Chapter 1: 14 Years Later

...Morning Conversations...

"Take care of the house while I’m gone, Pia," Akio said, glancing at his watch as he fixed his tie. His sharp suit and polished shoes were a testament to his professionalism.

Pia leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, a teasing smirk on his face. "And you think I won’t? Have I ever let you down? Come on bro ! I’ve only been doing that for, what, the past five years? Give me a real challenge, Akio."

Akio chuckled softly, brushing his neatly combed hair back. "No, you haven’t. But still, someone has to remind you, just in case you’re tempted to slack off."

"Slack off? Please," Pia scoffed. "You’re the one who vanishes to your office and leaves me to deal with the house and the brat."

From the kitchen, a voice piped up. "I heard that!" Riku shouted, his small face peeking out from behind the fridge door. "I’m not a brat!"

"That confidence is impressive," Akio replied, pulling his blazer over his shoulders. "But remember, it’s not just about the chores. Keep an eye on Riku. He’s been unusually quiet the past few days."

"Quiet?" Pia raised an eyebrow. "Are we talking about the same kid who almost set the toaster on fire last week because he wanted to 'see how electricity worked'?"

"Hey!" Riku’s voice rang out from the kitchen. "That was an experiment, and it was almost successful!"

Pia and Akio exchanged a look, both suppressing a laugh.

"You sure about that?" Pia shot back, grinning.

Akio shook his head, his usual serious demeanor softening into amusement. "Don’t be too hard on him, Pia. He’s only ten. And Riku, stop raiding the fridge. It’s not even lunchtime."

Riku groaned, shutting the fridge door. "Fine. But I’m not a brat," he muttered under his breath, dragging his feet back to the living room.

Akio turned back to Pia. "Alright, I’m off. I’ll be back late, so don’t wait up. And Pia..."

"Yeah?"

"Thanks. For everything." Akio’s tone was quieter now, more serious.

Pia nodded, his smirk fading into a small smile. "Don’t mention it. Just don’t work yourself to death out there."

Akio hesitated for a moment, his expression unreadable. "I’ll be fine," he said finally, his tone quieter. He adjusted his tie one last time, grabbed his briefcase, and headed for the door.

Riku poked his head out of the kitchen just in time to wave. "Don’t forget to bring me something cool from work, Akio!"

"Like what?" Akio asked, already halfway out the door.

"Something mysterious! Maybe a secret file or a gadget!" Riku said, his eyes gleaming.

"Not happening," Akio replied, his voice tinged with amusement. "Be good, Riku. And don’t blow up the house."

...Reflecting on the Past...

With that, the door clicked shut, and Akio’s car engine roared to life. Pia watched from the window as his older brother disappeared down the street, leaving the house unnervingly quiet. Sundays were supposed to be relaxing, but in their house, they were anything but.

After grabbing a broom, Pia began his daily chores. Cleaning, folding laundry, fixing the occasional broken item—it had become second nature to him over the years. He worked silently, his mind drifting back to the past.

As he swept the living room floor, his eyes landed on the old family photo hanging above the fireplace. The five of them—his parents, Akio, himself, and Riku—stood smiling against the backdrop of a cherry blossom tree.

It felt like a lifetime ago.

Pia’s thoughts wandered as he worked.Their mother, Yuki, had been the heart of their family. Pia remembered her faintly—a soft smile, warm hugs, and the smell of lavender that lingered wherever she went. Their mother’s death had been the first crack in their family. She had been their anchor, her gentle presence holding them together. When she passed away after Riku’s birth, everything changed.

Her death had left a void in their lives, one that even Akio’s tireless efforts couldn’t completely fill.

Akio, only ten years old at the time, had to grow up overnight. He took on responsibilities no child should have to face, and even now, Pia often wondered how Akio managed to stay so composed.

Then there was their father, Kenji. A man shrouded in mystery, even to his own family. His interests in ancient artifacts, cryptic symbols, and the occult had always been a source of fascination—and concern.

When Kenji died in what the authorities called a “freak accident,” the questions only multiplied. The details were vague, the explanations incomplete. Pia remembered the hushed conversations Akio had with the police. Akio had tried to shield Pia and Riku from the truth, but Pia wasn’t blind. He had seen the unease in Akio’s eyes whenever their father’s name was mentioned.

Pia shook his head, trying to dispel the thoughts. Dwelling on the past wouldn’t change anything.

...Riku’s Antics...

"Pia!" Riku’s voice shattered the silence, pulling Pia out of his thoughts.

"What now?" Pia called, exasperated. He found Riku in the living room, crouched over a pile of old books and papers.

"Look at this," Riku said excitedly, holding up a torn page covered in strange symbols. "Isn’t it cool?"

Pia frowned, leaning closer. "Where did you get that?"

"From Dad’s old box in the attic," Riku said nonchalantly, as if rummaging through forbidden belongings was the most natural thing in the world.

"Riku, you’re not supposed to mess with that stuff," Pia said, his tone firm. "Akio would kill you if he found out."

"But why not?" Riku argued, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "Dad loved this stuff. It’s like a treasure hunt!"

"Yeah, a treasure hunt that could get you grounded for life," Pia retorted, snatching the paper from Riku’s hands.

"Come on, Pia," Riku whined. "Don’t you ever wonder about the things Dad was into? He wasn’t just some regular guy. He was... different."

Pia paused, looking at the symbols on the page. He hated to admit it, but Riku wasn’t entirely wrong. Kenji had been different, and his interests had always been shrouded in mystery.

"Just... be careful, alright?" Pia said finally, handing the paper back. "And put this stuff away before Akio gets home."

"Fine," Riku said, though his mischievous grin suggested he had no intention of stopping his exploration anytime soon.

...Pia’s Perspective...

As the day went on, Pia found himself reflecting on their family’s situation. It has been 14 yrs since they moved here. They lost both of their father and mother. Akio was the glue that held them together, but Pia often worried about him. At just 20, Akio had taken on responsibilities that most people wouldn’t face in a lifetime.

And then there was Riku, the wild card. His fascination with their father’s strange hobbies sometimes bordered on obsession. Pia wondered if it was just a phase or if there was something deeper at play—something that tied their family’s past to their uncertain future.

Pia glanced at the family photo hanging on the wall. It was old, slightly faded, but it was the only one they had with all five of them together. Yuki’s smile was radiant, Kenji looked as enigmatic as ever, and the three brothers stood in front, oblivious to the challenges that lay ahead.

"What’s next for us?" Pia thought, his gaze lingering on the photo. "Will we ever get answers, or are we just meant to keep moving forward, pretending everything’s fine?"

...Evening Stillness...

By evening, the chores were done, and the house had fallen into its usual quiet rhythm. Pia sat on the couch, flipping through a book, while Riku played with one of his gadgets on the floor.

A sudden creak broke the silence, coming from the basement. Pia froze, his ears straining to catch any further sounds.

"Did you hear that?" he asked, his voice low.

Riku didn’t even look up. "Probably a rat. Or maybe it’s one of Dad’s secrets coming to life," he added with a smirk.

Pia sighed, getting up to check. He opened the basement door cautiously, peering into the darkness. A faint scurrying noise confirmed Riku’s theory—a rat darted across the floor, disappearing into the shadows.

"Just a rat," Pia muttered, closing the door.

"See? Nothing to worry about," Riku said, though his grin suggested he was slightly disappointed.

Pia sighed, closing the door and leaning against it. "I swear, this house is gonna drive me insane one day."

As he returned to the couch, his thoughts drifted once more to their father. The house was filled with his presence—not in a ghostly sense, but in the remnants of his life: the books, the trinkets, the lingering questions.

Pia glanced at Riku, who was now engrossed in his gadget, and then at the clock on the wall. Akio would be home late, as always.

For now, it was just the two of them, navigating the strange, unpredictable life they had inherited.

...Ending with Reflection...

As the night deepened, Pia found himself sitting by the window, gazing at the dark street outside. The quiet hum of the neighborhood was a stark contrast to the storm of thoughts swirling in his mind.

Their family had been through so much—loss, uncertainty, and the weight of unanswered questions. Yet, they had endured.

Pia glanced at the family photo on the wall, his eyes lingering on their parents’ faces. "What were you hiding, Dad?" he thought. "And why does it feel like it’s not over yet?"

He sighed, closing his eyes for a moment. The past was a mystery, and the future seemed equally uncertain. But for now, all he could do was focus on the present.

"The past feels like a puzzle we’ll never solve," he thought, resting his chin on his hand. "And the future... it’s just as uncertain. But no matter what, we’ll face it together. That’s what family is for."

With that thought, he turned off the lights and headed upstairs, leaving the house in silence. Somewhere in the shadows, the secrets of the Kuzo family waited to be uncovered.

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