Chapter 16 – Mischief
"Yeeees!" Doctor Mitsuni suddenly speaks up at the breakfast table.
Associate Professor Mitsuni talks in his usual eccentric way.
Dr. Mitsuni: Twins, you've been eating less lately. We should run a health check on you.
With their mouths full, Shin and Zen flinch. Zen speaks nervously.
Zen: But doctor, why?
Shin immediately jumps in.
Shin: We haven't been sick for a long time!
Taro chuckles and places his famous tea rice in front of them, smiling at Mitsuni.
Taro: So Mitsuni, are you saying my food isn't enough? Aren't I taking good care of them?
Mitsuni looks surprised.
Dr. Mitsuni: Huh? What? Oh Taro, I meant medical checkups.
Yuki listens and giggles, then looks at Haruto.
Yuki: Haruto, can I ask you something?
Haruto: Of course, go ahead.
Yuki leans closer.
Yuki: Um… are Mr. Taro and Dr. Mitsuni siblings?
Sora joins in.
Sora: Mhm, yes Yuki. They are. You can even tell by the hair at the back of their necks.
Yuki blinks.
Yuki: From their hair?
Taro explains.
Taro: You see, Yuki, both Mitsuni and I have a red streak at the back of our hair.
Yuki gets a little embarrassed.
Yuki: Oh… I didn't notice.
Daichi talks while trying to swallow a big bite.
Daichi: That's how we know they're siblings. Otherwise, their personalities are totally different.
Look at Taro, such a great cook…
Then look at Mitsuni, a crazy doctor—cough cough!
Daichi starts coughing. Mitsuni pats his back.
Dr. Mitsuni: Well… I am useful sometimes, right?
Daichi: Sometimes. Rarely.
An assistant arrives.
Assistant Kari: Hunters, if you'll excuse me, I'll announce today's assignments. Only a few teams will go out.
The twins light up.
Shin & Zen: We hope our sister doesn't go!
Yuki realizes Shin and Zen are Sora's siblings.
Kaito sips his tea.
Kaito: So, who's going?
Kari: Mr. Ten's mission was already decided yesterday.
Daichi is assigned to an area 29 kilometers away, near a bar.
Only Mr. San and his partner Mr. Yue will patrol the old wasabi factory in eastern Tokyo.
Ms. Sora, you'll go to the city center for a brief interrogation with Mr. Kanata. Don't reveal you're Hunters.
Shin and Zen look upset.
Shin: But Kari, please—
Zen: Don't let Sora go!
They jump down and look at Kari with innocent puppy eyes.
Shin & Zen: PLEEEEASE!
Kari smiles. Haruto speaks up.
Haruto: Um… do Kaito and I have any mission?
Kari: No. You're both off today.
Haruto gets an idea.
Haruto: What if Yuki and I go instead of Sora? We need to buy Yuki new things anyway. Sora can stay with the twins during their checkup.
Hunter Noah appears.
Noah: My partner Katrina and I are free today. Lady Akira said she wouldn't interfere with task changes and left it to you.
Yuki listens happily. Dr. Mitsuni becomes serious.
Dr. Mitsuni: Actually, I should also run a few tests on Yuki.
Yuki stiffens.
Haruto nods.
Haruto: You're right.
Kaito adds calmly.
Kaito: Then while I handle the interrogation, Haruto can take Yuki shopping. We won't be late.
Mitsuni nods. Taro speaks again.
Taro: By the way, why didn't Kaydı come to breakfast?
Kari: I'm not sure. She seemed unwell this morning, but she has a meeting at 13:40.
Taro: Then I'll prepare some snacks.
Dr. Mitsuni: Remember your stitched wound, Taro. At least wait so we can help.
Daichi turns to Kaito.
Daichi: When you get back… (his wound stings) how about a few rounds of Majin?
Kaito smirks.
Kaito: Sounds like you're asking to lose.
Daichi bursts out laughing.
Daichi: HAHAHA!
Everyone flinches—except Kaito.
Kaito: Heh… that already means you've lost.