"That's so amazing," said Sachiko in awe, while Haruko stared at Tetsuo, lost in her thoughts and mesmerized by his dribbling skills.
Tetsuo, noticing their presence, stopped dribbling and picked up the basketball.
"Why did you stop? We weren't disturbing you, right?" asked Sachiko.
"No, it's not that. It's just been a while since I played in front of people, so I got a little anxious," Tetsuo admitted.
"Oh, I see. Well, since we're here, let's hurry up and get both you and your sister cleaned up."
After showering for over an hour, Tetsuo finally stepped out of the bathroom. Now free of dirt and mud, his face was fully visible, and Sachiko found herself staring at him without knowing why. Perhaps it was just the surprise of seeing his clean face for the first time.
"I'm done showering now. You guys can go ahead and help my sister," Tetsuo said.
"Alright, Usagi, come here. Let me wash your hair," Sachiko said gently.
"But the shampoo will burn my eyes," Usagi said fearfully.
"Just close your eyes until I'm done. I promise it won't hurt one bit. Trust me, okay?"
"Right… I'll close my eyes," Usagi mumbled, squeezing them shut as Sachiko carefully washed her hair.
"There, all done," Sachiko said as she rinsed out the shampoo.
Meanwhile, Tetsuo sat on the floor with only a towel wrapped around him. Haruko, who had been nervous at first, finally mustered the courage to approach him.
"Here you go," she said, handing him some clothes.
"Thank you so much," Tetsuo replied with a gentle smile, causing Haruko to blush.
"I'm all done with her. Thank you so much for waiting," Sachiko said as she and Usagi entered the living room.
"Big brother, look! I'm wearing clean clothes, and my hair smells really good," Usagi said excitedly, spinning around with a bright smile.
"Yes, it really does," Tetsuo chuckled.
"Usagi is really cute. I can't get enough of her," Sachiko said, patting her on the head.
Just then, a familiar voice called from the entrance.
"Sachiko, dear? I thought I heard your voice. You're home early," said a woman as she opened the door.
Sachiko's heart skipped a beat. Crap. My mom is here. There's no time to hide them, she thought.
"Oh, I didn't know you had friends over today," Sachiko's mother said, surprised.
"Yes, they stopped by to play with us for the day," Sachiko quickly responded.
"Oh really? Well, if I had known, I would've left some snacks or at least baked some cookies," her mother said, before her eyes landed on Tetsuo and Usagi's long, unkempt hair.
"Oh my, your hair is all over the place, young man. Come with me—I'll cut it for you," she said with a warm smile.
After trimming Usagi's hair slightly shorter, she stepped back to admire her work. "Well, aren't you the sweetest thing?" she said, patting Usagi's head. Then, moving on to Tetsuo, she carefully shortened his overgrown bangs.
"Honestly, your parents should make sure your hair is kept neat and tidy," she commented casually.
Tetsuo's expression shifted, his eyes clouding over as he fell into thought.
"There you go, all done. I have to say, you're a very handsome young boy. I hope you don't sweep my daughter off her feet," she teased with a chuckle.
"Mom, that was really uncalled for!" Sachiko protested, her face turning red.
Later that evening, Sachiko's mother invited Tetsuo and Usagi to join them for dinner. The meal was warm and lively, and both siblings looked genuinely happy. Of course, Haruko and Sachiko didn't tell their mother that Tetsuo and Usagi had actually been living in the dollhouse outside. Their father would never have approved, so they kept it a secret.
After school, they spent their afternoons playing together. Sometimes, Tetsuo would walk Sachiko and Haruko to the bus stop in the morning and wait for them in the afternoon to walk them home. He was kind—always looking out for them.
"Big brother, over here!" Usagi called, raising her hands excitedly.
"Here you go, Usagi—catch!" Tetsuo said, tossing the ball to her.
"Yay! I caught it!" she cheered, smiling brightly.
"Great! Now pass it back."
"Alright, here goes—catch, Tetsuo!" she shouted as she threw the ball.
Tetsuo reached for it but miscalculated, and the ball accidentally hit Usagi on the head. Tears welled up in her eyes as she began to cry.
"I'm so sorry, Usagi! Does it hurt? Don't worry, you'll be alright," Tetsuo said gently, rubbing her forehead.
Haruko, who had just walked in, saw Tetsuo bouncing the basketball.
Spotting her, Tetsuo smiled. "Haru."
Haruko hesitated before slowly stepping forward. "What is it?"
"Let me show you something cool. You've been wanting to see me do this up close for a long time, but you were afraid to ask. You always stayed far away and watched," Tetsuo said as he effortlessly dribbled the basketball between his legs.
"Whoa! You're so amazing! That's so cool!" Haruko exclaimed, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
"You really think that's amazing? Wait until you see this," Tetsuo said as he spun the basketball on his fingertips.
"I'm amazed you can do stuff like that! Who taught you?" Haruko asked curiously.
"I honestly don't remember. All I know is that I can do it," Tetsuo admitted. "But it's amazing, isn't it?"
"Yes, it definitely is! I want to play basketball too!" Haruko declared.
"Of course you can! With hard work and patience, you'll become the best there is," Tetsuo said with a reassuring smile.
"Wait… where's Sachiko?" he suddenly asked.
"She joined a club, so she'll be coming home late today," Haruko explained.
"I see. Well, let me go meet her. Come on, Usagi, let's go. We'll be right back, okay?" Tetsuo said as he left with Usagi.
Dribbling his basketball, he walked hand-in-hand with his sister toward Sachiko's school. When they arrived, they saw her standing by the gate with a group of girls, laughing and chatting.
Tetsuo was about to approach her when he overheard their conversation.
"Hey, Sachiko, that boy who walks you to the bus stop—is he your boyfriend?" one girl teased.
"Yeah! And why doesn't he go to school?" another girl asked.
"I heard he's homeless, and she lets him live in her dollhouse, playing with him and his sister like dolls. That's hilarious!" another girl sneered.
Sachiko sighed. "That's enough! Why would I like him? He was dirty and smelly, and he's homeless. He makes me sick whenever I look at him."
Tetsuo froze, his heart sinking as her words cut deep.
Big brother, are you okay? Are you hurt? Tell me!!" Usagi cried, looking up at him with concern.
"It's okay, Usagi. I'm alright. Let's go."
"But what about Sachiko?"
"She'll find her way home," Tetsuo said quietly, leading Usagi away.
Moments later, as Sachiko finished her conversation, she glanced across the road and saw them. Tetsuo's eyes met hers, filled with disappointment. Then, as a bus passed by, he and Usagi disappeared without a trace.