Haruto had always found comfort in quiet work, the gardens had become a place of gentle routine since his arrival, somewhere his restless thoughts could settle while his paws busied themselves with tending herbs and carefully inspecting new shoots. He moved with practiced precision, nosing aside a broad leaf before delicately removing a cluster of weeds threatening to choke a young medicinal plant. A faint scent of damp earth clung to his fur, and despite the early hour there was already a small pile of unwanted growth gathered neatly beside him.

The familiar voice carried across the beds, warm as spring sunlight.

His ears flicked upright before he turned, bright icy eyes immediately softening at the sight of his cousin. It still felt strange that she was truly here, there had been so many years where she'd existed only in memories and prayers, another face he feared had been lost to the world's endless tides, a quiet smile spread across his muzzle. Izumi-neesan

He dipped his head respectfully before glancing back toward the herbs.

Chotto niwa no teire o shite imasu. Nakaniha, zassō ni eiyō o ubawa sete shimau ni wa oshī hodo kichōna shokubutsu mo aru node. (Just giving the garden a little attention. Some of these plants are too valuable to let the weeds steal their strength) his paw brushed gently against a stalk of lavender. Min'na ga isogashiku shite iru ma ni, jibun mo nanika yakunitatsu koto o shiyou to omoimashita. (I thought I'd make myself useful while everyone else was busy) Haruto's gaze drifted over the flourishing beds before returning to her, his expression growing softer still. Soshite shōjiki ni iu to, sore wa watashi ni furusato o omoidasaseru. (And truthfully it reminds me of home,)

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