Genya's hand went stiff for a moment.
Without letting it show, he shifted Hanabi higher in his arms, moving her farther from his chest.
"Really? Maybe it's the laundry detergent."
Hanabi tilted her head and sniffed again.
"It doesn't smell like laundry detergent..."
She counted on her fingers.
"There's a flowery smell, a sweet smell, and..."
Genya quickly cut her off.
"What brings you here today, little Hanabi? Miss your Brother-in-law?"
Hanabi was instantly distracted and nodded hard.
"Yes! Every day! Big sister misses you too!"
She turned and called to Hinata.
"Don't you, big sister?"
Hinata stood a few steps away, holding an umbrella. Snowflakes landed on it with a soft rustle.
The cold had brought a faint flush to her face. Tiny snowflakes clung to her lashes, and a hint of a smile lingered on her closed lips.
At Hanabi's shout, her face grew even redder. She lowered her head and murmured something that the wind carried away.
With Hanabi in his arms, Genya walked over and stopped in front of Hinata. Snow fell between them and quickly melted.
"You're here."
He spoke.
Hinata nodded and looked up at him.
Her gaze lingered on his face for a moment before shifting to the long corridor behind him.
The rehearsal room's door was already closed, and its curtains were drawn tight. Nothing was visible.
Yet she seemed to have seen everything.
"Am I interrupting?"
Her voice was very soft.
Genya rubbed his nose.
"No. I was just listening to some music."
Hinata nodded without asking further.
Hanabi squirmed in Genya's arms, pointing at the snow-covered street outside as she called out.
"Brother-in-law, let's build a snowman! There's a contest in the street!"
"A snowman-building contest! There's a prize for first place!"
"What's the prize?"
Hanabi blinked. "I don't know!