A Little Twist

Thirty-Seven

Risa took Ayato's advice to get some rest. Now, awake, she finds a drink and something to eat on her bedside table. Either Ayato didn't want to leave me like that or Reiji did. I hope you talked to the others. She gets comfortable and puts the tray on her lap. This is nice, though. She looks at the crib and sees Daiki still asleep. That won't take long or he wakes up. She finishes her tea and heads for the bathroom.

Ayato finds the tray empty. You're welcome. How are you, little man? He checks on Daiki. 'You're awake. Do you need your mother... No, I can help you with this.' He changes the diaper quickly. 'I have an idea. Come on.' He goes to the kitchen and grabs a cooking book.

***

After a shower, Risa's dressed again and enters her bedroom. 'I made sure it wasn't a long shower. Are you waiting for me, sweety?' Standing by the crib, she doesn't see Daiki. 'No... Where is he? Not Moriko, please.' Her voice dials down to a whisper and tears well up. Sobbing, she goes through her legs and ends up on her bed. 'Where are you?' Her throat feels dry. 'Reiji!'

He hears his name but never with that tone, and he knows something must have happened. 'Risa, calm down, what is it?' He teleports straight inside.

'Daiki... he's gone.' She couldn't stop the tears if she wanted to.

Moriko! No, wait, she's still locked up. I have no intention of releasing that girl from her punishment. 'Risa, calm down, that girl is locked up. No one gave her her freedom back and they won't.' He knows it has to be someone else.

'Then where is he?' She wants to get up to search for him but her legs give out. 'Where is Daiki?' I want my son. Is he safe? Did someone bite him?

Reiji noticed her wide eyes and how she grows pale. 'No, we won't do that.' He cups her face. 'Don't go thinking that. None of us is capable of doing that.' Who would take Daiki without her permission?

'Where is Daiki?!' She starts to panic and wants to search the mansion from top to bottom. Starting in Moriko's room.

He has to stop her from doing something to herself. 'Risa, he might not hear you. Neither can Daiki get up and walk away.' He must be with one of the others. But with who? 'Who took Daiki without letting Risa know?' He makes sure everyone can hear him while stopping Risa by trapping her in a hug.

Hearing the commotion, Shu wanted to let him know not to disturb his music when he hears Risa crying. What happened? He teleports inside and takes an earbud out.

'Daiki is missing.'

Which idiot decided to take Daiki away without talking to her first? He disappears to search for his other brothers. He likes the roses outside. He finds Subaru in the garden but no sign of the baby. 'Subaru?'

Subaru turns to him and his face changes when he sees Shu with a serious look in his eyes. 'Don't tell me that...'

'Daiki is missing.'

'What loser would do that without talking to Risa?' Subaru is inside within a second and right behind his brother. 'And where would he take Daiki? What made you think of looking outside?'

'Risa takes him to the garden and it seems he likes the roses,' answers Shu. 'Check Moriko's room.'

'If she's somehow involved, I will kill her and Kanato can turn her into a doll.' Subaru goes to said room.

Shu gets closer to the kitchen and hears sounds.

***

'When you have all the ingredients ready, you start with the batter and fill it halfway. Then you add the octopus, tenkasu, shoga, green onions, and I believe your mother added a bit of cheese. She's an amazing chef.' Ayato shows the book. 'See, oh, are you asleep? You little...' He laughs. 'No, I'm just kidding. You might be awake a little longer but not long enough.'