A/N: Thank you for the reviews, followers and favourites. I really appreciated it. *kiss*
Grammar error / mistype or wrong spelling / weird sentence or term are all my fault. Sorry.
Disclaimer: Go to the previous chapter
Enjoy!
Lin could feel Mai's stare from beside him on aeroplane's first class seat, but he tried to keep still and focused on his laptop. It was quite weird for Lin to have a short hair for the first time, but he had to get used to it pretty fast.
And he looked good.
"Ko-Ko, why did you cut your hair?" Mai asked from her slouched position, putting the headphones down around her neck. She was watching the television in front of her, but none caught her interest because all of them were in English.
Here we go again with the same question for the last two weeks.
"I have answered that question."
Mai laid on her side now, with her elbow propped her. "Yeah, but your reason wasn't convincing."
"Just watch the tv and be a good girl for a few hours, would you?"
"They are in English. How can I enjoy the program if I don't understand what are they saying?" Mai pointed to the cartoon with her outstretched hand on the screen.
Lin closed his eyes for and counted to ten before raising from his seat and reaching the luggage compartment. He pulled something from inside his carry-on bag and gave it to Mai.
"Read that and learn some basics of English. I expect you to know how to greet in English when we are landing."
Mai pouted at the thin red English book. "You aren't going to tell me the real reason, aren't you?"
Lin didn't open his mouth to answer that.
The girl with a white shirt, baby-blue sweater, and floral skirt sneered at the pure Chinese man. She opened the book, knowing Lin was serious about she had to make a miracle with her terrible English.
After fifteen minutes, she was done reading the first chapter of the book and decided to practice her speaking skill. Lin cringed at Mai's first attempt of introduction in that foreign language.
It was so freaking bad.
Really bad.
Lin turned to look at Mai who also frowned at her horrible way of speaking. She tried it again, but the result was the same and she released a frustrated sound. Because she was thinking it would help her, she stuck out her tongue out and swung it up and down, then flexing her jaw and mouth.
Feeling quite confident, she tried again with the English and be sure to pronounce them right. She growled at her failure on the fifth try.
The man beside her must hold his laughter so hard. His stomach muscle strained. That was the worst and funniest pronunciation he had ever heard in his entire life, though he had travelled all around the world and heard many accents.
"Stop laughing," Mai hit Lin's upper arm with the book with an irritated look.
"I'm not laughing, I'm typing here," Lin dodged the accusation.
Mai's honey-coloured eyes narrowed. "He-llo, mei nem is Taniyama Mai. Nais cu met yu," she introduced herself in English with a fake smile.
Lin snorted at first, then his shoulders were trembling. He hid his face with his hand, grunting for a moment. Nobody could make him laugh, but this little girl had the magic in her.
Mai hissed and crossed her arms in front of chest, leaning back on the back-rest of the seat. "I'm trying, you know."
"I know," Lin calmed down after taking some deep breath. "I'm sorry."
The girl still annoyed at him.
"Okay. How about I teach you to speak English?" He closed his laptop and draw closer to Mai.
He had to admit it, he was wrong to let Mai learn English on her own. She was blind with English and he demanded something impossible.
"You will?" Mai peered up at him.
"Of course."
Mai thought for a second. "You won't laugh, will you?"
Lin couldn't promise that at all. "I'll try my best. If," he added before Mai has a chance to dismiss him. "You also try your best."
With a sullen look, Mai nodded. "Fine."
"Now, repeat after me," Lin cleared his throat. "Hello, my name is Mai Taniyama. Nice to meet you. Remember to put your surname after your first name when you introduce yourself in English."
Mai giggled.
"What's funny?" Lin was certain that his pronunciation and accent were as perfect as a British. Every word was so clear to his ears.
Mai shook her head whilst laughing.
"Mai," Lin warned her. He didn't have a clue why she was laughing like mad.
She held up her hand to give her some time to compose herself. "Just to remind you. Your name is Lin Koujo, not Taniyama Mai. Please, don't take away my name from me." She laughed again. "Because I can't be Lin Koujo."
"It's not funny. I'm teaching you a proper introduction. Repeat that, no more laughing." He was actually pleased by Mai's laugh.
After her abusive experience, the girl had a hard time to smile again. She scared of adult people towering over her. When Kang was reaching out to pat her head to comfort her, she had backed off and cried when she fell on her butt.
Kang was shocked and blamed himself more for not noticing Mai's suffer. He had apologized over and over to Lin and Mai. Lin didn't fully blame Kang and Mai had also forgiven him, although not understand it quite well.
Mai didn't hate Kang, she just had a bad trauma with adults and couldn't stand to be close to them, except Lin. In two weeks Lin had managed to make Mai getting used to adults again. Well, at least Mai could interact with his shikis now.
The first shiki who had succeeded was Ni. No surprise there. But, the most shocking thing was Feng made Mai smile for the first time. All he had to do was sitting on her lap with his owl form. Mai was thrilled by Feng's act and hugged him so tight, much to his displeasure but he yielded to her.
One by one Mai got used by his shikis human forms. Kang came almost every day to visit Mai and play with her. It was bumpy at first, but Mai tried her best to make everything back to normal.
Lin had hired a new butler and servants with some strict qualifications. But, Mai had always wary around them, no matter how different they were from the previous servants. Lin thought for a while to assign a therapist for her treatment, but he disregarded the idea when he remembers what had happened in the hospital.
The day after he had found Mai in the snowing open field, Lin brought her to hospital. Mai refused to let go her death-grip on Lin when the doctor wanted to examine her and plead to stay with her. He had tried to coax Mai that he would only be outside, but she wouldn't have it and started to cry bloody murder like when she was a baby.
To save his and people's ears in the hospital, Lin complied before the doctor even saying it. The examination was taken longer than it should be. Lin thank the Gods that there was no sexual violence on Mai's test result. The bruises were mild, so he didn't have to worry about it. But the doctor said Mai needed to gain more weight and eat more regularly. Lin would follow the doctor's instruction and make sure Mai have enough nutrition for her body.
Lin knew he had to go back to London, but he won't leave Mai. So, the best solution was bringing her with him. After four days in Hong Kong, he arranged all the requirements. He started with her documents for visa and passport, then he notified Mai's school about her transfer to another country.
After all those matters were done, he called Martin to let him know about he would bring Mai to England. He told him about what had happened to Mai so they won't surprise if Mai were started to act strangely. In the middle of the conversation, Luella joined them. They didn't mind at all and felt sorry for Mai.
When Lin said about renting an apartment near Davis' house for him and Mai, they stopped that idea before he was done with it. They once again insisted on Lin lives with them. Even Luella said that it would be good for Mai being surrounded by people, and promised to give her some treatment as a psychiatrist without a pay.
Lin had finally agreed.
With that, all they had to do was flown to England.
"That's better," Lin gave Mai a compliment after their practice with English. Her pronunciation was getting better, although her Cantonese accent was still thick.
"Really?" Mai smiled.
"Yes, but you need more practice. Now, read the second chapter and we will practice it with the first chapter. Okay?"
Mai nodded and drank a bottle of mineral water before starting to read the book again. On the other hand, Lin opened his laptop and sighed at all the e-mails from his associates about their problems, mostly about paranormal. His long fingers typed fast to reply them one by one.
Hearing Lin's typing sound only made Mai last for two pages of the book and fell asleep on her long seat.
Half an hour later, Lin was stretching his body when he saw Mai had gone to the dream world. Her face was so relaxed. Lin reached out to the blanket, unfolded it and covered Mai with the fluffy fabric.
He caressed her head before continuing his work.
They had finally landed at the Heathrow Airport after some delays and Lin pretty vexed over it. Mai held Lin's hand and rubbed her eye at the same time, still sleepy. She was still half asleep when Lin helped her wear a pink coat with two rabbit ears on the hood and a pair of long thick socks in the plane.
When they entered the crowded space, Mai got anxious to look at new people. Everything was different here and she gripped Lin's hand tighter. Lin noticed it and looked down to see Mai almost got a panic attack, too overwhelmed by her new surroundings.
Lin crouched down to her level. "Mai," he called her who had looked to the right and left. He could see her eyes were glazed with tears.
"Ko-Ko," she croaked his name like a spell.
"Mai, it's okay. I'm here and no one will hurt you, okay?" Lin put his hands on her shoulders and looked at her eyes with some firmness.
Mai took a deep breath and release it from his mouth, like what Lin had taught her to calm down. "Okay."
Lin gave his rare smile. "Good. Come on," He gave his hand again and walked again with Mai.
The young girl fell asleep again inside the cab on the way to the Davis' house. It was around 9 PM when they reached the destination and Lin had to carry Mai because he couldn't wake her up. The long flight seemed to exhaust her and she was still in recovery from her experience.
The servants who had notified about their arrival by Luella came out and helped him with the bags, including Lin's carry on bag. More footsteps approached the front entrance of the parlour, it was the Davis couple. It looks like the twins had already on their beds.
The Davis had come back from Rome three days ago. As soon Luella knew Mai would live in the Davis' house, she had prepared a room for the little girl. She was excited to decorate a room for a girl.
"Lin, you should inform us your arrival so we could pick you up at the airport," Luella said, half reprimanding him.
"Luella is right, Lin," the husband agreed. "How are you?"
"I'm fine, thank you," Lin answered him. "It's okay. I don't want to trouble the chauffeur in this weather."
It was snowing in London and had a potential snowstorm later in the night.
Luella sighed and spotted a bundle of a bunny on Lin's arm. "Is that Mai?" she pointed at Lin's first ward.
"Yes. I apologize she couldn't greet you now."
"It's no problem. She must be exhausted from the flight. Was it her first time?" Martin asked, paying attention how Lin held Mai so protectively.
Lin nodded.
"How old is she again?" Luella was disappointed when she couldn't see Mai's face since the large hood covered her.
"She is seven last July."
"Can I see her?" the Lady was curious about this little girl. She was happy that there would be one more girl in the house.
Lin wanted to say 'no', but Luella's face showed everything. "Don't wake her up or she will scream and wake up everyone in the house."
Martin could only shake his head and send his apologies through his expression to Lin, yet he peered to see Mai from behind Luella.
"Is her trauma really that bad?" Luella uncovered the hood very slowly and her heart had been pierced by Cupid.
"Yes. She scared of people towering or touching her, and adults. But, she is getting better time to time."
"Oh dear, she is so cute," Luella squealed.
Mai's eyebrows scrunched up together because of the disturbing voice. Luella closed her mouth with her hand and her eyes went wide. The little girl stirred in her sleep, releasing a restless mumble. Lin soon rubbed her back and whispered something in Chinese.
Mai sighed and stopped moving and gripped Lin's coat tighter with her cheek on his shoulder.
"Sorry," Luella muttered softly, not wanting to wake up Mai again. "Do you want to put Mai in her room now?"
Lin shook his head. "No. I don't think it would be wise to put her alone in a room she doesn't recognize. She will sleep with me tonight."
Martin and Luella understand.
"Okay. Go to your room and have some rest. We will do the proper greeting tomorrow."
Lin slightly bowed. "Thank you. Good night, Martin, Luella."
"Good night," the couple replied at the same time as Lin was ascending upstairs.
Their bags had already in his room, not as big as his chamber but he didn't have any problem with the size. The heater was on with the drape closed. He put Mai on the bed, changed her clothes into pyjamas. After his night routines, changed his clothes and detached his eyepatch, he joined Mai on the bed and fell asleep in an instant.
'I hate flying.'
Oliver was one of the early birds in the world, woke up at 6 AM. He opened the curtains and grimaced at the pile of snow on the yard. Thank goodness, the sky was clouded or his mood would be twice as worse.
Knowing he didn't have much time for himself, he decided to enjoy it as long as he could before Gene rushing in to drag him outside. He picked his clothes from the drawer and went to the bathroom.
He was putting some soap on his body when someone knocked on his bathroom door. Noll groaned.
"Noll, noll, noll~" Gene sang from the outside, already ready to play. "The snow has piled up. Let's play."
Noll took a deep breath and chose to not answer her brother or it would excite him more.
More knocks heard. "Noll, come on out. I want to build a snowman."
No answer. The younger twin rinsed the soap with the warm water from the shower.
A whole lot more of knocks from the older. "Hey, answer me. I know you are in there. Let's play with snow and build twin snowmen. That would be ecstatic." Gene's eyes were gleaming with happiness.
Nu-uh, still won't give a damn answer.
Gene knocked with some rhythm now. "Noooooll. Stop ignoring me and say you want to build twin snowmen."
Nope.
Irritated, the happy twin pounded at the door and shouted. "Say it! Say you want to build twin snowmen!"
"I'M BATHING HERE. GO AWAY!" Oliver shouted louder than his usual voice.
Gene grinned. "That's my baby brother," he clicked his tongue and made two guns with his forefingers and thumbs. "I will wait downstairs, okay? See ya!"
Oliver didn't know how his brother could have so much energy in the morning of winter. Whilst Gene wanted to play outside, all Noll wanted to do was sitting on the comfy couch in front of the fireplace with books and hot tea.
'Is that too much to ask?' he asked whilst cleaning his hair from shampoo.
Mai woke up around noon with a strange ceiling she didn't know hovering above her. She was almost screaming when she saw Lin beside her. If Lin was there with her, then everything was right. That was what Mai felt.
She sat up and looked around the room. She assumed that they were at the Davis' house. The clock on the side of the bed caught Mai's attention. It was 10.13 AM.
Huo woke his master, told him that Mai had woken up and seemed anxious.
"Good morning," Lin said slowly. "or afternoon I should say." He looked at the clock and sat up.
Mai startled but didn't scream. "Ah, Ko-Ko. Good afternoon."
"How are you feeling? Still tired?" He combed Mai's messy hair. Her cheeks were red and her eyes were a little bit puffy from sleep.
"Mh-hm. Just a little," she answered whilst smiling. "Are we in the Davis' house already?"
"Yes. It's almost time for lunch so, we better get ready." Lin removed the heavy blanket from him, cringed at the cold tiles.
"Ko-Ko."
"Yes?" Lin looked at a nervous Mai playing with her fingers.
"How are the Davis'?"
"You mean are they good people or bad people?"
Mai nodded. It was strange to see Lin in pyjamas, not in his usual ancient sleeping garments.
Lin understood Mai's anxiety to meet new people, foreign ones even. Except maybe the twins who had Japanese blood through their veins. But they grew up without any Japanese by their side to have that similarity as Japanese.
The twins grew up as American-British and Mai as Chinese. But they were kids without biological parents left. Sad, but maybe that could make them familiar with each other sooner than later.
"How about you tell me later after you meet them?"
Mai frowned. "What do you mean?"
"When you meet them, ask yourself if they are good or bad people." Lin knew that was Mai's ability he couldn't seal. It stuck with her and Lin relieved that that power got stronger slowly.
"You are talking in riddle again," Mai pouted at him. She was a just seven-years-old girl, dammit.
"You will understand later," Lin said with a hand reaching her. "Come on, you need a bath."
"I can bath myself. I'm not a baby anymore," but she gripped his hand to help her get up anyway.
"Who says you are a baby, you are a brat."
"I'm not a brat either. I'm a lady," Mai said smugly. She let Lin ushered her to the bathroom.
Lin stopped in front of the bathroom to stare at Mai intently. He looked away and snorted. There was no way a lady wore a yellow with some happy monkeys printed pyjamas. She wasn't a lady, not even close.
Mai glared at him as hard as a little girl could do. When Lin's shoulders didn't stop trembling, she hit his thigh with her little fist. "Don't laugh!"
Lin chuckled a bit and opened the door. "Of course, my lady. Please get in, my lady. Do you want me scrub your back, my lady?" he teased Mai.
Mai grumbled but say no more. She turned to go in and flicked her long hair in a sassy style. The door closed with a bang in front of Lin's face.
"A lady?" he snorted again. "And I'm a king."
(A/N: UNBOLD: ENGLISH / BOLD: CANTONESE/CHINESE)
"Mai, these are Martin, Luella, on the left is Eugene and on the right, is Oliver," Lin started the introductions, it wasn't really his favourite job. "Everyone, this is Mai Taniyama. She is my late friend's daughter and I'm her guardian." He put her hand on Mai's shoulder. "Come on, Mai, say hi."
Mai was practically standing behind Lin's legs, gripping his trouser and didn't want to introduce herself. The Davis' were smiling at her to encourage her, but there was one person who didn't smile from the heart and she looked at him suspiciously. His deep blue eyes couldn't lie.
If it wasn't because his mother insisted he had to be kind and smile at the new guest, he won't even do it. Oliver knew how to smile and look charming, but he hated to use his rigid muscle on his cheeks. His jaw was starting to hurt. He asked himself why that girl with a pair of bunny slipper, looked at him like he had eaten all her cookies when he was sure he looked like an angel.
'Maybe she scared of you,' Gene came trespassing his little brother's mind.
'I'm smiling,' he said like it could explain how God created the universe.
'You know it's a fake.'
'What's the point? She wouldn't know.'
"Ko-Ko, why is he smiling when he doesn't want to smile?" Mai asked in Cantonese that only Lin could understand her. Well, that was the only language she knew.
Lin followed Mai's gaze to Noll and asked back. "You mean Oliver?" Mai nodded.
Noll didn't know what they were saying. But from the look of them and his name was being mentioned he knew they were talking about him.
"What is she saying?" Noll asked his teacher.
Lin looked at Mai and back to Oliver. They all had the same puzzled expression and only Lin could explain it to them. "You really want to know?"
"Am I not making myself clear enough?" The corner of Noll's mouth twitched.
Lin knew how hard it was for Oliver to keep smiling like a good boy. He couldn't think how Luella persuaded him. "Fine," he answered and told him what had Mai said.
Gene was the first who laughed so hard. "You– haha… can't even– hehe… fool a girl with your fake smile," he held a long breath before saying the last sentence and giggling like a lunatic.
Oliver's mouth was no longer smiling, instead glaring at Mai. Today was the worst for him, starting from the snow, his annoying brother and his twin snowmen, and now this girl just destroyed his effort to look kind. If she didn't want Noll to be kind, she could have it. He won't bother to smile again.
The parents of the twins chuckled at their youngest son's angry face and Gene's laugh. Luella then looked at Mai who was tugging at Lin's pants. That kid could see through Oliver so easily.
Feeling a tug, Lin looked down at Mai. "Don't worry. They are laughing because you know Oliver's smile was a fake."
"Are you sure he isn't mad at me? He is glaring at me like I have eaten his cookies."
Before Lin could answer that question, Gene came up to them with a friendly smile. Mai hid more behind Lin, although she didn't feel any evil aura from him.
"Hi." Gene waved at her and put his hand on his chest. "I'm Gene." He made sure he pronounces his name crystal clear.
Mai stared at him for a moment, but Gene waited for her patiently. "Eugene. Gene?" His name was easy for Mai's tongue.
Gene nodded vigorously like a display with spring neck on the car dashboard. "Yes. Gene."
"Come out, Mai. You know it's not polite to hide and not greet them," Lin stepped aside.
"Ah," Mai caught Lin's pants again and looked at Gene.
"Oh dear, she is cuter than yesterday!" Luella squealed again, jumping even. Martin stopped her immediately before she was scaring Mai.
Mai was ready to hide again, but Lin prevented it. "It's okay. Luella is just happy to see you. Now, introduce yourself."
The girl searched for some reassurance from Lin and nodded. "I'm Tani–" Mai shook her head. "I'm Mai Taniyama. Nice to… meet… you," she said it slowly so she wouldn't make a mistake.
'If you mock her, or even laugh about her accent, I will tell to father, mother, and Lin about your lack of control when we were in the hotel,' Gene threatened Noll from their link when he felt his younger amused by her effort to say something in English.
Gene smiled got wider. "Nice to meet you too, Mai," he replied her slower than before and extended his hand.
Mai hesitated for a second and accepted it with her hand.
He had to admit it, he liked the blush on Mai's cheeks. It suits her than the pale one. "I like you and your slippers, by the way. They are cute," Gene pointed out to her foot.
Mai looked at her slippers and tilted up to Lin for some enlightenment. "He said he likes you and your slippers because they are cute."
"Oh, thanks." Mai blushed harder. "I like your smile."
Lin arched his eyebrow and everyone looked at him. "You do?"
The young girl nodded. "His smile looks sincere and good on him."
"What, what is she saying?" Gene forced Lin to translate that for him.
Lin put his hand in front of his mouth, hiding his smile but his eye gleaming with amusement. "I don't think Noll wants to hear it."
"What about me?" Oliver asked from the couch he was sitting.
That only poured some fuel into Gene and Noll's curiosity. "Ignore him," he said impatiently, making his brother glared at his back.
"She said she likes your smile. It looks sincere and good on you," Lin shrugged.
Gene's laugh exploded in the house. He hit his thigh repeatedly, whilst Noll rolled his eyes at Gene's bliss. Some coughs from above him made Noll look up and his parents tried really hard not to laugh.
This wasn't a good day for Oliver Davis.
"Gosh, you're funny. I like you already," he was still giggling. "In this case, I will smile for the rest of my life!"
Mai didn't know what had made Gene laugh, but his happiness was contagious and Mai couldn't help herself to not giggle with him.
"It's my turn now," Luella said with a cheerful voice rang through the parlour. She crouched down so Mai wouldn't feel like someone towering over her. "Hello, Mai. My name is Luella, but you can call me Lulu."
Lin helped Mai to make her understand, then she stared at her with his brown eyes like when she did with Gene and Noll. Luella swore it was like Mai was scanning the history of her life like she could detect the good and the bad.
Mai liked Luella's aura. It was warm like Gene but more mature and full of love. "Luella. Lulu?"
"Yes, Lulu," she put her hand on her chest like Gene before. "I don't even mind if you call me mother." Luella was so charmed by her smile.
"She said she likes you and your slippers too," a little lie won't kill Mai. It would just make Mai sad if Lin told her what Luella had said.
Mai looked at her slippers again. "I like her too. I'm sure she is a good mother and wife to Mr Davis."
Before Luella could chase Lin to translate that, he spoke first. "She said she likes you. And she thinks you must be a good mother and wife to Martin."
Luella was touched. "Thank you, honey," she said, slowly reaching to Mai's cheek and stroking it with a tenderness.
Mai liked that touch.
"Now, say hello to Martin," Lin diverted Mai's attention to the Professor.
She looked at a nervous Martin with her elusive stare. It didn't take much time as the other three before Mai's lips blown into a big grin.
"Hello, Mr Davis. Nice to–meet… you," she couldn't pronounce 'R' correctly when she said 'Mister'.
Martin smiled and crouched down beside his wife. "Hello, Mai. Nice to meet you too," he shook Mai's hand. "You can call me Martin."
"Maltin," it sounded wrong for Mai and she repeated it again with the same result. She stuck her tongue like on the plane much like yesterday. "Maltin." She stomped at her failure.
If it wasn't because Gene's threat, Noll would laugh whilst the older one hypothetically died on the couch with a cushion covered his face. Gene said a mantra to not laugh over and over inside his head.
"It's okay, I don't mind with how you call my name that way," Martin reassured her. "It's refreshing."
Lin translated that to Mai. "He said he has no problem with your way call his name."
"But I will say his name correctly one day," she said with determination in her eyes. "He is someone to be respected and I will do it by calling his name correctly, I promise"
'And you think I'm not to be respected? This child!' Lin grumbled inside. "She promised she will call your name accurately because you are someone to be respected."
Martin chuckled at her. "Thank you. I'm looking forward to it."
Lin told Mai about that and added some of them. "He said he likes your slippers too."
Mai leant back for a couple inches. She wondered why does everyone like her slippers. Her gaze landed on Noll who was sitting on the couch with an inquisitive expression like he was analyzing her.
Nobody realized that Oliver had watched Mai with full attention, especially when she was stared intently at a person for a moment. And in an instant, that girl knew who was the person standing in front of her. He saved his questions later for Lin.
Suddenly, a growl rang through the room. All of them followed the voice and it ended up to Mai. The girl's blush was so red that you could say it was a fever than a basic natural thing you can't hold.
"Solly," Mai whispered and her stomach growled again. She hid again behind Lin who had used with that horrible sound already. No surprise there.
"I almost forgot, it's time for lunch. Of course, you would be hungry and you hadn't eaten since yesterday night." Luella held out her hand for Mai to take. "I have some apple pie for dessert, you want some?"
Mai looked up. "Ko-Ko, can I have that apple pie?"
Of course, this little vacuum cleaner would understand 'apple pie' in the middle of English vocabularies. Lin scolded himself for spoiling Mai's appetite and his shikis to blame too.
But, instead of amazed by how smart Mai about food, he was actually glad that her appetite had come back to normal. Last week Lin had to forced Mai to eat. Then, after some delicious treats from the Chinese man, Mai could eat anything, although not as much as usual.
"Only after you finish with your lunch. Got it?"
Mai nodded dutifully. "Got it," she smiled at Lin and to Luella. "App-le pie." She put her hand on Luella's who had a smile on her face.
"Apple pie," she repeated it again, leading Mai to the dining table. Luella was happy that Mai could slowly open up to her.
The boys followed from behind.
Martin sat on the head of the table with Luella and the twins on his left side, whilst Lin and Mai on his right side.
Mai was so confused with the full course meal, but she ate it anyway and the foods were delicious. So, she didn't have any objection about her meal.
But, the problem was, "Ko-Ko, where are the chopsticks? Where is the rice?" she asked whilst looking at her plate half full of salad. Mai loved vegetables.
Lin then taught her the fastest way how to learn table manners and about why there was no rice on her plate. She didn't even use a plate, she usually eats using a bowl
It was a little bit troublesome for Mai with all those steps, but she would sacrifice her time just to eat some tasty meal.
Lin was too caught with the problem inside the clan because of the incident, handling Mai's transfer and healing process that he forgot to teach her some cultures about England.
More works for him.
"Who is Ko-Ko?" Martin asked, cutting his apple pie. That name had been mentioned a lot.
"It's Lin, obviously," Noll answered from his seat with a cup of fresh tea in his hand.
Gene turned his head with some crumbles on his cheek. "What? She calls you Ko-Ko? Why?"
Here was the most hateful question.
"Long story." Honestly, it wasn't a long story.
"Well, we have time," Luella gave him some spirit to continue.
Lin sighed before wiping Mai's mouth from applesauce. She looked at Lin's half-eaten dessert with two hopeful eyes. They stared at each other and every second of it Mai's eyes only got more like a puppy than a human. The older couldn't take those orbs anymore and just slid his dessert plate to Mai.
Mai squealed happily and eat it with such a joyful expression. Luella giggled, noting to order her cooks to make some more dessert for dinner. While the other still gave Lin some prying gazes.
"She was on the age of learning how to talk and my shikis taught her to call me 'Master Koujo' and 'Uncle Koujo'. But because it was too long for a toddler, she could only spell Ko-Ko and that name sticks until now."
"She can see your shikis?" Oliver asked first.
"Yes. Just for your information, I won't answer your question about if Mai is a psychic or not," he added, knowing Noll too well.
Oliver grumbled inside.
"Well, I think Ko-Ko is a cute name," Gene said honestly with a grin.
Here was the most hateful reaction.
"I will put extra training for a month if you call me with that name, even for once." He emptied his cup of tea.
Gene put his hands up.
Martin who had an unstoppable brain like Oliver asked Lin. "Then, she is just an ordinary girl who happens can see your shikis?"
Lin glanced at Mai. "She just cleaned out her fourth and a half apple pie. Does she look ordinary to you?" He dodged the question smoothly.
"That is quite a number for a tiny girl like her," Gene chimed in.
"Luella, stop giving her more pie before she gets hyped-up by sugar," Lin said sternly.
Luella pulled her lips together, feeling guilty but merry at the same the. She couldn't stand to look at Mai with a sad look when her plate had empty so, to change that she cut another pie for her. Mai was happy, and so did Luella.
"You can't blame me! She is just too cute. And look at those puppy eyes, even Satan would grant all her wishes," Luella grouched.
Oh, Lin has been living with Mai for her whole life and know those legendary eyes too well; mixed with a smile and voila! You will never win from her.
"Mai, no more pie or you will not have any dessert after dinner."
Mai was ready to ask another pie and her expression turned gloomy. "Okay."
"Lin, you're cruel. You're making her sad!" Luella exclaimed but Lin had none of it.
Nope, Lin won't glance at Mai's doleful face. He kept staring at his cup. "Just wait patiently until dinner."
The little girl nodded and got up on the chair. She leant forward to Lin and kissed his right cheek, circling her arms around his neck. "Thank you for the pie, Ko-Ko."
Damn!
Lin was grateful he didn't finish his dessert because this girl had given him a potential illness called diabetes.
She was too sweet for him.
Lin hoped Mai's cuteness would be decreased by the years.
"Kyaaa! I want a kiss too!" Luella shrieked.
A/N: I know, it's been a long time again. My exams really took my writing time.
I see you're upset with what had happened to Mai, so I put this fluffy and longer chapter for you.
Maybe about 1 or 2 more chapters before the first case, because I need to shove Madoka into the picture.
See ya!