Drake returned home. It was six in the morning.
Today was Saturday—no school—which was a blessing. He exhaled slowly as he rubbed his hands together. His adventure in Grimgar had been… unbelievable. He had touched Barbara's chest (even if just for a second), and he had kissed Shihoru. Honestly, could he have asked for more?
Well… he still regretted not being able to get a handful of Yume's perfect butt, but there would be other opportunities. Probably.
He headed upstairs and placed his iron katana in the closet. Urokodaki had only given him a wooden sword; showing up with metal would create questions he couldn't answer. Returning downstairs, he was about to hop back to the Demon Slayer world when he spotted his phone lying on the couch.
He decided to check it. He rarely received messages—aside from his aunt occasionally—so he only checked to see if she'd contacted him.
And then he saw them:
[How are you, sweetie?]
[Auntie and your cute cousins are coming back tomorrow morning! Great surprise, right?]
Drake's eyes widened. Tomorrow morning? The text came yesterday so... they were supposed to return… now?
[I couldn't stand staying so long without my precious nephew… one month without seeing your cute chubby face was torture, so Auntie found a job nearby. Great, right? We're going to live together again!]
The phone slipped from his hand.
"No… no, no, no…"
Them returning meant less time to world-hop and—
"Wait… that means… Elle will return."
Elle—one of his cousins—was his age. Maya, the other, was one year younger. But it was Elle who terrified him. One year ago, she had barged into his room without knocking. She had wanted to ask him something, but instead found him… jerking.
Since that day she had held it over his head.
"Bring me a cola or I'll tell Mom."
"Give me a message or I'll tell Mom."
"The air conditioner doesn't work, fan me or I'll tell Mom."
Drake winced at the memory.
"Great… Urokodaki could come back soon too…"
Then—he froze.
He heard keys turning in the front door lock.
"Crap!"
He was still wearing the Demon Slayer clothes Urokodaki had given him.
The door opened, and three figures stepped inside.
His aunt, Marina Patton, with long brown hair tied in a ponytail, tiny oval glasses over her purple eyes, dressed in her usual business suit.
[Image Here]
His older cousin, Elle Patton, with long blonde hair and purple eyes. A casual green shirt and shorts.
[Image Here]
And his younger cousin, Maya Patton, with short brown hair, blue eyes, a white shirt, and a black skirt.
[Image Here]
They all stared at him—and immediately screamed.
"AHHHH!"
"Who are you?!" Elle yelled.
Maya ducked behind her.
Aunt Marina whipped out her phone. "Leave now or I'm calling 911!"
Drake blinked.
They seriously don't recognize me?
"It's me… Drake."
Their jaws dropped in unison.
"Drake…?" Elle stared at him like he had sprouted horns. "No way. No way! Drake isn't this handsome."
Aunt Marina rushed forward in worry. "Drake, what happened? Are you sick?"
Maya approached him slowly. "Is it really you, Drake?"
He sighed. "Yeah. It's me. And no, I'm fine. I just… went on a diet."
"And you changed this much in a month?" Marina asked, shocked.
Drake scratched the back of his neck. "I, uh… went to the gym too."
Elle narrowed her eyes. "Okay, but… why are you dressed like that?"
Drake froze. Think. Think.
"I was just, uh… trying on a cosplay costume for next week's anime convention."
The three exchanged glances—then burst out laughing.
Yeah. That was definitely Drake.
...
Drake helped unload the luggage from the car. Maya reached for one of the suitcases, but before she could lift it, Drake took it gently from her hands.
"Don't worry, Maya. Go rest inside," he said warmly.
Unlike Elle, he and Maya had always gotten along. She cared about him, and he cared about her. It went back to the time when they were kids—when a wild dog charged at her, and Drake shielded her, getting bitten in the process. She had never forgotten it.
"Okay. Thanks, Drake," Maya said softly before heading inside.
Drake carried the next stack of luggage into the house—only to find Elle standing there, staring at him openly. She didn't even hide it.
Elle's eyes narrowed as she studied him.
'Who would've guessed that pig would turn into someone this… handsome—'
"What are you staring at?" Drake snapped, cutting her thoughts short.
"Hey, hey, hey…" Elle stepped closer, a faint blush coloring her cheeks despite the arrogant tilt of her head. She tapped his cheek with a single finger. "Watch your tone."
Then she stood on her toes and leaned close to whisper in his ear.
"You didn't forget… did you?"
Drake gritted his teeth. She had returned not even five minutes ago and already managed to piss him off.
He ignored her and continued carrying the bags.
"Good boy," Elle said sweetly as soon as he turned around.
Drake stopped walking.
Elle smirked. "Why'd you stop? Want to say something to me?"
His fists clenched, knuckles whitening, but he stayed silent and kept working.
Why didn't they just stay where they were?
A month ago, aunt Marina had accepted a long-term work in New York City. Since the school system there allowed remote credits, and Elle and Maya wanted to go badly, she had simply took both of them, leaving Drake alone there, because she couldn't afford paying an appartment for four in New York, and because she needed someone to look after the house. Now that the contract had ended early and she found a job nearby, they were back.
Elle leaned against the wall and kept watching him. Drake had changed into a simple T-shirt after they returned, and Elle's gaze lingered on his muscular arms.
To be continued...
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