They make a quick stop
at a vending machine
as Ami wanted iced
tea

He gulps down a
big lump in his
throat, the awkward
tension eating him
alive

She looks at him
and smiles

He looks at her,
eyes a bit dilated

He stares at her for a while

until she speaks

"It's getting darker, we should head home," she points at a road, indicating that she would go that way

He looks and says, "I go that way too,"

She smiles

They begin to walk together,
a clear distance between them

She breaks the silence;

"Do you live alone?"

"Yes."

"Hm, I see, it must be hard."

"I manage."

She nods, stopping in front
of a house

As if on cue, she's greeted by
what seems to be her little
sibling, an older woman standing
by the doorway

Ami giggles and runs over to them,
hugging the small child

Hansuke stares at them,
listening to them laugh

He sighs

Is that what a family looks like?