The autumn night breeze creeps in through the gap in the window, faintly swaying the living room curtains. While Koichi does the dishes in the kitchen, only the sound of running water echoes through the house.

Koichi carefully washes the plates one by one, casting a brief glance toward the living room.

Koichi's voice held a sweetness slightly different from the soft way a parent simply speaks to a son. Under his apron, he wore a thin shirt, and the fabric, slightly damp with sweat from the chores, clung tightly to the contours of his large frame.