The Two Houses, Episode 5
Episode 5: In the Car
The car left the residential area and pulled onto a main road.
The houses outside the window slowly drifted backward.
"Can I play some music?"
Yuma asked.
"Sure. Whatever you like is fine, Yuma."
The uncle replied.
When he pressed the button, a cheerful song began to play.
In the back, Yuka started singing softly.
"You're good at that."
The uncle said, looking through the rearview mirror.
"Really?"
Yuka's voice grew just a little louder.
Kanae and Madoka laughed.
The car continued straight for a while.
"Are you sleepy?"
The uncle asked Yuma.
"I'm still okay."
"If you get carsick, tell me right away."
"Okay."
It was a soft voice.
—
A sign for a service area came into view.
"Should we stop?"
"Yeah."
The car came to a stop.
When they opened the doors, a slightly chilly breeze drifted in.
There were many families in the parking lot.
The five of them walked in a line.
"I'm going to the restroom."
The uncle said.
"Okay."
Kanae replied.
Yuma and Yuka stopped in front of the shop.
"I want soft-serve ice cream."
Yuka said.
"In the morning?"
Madoka laughed.
"Let's share one between the two of you."
Kanae said.
"We'll split it."
"Yay."
Yuka held the white soft-serve ice cream.
Yuma took a bite from the side.
"Don't drop it."
Kanae handed them a tissue.
The uncle returned.
He was holding a paper cup of coffee.
"Is it good?"
"Yeah."
"You have to eat it before it melts."
It was a gentle voice.
The five of them sat on a bench.
There was another family on the bench next to them.
A father, a mother, and two children.
It felt like their laughter sounded similar.
Yuma looked for a moment, then looked away.
—
They returned to the car.
The highway was long.
When they entered a tunnel, the sound changed.
It got dark, then bright again immediately.
Yuma watched the uncle's hands on the steering wheel.
They were large hands.
"Hey."
He said quietly.
"Hmm?"
His eyes remained fixed on the road ahead.
"...So."
The words didn't follow.
"What's wrong?"
A voice that didn't rush him.
"It's nothing."
"I see."
That was all.
—
They entered a mountain road.
The curves increased.
"We're almost there."
The uncle said.
"Really?"
"Yeah. Just a little bit more."
A wooden building came into view.
It was a slightly old inn with a tiled roof.
They parked the car.
When they stepped outside, the air was a bit cold.
They opened the sliding door with the noren curtain hanging over it.
"Welcome. You must be our guests with the reservation."
The person at the front desk bowed softly.
The uncle gave their name.
They received the key.
The wooden hallway felt cool.
When they opened the sliding door to the room, the scent of tatami mats spread out.
"It's big."
Yuka said.
Mountains were visible beyond the window.
Five futons were laid out in a row.
They had finally arrived.
Just that alone made him feel a little relieved.
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