Chapter 33

"Hey, I'm home."

Halle saw a grumpy Shizuka who was mildly surprised.

"Are you a ghost?" asked Shizuka touching her arm. "A doppelganger?"

"Ha ha. I get it, okay?" Halle rolled her eyes. "I came with another friend of mine. I can take Yui right?"

"Pace?"

"No, Arien."

"Arien?" said Shizuka. "You mean the regular customer you mention once in a while?"

"Yes, the same fella."

"Hey Aunt Halle!" Yui shouted excitedly. "You're home early!"

"Yes, Sweet pea." Halle crouched. "If Shizuka allows, we can go out."

"Really?" her eyes widened.

"But there's another friend I have with me, if that's okay with you."

"Is it Aunt Pace?"

Halle found it weird. Does she hang out with Pace so much that she's the only one that popped into their minds as soon as she mentioned a friend? "No. It's Arien. He's a friend of mine."

"I'll let Yui go with you on one condition."

"I'll keep her really safe."

"The condition wasn't for you." Shizuka said sarcastically.

Halle became perplexed.

Shizuka beckoned Yui and leaned closer and whispered something in her ear. Yui nodded solemnly.

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

"Really?" Halle pointed at the both of them. "You two whispered in front of me and it's nothing? You expect me to believe that?"

"Of course." said Shizuka daring her to speak.

"Fine." Halle turned to Yui. "You're okay going with Uncle Arien right?"

"Yeah." said Yui.

"Okay, Shizuka. I'll be . . ."

Halle saw Shizuka glaring at her.

"What?"

Shizuka shook her head. "Please get dressed properly. I don't want anyone to call me saying someone kidnapped Yui."

"Seriously?" said Halle. "He's waiting— ugh, fine."

She called Arien and asked him to come in and wait. He declined and said he'll wait outside. She grumpily went to her room and got dressed up.

Wait a minute . . .

"You are so annoying!" she screamed.

She heard Shizuka laugh.