What A Bratty Kid

Another calico approaches Mizuki. This time, she makes sure to feed it raw chicken, pulling the tuna can out of view. The cat takes interest in the food, happily nibbling on it. It meows, attracting the attention of the other cats. The Hinata-like cat stares at Mizuki judgmentally before helping itself to the food. A tiny, kind of sappy smile creeps up onto her lips as she reminisces her interactions with him. She stands, brushing her dress. "What did the cat say?" she hears a childish voice at her side. Mizuki cocks her head at the request.

"I don't speak cat."

"I am surrounded by idiots," Jake supposedly grumbles but it's loud enough for Mizuki to hear. Olive blinks and Garden does something along the lines of stifling an audible gasp and dramatically covering her mouth. Mizuki taps her foot against the ground.

"You're like, five or something," Mizuki sneers.

"I'm twelve," Jake frowns. "And they're sixteen or something, not much older than me. You?" Jake looks her up and down. "Look fourteen."

Mizuki's lips part in shock. She did not just get minor-coded by a child. "Listen here, child," Mizuki raises a finger to his face menacingly. Jake takes a step back, his eyes blown wide open at her confrontational stance. His face scrunches as a tear streams down his face. Mizuki retreats, instantly trying to comfort him instead.

[Not Cut Out for Babysitting Blunders: Comfort Jake]

"I'm gonna tell my mother about this!" Jake wails. Mizuki feels a piece of her die on the inside. Garden mouths something vaguely, pointing towards the direction of the restaurant. 'Do I bribe him with food?' Mizuki mouths back, inconspicuously shooting glances at the sobbing child in front of her.

"Hey, hey, uh…" Mizuki splutters. "Do you want to get a drink or something before we look for the other cats? What do you like?"

"You have to apologise to me first!" Jake folds his arms stubbornly. Mizuki blinks. 'What are you going to do if I don't? Cry about it?' she mocks mentally, instead wearing a firm expression on her face to hide the thought. She restrains herself from saying it out loud, knowing sure as hell that he will.

"I'm sorry," Mizuki grumbles, a tinge of sarcasm in her voice.

"I want Fish and Chips," Jake orders, disacknowledging Mizuki's apology completely. She clicks her tongue in annoyance, stubbornly grabbing his arm as she drags him to Garden's restaurant. Jake fumbles under her grip and Garden trails awkwardly from behind in an attempt to calm Mizuki. Jostling him towards a chair, she slams her palm against the counter and lets out a huff.

Rose's eyebrows crease in worry. "Is something the matter? You did find Garden and Olive, didn't you? They're right over there."

"That's not the problem," Mizuki grimaces. Shooting a bitter stare towards Jake, who's now bossing Garden around and attempting to steal the cat toy back from Olive, Mizuki continues, "It's the child."

Rose nods empathetically. "I'm sure you'll get through to him with patience. Children can be a handful sometimes but I promise, they're not all that bad. Garden used to be mischievous as a child, you would never believe it if you met her back then."

Mizuki's eyes widen in surprise. "Really? She's so nice now."

"If you do things right, I think he'll warm up to you. What did you need?" Rose explains as she observes Mizuki's thoughtful expression.

"Fish and Chips please."

"I'll have it ready at your table, give me just a second," Rose smiles warmly. Mizuki steps away, returning to the table with Jake. Jake successfully snatches the toy away from Olive, who now sulks against his chair. He glares at Mizuki.

"Where's my food?" he demands and any empathy she might've been growing towards him vanishes. She slides into a chair, folding her arms as she turns her head away from him. She prays that ignoring him will calm her nerves and stop that attitude of his. He kicks her under the table, forcing her attention onto him yet again. "I asked you a question."

"Oh my god, be patient," Mizuki hisses. Jake frowns. Rose approaches the table, setting down a plate with Jake's food. She flashes a smile at Mizuki, only to be returned with a disappointed shake of her head. 'Good luck', Rose mouths. Jake's mouth waters at his food, instantly digging in as if he hasn't eaten in days. Drool slobbers at the corner of his lips and for the first time since she's met him, Mizuki watches him crack a smile.

"W-What..?" Jack stutters upon noticing Mizuki's intent stare on him. "Why are you looking at me like that?" Grabbing a napkin, he tries to dab the corners of his mouth clean, composing himself once again. Mizuki shakes her head, turning her head away. Though he continues eating, Jack's a lot more polite - a lot less child-like - the earlier joy now ebbing away. Mizuki questions the change, regardless, she doesn't bring it up to his attention.

"Thank you," Jake mutters, not quite loud enough for Mizuki to hear. She tilts her head at him, urging him to raise his voice a little. Jake fumbles, wiping his mouth. "Thank you," he says, tone extremely hesitant.

Mizuki raises an eyebrow. 'He's a lot like Hinata too. Both of them struggle being sincere.' Her heart squeezes at the thought. She nods in acknowledgement, waving once at Rose to catch her attention as a gesture to show she's done with the food. "Come on, where's the next location we have to get to," she questions.

[Not Cut Out for Babysitting Blunders: Follow Jake]

Jake leads Mizuki towards the shopping street, the road along Mocha's bakery with similar shophouses and mini stores. Having not quite gone down this street, Mizuki allows her gaze to linger, admiring the little details about the architecture around her. She has adjusted so well into this world from the time she has spent here that she almost forgets how impressive it is to pick up on new things she'd never see in Tokyo.