The chaotic scent of cardboard, packing tape, and dust hung thickly in the apartment.
It was moving day.
Boxes were stacked against nearly every wall, some neatly sealed and others still yawning open, their contents spilling out in various stages of organization. In the middle of the mess, Kirito was lazily helping Allya finish the last of her packing.
"Hey, Kiri... can't I just go with you?"
Allya hugged a stuffed animal tightly against her chest, looking up at him with pleading eyes.
"Nope. You need to stay here and help Sam with the rest of the boxes," Kirito replied smoothly.
He pulled a strip of tape across a cardboard box and tore it free with a sharp rip, sealing the package shut.
Allya's expression immediately changed.
"What if he... hurts me?"
Her voice trembled with exaggerated fear, her wide eyes making the performance almost convincing.
Almost.
Kirito stared at her for a moment before releasing a long, exhausted sigh.
"Stop living in a fantasy world. He's a guy moving into our place, not a monster."
Allya puffed out her cheeks, clearly offended.
With a dramatic groan, she collapsed backward onto the unmade mattress. The springs creaked beneath her weight.
"Just... don't give him a hard time, okay?" Kirito muttered, slinging his badminton gear over his shoulder.
"Fine~," she mumbled into her pillow.
"Alright, I'm off."
From the doorway, Reno leaned against the frame, impatiently tapping his foot against the floor.
"Oye! Hurry your butt up, Kirito!"
Kirito rolled his eyes and marched past him.
"Look, I'm right here now. What do you want me to do, climb onto your head?"
"Don't talk so much crap," Reno snorted, turning on his heel.
"Bla, bla, bla!" Kirito mocked under his breath.
The heavy front door slammed shut behind them, the impact reverberating through the apartment.
Then—
Silence.
The sudden quiet felt almost unnatural after all the noise.
Allya slowly lifted her head from the pillow.
"Aaaaah... what am I supposed to do now?"
She sprawled across the mattress, staring blankly at the popcorn ceiling.
A few seconds passed.
Then she heard soft footsteps approaching.
A gentle knock sounded against the open doorframe.
"Allya? Mind giving me a hand with this?" Sam asked.
His voice was calm and grounded, completely lacking the intimidating presence Allya had imagined earlier.
"Coming!"
Her energy instantly returned.
Allya sprang off the bed and scampered into the living room.
Sam stood near the entryway. He stepped away from the wall after finishing a phone call and slipped his phone away.
"The movers will be here in an hour," he said, turning toward her with a gentle nod. "Think you can handle packing those glass plates into the padded boxes?"
"On it!"
Allya hurried into the kitchen.
One by one, she carefully stacked the ceramic plates, each producing a delicate clink as she placed them together before wrapping them securely.
Meanwhile, Sam moved through the apartment with effortless strength.
He hauled heavy oak boxes toward the foyer, adjusted their positions, and secured them beneath protective tarps as though the weight barely registered.
Allya watched him from the corner of her eye while wrapping a bowl.
He's actually really polite...
She paused for a moment.
Why was I being so paranoid earlier?
There was nothing frightening about him.
If anything, Sam seemed surprisingly considerate.
Once he'd finished with the heavier boxes, Sam released a quiet breath and lowered himself onto the living-room sofa.
He reached into his jacket and pulled out a pack of cigarettes.
A metallic lighter clicked open.
A small flame flickered to life, and Sam took a slow drag.
A moment later, a thin stream of harsh blue-gray smoke drifted through the apartment and found its way toward the kitchen.
Allya's throat tightened immediately.
She doubled over, coughing violently as tears sprang into her stinging eyes.
"Are you okay?"
Sam was on his feet almost instantly.
He leaned forward, concern replacing the relaxed expression he'd worn moments earlier.
"Wait... do you have a problem with cigarette smoke?"
"N-No! I'm fine, really!"
Allya waved one hand frantically through the air while rubbing her watering eyes with the other.
"It's... just the dust from the cardboard!"
Sam studied her for a moment.
He didn't argue.
Without another word, he stood, walked out onto the balcony, and slid the glass door shut behind him.
Allya bit her lip.
She watched his silhouette through the glass.
Ugh... did I upset him? Is he angry now?
Her gaze dropped.
But... I really can't handle smoke...
Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.
Outside, Sam exhaled one final plume into the cool afternoon air.
He looked down at the cigarette between his fingers.
After a brief pause, he extinguished it and placed it neatly into a small metal tin.
Then he looked at the remaining pack in his hand.
His expression softened into a faint, resigned smile.
Without hesitation, he crushed the pack in his fist and tossed it into the trash receptacle.
Time to lift the mood a bit.
A quiet chuckle escaped him.
A few moments later, Sam stepped back inside.
Allya was standing in the kitchen, nervously fidgeting with the lid of a cardboard box.
Sam walked over and stopped beside her.
Then he extended his hand.
Sitting in his palm was a small, colorful chocolate bar.
Allya blinked.
Her eyes immediately brightened.
"Um... thank you!"
She eagerly accepted the treat.
Heh. Works every time, Sam thought, hiding his amusement behind a small smile.
"Did Kirito tell you I like these?" Allya asked.
She tore open the wrapper and popped a piece of chocolate into her mouth.
"Nope. My two younger sisters used to cave instantly whenever I gave them sweets, too."
Sam laughed warmly at the memory before relaxing against the countertop.
Then his expression became slightly more thoughtful.
"By the way, Allya... you seem a bit guarded around here. Try to relax a little, alright? We're all family here now."
He paused.
"If anyone ever gives you trouble, just beat 'em up—I'll take care of the rest."
Allya stared at him.
Then her face lit up.
She puffed out her chest and planted both hands firmly on her hips.
"In that case... can I call you Big Bro?"
Sam chuckled, crossing his arms.
"Why not? Nobody's stopping you."
"Then, as your little sister, my very first official order is..."
Allya pointed a finger at him with absolute confidence.
"...you have to quit smoking starting today!"
Sam blinked.
For perhaps the first time since they'd met, he looked genuinely caught off guard.
Then a fond laugh escaped him.
"Alright, alright... my little cat."
He placed his broad hand gently on top of her head and ruffled her hair.
Allya's cheeks immediately flushed crimson.
"Don't call me a cat!"
"Can't help it. You really are like a cute little kitten," Sam teased.
Before Allya could protest again, a loud rumble came from her stomach.
The betrayal was immediate.
Sam raised an eyebrow.
"Sounds like someone's engine is running on empty."
Allya rubbed her belly sheepishly.
"What do we have to eat?"
Sam scratched the back of his neck.
"Uh... nothing, actually. I completely forgot to make lunch with all the packing."
Allya's shoulders dropped.
"Aaaah..."
Her stomach growled again, as if agreeing with her disappointment.
"Tell you what—let's go grab lunch outside today," Sam offered with a smile.
Allya's expression instantly recovered.
"Deal!"
After handing the apartment keys over to the moving crew, the two headed down into the underground parking garage.
The bright apartment gave way to cool concrete and dim artificial lighting. Their footsteps echoed between the rows of parked vehicles, accompanied by the distant hum of the building's ventilation system.
Sam clicked his key fob.
The car's locks released with a brief electronic chirp.
He walked around and opened the passenger door for Allya.
"So, Allya... why'd you drop out of the volleyball club?"
"I didn't drop out!"
She protested as she climbed into the sleek sports car and pulled the seatbelt across her chest.
The buckle clicked securely into place.
Sam closed her door before walking around to the driver's side.
He slipped behind the wheel and turned the ignition.
The engine erupted into a deep, powerful growl that reverberated through the concrete walls of the parking garage.
Allya immediately clapped both hands over her ears.
"Why do you guys like cars that make so much noise?!"
Sam laughed.
"What, you don't like power?"
He shifted into gear and smoothly accelerated out of the dim garage.
The car emerged into the bright afternoon sunlight.
As they merged onto the main road, Sam shifted gears with one hand.
"If you didn't leave the club... why haven't you been going to practice?"
Allya pouted and slumped slightly into her seat.
"I gave Kiri my permission form to sign days ago, but he still hasn't handed it back to me."
"Ah... so that's what's going on."
A mischievous glint appeared in Sam's eyes.
"Don't worry. I'll get him to sign it in my own... special way."
Allya giggled, her earlier frustration disappearing.
"Do whatever it takes! Just make sure my form comes back in one piece!"
"Consider it done, my lady."
Sam pressed down on the accelerator.
"So, what are you in the mood for?"
"Hmm... something light and super tasty!"
Allya began counting off her favorite foods on her fingers.
"As you wish."
Sam downshifted.
The engine's growl deepened as the car accelerated through the traffic toward the dining district.
Meanwhile, on the high-tension courts of the city gymnasium...
The sharp blast of the referee's whistle echoed across the hardwood floor.
Karasuno High vs. Tokyo High — Senior Boys' Badminton Tournament
"The second set of today's final match is about to begin! Players from both teams, please switch sides!" the referee announced through the loudspeaker.
Sweat glistened across Kirito's forehead as he and Reno set their water bottles down on the bench.
Both tightened their grips around their rackets before crossing to the opposite side of the net.
"Just one more set, and a ticket straight to the semifinals is ours."
Kirito grinned cockily and rolled his shoulders.
"Dude, it's just an inter-city tournament," Reno muttered, wiping sweat from his chin. "There's no need to get so hyper."
Kirito slowly turned toward him.
He stared at Reno for a moment.
Then his palm came down against the back of Reno's head.
"Why do you always look so half-asleep?!"
"Hey! Watch it, you bastard!"
Reno whirled around aggressively.
"Don't forget your place, idiot!"
Kirito flicked Reno's forehead with his finger.
Before their argument could escalate, the referee's whistle sounded again.
The two immediately returned their attention to the court.
Their bodies lowered into athletic stances.
Across the net, Tokyo High's server tossed the shuttlecock into the air.
His wrist snapped forward.
The shuttle shot toward Kirito's back corner.
Kirito tracked its trajectory effortlessly.
He leaped backward and whipped his racket through the air, returning the shuttle with a crisp strike.
The shuttle crossed the net.
Tokyo High's front player moved into position.
For a split second, Kirito expected a deep return.
Instead, the player feinted.
At the last moment, he delicately tapped the shuttle.
It dropped sharply just behind the net.
"Got it!"
Reno exploded forward.
He threw himself horizontally across the court, sliding over the polished floor as he barely managed to scoop the shuttle upward.
The return floated high.
Tokyo High's rear player immediately recognized the opening.
He leaped.
His racket came down in a powerful smash, sending the shuttle diagonally toward the far corner.
Kirito's eyes widened.
"Shit!"
Reno could only watch from the floor.
Kirito lunged desperately across the court.
He threw his body into a full dive, stretching his racket toward the shuttle.
His racket tip scraped nothing but air.
The shuttle struck the court squarely inside the white boundary line.
"Point, Tokyo High!"
Kirito pushed himself up from the slick floor.
His palms stung from the impact.
"Motherfucker..."
Reno wiped sweat from his eyes.
"Dude! You were supposed to cover the cross-court!"
Kirito's frustration flared.
"How was I supposed to know he'd pull off a tight drop shot from that angle?!"
The referee's whistle cut through their argument.
The match resumed.
But something had changed.
Tokyo High had seized control of the momentum.
Over the next ten minutes, they dominated the court with flawless rotation and crushing smashes.
Kirito and Reno struggled to keep up.
Every opening they created seemed to vanish moments later.
Every mistake was punished.
The scoreboard told the story.
20–12.
Tokyo High needed only one more point to take the second set, tie the match, and force a grueling third set.
Kirito turned toward Reno, frustration burning in his eyes.
"Hey! How much longer are you going to mess around?! You were put in the back to cover the long bombs!"
"You bastard! You can't even hold down the front line, and you're lecturing me?!"
Reno's chest heaved as he shouted back.
Another whistle forced them into position.
Kirito took a breath.
He forced his attention back onto the court.
The next rally began.
Kirito prepared a tight flick serve.
He tapped the shuttle lightly, sending it over the net.
Tokyo High answered with a high rear clear.
"Mine!"
Reno saw the opening.
He exploded off the floor.
His body twisted in midair as he unleashed a violent jump smash.
The shuttle tore across the court at incredible speed.
Tokyo High's front player somehow got his racket into position.
Instead of attempting to overpower the shot, he absorbed its force and redirected it into a soft block.
The shuttle wobbled over the net.
Kirito was already moving.
He darted forward and drove a sharp low smash straight downward.
It looked like a guaranteed point.
But Tokyo High's rear defender refused to give up.
He threw himself into a reckless dive, extending his arm as far as possible.
At the last instant, his wrist flicked.
The shuttle sailed cleanly toward the empty back corner.
Kirito and Reno scrambled after it.
Their feet tangled together.
Neither could recover in time.
The shuttle landed inside the boundary.
The referee's whistle rang out.
"Game set! Second set to Tokyo High! Score: 21–12!"
Kirito slammed his fist against his knee.
His jaw tightened as he stared at the scoreboard.
The match had been pushed into a deciding third set.
Meanwhile, across town...
Allya and Sam stepped out of the air-conditioned restaurant.
The warm afternoon breeze greeted them immediately, carrying the distant noise of traffic through the streets.
"So, Allya," Sam said, jingling his car keys as they walked toward the vehicle. "Do you have time to go shopping for some new house decorations?"
Allya's eyes lit up.
"Is that even a question?! Of course! We're going to give our home the absolute best look ever!"
Sam let out a low laugh.
A tired sigh followed.
"Yeah... but we're gonna have to finish everything tonight."
Allya stopped.
She tilted her head.
"Huh? Why tonight?"
"I have to fly out to Tokyo early tomorrow morning for some urgent business."
Sam unlocked the car.
"And if we leave it to those two, nothing will get done."
Allya stared at him for a second.
Then she giggled.
"Ugh, that is so true. Kiri is such a massive slacker!"
"Right?"
Sam smiled as he started the engine.
The car rumbled to life beneath them.
He shifted into gear.
"Alright then—shall we go conquer the decor shop?"
"Yeah!"
Allya pumped her fist into the air.
With their afternoon plans settled, the two drove off into the bustling city streets, unaware of just how much the quiet little moving day would come to mean for the new family they were building.