Chapter 23: The Bait Has Been Thrown
While Taro was checking the food in the kitchen, Daichi had already gone to the common area.
Kaito had sunk into the bathtub, but the twins were still staring at him.
Annoyed, Kaito grabbed a sponge and pressed it against his face.
Kaito:
"Ahh… I give up."
Haruto smiled.
Haruto:
"Hah. You finally lost a battle."
Kaito muttered.
Kaito:
"He's still calling it a battle…"
As Haruto dried Yuki's hair, Yuki asked curiously:
Yuki:
"Kaito… will you teach us the secret of your muscles?"
The twins' eyes lit up.
Twins (together):
"YEEES!"
Their voices echoed through the bathroom, startling Kaito and Yuki, while Haruto calmly kept drying Yuki's hair.
Kaito:
"HEY! Keep it down! Ugh… you'll do it when you grow up anyway."
Haruto quickly stepped in.
Haruto:
"Come on, kids, don't make Kaito any angrier."
Kaito:
"Hah… finally caught a mouse after becoming a cat."
Haruto burst into laughter.
Haruto:
"PUHAHAHA! You should've seen his first training session!"
Kaito:
"YOU JERK!"
Their laughter mixed with the steam filling the bathroom…
Eventually, it was time for dinner.
The table was full again—except two seats were empty.
Yue turned to Kenji.
Yue:
"Where's Ren? I haven't seen him all day. San isn't here either."
At that moment, Luna, one of the assistants, spoke up.
Luna:
"Wasn't Lady Akira the one who sent Ren near the old wasabi shop? Close to Daichi's incident?"
Noeh added:
Noeh:
"Yes… and San was last seen with Lady Yoona. Yoona's here, but San isn't."
Shin spoke up.
Shin:
"Hmm… maybe the mission took longer, and they stayed at another headquarters?"
Sora immediately cut in.
Sora:
"That's impossible. And Shin, please don't talk with food in your mouth."
Shin lowered his head.
Yuki and Zen quietly continued eating.
Kaito spoke thoughtfully.
Kaito:
"Maybe Lady Akira knows something… They'll probably arrive soon."
Haruto narrowed his eyes at Kaito.
Kaito:
"What's with that look?"
Haruto:
"I'm thinking about your cold attitude. What if something really happened to them?"
Kaito rolled his eyes.
Kaito:
"Don't be ridiculous. They're high-level hunters."
Yue interjected.
Yue:
"No matter how skilled they are, quiris are becoming more human-like. We need to find that substance as soon as possible."
From the end of the table, Sanka looked at Daichi.
Sanka:
"Then where is San? If he didn't go anywhere, why isn't he here?"
Just then, Tatsuya entered the room.
Tatsuya:
"Instead of worrying about that, think about how difficult tomorrow's mission will be."
Everyone was surprised.
Sora turned to him.
Sora:
"But Mr. Tatsuya—"
Tatsuya cut her off.
Tatsuya:
"Many teams will head to that area tomorrow. Don't worry. Ren is currently sharing data at the Saiyaka Headquarters."
Kaito didn't believe it, but stayed silent.
Haruto sighed and glanced at him.
At that moment, Taro entered carrying lemon soufflés, followed by Dr. Mitsuni with sauce still on his lips, handing the desserts out one by one.
Haruto (laughing):
"Oooh Doctor, now you're a waiter too?"
Kaito:
"Doctor, this is not a sight we're used to."
Daichi took a sip of his tea and looked at Kaito.
Daichi:
"So, Kaito, shouldn't a brother help out?
(turning to the doctor)
Isn't he our little one's talented big brother?"
Laughter filled the table.
Taro:
"Well… jokes aside, I got a lot of help from Mitsuni making these soufflés. With my hand like this, I had no choice."
Dr. Mitsuni:
"Oh… my little Taro."
Laughter echoed once more as the evening grew late…
Tatsuya walked down the corridor and stopped in front of Lady Akira's office, knocking on the door.
Lady Akira:
"Come in."
Tatsuya entered with a wide, sly grin.
Tatsuya:
"Hehehe… my lady… the fish have taken the bait."