Chapter 13

In all of her life, never had Mira felt so giddy like a high schooler after her time with Mr. Shark. In fact, she never would have thought that having friends outside of university could be fun!

'Rani's so lucky to see them everyday,' she thought wistfully. As much as she would like to book the next flight back to her university, she wished she could make some memories here despite the familial chains.

Laying on her bed in her old bedroom, she began to scroll on social media, liking a few posts and checking on her uni friends. Although they were in a group, Mira was sort of thankful that they never forced her to attend parties. There was a small chance of freedom to choose whatever she could eat but not to the point of raising her mother's suspicions. Most of the time, she would pour herself into her studies.

In fact, studying and swimming seemed to be the only things she was good at.

Her mother always controls her diet, time schedule and also how she dresses herself. Besides that, her grandparents were always the ones to bring her around to meet their friends and 'possibly' find her a suitor.

The idea just made her cringe inside out.

But with Mr. Piranha, Mr. Shark and the rest of the Good Guys, it felt different. Although she hasn't said much, it was different than having study buddies that went to the same classes and have lunches with her during breaks.

She had gotten the contacts of all of the members via Rani and she was busy texting to Mr. Piranha. He may be the most hyper thing she has ever met but there was something about his happy and carefree attitude where he would laugh at the face of danger.

The sound of her doorknob clicking made her put her phone on silent mode and closed all of her social media apps except for WhatsApp and YouTube.

Her grandfather entered the room with a wobble in his step. "I hope I am not interrupting you, my dear," he cooed. He always does that to her more than her siblings. Was this normal? She had not said a word when he came onto the bed without her permission.

Then again, no matter how old she may be, her grandparents and parents were authorities above her.

"N-no," Mira replied quietly, realising there was a double meaning to her answer. She wanted to have some time for herself but...

"You look tensed up," he commented, brushing a few strands of her short hair. "You used to sing a lot when you were young. What happen to that, my little bird? After you turned twelve, you're quieter than a mouse. How else would you have friends, let alone a boyfriend if you keep quiet all the time?"

'Is that true?' she thought to herself, one hand gripping the bed covers while the other was doing its damn best to push her grandfather's skeletal-like hand away from her knee. Something about how wrinkly and leather-like it felt to her skin made her shudder with disgust.

Her grandfather licked his lips. "You know, it'd be a shame to see you get married. As much as all of us want you to, I just want my favourite granddaughter all for myself."

Her heart rate was thumping rapidly and NOT in a good way. She was the perfect daughter: upholding her family's honour, be a good student and ready to launch herself into a prestigious job and yet...

"I-I want to..." she tried to force the words out but her grandfather pressed his fingers to her lips. He slowly got up from her bed, giving her a crooked smile. "I get it. You need to study, right? Well, thank you for keeping your dear old grandpa company."

Before he exits the door, he trapped her in an embrace, much to her surprise. Despite being old, he had a vice-like grip as he leaned down to whisper, "I will always keep an eye on you."

When he left, Mira lets out a harsh breath of relief. Clutching her chest, she does her best to steady her breathing by inhaling through the nose and then exhaling with her mouth shaped into an 'O'.

It was something that was normal when she was a kid and while she was away for her studies, Mira doesn't have to use the techniques as often as now. She was not asthmatic as far as she's concern.

Without thinking, she began to text the only person she knew who would help.

...

It wasn't easy to wear a disguise when one is escorting someone in broad daylight to their destination.

Mr. Piranha was in a hoodie with fingerless gloves since Mr. Wolf told him to be careful for this mission. Apparently, Mira wanted to stay over at Rani's place for three days. He doesn't question why because it was a mission and asking too much might get the both of them in trouble.

Manoeuvring through the crowd was no problem for him but Mira looked terrified, eyes darting from every direction. He rubbed his thumb over her hand to comfort her. "We're almost there, Chica. I don't know why the hell Wolf didn't let me use the car? I could just..."

His face might as well be red with anger at the thought of his friend being inconsiderate but then snapped back to reality when he realised he was gripping her hand too hard. "Sorry, I kinda get carried away over things about the mission," he assured her when her expression looked terrified.

What could have happened to her that made her want to stay with her sister for three days?

They arrived at Rani and Mr. Snake's home where Mr. Piranha began knocking the door in a usual fashion while Mira texted her sister to confirm their arrival. The door opened to reveal Mr. Snake, who narrowed his eyes at Mr. Piranha. Mira gasped at what Mr. Snake was holding:

Around his tail, he had a gun.

"You weren't being followed?" he questioned as he flickered his tongue out. Both the young woman and freshwater fish glanced behind before shaking their heads. Mr. Snake led them inside before locking the door. To both of their disgust and amazement, he swallowed the gun as if it was nothing more than a gumdrop.

He watched as Mira began to close her eyes, shoulders slumped as if the weight of the world was lifted from her shoulders. Mr. Piranha wanted nothing more than to see her smile again. That night at the karaoke where they sang, her voice was what drew him to her.

She wasn't holding anything back.

"T-thank you," Mira managed to speak up those words to the Eastern brown snake. Mr. Snake's eyes soften as his tail wagged slightly. Immediately, he cleared his throat. "No problem at all. Besides, you're Rani's sister so that makes you my sister-in-law."

It never occurred to Mr. Piranha that Mr. Snake would consider Mira as family as easily as now. Back then, he remembered when he first joint Mr. Wolf's gang, the serpent was the most unwelcoming son of a gun he had ever met. In fact, Mr. Snake tried to eat him after bringing out the Cajun seasonings.

"Anyways," Mr. Snake hissed while adjusting his bucket hat, "I'm going out with Wolf for the mission. Rani and I will be back from work later today so feel free to raid the fridge but DON'T go into our room, understand?"

"Of course, of course!" Mr. Piranha nodded vigorously, causing Mira to cover her mouth in an attempt to stifle her giggles. "You know you're going to fart when you lie," Mr. Snake rolled his eyes. On cue, Mr. Piranha felt his stomach gurgling.

"No I'm not!" It was waiting for a sweet release.

"You are planning to go through our stuff in the bedroom," the Eastern brown snake sighed. "As much I would LOVE to swallow and spit you out, I insist that you respect mine and Rani's privacy. That room is our...well, it will always be a place of our love."

With that, he slithered out of the house, leaving both Mira and Mr. Piranha alone. After helping her unpack, Mr. Piranha looked up. "Hey, are you okay?"

Mira nodded slowly, her eyes scanning the home. Concern about her skittish demeanour, Mr. Piranha asked "So what do you want to do?"

There was a pause before Mira kneeled down to his level. Confused by this, he approached her and was surprised when she enveloped him into a hug. Feeling her breath upon his neck, a soft caress that made his tail fin wag like mad.

"It will be okay, Mira," he murmured those words softly as her head rests upon his shoulder. Daring himself, he kissed her on the temple. "I promise."

Just then, his phone rang. Apologising to her with a nervous smile, he checked who was calling him at this hour of the day:

It was a video call from Mr. Shark.


Fun fact: I always imagine Mr. Snake carrying a hidden weapon wherever he goes after the incident in Charmed

I'm just gonna say that there's a reason for Mira being too quiet as an adult