Stories About Back Then

"I would rather talk about the comic books I have! Or the dresses I could buy. Why would I listen to Papa repeat the same old story all over again," she changes the tone of her voice so it adds a zest of comedy to the situation.

To some point, it's amusing, to which Mizuki makes it a point to laugh. Brandon makes a face at her, the friendly kind, akin to the many other exchanges they've had over this singular breakfast.

Mizuki feels a light, fluttering feeling in her chest that makes her feel a strange kind of way, like she's happy to be here and that she does properly belong. Brandon's mother clears her throat.

"If you spend all day eating your food then who's going to do the housework, huh? And who said that you could talk while there's breakfast on the table. So disrespectful of you," she says in a stern voice, cheeks still dusted with an unwavering pink from her husband's earlier recollection of their love story.