A Little Twist

Thirty-Four

Here goes nothing. Risa knocks on Laito's door. 'Laito, are you awake?' 

'I am, actually.' He opens the door for her. 'If there is something you want, you better ask Reiji.' 

She shakes no. 'Something tells me that you would love to watch Daiki. I just want to go back to swimming again, and I know I can trust you alone with him.' 

His eyes light up. 'I would love to. Can I go shopping with him?' 

'Next time, but only if I can come too. Otherwise, my answer is no.' 

'Oh, don't worry, Mama-chan. You are both welcome for shopping. It's the best way that you can get a few things for yourself, and I'll keep the little one happy.' His mood changes instantly. 'You can go swimming, Mama-chan. I'll keep an eye on Daiki.' He pushes her into the hall and closes his door. 'I will also make sure to stay away from Moriko.' 

Risa gives him a quick hug. 'I appreciate that. Thank you, Laito.' She turns to head for the pool. 'I haven't heard Mama-chan in a while. It's kinda growing on me.' 

'Go swimming, and have fun.' Lose those last pounds. You got your slim figure back from before the pregnancy. He smiles looking at the woman as he goes to Reiji's room where he doesn't bother knocking on the door. 'I'm taking Risa and the baby with me shopping tonight. Right now, she's off to the pool.' 

'Knock on the door for once, would you.' Reiji puts the letter down. 'It's not like I can stop you from taking them outside. Still, I do appreciate the notification.' 

'I know you do. It's also to give them both a breather from Moriko. Although, I imagine that the girl will try something when Risa is not around,' continues Laito with one hand on his hip. 

'I heard.' I could tell by her voice how happy she is to go swimming. 'That is something we all want. We'll see what happens if they are not around.' 

Laito snickers. 'We'll know soon enough.' 

*** 

What is it that I need to do to get some respect and trust around here? Moriko can't think of anything other than to get rid of Risa. She needs to disappear. She and her baby. None of the men here could be the father. That must be it! She's tricking someone here into marrying her. Why else would she be in this house with a baby? That's far too dangerous. In a different hall, she opens the first door she finds. She's right on top of small stairs and in a clean bedroom. Who does this room belong to? She looks around and finds a few MP3 players in a charging station. It must be Shu's room. Why does he never sleep here? Well, it's in my favor. She doesn't know what she's looking for but opens the drawers and the wardrobe. Are you kidding me? He has like five school uniforms and hardly any other clothes. I always see him in the same outfit. Oh, what is this? What the hell! He has a laptop! Give me the wifi code or I talk to Reiji about you not sleeping in your room. No, scratch that, I'll use it myself. Your laptop will connect automatically to the wifi. I can finally check my emails. Yes, and after that, I will put this in Risa's room. She must know the wifi code. She can't think of how the girl gets through the night without the internet. Now to find a way to put this in her room. She's never far away when the baby is awake. She tiptoes to Risa's room and opens the door carefully. Only to find the room empty. Even Daiki's crib is empty. She works fast to put an MP3 player on the nightstand. When she places the laptop down, Laito teleports into the room. 

'What do you think you're doing in here? Didn't Subaru make it clear to stay away?' He helps Daiki into a clean diaper before turning to the girl. His eyes fall on the laptop and the MP3 player. 'That doesn't belong to Risa. That isn't nice, is it Daiki? She's trying to blame your mother again.' He kisses the baby's cheek. 'Shu, get your ass over here. Moriko took your laptop and MP3 player.'