Kasumi’s eyes softened even more, filled with warmth. "Jack... just call me Oka-san, as Haruna and Yuko do. As our family’s son-in-law, you are also my half-son now. You don’t have to be formal with me."

Haruna’s face turned even redder. "Oka-san... we haven’t reached that point yet... We’re not married or anything..."

Kasumi huffed playfully, a teasing smile on her lips. "Hmph... Haruna, let me tell you something. If you can’t make Jack your husband soon, then Oka-san won’t want you anymore! You’d better hold onto this good man tightly."

Haruna whined cutely, "Oka-san...! That’s not fair!"

Yuko and I couldn’t help but chuckle softly at the playful exchange. The heavy atmosphere from earlier had lightened considerably, replaced by warmth, teasing, and the beginning of true family healing.

Kasumi reached out and gently took both her daughters’ hands in hers. "My girls... I have missed these moments more than you can imagine. The sound of your voices, your laughter, even your arguments. Let’s not waste any more time. Today, we start again. Together. No more secrets. No more pain. Just love."

Haruna sniffled and hugged her mother again. "I love you, Oka-san. I really do."

Yuko, still emotional, whispered, "I love you too, Mom... I’m sorry it took me so long to say it."

Kasumi pulled both daughters closer, tears of joy flowing freely down her beautiful face. She held them tightly, as if afraid they might vanish again, her voluptuous body trembling with emotion inside the elegant lavender kimono.

"I love you both more than anything in this world," she whispered, her voice thick and breaking. "Welcome home, my precious daughters. Welcome home. I’ve dreamed of this moment for so many years... I never stopped praying for it. Thank you for coming back to me."

Haruna buried her face in her mother’s shoulder, sobbing softly. "Oka-san... I love you too. I’m sorry it took so long. I was scared... but I’m here now. I won’t leave again. I promise."

Yuko, still crying like a little girl, clung to her mother’s other side, her voice small and broken. "Mom... I missed you so much. Every night I thought about you. I was so angry at myself... I thought you didn’t want me anymore. I’m sorry... I’m so sorry for running away..."

Kasumi kissed the tops of both their heads repeatedly, rocking them gently like she did when they were children.

"Shh... my sweet girls. No more apologies. No more blame. We all made mistakes. I was too proud. I let my pain blind me. But you are my daughters. My heart. Nothing will ever change that. From today, we start fresh. We heal together. Okay?"

Just then, another woman entered the room. She looked very similar to Kasumi — same elegant features, same mature beauty — but with a sharper, more serious expression.

She was wearing a tailored dark business suit that hugged her figure professionally, her hair tied in a neat bun. In her hand was a small tray with medicine and a glass of water.

"Sister... It’s time for your medicine," she said calmly, though her eyes softened when she saw the emotional scene.

Yuko and Haruna looked up, their faces still wet with tears.

"Oba-san...!" Haruna exclaimed happily. "We missed you too!"

Yuko bowed her head slightly. "Oba-san... It’s been a long time."

The woman — Tomiko — huffed, crossing her arms. Her voice carried a mix of anger and hidden affection. "Hmph... you girls. You didn’t even call me once all these years. Not a single message. You are just lying when you say you missed me."

Haruna jumped up immediately and hugged her aunt tightly. "Oba-san... I really missed you! I thought about you every day. I’m sorry... please don’t be mad."

Tomiko sighed, her stern expression softening as she patted Haruna’s back. "Okay, okay... I was just teasing you. You know I can never stay angry at my spoiled nieces for long." Then her gaze shifted to Yuko, and her eyes hardened again with clear displeasure. She glared at her older niece as if still holding a grudge.

But Kasumi quickly reached out and held Tomiko’s hand, giving it a gentle squeeze and shaking her head slightly, silently asking her to soften.

Kasumi then smiled warmly and looked at me. "Jack... she is Tomiko, my little sister. She has been taking care of me all these years."

I smiled politely and bowed my head respectfully. "Tomiko-san, it’s nice to meet you."

Tomiko’s expression eased a little. She nodded. "Jack, just call me Oba-san, like Haruna and Yuko. You are family now."

I nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

Tomiko once again turned to her sister. "Sister... It’s time to take your medicine. And then you need to rest. You’ve been pushing yourself too hard again."

Yuko, still emotional but concerned, asked softly, "What happened to Oka-san? What kind of medicine is it?"

Tomiko scoffed, her voice carrying clear anger directed at Yuko. "Hmph... now you care? After disappearing for years and leaving your mother to worry herself sick—"

Kasumi quickly held Tomiko’s hand again, stopping her. She looked at Yuko with gentle eyes and said softly, "It’s nothing serious, my dear. It’s just a recurring fever. Nothing to worry about. I’m fine now that you’re both here."

Tomiko muttered under her breath, still glaring at Yuko, but she didn’t push further.

Haruna, sensing the tension, tried to lighten the mood. "Oba-san, don’t be too hard on Yuko-nee. We’re all together now. That’s what matters, right?"

Tomiko sighed heavily but finally relented. "Fine... for today. But we will talk later, Yuko. Properly."

Kasumi smiled through her tears, pulling all three of them closer again. "Enough scolding. Today is for happiness. My two daughters are home. And Jack... you are part of this family too. Let us celebrate. Let us heal. No more tears of sadness — only tears of joy from now on."

Yuko wiped her eyes again, her voice small but full of hope. "Yes, Mom... I want that too. I want us to be a real family again."

Haruna grinned, still hugging her mother and aunt. "Me too! And Jack will stay with us. Right, Jack?" 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

I smiled at the warm, chaotic scene. "Of course. Wherever you all are, that’s where I’ll be."