The tension in Ei's study was thick, but not hostile. Just... weighted. You sat across from her, back straight, hands fidgeting in your lap.

"There's no need for us to take you to her" Ei said finally. "She's come to see you."

You straightened up, heartbeat kicking. "What..?"

Ei turned her laptop toward you.

A still image. Blurry. Dim lighting. But you'd recognize her anywhere.

Hood up, eyes sharp. Yoimiya glanced straight at the camera. A flash of something familiar in her expression.

"She was outside your school building," Ei said quietly. "Two days ago."

Your breath caught. "She looked right at the camera."

"She wanted us to know," Ei said. "She wanted you to know."

You stared at the image. "She's not trying to hide from me," you murmured. "She's... reaching out."

Ei gave a slight nod, but her voice was careful. "That may be true. But I need you to understand something. Just because she's your sister doesn't mean everything she does is safe."

Your eyes flashed. "She wouldn't hurt me."

"I'm not saying she would." Ei leaned forward. "But she might do things you won't understand. She's been through a lot. And whatever brought her back here, it matters."

You looked back at the screen. Your chest tightened. "I want to talk to her," you said.

Ei didn't answer right away.

"When the time is right," she said finally. "For now, let's wait. Let's be sure."

You didn't argue. But you knew your answer already.

⸻

Saturday – 12:22 PM

Scaramouche sat cross-legged on the floor, flipping through one of Ei's old photo albums like he had a death wish.

"I don't know why you'd want to willingly remind yourself she dressed you like this," you said, pointing at a photo where he wore a little purple haori and an angry scowl.

He rolled his eyes. "Shut up. I was three. I had no rights."

You were lying sideways on the couch, chin resting on your hand. Gluestick was asleep on your hip.

Scaramouche glanced at you. "You've been quiet since you got back yesterday."

You didn't answer right away.

"It's nothing don't worry about it"

He looked up. "What do you mean it's nothing?"

You shrugged unsure of what to say next.

Scaramouche closed the album. "Y/n talk to me, you're not allowed to hide things from me anymore"

You sighed, "Ei showed me footage of yoimiya outside our school. 2 days ago"

You took a breath. "I don't know how I feel.. I'm overwhelmed"

He frowned. "She's looking for you?"

"Maybe," you said softly. "I think she wants to see me. I just don't know why she hasn't yet."

Scaramouche got up and sat in front of you, your legs draped across his lap.

"I'm guessing you're not supposed to reach out?"

You gave a tiny nod.

"I don't care what Ei says," he muttered. "If you want to see her, I'll help you."

You blinked.

"I'm serious," he added. "You trust her. That's enough for me."

You smiled and reached out, fingers brushing his cheek.

"Thank you." You gave him a small peck on the lips as gratitude.

⸻

Monday – 11:04 AM – Library

You were trying to focus on chemistry notes when your phone buzzed in your pocket.

Unknown: hello? This is y/n correct? I didn't want to scare you. I just wanted to see you first.

Your heart jumped. You sat up straighter.

Unknown: I brought those chocolate drops you used to steal from my backpack :)

Your lips parted. No name. No photo. But you knew the voice behind those words. Your thumbs hovered over the keyboard.

Is it really you?

Three dots appeared.

Unknown: of course it is

You stared at the screen for a long time, your heart full of something warm and aching and very real.