The evening sky over Kathmandu was painted orange as the last rays of sunlight slipped through the windows.
The front door slowly opened.
"I'm home..."
Itsuki's tired voice echoed through the quiet house.
No answer.
He smiled to himself.
"Aunt Miyuki is probably still shopping..."
He quietly walked into his room and placed his school bag beside the bed.
For a few moments, he simply stared at the small wooden box hidden beneath his desk.
"..."
He slowly opened it.
Inside was every rupee he had earned from working at the cat café.
He counted the money one bill at a time.
"...Still not enough."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"If I keep saving..."
"I'll be able to buy Aunt Miyuki a proper birthday present."
"And maybe..."
"I can help pay some of the household expenses."
He carefully placed the money inside a white envelope.
Using a black marker, he wrote:
For Aunt Miyuki.
Without another word, he walked into the dining room and quietly placed the envelope on the table.
Then he turned around and headed toward his bedroom.
---
About thirty minutes later...
The front door opened.
"I'm home!"
A cheerful voice echoed through the house.
Aunt Miyuki entered carrying several grocery bags.
"I bought your favorite croquettes today!"
She looked around.
"...Itsuki?"
No answer.
Then...
She noticed the white envelope resting on the dining table.
"Hm?"
She picked it up.
Her smile slowly disappeared.
"...Itsuki..."
She quietly opened the envelope.
Inside...
Every bit of money he had earned.
Her grip tightened.
Without saying a word...
She walked toward Itsuki's room.
---
Itsuki was sitting beside the window.
The cool evening breeze gently moved the curtain.
He quietly watched the sunset.
Knock... Knock...
"Come in."
The door slowly opened.
Aunt Miyuki entered.
She silently placed the envelope beside him.
"What is this?"
Itsuki scratched the back of his head.
"...My salary."
"I wanted you to have it."
"You've done so much for me."
"You gave up your own life to raise me."
"So..."
"...Please let me help."
Silence filled the room.
Aunt Miyuki looked at him for several long seconds.
Then...
She sighed deeply.
"Itsuki."
"Who are you trying to save this time?"
Itsuki froze.
"..."
"You already gave away so much."
"You even donated one of your eyes."
"You carried guilt that no child should have carried."
"You blamed yourself for years."
She slowly sat beside him.
"But tell me honestly."
"Does that girl remember you?"
Itsuki lowered his head.
"...I don't know."
"Does she even know your name anymore?"
"..."
"Do her parents know everything you sacrificed?"
"...No."
"Do they feel sorry for you?"
"...No."
She gently placed a hand on his head.
"Then tell me..."
"Why are you still punishing yourself?"
"For whom?"
"You already paid a price that no child should ever have paid."
Itsuki bit his lip.
"...Because..."
"I hurt her."
"I can never erase that."
"I thought..."
"If I worked harder..."
"If I became kinder..."
"If I kept giving..."
"Maybe I'd finally deserve to forgive myself."
Aunt Miyuki's eyes became moist.
She pulled him into a gentle hug.
"No."
"You don't earn forgiveness by destroying yourself with guilt."
"You grow."
"You apologize."
"And then..."
"You keep living."
Itsuki's shoulders slowly began to shake.
---
Aunt Miyuki smiled softly.
"My duty isn't to ask you to repay me."
"My duty is to protect you."
"You're my big brother's son."
"That alone is enough."
Itsuki looked at her with teary eyes.
"...But I've only caused trouble."
She immediately flicked his forehead.
"Ow!"
"Don't say something so ridiculous."
She crossed her arms proudly.
"And don't misunderstand something."
"I'm not still single because I'm busy taking care of you."
Itsuki blinked.
"...Really?"
"Really."
"I stayed single because I wanted to."
"That was my own decision."
"So stop blaming yourself for that too."
Itsuki rubbed his forehead.
"...For a second..."
"I really thought I was the reason."
She laughed.
"You think too highly of yourself."
He couldn't help smiling.
---
Her expression became gentle again.
"I just couldn't leave one lonely child behind."
"So promise me something."
Itsuki looked up.
"When you're hurting..."
"When you're scared..."
"When guilt starts eating you alive..."
"Don't hide behind that fake smile."
"Don't carry everything alone."
"Come to me."
"I'm your family."
"You don't have to become an adult before you're ready."
Itsuki slowly lowered himself onto his knees.
Tears rolled down his cheeks.
"...I'm sorry."
"I kept pretending I was okay."
"I thought..."
"If I depended on you..."
"I'd become another burden."
Aunt Miyuki immediately knelt beside him and hugged him tightly.
"You were never a burden."
"You never will be."
"I didn't come back because I pitied you."
"I came back because you're family."
"And family doesn't abandon each other."
Itsuki buried his face against her shoulder.
For the first time in years...
He cried without trying to hide it.
---
Several minutes later...
The atmosphere had finally calmed down.
Itsuki wiped his eyes.
"...Aunt."
"Hm?"
"If you're really staying single because you want to..."
"...does that mean I have permission to interrogate every man who visits our house?"
Aunt Miyuki stared at him.
"...Excuse me?"
"I have to protect my aunt."
"What if some suspicious old guy shows up?"
She burst into laughter.
"Oh really?"
"So you're the man of the house now?"
"I've always been."
"You little brat."
She playfully pinched his cheek.
"Oww! That hurts!"
"Good."
"Now go wash your face."
"Dinner is getting cold."
Itsuki smiled—a genuine smile this time.
"Yes, Aunt."
As the two walked toward the dining table together, the house, once filled only with silence, was now filled with warmth, laughter, and the comforting feeling that neither of them had to face tomorrow alone.