Son Goten stopped outside Ayame's door.
Without hesitating, he gave it a gentle push, and it opened soundlessly.
The room was unlit, with only moonlight spilling through the window, laying a silver frost across the floor.
Ayame sat at the little table by the window, her back to the door.
She wore casual clothes, the neckline slightly askew, exposing a small patch of pale collarbone, her soft, long brown hair falling loosely over her shoulders.
A bottle of sake stood on the table, with a tiny cup beside it.
Son Goten walked in and closed the door behind him.
At the sound behind her, Ayame's shoulders visibly tensed, but she did not turn around.
"Drinking your sorrows away alone? That's not like you."
Son Goten casually pulled out the chair opposite her and sat down.
An unnatural flush colored Ayame's cheeks, and her eyes were much hazier than usual as she picked up her cup and gently swirled it.
"It's nothing. I just couldn't sleep."
Son Goten said nothing. He simply picked up the bottle on the table, poured himself a cup, and drained it in one gulp.
The fiery liquid slid down his throat, but he did not even frown.
He knew some words needed alcohol to unlock them.
The room was quiet, save for their faint breathing and the occasional soft clink of cups.
The moonlight slowly shifted across Ayame's profile. She tipped her head back slightly and emptied her cup, the line of her neck looking especially graceful in the moonlight.
After her third cup, a faint tremor finally crept into Ayame's voice.
"Goten, have you ever thought about..."
"In the beginning, this family was just you, Dad, and me."
Son Goten set down his cup, its base meeting the tabletop with a soft tap.
"I know."