Chapter 2: A New Home

Chapter 2: A New Home

Haruto was surprised when he woke up on an actual bed. After Kiara and Calli introduced themselves, Kiara suggested they go back 'home'. Some black mist started to exude off Calli before it enveloped the three of them. The next thing Haruto knew was waking up on this bed.

"Oh, he's awake!" Haruto turned to see Kuso- Kiara sitting by his bed. "I'm sorry you got knocked out. I hear shadow travelling for the first time can be a bit much for a human."

"You were the one who wanted to go home," The door to the room opened, Calli walking in.

"I was suggesting we fly!" Kiara argued, making a pouty face at her partner. "You were the one jumping to conclusions."

Calli cleared her throat in an attempt to change the subject. "We still don't have the kid's name."

"M-my name is Haruto," Haruto still had trouble projecting, but he was having an easier time talking.

"I'm still appalled you decided to adopt a child without even knowing his name," Calli muttered under her breath, causing Kiara to shoot her a glare in response.

"N-not that it's a bad thing or anything," Calli said, hastily trying to diffuse the situation

"I-I'm sorry," Haruto looked down. Although he did feel bad for burdening the couple, he knew deep down that he was too selfish to reject their offer.

"There's nothing to be sorry about," Kiara extended her hand, but stopped inches from Haruto's face. "May I?"

Haruto didn't answer, but tilted his cheek, leaning into Kiara's hand. "It's okay. You're safe now," Kiara gently brushed her fingers across Haruto's cheek. Haruto had to resist the urge to flinch, but he felt like he was making progress.

"I-I have to admit… he is kinda cute," Calli sat on the other side of the bed. Calli extended her hand towards Haruto. Haruto squeezed his eyes shut. He usually wasn't scared of strangers, but Calli had pulled a weapon on him, so his fear was justified. Haruto opened his eyes as he felt a soft hand being placed on his head. He looked up at Calli, who was giving him a gentle smile.

"Sorry for scaring you earlier," Calli continued, "feel free to call me Dad, but it's okay if you don't want to yet."

"T-thank you d-d…" Haruto tried his best, but he trailed off, bad memories arising.

"Don't push yourself, Haruto," Kiara gave Haruto a gentle smile. "It's okay if you can't call us Mama and Papa yet. We'll get through this together."

Haruto wanted to say something, but he couldn't open his mouth. He just wasn't used to Kiara and Calli were showering him with affection, the likes of which not even his old foster family would give him before… Haruto shook his head.

"Thank you m… Kiara," Haruto replied softly.

"Anything for you, my child," Kiara's fingers moved, interlocking themselves with Haruto's small fingers. "Now you must be hungry. Would you like me to bring something here or do you want to come up with us?"

"I'll g-go with you," Haruto said. As tired as he was, he didn't want to dirty the sheets more than he already has.

"Alright," Kiara gently tugged on Haruto's hand, Haruto following her movements. "Let's head to the kitchen."

-

Kiara and Calli had a nice, two-story house. Although it was much bigger than his old home, Haruto felt that it wasn't too big for him to manage. If he was going to live here for the foreseeable future, he would eventually get the hang of the layout.

"Ne Haruto, do you like chicken?" Kiara asked.

Haruto nodded. "I like the chicken they have at KFP. Their 4 for 4 is very cheap," Haruto admitted.

"Oh my, is that what you've been eating?" Kiara looked genuinely taken aback. "KFP chicken is the best in the world, but eating that three times a day isn't healthy at all."

"Sorry," Haruto looked down. He felt like it wasn't his fault that he didn't have a lot of money, but he didn't know what else to say.

"There is nothing to be sorry about," Kiara said gently. "It's not your fault."

"You're still going to make him KFP chicken, aren't you?" Calli asked.

"I was going to add some vegetables!" Kiara whined. "It's all I know how to make."

"Thank you m… Kiara," Haruto said, trying his best.

"You're so cute!" Kiara beamed at the child. "Look, Calli! He's so cute!"

"Yeah, yeah, just make him the food," Calli sighed. "I'll have the usual."

"No, you're not allowed to have wine with a kid in the house," Kiara replied.

"Ugh," Calli groaned. "Come on, kid. Let's sit down."

Haruto meekly followed Calli to the kitchen table where he sat across from Calli. After a few seconds of tense silence, Calli spoke up. "Look kid," Calli sighed, noticing that he wouldn't even meet her eyes.

"I'm sorry for scaring you earlier. The thing is, Kiara and I only got married last month. I don't know how being a wife works and when I noticed someone was following us… I just freaked out. I understand if you don't forgive me, but can we at least try to act like we're getting along…? If not for me, can you do it for Kuso- Kiara?"

"I…" Haruto forced his eyes to meet his new parent's. He didn't really understand people, but he felt like he could at least trust Kiara and Calli to be honest. Kiara seemed too… eccentric to lie and Calli was trying her best right now.

I think these two are alright, Haruto finally concluded.

"I'll try my best," Haruto nodded. "Thank you for taking me in."

"Don't sweat it, kid," Calli's mouth twitched upwards into a smile. "It feels good to do something nice for once in my existence."

"Food's ready!" Kiara exclaimed, placing an exact replica of the KFP 4 for 4 meal if the biscuit was replaced by a plain salad with ranch dressing and the soda replaced by a glass of milk.

"You are not serving Haruto that," Calli glared at Kiara.

"Nah, this is my milk… Calli's milk," Haruto knew that he wasn't supposed to hear that last part since Kiara was whispering, so he decided to feign ignorance. "Anyways, I'll get you a glass of water, Haruto."

"Thank you, m… ma… Kiara," Haruto nodded shyly.

"Look, Calli! He's improving!"

-

"Ugh, looks like I have to go to work," Calli grumbled as she looked at her phone. By the time they had finished dinner, the sun had set and the moon was rising. "Death-sensei needs me to come in."

"W-what's happening?" Haruto asked.

"Dad just has to go to work," Kiara gave Haruto a reassuring smile. "It's late. Let's get you to bed."

"Bye d… Calli," Haruto shyly walked up to Calli, hugging her leg briefly. "S-stay safe."

"I will, kid," Calli gently ruffled Haruto's hair. "Now be good and listen to Kiara, okay?"

"I-I'll try my best," Haruto assured Calli. Calli replied with an approving nod before vanishing in black mist.

"Alright, let's go back to the bedroom," Haruto turned to Kiara, whose fingers were mere centimeters from Haruto's. Haruto looked at Kiara, who seemed to be waiting for his approval. Haruto gave his approval by inching his fingers towards Kiara's, who intertwined their fingers in response.

"Here we are," a simple trek up the stairs was all the two needed to return to Haruto's new room. Kiara grabbed the sheets and gently pulled them. "Just lay down on the bed and I'll tuck you in, okay?"

Haruto nodded, silently climbing onto the queen-sized bed (which was way too big for him), Kiara pulling the blankets over him.

"Would you like me to tell you a bedtime story?" Kiara asked.

"O-okay…" Haruto didn't have a bedtime story read to him in the past couple weeks, so he can easily fall asleep without one, but the child inside him would always love a good bedtime story.

"Alright," Kiara smiled.

"Once upon a time, when there were no humans yet on earth and sightings of mythical creatures were nothing uncommon… There was a young phoenix with feathers burning like the golden sun. This phoenix's name was Kiara."

"Over thousands of years, Kiara would travel over the world, go on adventures like fighting giants, visiting the moon, becoming an idol, and many other things."

"However, every couple hundred years, Kiara's lifespan would come to an end. Going up in flames… but soon, rising from her own ashes again."

"Every time she would rise, she would be reborn in another dimension, discovering completely new worlds. Nowadays, there are no more phoenixes left on this earth, and most other dimensions."

"Kiara started feeling lonely, and decided to take human form for her next lifetime, and do what humans do. Kiara decided she would come to this world and conquer it in a different, new way…"

Kiara trailed off as she noticed that Haruto was asleep. "Sleep well, my little egg," Kiara placed a hand on Haruto's head before standing up, walking away. Before flicking off the lights, she turned to look at the young boy one more time. "We're going to have a lot of fun together. I promise."