Arashi moved her hand inside the tattered pouch as her expression slowly turned into confusion. She thought. I just saw him stuff everything in this… Arashi moved her gaze onto Reiki and saw the mischievous smile on his face, she threw the pouch at his face and said. “You are an asshole.” The pouch hit Reiki in the face, he laughed and grabbed the pouch from his face. He said. “That’s the first time I saw genuine emotions on your face.” Reiki pocketed the pouch while Arashi was making her way to the couch and gave him the middle finger.
She sat down on the couch, Arashi said. “I hope you burn in hell.” A faint blush appeared on her cheeks, she thought. I can’t believe I fell for it… Arashi grabbed the remote as she only got angrier the more she saw the smug look of his face in her head. She easily crushed the remote with her hands, Arashi stood up from the couch as she turned around and said. “You think this is funny-!” Her eyes widened slightly seeing Reiki was gone from the apartment. She grit her teeth and thought. That fucking boy! I’m going to pulverize him in the next spar!
________________________________________________________________________________
Reiki’s Room
A white streak of white phased through the window as Reiki appeared next to it, he did some light stretches and thought. Prep is done, time to cook dinner and think of some side dishes. Cherry landed on his right shoulder while Reiki made his way to the door. He said. “Cherry, good job stealing some gold.” Reiki thought. How you manage to infiltrate it is something I will never know. He rubbed the top of the albino crow's head with his index finger and opened the door with his left hand.
He made his way to the staircase and said. “Do you want more ice cream?” Reiki stopped patting the top of the bird's head as Cherry shook her head sideways. He reached the bottom of the staircase, Reiki said. “I guess you’re already full.” He saw the living room where Ketsueki, Sachi, and Namida were sitting on the couch while Shiro was on the reclining chair on the side holding onto a spoon along with an empty bowl with some traces of ice cream. Reiki moved his gaze onto the TV and saw a familiar movie playing.
He thought. That movie aired today? Fuck, I missed the start and I have to make dinner… Well, I guess I’m going to have to watch a replay. Reiki made his way to the couch while Cherry turned into a streak of white and appeared on top of the backrest of the couch. The crow watched the movie with interest while Reiki made his way to his older sister, he gently poked Ketsueki’s thigh a couple of times. Reiki spoke in a whisper and said. “Onee-chan, what sides do you want along with steak?”
Ketsueki’s gaze was on the movie, she placed a hand on top of her little brother's head and spoke in a soft tone. She said. “Mashed potatoes sound good and…” Sachi whispered into Ketsueki's ear and said. “Wine.” Ketsueki said. “Wi-.” She realized what happened and elbowed Sachi in the ribs which made her hunch forward in pain while placing a hand on the spot she was hit. Namida softly let out a slightly mocking laugh while Ketsueki continued. “I’m craving for some mushrooms but Shiro doesn’t like them.” Reiki nodded at her and said. “I’ll think of something Shiro would like.” He made his way to the reclining chair where Shiro was sitting.
Reiki stared at the large empty bowl his little sister was holding, he said. “Can’t stand up can you, Shiro?” Shiro puffed her cheeks as she used the spoon to point at Ketsueki. Shiro said. “Onii-chan, Onee-chan is bullying me.” Reiki took the bowl and spoon from her and said. “How about a hamburger steak and mashed potatoes for dinner?” Shiro’s eyes lit up as a hint of drool appeared on the corner of her mouth, she said. “Hamburger steak…” Her older brother wiped the drool off her mouth using his hand, Reiki said. “Dinner will be ready soon.”
He made his way to the kitchen and stared at the simple and slightly old single-burner, Reiki thought. … I miss my kitchen at the three Michelin star restaurant… He let out a sigh and took out a tattered pouch from his pocket, Reiki continued his train of thought. I hope this works, otherwise, I’m going to get my ass whooped the moment I step into Arashi’s apartment. He opened a cabinet at the bottom, took out a frying pan, and placed it on the stove. Reiki turned the heat to medium and made his way to the fridge.
He took out a stick of butter along with half a clove of garlic. Reiki lazily placed them near the single stove and opened a drawer as he took out a paring knife, he thought. It’ll have to do. He took out a cutting board from the drawer, closed it, and easily peeled the garlic skin off. Reiki crushed the garlic using the side of the paring knife and placed his left hand above the pan to feel the temperature of it. He unwrapped the butter and applied it on the surface of the pan.
Reiki thought. Let’s see if I need mana stones to cook dragon meat. He took out a kilogram of meat that had a beautiful marbling of fat. He opened a drawer that had a hand towel, placed it over his shoulder, started washing his hands with water and soap. Reiki dried his hand with the hand towel, picked up the meat with his hands, and gently placed it on the pan. The air was filled with the mesmerizing smell of meat along with the sound of sizzling, Reiki thought. Looks like I don’t have to beg Arashi to use her kitchen today.
~Thirty Minutes Later~
Reiki finished cooking as he made his way to the living room, he thought. Steak needs to rest for ten more minutes, I should start setting the table at five. He saw the TV showing end credits while Namida stood up from the couch and stretched upwards with her fingers interlocked, she said. “Thanks for the ice cream.” She stopped stretching and saw Sachi standing up from the couch, Namida continued. “Let’s go get yelled at by my mother at her house.” Sachi took her phone from her pocket and used it to check the time,
She said. “Any chance your family is serving their signature sake?” Namida shook her head sideways and said. “Probably not, but if you decide to stay the night I can always sneak a bottle for us to share.” Ketsueki was already standing as she turned the TV off with the remote, she casually threw the remote on the couch and said. “What about me?” Namida rolled her eyes at her friend, she said. “Next time, don’t slam your foot on top of mine and refuse to offer us dinner.” Reiki made his way to the reclining chair Shiro was sitting on as he helped her get up.
He said. “Shiro, how was the movie?” His little sister grabbed his hand as she pulled herself up from the chair, Shiro said. “It had lots of explosions and car chases.” She gave her older brother a bright smile as Reiki gently caressed the top of her head. Reiki returned the smile and said. “As long as you enjoyed yourself.” He moved his hand away from Shiro’s head, Reiki continued. “Shiro, I made some soup.” Ketsueki, Namida, and Sachi made their way to the front door.
Ketsueki walked beside her friends and said. “You two ate most of the cherry ice cream Reiki made for me.” Sachi moved some hair behind her ear, she said. “It's not our fault you were too slow.” Namida nodded in agreement, she said. “For someone who’s supposed to be our leader, you lack initiative.” Ketsueki had a hint of disbelief in her expression, she said. “Both of you were eating half a scoop with a single spoon.” The three of them reached the front door leaving Reiki and Shiro in the living room. Shiro’s eyes lightly sparkled like stars, she said. “What kind of soup?”
Reiki gave her a wry smile and said. “Mushroom soup.” Shiro had an unwilling expression as she plopped back down on the reclining chair, she said. “Why did it have to be mushrooms, Onii-chan…” Reiki gave her little sister a couple head pats and said. “You should at least try it.” Shiro tried to reach for the handle on the side of the reclining chair but couldn’t reach it. Reiki turned the handle as a footrest popped up from the front while the backrest leaned back. Shiro refused to look at her older brother and said. “I don’t want to eat mushrooms… They’re rubbery and they taste like nothing.”
Reiki let out a chuckle as he leaned on the armrest of the chair and said. “Last time I checked you love eating pizza even with mushrooms on it.” Shiro’s brows furrowed, she said. “I don’t eat-.” She stopped mid-sentence and remembered all the times they had pizza that had mushrooms on it. Shiro cutely puffed her cheeks as she noticed the slightly smug smile on her older brother’s face, she tried to push off Reiki’s hand that was on the armrest. She said. “Onii-chan, this is my seat.”
Reiki moved his hand away from the armrest of the couch as he watched his little sister let out a hmph, he said. “How about this, you try the mushroom soup, and if you don’t like it. I’ll convince Onee-chan so you can have ice cream and cake for dinner.” Shiro’s eyes sparkled like stars, she said. “Really? Onii-chan!?” Reiki nodded at her and said. “I will, so how about you help me set up the table so when Onee-chan returns we can have dinner?” Shiro reached both her hands out to him, she said. “Onii-chan, carry me.”
Reiki smiled at her and said. “Yeah yeah.” He leaned closer as Shiro wrapped her arms around her older brother’s neck. Reiki placed his left hand under her knees as she sat on his forearm, he turned the handle on the side of the reclining chair as it changed back to normal. Reiki made his way to the kitchen while carrying his little sister in his arms, he said. “Are you excited for your hamburger steak?” Shiro nodded at him and said. “Onii-chan, is it too late to ask for some french fries?” Reiki let out a laugh, he said. “I’ll make some just for you.”
________________________________________________________________________________
By The Front Door
Sachi and Namida finished putting on their shoes while Ketsueki let out a small yawn. Namida placed her hands in her pocket, she said. “Wanna stop by somewhere and buy something for my mother so doesn’t scold us at the front of the house for an hour?” Sachi placed a hand on her hip and said. “Sounds like a plan, at least if I bring something when I drop by to visit she’ll only yell at us inside the house instead.” Ketsueki leaned on a wall, she said. “I brought over some ceremonial grade matcha powder and she still scolded me.”
A hint of realization appeared on Namida’s face, she turned her head to the side and said. “I might have told her it was your idea to steal a few bottles of wine from the cellar.” Ketsueki’s brows furrowed, she said. “She’s still mad about that? It was just five bottles of wine.” She used her thumb to point at Sachi and continued. “She once stole a dagger from one of the guards.” Namida scratched the back of her head, she said. “Those five bottles of wine may or may not have cost at least a hundred thousand.”
Sachi raised a brow, she said. “A hundred thousand? Can you tell me what the logo looks like? I might be able to guess.” Ketsueki rolled her eyes and said. “It’s not even that much considering what your family makes every day.” Namida placed a hand on Sachi’s shoulder as she made her do a half-turn to face the door. Namida said. “She might have paid using dollars.” Ketsueki’s eyes widened while Sachi’s expression turned slightly sour. Sachi said. “Where’s my share of wine worth fifteen million yen?”
Ketsueki had a hint of anger on her face, she said. “Are you kidding me? You told me it was cheap wine we could drink!” She used her hand to comb her hair back, Ketsueki thought. That would explain the side eye she keeps giving me along with the maids and butlers talking behind my back… Namida forced out a laugh as she tried to push Sachi out of the house. Namida said. “Sachi, we need to go.” She couldn’t make her friend move a single inch while Sachi stood still and said. “I’m only going to your house if there’s another bottle of that wine waiting for me.”
Ketsueki stopped leaning on a wall as she stood up straight, she said. “And how come I’m the one taking most of the blame? You drank three and a half bottles.” Sachi’s eyes widened as she turned her head and gave Namida an odd look. Namida tried to force Sachi to take a step forward but couldn’t, she stopped trying to push her and said. “Stop looking at me like that, I don’t have a drinking problem since there’s only a few beverages that can get me drunk in the first place.”
Ketsueki’s brows furrowed, she said. “When you drank most of the wine, how inebriated did you get?” Namida shook her head sideways and said. “I got a slight buzz at best.” Sachi gave her an odd look as she blinked twice, she said. “You can really hold your alcohol. I’ll give you that.” She turned her head at Ketsueki, Sachi continued. “Any chance our guy has a drinking problem?” Ketsueki let out a chuckle and said. “You’ve just noticed?” Namida let out a laugh, she said. “Oh, it’s like that? Sure, I’ll play.” She pointed at Sachi and continued. “At least I don’t spend most of my salary on wine.”
Sachi felt the sting of her words while she moved her hand to point at Ketsueki, Namida continued. “You on the other hand…” Ketsueki’s lips curled into a smug smile, she said. “Go on, chopping board. I’m waiting.” Namida thought for a moment as her lips formed into a smile, she said. “One of these days, Reiki’s going to enter his rebellious phase and he might find a girlfriend just to spite you.” Ketsueki completely froze while Sachi covered her mouth with her hand as she let out muffled laughter. Sachi thought. Couldn’t think of anything so you decide to aim for Reiki instead.
Namida cautiously reached out her hand in front of Ketsueki’s face as she waved her hand a few inches away from her face. Namida said. “Ketsueki?... Are you alive?...” Sachi shook her head sideways and said. “Congratulations, you won by attacking her insecurity.” Namida placed both her hands in her pocket, she said. “This is the only way we’ve won arguments with her in the past.” Sachi turned her head to the side and said. “I’ve used it once.” Namida tapped on Sachi’s shoulder a couple of times, Namida said. “I think we should go while the perfect one is still in shock.”
Sachi let out a chuckle and said. “You’re just afraid she’ll whoop your ass when she comes to her senses.” Namida made her way to the door, she said. “That too.” She placed her hand on the doorknob and opened the door. Sachi was behind her friend and said. “You really think Reiki will have a rebellious phase?” Namida let out a scoff, she said. “With how obedient he is, I wouldn’t be surprised if she tamed him before he started high school.”
Namida walked out of the house as Sachi grabbed the door by the doorknob on the outside. Sachi was about to close the door but peeked at the small crevice and stared at her friend who was still in shock, Sachi thought. … I just hope Reiki doesn’t put her on a pedestal… For how strong Ketsueki is… She has the most flaws compared with the two of us combined… She shut the door as Reiki was making his way to his older sister who was still frozen in place. Reiki poked his older sister’s hand a couple of times and said. “Onee-chan?... Onee-chan, it’s time for dinner.”
Ketsueki didn’t reply as Reiki stared at her for a couple of seconds, he thought. Yep, she’s in shock again… I guess Namida and Sachi also know how to win an argument against her. He grabbed his older sister’s hand and interlocked their finger which brought Ketsueki back to reality. She looked down at him and said. “Reiki?” Reiki gave her a bright smile and said. “Onee-chan, dinner’s ready. Shiro’s waiting at the table.” Ketsueki smiled fondly at him as she placed a hand on top of his head, she said. “Then let’s eat, we can’t have the little rabbit waiting any longer.”
________________________________________________________________________________
Living Room
Shiro was sitting at the dining table as she stared at her large helping of hamburger steak with a bit of drool on the corner of her mouth. She thought. What’s taking Onii-chan and Onee-chan so long?... She heard the sound of footsteps, turned her head, and saw her older siblings making their way to the dining table. Shiro smiled at them and said. “Onee-chan, Onii-chan. Let’s eat.” Ketsueki saw the drool on the corner of her little sister’s mouth as she let out a laugh which made Shiro tilt her head to the side in confusion.
Ketsueki wiped the drool off her little sister’s face, she said. “Are you that hungry, Shiro?” Reiki let go of his older sister’s hand and said. “You two can sit down and eat. I have to get something from the kitchen.” He made his way to the kitchen as Shiro and Ketsueki sat down on their respective seats. Ketsueki stared at the kilo of steak on her plate, she thought. That’s one big piece of meat… She glanced at Shiro who patiently waited for her older brother, Ketsueki continued her train of thought. … I don’t remember buying this cut of meat…
From the kitchen, Reiki was carrying two large plates that had a mountain of thick-cut fries. He made his way to the dining table and placed the two plates on it, he sat down and said. “Let’s eat.” The three of them clasped their hands together, they said. “Itadakimasu.”
~Thirty Minutes Later~
Reiki was clearing the plates away from the dining table as Shiro let out a long satisfied exhale while patting her stomach a couple of times. Shiro let out a burp as she covered her mouth with her hand and said. “Excuse me.” She let out a giggle while Ketsueki picked up a cylinder-shaped cup of tea, she took a sip while Reiki took the dishes to the sink. She took a sip of her tea while staring at her little sister who was too full to move.
Ketsueki placed her cup on the table and said, “Ate too much, Shiro?” Shiro's eyes were slightly out of focus as she rubbed her stomach, she said. “... Yes, Onee-chan…” Ketsueki moved her gaze onto her cup of tea, she thought. That’s odd… That was the same amount last time she ate a hamburger steak…
Reiki finished washing the dishes as he was using a hand towel to dry his hands, he said. “You two ready for dessert?” He reached the table while Shiro stared at a wall in a slight daze, she gently shook her head and said. “... I’m full…” Ketsueki raised a brow and said. “No room for ice cream or cake?” Shiro gently shook her head sideways while Reiki thought. Ender, you told me she’d be fine with thirty grams. He said. “Shiro, want to call it early and head to bed?” Shiro gave a small indication of a nod.
Ender’s voice rang in his head, he said. [She’ll be fine, your little sister is just full from mana.] Reiki made his way to his little sister as Shiro lazily placed her head on his shoulder. He placed one of his arms on the back of her knee and carefully picked her up. Ketsueki picked up her cup of tea as she watched her little brother carry Shiro and make his way to the staircase. She said. “Reiki, we’re going to talk about that meat you used for dinner and where you got it.” She took a sip of her tea while she watched him slightly freeze, Reiki said. “Yes, Onee-chan…”
