Breakfast is a hit, as proven by the happy munching sounds and endless praise the brothers heap on Ema. Their words make it sound like Ema's cooking can tide over armies and ressurect empires from their dusty graves.
"This is so so so good!" Tsubaki trills happily.
He looks young and carefree, like he's reverting back to his middle school self. A dot of syrup stains the corner of his mouth. Azusa notices and gestures for Tsubaki to slow down.
He grabs his brother's chin in his hands and, with an indulgent sigh, carefully pats the spot dry with his napkin. Tsubaki smiles and casually smears a bit of syrup on his brother's nose. Then he giggles, pleased with his own childish antics.
Meanwhile, the rest of the brothers are shoveling food into their mouths at lightning speed. Even Hikaru, despite his attempts to look graceful, has cheeks stuffed full of fluffy pancake batter.
Ukyo takes a gulp of his drink and clears his throat.
"Ema, you have nothing to repay us for. But thank you for saving me the trouble of making breakfast. You're a very talented cook."
Natsume nods in agreement, offering silent input. His mouth is also full of syrupy pancakes.
Ema beams. Her sweet smile lights up the room. Yusuke finds himself staring into his plate of pancakes once more, red-faced.
Subaru smiles back, a little unsure while Tsubaki beams at her. His mega-watt smile almost outshines Ema's.
"You know, I don't think I can go back to eating Ukyo's food after this," He says impishly.
Ukyo adjusts his glasses in preparation for war. As Tsubaki takes a sip of his drink, he balls up his napkin and throws it at Tsuubaki's smug face. The throw lands true.
"Why don't you start cooking for the entire household then? I would be happy to switch chores with you."
Tsubaki sputters and rapidly backpedals.
"Um, no, I don't think so! I guess this meal can just be a little treat for us all, right Ema-chan?"
He nudges her elbow and smiles. Ema, who was looking at the scene fondly, giggles and nods her head in agreement. The clamor and other sounds of the Asahina family breakfast continue as Louis sleeps on upstairs, undisturbed.
As the pancakes deplete and the party ends, Louis trudges downstairs to the half full breakfast table with sleepy eyes. They widen slightly at the sight of his family. Ema is the first to notice him leaning against the door-frame while still clad in his cozy looking blue pajamas.
"Louis-san!" She says through a mouthful of pancakes.
"Good morning, Ema-chan," He smiles at her in his droopy-eyed way. Most of the family had already dispersed, either to continue with their regular morning routines or to help clean up the kitchen.
Ema had insisted on putting away all of the assorted pots and pans but Hikaru had dismissed her hemming and hawing and ordered the twins to clean up instead.
"'Well, I'll do it, but only so my sweet little sister doesn't have to do any more work," Tsubaki had sighed with his hand held to hi forehead for dramatic effect.
Natsume had already excused himself for his daily morning jog with Subaru, while Iori was off to an early morning cram school session.
As Louis finds his seat at the table and serves himself leftover pancakes, Ema hops out of her seat, intent on thanking the Asahinas one last time before going home.
As Ukyo and Hikaru are the only two left to see Ema off, they wave off her profuse apologies for imposing. Instead, Ukyo hands her a heavy bag full of containers of food.
He gives her another tired smile and reties his apron a little tighter.
"It was a pleasure having you here, Ema," He says. "You're welcome to come over again. Someone will always be here."
Hikaru snorts at his brother's sappy words.
"Alright, stop mother-henning poor Ema-chan, she'll be alright," He laughs from his place on the stairs.
Ema thanks them and begs off into the morning sunshine after one last, lingering look.
.
.
.
Ema's arrival back to the apartment isn't nearly as simple as she hopes it will be.
"I was so worried about you! What were you thinking, running off like that?"
Oba-chan is up in arms over Ema's disappearance. She had been desperately worried. Over the past day that Ema was missing she had called Ema's school, her landlord, and nearly decided to get the police involved.
She's not the only one who was afraid for Ema's safety.
"I thought you were more responsible than that, Ema-chan." Rinatrou says, voice crackling over the tenuous connection. He's on a mountain somewhere, maybe the Himalayas. Ema doesn't know and doesn't remember.
"I was so worried. You need to remember to let Kiyomi-san and me know where you are at all times."
Ema sniffles over the line quietly and moves to wipe away and errant tear. She's not used to being scolded. Responsibility has been drilled into her since she was young.
No, this isn't right! I'm not a bad girl or a troublemaker!
"I'm sorry daddy, I promise I'm responsible! I'll definitely let you and oba-chan know next time I go somewhere!"
The conversation ends with another crackle and a promise from Rintarou to check up on her more often. Ema's heard that before, so she won't hold him to it if the promise doesn't last.
Tired and upset, she changes into a fuzzy pair of pajamags and curls up under her covers.
Ema slept well the night before in one of the Asahina's guest rooms, better than she has in a long time. She didn't have to fear any ghosts, and the sounds of other people shuffling around the household lulled her to sleep.
It only took one night for her to grow used to Tsubaki's snoring and the brothers shifting around in their covers.
Now, the only thing she has to focus on are the sounds of the city. Even Juli's snuffling is quiet and restrained.
Juli nuzzles up to Ema in an attempt to comfort her.
"It's okay Chi-chan. Rintarou will be home soon and then we can celebrate again!"
Ema nods idly and offers him a smile, but Juli doesn't seem to buy it. Her eyes are still glassy and unfocused. Ema turns her face into his fur and stifles a sniffle.
As Juli continues cuddling up to her, letting her leech his warmth, Ema doesn't say a word. It's better that Juli attributes her unease to missing Rintarou and the exhaustion of today, instead of errant wishes to be part of a family of virtual strangers, people she's only known for a day.
Ema lies back down on the bed with a soft sigh and prepares to toss and turn for the rest of the night.