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"_" speaking. '_' thinking. got it.

Chapter 3: Family Dinner

Shizuru's POV

There's really something different with tonights dinner. The whole family is present in our 10-seater dining table, including Mai. Grandpa sits at the top end of the table, dad sits at the other end. Mom and Masashi are on the right of dad facing the door, while Reito, Mai, Yuichi and me are on the left side our backs facing the door. 'what an odd sitting arrangement we have here' i thought to myself. We're having light conversation while waiting for our food.

"Am i late?"... Everybody at the table stopped and turn to where the voice came. I can't believe who i saw at the door, 'Natsuki... my Natsuki' i said to myself. Mai stand up and hug her saying "Damn girl, where have you been?..." Natsuki hugged her back,"welcome home Nat-chan."... I don't know why but i felt jealous of their hug, i know they are best friends but... i really felt like ripping Mai off Natsuki.

I don't know what to do, her presence alone makes me immobile, yet i want to tackle her right there and then. The rest of the family didn't bother to stand, Natsuki made her way to each of them. She hugs them and kiss on the forehead. The last person she hugged was me. She was hesitant at first, but she still hugged me. I'm expecting that she would also kiss me on the forehead but that never came. She just smiled after that and goes to sit next to Masashi, just right in front of me.

Dinner started and everybody is having a good time. I was just a bit annoyed to see that Masashi keeps holding Natsuki's hand. 'i know you're close but please stop holding her hand' was all i can think. I pretend to be listening to whatever Mai is telling me while stealing glances to Natsuki. 'Still beautiful..' i thought and bit my lip. Mai noticed that i keep glancing to the woman whose in front of me. She then wispered "isn't she beautiful?" she smiled and continued "..go get her tiger." and she giggled. My eyes widened on what Mai said. I looked at her with a 'Am i really that obvious?' face. I really thought i'm hiding my emotions so well, i guess not when it comes to Natsuki.

Natsuki and Reito is in the middle of conversation when her phone rings. "Excuse me, i have to answer this call." Reito nods and she stand up to take the call.

'I have to talk to her' i said to myself. I excuse myself from the table and followed her. As i get near i heared her say "Hello hun, how are you?"...it is all it take to set my heart and mind in turmoil. I felt like i've been cheated and i don't like the feeling. I head back to the dining room, putting on my mask to hide away the pain, ans act as if nothing happened. 'Nothing happened... i'm okay... be okay...' i chanted in my mind. My calm exterior faltered when she get back and sit in front of me again. I looked at her as if questioning yet she just smiled.

Natsuki's POV

"Excuse me, i have to answer this call" Reito nod and i stand up to answer the call. I walk a bit towards the living room and answer the call. "Hello hun, how are you?"... "I am good. You ate already?... Alright... very good baby... Rio, honey, onee-chan will call you again okay. I'll pick you up promise. Bye..." ending the call, i turned aroound to see who's following me. 'thats weired, i really felt somebody behind me.' i thought to myself. Might as well go back.

I came back to the dining room and upon sitting i see Shizuru looking at me squarely. 'Aha... it's you. You're following me huh...' i thought to myself and smiled to her as response.

"Who called, someone important?" grandpa asked smiling. Grandpa knows my situation, about my 3 year old sister. Rio's mother died when he was born, my biological father died a year after due to accident. I took her in and ever since then we became close. Fortunately for me my best friend Nao and her husband are the ones taking care of Rio when i work. Or like right now. To answer his question, i nod and said "Yeah, my baby is looking for me. Rio is having a hard time sleeping without me." ... silence engulped everybody except me and grandpa. I looked at grandpa questioningly, "is there something wrong in what i've said?"... "Nothing really Natsuki. it's just thet we didn't know you have a child." mom said to answer my supposed silent question. I turn to look at my mom and said "did i just said that out loud?" she nods. "Grandpa, you told them nothing didn't you?" smiling, eyeing grandpa. He just gave a sheepish smile and a little 'sorry'. Everybody is looking at me, expecting an answer. I panic when my eyes fell on Shizuru. She has a look like she was about to cry, and i really don't want that. While looking stright to Shizuru's eyes, i frantically waved my hand and explained stuttering, "I-I-It's not what you think. I didn't cheat. Rio is my sister. That's all." i was red as i can be. I don't want her to think ill of me, i made a promise to her after all. "Who said your cheating?" Mai said grinning. My declaration earned me a blushing Shizuru, and a knowing smile from Reito and grandpa.

Dinner went without a hitch. We moved to the den, have tea, and more conversations. I keep stealing glances on Shizuru and it didn't go unnoticed to Mai. "Natsuki..." Mai said. "Hmm..." i answered while roaming my eyes on Shizuru.. "Stop stripping Shizuru-san with your eyes."...umm... "WHAT? n-no Mai, your mistaken... i didn't..." Mai is laughing histerically to my reaction. "If only you see your face Nat-chan, its priceless. Hahaha..."... "Mou, stop it Mai."i said to her pouting. She turned to me with a serious face and asked "Still holding on to your promise?". I nod. "She also does, i can tell."... 'why would she?' i ask myself. "And if you both do, then why make loving seem hard?" she continued. Honestly, i really have no answer.

It is almost 10 in the evening when we all call it a night. "Natsuki, we still have a lot of catching up to do so rest now and tomorrow we'll talk again. Night." Mai said and wave goodbye. Mom and dad retired earlier than the others. So is grandpa, but before he went to his room he wispered to me, "Natsuki, i arranged everything for tomorrow. Someone will pick up Rio and will bring her to the office. You'll see your new home, and ofcourse, your new job will start as well.." he kissed me on the temple and continued. "... please don't think i pre-planned everything Natsuki. You are still my grand-daughter and i love you, remember that." I guess, even if we're not related by blood, even if i don't carry his name anymore, he is still my grand-father. I hugged him and said, "I know and thank you grandpa. Love you too. Good night." With that he continued to head to his room.

Thank you for those who reviewed. Just a clarification: (1) all maids/helpers in this twisted world of mine are new, like they were hired after Natsuki left. Arigato guzaimase...

And please rate and review... 'smiles and batts eye lashes'