A reunion?

The koi wolf rose slowly after Seiko stepped back, his breathing heavy but steady. He met their gaze, appreciating the hint of a smile, an unusual gesture from Seiko, but one that spoke volumes. He dipped his head slightly, acknowledging both the praise and the belief they had in him. It felt good to hear, even from someone as stoic as Seiko.

When they asked about his time away, Keito's expression shifted, his eyes darkening slightly as memories of his search for their mother surfaced. He looked out toward the distant horizon for a moment, gathering his thoughts. "It was... challenging," he began, his voice quieter now. "I learned a lot, but it wasn't the kind of growth I expected. Searching for someone who doesn't want to be found is... harder than I thought it would be when I initially left."

He turned back to Seiko, his gaze steady. "I missed out on growth here, that much is clear from our spar- but I think I have grown in other ways. I've learned patience, and.. what it means to let go. I learned the different territories in Auster, and how to survive them. Now, I just need to catch up, both to you and to the family."

"Speech"