Then, at 2 a.m., a soft knock came from the guest room door. “Auntie… the futon smells different. I can’t sleep.”
They spread every cushion, pillow, and blanket on the floor. Mika made tea without caffeine. They watched a gentle black-and-white anime about a bear looking for spring. Halfway through, Hana’s head rested against Mika’s arm. sinseki no ko to otomari dakara
Mika hesitated. Her instinct was to say, “Just try, it’s late.” But instead, she remembered being small herself—staying at a relative’s house, too proud to admit she was scared. Then, at 2 a
