A Little Twist

Thirty-Six

Moriko opens the door and heads straight to the walk-in closet. 'Here they are.' She points at the dresses. 'I noticed because she never wears dresses.' 

Subaru, who heard him, picks up the baby and teleports with Risa upstairs. Where he lays him down in the crib. 'Your mother will be back soon.' Then he points at her wardrobe. 'Go.' 

A little confused, Risa walks toward her wardrobe. Where she finds Laito with Moriko. 'What is going on?' 

'You are a thief for stealing Laito's dresses!' Moriko exclaims while holding a dress. 'I have never seen you in a dress...' 

'And how would you know that?' Risa crosses her arms. 'I don't even like dresses. So what makes you believe that I took those?' She knows that Reiji is behind her. He probably wants her back in the dungeon. 'Why don't you explain all your attempts in getting rid of me? Are you jealous of what I have? Is it Daiki?' 

'I don't have to explain everything to you,' spats Moriko out. 

'Yes, you do,' reacts Reiji and standing next to Risa. 'Unlike you, she earned some things in our house. You on the other hand, not so much. But I do like to hear why you want her gone. What other things would you use? And if you succeed, would you want to get rid of Daiki?' 

Oh no! This is not how it should play out. Moriko starts to feel smaller seeing the look in his eyes. 'No, I would never do something to the baby...' 

'He has a name, and he's my nephew.' Laito doesn't want to hear it. 'You are getting craftier, Moriko. But, alas, this is where it stops.' 

'Laito,' stops Reiji him. 'I'm still waiting for an explanation.' 

He shakes no. 'She would try to tell us things that we want to hear. And I know I have impeccable taste in fashion. Keep it, Risa, if you ever decide to try a dress.' He knows it was Moriko but doesn't mind that Risa keeps the dresses. 'However, I know I didn't give her those dresses or that she would be stupid enough to steal anything. That's on you, Moriko. Not to mention, you went inside her room where Daiki sleeps. That I cannot accept.' Without a second thought, he bites her neck. 

*** 

Reiji hands Risa a cup of tea. 'Stealing dresses from Laito and calling you a thief? I'm starting to think the others like to see that girl squirm. I got to say, I didn't like her intruding on your privacy and Daiki's. He could've been asleep in his crib while she tried to frame you.' 

'Me either. She could've done anything to him, and I don't like it. Or how she screamed, he could have woken up from it. She needs to learn her place.' She nods as a thank you and takes a sip. 

'I agree.' He gives her a moment and drinks his tea. It seems I need to take other measurements. He remembers Kanato's words to turn the girl into a doll if she would make another mistake. 

Simply enjoying the tea, even in his quiet company, calms her down. 'Thank you for the tea, but I'm going back upstairs.' She shivers. 'If I didn't have Daiki with me here in the kitchen, she could've done something to him. That thought scares me, Reiji. He's just a baby.' 

'Risa, I will never let anything happen to you or Daiki.' He promises while seeing the others. 

Laito shakes his head. 'Did you forget how furious she made me by saying it's dangerous and risky to have a baby here?' 

'I'll never allow her to harm Daiki or you,' confirms Subaru, who stands closer to the door. 

'You know better, Risa. No matter what that girl tries, she will be stopped by one of us, if not all of us,' says Shu.