Fires And Family | Paradox Live

2

"We haven't even crossed the bridge yet, stop fighting!"

Himari joined in on Iori's laughter as Zen went into mother mode on the younger boys.

"Ah, Satsuki-chan~! You're so cute!" Reo was yelling back at them from a short distance away.

"I said don't use -chan with me. You wanna die?"

Hokusai, on the other hand, had bigger fish to fry. He was bent over a tiny smudge of a being, whispering happily to himself. "Cat...so cute..."

Not about to let the only socially awkward member of their group fall behind in this crowd, Himari patted Hokusai on the shoulder to get his attention and pointed to where the others were already disappearing between the people ahead. Hokusai nodded, bid goodbye to the cat and hurried with Himari to catch up.

"Why does Reo have to rile him up like that?" Zen whined as they rejoined the group.

"Isn't that just how it is with siblings?" Iori asked, happily winding his way forward. Despite his laid back acceptance of two of his charges running around like hyperactive ten year olds, Himari could see that he was keeping an eagle's careful watch on them.

"I wouldn't know," Zen grumbled. "I'm an only child."

"Eh? Really? So was I."

Iori and Zen looked over at Hokusai. He nodded.

"Hokusai too, huh," Iori mused. "Well, those two don't have siblings, so that means all of us come from single child families. Interesting."

"Waka, could we focus on reigning those two in for now? We can think about family dynamics later!"
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Stepping off the bridge, the small group marvelled at the throng of people milling about outside Club Paradox. Reo - ever the extrovert - could barely contain his excitement.

"Amazing! This is Club Paradox? It's huge!"

Zen began to tear up. "We're really here... And all thanks to you, Waka."

As he dissolved into sobs, Iori sighed. "You always cry too easily, Zen."

Himari patted Zen on the arm comfortingly. She was about to say something when Reo began to shout again.

"Look! There's sooo many people!"

From behind them, Himari heard Hokusai mumbling to himself again. "There's a bird... Cute..."

Reo seemed to have heard too. He put his hands on his hips and said, "Hokusai's like this wherever he goes." A group of girls walked past them and Reo's eyes brightened. "Aren't girls way cuter?"

Reo went a few paces forward again and shouted, "Ooi, everyone! Keep your eyes only on me today, 'kay?"

As Iori snorted with laughter, Satsuki hurried forward and grabbed Reo's excitedly waving arms out of the air. "What the hell are you doing being all flirty?"

Reo turned on him with an evil grin. "Getting all embarrassed, are we?"

"Don't be stupid. There's no way a competent rapper like me would get embarrassed about women."

"Oh really? Then how about you get the attention of those girls over there and scream 'I love you'?"

By this time Himari and the others had gathered behind the squabbling duo and were observing in amused silence.

"Look, I told you - " Satsuki began, but stopped when he caught sight of Reo's expression. "What's with that face?"

"Oh nothing. It just seems like you're a bit shy about the idea, that's all."