"Velvarra... We're finally home."
Mio glanced out from the taxi window, staring at the two-story house he hadn't seen in Four years. The morning sky was grey, but the ground beneath his feet felt warm — strange, yet familiar.
"Get your bag," said his mother, Ilya Rossel, with a light smile. Elegant as ever — in a leather jacket and sunglasses, like she'd just stepped out of a fashion magazine.
"Okay..." Mio mumbled, dragging his luggage behind him.
The door opened from inside. A man with a gentle face and calm demeanor stepped out.
"Welcome home, Mio!" said the man — his father, Jay Rossel — wrapping him in a warm hug.
Mio was caught off guard but returned the hug. "Hi, Dad..."
"I've cleaned up your room. Rio's upstairs, but... as usual, she's barely come out of her room."
Ilya walked in slowly, silently scanning the house.
Jay gave a quiet sigh. "I know you're busy… but thank you for bringing Mio home."
"He needs to see his sister again," Ilya replied. "And we… we need to finish what we left undone."
Jay simply nodded. The air between them was still fragile — but not as tense as before.
---
Upstairs...
Mio stood in front of Rio's bedroom door. He knocked softly.
Knock knock.
"Rio...? I'm... back."
No answer.
"If you can hear me… I just wanted to say I missed you."
Silence.
Mio lowered his head. "I just want to be your little brother again."
He turned and walked away, unaware that a pair of eyes was watching him silently from the crack of the door.
---
To be continue..