Author's Note:

Concerns and honesty... Ritsu and Reigen talk.

You could say this chapter is the calm before the storm.

A Solaced Meal

"He's sound asleep." Reigen announced, standing up from the small chair and stretching out his arms then his lower back. "He must be exhausted."

"Yeah, he hadn't slept since we got home..." Ritsu said, regretting to let his brother help move boxes in the first place. Thinking back, he should have tried harder to convince Shigeo to take a rest.

"And what about you? Surely you must be just as tired."

"That...that doesn't matter." Ritsu dismissed.

"Oh but it does." Reigen continued, eyeing the dark-haired boy in full skepticism.

Ritsu didn't respond but instead his stomach spoke for him making a low and distinct growling noise. He nervously turned his head away, fighting the urge to hold his empty center, feeling slightly annoyed and not to mention embarrassed. He cursed his body for revealing any kind of weakness, especially in front of this guy of all people.

"Ah-ha!" Reigen said with a pound of his fist into his other hand. "You're hungry, is that it? You should have said something sooner; you must be starving."

"No, it's okay. I'm fin-"

"Lucky for you, I also happen to be a very skilled cook trained in the art of delicacy! You'll be one of the few to enjoy one of my dishes." Reigen was persistent, so much so that Ritsu wasn't sure how to respond.

"Wait, I, uh..." Ritsu gave up, no use in refusing now. "Yeah...I guess so." It wasn't Ritsu's intention to seem ungrateful but the more Reigen helped them out, the more it made him feel in debt to him and that alone made Ritsu withdraw himself from the idea.

"That settles it, I'll start cooking right away." Reigen said with a grin. "I had already bought some groceries on my way here, this is perfect. Just sit tight, leave everything to me."

"As if I had any other choice." Ritsu mumbled mostly to himself. "But the kitchen, it's a bit of a mess. I should probably finished organizing a few things before you do anything."

"That would be great but what about Mob, I think you should stay to watch him? Although, I doubt he'll be up anytime soon but we can never be too sure."

Ritsu looked back at his brother, it's not like he had forgotten. He definitely wanted to be there for him when he comes around but there's still stuff that needs to be finished in the house. He at least wanted to fix up Shigeo's room before he awakes.

"Let me look after Shigeo." the spirit offered, flying closer to the two.

Riegen shift his weight, acknowledging Dimple with raised eyebrows. "I'm not sure that's a good idea." Reigen opposed.

"Huh!? And why's that!?" Dimple said utterly offended by the con-artist's quick refusal.

"I mean..." Reigen said, folding his arms. "Can we even trust you alone with Mob? Who's to say you won't take this opportunity to possess him while he's vulnerable?"

Ritsu agreed with a hum of his voice. Although Dimple has helped them in the past, he knows how manipulative he could be. He is an evil spirit after all.

"What, seriously guys!? Is that how little trust you have in me even after all I've done up until now?"

Reigen and Ritsu both nodded.

"Ouch. Well that hurts..." he pouted. "But just hear me out, I don't have any bad intentions here. I mean, look at Shigeo, he's practically on his deathbed. Why would I want to possess that?"

Ritsu eyes shot at Dimple, his glare full with malice. How dare he speak of his brother that way?

"My bad, my bad!" Dimple retreated, waving his hands as if to stop an incoming threat. "I didn't mean to say death. Ok, what I'm trying to say is that Shigeo is of more use to me alive and all I wish is to see him get better. This boy has alot going for him." He said trying to sound as sincere as possible. "Listen, I give you my word that I won't possess or do anything to harm your brother. I promise. So can you guys stop being so damn paranoid!?"

Reigen looked at Ritsu, waiting for his answer.

"Alright." Ritsu replied.

Dimple was relieved as he gave smile.

"But, just know, if you try anything, there is no second chances. That'll be the end for you, I promise."

Dimple paled from his last statement as he watched Ritsu leave the room. Reigen didn't say anything to the spirit instead he flashed him a thumbs up as a way of saying good luck before following Ritsu downstairs. Dimple shook off his tention as unsettling that conversation was for him but he was telling the truth. Besides, there was a much more important reason for staying with Shigeo.

Dimple floated just about three feet above Shigeo's head, keeping his distance as he observed the sleeping child. He didn't want to say anything because it would have alarmed the others but Shigeo's psychic energy hasn't stopped its unusual wavelength. Even after the kid's loss of consciousness it still seems to be active, emitting very high pulses which is not normal at all. When a person sleeps there should be zero psychic activity from them but Shigeo's power was radiating from him, spilling out at dangerous levels. Dimple gritted his ghostly teeth, this was definitely disturbing. Unable to find a solution, all he could do was watch and pray nothing bad will happen.

Time passed and Ritsu had longed finished the kitchen. Reigen was now preparing dinner, he wore a light blue apron over his grey suit with a white chef's hat which Ritsu felt was very unnecessary. He looked really into what he was doing, making over exaggerated poses as he added and mixed ingredients into the pot, also unnecessary. The food smelled good and he looked like he knew what he was doing but Ritsu saw through his charade. Every few minutes he caught Reigen checking a recipe book poorly concealed in his apron pocket, although Ritsu didn't care how the man went about with his weird act just as long as it benefitted them in the end.

Ritsu was up and down the stairs during this time. He used his powers to help him easily carry multiple items, doing this saved a lot of time cleaning the house. Not only was it convenient but it was also good practice for honing his psychic powers; he had gotten really great at using them now, still not as accurate as his brother's though. In between cleaning the house he'd pass by the room every half hour or so to check up on Shigeo. Dimple would give him a wave as a signal everything was fine.

An hour and a half had passed and dinner was now ready. Reigen had called for Ritsu who was lying quietly on the living room couch, stuck in his thoughts as he stared up at the ceiling. He wasn't tired, he just didn't feel like getting up right away, so he remained on the sofa. It was not until he heard the sound of Reigen placing the plates on the table that Ritsu had finally sat up. The warm smell was welcoming.

Reigen walked over to him. "I've already started serving, your plate is on the table. You should hurry before it gets cold."

He nodded, "Uh, thanks."

Ritsu stood quietly to himself as he sat on the dining table. He examine his plate, rice with mixed vegetables to the left with some curry on the side. There was a small bowl of soup to his right which emitted the most aroma throughout the entire house. Ritsu clasped his hand together, saying a small prayer of thanks for the food before grabbing his spoon and taking his first scoop of rice into his mouth. A couple of minutes later Reigen joined him at the table holding his own plate of food. He took the seat left of Ritsu where Shigeo normally sat. They ate to themselves for a couple of minutes.

It was quiet.

Reigen couldn't stomach it any longer. He wasn't used eating in a quiet atmosphere- like even Mob was never this silent. Yes, the boy could be awkwardly social but Mob was always engaging in conversation in his own little way. Reigen cleared his throat, breaking the silence.

"So, how do you like it?

"The soup is pretty good." Ritsu said, taking another sip.

"Yes! I knew you'd like it! It's an old family recipe, one my grandmother used to make when I got sick. It's very delicious." Reigen could say that he got carried away after being in the moment or maybe he was just trying to kill the mood at the dining table. He continued boasting on and on about how it had been passed down from generation to generation.

Ritsu couldn't tell whether it was a lie or not but Reigen sure had a lot to say about it. The boy sighed, he wondered how his brother put up with him. Then again, there are some things he'd never understand about his brother. Thinking of his brother, another thought had passed by him.

"You said this was made when you got sick, so does that mean you made this soup for my brother? Shouldn't he be eating here too?" Ritsu asked, interrupting Reigen half way through his story which Ritsu wasn't really paying any attention to.

"Yes and no." Reigen replied, purposely creating suspense with the vague answer. He could already see the confused yet annoyed look Ritsu had given him. It amused Reigen how easy it was for Ritsu to change his attitude towards him, much different from Mob who never expresses any emotion.

"What do you mean?" Ritsu tried his best to be patient with the stupid response Reigen had given him.

"Have you've ever heard of the saying feed a cold but starve a fever?" Judging from Ritsu's silence Reigen assumed he didn't know so he continued. "I don't think Mob should eat right away, it may have negative effects. I made the soup for him so he can eat later if he's hungry."

"I see..."

Reigen couldn't help but notice the sad and glum tone in the younger brother's voice. He wanted to give some words of encouragement but he knew Ritsu would probably resent him for it. Reigen was ready for more continued silence but what he didn't expect was for Ritsu to start up a conversation.

"I was hoping... to eat a meal with my brother today. Before all this had happened." Ritsu put down his spoon for a moment. "You see, since the marathon, it's been so long since we sat as a family again. I just want my brother to be happy. Today was supposed to be a good day, a break from all the bad. I guess...maybe that was too much to ask for."

Reigen forced down the food from his throat, pounding his chest with one hand to help it settle, then responded rather sloppily. "You still can. Don't you think that you're making things sound more complicated than it needs to be?"

What would you know, Ritsu was tempted to throw back but then took a moment to think before speaking again. "It's not that simple, you said it yourself; brother isn't well enough to eat yet."

"Yet." Reigen said with the raise of his index finger. "And when he does feel better to eat, you will have to just eat again, this time with your brother. I've made plenty of food, there should be no excuse."

"I know but brother has had such a hard time and also after..." Ritsu thought back on the argument he had earlier with Shigeo. "What if...it's not a happy meal."

"Don't let your brother's health bring you down, he's going to recover. And as long as you're there by his side, I'm sure Mob will be alright."

Ritsu turned his face, looking down past the table. "I don't know about that..." his words unconfident.

"Huh? What's with all the self-doubt there kiddo?" Reigen didn't take Ritsu as the type to put himself down. It was very out of character and he wondered what had caused such negative thoughts. Regardless of the reason, he wanted to cheer him up. "Certainly he would! He admires you a lot, you know that right?"

"Yeah?" Ritsu shrugged. "I suppose that could be true." He wasn't sure if Reigen was just saying this to make him happy but hearing it somehow make him feel a little better.

"He does." Reigen's eyes were straight this time, expression serious. "He speaks very highly of his younger brother. Believe me."

Ritsu stared back at him, he sensed no lie behind his words. For once this man was being completely honest with him, something he never thought he'd witnesses from the con-artist. It was enough to get Ritsu to lighten his attitude. Just this once. "I believe you." He said trying not to sound as grateful but Reigen's kind words did manage to uplift him, though he'd never admit it. He couldn't help but curl his lips slightly./It was enough to get Ritsu to lighten his attitude. Just this once. "I believe you." He said trying not to sound as grateful but Reigen's kind words did manage to uplift him, though he'd never admit it. He couldn't help but curl his lips slightly.

"A smile! Great, now that's the spirit!" Reigen grinned widely, equally happy and satisfied with himself. This conversation proved to be more interesting than he had expected. He learned that Ritsu wasn't that much different from his brother Mob and that even he cared how others viewed him and whether he was good enough to those around him. Reigen laughed to himself before taking another spoon of rice.

Ritsu on any other occasion would have ignored it completely if he hadn't been intrigued by the sudden action. "Was there something funny in all this?"

"Oh, uh...sorry." Reigen apologized with a small chuckle. "It's just, I was thinking how similar you and Mob really are, like being two different sides of the same coin."

Ritsu raised both eyebrows as his face softened a bit, the heat rising to his cheeks. He wasn't shocked but somewhat taken aback from the statement. He glanced back down at his forgotten plate, he gripped his spoon tighter before plopping it into the warm solaced meal.

"Of course. We're brothers after all."

Author's Note:

I really adore the idea of Ritsu and Reigen exchanging words. I wish we had more of that in the Manga. Anyway, tell me your thoughts. :)