Vol. 1: Chapter 1 - Part 6

Volume 1: Chapter 1 – Part 6Author: Geraint

Shiina was flustered and unable to respond properly as the beautiful young woman approached and spoke to her.

"Shiina, do you know her?" I whispered.

"She's..." Shiina began but stopped.

"Shun, that woman is here again!"

I saw Shiina's mother emerge from the house, with the young doctor—Shun—hiding behind her as soon as he spotted the woman.

"Dear!" The beautiful woman ran toward them and threw her arms around Shun.

"I really missed you, my husband!"

"I don't have a wife!" Shun pushed her away, struggling to break free.

"What are you talking about? We're going to get married soon!" she insisted.

"I told you, I refuse! Stop being delusional!" Shun escaped again, ducking behind Shiina's mother.

"Tsk! This is all your fault, Himiko! Your relationship with him ended ages ago! Stop seducing my fiancé!" the beautiful woman snapped, glaring at the two.

"Even if it's over, he's still my childhood friend. I won't give him up if he doesn't want you," Himiko shot back. The two women locked eyes in a fierce stare-down.

"What's going on between these three? Do you know, Shiina?"

Shiina seemed distant, clearly overwhelmed. She wasn't hearing me, so I gently grabbed her wrist and pulled her along.

At that moment, the luxurious car door opened on the other side, and a young girl stepped out. She looked identical to the blonde woman and also wore sunglasses. Her outfit was a white dress and a summer straw hat tied with a pink ribbon and flower.

"Mom! What are you doing? This is so embarrassing with all this commotion!"

She rushed to the blonde woman, taking her hand. Then, noticing us watching, she blushed.

I stepped forward and asked about the scene.

"What have you done this time? Not satisfied with a single mother, and now hitting on a married woman?" I said with a teasing tone.

Everyone froze. The young doctor's face flushed red with anger.

"Stop complicating things! I haven't hit on anyone!"

"Hey, little boy!" The blonde woman pointed at me.

"Huh?" I looked around, surprised. "Are you talking to me?"

"Yes. Let me remind you, I'm officially divorced from that cheating husband. From now on, call me Miss Mia Laurier. So there shouldn't be any problem if I chase after Akitsuki-sensei. I'm single and happy again, thanks to his advice."

The young doctor looked terrified as she spoke.

"You really like getting yourself into trouble."

"I don't!"

As the evening darkened, we all went inside. Now, we sat in the living room. The doctor was sweating nervously, squeezed between the blonde woman and Shiina's mother. The young girl bowed her head politely.

"Nice to meet you all. I'm Yuuka Laurier, Mia Laurier's daughter. Please call me Yuuka—I'm still not used to my new last name after my mother's divorce."

"Hello, Yuuka-san. I'm Shiina Ayaka. Ayaka is my first name, Shiina my family name," Shiina introduced herself before shooting me a pouty look.

"Shiina, what's wrong?"

"Nothing! Hmph!" She crossed her arms, clearly mad at me.

"Oh, just call me Seir, and this is Lilith, my maid." I introduced us both, and Lilith bowed.

"Huh? Seir? Lilith? Are you two foreigners like me?" Yuuka asked curiously.

Since we just met, I didn't want to reveal too much. If I said yes, she'd want to know which country.

I glanced at the doctor and Shiina's mother, silently asking for help.

"Yes, they're from another country and here for a homestay," the doctor answered.

"I see. Which country?"

"England."

"Which part of England?"

"I don't know. They said England but don't know the region."

Yuuka gave us a suspicious look.

"Are you serious?"

"Why? Interested in that boy?" The doctor teased with a grin.

Yuuka blushed and slammed her hands on the table.

"I'm not! I was just asking! If you don't want to tell me, fine! I don't care anymore!"

That saved me from further questions but I'm probably on her bad side now.

Yuuka stood and left the room, throwing a fierce glare my way.

"What's wrong with her?" Lilith frowned and muttered in our home language.

"Ssshh. Don't speak our language here," I whispered.

"Forgive me, Seir-sama."

She still struggled with Japanese but was learning fast to keep up. From our conversation, I learned how to address others properly with name suffixes.

Mia picked a cookie and tried to feed it to the doctor, who kept refusing. Himiko watched, unhappy and showing signs of jealousy.

"What's wrong, Himiko? My time has come to win him over. You may have had him in high school, but I'm the one he'll end up with, not you." Mia said confidently, clearly competing with Himiko. They seemed to have a long history.

"I never thought you were so popular. How are you still single?"

"Shut up! You're not helping!"

To be continued.