Time passed and it was 5 pm.
The Sasaki family were preparing for a mini party since Takami, Aihara's boyfriend was accepted by the family.
The mother put the final plates on the table and stared, wondering if she had forgotten something.
A bowl of miso soup was placed on the table. She turned.
"You always forget something, Mom."
"Thanks, Ai-chan."
Aihara leaned against the chair.
"I've been wanting to talk to you."
"About?"
"Takami."
There was a subtle silence in the air as Aihara mentioned her boyfriend.
"Fire away."
"It's not like you to suddenly accept Takami. In the past, you pushed all of the boys away from me, so, why not Takami? Oh, and you better not say that he reminds you of Dad."
Aria chuckled.
She was going to give a half-hearted answer until she gazed at her daughter. Aihara's face was serious. She wanted to know.
"Since you want a straight answer, I'll say this. As your mother, I felt like I had to protect you, but you're 14 now. A teenager. You can live your own life."
Aihara smiled slightly.
"If Takami was some jerk, would you still accept him?"
The daughter asked.
"What? You're lowering yourself to dating jerks now? First I've heard of it."
"Okay, but if."
Aria looked at the sharp knife at the table.
She didn't have to say a word. Aihara understood the sentiment. She winced, understanding.
The mother began to walk away.
"Oh, one more thing, Mom!"
She stopped.
"If I can live my own life, then I can show him it right?"
Aria stayed silent.
The daughter held out her hand, facing the ceiling. Her nails slowly coloured themselves black and sharpened themselves.
"Aihara. That is something I won't judge you or interrupt with. Do you think that you could live a happy life with Takami if he knows about our powers?"
Aihara clenched her teeth.
"But hiding it would make it worse! If he finds out by some accident, then he won't trust me anymore!"
"Aihara."
Unlike her previous comments, she spoke in a colder voice. Her daughter was taken aback.
"Remember what happened to you in kindergarten. You and your best friend, Kaoru."
A cold sweat ran down Aihara's face as she tried her best to quash her memories.
"Do you still think Takami should know?"
"N-no, don't worry, I was just desperate."
There was a loud thud.
Yumeko appeared to both of them and spread her arms out toward the stairs.
"Big Bro! I did it! I skipped the steps and didn't trip!"
There was another thud.
Shoya appeared and patted Yumeko on the head. She enjoyed it thoroughly and blushed.
"You're a big girl now, Yumeko! Good job!"
"Hey, hey, what's this about?"
Aihara walked over to the two of them, smiling. As she approached, Yumeko shuffled behind Shoya. Aihara flinched at her response.
"Did you see us, Ai-nee?! Yumeko skipped the steps and landed properly! It's the first time! Isn't she great?!"
Yumeko and Aihara's eyes met; Yumeko looked away.
Despite being siblings, they were practically strangers to each other.
Aihara kneeled. Her hand moved toward Yumeko's head. At first, she was hesitant, however, once she saw no resistance, she tapped her head.
"Congratulations on growing up."
Yumeko blushed and didn't inch away.
The doorbell rang.
"Ah, I'll get it! It's probably Takami."
Aihara jumped off of her feet and ran to the door. She undid the chain and lock, opening it.
"You're finally he-"
The one at the door wasn't Takami.
A tall man towered over Aihara.
The moment he spoke, she recognised him.
"Seems we meet at last, Aihara Sasaki."
He bowed.
"I'm-"
"Gilheld."
The girl said, indifferent.
The man lifted his head; he looked at Aihara in surprise.
"Oh, my brother has talked about me. Is that right, Takami?"
(Brother?)
She questioned herself.
Takami appeared from behind Gilheld. Her heart began pumping faster. It was a feeling she didn't want to contain, but as long as Takami was with Gilheld, she had to.
"No... I haven't..."
Takami shook his head.
At long last, she couldn't contain it.
"Taka-chan. Step away from him."
Takami looked at his girlfriend. She was breathing heavily and her irises were sharp like a feline. She appeared angry.
"Aihara? Are you okay? Your sweating and-"
"Taka-chan. Now."
He felt a shiver travel down his spine. A side of his girlfriend he has never seen and he could never defy.
Takami slowly retreated.
"So, what do you want with us?"
She asked, focusing on his every move.
Gilheld peered down at her with a solace smile. He bopped his shoulders.
"I'm Takami's older brother, so I wanted to meet his girlfriend and her family but to think it was you. The Sasaki's."
He laughed slightly.
"Last time, I clashed with your dad. If we weren't stopped, then one of us would've died."
"What is your deal? What do you want with our family?"
"You look angry, Ms Aihara. But what you really are... is scared."
The girl shook. Her gaze was ice-cold.
"Tell me."
Instantly, Gilheld's smile disappeared.
"Fine. What I want is your youngest two. I don't have a single interest in you. You have four days. If you don't give me one of them, one of your parents will die."
"Brother... What're you saying?"
Takami muttered.
Gilheld turned around. He didn't look pleased.
"You almost killed someone? You want to take Shoya or Yumeko? What're you talking about?!"
"Takami, it doesn't concern you-"
"Tell me!"
Takami screamed at the top of his lungs.
Aria and the others came over.
"What is... You!"
She caught a glimpse of Gilheld.
"Seems like I overstayed my visit. Remember, 4 days. Until the 6th of June. That'll be the Judgement Day."
He walked away casually. Surprisingly, he didn't drag his little brother along. He left Takami.
Aihara was focused on Takami. She ran over and reassured him.
"Takami..."
"I'm sorry, but I have to ask..."
He said, trying to hold back his tears.
"What is my brother?"
"He's..."
She hesitated.
"Please tell me. I'll believe anything."
"He's a killer. Someone who wants to break up our family. He's also someone we can't beat. Not alone."
He collapsed onto the ground, clutching his head in his hands.
"I don't understand..."
For Takami, the information was believable but also something that he didn't want to believe. Though, taking in everything the Sasaki family would have to say would be more challenging.