"You can sit anywhere you want. What do you want? Juice or tea."
"Juice please."
"You didn't like juice before."
"What can I say? I feel like having juice now."
He sat down on the couch looking at her back as she went to bring the drinks.
She was a very attractive woman. She had a well-maintained body, even in her 40s she could be passed off for a woman in her early 30s. He could tell she worked out regularly. Her face had a beautiful smile. Despite her wrinkles, her face was glowing. Her long brown hair were tied in a big bun. His thoughts were interrupted when she walked into the room with drinks in her hands.
His aunt had already noticed his weird behaviour and contemplated to bring it up or not. She took a sip of her juice. Then she put on a serious expression.
"Mind telling me what is going with you? You never call on your own much less visit my home and how... have you changed so much in a month. Don't think I am mad. I am very happy you have decided to move forward but your change shouldn't be possible."
He had been in a dilemma about telling her truth obviously not everything. That could land him in very much trouble.
He started speaking with a low tone, "I have been stuck in a limbo for past 4 years. I have become estranged with them and its like I don't even know who they are any more. I want to change that. I want to make my family happy. I feel like my sisters hate me. I know its my fault but I can't stand it any more. So I decided to change myself."
Mana had tears in her eyes, seeing her nephew was finally out of his shell, but felt conflicted he was like a stranger to her.
"You know its not your fault. You were grieving but they had to grieve as well. The circumstances were just bad. And about sister, she is like you, stuck in a limbo."
He smiled at her.
"Thanks Aunt."
"So what are you going to do?"
"To be honest I have no idea what I should do."
"Hmm you could start by going to school like a normal kid?"
He looked down, 'School, huh?'
"Okay."
Then he remembered about his poor financial situation.
"Also can you help me find a job."
"You have all grown up, Keiichi."
"About time I'd say."
"Ugh you are so not cute."
"Yes but about that job."
She shook her head and said, "Alright I will contact my friends."
"Thank you", he gave her a small smile.
She had to admit her nephew was too eye catching. What could have happened to him? The change was too drastic. Her mood shifted greatly.
"Keiichi, Will you tell me the truth now?"
"Yeah but first I have a question", asked Keiichi in a cold voice.
Keiichi had been thinking ever since he reincarnated. He wasn't a human. Then what about Oshiro Keiichi? How could he, A mythical creature reincarnate as a human? Maybe it was Typhôeus's doing. But still the seed of doubt remained in his mind.
Mana could feel something was off hearing Keiichi's voice.
"O-okay go ahead."
"I am adopted, right?"
Mana's breathing stalled and her mind became blank.
"How did you know?"
"You know what a Phoenix is, Aunt?"
"Yes but what about it?"
"When a Phoenix dies, it burns down and rebirths from its own ashes."
Mana had a dumbfounded look on her face.
"Why are you talking about his now?"
Keiichi bluntly said, "I was reborn 2 days ago."
Mana was terrified.
"Who-o are you?"
Putting on a sad smile, he said "Still Keiichi. Just not a human."
"When I died my body caught on fire, And then I was alive again. It took me some time but I found out who I am. So how could my parents be humans, if I am nor one?"
"...you are my Keiichi, right?"
He went upto her and placed his lips on her forehead.
"Of course, I am your Keiichi."
Then he hugged her where she wept silently for a while.
"Are you alright now?"
She couldn't look at his face directly.
"Aunt?"
"Actually we knew or it was more like a doubt."
"What? You knew what exactly? Answer me."
"...that you aren't a human."
"HOW?"
"Keiichi calm down and please just listen."
He was feeling angry beyond reason. Typhôeus had lied to him. He didn't know what more things Typhôeus hid more from him.
He came to realization, 'That letter'.
"I have to go home."
"Keiichi, wait. KEIICHI. STOP."
He didn't pay any heed and left. His mind was in a turmoil. Running as fast as he could, he got back home.
He opened the door to find the house empty. He rushed back to his room to search for the letter which had disappeared out of thin air. After making a mess out of the previously cleaned room, he couldn't find it.
"THAT BASTARD."
Lying on the bed, he fell asleep as he got a raging headache from the conversation earlier.
-God Realm-
"Sigh, he found out earlier than I expected."
-Keiichi's Room-
After a long nap, Keiichi felt calm.
He had 15 missed calls from his Aunt. So he gave her a call.
"Did you talk to your mother?"
"...no"
"Don't."
"Why?"
"Just don't. Not yet."
"Then how about you tell me?"
"I can't."
"Is this why my family hate me? Because the adopted son took their dad."
"NO. Keiichi listen to me, its not like that."
"THEN WHAT?"
He heard a thud coming from outside his door. He opened it to find his little sister. His back went cold.
"Aunt I will call you later."
"Keiichi please don't talk to sister just yet."
"Aunt, Naoko heard our conversation. I have to talk to her."
"Big brother.. sob"
She hugged him tightly.
He was stunned by her actions.
"You don't hate me?"
"No-o.. sob.. Big Brother, I miss you."
He felt pang in his heart. His cold exterior broke down.
"Naoko, Big brother is sorry."
He led her inside his room and gave her a glass of water.
"Umm Naoko how much did you hear?"
"...everything."
"Then you know I am not your Big brother."
"NO. You are my big brother."
"About dad?"
"I heard everything. Big brother its not your fault. All of us know that."
"But-"
She just patted his head. He felt a water drop on his cheek. He was scared and couldn't stop himself from crying. Until he felt getting wrapped by his sister in a hug.
"Thank you Naoko."
"Mhmm... Big brother will you leave me again?"
"No you silly girl."
This time he pats her head.
"Hihihi"
Seeing his sister laughing, his heart warms up.
'Guess I have a family now.'
His lips curved as his deep abyss like eyes shined.
"Why don't you tell big brother about yourself?"
The conversation that started with tears ended few hours later with booming laughter as the knots tied deeply unraveled.
[A/N: Sorry for the small break in between. Due to construction going on in my home, I didn't get the time to write.]