Eventually, everyone was able to calm down and the commotion over Ayako's arrival lowered a bit, which she was thankful for. She couldn't help but laugh over her siblings' crazy antics.
'They didn't seem to change at all. Some of them are as childish as ever. I think Kyo-nii, Masa-nii and Hikaru-niichan are the only sane ones here, aside from Azu-nii, Suba-nii and Iori-nii.' The blue-haired girl's eyes wandered to a boy with grayish blue hair and a pair of hazel eyes. There was a hint of smile across his lips.
"Ayako-chan, why are you laughing by yourself?" Kaname blinked at her. His tone was laced with concern, but the girl only stared at him blankly.
"Nothing. I just realized how much I missed all of you." She said, making all of them look at her with the same gentle expressions. "Well, some of you..." Ayako quickly added and stuck her tongue out at everyone, whose earlier expressions immediately dropped at her playful comment.
Soon, all sixteen residents of the Asahina household including Ema's pet squirrel, Juli, were all in the living room and were catching up. But no one dared to ask Ayako what happened to her for the past seven years. All they know was it wasn't exactly a pleasant story that she would want to tell them after they had just reunited.
They thought that she might recall memories she wouldn't want to at this time. So, they all had a silent agreement that they wouldn't talk about it, unless Ayako decides to tell them herself.
"We should have a welcome party for Ayako's return, don't you think so?" Ukyo piped up with a rare, wide smile on his lips. He was waiting for the others to approve of his idea. But he was confident that everyone would agree to it.
"We should do that. Do you guys want to have an out-of-town trip? It's almost winter break, anyway." Masaomi asked, tilting his head to the side as he looked at his other siblings who were getting quite noisy as they told each other that they'll be checking their schedules first.
"Let's go, let's go!" Wataru stood up from the couch and started jumping like a rabbit which has sugar rush. The cute sight of the youngest made Ayako smile widely. An idea suddenly popped up inside her head. Ayako turned her head to Ema who was currently sitting beside her.
"Ema-nee, where do you want to go?"
Ema looked up from her lap, surprised at the way Ayako addressed her easily and politely. The same goes for the others. They were a bit dumbfounded when the younger female seemed to wholeheartedly accept Ema.
They thought that the younger girl would be more shy and awkward Ema; or worse, they thought that Ayako would be resenting Ema for becoming their half-sister. However, that doesn't seem to be the case at all and they were silently relieved about it. They all worried for nothing.
"E-Eh? Me?" Ema stuttered, gaped at the girl beside her as she pointed to herself. The blue-haired girl nodded in response with a reassuring smile at her way. Honestly, Ayako felt a bit awkward asking Ema. However, she decided to try and get along with the said girl as to not worry her brothers because it seemed like they took a liking to her and were quite fond of her already.
"Yes, you, Ema-neesan. There's no other 'Ema-neesan' hiding inside this house, right?" Ema looked at their other siblings who just smiled and nodded at her kindly, assuring that it was okay for her to choose their destination.
"W-Well, maybe we could go to a ski resort?" She blushed as she fiddled with her fingers. Ayako clasped her hands together and smiled widely, making her eyes turn into crescent moons.
"It's decided then. We'll head to a ski resort on winter break! This is going to be fun!" She squealed in excitement before standing up and heading to the kitchen. The majority of the people of the said household looked at each other with matching confused expressions.
"I'll prepare dinner for tonight, Kyo-nii!" The second eldest was startled at Ayako's sudden declaration. His eyes widened and he immediately scrambled after the said girl into the kitchen. The others quietly snickered at his flustered form. It was rare to see Ukyo act that way after all.
"W-Wait!" You should rest for now, Ayako!" The younger pouted and looked at him with puppy eyes, pleading silently. Ukyo stood frozen in his spot. It all went coming back to him. He was reminded all over again that he actually has a weakness for Ayako's pleading face and it did him no good in the past. He was at Ayako's beck and call every time she pleaded at him.
'She didn't change at all... Still using her old tricks for pleading.' He sighed but nonetheless, smiled. Maybe just for today, he'll give in to her pleas willingly. It was good to have her back after all.
"U-Uhm... Ukyo-san? Ayako-san? May I help out too?" Ema appeared by the doorway of the kitchen as she stared at the two who were currently gathering and preparing the ingredients.
"Hmm... Ema-nee should rest for now. Kyo-nii and I will prepare the food for tonight," Ayako winked at Ema, as the latter blinked and later on, smiled. "Kyo-nii must have been bossing you around the kitchen. Kyo-nii is very much like a mama in this household and his apron is proof of that."
Both girls laughed heartily, while Ukyo looked at them with a hint of concern. He decided not to take Ayako's joke to heart. She had always been one to make touchy comments such as the ones earlier. He sighed once more, a small smile lingering across his lips.
'No wonder Ayako-san is so loved. She knows them all like the back of her hand.' Ema thought as she retreated back to the living room after being playfully shooed by Ukyo and Ayako.
At the same time Ema returned, Fuuto had snuck out of the living room. No one had noticed him leaving for the kitchen to get some water. He was about to step inside when he noticed the gloomy expressions that his siblings were sporting and the heavy atmosphere surrounding the two.
'What are they talking about?' Fuuto wondered to himself as he listened in to the conversation. He barely heard anything because Ayako and Ukyo were speaking in hushed and soft voices.
"Ayako, you know you could always tell us anything right?" Ukyo started after the silence between the two of them. He was seriously staring at the pot of curry that he was currently stirring slowly. Ayako was beside him and both their backs were facing Fuuto.
Fuuto's brows immediately furrowed at the reassuring tone Ukyo had spoken with. He pretty much caught on what the two were talking about. Apparently, their older brother was making sure that Ayako would at least tell them what happened to her, more or less. And he was reassuring her that everything would be okay.
"I know, Kyo-nii. But," Ayako responded shortly and paused. She was looking at her hands as if it was really interesting. The said girl was playing with her fingers; a habit that she had since she was young when she was nervous or feeling unsettled. The spying, younger Asahina took notice of that.
The blonde male stopped what he was doing at once and patted the head of the girl beside him when she fell silent. Ayako looked up, meeting eyes with his older brother's blue ones. "Don't worry, okay? We'll wait for you as long as you want to."
The silence was broken when they heard a boiling sound coming from the pot. Fuuto took this as a signal to go back to the living room before one of them comes out of the kitchen.
"Yosh! Food's ready!" Ayako smiled brightly. However, the action seemed not to reach her eyes like a while ago. Ukyo thought that she might want some time alone to recollect her thoughts.
"Alright. I'll call for someone to help you prepare." Ukyo patted her head once more before poking out his head from the counter to call out to their other siblings and tell them that the food was ready.
"Oiii~" Ayako snapped out of her thoughts at the voice beside her. There was a finger continuously poking her cheek too, which made her feel annoyed. The action alone was enough for her to know who it was. She slapped the hand lightly, knowing that the annoying one out of the twins was the one who must have volunteered himself in the kitchen to help.
"Tsuba-nii, don't annoy me. Just help me set the table." She looked at him in warning.
The white-haired guy chuckled and answered, "Yes, milady~" before he proceeded to set up the table. Ayako clucked her tongue and gave Tsubaki the silverware needed.
As soon as they were done setting up the table, they went out of the kitchen and put the servings of food on the table with the help of Ukyo and Ema. The family of sixteen ate happily as laughter rang throughout the entire house.
Excited chattering and never-ending story telling happened while they were having their dinner, complete, for the first time.
'I wonder if this is a dream. If it is, please don't wake me up.' Ayako thought to herself as she scanned the faces of the family members she thought she would never have the chance to see again.
Author's Note:
Hey guys. TheWhimsicalNoirette is here.
Chapter 3 is up. ;) I hope y'all liked it! Also, italicized words pertains to the characters' thoughts or flashbacks. I'm sure everyone would be able to differentiate between the two.
Thank you very much for the love and support for this story!
