Chapter :9-: "The Fiery Consequences"

(Yuna and Kai sat cross-legged on the living room floor, a platter of chicken wings drenched in their secret spicy sauce between them. Their faces flushed, eyes watery, yet neither willing to concede defeat).

Kai: y y Yuna, b-back down... he stammered, tears streaming down his cheeks.

Yuna: W-why should I? Y-you back down first! she retorted, her voice strained.

(Just then, the doorbell rang. Yuna quickly wiped her tears and opened the door to find her mother standing there).

Yuna's Mother: Why is your face so red, Yuna? she asked, concern evident in her eyes.

Yuna: M-mom, I... ah... she struggled to respond.

(Her mother stepped inside, removing her sandals, and noticed Kai's equally distressed appearance. Seeing him attempt to discreetly hide the spicy sauce bottle behind his back, suspicion clouded her features).

Yuna's Mother: What are you two up to? Why are your faces red and eyes teary? Wait a minute... did you eat that spicy sauce again? she demanded.

Yuna: N-no, Mom... she began, but her voice lacked conviction.

(Kai stood up hastily, grabbing his backpack).

Kai: A-ah, aunty, I-I should get going... he stammered, making a beeline for the door.

Yuna: Where are you going? she called after him.

Kai chuckled, whispering as he passed her,* I know your mom's about to scold you, so I'll leave you to it, Yu. He smirked and slipped out the door.

(Yuna turned to face her mother, guilt written all over her face).

Yuna's Mother: Seriously, Yuna? I told you not to do that again. What if Kai's health suffers? And what about you? Eating such spicy food can cause serious issues! she scolded.

Yuna lowered her head, remorseful.* I'm sorry, Mom...

Yuna's Mother: Go and change out of your school clothes, she ordered sternly.

(Yuna grabbed her bag from the dining table chair and retreated to her room, closing the door behind her).

Her mother sighed, shaking her head.* Kids these days think they know better than their parents...

(Kai walked home, the cool evening air soothing his still-burning mouth. He chuckled to himself, already looking forward to their next adventure, whatever it might be).

(A few hours later,

in Yuna's room, her dad knocked gently on the door. "Yuna, come, dear; it's dinner time)."

(Yuna opened the door, and her father stepped in).

Yuna dad : "What happened? Your face doesn't look good, and you haven't even changed clothes. Are you upset with your mom because she said something harsh?"

Wiping her eyes, Yuna replied, "No, Dad," and yawned. "I just slept."

Yuna's dad sighed. "Oh, and here I thought you were angry with your mother; that's why you didn't come out." He put his hand on Yuna's shoulder. "But don't forget, she cares about you. You know she loves you."

Yuna: "I know that. I'm not angry with Mom. I know she cares for me. But, Dad, what can I do? You know, teenage games and cravings."

Yuna's dad laughed. "Oh, dear, those teenage thoughts. But never hate your parents, okay?"

Yuna smiled. "Okay, Dad. I'll never hate you and Mom. You are the world to me."

Yuna's dad smiled. "Aww, dear." He hugged her. "You can play your games, but within limits, okay? Don't cross the line. I just want my daughter to be happy all the time."

Yuna: "Yes, Dad."

Yuna's dad: "Go, princess, change your clothes and come for dinner."

Yuna smiled. "I'm coming, Dad."

(Her dad went out of her room and closed the door. Yuna went to the washroom to freshen up and change her clothes).

(Minutes later,

Yuna came out of her room. She saw her mother placing dishes on the dining table, where her father was already seated).

Yuna's Dad: "Yuna, come, sit."

(Yuna hesitantly approached and sat beside her father. Her mother seated herself across from her dad. Yuna kept her head down).

Yuna's Dad: "Let's start dinner. Oh, you've made so many dishes today. Look, Yuna."

Without raising her head, Yuna said, "I'm sorry, Mom. I will never do it again."

Yuna's Mom: "Promise?"

Yuna lifted her head. "Promise. But please, a little bit of games?"

Her mom sighed. "Okay, Yuna. A little bit, not more."

Yuna's face lit up. "Okay, promise, Mom."

(Her mother smiled and started serving dishes onto her plate).

Yuna took a bite, chewed, and said, "Mmmm, Mom, it's delicious. You always make delicious food. My friends also say that."

Yuna's Mom: "Yeah, Kai always says that he likes my food."

While eating, Yuna responded, "No, Mom. Mason, Ryan, and Hannah say that."

Yuna's mom, with a confused look, asked, "Who are they?"

Yuna replied, "My new friends, Mom.

Yuna: "They ate the wrap you put in my lunchbox. They said it tasted great."

Yuna's mom smiled: "Someday, invite them over. I'd like to meet your new friends."

Yuna: "Okay, Mom. You'll like them."

Yuna's mom: "Alright, dear, eat up. By the way, Yuna, did you ask Kai how he was after eating that spicy sauce?"

Yuna: "Mom, I didn't call him, but I know he's doing fine after eating that spicy sauce."

(They both chuckled lightly).

Yuna's dad, while eating his food: "Kai is a good boy, right?"

Yuna's mom: "Yes, he always cares for Yuna."

Yuna's eyes widened: "Mom, we're just best friends."

Yuna's mom smirked: "I didn't say anything."

Yuna's cheeks turned pink: "That's not what I meant. I'm just saying..."

Yuna's mom chuckled: "Yuna, I'm ready to be Kai's mother-in-law. His mom and I would become even closer friends."

Yuna lowered her head: "Mom, that's enough."

Yuna's mom: "Now you're blushing. Do you like him, Yuna?"

Yuna stood up from her seat: "M-Mom, I'm going to my room." She started towards her room.

Yuna's mom: "Yuna, eat your food."

Yuna: "I'm done, Mom." She opened her door and went into her room.

Yuna's mom: "She likes him so much."

Yuna's dad: "Don't tease her."

(Yuna's mom chuckled).

In Yuna's room,

Yuna lay on her bed, blushing.

Yuna: "Ahhhhh, I don't want to think about it. I know I like him, but we're just frie—nooo, what am I thinking? My cheeks are heating up."

(Then Yuna heard a pop on her phone. She quickly grabbed it and saw it was a message from Kai, asking if she was okay after eating the spicy sauce).

Yuna typed quickly:

Yuna: "Huh, I'm always okay. You say I cry like a girl."

Kai: "I'm not a girl, okay? I'm a grown man."

Yuna: "Lol, 'man'—that's a joke. I'm laughing right now."

Kai: "Hey, shut up."

Yuna: "No, never, crying girl."

Kai: "Hey, that's enough, huh? Please stop, I'm begging."

Yuna: "See, begging like a girl."

Kai: "Yuna."

Yuna: "Okay, okay, I'll stop teasing you."

Kai: "Huh, good girl."

Yuna: "W-Why are you calling me a good girl?"

Kai: "Because you're small in height, so I say 'good girl' to you."

Yuna: "Hahahaha, I'm not laughing."

Kai: "Oh, really, little princess? Lol."

Yuna: "Don't say it."

Kai: "Awww, princess, I like it when your dad says that word."

Yuna: "Agh, now shut up."

Kai: "Okay, zip my lips. Lol. Okay, Yuna, it's late. I want to sleep. See you tomorrow, and get ready fast. I don't want to be late on my second day."

Yuna: "Oh, really? Today you took time to dress nicely because you want to impress girls."

Kai: "Yeah, yeah, whatever. Bye, good night."

Yuna: "Good night, crying girl."

Kai: "Okay, princess. Lol."

(After placing her phone on the nightstand, Yuna lay down, pulled the blanket over herself, and drifted into sleep).

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Ah, teenage love—Yuna is just so, so cute.

Hello, dear readers!

How are you all doing? I'm doing well and wanted to apologize for introducing the main lead in Chapter 10 instead of earlier. I didn't want to introduce him at the end of a chapter, so please forgive me. I know you are kind-hearted and will understand, right? Okay, bye for now! I'm off to write the next chapter. See you soon! Peace.

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