The Front of Ketsueki’s house

~One Hour Later~

Shiro was by the door as she was rummaging through her pockets to find the key with Yuki behind her whistling a simple tune. Shiro took out a key from her pocket, she said. “I found it.” Shiro unlocked the door while Yuki placed her hands in the pockets of her shorts, she said. “Can we ask Reiki to make us some french fries?” The door was unlocked as Shiro pocketed the key and said. “I think there were some potatoes in the fridge.” She grabbed the doorknob and opened it as the two girls entered the house.

Yuki closed the door behind them while Shiro slid open the shoe compartment and took out three pairs of white indoor slippers. Shiro put the three pairs of indoor slippers on the floor as the two girls undid their shoelaces, Yuki noticed the extra pairs of shoes and thought. Sachi aneki and Namida aneki are here, which means more food. Lucky. She neatly placed her sports shoes to the side as Shiro did the same with her pair, Yuki said. “What about you?”

Shiro had a hint of confusion on her face, she said. “What?” Yuki put on her pair of white indoor slippers and continued. “What kind of snack are you going to ask for Reiki?” Shiro put on her pair of indoor slippers as she thought for a moment, she said. “I’m fine with anything since Onii-chan is a good cook.” The two of them stared at each other in silence. Yuki let out a laugh as she playfully patted her friend's shoulder, she said. “I can’t argue with that.” The two of them went deeper into the room and saw Sachi, Namida, and Ketsueki in the living room.

Shiro said. “Onee-chan, I’m back.” Ketsueki turned her head to face her little sister and said. “Welcome back, Shiro.” Yuki energetically waved at them and said. “Pardon the intrusion.” She moved her gaze onto Sachi and Namida, Yuki continued. “How’s it going, Sachi aneki. Namida aneki.” Sachi smiled at her and said. “It’s been a while Yuki.” Namida lazily gave her a two-finger salute, she said. “There’s some food on the coffee table, grab a plate and take everything you want.” Yuki’s eyes brightly sparkled like stars. Shiro smiled at her older sister's friends and said. “Namida onee-chan, Sachi onee-chan. Hello.”

Sachi playfully pinched Shiro’s cheeks and said. “Shiro, Reiki made some ice cream so look forward to tonight's dessert.” Shiro’s eyes sparkled, Yuki's mouth curled into a cat-like smile as she sneakily sneaked off to the kitchen. Shiro said. “Onii-chan made ice cream?!” Yuki was at the kitchen as she was staring at something, she waved her hand and started going through the drawers looking for plates. Namida picked up an onigiri, she smiled at her and said. “Nice to see you again, cottontail.” Ketsueki’s brows furrowed, she said. “Where’s Mio?” Shiro tapped on Sachi’s hand which was still playing with her cheek.

She said. “Mio went back home. She saved some white asparagus wrapped in bacon for her parents to taste.” Sachi stopped playing with Shiro’s cheek while Ketsueki’s expression had a hint of confusion on her face. Namida had an odd look on her face, she said. “And she’s doing this because?” Yuki made her way to the living room while carrying two plates, she said. “Reiki made bentos for all three of us today. Mio saved some of hers so that Reiki could keep making her bentos.” Sachi nodded in understanding, she thought. Can’t blame her, Reiki’s an amazing cook.

Ketsueki lazily rested her elbow on the backrest of the couch, she said. “Did she really need to do all of that just so Reiki can make her lunch?” Yuki passed one of the plates to her friend as Shiro took it off her hands, she said. “Mio’s parents have high expectations of her.” Yuki exaggerated a cough and spoke under her breath, she said. “They’re entitled jerks.” She cleared her throat and continued. “They keep giving her homework and unrealistic expectations.” Sachi’s eyes narrowed slightly, she said. “What kind of parents give their daughter homework when she already has her hands full with everything school gives her?”

Ketsueki kept a straight expression, she thought. I already have a rough idea of what kind of ‘parents’ Mio has. Yuki shrugged her shoulders while Shiro thought for a couple of seconds and said. “Mio parents are always busy with gatherings, they said it was so she could proudly inherit their company.” Namida leaned on the backrest of the armchair, she said. “Out of curiosity, can you tell me Mio’s full name?” Yuki moved her gaze onto Namida and said. “It’s, Nakamura Mio.” Namida’s brows furrowed, she thought. Nakamura?... I swear I’ve heard that before…

She lightly scratched her cheek while Ketsueki waved her hand, she said. “Alright, that’s enough of this topic.” She gestured at the coffee table and continued. “You two, get all the food you want.” Shiro and Yuki made their way closer to the coffee table and saw a few boxes of pizza, doughnuts, creampuffs, and a few boxes of large burgers with two beef patties in each bun along with some vegetables. Yuki’s eyes glowed like stars as she started putting food on her plate, Shiro stood beside her friend and said. “Onee-chan, Mio is going to drop by here. But I don’t know what time.”

Ketsueki softly poked the cheek of her little sister, she said. “Sure, I’ll make sure to give her own plate.” Yuki filled her plate with nothing but pizza and burgers, she said. “Can we have Reiki make us some fries?” Sachi picked up a burger and said. “He’s too busy training.” She pointed at the ceiling as Shiro and Yuki looked up and saw the mana constantly expanding and compressing. While staring at the moving mana, Yuki said. “To me, it looks like the mana is breathing.” Shiro started putting food on the plate she was carrying.

Namida did some stretches while staying glued to the armchair, she said. “Just like any other mana breathing technique.” Shiro tried to fit the food on her plate as she neatly arranged it, she reached out for the doughnuts and cream puffs but couldn’t reach it. Yuki kept staring at the moving mana, she said. “I wouldn’t compare it to a normal breathing technique.” Ketsueki picked up a couple of doughnuts and cream puffs as she placed them on her little sister's plate.

Shiro brightly smiled at her older sister while Sachi picked up a doughnut and said. “What makes you say that?” She took a bite of her doughnut while Yuki managed to pry her eyes away from the moving mana near the ceiling, she said. “The most desired techniques are the ones that can move a large amount of mana around you.” Shiro picked up a doughnut from her plate as she whispered in her friend's ear, she used the doughnut to cover her mouth and softly said. “Yuki, are you sure we should be talking about this topic? All of us learned about breathing techniques on the first day of class.”

Sachi, Namida, and Ketsueki could easily hear what she said. Yuki turned her head to her friend and said. “It’s fine, I’ll be done after my next sentence.” Shiro nodded while Yuki glanced at the doughnut, she continued. “Shiro, with how strong Ketsueki aneki and her friends are, do you know they can still hear us?” Shiro’s eyes widened as she spoke in a slightly panicked tone, she said. “Really?” Yuki nodded at her as she took a bite of the doughnut her friend was holding. Shiro took a step back as she pouted at her friend for taking a bite of her food.

Yuki quickly chewed as she gulped down some food, she continued. “My first thought was, I can’t think of another breathing technique that replicates the way mana breathes when being used.” While in the middle of chewing, Sachi thought. There’s… No… That one only swirls the mana around you similar to a vortex… Namida was about to say something but stopped, her brows furrowed. She thought. I’ve read through all the records in my household and I think she’s right… Ketsueki smiled at her little sister eating a doughnut, she said. “Is it good, Shiro?” Shiro quickly nodded her head, she gulped and said. “Yes, Onee-chan. It’s good.”

Shiro moved the doughnut she was holding closer to her older sister as Ketsueki took a bite out of it. Yuki picked up one of the burgers on her plate as she started eating, she thought. I hope Mio’s parents won’t give her more homework. Ketsueki saw both her friends were still in the middle of thinking, she swallowed and said. “Shiro, Yuki. Since there’s a possibility Reiki won’t be able to make us dinner. What do you want for delivery.” Yuki didn’t even think, she said. “I want gyudon and butadon.” Shiro thought for a moment and said. “Mio would want something light and I want… Sushi.”

Ketsueki nodded at them, she said. “Namida will write that down on her phone.” She turned her head and saw Sachi and Namida were still thinking. Ketsueki clapped once Namida lazily waved her hand at her and said. “Mio wants something light, sushi for cottontail, and gyudon and butadon for Yuki.” Sachi was still in the middle of thinking as she stared at the burger in her hands, she said. “Don’t forget the fries.” Namida looked like she was staring a hole into the TV, she said. “And fries for at least thirty-five people.”

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Yuki was munching on the burger in her hands while her eyes lit up, Shiro’s brows furrowed in confusion, she said. “Fries for thirty-five?” Ketsueki let out a chuckle which got her little sister’s attention, she said. “Shiro, don’t forget. Reiki alone can eat half of that.” Shiro’s eyes widened in understanding, Ketsueki continued. “Alright, Yuki is almost halfway through her burger.” Shiro turned her head at her friend and saw that Yuki had already started eating. Ketsueki used her thumb to point at the dining table, she said. “How about you two eat on the table?”

Shiro shook her head sideways and said. “We have some homework, so I thought we could answer them in my room while eating.” Ketsueki nodded, she said. “Sure, but on the off chance you spill food on your bed. Tell me first, I’ll find an opportunity to speak about it with Reiki.” Shiro smiled at her older sister and said. “Yes, Onee-chan.” She turned her head at Sachi and Namida who were still in the middle of thinking, Shiro continued. “Yuki and I are going to my room, Sachi onee-chan. Namida onee-chan.” She started making her way to the staircase with her friend behind her.

Yuki waved at the three girls while holding the burger in her mouth which made Ketsueki chuckle, she thought. … I had doubts when Shiro told me the smartest one was Yuki… Not anymore… She had a smile on her face as the two of them went up the staircase. Ketsueki let out a soft sigh as she made her way to the couch and plopped down making her large chest bounce, she said. “Did we need to hide our ice cream?” She waved her hand as an onigiri flew into her palm.

Ketsueki stopped herself from taking a bite of the onigiri in her hands, she said. “Hello? Anybody home?” Namida was still in deep thought while Sachi took a bite of her burger with her brows furrowed. Ketsueki rolled her eyes at them as she took a bite of onigiri in her hands, she thought. … How do I get them to pay for the entire order of fries?...

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Second Floor

Yuki was holding onto her plate with one hand while eating a burger with another. Shiro held the plate with both her hands as the two of them walked down the hallway, she said. “Do you think Mio’s parents would let Onii-chan make her bentos?” Yuki gulped a mouthful of food and said. “They will.” She took another bite of her burger, she thought. Knowing those parents of hers, they’ll cut it off their personal chef's salary. The two of them slowly came to a halt as they saw the moving mana near the door leading into Reiki’s room.

Yuki finished off her burger, she crumpled the wrapping paper and placed it on her plate, she thought. … That’s a lot of moving mana… She stared at the mana in the hallway expanding and compressing repeatedly. Shiro’s eyes were filled with wonder and thought. Pretty. Yuki managed to come to her senses as she lightly poked her friend's shoulder and spoke in a whisper, she said. “Shiro, you still have homework to do.” Shiro snapped back to reality as she spoke in a soft tone and said. “Y-Yeah, let’s go.” She led her friend to the door leading into her room as the two of them entered.

~Forty Minutes Later~

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The Front Of Ketsueki’s House

A black car slowly came to a stop as the driver got out of the car and speed walked his way to open the door at the passenger seat. Mio got out of the car as the driver said. “I hope you have a pleasant stay at your friend's house, young lady.” Mio said. “I’ll use the talisman in my pouch when I’m ready to leave.” The driver carefully closed the car door, he said. “Understood.” Mio nodded at him and said. “You may take your leave.” The driver gave her a bow as he went back inside the car and drove off.

Mio let out a long sigh, she thought. It took so much convincing just for me to visit Shiro’s house at the start… They thought my lunch was made by Yuki’s family chef to which they didn’t even let me finish my sentence to get their permission… She made her way to the house but noticed the mana around the second floor moving. Mio stopped as she stared at the expanding and compressing mana, she thought. … Someone’s using a breathing technique. She reached the front door and knocked on it a few times, Mio placed her hand on the doorknob and opened it. She said. “Pardon my intrusion.”

Mio walked in and saw the row of neatly organized footwear, she thought. I’m the last one. She saw the pair of indoor slippers as she started undoing her shoelaces, from the living room she heard a familiar voice. Sachi said. “Mio, get in. We have bought some food for everyone.” Mio neatly placed her shoes next to Yuki and said. “Yes, Sachi nee-san.” She quickly put on a pair of white indoor slippers as a smile subconsciously formed on her face. Mio reached the living room and saw the mountain of food on the coffee table, Namida smiled at her and said. “Mio,

make sure to grab everything you want.”

From the direction of the kitchen, Ketsueki made her way to the living room while carrying two plates with a mountain of fries on each. One of the plates with fries had an empty one beneath it, Ketsueki passed one of the plates of fries to Namida and said. “Here’s your plate.” Mio took the plate off her hands as she started putting food on it, she said. “I’m guessing the moving mana on the second floor is Reiki’s doing.” Sachi nodded as she picked up what was left of her pizza crust in the box while Namida just dumped the fries onto the recently half-empty pizza box. Ketsueki glared at Namida while Sachi said. “Correct, Reiki’s doing some mana training.”

Sachi finished off the pizza crust while most of the food Mio put on her plate were cream puffs and doughnuts with a couple of slices of pizza and a burger. Ketsueki said. “Why did you even ask me to get a plate in the first place when all you were gonna do was dump it in the box?” Namida smiled at her angry friend and said. “The plates were used to portion the fries, the other would be for the little ones.” She spun the empty plate on the tip of her index finger while Ketsueki kept her glare on her.

Sachi glanced at her friends, she said. “Ignore those two, feel free to go up the stairs and head straight into Shiro’s room.” Mio nodded at her and said. “Yes, Sachi nee-san.” Sachi stood up from the couch while Mio made her to the staircase, Ketsueki pointed in the direction of the kitchen and said. “Since you find it so amusing, then how about you wash that plate?” Sachi took the large plate of fries from Ketsueki as she went up the stairs.

Namida made herself comfortable on the armchair, she stopped spinning the plate on the tip of her finger and said. “Why are you acting up like you have a stick so deep up your ass?” Ketsueki’s pupils faintly shined like miniature suns, she spoke through gritted teeth. She said. “Just give me the bowl of cherries you stole from me and-.” Namida smiled at her friend and said. “Then I want to eat dinner here.” For a split second Ketsueki’s pupils brightly shone as it quickly died out, she let out a long exhale and thought. Calm down… Think about the ice cream…

Ketsueki made her way to the couch and sat down, she said. “The answer is no. If Mio and Yuki decide to eat here then Reiki’s going to have to eat in the kitchen again.” Namida picked up a burger and said. “You don’t have to worry about that. I ordered a bigger table that can easily fit eight people eating on it. It’ll be here in half an hour or two along with the latest flatscreen.”

Ketsueki was about to say something while Namida spoke first and said. “I think you should start thinking about me staying for dinner, unlike your pockets, mine and Sachi’s can keep our ice cream cold. That’s what you get for cheapening out.”

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Second Floor

Sachi and Mio were staring at the constantly expanding and compressing mana near the door leading into Reiki’s room. Sachi spoke in a soft tone and said. “Mio, give me your honest thoughts on this… Phenomenon?” With furrowed brows Mio stared at the moving mana, she said. “... I first thought it was a heartbeat… But after observing it more… The mana looks like it’s breathing…”

Sachi watched the mana expand and compress a couple of times, she thought. … The more I watch it… The more it looks like Reiki’s teaching himself how to ‘breathe’… She shook her head sideways and said. “Ketsueki brought up three glasses to Shiro’s room along with a pitcher of ice-cold water and orange juice.” The two of them made their way to Shiro’s room Mio looked up to her and said. “Did they already start on their homework?” Sachi’s brows furrowed, she said. “I doubt it, with Yuki there’s a high chance those two are either eating or goofing around.”

Mio thought. I can’t even deny it. Sachi placed her hand on the doorknob, she opened the door revealing Yuki and Shiro sitting on the bed. Shiro had a mechanical pencil resting on each ear while Yuki had three books perfectly balanced on her head. Mio stared at her two friends and thought. … Yep, those are my friends alright. The corner of her mouth curled into a slight smile as she grabbed the door and slowly closed it as Sachi let go of the doorknob.

Sachi glanced at Mio from the corner of her eye and saw her faint smile, she said. “You have some good friends, Mio.” Mio looked up to her as she couldn’t contain her smile and said. “I know.” She cleared her throat and took a deep breath as Mio opened the door as Shiro and Yuki were still sitting on the bed. The books were on random pages as Shiro had a notebook on top of one, Yuki said. “Yo, Mio. Took you long enough to get here.” Sachi and Mio walked into the room as the door was left slightly ajar.

Sachi placed the large plate of fries in between Shiro’s and Yuki’s plates. Sachi said. “Here’s the fries you were craving for. Sorry about the wait, the restaurant took a minute to cook all of them.” Yuki’s eyes sparkled as she stared at the hot plate of fries, she shook her head sideways and said. “It’s fine, aneki. We can’t have Reiki feeling left out.” She grabbed a couple of fries while Mio placed her plate on the bed and sat near her friends, Sachi nodded at them and said. “Alright, I’ll leave you girls alone now.” Shiro waved at Sachi as she made her way out of the room, she said. “Bye-bye, Sachi onee-chan.”

Mio looked around the room with a hint of confusion on her face, Yuki gulped down a mouthful of fries and said. “Mio?” Mio moved her gaze onto her, she said. “Where’s our drinks?” Shiro grabbed a fry while Yuki said. “Oh, it’s in my pouch. We waited for you to before we started.”