Chapter 16: The Roxas Family

Inside the room of Renan, within the Game Capsule—a handsome youth flicked his eyes open while the zero gravity surrounding him returned back to its neutral state. His nearly naked body also started to slowly descend onto the floor from its original levitating position. When his feet touched the ground, he didn't falter nor fall but kept his body straight and relaxed.

'Hmm… strange. I somehow don't feel any sense of lethargy or disorientation, considering that I just woke up from a long sleep. Instead, I feel the exact opposite actually; I'm well rested and refreshed. Amazing, this Game Capsule has such an effect…?'

Just when he had finished with his musings, the single door and entrance leading to the Game Capsule slid open for him. Seeing no other reason to stay cooped up in this thing, Renan stepped outside of the capsule and looked around in his room—it was pitch-dark.

"REM, could you please turn the lights on in my room."

"Affirmative, Sir." A female robotic voice echoed out.

Then, the lights inside his room came to life on their own and instantly brightened up the entire space so that he could see clearly. He walked up to the nightstand beside his bed and grabbed the phone that was placed there by him. Subsequently, he switched it on and glanced at the time displayed—4:59 AM.

"Mhm. Perfect timing." He nodded to himself in satisfaction. "I can start my workout right on schedule."

Then, he went to his drawer and picked out a pair of loose-fitting clothes to change into. With his preparations done, he left his room to go over to the small gym located on the first floor of their house. And for a whole hour, he did nothing else but fully immerse himself in his taijutsu training and strengthening his muscles; working out a good sweat session as he did so. By the end of it, his toned and masculine body was glistening all over like he was dipped from head-to-toe in lube.

Done with his self-training and exercises for today, he wiped himself clean with a towel and switched places. He departed for the kitchen and on his way, planned out what he was going to be cooking for breakfast.

'Hmm… I think I'm hungry for some Chicken Tinola, so let's cook that.'

Having decided on what he was going to be making, Renan quickly made his way to the kitchen and when he got there, he started to work straightaway. He prepared the ingredients one by one while slowly boiling the several pieces of chicken in hot water. He added all sorts of tantalizing spices into the mix, creating a smooth and pleasant aroma that threatened to drift out of the kitchen. Fast forward fifty-five minutes later and he was done—the Chicken Tinola was now ready to be served.

Putting the contents in one big serving bowl, he took it with him and placed it onto the dining room table. And one after the other, his family came filling into the room like a horde of zombies that just got out of their graves.

Renan greeted them, "Good morning everyone."

"Huuuaah~ Good morning, Renan. You're up early as usual."

"Morning, Dad. Yeah, I make it a habit to always start the day early rather than late."

"Mhm. That's really good, be sure to keep that up." His father nodded with a smile and took his seat.

Next, his mother asked him while sniffing at the air, "I smell something especially amazing. Honey, what did you cook for us this time?"

"It's one of your favorites, Chicken Tinola."

"Oh honey, that's so sweet of you. Did you cook it while having your mother's taste in mind?"

"Of course. Why else would I choose this dish if it wasn't for you." He told a white lie straight to her face unabashed, his words thick of sugarcoating.

"I just knew it! Thank you honey for making this dish specially for me. I can already tell from the smell that I'm going to very much enjoy this."

His mother then happily took her seat right next to her husband. Meanwhile, Renaviel and his two older siblings also sat at the table with drowsy expressions on their faces. But when they caught sight of the food, their eyes seem to have come to life almost immediately.

"Mmh~ Looks pretty damn tasty! Don't mind if I do~"

His older brother didn't waste any time and swiftly poured himself a serving of chicken soup and vegetables to go along with his plate of rice. Then, he began munching down on the food like a beast while not caring at all about table manners.

"Robin, have some decency please." Their mother chided with a frown.

Robin paused in the middle of his already half-eaten breakfast before gulping down the rest of the food currently in his mouth. Then with a goofy grin, he said: "Sorry, my bad Mom. I just can't stop eating when it comes to my brother's superb cooking, y'know? Man, how I wish he would cook for me every single day~"

He laughed warmly and thereafter, began eating with gusto once more. On the other hand, sitting right across from him, Renaviel stared at her older brother as if she was looking at a clown.

She said to him: "Yow~ Not gonna lie, but don't you think what you said was pretty homo bro?"

"Hmm? You think so? Well on my part, I don't really care as long as I get to enjoy great food!"

Their older sister, Rhea Roxas, who was staying silent till this moment, abruptly put down the small bowl she was sipping on with a loud thud. And with a dramatic whip of her long hair, she turned her way towards Robin who was seated beside her and gave him a big thumbs up.

"Mhm. Well said bro!" She voiced out in full agreement.

"Guys, I don't mean to complain or anything, but can't you eat your food a little quieter please?" Renan said to them with a wry smile.

After that little episode instigated by the younger sister Renaviel, the Roxas family breakfast resumed and ended relatively at peace than how it would normally turn out.