Rena
Mom made us lunch while Sekin continued to play with my siblings.
As the early afternoon light filtered through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room, I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment. The sound of laughter and playful banter filled the air, a comforting backdrop to the tranquility of the moment. Hopefully, things were going well for Kai.
The hours slipped by, marked by shared moments of connection and companionship that drew us closer together. And as the day gave way to evening, I knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, we would face them as a family, united by love and resilience.
The hours passed as Sekin played with my siblings. Before we knew it, Mom had to get ready to go to work.
"I left you some milk for Kite in the fridge," Mom said, as she descended the stair, dressed in a blue dress and red heels.
I smiled slightly. "I know, I've seen Kai get it out before."
Kite napped in my arms. His snoozing was a mix of light breathing with an occasional grumble.
Mom smiled. "Thanks, Rena." She glanced at Sekin. "As for you, I expect you to not try anything."
Sekin and I blushed. If anything, I was always the one who tried to try stuff.
"Mom," I mumbled.
Mom's knowing smile lingered as she picked up her keys, the jingle mingling with the fading echoes of the day's joy.
Kite stirred in my arms, his eyelids fluttering open to reveal sleepy eyes that gazed up at me with innocent wonder. I brushed a lock of hair from his forehead and whispered, "Hey, little dreamer, did you travel far in your slumber?"
My little brother smiled and nodded. He kicked his little legs and moved his tiny arms.
"Think he wants to do some crawling," Ma said, giggling at her youngest.
Sekin took Kite from me and set him on the floor. The little one went zooming over the place.
"He's fast," Sekin said, eyes wide.
Ma laughed. "Think all that sleeping allows him to store up a lot of energy."
Kyo laughed. "Sounds like a Slakong!"
"It sure does," I said, thinking of the giant gorilla-sloth cartoon character.
"Take care of each other," Ma said, her voice a soft caress against the evening's quiet. With a final glance and a wave, she stepped out, leaving a trail of maternal warmth behind her.
Hopefully, today would be a lot less stressful on her.
"What are we gonna eat for dinner?" Kumi asked.
I glanced at the clock, noting the time. "How about we order some takeout tonight?" I suggested. "Maybe some pizza? It's quick, easy, and I think everyone could use a little treat."
Kyo's face lit up at the mention of pizza, and even Kumi seemed to approve of the idea.
"Pizza sounds great," Sekin agreed.
I rolled my chair over to the kitchen, ready to order some pizza for dinner. As I glanced at my siblings, I realized I should probably ask them what kind of pizza they wanted.
"Hey guys, what toppings do you want on the pizza?" I asked, trying to gauge their preferences.
Kumi thought for a moment before speaking up. "I want pepperoni and mushrooms on mine!"
Kyo nodded in agreement. "Pepperoni sounds good to me too, but can we add some extra cheese as well?"
Sekin chimed in, "I'm up for some exotic dragon fruit and fire-roasted peppers! And maybe some jalapenos for a little kick!"
I smiled at their choices, glad to see everyone excited about dinner. "Sounds like a plan. Pepperoni and mushroom, extra cheese, and dragon fruit with fire-roasted peppers and jalapenos," I repeated, making a mental note of their preferences.
As I placed the order for the pizzas, the anticipation of a delicious meal filled the air, adding to the warmth and joy that already enveloped us. The thought of sharing a meal together, laughing and enjoying each other's company, brought a sense of comfort and happiness.
Soon enough, the doorbell rang, signaling the arrival of our much-anticipated dinner. I hurried to answer it, greeted by the delicious aroma of freshly baked pizzas.
As I opened the door, ready to receive our eagerly awaited pizzas, I was taken aback by the sight before me. Standing there with a mischievous grin on his face was Souta, a familiar face from the neighborhood.
My siblings, who had gathered around the entrance, greeted Souta with polite nods and smiles, acknowledging his presence without much fanfare.
"Souta! What are you doing here?" I asked, surprised by his unexpected presence at my doorstep.
Souta flashed a friendly smile and shrugged. "Just trying to earn a few extra bucks for college."
Sekin chuckled. "Since when did you get a job as a pizza guy?"
He put a hand on his hips. "I applied for it a few days ago. Figured I would spend the rest of my last year in school doing something productive with my free time."
"And Sehun?"
Sou turned away. "Guess you haven't heard."
"Heard what?"
He let out s deep sigh. "We broke up."
They broke up?
"Ah, well, thank you for bringing our pizzas," I said, accepting the boxes from Sou quickly.
Souta nodded, his expression friendly but casual. "No problem. Enjoy your meal!"
As Souta made his way back down the path, I couldn't help but feel a sense of jealousy. Souta was now available. I knew Sekin liked him. Would he now leave me to be with his cousin's ex?
As Souta disappeared from view, his departure leaving a lingering tension in the air, I turned to Sekin, my heart heavy with a mix of emotions. His usual playful demeanor had faded, replaced by a contemplative expression as he processed the news of Souta's breakup with Sehun.
"Sekin, are you okay?" I ventured cautiously, unsure of how to broach the delicate topic that loomed between us.
Sekin sighed, his gaze distant. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just... unexpected, you know? I never imagined Souta and Sehun would part ways."
I nodded, my thoughts racing as I tried to navigate the unspoken currents that now swirled between us.
"Well, let's eat!" Kyo said, taking the pizzas from me and putting them on the coffee table.
With the pizzas now in hand, my siblings, my boyfriend, and I settled in for a relaxed and enjoyable dinner, grateful for the simple pleasure of sharing a meal together in our familiar surroundings.
I watched as my siblings eagerly dug in, savoring each bite with smiles of satisfaction.
As we enjoyed our meal, laughter and chatter filled the room, creating a lively atmosphere that spoke of togetherness and love. The simple act of sharing a meal brought us closer, strengthening the bonds that held us together as a family.
And as the evening unfolded, I couldn't help but feel grateful for moments like these – moments of joy, connection, and shared experiences that made our family truly special. With full stomachs and hearts brimming with contentment, we settled into the evening, knowing that no matter what challenges tomorrow may bring, we would face them together, united by love and resilience in our fantastical world.
As dusk settled, the laughter began to fade, replaced by the soft chirping of crickets and the occasional hoot of a distant owl. The living room was bathed in the gentle hues of twilight, shadows dancing across the walls as the evening breeze whispered through the slightly ajar window.
The house grew quieter as night fully embraced us. I prepared a bottle of warm milk from the fridge and fed Kite, who clutched the bottle with tiny hands, his eyes heavy with sleep. Once he was content and drifting back to dreams, I held him tightly in my arms.
I stood up from my chair and sat down in the couch. I glanced out at the stars beginning to dot the sky, feeling a connection to Kai, who had told me he would be staying a mutual friend's house. The night was still, peaceful, a stark contrast to the vibrant day we had shared. But it was in this stillness that I found a different kind of joy, a quiet end to a day filled family and laughter.
Kira walked over to me and snuggled next to me on the couch. Kumi and Kyo did the same.
I chuckled and closed my eyes, drifting into my own dreamscape.