"Hell of a secret"

February 4th, 2026

At Shigeyoshi residence - 12:14 PM

The tension in the living room was so thick it could have been sliced with a blade.

Ray stood frozen, arms crossed, his brow furrowed as he stared at the four women lounging comfortably on the couch that once held his family - a family that no longer existed the way he remembered. His eyes darted from one unfamiliar face to another, each one beautiful in their own enigmatic way. Still, his instincts screamed caution.

The mature woman who had an air of quiet regality about her stood and gave a gentle, diplomatic smile. "Would you like to sit down? I'll make you a drink. Coffee or tea?"

Ray hesitated. Her voice was soft, cultured, but there was something unnervingly calm about her. Still, he relented with a nod. "Coffee. Black, please."

She nodded and turned towards the kitchen with elegant, measured steps, her long light-brown hair cascading over her shoulders like silk. Her presence carried a refined dignity that made Ray feel oddly on guard, like he was talking to a noble rather than a housewife.

Moments later, she returned with a steaming mug and handed it to him with both hands. "Here you go."

"Thanks," Ray muttered, sitting slowly on a single-seater armchair by the coffee table. He took a sip, never breaking eye contact with the rest.

The regal woman sat back down gracefully, folding her hands on her lap. "Let me introduce myself," she began warmly. "I'm Sakura Himura. Shinjo's wife."

Ray blinked. The words hit him like a hammer. "Wife?" he echoed.

"Yes," she continued with a gentle smile. "We got married back in 2020. And these," she gestured to the women around her, "are my daughters."

Ray slowly looked at each of them again. This was getting weirder by the second.

Sakura pointed at the tall, tomboyish woman with bleach-blond hair. "This is Reina, my eldest."

Reina smirked and raised two fingers in a casual salute. "Sup," she said. She leaned back on the couch, chewing gum, arms behind her head like she owned the place. There was a brash confidence in her posture, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

Next, Sakura gestured at the platinum blonde who had yet to blink. "That's Arashi, my second."

Arashi offered no greeting. Her eyes, silver-gray and unblinking, locked with Ray's as if she were scanning him, dissecting every nuance of his behavior. Cold. Analytical. She sat with legs crossed, fingers interlaced, perfectly composed.

"And finally," Sakura pointed at the petite brunette who looked like she might shrink into the sofa. "This is Kitsune. My youngest."

Kitsune gave a tiny wave, her head lowered, cheeks turning pink. Her soft, round features gave her a mouse-like appearance - quiet, delicate, and painfully shy.

Ray set the coffee down. He rubbed the back of his neck and let out a quiet sigh.

"So," he said. "You and Shinjo. Married in 2020."

"Yes," Sakura replied, folding her hands neatly on her lap.

"And he didn't tell you about me?" His tone was sharp, not angry, but heavy with accusation.

Sakura gave a slow, thoughtful shake of her head. "Not a word. Believe me, I was just as shocked."

"Yeah," Ray muttered. "That sounds like him. Hiding things until they rot."

"We all have secrets," Arashi chimed in, her tone as crisp as a winter breeze. She tilted her head, her gaze still fixed on him. "Some more damaging than others."

"I'm sure Father had a reason for keeping you from us," Reina added with a smirk. She leaned forward, elbows on her knees, eyeing Ray like a lioness eyeing fresh prey. "But damn... you were one hell of a secret. If you know what I mean."

She popped her gum with a smirk and gave him a wink.

Ray exhaled slowly and closed his eyes. "Jesus Christ."

"You okay?" Sakura asked, concerned.

He looked up at her. "No. Not really. I just flew back to Japan for the first time in five years. The old man's dying. And now I walk into my childhood home and see four complete strangers acting like it's theirs. So, no, I'm not okay."

"You're right," Sakura said, her smile dimming. "You deserve answers."

"Damn right, I do."

A heavy silence lingered for a moment.

Kitsune fidgeted in her seat, glancing between her sisters and then back to Ray, as if wanting to say something but too afraid.

Ray looked at her for a second, his gaze softening slightly.

"It's okay," he muttered. "I'm not mad at you girls. I'm just... surprised."

"Same here," Reina said. "I mean, if we knew you were our... what? Stepbrother? We would've, I don't know, maybe left the house before you arrived."

"Or cleaned up," Arashi added dryly.

"What do you mean, cleaned up?" Ray asked.

"The house," Sakura explained. "We just arrived here last week. We came back from family vacation overseas. Shinjo arranged this place to be held for us in case he... didn't make it."

"Don't worry, we have our own house. We don't intend to steal this house from you." She added, her smile unwavering.

That hit Ray harder than expected. He picked up his coffee, took a long sip, and leaned back.

"Your were at vacation and your husband is sick?" Ray uttered, his eyes were a dagger.

They stayed silent.

"Anyway, have you already visited him" He asked.

"Yes. Sankai Private Medical," Sakura answered. "I can give you the address."

"Already have it," Ray replied. He looked at his watch. "I should go. It's been years since I last saw that old man. Might be my last."

He stood up. The four women remained seated, all watching him.

Reina smiled slyly. "Need company?"

"I work alone," Ray said without missing a beat.

Arashi cocked her head. "Spoken like a man with deep scars."

"Spoken like a man who doesn't trust anyone," he corrected.

He moved toward the door.

"Be careful.....

....stepson." Sakura said gently. "There's a lot you don't know."

Ray paused at the doorframe, hand on the knob.

"That goes both ways, Sakura."

He opened the door and stepped into the Tokyo air. His pulse was steady, but his mind raced. His home, his father, these women—nothing felt the same. Secrets hid in every shadow, and Ray knew he was only at the beginning of a very long, very strange homecoming.

And Reina's words lingered in his head like smoke:

"Damn... you were one hell of a secret."