Here is the second part of the arc, hope you like this, too. I've put an author's note about the chapter at the end. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: RahXephon and its characters are the rightful property of their respective owners. This piece is not for profitable purposes.
Chapter 31: The Mishimas – Part II
I look up when I hear a knock at the door, and Mishima shouts, "Come in!"
Mishima's mother steps in and says, "Haruka-chan, Ayato-kun, I've brought some snacks, and Haruka's favorite, ramune."
I'm about to get up when Mishima jumps up and walks over to her mother.
As she takes the tray, she says, "Thanks, Mom!"
"Thank you very much," I say.
"Of course! Good luck studying, you two!" She responds as she steps back into the hallway.
Mishima smiles as she brings over the snacks.
"Let's take a break while we eat, Kamina-kun!"
"That's a good idea, Mishima."
We each open a bottle of ramune, fortunately, this time, I know how to drink it correctly, though Mishima still giggles when she sees me drinking it.
We sit silently at first as we eat, but I soon decide to re-start the conversation.
"Mishima, you don't have any siblings, right?"
She shakes her head as she answers, "Yeah, I'm an only child, like you, Kamina-kun."
"What do you think of only being an only child, Mishima?"
"Well, a lot of times, I think it would be nice to have a sibling, I'd especially like a sister. You could do things together, and there would be someone to talk to, I think it would be fun. Other times, though, I like getting all the attention!"
I think about her answer, and compare it to my situation. My parents have both always worked, so I've spent a lot of time alone. Maybe it was my loneliness that encouraged me to start painting and reading…
"Kamina-kun? Kamina-kun?"
I look up, surprised, and see that Mishima has a concerned look on her face.
"Oh, yes, Mishima?"
"Is something wrong, Kamina-kun? I said your name a few times, but you seemed out of it."
"No, no, I'm fine, Mishima. I'm sorry, what were you saying?"
"I was wondering what you think of being an only child."
"Well, since both of my parents work, it's always been quiet around the house, but it's given me ample opportunity to paint and read."
"I see, I see," she answers with a thoughtful tone.
After we finish our snacks, we complete the practice exam and go over our responses. As we are finishing, we hear a knock on the door again.
Mishima's mother enters and says, "Haruka, Ayato-kun, dinner is ready, and, Haruka, your father is home."
"Great!" Mishima yells as she jumps up from the floor.
I get up and follow Mishima as she exits the room behind her mother.
We reach the kitchen table, and I see Mishima's father standing there.
He smiles as he looks at Mishima and says, "Hello, Haruka!"
"Welcome home, Dad!" Mishima responds as she embraces him.
Mishima's father laughs as he says, "It's good to see you, too, Haruka-chan."
Mishima steps away and looks at me as she says to her father, "Dad, this is Kamina Ayato-kun."
I bow and say, "It's a pleasure to meet you."
He looks at me and says, "So this is Ayato-kun. I certainly hope you're treating Haruka well."
Mishima puts her hands on her waist defiantly and says, "Of course, Dad!"
Embarrassed, I stutter, "I certainly mean to, sir."
He looks at both of us and smiles and laughs, making me feel better.
Mishima's mother moves towards us and says, "Everyone, shall we begin?"
I sit across from Mishima and wait for everyone to begin eating. To my surprise, Mishima gets out of her seat. I turn around and watch her head to the refrigerator.
"Oh, Haruka-chan, you're not going to do that again, are you?" Her mother says, sounding exasperated.
Do what, I wonder?
"Of course, Mom, rice tastes best with mayonnaise!"
Shaking her head, Mishima's mother says to me, "You'll have to excuse my daughter, she has such peculiar tastes."
I'm about to respond, when Mishima says as she sits down again, "Kamina-kun, you should try it, too!"
I decide, why not?
"Ok, Mishima."
As her parents look on surprised, I take the mayonnaise container from Mishima after she finishes using it and put some on my own rice. As Mishima and her parents watch, I pick up some of the rice with my chopsticks and proceed to try it. I am delightfully surprised by how good it tastes.
"Wow, it does taste good this way!"
Mishima shakes her head vigorously yes and says, "Doesn't it though!"
I notice Mishima's parents still in shock when I say, "Rice tastes good with butter and soy sauce, too, Mishima."
"Really? I'll have to try that sometime, then!" Mishima answers with a smile.
Finally recovering from the shock, Mishima's mother says, "My goodness, you are two of a kind!"
Mishima and I look at each other and smile.
The dinner proceeds uneventfully after this, and I realize what nice parents Mishima has. They make it so I no longer feel uncomfortable, and I find myself relaxing as the time passes.
After we finish and clean up, Mishima and I return to her room for me to collect my things before I leave.
She hugs me as she says, "Thanks so much for coming today, Kamina-kun, it was great being with you."
I look at her and smile as I respond, "I had a nice time, too. I hope that your parents liked me."
"I can tell they do," she says, smiling.
After we finish, we walk together to the front door.
I hold her hand as I say, "I'll see you in school tomorrow, then, Mishima?"
"Sure! I'll see you then, Kamina-kun."
"Good bye, Mishima," I say as I step out the door.
Mishima waves as I walk away and I wave back.
When I arrive home, I notice that my parents are still eating dinner.
I am about to go to my room when I hear my mother say, "Ayato?"
I walk over to them and say, "I'm home."
"Did you already eat dinner, Ayato?"
"Yeah, I just had some fast food after I finished at the library."
"The library, how unusual of you to go there."
"There were too many distractions, and I have an important exam early this week."
"Hmm, really," my mother responds, unfortunately not sounding overly convinced.
Not wanting to answer any more questions, I quickly say good bye and go to my room.
Author's NoteAccording to the RahXephon Bible, Megumi was born in 2013 (this story takes place 2011-2012). Thus, I have not included her in the story. Also, in episode 13, Haruka recommends rice with mayonnaise early in the episode, and later eats it herself (though Ayato chooses not to, despite his earlier combination of nato and sugar on Haruka's recommendation, because of what he saw between Haruka and Itsuki). Also earlier in the episode, Ayato recommends to Haruka that she try rice with butter and soy sauce.
Next ChapterMamoru's Idea
