Visit

The soft, filtered light of late morning—bordering dangerously on early afternoon—spilled lazily through the gauzy curtains of Luna's grand room. Everything in the space was painted in serene pastel hues, with Milo sprawled belly-up on the thick carpet, snoring softly like a tiny motorboat.

On the oversized, plush bed, two very immobile figures lay beneath a mound of blankets.

Kana cracked open one eye, groaned dramatically, and rolled over to nudge Luna with her foot. "Your bed is a sin. A temptation straight from the devil. I've never slept this well and this long. This is illegal."

Luna, still cocooned in the thick duvet, gave a sleepy laugh. "I warned you. It's enchanted. Bed of slumber. One night and you're a convert."

Kana flopped onto her back, arms spread wide. "You should've warned me it'd make me forget I had a functioning spine. My whole body feels like melted caramel."

Luna stretched languidly and peeked at the time on her phone. "Oh… wow. It's already past eleven."

Kana shot up like a jack-in-the-box. "You mean it's almost noon?!"

Luna laughed harder. "Okay, Sleeping Beauty. Chill. We didn't exactly have early plans."

Kana groaned again and fell back down with a sigh. "Fine. But still, we need to start prepping to visit my sister. She texted me last night that she was looking forward to it, so no flaking."

Luna nodded, now sitting up, pulling her hair into a messy bun. "Absolutely. We'll go after lunch. But first, we need to make an essential pit stop."

Kana arched a brow. "Let me guess. The food truck."

Luna grinned. "Exactly. We're bringing your sister her favorite deep-fried turkey leg, and that loaded pulled pork sandwich with the extra jalapeño slaw."

Kana chuckled fondly. "She's gonna cry when she sees it. Literally. That sandwich is her kryptonite."

"We should get one each, too," Luna added while heading to the vanity. "A noble feast for noble visitors."

"I like how you think, rich girl," Kana said with a mock-impressed tone, slipping out of bed. "Shall I also wear a tiara and decree a public holiday while we're at it?"

"I mean, if you want to match Milo's little crown," Luna teased, pointing at the nearby shelf where a tiny decorative crown sat—originally gifted to Milo by Madam Mu herself.

Milo, still on the floor, sneezed in his sleep.

They both laughed.

Luna pulled open her closet and passed Kana a few comfy but cute outfit choices the maids had prepared. "Go crazy. We'll keep it casual, but I'm not letting you walk into that food truck line looking like a disgruntled raccoon."

Kana held up a stylish oversized hoodie and nodded in approval. "Okay, rich girl's got taste."

By the time the two were dressed and downstairs, the household staff had already set out a light brunch of tea, fruits, and croissants—clearly anticipating their late rise.

Kana sipped her tea and sighed dramatically. "I'm never leaving."

Luna smiled as she picked a piece of melon for Milo, now wide awake and tailing them expectantly. "Good. Stay. Be my emotional support gremlin."

"Emotional support gremlin reporting for duty," Kana saluted with her croissant.

Their morning (turned noon) laughter echoed through the manor's halls, warm and easy.

________________________________________________________________________________________

The scent of sizzling meat, tangy sauces, and fried spices wafted through the warm afternoon air. Park-goers bustled around picnic benches, strollers squeaked over gravel, and the constant sizzle of the food truck grills was music to any stomach.

Luna and Kana stood in line at the famed food truck by the national park. It looked like a rust-painted tin box with a personality, boasting a menu that could make Michelin chefs weep with jealousy. Luna adjusted her sunglasses, scanning the menu board even though she already knew what they were getting.

"Three deep-fried turkey legs, two loaded pulled pork sandwiches with extra slaw, and one brisket melt for insurance," Kana declared proudly.

"Don't forget the slushies," Luna added. "Gotta complete the aesthetic."

Just as Kana was about to step forward to order, a voice from behind them chimed in with teasing flair.

"Well, well, if it isn't the Slay Queen of Gluttony."

Luna turned, eyes narrowing behind her shades.

A lanky, stylishly dressed man leaned casually against the order counter, wearing oversized shades and a beanie that nearly swallowed his dark curls. His designer hoodie looked suspiciously like it belonged on a Paris runway, not a food truck queue.

"Josh," Kana groaned. "Did the carbs lure you out of hiding again?"

"Caught red-handed," Josh grinned, showing off his perfect teeth. "But forget me—who's the pretty lady you're trying to smuggle food with?"

Kana dramatically placed herself between Luna and Josh. "None of your business. This is Luna. Mine. My friend. My wallet. My therapist. My alibi. No touching. No stealing."

Josh doubled over laughing so hard that his sunglasses almost flew off. "Kana! You're so territorial, it's adorable."

"You're a menace," Kana said with a smirk. "Now get your carbs and go cry about your last photoshoot. I know that smoky eye didn't pass the client check."

"I liked the smoky eye," Josh said petulantly as Kana turned toward the food truck to place their order.

With Kana occupied, Luna found herself standing next to Josh. The two regarded each other in a surprisingly companionable silence—until Luna, curious and as blunt as always, asked with a tilt of her head:

"So… do you have a thing for Kana?"

Josh visibly choked on his own breath. "What?!"

Luna blinked and handed him her half-finished slushy. "Breathe. Here."

Josh took it gratefully and took a big sip, coughing a bit before groaning. "Good grief. You're as direct as she is. No, no. Absolutely not. Kana is like… my big sister. Meddling, annoying, bossy, suspiciously strong big sister."

Luna gave a small amused smile. "That's… actually a little sweet."

Josh sighed dramatically. "You should've seen her once. Threatened to staple a contract manager's tongue if he ever talked down to me like a fool again. And she wasn't even wearing heels that day."

Luna chuckled. "Classic Kana."

Just then, Kana returned with a loaded tray of goodies, squinting at the two. "You didn't make him cry, did you, Luna?"

Josh raised his cup. "Only gave me a mild heart attack."

Kana handed Luna the turkey legs and narrowed her eyes. "That's fair. Now, Josh, go vanish before I throw a slush at you."

"Already gone," he winked, spinning away dramatically and disappearing into the crowd like a very dramatic raccoon.

As Kana and Luna walked toward the parking lot with arms full of food, Kana glanced at Luna, who was still smirking.

"What did you ask him?"

Luna raised a turkey leg in place of a reply. "Just checking the emotional landscape."

Kana narrowed her eyes. "You asked if he liked me, didn't you?"

Luna bit into her turkey leg with an innocent shrug. "Maybe."

"Luna!"

They both burst out laughing as they loaded into the car. 

Luna promptly fed Kana a piece of the deep-fried turkey leg as they drove. 

Mid afternoon at Kana's sister's apartment...

The door creaked open before Kana even had the chance to knock.

Standing there, framed by warm sunlight and draped in a flowy cardigan far too thin for the crisp air, was Mary, Kana's older sister. Her long chestnut hair was tied in a loose braid over one shoulder, her face thinner than Luna remembered from photos, yet her smile?

Bright and unstoppable.

"Well if this isn't divine intervention with extra sides," Mary exclaimed, eyes immediately falling on the overloaded bags of food in Kana's arms. "Are those deep-fried turkey legs?"

Kana lifted the bags. "And loaded pulled pork sandwiches, by royal request."

"You really are sent by heaven," Mary said, pulling them both into a warm embrace before ushering them inside her modest but cozy apartment.

The walls were decorated with framed Polaroids, Kana's childhood antics, some modeling snapshots, travel memories, and even a few shots of Mary in a lab coat, beaming proudly. The air smelled of lavender and old books, lived-in and comforting.

The sisters didn't waste time. Once the food was plated and the three of them settled around the low table in the living room, the cheerful atmosphere gave way to something heavier.

"I know why you came," Mary said softly, her tone gentle but firm as she sipped from her tea. "And I'll say this now, Kana—I've already made arrangements. If my condition worsens, I'll enter hospice care. I don't want to weigh you down."

"Weigh me down?" Kana's voice cracked, eyes wide. "You raised me. You carried me your whole life. I wouldn't be me without you. You think I'm going to just watch from afar while some strangers take care of you like you're—like you're—!"

"I'm dying, Kana."

The room fell silent. The words echoed, as though Mary had shouted them instead of whispering.

"I'm dying, and I've accepted it," Mary continued, calmer now. "And I'm tired. Tired of fighting every day and pretending it's fine. I want to go in peace, I don't want to feel guilty when you use your precious time taking care of me when there are other options available. I don't want to steal your time just to see me get sicker and sicker"

"You're not stealing anything! And it's only right I take care of you, even if...even if you...get sicker and sicker!" Kana stood, voice rising, hands trembling.

Luna looked between the two, heart tight.

"Hey," she said gently. "Let's not burn each other before we run out of time to talk. Kana… Mary's scared. She's trying to protect you. And Mary… Kana's scared too, but she wants to be there for you. Can't you meet somewhere in the middle?"

Kana sat slowly, biting her lip. "Then let me be here. I don't need to quit everything, but let me adjust. I can do part-time modeling. Vlog less. Work remotely. Please just let me stay."

Mary looked at her for a long moment, then reached out and took her sister's hand. "Half-time sister, half-time chaos goblin?"

Kana sniffed and laughed through her tears. "Exactly."

Luna smiled, watching them lock pinkies like they were kids again. Luna handed Mary the loaded pulled pork sandwich, and Kana grabbed one as well. 

"I swear the food truck is carb heaven," Luna states as she enjoys the brisket melt.

"More like sinner's last stop," Kana added with a soft grin. "Sent by the demon gluttony itself."

"No," Mary declares. "It's like Santa's lunch stop. I mean, look at Santa, isn't he the image of the jolly old man who enjoys all those savory, mouth-watering dishes?"

The three ladies burst out laughing as they imagined what Mary described.

They ate together, talked about nothing and everything. The weight of what was to come lingered in the room, but it no longer pressed against their ribs—it just… was, part of the path forward.

And for now, they walked it together.