Chapter 21

This was bad.

REALLY REALLY BAD!

Mira could only stare at her glum expression that was reflected on the surface of her hot cocoa. It was starting to form a skin from the slightly cold air of Rani and Mr. Snake's apartment. Shark and Piranha had saved her from that family dinner, but it came with a price.

And it was all her fault.

The young woman shuddered at the thought of what would those people do to the poor great white now that he's arrested? Her worries for Mr. Shark had made her lost her appetite, to the point she could only stare at barely lit phone that showed the news from the night before.

"Mira, you have to eat something," Rani persuaded her, pushing a small bowl of mixed frozen berries with granola and yogurt. Mira only gazed at the bowl and then at her sister with those empty eyes. Sighing, Rani sat across and placed her hand over Mira's to give it a reassuring squeeze. "Sis, I'm scared for Shark too. But we will get our message from Chief Luggins soon if all things go well. For now, you need strength if you want to be there for him."

The younger woman sighed, taking a sip at her now lukewarm chocolate drink. Her relationship with her parents and grandparents have crumbled. The safety net was snapped open. Drinking felt like a struggle because her stomach was all knotted. She knew her sister was right if she wants to be strong for Mr. Shark's sake.

That was when Mr. Snake slithered towards them with the baby corn snake, Sol coiled around his neck. It warms Mira's heart whenever she saw the albino snake flickering her tongue out. Holding out her finger, she allowed Sol to get used to her scent and watched her slither off of her father's shoulder.

It amazes her that both Mr. Snake and Rani call themselves parents even if Sol wasn't their biological child. Would it be possible for them to EVEN conceive one?

"You're worried," he remarked, pouring himself a cup of brewed coffee and then doing the same to Rani. "I'm sure Shark is scared too. You know from my time with him, he lets those things drown him until he knows that everything's okay. Webs hasn't said anything yet about his status or the Chief about the case."

Mira said nothing and ate her breakfast wordlessly. Sol was slithering on her arm, but then rests around her shoulder. Could she sensed that she was nervous?

While eating, she watched the exchanges between her sister and Snake. How comfortable she was smiling about and giving him loving looks, causing the old serpent to affectionately flicker his tongue out. Having someone like that would be something alright. You'd feel safe, trust them and accept you despite your flaws.

It made her heart ached. 'Shark, please hold on. I'm coming.'

Just then, Mr. Snake's phone was buzzing. Mira and Rani went over to see who it was. Mr. Snake puts the phone on speaker for everyone to hear.

"Guys, we're in!" Webs' voice announced enthusiastically. "Shark's got a trial and all of us are invited to make our statements. There's a chance to take down those sickos that hurt you, Mira. Hey, is Mira there?"

"Y-yeah, I'm here," Mira's timid voice squeaked. Her heart was pounding, praying that everything was okay as Ms. Tarantula began to explain what everyone needs to do. As for her, Mira will have to show some documents to proof what her grandparents had done, and to a certain extend, her mother.

Now she was in a dilemma.

A part of her wanted to tell everyone what they had done, but another part still held on to the belief that they were still family.

'But families don't hurt or make us scared,' a voice from the back of her head argued. It made her have moths in her stomach. 'How long are you going to keep defending them?'

Her rumination was short-lived when the sound of Rani's doorbell rang. Answering the door, her sister gestured to the person to come inside. It was none other than Mr. Piranha, who had a grim expression.

"Piranha..."

"Hey, amigos," he greeted them glumly. "Wolf said that we have to go. Mira, are you okay to come with me?"

Without hesitation, she nodded and followed him outside while Rani and Mr. Snake were getting ready. Mr. Wolf was waiting in his black car, slumping in the driver's seat. Mira greeted him with a smile, still unsure how to say her words without sounding like a fool.

Yeah, she really needs help to communicate with others again.

Sitting next to Piranha in the back, the both of them were silent with a few occasional coughs. This was nerve-wracking since she already made her decision. It was Piranha who decided to test the water.

"Sooo...are you nervous about the trial?"

"Yeah," she breathed, leaning back into the seat. "I still think it's my fault Shark's in this mess. If I-"

She felt Mr. Piranha taking her hand in his. His yellow eyes were serious when he gazed into hers. "Chica, you KNOW it's not your fault. Family should love and protect you no matter what. Whatever your família did, that's not it! You're here now, on the way to the court with us to save him. That's a big step, right?"

Her heart eased a little. With a crooked smile, she whispered, "Yeah...thanks, Piranha."

Silence broke between them as they listened to the chatters amongst the rest of the gang while "Good Luck Babe" by Chappell Roan was playing on the radio. She felt Mr. Piranha tapping her hand. "Mira, there's something I want to tell you..."

His peppy demeanour suddenly shifts. Gesturing her to lean her head down, he whispered the following words into her ear:

"I do have feelings for you. So does Shark, but the both of us talked it out despite me wanting to settle this the ol' fashion way..." Mr. Piranha chuckled nervously, fidgeting in his seat. Mira's heart suddenly lurched, but she maintained composure. He continued, "I thought 'That's crazy! no way that's gonna happen!' but then I realised that whatever happens, it's entirely up to your decision. So, that's all I'm going to say on my end, Mira."

For some reason, Mira felt...relieved? Glad? The more reason she wants to save Shark from being chopped up into soup at a fancy restaurant?

Whatever it was, she had already decided who she would give her heart out to.

...

When they arrived at the courthouse, Mira was escorted to the lower grounds, since she wanted to see Shark before the trial. Despite some protests, Chief Luggins allowed her to pass if she goes down alone. Despite wanting Rani or even Piranha with her, Mira knew she had to face this alone.

"You have just ten minutes before your family arrives!"

When the door closed, Mira rushed to Shark's cell. Seeing the great white shark in an orange jumpsuit, it made her want nothing more than to hug him. "Shark."

Mr. Shark stood up from his cell bed and went over to the bars. His eyes were hopeful yet relieved at the sight. "Mira, you came."

Reaching her hand over the bar, she placed them tenderly on his sandpaper skin of his fin. "S-Shark...I'm sorry..."

But the great white shark smiled, kissing her hand that was placed onto his cheek. "No, Mira. It's not your fault. I should apologise for going crazy. I couldn't remember much except the smell of blood and you- oh...I guessed I can smell blood a mile away."

Mira giggled a little, trying to mask the oncoming tears. Knowing they don't have much time, she muster all of her courage to say what's on her mind:

"I choose you."

Blinking, Mr. Shark leaned closer until his snout touched the cold metal bar. She looked up at him, afraid it might sounded wrong but he was breathing softly. His dorsal fin was wagging rapidly. "C-can you say that again, sweetheart?"

"I choose you," Mira confessed, smiling at him as the door opened, signalling her to leave. "Shark, there's no one else I'd rather have than you."

"Lou."

Tilting her head, Mr. Shark cleared his throat and rubbed the dorsal fin that was wagging. "My name is Lou."

Aww yeah! We're gonna go Ace Attorney in the next chapter!