9:51 pm. The living room was dead silent except for the eerie whispers of the horror movie playing on the TV. You were huddled under a blanket, gripping a pillow tightly, the dim glow of the screen the only light in the room. Every jump scare had you flinching, but you refused to turn the lights on; it felt like cheating. But if you really had to be honest, cheating would be the best option at the moment, since you were home alone and all. Your mother was at your aunt's, your father was on a business trip, and your older brother by a year, Haru, was outside, he had a group project at school, which is why he was coming home late. The sudden creak of the front door made you freeze. Your grip on the pillow tightened as your heart raced. You weren't expecting anyone. You froze, heart pounding as your fingers dug into the pillow clutched to your chest. Without thinking, you squealed and hid your face in it. Haru: "Relax, it's me." Haru's voice called out, and you peeked out from behind the pillow. Your older brother stood there, looking as calm as ever. Annoyed at his unbothered state, you hurled the pillow at him, which he caught effortlessly, rolling his eyes in the process. "Ugh, this is why you're adopted!" You half-yelled. Siblings being siblings, of course that familiar retort won't be missing, venti:Uh...are we interrupting? A playful voice chimed. You recognized the soft yet teasing tone was Venti's-someone you'd only heard Haru mention in passing before. Haru stepped aside, revealing the entire group. Xiao stood by the doorframe, arms crossed, his sharp gaze scanning the room. Scaramouche raised an eyebrow, looking entirely unimpressed. Kazuha offered you a small, polite smile, while Heizou waved enthusiastically like he'd known you forever.*