I must say, Emiko sure can cook. I've never been one for soup, or cooked meat, but the way she makes it really brings out the flavor of the beef. Her attitude towards me also did a one eighty after our last talk. Now she's just intensely cheerful towards me. I just hope that's a good thing. Well, I'm not going to complain, at least not threatening my goods anymore.
This morning, I came downstairs to find her making bacon and eggs as well as toast and beans. She vaguely nods towards the kitchen island that has some dishes set on it already. I sit down at the one across from her and tinker with my empty glass then clear my throat.
"I hope you don't mind that I used the shower."
"Not at all. I hope you've made yourself at home. There's juice in the fridge if you want some dear."
"Thanks."
I get up, grabbing my glass, and head towards the stainless steel appliance. I grab some orange juice and fill the glass before putting it back in the door and sit back down. I sip a bit, staring at her back thinking. Should I ask her for advice? Or am I still on thin ice? She suddenly huffs and puts her spatula down. I automatically brace myself for disaster.
"Honestly, that child can be so lazy!"
She trots out of the kitchen and I hear her go up the stairs as I release my breath. She still terrifies me. I hear her knock on, what I can assume is Dai-chan's door, and tell him to get up. How doting, my parents just gave up after a while. Of course that just meant they stopped spoiling me and made me earn everything after.
She comes back into the kitchen and starts putting the food onto serving plates.
"Dai-chan really isn't a morning person. His alarm goes off at least three times before he bothers getting up."
She smiles at me with an exasperated look.
"I know; that child just can't seem to get used to the new schedule. He used to be home schooled before we moved, but I wanted him to make some friends at least. I can't protect him forever."
I laugh and watch her continue to mill around the kitchen, making a bentou and then putting money into an envelope. Curious, I ask her what she's doing as I doll out food onto my plate.
"Um, aren't you going to sit down? It looks like you're getting ready to leave."
She pauses for a moment to smile at me but continues on.
"Oh, I've already eaten. I have work today and then I have to get some groceries, so I'll be late coming home. But you guys and whoever else is coming can have all the fun you want since I'll be out. The money is for lunch, so get whatever you want."
She glances at the clock and then scowls.
"Oh, that boy! What's gotten into him? Breakfast is getting cold and he hasn't even showered!"
This time she storms out of the kitchen and up the stairs. I hear her barge into Dai-chan's room and yelling a bit before suddenly stopping and closing the door so I can't hear what's going on anymore. I just keep eating my food when I hear a lighter gait rush into the bathroom. That must be him. Emiko suddenly shouts down the stairs at me, eerily calm.
"Dark, go outside!"
I pause, my fork almost getting more food to my gaping mouth. I set it down and look over at the stairs.
"Um, what?"
"I know you heard me! Now get your but up and wait outside. I will let you back in in a moment."
"O-ok."
I quickly get up and head for the front door. At least I'm wearing pants, no shirt, but that at least is covered. I wonder what's going on, I hope it isn't a fight. That would be awkward. Around eight to ten minuets later, the front door opens and a dressed up Emiko comes out, reeking of febreeze.
"All right, you can go back in. I've got to go now so enjoy your selves all right? See you later."
She goes over to her car, gets in, and drives off as I head back inside. I cross the threshold and practically gag. God, she fucking drenched the interior with febreeze! I shake my head and continue back towards the kitchen to find a freshly showered Daisuke. He scrunches his nose and gags as well, dropping his fork onto his plate to cover his affronted nose.
"Close the door, she didn't spray in here."
I do so and we start to eat again, the smell eventually fading away. Either that or we just got used to it and couldn't smell it anymore.
"So, why did your mum drench the place in smelly stuff?"
When I ask this, Dai-chan flushes red, almost as bright as his hair, and almost chokes on his food. When he manages to catch his breath again he just glares into his food.
"H-how am I supposed to know? She does a bunch of weird stuff all the time. You're better off asking her."
I raise an eyebrow and fight a grin. Oh, did my little Dai-chan lie to me just now? Oh well, he's aggravated enough, so I should let it be. Dai-chan probably did something he doesn't want me to know about. Anyway, it's around 8:30now and everyone agreed to come over around 11 or so. We should probably figure out some stuff to do beforehand.
"So, when everyone comes over, what do you have in mind to do? Is there any place to go around here?"
He looks at me funny, while chewing the remainder of his food. He soon swallows and just continues the look.
"Anywhere to go? Um, there's a park that's about a fifteen-minuet walk from here. But I don't think that would entertain everyone. I have some games and a lot of movies, if that's ok."
I just stare at him dumbfounded.
"Dai-chan, I know you've been sheltered your whole life, but do you not even go outside normally?"
He blinks at me and then flushes again, this time looking ashamed. His ears droop down and flatten on his head. Shit. He quickly gets up and grabs the dishes, walking over to the dishwasher. I get up and follow him, helping him put the leftovers into containers.
"I'm sorry Dai-chan, I didn't mean to insult you. I'm sure you have your circumstances."
He opens the dishwasher and starts to load it.
"It's fine, I just have never been able to go to a lot of places because of my ears. My tail is easy enough to hide, but I have a lot of difficulty with my ears. I can hide them with a hat but a lot of places don't allow them, and when I get stressed out, my tail re-emerges. So I just avoid going out as much as possible."
Ah, that would be a problem, but with enough practice he will be able to do it. I reach over and rub his head, sneaking over his adorable ears as well. God I've wanted to touch those.
"Hey, since it'll be everyone's first time in this neighborhood, lets go out exploring! We can help keep an eye on your ears and tail, and you'll be able to get some practice transforming."
His ears perk up and he faintly smiles. I smile back and we head into the living room, planning to watch some TV. Well, after we open some windows, we might not be able to smell anymore, but we don't need to make anyone else suffer.