Episode 19: Magnolia Memories

The rhythmic hum of the bullet train filled the silence between us. I stared out the window, watching the blurred city lights pass by, lost in thought. Chou sat beside me, uncharacteristically quiet, twirling a strand of her hair around her finger. Something felt different tonight. Maybe it was the mission. Maybe it was what we'd discovered. Or maybe... it was just us.

We were headed to a small town on the outskirts of the city, a place that held ghosts from my past. Ren Shionji wasn't just some supplier working with Dahlia. He was connected to my family, to the life I'd tried to leave behind. And now, I had no choice but to confront it.

Chou stretched her arms and groaned. "Arghhh! This train ride is way too long. Why couldn't Aoi just send us by car or something?"

I smirked. "Because we're supposed to be blending in, not making a scene."

"Pfft, I'm great at blending in," she said, flipping her hair dramatically.

"Yeah, real subtle," I muttered.

She nudged me with her elbow, her usual grin returning. "Come on, Hana. You've been brooding ever since we left HQ. Talk to me."

I hesitated, my fingers tightening around the edge of my seat. "It's just... this place. I haven't been here since I was a kid."

Chou's teasing faded, replaced by something softer. "Do you want to tell me about it?"

I exhaled slowly, staring out the window again. "Not yet."

She nodded, respecting the distance. That was something I liked about Chou—she never pushed, never pried. But she was always there, waiting.

The train finally slowed to a stop, and we stepped out onto the platform. The air smelled different here—cleaner, fresher. The town hadn't changed much. The old brick buildings, the cobblestone streets, the tiny shops that still had the same signs from years ago.

And then there it was. The house.

It stood at the end of a quiet street, just as I remembered. Magnolia trees lined the walkway, their white petals fluttering in the evening breeze. My chest tightened.

"This is it?" Chou asked, standing beside me.

I nodded. "Yeah."

She looked at the house, then at me. "Do you want to go in?"

Did I? I wasn't sure. But before I could decide, the front door creaked open.

A woman stepped out. Her sharp eyes met mine, and for a moment, neither of us spoke. Then, she sighed.

"You shouldn't have come back, Hana."

Inside, the house was exactly how I remembered it. The scent of old books, the dim lighting, the walls lined with family portraits. Memories I had long buried began to surface, and I had to force myself to keep my breathing steady.

The woman—my aunt, Misaki—poured tea with the same grace and precision as always. She hadn't changed much. Her expression was still unreadable, her words measured.

"So," she said, setting the teacup in front of me. "You're back."

"Not by choice," I muttered.

Chou glanced between us, clearly sensing the tension. "Sooo, are we gonna pretend this isn't super awkward, or...?"

I shot her a look, but she just grinned. My aunt, however, didn't react at all.

"You're here because of Ren," Misaki stated. It wasn't a question.

I stiffened. "You know him?"

"I used to," she said, taking a slow sip of her tea. "He was one of your father's most trusted men."

My stomach twisted. "And now?"

She set her cup down, meeting my gaze. "Now, he works for someone else. Someone who doesn't share your father's... ideals."

Chou leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "Meaning?"

Misaki exhaled, rubbing her temple. "Meaning you're walking into something dangerous, Hana. More dangerous than you realize."

I clenched my fists. "I can handle it."

She looked at me for a long moment before sighing. "You're so much like your father."

I flinched at the comparison. "I'm nothing like him."

Misaki didn't argue, but her silence said enough.

Later that night, Chou and I sat on the steps outside, watching the wind carry magnolia petals across the yard. The silence between us wasn't uncomfortable, but it was heavy.

"I didn't know you had family here," Chou said after a while.

"I don't," I muttered.

She gave me a look. "Come on, Hana. She clearly cares about you."

"She cares about keeping the past buried," I said bitterly. "That's all."

Chou didn't argue, just pulled her knees to her chest and rested her head on them. "You know, I get it."

I raised an eyebrow. "Get what?"

"Wanting to run away from the past," she said. "But no matter how far you go, it always catches up to you."

I stared at her, surprised by the seriousness in her voice. "Is that what happened to you?"

She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Something like that."

I wanted to ask more, but something told me now wasn't the time.

Instead, I let out a slow breath and leaned back on my hands. "You were right earlier."

Chou perked up. "Wait, did I hear that correctly? Hana Chouchou just admitted I was right? Someone write this down."

I rolled my eyes. "Don't push it."

She laughed, nudging my shoulder. "So what was I right about?"

I hesitated, then glanced back at the house. "She does care. In her own way."

Chou gave me a soft smile. "Told ya."

I shook my head, a small smile playing on my lips. "You're insufferable."

"And you love it," she teased.

I didn't reply. But the warmth in my chest told me she wasn't wrong.