Chapter 225 – The Place Kei Once Called Home

Stepping out of the train station, they were officially in Tottori Prefecture.

Compared to Tokyo, the air here was noticeably colder — as expected of a place deep in Japan’s snow country.

There were no taxis around, nor any convenient train lines.

Once outside the station, the only option was to walk.

Along the roadside, piles of snow had been cleared and stacked neatly.
Ryou looked around with bright curiosity.

“There’s so much snow here… Suki-san, it’s almost like Hokkaido.”

“We haven’t seen a single person since we started walking…”

“Ah, look at all these tiny houses.”

She marveled at everything as they made their way forward.

After walking east along the cement road for a while, the front gate of the orphanage finally came into view.

It was a fairly large place — the yard looked spacious from the entrance.

But the gate itself was worn and faded, and the sign reading “Tottori Prefectural Orphanage” had long been weathered by time.

Standing before it, Aoki Kei introduced with a smile,

“This is where I grew up — from age one to sixteen. Not bad, huh?”

Yamada Ryou paused, blinking as she took it all in.

There were New Year’s charms and decorations hung over the entrance.

The snow had been carefully shoveled to the sides; though the building looked old, the front yard was tidy and well-kept.

It was her first time visiting a place like this, and it gave her a surprisingly warm impression.

Then, glancing at Aoki Kei again, she thought —

He really doesn’t shy away from the fact that he’s an orphan.

Just like he once said — he doesn’t mind where he came from.

And yet, as they arrived here, she could feel something subtle change in him.

Maybe it was her imagination… but it felt like Suki-san was suddenly more at ease.

“Let’s go in,” Ryou said.

Dragging her suitcase and the pile of gifts they’d brought, she followed him to the door.

As soon as they pushed it open and peeked inside, they spotted a few children wiping the glass windows.

The moment the kids noticed the sound of the door opening, they looked up nervously — until they recognized the familiar face of Aoki Kei.

Then their eyes lit up.

“Ah—Aoki-nii!”

A little girl in a pale blue dress ran toward him, her ponytail bouncing.

She looked about ten, cute as a button.

“Happy New Year, Aoki-nii! You’re finally back! I missed you so much!”

Aoki crouched down to her level and ruffled her hair.

“I’ve been busy lately. But I’ll make sure to visit more often, I promise. And as an apology… I brought you guys snacks and new clothes.”

“I don’t want snacks or clothes! I just want Aoki-nii to play with me more!”

“Alright, alright — I will. I promise.”

Soon, the other kids who’d been cleaning joined in, crowding around him with cheerful shouts.

The once-quiet orphanage was instantly filled with laughter.

Standing a bit off to the side, Ryou didn’t say anything.

She just watched — and for some reason, the sight made her heart feel warm.

Then, one of the girls — the one called “Yuu” — turned her gaze toward Ryou.

With wide, curious eyes, she asked, “Onee-chan, are you Aoki-nii’s girlfriend? From the big city?”

Aoki froze on the spot.

And beside him, the always cool and composed Ryou also stiffened.

He opened his mouth, ready to gently scold Yuu for being too forward and to clear up the misunderstanding —

But before he could say a word, Ryou moved first.

She blinked once, then turned toward Aoki with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes — the kind that said, “Ooh, this could be fun.”

Then she faced Yuu again, smiled, and nodded decisively.

“Mm-hm. I’m your Aoki-nii’s girlfriend.”

Aoki’s nearly choke his own saliva.

It wasn’t the first time she’d done something like this, but somehow, this time felt… different.

And sure enough — just as he expected, little Yuu’s face instantly lit up in excitement.

“Waaah! Aoki-nii has a girlfriend! A girlfriend from Tokyo!”

She squealed, spun around, and dashed toward the house, shouting as she ran,

“Tougou-aunty! Tougou-aunty! Aoki-nii’s back! And he brought his girlfriend! She’s super cute!”

Aoki’s face froze mid-smile.

He blinked, then turned to look at Ryou — who suddenly looked a lot less smug.

Her expression, once calm and teasing, now showed faint panic.

This wasn’t good.

On the train earlier, Aoki had mentioned Tougou-san — the head of the orphanage.

After her husband passed away, she’d been running the place alone, taking care of every child like they were her own.

Even after Aoki moved to Tokyo, she often messaged him to check on his health and life.

In many ways, she was like his family.

And now… Ryou realized the weight of what she’d just said.

All she’d wanted was to tease Suki-san a little.

But watching Yuu rush off to tell the “aunty,” her heart skipped a beat.

Wait—

Was this… meeting the parents?

She wasn’t ready for that!

Panicking, she turned to Aoki, eyes pleading,

“Suki-san, c-could you maybe explain that I—”

Before she could finish, a woman’s voice called out from inside, “Kei? You’re back already? Yuu said you brought your girlfriend—honestly, you could’ve at least warned me first!”

From the house emerged a middle-aged woman in her fifties.

Ryou instantly froze, lips pressed tight, instinctively taking a small step back and shooting desperate glances at Aoki.

He sighed softly, then turned toward the woman with a wry smile.

“Good afternoon, Aunt Tougou.”

Setting down the bags he’d been carrying, he added,

“I brought some food for the kids — and ordered milk and vegetables to be delivered later. It was too heavy to carry from the city.”

“How much did you buy this time? You always waste money on us!”

Tougou-san scolded lightly, but her tone was full of affection as she took a step back, giving herself space to look Aoki up and down with a fond, appraising gaze.