Ribion We Hardly Knew Ye - Anpu Saves the Day!

"What do you think, Kusuo? I thought the heroine was a bit too whiny for my taste, but the way things are going, it seems like she's not gonna be the main love interest for too much longer."

Lotus sat by Kusuo in his house, both on the couch. The side of their thighs pressed against one another and their shoulders slightly brushed against one another. They were discussing a new issue of manga that had been published in JUMP.

Lotus crossed her arms as she sunk deeper into her seat.

"I think she's becoming a bit too obsessive over the main guy. Oh! Maybe she'll turn out to be a yandere, now that would be a twist."

It was days like this that Kusuo would've never thought he'd have. Yes, he very well could see himself sitting at home reading Manga on his day off, but alone. To think he, Kusuo Saiki would be joined by a girl.

Times like this were becoming some of the highlights of his week. Chatting with Lotus, spending time together like a real couple, enjoying the delicious meals and snacks that she cooked. Yeah, he really liked days like this.

Is this what he had to look forward to in the future?

"I did it!"

Kusuo rolled his eyes as the calm atmosphere was broken by the sharp clamorous voice of his father. The man rushed into the room, excitement akin to that of a child, a robot figure in his hand.

"I finally finished it! This is a scale replica War Machine Ribion model! Look how perfect it is!"

Kusuo didn't pay any mind to his father, choosing to look at the manga in his hand.

"Great. Why don't you go show it to mom?"

"Looks great, Saiki-san!" Lotus said.

"Don't encourage him. He'll never leave us alone."

"Look!" Kuniharu shoved the figure in his son's face. "It's even got a cockpit. Isn't that the most amazing? At least your girlfriend can show some appreciation."

"She's just being nice."

As the man reveled in his own accomplishment an orange blur darted past, knocking the robot out of Kuniharu's hand. The robot didn't even hit the floor before it was reduced into a mess of various pieces. All of that man's hard work was nothing but a demolished pile of plastic and metal, scattering to the floor.

Kuniharu fell to his knees, desponded, crying as he grabbed his head. "Gaaaah! My War Machine Ribion!"

"More like destroyed weapon Ribion."

"Kusuo! What did you do that for?!"

"Wasn't me. In two more seconds, it probably would've been through. It was him."

Sitting just a few feet away, looking like he had not a care in the world was Anpu.

"~Long time no see! I thought you might be missing me!~"

"How'd he get in the house?"

"Ribion…" Kuniharu sulked as he sobbed on the floor. "Please, Kusuo, could you please put it back to where it was with one of your powers?"

"~Don't ignore me!~" Anpu screeched.

"Good grief. Leave it to me," Kusuo said calmly with an odd twinkle in his eye.

"Really?!"

Lotus had to admit she felt kind of bad for the man. Kusuo had restored the robot, but back to the way it was in its original packaging.

"Well, I put it back to the way it was."

"I should've known. I thought something was up when you were so quick to help me."

"Don't you think you're a bit too hard on your Dad, Kusuo?" Lotus questioned.

"If we baby him he'll never learn."

Anpu meowed, placing a paw on one of Kuniharu's legs.

"Now I have to start all over," Kuniharu groaned.

Anpu's meow didn't cease growing louder as he rested his head on the man's leg. The orange cat demanding attention. Kuniharu glanced down at the cat, a glare reflecting off his glasses. He looked rather irritated as he stared at the feline, but a switch was flipped as he beamed, a euphoric blissful smile on his face.

He picked up Anpu talking to the cat in a baby voice. "You're the only one who understands me."

"~Give me food.~"

"Did you forget he's the one who broke it in the first place?"

"I'll go get you some food, okay?" Kuniharu stood up and walked off.

Anpu chuckled, victorious. "~Humans are really so simple. But those two don't bite at all. Normally when a stray cat shows up people flip out and cater to our every whim. Especially the females! When will they finally bow to my will?~"

Kusuo handed his book to Lotus and sat up. He walked over to Anpu, picking the cat up from under his arms.

"~What-He's picking me up! I knew his heart would melt! No human could withstand the undeniable cuteness of a cat forever!~"

Anpu was giddy over the fact that Kusuo had picked him up; he had failed to realize that he was being set outside and was only aware of it when the sliding door of the back patio was being closed in his face.

Kusuo retook his seat, taking his book back from Lotus, as Anpu scratched at the glass.

"~Hey! Let me in you jerk!~"

"He's as loud as ever."

"Well, gotta admire that tenacity to never give up."

Kusuo placed a hand on the girl's head turning it away from the mewling cat who was scratching at the patio doors.

"Don't look at him or he won't go away."

"~Hey, let me in! At least let me in!~"

"So Kusuo I was thinking we could go out for lunch? I heard this certain restaurant started serving milkshakes and thought we could try them."

"Yeah, sounds good."

"Sorry to keep you waiting, here's your food!" Kuniharu slid into the room wearing a blue apron, holding a cat bowl filled with food.

"Wait, how'd he get that bowl if you guys don't have a pet?"

"Anpu? Kusuo, Lotus, where do Anpu go?" Kuniharu asked, looking around.

Kusuo held up a piece of paper that had "You made me lose my appetite. Anpu", written on it.

"That's a lie!"

"Mom's allergic to cats so we can't let him in the house."

"Yeah, I know that," Kuniharu opened the sliding door stepping outside, "but still-wait what happened?! Come here, Anpu's unconscious!"

Lotus rushed outside, with Kusuo slowly trailing behind her. Anpu was laid out on the porch, front paws high over his head, the white of his eyes visible as they had rolled back.

"That much is true."

Kuniharu was freaking out, panicking. He'd fallen to his hands and knees, hovering over Anpu's still body.

"Call an ambulance! Wait, that won't work! What's the number for a pet ambulance? Is it different? Meow Meow nine? Do I call that?"

"Calm down, I know what happened."

"There's a model piece stuck in his throat," Lotus pointed out.

"Seriously?! Well, can one of you take it out? Turn back time on him or something!" Kuniharu said.

"That won't work. Since I used my restoring power on the model if I turn back time on Anpu the piece will still be there."

"Seriously?! Lotus! You have to do it!" Kuniharu cried.

Lotus put her hands up with an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, but the same rules apply. I can't turn back time on the same object Kusuo already did."

"Oh no! We have to do something!" Kuniharu shouted.

"Don't worry. There are still two ways to get the piece out."

"I don't care which way just save him!"

"Okay. I'll just with plan A." Kusuo raised his hand. "I'll just cut off his head then take the model piece out."

"Uuhhh let's do plan B," Kuniharu said.

Lotus grabbed Kusuo's holding it back. "I agree with your dad. As much faith I have in you, the very idea of the sight of that is far too traumatizing."

"Good grief. The first one is much easier."

Kusuo started to shrink, getting smaller and smaller until he was out of sight.

"Kusuo?! Kusuo?! Where'd you go?!" Kuniharu shouted.

"I'm right here."

Lotus took a seat on her knees, looking down at the tiny Kusuo. She blushed as she placed a hand over her mouth.

"Why do I find this oddly cute?"

Kuniharu took his son's transformation harder, his panic continuing as he stooped low before his son. "What happened to you, Kusuo!? You're so tiny now!"

Kusuo covered his ears. "Keep it down. I'm a different size now so now I can enter his body."

Kuniharu tapped the top of his son's head. "You can do anything, that's amazing."

"Don't touch me."

Kuniharu picked up his son by the back of his shirt lifting him up, hovering him over Anpu's open mouth.

"You won't get eaten, will you?"

"Even if that happens I'll just teleport back out."

Kuniharu let go of Kusuo but instead of going into the cat's mouth, he hopped on his nose and onto the cat's chest.

"What happened?" Kuniharu asked.

Kusuo wore a displeased look covering his nose. "His breath stinks. There's nothing cute about it."

"Don't just stand there!" Kuniharu yelled, his breath wafting over to Kusuo.

"Got it. Guess it's just as bad outside as it is inside."

"Huh? What does that mean?"

Kusuo entered Anpu's mouth while Lotus and Kuniharu waited.

"Hmmmm, well now that Kusuo's gone I guess that means we can finally talk," Kuniharu said, turning to Lotus.

"Is there….something you wanted to ask me?" Lotus asked.

"I just wanted to say how amazing it is that you've been able to put up with Kusuo for so long."

Lotus awkwardly chuckled.

"I mean he's so stiff and rude, I have no clue where he gets it from. The fact that such a polite, charming, cute girl like you even gives him the time of the day is a miracle in itself."

Lotus sweatdrop. "Now I'm starting to see why Kusuo acts the way he does towards you."

Kuniharu placed a hand on Lotus's shoulder. "But truly thank you for taking care of my son. I know he's this all-powerful psychic, but still, as his father, I can't help but worry about him. Knowing you're by his side, makes me feel much less stressed."

"Oh…." Lotus smiled brightly at the warm touching words of Kuniharu. "You're welcome. I promise to be by Kusuo's side for as long as he'll have me."

"Hahaha, that's the spirit. Also, feel free to call me Dad, okay! Ah, I can't wait to see what my future grandkids will look like!"

"Eh-wha?!" Lotus flushed.

"They're gonna be so cute. I can't wait to be called Grandpa!"

Lotus felt her face flush deeper and luckily for her Kusuo came back out of Anpu's mouth. He was dragging the robot figure's head, the piece covered in drool.

"I took it out."

"You did it!" Kuniharu cheered.

"~GASP~"

"You did it, he's coming too," Kuniharu said.

"He actually said gasp."

"Anpu…" Kuniharu smiled picking the cat up, cradling him.

"~My dead grandmother was beckoning me from the other side of the river.~"

"Talk about a lucky cat."

After his little near-death experience Anpu was given a nice cushy pillow inside the house. He immediately took up his spot, curling up and falling asleep.

"Awww look at him! He's so cute when he sleeps," Kuniharu gushed.

Lotus was sitting on her knees at the small coffee table, Kusuo–who was still tiny– was on the table standing on the manga.

"Hey, uh, why are you still small?" Kuniharu asked.

"Once I shrink the effect lasts for one hour."

Kusuo hopped off the table.

"Hey, where are you going?" Kuniharu asked.

"Bathroom."

"Hey, don't just go off on your own! I don't want to step on you by mistake!"

"~Wait. I gotta be stronger than him, right?~"

"Even I can tell that this pathway of thoughts leads down a harsh road."

Kuniharu stood up, placing his foot before the tiny Kusuo. "~This is finally the chance to show him his father is the bigger man-!~"

With one swift kick, Kusuo sent his father spinning in the air before hitting the floor with a painful thud.

"Don't fall by mistake, after all, you're the bigger man."

"Right."

Lotus sweatdropped. "Eheheh…." She awkwardly chuckled.

Lotus was setting up some snacks waiting for Kusuo to come back. Being nice she handed Kuniharu his own plate. The man proceeded to cry from the kind gesture, tears mixing with his food as he ate.

"Lotus!"

"Huh?" Lotus paused. "Kusuo?"

"It's coming!"

"What's coming?"

Lotus stood up and went pale when he saw mini Kusuo running into the living room, with a large cockroach hot on his heels.

"I need longer legs!"

The robot figure Kuniharu was in the middle of reconstructing came back together.

"Huh?! What?"

Kusuo hopped into the cockpit of the robot and took off.

"Ribion! Where are you going?"

"Do something bigger man!"

The bug scuttled by Kuniharu and the man screamed jumping back. "Cockroach! Help me!"

He took refuge behind the couch, right next to Lotus. Nothing says bonding like huddling in terror thanks to the same phobia.

The roach followed the robot, spreading its wings as it took flight. It dived after Kusuo somehow tracking the psychic despite being shielded inside the robot.

"It's flying right at me! This is it!"

The robot took a defensive stance the roach getting closer and closer. It was mere inches from Kusuo before it was smacked out of the air, smashed on the floor by an orange paw.

"~Chow time!~" Anpu cheered.

Kusuo gasped, staring at Anpu in a new light.

Anpu was confused when he found himself back outside but this time with Kusuo petting his head.

"~Hey? What are you doing? What's with the sudden affection?~"

Lotus appeared with some food, specially made for the hero cat.

"I've changed my mind about you Anpu."

"A special reward for Anpu. Great job," Lotus said

Ethan hummed as he strolled into the kitchen. All was quiet in the home, a nice peaceful evening.

"Oh!"

The man paused, nose wiggling, as a delicious smell wafted about in the room.

"Something smells delicious," He sang out.

He scanned the room and found a pot resting on the stove. A thin flow of steam floated out of a crack on the lid.

"Lotus must've gotten an early start on dinner. Well…." He slid over to the pot with a spoon in hand. "I bet she won't mind if I take a little taste!"

He lifted the lid of the pot releasing a more powerful wave of the wonderful smell that came from the food. It seemed to be a stew of sorts, Ethan being able to make out the large chunks of meat and thoroughly chopped vegetables.

"Oooo, a stew. Man, haven't had some of this stuff in what's felt like years."

Nostalgic memories of home filled his mind. Ethan's family gathered for a meal, a large pot of his father's famous stew–a family recipe passed down from generation to generation–resting on the table. Loud chatter and the clattering of silverware filled the room.

Ethan smiled and forgo his simple spoon-sampling plan going to the pantry to collect a bowl. He grabbed a ladle dipping the utensil into the large pot scooping a heaping serving into the bowl.

After collecting his meal he took a seat at the kitchen table. He dipped his spoon into the bowl making sure to collect a large chunk of beef along with a good-sized carrot. The spoon glided easily into his mouth and the moment the flavors hit his tongue the man sighed happily.

"~So good!~" He internally gushed.

Ethan dug into his bowl taking time to enjoy and savor each bite. He was halfway through the bowl when Lotus entered. Resting on her shoulder was Sir Henry, and strolling by her side was Yami.

"Hello, Ethan."

"Hey, Lotus." Ethan waved over his shoulder, immersed in his food.

"Okay, Yami, are you ready for your meal?"

"Oh, time for Yami to eat?" Ethan asked, mouth half full of food.

"Yup, I made him a special meal. Violet and I took him to the vet and they suggested a healthy home-cooked meal to help regain his strength."

"Oh, that's…." Ethan paused, "Home….cooked….meal?"

"Yup." Lotus smiled as she made her way over to one of the lower cupboards. She bent over grabbing a bowl with Yami's name scrawled out on the front.

Ethan watched, having long since stopped eating, half-chewed chunks of beef stew in his mouth. Lotus walked over to the pot, pulled off the lid, and dipped the ladle Ethan had used just moments ago to fill Yami's food bowl.

"Enjoy Yami!"

The wolf's tail swayed as the bowl was set before him. Ethan went green as Yami dug in, tail wagging harder as he enjoyed his meal.

"Huh?" Lotus glanced up at Ethan noticing the ill look on his face. "You okay there, Ethan?"

He gagged and fell out of his chair.

"Ethan?!"