The Dragon's Girl | Taiju Shiba | Tokyo Revengers

Chapter 4

The morning calmness, after yesterday's rainstorm, crept its way and its dewy air from outside of the Shiba's house into its walls. So as we were getting out of Yuzuha's bedroom, I noticed that the hallway felt chilly. Just like what I felt when I was downstairs last night, when the door was opened again. I glanced back at Yuzuha as she came out after me, waiting for her to notice this chilly atmosphere. She didn't.

"You got everything?" She asked me, her arms busy securing her long, honey brown hair into a bun.

I nodded, lifting my bag up. "All in here. I swear if he doesn't approve of this report I'll do some regrettable things." I said and Yuzuha chuckled.

We walked down the hallway and just when we were about to descend the stairs, a tall, slim body came to a halt in front of us and I squealed.

"Jesus Christ, Hakkai, you scared us!" Yuzuha exclaimed then instantly wrapped her arms around her little brother. "When did you come in?" She said.

He let go of her and turned to look at me. I stood, waiting for them to finish talking so I could say hi to him. But he came to wrap his arms around me as well. "Emi, it's good to see you. I didn't know you were here!" He said as he shoved me gently into his chest.

I patted his back politely. "It's good to see you, too. Although you almost gave me a heart attack just now." I said and he let me go, chuckling softly. "Sorry about that.."

"How's it going?" I asked. And before he could answer me, a loud thud happened downstairs then it got followed by the front door being opened and closed multiple times. Yuzuha gave Hakkai a look. I averted my gaze down the stairs, knowing full well who could be making those noises and my stomach started feeling funny again.

"What is he doing?" I heard Yuzuha whispering to her brother behind me.

Hakkai shrugged. "I don't know." Then he started walking towards his room. "Catch you later Emi." He said, then Yuzuha came tugging gently at my arm.

"Let's go!"

Downstairs, after entering the kitchen, my eyes widened at the sight I saw. I glanced at Yuzuha and she widened her eyes as well but then narrowed them. "What's all this?" She nodded with her chin at the many grocery bags that were put over the counter and then looked over at Taiju. Who was standing by the backyard door. The opened, backyard door. Just letting all the chilly morning breeze coming into the house and I shivered at that sight.

"No food was in the house." He mumbled as he lifted his fingers up to his mouth, dragging a breath from his cigarette.

Yuzuha didn't say anything to him and looked at me. "We still have time to eat breakfast?"

I nodded at her. She nodded back and went to inspect the bags. I stayed in my spot, looking awkwardly misplaced, like I don't know where I should go or what to do.

"Oh, you brought cereal!" She murmured. Taiju kept smoking and blowing his smoke by the door. Now inspecting its handles.

"Emi..."

"Hm!" I got startled.

"What's up with you? I said do you want cereal or something else?" She shook a box of Lucky Charms in her hand.

"Cereal is fine." I nodded, smiling. And then I noticed that Taiju had turned his head towards me. His eyes were looking at me up and down. I immediately felt self-conscious and wrapped my arms around myself.

Yuzuha noticed this. "You cold?" She asked.

I nodded to her. "Can I borrow a sweater from you? It'll be a bit cold today." Because I didn't bring anything with me when I came yesterday. And I was only wearing my school uniform. Which was only a formal t-shirt with a short skirt. My socks barely reaching my knees.