Under the Foundation

by cringethinking

The death of Cori’s sister destroyed her childhood and her family. Twenty years later she still digs for the truth as a journalist in Gotham. When she meets someone on a fringe website called Nigma, the layers of her foundation and that of Gotham’s inexplicable corruption begins to crack. Based on the universe of Matt Reeve’s Batman and Riddler Year One comic.

13. Chisaka Dinner

Chapter 13: Chisaka Dinner

The morning of Thanksgiving Day was the last bit of warmth Blue Valley would have for the season. Trees were nearly bare of their golden and maroon leaves. The sun was out before 8 in the morning, as well as the birds and the wildlife that walked through town like their second home. However, the streets were deserted and roads quiet like the dead of night. It was the silence of a holiday, a product of everyone at home with their families.

Yumi had been up for a few hours already slaving in the kitchen preparing for dinner. She had her apron on, her make up fully applied, her hair quaffed and straightened. The turkeys were roasting, she was marinating the trout, and she was prepping the potatoes and vegetables. All while simultaneously making breakfast for Edward and Cori who she figured were sleeping in.

However, upstairs there was a different kind of stirring. Cori and Edward were wide awake, rustling under the covers partially clothed. They had been awake for a while, indulging in their bubble again. The clanks of pots and cutlery downstairs was a muffle against their heavy breath and smack of their lips. They were simply toying with each other as of now, playfully engaged in each other's bodies. Each moment taking it farther and farther till he'd eventually pull her underwear off. He was on top of her, and her legs gliding up and down his sides. Cori broke their kiss for just a moment to look up at him and smile, "Happy Thanksgiving. What are you thankful for?"

He smirked against her smile and whispered, "You. Always. All the time. You wanna see how thankful I am?"

"Right now?" She whispered, tilting her head back as she gasped. His fingers glided down her underwear, sinking into her waters. She bit her lip to keep her moans inside.

He whispered before grazing his tongue into her mouth, "Right now."

His fingers strode in and out, making her moan softly in his mouth. He took them out only to pull her underwear down her thighs. She helped him and arched her back. He meddled with the strap of his sweatpants, pulling himself out. It protruded into her inner thigh exciting her more. Cori took it in her hand and whispered again, her voice fleeting as if she was under some kind of hypnotism, "It's been three days, and I'm fucking desperate for it."

Edward softly said with a small laugh in his voice, "Me too, my heart is racing."

They giggled before greedily moving their lips together again. Edward arched his back in and moved his hand up Cori's loose t-shirt, taking her breasts in his hand gently. He was moving up her vulva now, and he arched his back more to push in. Cori moaned and bit his bottom lip as the earth-quaking pressure between her hips returned again. The more it pushed in, the more powerful the tingles in her lower stomach and inner thighs grew. All his smells were pheromone, his sounds entrancing as he'd gasp and barely groan, the warmth of his skin meeting her's. He was inside her, moving up and down her slowly, as he usually did. Then he'd push in as much as he could, swivel his hips a little and kiss her as the heat took drive. His hand would firm over her breasts tighter, the other hand holding down her wrist on the pillow. He glided out and pushed back in slow, appreciating every sensation it created.

Then suddenly the door of her room slapped open, bringing forth the inflated tones of her mother.

"Morning, sleepyheads!"

Cori screamed and pulled the blanket up Edward and herself. He swiftly pulled out and flopped to her side under the blanket. He didn't have glasses on but didn't need to to know Yumi was in the room.

Yumi gasped as she noticed them on the bed and looked away, "Oh, Jesus! Haha! Oh, fuck! This is awkward."

Cori shouted, "Mother!"

"My bad! My bad! I'm sorry! I should have guessed! Haha! Don't let me interrupt! You kids carry on. Food is downstairs when you're ready."

"Mom, get out!"

Yumi took her sweet time to the door, "Eddie, don't tire her out too much, I need her help in the kitchen!" Her infamous laugh cracked in the room.

"Mom, for fuck sakes! Get out! Out! Out! Open the door and close it with you behind it, now!"

Yumi raced to the door still laughing, "Okay! Okay!" Her laugh continued as she shut the door and walked downstairs.

Cori and Edward remained half naked on the bed, both in heavy breath and dejection as they stared up to the ceiling. There was silence. Angered, disturbed and frustrated silence. Cori slapped her hands to her face and growled, partly the embarrassment, mostly that she was still sexually frustrated and now the mood was gone.

Edward sighed weakly, "I guess we'll get dressed, huh?"

Cori closed her eyes and exasperated, "I can't with this woman. I can't," she sat up in bed and groaned, "I guess we will."

Edward fumbled for his glasses and when he got them on, he sat up and watched her grab clothes from her dresser. He said sweetly, "Happy Thanksgiving, Cori."

She glanced to him as she held a shirt, still a sour puss on her face. He leaned his head to one side and smiled. The smile she couldn't help but swoon at. She broke a smile, as well, saying back, "Happy Thanksgiving, Edward."

Cori came downstairs first, her hair tied back and still wearing the oversized t-shirt and sweatpants. Yumi was busy blending mashed potatoes lightly cursing at the stubborn clumps left. Cori walked into the kitchen intently stepping right up to her mother's side. Yumi didn't notice her right away but glanced over just once then returned to her bowl.

"Good morning, honey! Pancakes are on the table."

Cori didn't budge from her dead-eyed, unblinking glare at her mom just inches away. Yumi laughed and finally looked up to her, shooting a few takes before freezing to Cori's scowl.

Yumi started to utter, "Are you…"

Cori then broke, "Knock much?" Leaving her mother with an exasperated sigh. Cori walked to the coffee pot a few feet away.

Yumi groaned, "Are you really gonna give me shit on Thanksgiving?"

"No, you see, I wasn't," said Cori as she impatiently poured herself some coffee, "I was gonna come down here in a good mood. I was gonna wake up, get laid, have a shower, and come down to a totally un-awkward breakfast and have a typically normal un-awkward holiday. But hey, things aren't always typical in your house, mom."

Yumi whined, "I already said I'm sorry. Honest mistake. What do you want me to do, write a poem?"

Cori turned around emotionless as she clutched her coffee mug, "It's quite simple, mother. It goes back to when I was a teenager and put a 'Keep Out' sign on my door. You see, I wasn't doing that to be angsty. I was doing that so you wouldn't walk in at the most inopportune time because you always walk in at the most inopportune time! Knock first. Actually, knock only. If I don't answer, it's a silent decline. Take it and leave respectfully. Okay?"

Yumi groaned and shook her head as she mashed the potatoes, "Jesus. You really do need to get laid. You guys didn't have to stop after I came up."

"Yeah, mom. It's kinda hard after seeing your mother's face. It's a real boner killer."

Yumi sighed and said, "I'm sorry, Coraline. It won't happen again. Privacy will be allowed from now on and I'll always knock. Happy?"

Cori sat down at the table, "Let me finish this coffee and I'll get back to you."

Edward shuffled downstairs and walked awkwardly to the table with Cori, keeping his head down. Yumi started, "Eddie, I'm so sorry. I won't stumble in on you guys again. I will always knock from here on out. I just want to make it clear I didn't see anything. I hope I didn't give you blue balls, honey."

"Mom." Cori warned.

Yumi rested her hand to his shoulder sympathetically, but he just returned a short, dissociated stare. He flicked his eyes back to his hands, "It's… fine. Don't worry about it."

Cori pinched the bridge of her nose in anguish before taking another sip of her coffee.

"Well, onto bigger and much less awkward as shit things! Are you too excited for Thanksgiving? Look at all of this food! We're gonna have a feast tonight, kiddos!"

"What do you still need help with?" Cori asked.

"Uh. Definitely the gravy, the vegetables, sweet potatoes— list goes on, peanut! You eat first and I'll be ordering you around like my sous chef as always."

"Okay, what is Edward supposed to do while I cook with you?"

He glanced to Cori then back to Yumi, who was turned from the stove with a smile, "Oh, he'll be plenty busy. Your aunt and uncle are coming soon."

"Auntie Eiko?"

"Yup! And your uncle James is an accountant, as well! You two will get along famously! James likes to chat. Ha! Anything to get him away from Eiko. Man, she nags too much."

Then flashbacks came back like a slideshow. Auntie Eiko, her icon in her teens. An unhinged bohemian queen, much like her mother. However, a rage and realist cynicism that she couldn't relate to with her mom. Eiko was the prototype of her angst in her teens. If she'd catch her with the bong in her bedroom, Eiko would plant down in the bed with her and take a rip. If she was a jilted teen after a breakup, Eiko would plan revenge with her. When her mom would work, Eiko would come over and take her driving. Letting her learn behind the wheel and encouraging her to go over the speed limit. She still remembered Eiko taking her to the axe throwing range, channeling her anger 'productively' as she liked to call it. She started seeing her less and less as Kimmy, her cousin, got older. But she kept the memories fondly. Despite the chaos, she was accepted in that time by her aunt. In a time where her father's leaving was new, and she had so much anger to spill out. Eiko welcomed it fiercely.

Cori looked over to Edward, he had a seldom nervous demeanour. She knew he was unnerved just by a glance, "Yeah, I don't know, mom."

"It's fine! He's part of our family, remember?"

Edward then said, "Yeah, it's okay. You should cook with your mom. Give you two sometime together."

Yumi awed and gave him a little hug over his shoulders, "Thank you, sweetheart!"

---

About a half an hour later, a vehicle pulled up to Yumi's home. A pickup with voices ranting and arguing heard as they pulled up. The passenger door opened and Eiko continued to rant to her husband, "You don't stick fucking twigs in meat! Am I gonna go out to the forest and stuff a fucking pine cone in a pot roast? No! I'm gonna glaze it in honey and mustard like a normal person!"

James opened his door and snapped back, "It's a family recipe, Eiko! It's been passed down for generations! You're Japanese, you should like it!"

"I like star anise in my fucking pho! Not in my ham, you jerk-off! This ham looks like it has an incurable STD."

The back door opened to a teenager with a phone an inch from her face gnawing on chewing gum, drolly waiting for her parents to lead the way to the house.

"It's Thanksgiving, baby. For crying out loud, I'm just asking one day. One day you don't get pissed about the stupidest shit! Is that too much to ask?" James ranted, carrying the oven roaster from the backseat. He was Caucasian, slicked back brown hair, wearing a wool sweater and jeans.

Eiko hissed, "I don't even want to serve this. This is what we're bringing to family dinner? It's a fucking joke, James! This ham is fucked and so are you." Eiko was also Japanese, in her mid forties, and long black wavy hair. She had a plaid, long sleeve button up and skinny jeans.

Kimmy, their daughter, completely unbothered by their arguing as she was too distracted into her phone to pay mind. She was sixteen, wearing a pink sweater and black leggings. Long, straightened black hair and a nose piercing.

James battled back as they still stood by their truck, "This ham is superb, and you're gonna see that when they forgo the dry ass turkey and go for it, instead! Star anise is a seasoning, Eiko. It adds flavour, it seeps into the meat!"

"Let me tell you this, Chef Ramsay. You have to pick the little fuckers out, and they look like fucking roaches. You know who puts star anise in meat? Pretentious douchebags!"

Finally, the screen door from the deck cried open and Yumi called, "Hey, you dumb bitch!"

Eiko looked back and put her hands to her hips. She smirked and called back, "Hey, you dirty skank!"

Eiko and Yumi stood staring at each other at first, only silence as James and Kimmy kept quiet. Finally, Eiko curved a grin, chuckling in her throat. As did Yumi, who rasped a cackle in her chest. Like a slow clap the two started laughing merrily. Eiko walked up to Yumi and pulled her in for a hug.

Yumi said, "How was the drive, sis?"

"Bullshit, as usual. Especially with this driver," she glared back to James who was walking up the path with the roaster.

Yumi said warmly, "Hiya, James baby! Welcome back. What you got there?"

Eiko groaned, "You don't wanna know."

"Ham, with star anise. A true, national travesty," replied James sarcastically, getting a light slap from Eiko in his shoulder.

"Ah, shit! It's fine, we'll eat it! Bring it on in, James!"

As James walked in, Eiko grumbled, "Ugh. Don't encourage him."

Kimmy walked up with her phone almost passing right by Yumi without a second thought.

"Hi baby girl! How are you doing? I missed you, honey!"

Eiko pulled Kimmy back by the sleeve and scolded, "Your aunt is talking to you."

Kimmy sighed and smiled, "Hi, auntie Yumi."

"Hi, sweetie. Cori's inside, she'll be tickled pink to see you again! Go on in."

As she left them, Eiko hissed, "Little shit has her eyes plastered to that phone like a teenage boy to a porn website. I've only taken it away eleven times. Hey, Cori came down?"

"Yeah, she brought her boyfriend from the city!"

"Get the fuck out," grinned Eiko excitedly, "Ma said something about her finally getting a boyfriend. How is he, between you and me. A total ass-hat? Is he hot, at least?"

"Oh, he's a doll, truly! Quiet little thing but fucking tall. A gentle giant. You'll love him."

Eiko then said quieter, "And how about you? Hottie Bollywood prince comin' or what?"

Yumi cracked a laugh, "You better believe it, baby! Mom and Dad still don't know shit, so tonight might be interesting."

Eiko guffawed, "Haha! Yes! I love me a good dramatic family get together."

Inside the house, new entries came in catching Cori and Edward's attention. James scuffled into the kitchen to see Cori at the stove cooking and Edward at the table. He beamed a grin, "Well, hello! I bring a chunk of meat!"

Cori smiled, "Hey Uncle James!"

He came over and put the roaster down where it would fit. He gave a side hug to Cori, "Hey, girl! How's things?"

"Oh, you know. Fine. You?"

"Good. Just great. Really."

"You spent the drive arguing with auntie again, huh?"

James quipped, "Yup. I'm tired. Who this?"

Cori set the ladle back in the pot and said excitedly, "That's Edward!"

"Is he yours?"

"He's mine!"

James laughed, "Ha! Hey, man." He came over to shake his hand. Edward took his hand and rattled against James' firm shake.

Edward nervously smiled, "Hey, nice to meet you."

"James Collins," he sat down at the table with Edward confidently, "How long you two been together?"

Edward replied, "Uh. Three months."

"Oh! New and steamy. Nice. She's treatin' you good?"

Edward agreed, "Yup. Very good."

"Awesome. Just between you and me, her last name might be Atkins but she's still a Chisaka. She'll start the nagging in no time. Get it while it's good."

"I can hear you, asshole," grumbled Cori as she cut sweet potatoes.

Edward forced a smile and asked, "You're an accountant?"

"Yeah! Managerial Director in Omaha. How did you know? Were the girls talking about me?"

"Yup." Edward nodded, "I'm a… forensic accountant."

"Forensic accountant! Nice! You do the detective work."

Yumi and Eiko came in and Eiko did a double take as she passed Edward and James at the table.

"Oh, look at you. Already chummy," she said to James.

"It's actually called 'friendly' Eiko. You should try it."

"Eat my ass, James."

He quipped back, "When and where, baby. You know I would if you'd actually have sex with me."

Cori broke it up quite suddenly, "Okay! Nice to see you guys again. Feels like it was minutes, really."

Eiko made an excited stance with her hands out, "Killer Cori! Get over here and hug me, damn it!"

They embraced warmly and Eiko swayed her back and forth, laughing as she did so. Finally, Cori tore away to point at Edward, "This is my boyfriend, Edward."

Eiko crossed her arms sternly and said, "Yeah, I saw him. Been waiting for him to say hello but he's been all quiet. Had no issues saying hello to James." She said it in almost a teasing way but holding a scolding tone.

"Auntie, give it a break," groaned Cori.

Eiko came over and pulled a chair out from the table, sitting down with Edward obnoxiously. He went wide eyed in nerves, freezing his hands to the table as she disapprovingly glared him down.

"So, Edward. What's your intentions here?"

He mumbled out, "My intentions?"

"With Cori. Is she an ego boost? A good source of income? Just a good fuck?"

Yumi said it droll, "Sis, you're being a bitch again. Just ignore her, Eddie, she's a little rough around the edges."

Eiko held her hand up to Yumi while keeping a focused scowl to Edward, "Well, speak up. I doubt her mom asked you any of these questions so I'm doing it for her. What's your intentions?"

Eiko was a statement of fear, no one questioned her malice even if it was unjustified. She was an icon to be taken seriously, to be respected.

Edward nervously paced his eyes around the room, then back to Eiko, "Uh. No, none of that. I just want to be with her, that's all."

"Why?" She shot back.

"Uh."

Cori broke out heatedly, "Can you stop, already?"

"I just want to make sure you're not with another loser, Cori. God knows you've seen your fair share," Eiko turned back to Edward, "Let's here it then."

"Because… she gets me, and I get her. We haven't been together long but she's my best friend."

Yumi tried to contain her excited awe, and just wiggled Cori's arm. Cori was bashfully smiling to the ground and looked up to Edward, who was able to tear his terrified eyes from his hands and up to her, curving a smile back. Eiko looked from him and to Cori who took her giddy smile back to the cooking pot.

Eiko shrugged, "Alright. You'll do. How old are you, Edward?"

"Thirty-four."

"Ha! Yet, you with a twenty seven year old. What does she give you that a woman your age can't."

"Auntie, I'm going to physically attack you." Cori warned.

Edward answered more confident, "Her."

Eiko scrunched her lips and tilted her head, "Hm. Just a certified Romeo, aren't you? You gotta understand, there's been many nights where I've had to hold this girl crying because of a dumbass who was in the relationship for him. Not for her. She don't have a daddy to turn up the heat with the guys she brings home, so I gotta pick up the slack. You can respect that, right?"

Edward nodded, "Completely. She deserves that kind of love, always."

Eiko leaned back in her chair, nearly curving a proud smile. Then she flicked her eyes at James and ranted, "Why can't you be like him?!"

James groaned, "Oh, here we go."

"See how he focuses on her and her only? You don't think I deserve that?"

"For Christs sakes, Eiko. They're in the honeymoon stage, of course he does!"

Yumi came out with impeccable timing, "Who wants a drink?"

"Mom let's not add alcohol into this, please," muttered Cori behind her.

Eiko bit her lip from James and raised her chin to Edward, "Not bad. You've passed the approval test. But… if you break her heart, I swear to God. I will hunt you down and hospitalize you. Understand?"

Cori snapped, "Jesus Christ, auntie! You're threatening him!"

Edward answered respectfully, "Understood."

Eiko smirked then shot up from her chair and wove her hands around him, "On that note, welcome to the family!" She belly-laughed as she swayed him in his chair, his face up through her shoulder coughing for air.

"That's great," said Cori, "can you leave him alone now?"

Eiko released him and patted his shoulders, "Yeah, yeah."

Yumi announced, "Hey, now that I got some strong men here. Edward and James, you two wanna go out to the shed and get the extensions for the table? You might have to dig around a bit, I gotta a lotta shit in there!"

Edward stood from the table as soon as she asked it, James took that moment to whine.

"What else would I be doing than getting ordered around by a woman?"

Eiko snapped, "Just do it, ya prick."

He groaned, "You see?"

As Edward and James went out the sliding doors, Eiko came by Yumi and Cori's side to pour herself a glass of wine and help with the cooking.

Cori glared her down for a second and shook her head, "Came in a little hot, auntie. Pretty sure you scared him half to death."

"That's the point."

Yumi said, "I told you outside! Eddie's a good boy, he means well."

"Yeah, I get that now. But… let's be honest, sis. You're not the epitome of fair relationships. At least now he knows what he's walking into. You got a family who love you, and even if he fucks up, that's not gonna change."

"It was torturous," sighed Cori, "Like watching my puppy get kicked. He was scared."

Eiko guffawed, "Aw. Look at you, just a twitter in love!"

"Oh, sis, get this. I was cooking breakfast this morning and…"

Cori snapped, "Mom, I swear to God!"

Eiko added excitedly, "And what?"

"And I went upstairs to wake these two and I walked in on them doin' the dirty under the covers! Haha! Poor Edward flew off her like a bird in the trees!"

Eiko and Yumi erupted in unbridled laughter, swinging their heads up to harmonize a cackle like two old engines turning over. Cori cringed into herself and blew a raspberry, "I hate it here."

"Well, don't be stingy, Cori. How is he?" Her aunt pried.

"Huh?"

"In the sack? Is he good? He's a pretty nerdy lookin' dude. Does he even know how to take off a bra?"

Yumi and Eiko laughed again, and Cori heated at the mocking, "Actually yeah. First time we did; he took it off the first try. I didn't even have to help."

"Oh, shit! A dark horse, huh? So, he's good?"

Cori stopped mixing the potatoes and said drolly, "You want me to have this conversation with my mom and my aunt?"

"We're all adults now! Come on."

Cori sighed, "Yeah, he's good."

"Does he go down… there? Or does he refuse? Let me tell you, if a guy refuses to go down on a girl, he's a waste of space on our world. There's no changing my mind." Eiko said it bitterly, peeling the carrots as if she was taking her anger out on them.

Yumi buckled a laugh, "Haha! Jesus, Eiko."

Cori shamefully admitted, "Yes. A few times."

"Nice! I'm liking this Edward so far!"

Yumi added, "It's a different story if they go down there and have no idea what the hell they're doin'. I once had a guy licking my pee hole over and over, felt like a fucking catheter."

Eiko and Yumi laughed as Cori nearly retched, shaking her head and curling her mouth down.

"God damn, shut up!"

Eiko kept going, "Should be mandatory in sex ed they teach boys where the clitoris is. It's been twenty years with James, and he still goes for the doorway. You can't teach an old dog new tricks."

The conversation was unbearable to Cori. Not just because she was having it with her mom and her aunt, but because she was sexually frustrated and now burdened with the feeling with them in the room.

James and Edward opened up the shed to look for the extensions to the table. James asked, "So, what firm you work at? You must get a lot of work in Gotham."

Edward shifted a few boxes from their path and replied, "Uh. KTMJ."

"Nice, what division you at?"

"Uh. Junior."

"Oh! You must have just started."

"No, I've been there for five years."

James blew air from his mouth and didn't reply. Edward felt the twinge of judgement and added, "Pathetic, right?"

"You know what? No. Look, I worked at my job for ten years before I reached director. Sometimes the politics get in the way. You get a young punk who comes in with all the degrees, clout and influence, suddenly he's in the big chair. I just kept working hard, kept my accounts textbook, and eventually I got the promotion. Took a long ass time, but I got there. Besides, I had a family to distract me from all the bullshit during that time. You got Cori, and she's a good kid. Doesn't cheat on her boyfriends, doesn't lie, doesn't start fights. You got it good, man. Focus on that relationship and do your job textbook. Next thing you'll know, you'll be getting a promotion with no idea how you got there."

Edward reached for the first extension and clarified, "So… play the long game?"

"Exactly. The clout losers usually get fired or fuck up in the first year or so anyway. You got plenty of time."

Edward was battling himself on bringing it up. James was not just an accountant, he was experienced. Years under his belt. Another Mr. Stone with a different perspective. He asked, "I… actually found something in an account a few weeks ago. It didn't look right. I brought it to my boss, and he told me I made a mistake, but the math is there. It's not a mistake."

James was intrigued, "What did you find?"

"Small payments of four thousand or more, every week to a parent company of the account. Every week adding up to ten thousand."

"Five digit numbers flag in an accounting system. You saying you brought that to your boss, and they said it was a mistake?"

"Yeah. That's not all. I… couldn't stop thinking about it. I broke into my boss's office. I know. I know. Found the file and went through the shredding paper…"

James gasped, "Jesus. You went the extra mile, man."

"I found out they were sending the ten thousand to a philanthropist fund that had been abandoned over twenty years ago."

James thought for a moment and said, "Now, I'm not a forensic accountant but if I had to guess… sounds like some kind of mafia organization."

"You think? Cori and I definitely agree it's dirty money. We just didn't know why."

"It's dirty, definitely dirty. You were completely right taking it to your boss's attention. Why he didn't take it seriously is beyond me. Ha! Any director would be creaming in their khakis for a case like that. Either he is a moron, or he's got something to hide, too. Gotham is known for the shady folk."

"That's what I'm thinking, too. What do you think the money is from?"

"Beats me. If they don't want it flagging on the computer could be something illegal, like black market stuff. You know, drugs, human trafficking, weapons, you name it. Could be something dangerous. You might want to… step aside and keep your head down, bud. If your boss is in on it, could be the end of your career. Or worse."

"You think I should just ignore it?"

"For your own safety, yeah. Sometimes being the hero isn't worth it, Ed. Especially when you got people who care about you."

He stayed thinking about that for a while. Walking behind James with the extensions in their hands, he contemplated his own danger at KTMJ. Despite James' warnings, the mystery still called to him. He wanted to find out more and take the shawl off the more his suspicion was validated. He wanted to uncover why the money was being sent to Renewal, of all things.

---

When afternoon came, sobo and jiji arrived. The house was a flutter of chatter now. The kitchen singing in pots and pans ringing, the TV playing a movie for Kimmy who was more into her phone than watching it, the loud laughter of Eiko and Yumi— their cackles basically genetic. James and Edward were among the quietest, talking about their careers in the living room. Surprisingly, Edward felt comfortable among the noise. He enjoyed the chat with James, even though he didn't know him. Their mutual comprehension of accounting was keeping the conversation alive with jargen only they understood. Sobo and Jiji were trying to talk and bond with Kimmy but she gave short, indifferent responses as she stared into her phone. Yumi and Eiko were in the kitchen with Cori, chatting with her about the simplest things that somehow became a comedy skit. It was as it was every year, every get together. Somehow the three of them were always together and laughing. Cori listening to their crude humour was a feeling of home. They were so into it then when the doorbell rang, Yumi at first didn't hear it.

"Mom. Door."

Yumi gasped and ran to the door, knowing who it was. Cori peaked around the wall and saw the door open to an Indian man. He had a thick black beard and slicked back hair. He was wearing a v-neck navy sweater and black pants. Yumi didn't bother to say hi, she just rushed him into the kitchen with Eiko and Cori, hoping sobo and jiji wouldn't notice him.

Cori glared him down as he came into the room, then commenced cooking utterly indifferent to his entrance. All she could recall when she saw him was the outlandish number of medications he prescribed her.

Yumi said quietly, "Here he is! Sis, this is Singh. Isn't he a tall glass of water?"

Eiko shook his hand and greeted him amicably. Cori rolled her eyes considering how stern she was with Edward in comparison.

Singh said a little taken back, "You haven't told your parents about me, yet?"

"Well, no. That's okay! They're gonna love you, honey. Just wait. Cori…"

Cori closed her eyes to the stove and prepared to turn around.

"This is Singh. Singh this is my daughter, Cori. Cori?"

She finally turned around with droll eyes and forced a smile, "Hey."

Singh smiled, "Hello, nice to meet you." He said to Yumi, "She does look a lot like you."

"Oh, she does. Cori… you gonna… say more than just 'hey'. That's kinda rude, honey."

Cori sighed and said a bit louder, "I'm Cori. I'm cooking. You a therapist?"

"That I am," replied Singh.

"Pays good?"

"Uh. Pays reasonably. Yumi said you're a journalist. Must keep you busy."

Cori ignored the latter question, "Prescription pads must keep your bills paid, huh?"

Singh's face changed quick, like a confirmation her suspicions were true. Yumi just laughed it off, "She's an ass-buster. You learn to love it! Come, Singh! I wanna show you my chickens!"

Singh took a moment to tear his glare from Cori as Yumi pulled him to the backyard door. Eiko absorbed the tensions like a sponge, seeing clearly Cori was upset about something.

Eiko waited till they were out of sight to ask, "What was that about?"

Cori didn't feel right in telling her the truth before it was confirmed, "Just sick of meeting my mom's flavours of the month."

"That doesn't seem fair, Cori. She welcomed Edward with open arms."

"That's different."

"Different? Do you know something I don't?"

Cori sighed, hanging her head for a second and saying back, "These turkeys are good to eat, can you help me set the table? We should do this before the food gets cold."

Eiko stood for a moment before Cori, waiting for her to add anything else. But she hastily went to the table to drape the sheet.

By the time the table was set, and food compiled at the table, everyone was coming to sit down. Cori called out the sliding door for her mom, and she came in to continue her hosting. A calico maneki-neko cat was set at the far end of the table, waving its paw back and forth. Gentle, traditional Japanese music of a bamboo flute was playing lowly in the kitchen stereo— softly travelling to their dining area. Sobo and Jiji gave Singh some side glances as he sat next to Yumi, avoiding eye contact. Kimmy was basically dragged to the table when her mom took her phone away. Eiko sat with her and James to her left. Beside James was Edward and Cori to his side. Sobo and Jiji were at the other side of the table with Singh and Yumi.

Sobo praised, "This looks fantastic, girls! Well done! Gotta say I don't miss cooking these feasts up, myself."

"My sous chef and I did it again!" Yumi celebrated, giving Cori a thumbs up. Cori just blinked and gave her a half smile, still sneaking glares to Singh.

James said, "Is that a damn trout?"

"Yup! That was Edward's catch yesterday. It's one big bastard, isn't it?"

James nudged him excitedly, "You fish?"

Edward just shook his head, "Nope."

Sobo announced, "Alright, everyone! Let's sit together and join hands for prayer."

Eiko forcefully took Kimmy's hand and James'. They all joined hands and held them over the table. Edward was guided by Cori, who bowed her head with the others. Unexpectedly, the prayer took a different route than what he was expecting. Not a shred of Catholicism. Sobo, Jiji, Eiko, and Yumi began to hum, a chant.

Sobo prayed, "First, let us reflect on our own work and the effort of those who brought us this food. Second, let us be aware of the quality of our deeds as we receive this meal. Third, what is most essential is the practice of mindfulness, which helps us to transcend greed, anger and delusion. Fourth, we appreciate this food which sustains the good health of our body and mind. Fifth, in order to continue our practice for all beings we accept this offering. Let us remember our nikkō, Celeste. We know that she is with us today bringing good familiars of her pure spirit. That she watches us in the tomorrow, and the yesterday. We eat this meal in honour of her life, her light, and her spirit. Her deeds in life will be remembered in death and repeat in us in our daily lives. Namu Amida Batsu."

Then everyone but James, Singh and Edward repeated, "Namu Amida Batsu."

Yumi encouraged, "Alright! Let's fucking eat!"

Cori sighed, "Not the most conventional thing to hear after a Buddhist prayer, but okay."

Edward hushed to her as the people around the table started to dish themselves, "Buddhist?"

"Yeah, we're not catholic."

He whispered, "You never told me you were a Buddhist."

Cori made a side smile, "It never came up till now. You Catholic?"

Edward scoffed, "Hell no."

Cori and Edward shared a small giggle before dishing up with the rest of the table. Eiko and James were silently arguing about the star anise ham, and Sobo took notice of Singh.

"So, are we going to talk about this young man?"

Yumi quickly swallowed her food and introduced, "Yes! This is Singh, he's my… therapist!"

"Therapist? Oh. Well, nice to meet you. I don't mean to be rude, but why is your therapist here at family dinner?"

Yumi froze to the silence over the table, watching eyes exchange in awkward glances. Cori said boldly, "He's her boyfriend."

Yumi gave her a brief glare and Sobo continued, "Oh! Well, she neglected to tell me."

"She didn't neglect to tell me," shrugged Eiko.

Singh introduced timidly, "Yes. Um, I'm Singh. We've been together for a few weeks. It's very new, I… thought she told you."

Sobo settled the tension, "It's fine. We know now, I'm sorry if I was a bit rude. How old are you?"

Yumi pressed down her lips as Singh nervously admitted, "I'm… thirty one, ma'am."

That was enough to take Jiji from his food with a startled gawk.

"So young! My, oh my. You're younger than her daughter's partner." Sobo nervously chuckled, lightly gesturing to Edward.

Eiko added, "Who cares, Ma? He keeps her young. All that matters is she's happy, right?"

Yumi explained, "Exactly. I'm sorry I didn't say anything, I was waiting for the best time. This time seemed like the best."

Cori remarked sarcastically, "Right. Phones are confusing nowadays."

"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Singh. I hope to get to know you more. You… are a therapist? Yumi's?"

"Uh. Yes."

"Is that allowed?"

Cori stifled a laugh as Singh mumbled, "It's not exactly supported but… I love her and that's all I care to support."

Yumi awed and leaned her head against his shoulder.

"Already dropping the 'love' bombs, wow," mumbled Cori, "Hey, Singh, can I ask you something?"

"Yeah, sure."

"What is… xlyochepinaul? Never heard it before. You're a doctor."

Edward went stiff at the question. His mouth parting he glanced to Cori, who was also still, but her eyes curved in rage.

"Uh. That's a medication, I think."

"You think? You sure you don't know what it does? You prescribed it to mom. You should probably know what it is."

The table was mostly eating, but a few glances were coming up from Eiko and James, sensing a brim of tension. Edward knew exactly what was going on and would flick his eyes from Yumi's aghast glare and Singh's vacant glower in suspense.

Yumi asked quite radically, "So! Cori, you wanna share with Sobo and Jiji the good news? I'm sure your aunt and uncle will be elated, too."

Cori's eyes went wide then, clutching to her cutlery enough to nearly bend it.

Sobo gasped, "Good news? Yes, please, Cori! Let's hear it!"

Cori scoffed a laugh and shook her head, "It's nothing."

Sobo clapped her hand to her mouth, "Oh, my goodness! Did Edward propose?"

Edward flinched, "What?"

"No! No. He didn't."

Yumi kept on snidely, a glimpse of annoyance in her eyes, "Something to do with Celeste?"

"Mom!"

"What is it? What about Celeste?" Sobo pressured, laying her cutlery flat to the table.

Cori sighed, laying back in her chair and slapping her hands to her thighs. She angrily scowled at her mom before saying plainly, "I managed to get her case reopened in Coast City. They'll be taking the forensics to the lab and see if there is a match in the database to find her killer."

Gasps fluttered along the table, even taking Kimmy's vacant glare to shock. Sobo froze at the words, and Jiji flexed his brows. There was a string of silence that managed to set all on the edge of their seats. Singh looked around confused, but Edward inspected the disturbance in their faces, knowing it was anything but good news.

Jiji muttered low, "You did what?"

Eiko coughed an amazed laugh, "Holy shit. Cori, you fucking badass. You managed to reopen the case?"

"Yeah." Cori muttered shakily as if she was about to cry.

Eiko's mouth fell wide and clutched James' sweater, "I can't believe it! That case has only been cold for two decades, how did you manage to get them to pull their thumbs from their asses?"

"I… met a cop in Gotham. Older guy who pulled some favours for me. I met him through journalling and told him about the case. He went the extra mile."

James celebrated with her, "You got a silver tongue, girl! That's awesome! You might bring this bastard to justice!"

Eiko and James had some excited laughter, even creasing a small smile to Cori. Then Jiji barked, "Stop! No. This is not good news. This is not good at all."

Cori muttered, "Jiji."

"Do you know what you've done?"

Jiji was always the quiet, amicable wallflower. Enjoying his meal in silence as the hens at the table would chatter. However, his break of silence was now gripping all of them in fear, knowing full well why he was upset.

Cori's eyes wilted at his glare, small tears forming in his eyes. Sobo patted his shoulder for him to settle, but he only held his arm out to her consoling touch.

He continued angrily, "This was selfish, thoughtless thing, Coraline. Your sister is in rest. You only stir her spirit in the agony of how she died with this. This is not honour."

"What?" Cori cooed, her voice fleeting, "I… I think even in death she'd want her killer to pay for what he did."

He waggled his finger, "So it's revenge you want. Your anger clouds your judgement. You are not mindful in this action. You are greedy for answers. Celeste's soul will be tainted by this," he asked to Yumi angrily, "Did you know of this?"

His accent was getting stronger and his words less understood as he was growing impatient. Yumi answered a bit timidly, "Yes… I did. I figured she'd help you understand."

He angrily lectured, "You dare want your poor mother to relive this agony? You want all of us to? You were too young to understand the true pain of these matters, Coraline. How dare you not consult us before you went ahead with this! You should be ashamed!"

Yumi raised her hands up, "Woah, papa!"

Cori snapped back, "Are you kidding me? You think I wasn't there for that? You think I didn't know what was going on? I lost my sister, Jiji. I watched my family fall apart because of it! I was there, oh trust me. And I'm pissed about it because it wasn't fucking fair! The murderer should suffer the punishment for that."

Sobo chastised, "Do not yell at your grandfather!"

"Why?!" Cori's voice broke, "He's yelling at me for standing up for Celeste! That's a lot more than I can give any of you! I'm making her voice heard!"

Jiji barked, "You're selfish! Anata wa watashitachi no meiyo o kizutsukemashita!"

Cori snapped back, "Kimi ni fumeiyo o atae teru yo! Watashi wo kanojo no meiyo o kizutsukete iru wakede wa arimasen!"

James made a lazy cheer of his glass and said, "Here we go!"

Suddenly, Eiko, Sobo, Jiji, Cori and Yumi started battling in Japanese like a wave. Eiko and Yumi defending Cori, with Sobo and Jiji battling them all, and Cori, defending her decision to reopen Celeste's case. Fists pounded on the table, fingers were flying and voices inflating. Eiko even stood from the table and barked at Sobo, a vicious, angered flurry of Japanese spilling from her lips at fast speeds. Edward, James, Singh and Kimmy stayed seated watching silently. Kimmy laid back in her chair and rolled her eyes as if it was a typical thing. James just kept eating, shaking his head at the words he couldn't understand, somewhat thankful for it. However, Edward flicked his eyes from their faces like a timid deer. He didn't know what they were saying, but he could tell it was getting more and more heated, escalating to something he wasn't prepared for. Cori finally slapped her hands to the table and shouted, "You know what?! Fuck this! I'm done."

They ceased their arguing and went silent, watching her angrily stomp from the table. She made sharp gasps as she started to cry and ran up the stairs. Edward nervously pushed himself out of the table, as well, going after her and leaving the dejection and the bamboo flute on the stereo behind. The only sound apart from the mechanic turns of the maneki-neko cat's waving paw.