Skipping back home, a shower of genuine happiness fills every fiber of my being. Lost in my cloud of bliss, I follow the flickering neon lights of the New City while quietly humming the songs that got stuck in my head.

Suddenly, my phone buzzes, and I see the notification that Yua has added me to a group chat. Then, as I open the conversation, my eyes immediately land on her message-a group photo we took before leaving the karaoke.

In the photo, Fujino and Yua join hands, shaping them into a heart, while Morine, in his playful spirit, makes a silly pouty face wearing Yua's sunglasses. And then there's me, bland like an unsalted cracker, with my awkward little peace sign and stiff smile. But despite my inner voice's self-critique, I can't help but save the photo and cherish it.

Later a message from Morine pops up, checking if everyone made it home safely.

Sara Fujino:

Sure thing! ◕‿↼)

- read at 23:08

Morine Hirata:

@Yua Nakatomi?

I know you love to ignore me but I see you online

send a thumbs up at least

-read at 23:17

Yua Nakatomi:

OMG I was in a shower

we live like 5 houses apart

since when are you such a mum?!

- read at 23:20

Morine Hirata:

since you sneaked out to a concert and your parents bombarded my phone asking where you are :)

-read at 23:18

Yua Nakatomi:

LOL that was fun ᕕ(⌐■_■)ᕗ ♪♬

- read at 23:19

Morine Hirata:

not for me

anyway @Kumiko Koyama are you ok?

-read at 23:19

Me:

Sorry! I was looking at the photo

Yes, I am almost home, thank you for asking ｡^‿^｡

-read at 23:20

Yua Nakatomi:

WOW your polite even through messages!!

- read at 23:20

Morine Hirata:

you mean *you are

-read at 23:20

Yua Nakatomi:

Oh shut up Im sleepy［(－－)］zzz

- read at 23:21

I put away my phone and start searching for my keys. As I twirl the fluffy keychain between my fingers, I try to come up with a plan of how to sneak into my room without my parents noticing. I did mention the karaoke to them, but staying out this late, especially on a school night, is something I've never done before.

I remind myself to stay calm-they are probably asleep anyway since Dad is going on a business trip tomorrow.

The door claps, and I quietly put away my shoes, only to hear a loud AHEM!

"Where have you been so late, Kumiko?" Dad asks as he switches on the light.

I flinch: "Jeez, Dad, you scared me!"

He wrinkles his forehead and crosses his arms, looking at me with droopy eyes.

Trying to avoid his anger and potential monologue about responsibility, I subtly slip in a question: "Why are you still awake? Weren't you supposed to catch a flight to the Philippines tomorrow morning?"

"I changed my flight, so I'm leaving in two hours instead. But let's get back to you, young lady! Didn't you say you'd be back by 9 pm?" He sterns the tone of his voice.

I turn my eyes to the ground, avoiding eye contact, but Dad demands the answer, impatiently stomping his foot. I sigh, hoping Dad can understand my lateness isn't malicious. After all, he was a teenager once, too, wasn't he?

"I told you I was going to the karaoke. It was fun, so I guess I lost track of time," I say.

His voice cracks as he hugs me tight: "Thank God...I was worried, you know? I was going to call the police."

His words weaken my knees, and as I hug him back, I can feel in my bones something here is suspicious. Ever since his visit to the hospital, I almost can't recognize him. The man made of steel, always consumed by the cutthroat world of business and who can handle any situation with a straight face, even a typhoon of a person such as my mum, is trying to catch up on the parenting he missed in the past decade. Furthermore, now he is holding onto his teenage daughter, trembling. Either my Dad is growing old and sensitive, or something else must have happened.

"Where is Mum?" I ask.

He lets me go and shakes his head, implying this is not the best time to ask such a thing. However, my concerns won't let me step back.

"She went to a hotel for tonight," he says.

Speechless, I ask him to repeat, but he refuses and leaves me no choice but to confront him with my suspicions: "Did you argue again? Is it because of me?"

He raises his eyebrows and gapes at me in disbelief.

"Don't act surprised; Aiko told me everything," I hiss at him.

Annoyed, he smacks his lips together: "I do not want to talk about it, Kumiko, not today."

"But I want to!" I shout, desperate for an answer.

He bites his lip and jabs his warning finger right in front of my face, his eyes piercing with anger and frustration: "Look, you are old enough to understand that things between Mum and I are complicated, and I am not in the mood to discuss it in the middle of the night."

My heart stops, and my neck swells with the urge to cry. I want to help at all costs, and all I get is a cold shower. However, I know I can't blame him for it since emotional distance and outbursts seem to be a little family tradition at this point, despite our insatiable hunger for closeness.

He takes two steps back almost immediately: "Sorry...I didn't mean to yell."

I rub my arm, still shaken by his reaction: "No, I am sorry for pushing...and also for coming late; it won't happen again."

Dad must have noticed my nervousness, so he tries to put on a gentle smile: "If it was fun, as you say, I think I can let it slide, but next time just let me know you are alright. I don't know what's going on inside your head, and it worries me."

My skin tightens, realizing how anxious my Dad must be, so I try to reassure him that he doesn't have to worry because everything is fine.

As I tell him about the new friends I made and the progress in my therapy, his voice softens, and I can see a glimmer of relief in his eyes: "You are my little girl, so I will always worry for you, Kumiko, but I am happy to know that things are working out for you."

Grateful for the conversation we had, we exchange a smile. I reach out and take my father's hand, squeezing it gently. It may be a simple gesture, but right now, it's the best support I can offer-a silent promise to always be there for each other. Then, wishing me good night, Dad squeezes my hand one more time and kisses my forehead as he once used to do.

Walking up the stairs, I can't stop thinking about what might have happened between them and what I can do to help. My parents have never been a couple that would enjoy grand gestures of love, but they treated each other with kindness. They clearly want to protect Aiko and me from worrying, so they try to sweep everything under the rug. However, I can't shake off the fear that all these secrets will sooner or later ruin our family forever.

I need to figure something out before it's too late.