"Big Bro!"
At home, the first to spot Yuzuru Hyuga was Neji, who was running back and forth along the wooden corridor outside.
Even though they had not seen each other for nearly a year, the little boy who had learned to call him "Big Bro" at the age of one had clearly not forgotten his older brother.
"Big Bro!!!"
He launched himself forward like a diving fish, charging straight at Yuzuru Hyuga's knees. Yuzuru had no choice but to crouch down and catch him, his body swaying slightly to dissipate the force of the impact. Then he helplessly smiled and picked him up. "Neji, you've grown quite a bit!"
"I missed you so much! Big Bro!"
As Neji spoke, he actually looked like he was about to cry. Yuzuru Hyuga had no choice but to rock him from side to side in his arms. "Isn't your brother back now? What's there to cry about?"
"Waaah..." He said nothing, merely squirming around in Yuzuru's arms.
Yuzuru Hyuga could not help but laugh. "You're acting like a little girl."
"I'm not! I'm... a boy!" This was clearly not the first time Neji had heard something like that. He puffed out his little cheeks angrily and looked up at him. His words were still slightly unclear, but he could already form sentences out of words and phrases.
"Young Master Yuzuru! Welcome home!" At that moment, Hyuga Riko, the maid responsible for looking after Neji, finally found a chance to greet him amid the brothers' conversation.
Yuzuru Hyuga glanced at the bandage on her forehead and smiled faintly. "It's been a long time, Sister Riko. You've gotten prettier again."
"Really?" Hyuga Riko looked rather embarrassed as she smiled shyly. "Young Master Yuzuru has become more handsome too."
Yuzuru Hyuga had indeed changed somewhat.