Life Will Change Book 2

Chapter 29: Dinner at Zenkichi's

Begin

~Normal POV

Zenkichi's apartment was a bit small but wasn't bad or cheap looking. All things considered it was very neat and tidy. (Which was a little strange when you looked at Zenkichi's disheveled appearance in comparison.) It had a living room attached to the kitchen area with a small dining table in between. In the living room area there was a couch with a tv, and a coffee table. Behind the couch was a huge shelf full of books on various topics. (Mostly law and criminology.)

At first, Akane was a little weirded out by so many strangers arriving, but she didn't complain. After they properly introduced themselves, she was very polite and formal to them, albeit with some hesitation. Though she quickly dropped it after being told they could keep it casual. Meanwhile Zenkichi was sitting on his couch with his arms crossed as he watched them wander about his home. He clearly wasn't a fan of the whole idea.

"You have a cat?" Akane asked, seeing Akira let Morgana out of his bag.

"Oh, you bet I do, kiddo. Would you like to hold him?" Akira said, smiling.

"Sure- if that's alright..."

Akira picked Morgana up and handed him over. "His name is Morgana, and get this, he's a talking cat."

Zenkichi glanced their way warily. He definitely didn't want Akane getting in on all this cognitive nonsense.

"Really?" Akane asked, curiously.

"Nice to meet you, Akane!" Morgana said, knowing she couldn't understand him.

"It's getting him to shut up that's the hard part," Ryuji teased.

"Not in front of the kid!" Morgana whined. Akane gently scratched his ears making him purr contentedly.

"So, how did he end up working with a bunch of teenagers...?" Akane asked.

Akira smirked. "Oh, we're being held hostage against our will."

Akane snickered at what she thought was just a joke. Zenkichi watched, completely shocked that of all people to make her laugh it'd be Akira. Makoto offered to let Akane help with the cooking, so she let Morgana down gently and went to wash her hands before joining the others in the kitchen. Akira, Ann, Makoto, and Yusuke were working together to cook, while Ryuji and Haru joined Zenkichi in the living room, and Futaba sat at the dining table working on her laptop with Akira's phone next to her so Sophia could feel included. Morgana hopped onto a chair at the table.

Zenkichi watched quietly. The team moved like a well-oiled machine. It was nice to see them work together so well. More importantly, Akane seemed to relax in their presence. She was smiling and even laughing with them...

"They sound like they're getting along." Haru said, brightly.

"Yep, she's really warming up to us," Ryuji added.

"I can no longer sit idly by." Sophia chimed in. "I want to help too. I've got it. I'll find an award winning recipe and-"

"Chill your circuits, Sophia!" Futaba said. "The curry always tastes good when you make it together with someone."

"Is that so?" Sophia asked.

"I can't believe you've all raided my house like this..." Zenkichi said, grumpily. "You guys have some serious nerve... Although... I can't remember the last time this place felt so alive..."

Ryuji gave him a sympathetic look. "Hey, gramps...? You don't have to answer but... what happened to Akane's mom?"

Zenkichi avoided eye contact with him. "...Vehicular manslaughter... A hit and run."