Chapter 3: New Relationship
The doorbell rang as Aichi rushed down the stairs to answer it. His mother and Emi were right behind as he opened the door. Misaki was standing there, teary eyed and a luggage in her hand. Aichi's mother immediately invited her in and Emi rushed to the kitchen to fetch Misaki a glass of water. Aichi brought her to the living room and sat her down on the couch.
"What happened Misaki?" Aichi asked, letting a lot of concern enter his voice. "I... It was... They..." Misaki tried to say but broke into a soft sob.
"Hey, it's alright Misaki. I'm here for you!" Aichi tried comforting her. It seemed to work as Misaki stop and only sniffled slightly.
Wow, I've never seen her cry before. She looks pretty when she's distressed. Aichi thought, then hurriedly added in thought: Not that I like to see her distressed.
Misaki finally calmed down enough to speak. "My uncle lost the my custody papers!" she cried out and broke into another sob.
Aichi's mother understood the complications of losing the custody paper for a child not of ones own. That child would be pronounced an orphan in court, unless...
Aichi didn't know what to say. He just sat beside her, hands around her shoulder, doing whatever he could to comfort her. He tried saying something and opened his mouth. No words came out and he shut them awkwardly.
Emi came back out with a glass of water and handed it to Misaki. In all the time she had seen her in the card shop, Misaki had appealed to Emi as a strong female, not one who would possibly breakdown over anything. But here she was crying her eyes out in her brother's arms.
"Misaki, here's a cup of water." Emi offered softly, unsure of how to respond to Misaki in her current state. Misaki took it from Emi and took sips in between sniffles.
Misaki then calmed down enough to explain herself. She explained how a government official had visited her and her uncle moments ago. He was here on a routine check and he demanded that Misaki's custody papers be shown. Her uncle went to get it but couldn't find it. When he weakly admitted to being unable to produce the papers, the official just smirked and ordered Misaki to pack up. He told her, with a sneer, that she was going to an orphanage the very next day. He also stated that her adoption papers were already prepared for her arrival.
Aichi's mom was listening intently. As soon as Misaki revealed that the papers were already at the orphanage, she clarified the location of the orphanage before leaving the house immediately.
Aichi didn't understand anything that was going on but he knew what to do when Misaki silently teared again. He wrapped her arms around her and patted softly on her back.
~Some time later~
Aichi's mom entered the house with a triumphant smile on her face. "You're staying with us from now on 'daughter'."
Misaki's mouth hung open in disbelief, shock and joy. She broke out of Aichi's embrace, much to his disappointment, and ran over to Aichi's mom to give her a big hug and with relief flooding her voice, she gasped in joy, "Thank you so much!"
Misaki went over to Emi and buried her in an embrace. "Ow! Ow! You're hugging me too tight Misaki" Emi gasped as Misaki let her go. "Sorry little sister!" Misaki gushed and continued, "I always wanted a little sister!" Emi returned the embrace and Misaki lifted her into the air and twirled her around. "Yay! Whoopie!" Emi cried as Misaki twirled her in the air.
Setting Emi to the ground, she gave Aichi an awkward hug as Aichi just stood there dumbfounded. Heh, "I guess. I gotta call you 'big sis' now huh?" Aichi asked, blushing deeply as Misaki let go. "Nah, it's okay. I don't really mind" Misaki said warmly