"Whoa, neesan!!" Kenji beamed, lifting his sake cup. "You still got it!"
Keiko, who had just lowered her phone after recording the performance, nodded in awe. "Wow, neesan… seriously, you sound even better than before."
Kyouko gave a modest smile, tucking her hair behind her ear. "Stop it, you two…"
Kitayama sat back with a proud nod, cheeks flushed with drink but eyes sharp with pride.
"See, Haruki-kun?" he grinned, gesturing toward the piano. "This is my daughter. Your mother-in-law. Don't tell me…" he leaned in with a mischievous look, "you're falling for her~?"
The room chuckled.
Haruki just smiled softly, keeping his expression perfectly calm. "She's… amazing," he said simply.
Hanako reached out and gave her husband a nudge. "Dear, don't tease the boy like that."
Kitayama just laughed heartily. "Hah! I'm just saying the truth!"
Kyouko glanced at Haruki—just for a second.
"Alright!!" Kitayama roared, raising his cup high. "Now we drink to our heart's content!!"
