
Ren shrugged, swirling his wine. “Don’t mind him.”
“He’s always been like that,” Riku added quickly.
Sora didn’t speak, just focused on his sketch.
Toma's mouth twitched. “It’s better not to ask.”
Lena frowned.
But deep down… she knew she would ask anyway.
Because Kaito wasn’t just cold.
He was hiding something.
And she needed to know what.
- Writer
