Fantasy, Meet Reality

Chapter IX: In Her Shoes (Part II)

(Hello, everyone! Guess who's back ? Well, I'm often online but I have a valid reason for not updating.

          I've been hired as a public high school teacher and have yet to adjust to the new environment plus routines.

        No intention of abandoning this story whatsoever though. Some chapters are already prewritten. Just need to post them when time permits. Don't kill me please. 😣

             Anyway, enough with the long-winded ramblings. Happy reading and I hope you enjoy this chapter. :)

             The early morning air wafted over to greet Natsumi as she made their meal. Her siblings were in the garden, making sure it hadn't been damaged by the rain.

         "Should I wake Takuya san up?" On second thought, maybe not. Her guest needs to rest as much as he can.

         As the word rest ran through her mind, she recalled last night. Where she slept was not the most comfortable of places.

         It was a surprise, therefore, that her body was able to get some respite.

          Something puzzled her, though. Who tucked her blanket in? Was it Haku or Sayu. As far as she remembers, she fell asleep without it.

          "That's something you could think of later, Natsumi" she told herself. For now, her focus should be on the task at hand.

         "Ohayou." He's already awake? She was expecting him to still be sleeping.

         "Ohayou. Did the noise wake you up?" she asked.

         "No, it didn't." Oh, good. "I always wake up early." That's a relief.

       Something seemed off. Her stir-fried vegetables! They almost got burned.

         "Are you alright, Natsumi san?" She was. If one didn't count her cooking mishap, that is. "May I be of any help?"

        "I'm already done. Thank you, anyway."

         "Oh. Can I call your siblings to the table then?" She prefers to do that herself. But to brush aside his offer would be nothing short of being rude.

          "Of course." No sooner had she finished speaking when he went of to find them.

         "He doesn't waste time, eh?" she murmured. Wait... She was the one doing so. The table hasn't been set yet!

        "Sayu chan, where are you?" Even in a frantic hurry, Natsumi felt laughter threatening to bubble out of her as Tokiya called out for her sister."Breakfast is ready."

         Minuscule. A perfect description of her home. Had he been familiar with its layout, finding Sayu would be a no brainer.

        "Cut it out, Natsu," she said. Ridiculing his efforts to help, even in jest was just wrong. She chose to focus on arranging their food instead.

          Was this deja vu? Natsumi wondered. Yesterday's events were being duplicated, only for the worse.

          Tension hung in the air, unmistakably palpable. On the edge... By instinct, Natsumi knew her siblings were feeling that way. Why?

          Graces for the food were said, with them proceeding to eat soon after. Something was out of hand but she couldn't lay a finger on it.

         "I'm not hungry onee-chan," her brother said. He was quickly gone from the table, every step an effort for him to take.

         Was it something she did? Haku seemed to be ticked off more than usual.