Aiden's interest was piqued.
Haru said, "I don't remember that." And before he could stop his brother, Reo, was out the door in a flash, as if he couldn't wait to show the picture to everyone.
Jess said, "I can't wait to see it. Haru must have been so adorable."
Mason said, "Haru was very adorable when he first came to America. He looked like a Japanese porcelain doll."
Isaac said, "I remember thinking he was a human-sized doll and I thought he was a girl. He even wore dresses."
Haru snapped, "You made me wear them with you."
Mason said. "Yep. They were a pair of adorable little girls, all right." He laughed.
Noah said, "One with black hair and another blond. I wonder if we still have those photos."
Isaac said, "Please don't bring that up."
Noah laughed. "You brought it up first."
Aiden chuckled, which drew Haru's attention to him. When he saw the sharp look Haru gave him, he stopped immediately. But of course, the reminder of little Haru and Isaac wearing dresses made him smile. It couldn't be helped that their stepmother, Sana Ono, had encouraged the two to play a dressing up game, since she had always wanted a daughter. He guessed seeing little Isaac and Haru in girls' clothes helped her satisfy that craving, if only a little.
Reo returned with an album, and it wasn't long before everyone gathered around and was looking through the various old photos of Haru, Reo, and their mom's life back in Japan. And then, there it was, little Haru in a shrine maiden costume of white and red. He looked adorable standing in front of a shrine.
Haru could only stared at the picture, astounded.
Reo said, "Brings back memories. Uncle Jin keeps asking us to visit. We haven't since Mom and Stepdad passed away."
Aiden said, "Maybe we should do that."
Reo raised his head and asked, "Do what?"
"Visit your uncle," Aiden said.
Haru asked, "Like, all of us? Going to Japan?"
Aiden gave Haru a smile. "Hm."
Tina butted in. "Does that include me and Peter as well?"
Aiden said, "If you want to come, pay your own way, Tina."
Isaac said, "But I thought we didn't have enough for a holiday yet."
Aiden nodded. "Not yet. Not for another three to four months."
Isaac seemed like he wanted to make sure he was hearing this right. He asked, "So, we can afford a holiday in another three to four months? Like going overseas and doing stuff?"
Aiden nodded with a smile.
"Yeah! Awesome! I'll save up for some spending money, too." He sounded excited.
Suddenly, Noah announced, "All done. Let's eat."
Everyone started moving toward the table, which was filled with an assortment of delicious food. For the next two and a half hours, everybody ate, drank, and chatted. Then the younger ones started playing video games again, with Jess joining them while Haru watched. Meanwhile, Aiden hung out with Peter and Tina. When the two left at around eleven that night, Aiden, Noah, Reo, and Mason started cleaning up. Haru and Isaac came to help, and once done, Jess appeared and said, "I'm exhausted. Is it all right if I crash here for the night, Aiden?"
Haru said, "Where are you going to sleep? There's no room."
Jess smiled cheekily. "In your room, Haru, where else?"
Haru said, "But I only have a small bed. You can't possibly—"
"You can sleep in Aiden's room." She turned to Aiden. "Is that all right, Aiden?" She gave him a pretty smile.
Beside Aiden, Reo cocked his head to one side and asked, "What are you trying to do, Jess?"
The girl blushed. "I'm not trying to do anything."
Reo smirked with a knowing smile, indicating he knew what she was up to.
Jess realized Reo was onto her and her blush deepened. Ignoring the Japanese man who seemed to always catch her red-handed with her little tricks in trying to get Aiden and Haru together, she turned to Aiden once again and batted her long, blond lashes at him. "Aiden?"
Aiden chuckled. "That's fine. Make yourself at home, Jess."
"Thanks, Aiden. You're a godsend," she said. After giving Reo a triumphant smile, she turned and took off, humming to herself.
Reo smiled, his eyes twinkling. He said, "That girl is always up to something. She's a piece of work."
Noah said, "And you're always onto her. Reo, if you keep picking on her, she'll stop coming and that'll make you sad."
"What the hell does that mean?" Reo asked, frowning. "Shouldn't it make Haru sad?"
Mason chuckled. "Yeah, Haru would be sad. But you'll be sadder."
Reo didn't reply, and Haru suddenly wondered if Reo liked Jess in that way. Holy shit!
Suddenly, Ryan's voice came from the sitting area, "Can we stay the night as well? It's too late to bus back."
"Yeah," Isaac said as he put the clean plates away. "Slumber party."
Noah said, "One of us can always drive you all back."
"But we want to stay the night." Ryan pouted.
Noah frowned. "What about tomorrow? You guys have classes, don't you?"
Ryan shook his head furiously. "Not until in the afternoon. We'll be fine."
Mason said, "Let them stay, Noah."
Noah sighed. "Okay, but don't stay up too late, and especially, don't be too loud."
"Yeah!" Ryan chuckled.
Noah said, "They're nineteen yet they act like kids."
Mason chuckled. "I think you and Aiden are just about the only ones who act older than your age."
Noah frowned. "What is that supposed to mean?"
Mason said, "Calm down, old man, and let the kids have some fun."