Idk

Chapter 8

Ren pov

Mika's sister isn't his real sister? They look like they could related, but they also had a lot of differences. Should I ask and risk getting Mikai more irratated and brushing on a sensitive topic for Mika? I don't think I should, but how could their family be like this? I was curious.

"I think I'm going to make Shumai and Jiaozi, sound good Mikai?"

"Sounds great, Mika-nii."

"Okay I'll be in the kitchen then."

As Mika left and Mikai didn't I realized he meant for us to wait here together. I tried to leave the room to help Mika prepare the food, but I was stopped by Mikai. Apparently he was a 'Kitchen Dragon' and wouldn't want to make a guest help, much less to share his workspace. So we sat together in a tense silence. Luciase was on his phone trying to ignore the situation in the room. I was staring hopefully at the doorway leading to the kitchen. Maybe I could get Mika to appear on sheer will. Daisy was looking at Mikai closely and trying to inch closer to her across the floor towards the couch. Whatever Mikai had against us, Daisy was determined to at least figure out what it was, and thinking optimistically she would get Mikai to open up to us. Whenever she met someone indifferent, cold, and lonely, Daisy felt the need to be their friend. And now her next friendship conquest was Mika's sister.

I was awakened from my trance by a wonderful smell and a call that dinner was ready. We all walked over to their simple dining table in the corner of the room. Mika came out carrying what looked like all the food at once.

"Need some help Mika?"

"Nope, I should be good. Unless one of you bump me."

Luckily the food made it to us incident free.

"Okay so shumai are basically shrimp dumplings and today the jiaozi is pork."

We all dished up, and he had forks out for us instead of the chopsticks they were used to. Mikai got up to get some for herself. Even if you know how to use chopsticks, aren't forks easier anyway?

"Mika this is so good! Thank you so much for making us a special meal just because we came."

"Yeah Mika you are letting us cover some of the cost for this food."

"No no it's fine you're my guests!"

They narrowed their eyes at me trying to provoke me into speaking up. Should I?

"Mika let us help. You already did work by preparing the food."

"Mika-nii, take pride in your ability and take their money!"

"Nya! Do you really think so Mikai?"

"I wouldn't have said anything otherwise."

"Um I guess it's okay if Mikai thinks it's okay..."

We all pulled out our wallets and split the cost. He didn't notice that we paid for all the food instead of our three shares.

"So Mikai, how is mom doing?"

"Mika not here, not now."

"...later then."

That icy exchange motivated us to finish our food quickly to hopefully prevent any encounters like that happening again. I didn't want to cause any problems between them.

After dinner we sat around watching a movie piled on the couch. It was some horror flick Luciase brought to show us.

I needed to go to the bathroom so at Mikai's instruction I followed the hallway. Then I heard Mika talking in his room. I didn't even know he left during the movie without me catching on to him.

"IT WILL BE FINE, DON'T COME!"

I assumed no one had heard Mika's shout because they were all still fixated on the screen.

"I am sorry sir, I won't do it again."

Who was Mika talking to right now? I was guessing his one sided conversation seemed that way because he was on the phone.

"I think I've found another source of income, so..."

"It doesn't seem dangerous, no, it will work out."

"It will pay out I promise!"

I heard him flop onto his bed and put something down. I hurried forward to the restroom so he wouldn't know I listened in on his call. What was going on with him? Was everything okay? Did he need the pack's help or protection? Or mine? I promised myself I wouldn't let anything happen to Mika or his sister. They were apart of our pack now.

I kicked the wall lightly, needing to vent my anger and worry, but controling myself so there wouldn't be a wall I needed to repair. Mika didn't sound like his usual self, he sounded upset and afraid. That reaction should be reserved for me discovering this strange interaction. Did Mikai know? Hopefully, if he refused my help, she would be there for him.

I came out to see the rest of the movie. Some cliche blonde bimbo was doing her best horror shriek on the screen. Why were we watching this movie?

"Six out of ten. Not super believable. Seemed a little too forced, although overall entertaining."

I almost forgot Luciase was going to rate the screams like he always did when we watched horror movies together.

"Be generous Lucia-kun, I'd say at least a seven for that one."

It finally hit me that Mika was cuddled into Luciase's side. What the hell. Luciase is the one who knows about how I feel about Mika. How long was I gone alone? I zoned out, it could have been a while. Another jump scare danced across the screen and Mika clinged tighter onto Luciase. He held him and comforted him by petting his ears. They were acting almost as sickeningly cliche as the couple in the movie. He pushed his face on Luciase's chest and purred. It was all discrete enough that no one else noticed, but it was as obvious as ever to me. As soon as the movie was over, Mikai went to her room and locked the door. Mika stared at the hallway then returned his attention to us.

"Thank you for bringing the movie Lucia-kun, it was really fun."

"Hey Luciase can I get a ride with you? My parents can't come and my car is at school."

"That is terrible idea, leaving your car at school. But sure, my parents probably won't mind."

I ended up going with Luciase as well. I had a twenty-minute long drive to contemplate everything that I absorbed from the experience.