Chapter 11

Mira had never felt this exhausted in her twenty-three years. It started with normal warm ups but she doesn't have the stamina to keep up compared to swimming. She was thankful that both her sister and the police chief did not remark on how slow she was.

"Tiring, isn't it?" Rani panted as she wiped her sweaty forehead with a hand towel. She handed her a bottle of water, to which Mira immediately gulped down the cool liquid. The workout had helped her forget what spiralled at home for a brief moment. She tried not to dwell on it but every time she paused, Mira would be transported back to the home where her mother would watch her every move and control what she ate.

Even when university provided her a little freedom, she couldn't help but eat as little as possible, in case her mother or anyone else in the family saw her different.

"...Mira, are you listening?" a voice asked, slowly pulling her back from her thoughts. Rani was looking at her with concern with both of her hands wrapped for her next training. "Hey, are you okay?"

The younger sister averted her eyes, not wanting to explain about things behind closed doors. However, Rani patted her on the back. "I forgot to tell you, Mira, I'm meeting Mr. Piranha and Mr. Wolf at the the karaoke bar. Do you want to join us for a round? They have Korean spicy wings with sesame seeds."

Mira pondered at the invitation. On on hand, she could hang out with her sister and friends but the downside would've been coming up with an excuse for her mother and grandparents. How they forced her to talk when she really wanted some peace and quiet. She was thankful when Rani doesn't force her to talk when she was silent throughout the whole conversation. Even the former Bad Guys just accepted it without question. Why does the silence always need to be filled in with unnecessary conversations? Even music was just enough if she felt the need for sounds.

'Piranha will be there,' the thought in her head reminded her.

Slowly, she nodded her head, causing Rani's face to lit up with excitement. She eagerly took her hands in hers. "Oh, this will be great! It'll be like old times minus all the rules and responsibilities from Mama. Don't worry, it'll be just us, Mr. Wolf and Mr. Piranha."

"No spicy food," Mira uttered out those words of request. Rani smiled and nodded her head. "Of course. You don't have a strong spice tolerance, right?"

With that, Mira covered her mouth to stifle her giggles from spilling out.

...

Now THIS is a karaoke bar Mr. Piranha could get used to!

He and Mr. Wolf were the first to arrive at the entrance of the establishment. It looked more like a Red Carpet hotel than an actual bar. However, the rooms were fit for everyone, including families he had noticed with their kids.

If there was trouble, he'll be ready to bite some butts.

"Better get in before the room gets taken," Mr. Wolf nudged him from his thoughts. The two gangs members made their way into the room and Wolf began checking his phone. Mr. Piranha began scrolling through the songs, wondering if there's anything that caught his interest.

Just then, the door swung open and in came Rani and Mira. Mr. Piranha thought both of the sisters looked stunning, especially Mira in her skinny jeans and a long-sleeved top. He wondered if Mr. Wolf had made a mistake since Mira could be scared to sing and he doesn't want her to be scared of them.

Rani immediately checked the menus at the table for all of them. Mira smiled politely at Mr. Wolf and

"I'm glad the both of you are here," Mr. Wolf grinned, tail wagging rapidly. "Piranha here's ready to find a song so please make yourselves comfortable. Rani, I need to speak with you privately. Piranha, Mira, just order anything, okay?"

This made Mr. Piranha look up from the tablet he was selecting the songs from. What does Wolf want with Rani? Was it something he should know? Keeping secrets from him was sure to make him blow up in anger. He was about to rebuke when Mira placed a gentle hand on his back.

"D-do you want something f-from the menu?" Mira's struggle to ask him made him smile. He nodded, scooting over to her to see what they could order. He figured he'll do the talking while Mira can find a song or...

"Chica, do you want some wings and nachos?"

Mira nodded and watched him order the food via the phone. As much as he wanted to hear Mira talk more, he hoped she was having a good time. After placing the order, he turned his attention to the young woman scrolling through the tablet for songs. He noticed that she was staring at the list filled with Disney soundtracks.

"Mira, are you a Disney fan?" he asked with a smile. Mira blushed and nodded slowly. He chuckled, never seeing her so hesitant yet her hands were trembling with excitement. The freshwater fish doesn't want to jump into conclusions but he had a feeling that Mira was not the party type.

Regardless, the both of them picked their songs, Mr. Piranha singing his rock version of Hakuna Matata from The Lion King. Needless to say, Mira was giggling and clapping at his performance. It was the first time he had seen Mira full of life and letting loose at the karaoke. Of course, he was the one that sang most of the songs but it doesn't matter as long as the both of them had fun.

When he was about to play the next song, Mira gestured him to sit down and asked for the microphone. The piranha's heart almost drop at what she was about to do. Could it be? Was she ready to do this? ESPECIALLY in front of him?

Mira cleared her throat, her quiet voice whispered, "Ready..." and then:

"Look at this stuff

Isn't it neat?

Wouldn't you think my collection's complete?

Wouldn't you think I'm the girl

The girl who has everything?"

Mr. Piranha's jaws dropped at the sound of her voice. Her whispers were sweet but when she sang the song, it sounded like it came from her heart. Mira's voice had a perfect pitch and vibrato as if she too was moved by the song. "Mira..."

" Look at this trove

Treasures untold

How many wonders can one cavern hold?

Lookin' around here, you'd think

Sure, she's got everything

I've got gadgets and gizmos a-plenty

I've got whozits and whatzits galore

You want thingamabobs?

I got twenty

But who cares?

No big deal

I want more"

The more she sang, the tail fin at the back of Mr. Piranha's head was starting to wag rapidly. Seeing Mira being herself, outside of her shell was the most beautiful sight of all. No camera could capture this very moment. Mira's face was flushed while there were tears in her eyes.

" I wanna be where the people are

I wanna see, wanna see 'em dancin'

Walking around on those, what do you call 'em?

Oh, feet

Flippin' your fins, you don't get too far

Legs are required for jumpin', dancin'

Strollin' along down a

What's that word again?

Street

Up where they walk, up where they run

Up where they stay all day in the sun

Wanderin' free, wish I could be

Part of that world

What would I give if I could live out of these waters?

What would I pay to spend a day warm on the sand?

Bet'cha on land they understand

Bet they don't reprimand their daughters

Bright young women, sick of swimmin'

Ready to stand

Ready to know what the people know

Ask 'em my questions and get some answers

What's a fire and why does it, what's the word?

Burn?

When's it my turn?

Wouldn't I love

Love to explore that shore up above?

Out of the sea

Wish I could be

Part of that world..."

There was silence after Mira breathed out the final song. Mr. Piranha immediately captured her hands into his. Gently planting a kiss on them, he breathed,"É lindo... como você."

Mira blushed and bowed a 'thank you' to him before suddenly engulfing him into a hug. The closer she was, the more beautiful he found her. She kneeled down, bringing him close when-

"Ahem," a voice at the door, belonging to a waiter interrupted them. "Your wings and nachos are here."

...

Outside the karaoke bar, Rani and Mr. Wolf were having some soda while eavesdropping at the room where Mira and Mr. Piranha were. Rani was trying hard not to let out the biggest squeal that could make people turn heads at them.

"I can't believe she sang!" Rani continued to gushed, swinging Mr. Wolf's arm excitedly. The wolf laughed, tail wagging to match his friend's excitement. "Cool down, Rani. We haven't gotten to Snake and Web's plan for Shark. Then, we will see which one of them wins her heart."

Rani sipped her soda, slowly calming down. "My mother's gonna be so pissed that her golden child has broken out of her shell. I'm just glad she's warming up to you guys."

Mr. Wolf smiled and winked. "Of course. It started with you, and now your sister's following your footsteps. I gotta say, this is one mission that I'm looking forward to. Bet Snake's happy now that he's not the one to be teased."

"That doesn't stop me from booping his snout," Rani flashed her cheeky grin. "He and I made a bet before this mission, winner gets to have their favourite dinner cooked by the loser and choose a position~"

While the two were talking, a figure hiding at the dark corners of the bar was messaging someone. The same person silently snapped shots of the young woman and freshwater fish inside of the room when the waiter swung the door open. Their client wanted details about the young woman's whereabouts and those photos would made them rich.

Of course, the night was still young.

Sorry for the late updates. Anyways, who do you think was watching them?

I got some ideas for Mr. Shark's date and can you guess where it might be at? Or what will they do?