We Are Family

Light Bulbs

Meanwhile, Zarc was helping his friend Ray with her emergency. Ray's project was one on how different colors affected people's emotional states, and she was using colored lights in her research. Unfortunately one of her red halogen light bulbs had shattered, and she needed a new one.

So, after dropping his brothers off with their mother, Zarc headed to the hardware store to pick up a new halogen bulb for Ray. After a moment's consideration, he grabbed a couple of backups, as well as a few backups of the other colors Ray had, just in case. Then, he headed over to the university to deliver the bulbs to Ray.

"Thanks, Zarc," Ray said in relief as Zarc walked in with the bulbs. "I feel a bit silly for not grabbing backups."

"No problem," Zarc said. "Need help setting up?"

"No, but thank you for offering!" Ray replied, smiling at Zarc. "I hope this wasn't too much of an inconvenience for you. I know it can be a bit troublesome to find accommodations for your brothers when there's no adult supervision in your house."

"Nah, it wasn't too bad," Zarc reassured his friend. "Mom offered to have them over on the set with her. I just wish I could've stayed long enough to see the look on Yuya's face when he saw Mieru competing. I don't think Mom or the others recognized her, but I'm pretty sure Yuya would if he saw her. I mean, you don't forget the face of a girl who chased you around the playground everyday for six years, trying to kiss you!"

"And I'm guessing you didn't warn him, hmm?" Ray asked, raising an eyebrow. Zarc grinned, "Nope! He might not've been so willing to go to the set if he knew, and I couldn't bring him here with me. He doesn't like the hardware store much."

"Well, I hope he's not too upset about being around this Mieru," Ray chuckled. "Hopefully she's matured enough to not try to chase him around on the set, huh?"

"Oh, don't worry, I'm sure she won't," Zarc replied. "Mom would definitely make sure she was removed from the competition if she caused trouble!"