ReikoThe late afternoon sun hung heavily over the Takahashi household, pressing warmth against the doors and tatami floors. Reiko wiped her forehead with the back of her wrist, the faint scent of detergent and summer air clinging to her. She had spent the last hour folding laundry and scrubbing the veranda, her apron slightly damp from the heat.
The hum of cicadas filled the silence steady, almost hypnotic until the sharp chime of the doorbell broke through it.
Reiko blinked, startled. “Ah coming!” she called out, setting the laundry basket aside. As she hurried down the hallway, her mind raced. Who could it be at this hour? The mail was already delivered. Perhaps a neighbor? A delivery she’d forgotten about? Or maybe something unexpected.
She smoothed her short dark hair with her fingers, wiped her palms on her apron, and quickened her steps. The wooden floor creaked softly beneath her bare feet as she reached for the door. For a moment, she hesitated heart beating just a little faster before sliding it open.
The hum of cicadas filled the silence steady, almost hypnotic until the sharp chime of the doorbell broke through it.
Reiko blinked, startled. “Ah coming!” she called out, setting the laundry basket aside. As she hurried down the hallway, her mind raced. Who could it be at this hour? The mail was already delivered. Perhaps a neighbor? A delivery she’d forgotten about? Or maybe something unexpected.
She smoothed her short dark hair with her fingers, wiped her palms on her apron, and quickened her steps. The wooden floor creaked softly beneath her bare feet as she reached for the door. For a moment, she hesitated heart beating just a little faster before sliding it open.
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