8. I Thought You Knew.

…

Elta's parents stepped out of the room and left the courtyard. Together, they made their way to Elta's courtyard.

"This is so good! Ha! This too!" Hiro's voice greeted them.

He was seated behind a table covered with various dishes. One after another, he filled his mouth with food. Chewing, swallowing and yelling as quickly as possible.

"I love this one! And this one! Oh, I just can't choose! They are good!"

"Slow down or you'll choke to death," Elta said.

"I don't care, I could die peacefully right now,"

"If you die you won't eat or taste these again,"

Hiro paused and looked at her. "That's true. I don't want to die yet. All I want to do is eat food and pills,"

"You better cultivate well then… Oh, father, mother come join us,"

"Alright," Elta's mother said.

Xue Li got two chairs and the duo sat down, side by side.

"Here you go mother, try this," Elta stretched a dish to her.

"Thank you,"

"It's good, right?"

"Yes, it is,"

"Yes, Hiro said this wasn't good,"

"I said I didn't like the taste," Hiro interjected and continued eating.

"Why don't you like it?" Elta's mother asked.

"Wit weaves wafter…"

"Swallow before talking," Elta yelled.

"Hmph, it leaves an aftertaste that I don't like,"

"The aftertaste isn't bad,"

"Whatever,"

"Okay, there's something we wanted to talk to you guys about," Elta's mother said.

"Right, I wanted to let you guys know…" Elta's father said. "What happened on the battlefield has been covered up,"

"Huh? Why?"

"Hiro's actions on the battlefield would attract unwanted attention to him, so the boy who fought the ancestor beast is dead,"

"Wait, what?" Hiro yelled.

"Those with bad intentions may want your life," Elta's mother said.

"Why will anyone want me dead?"

"A child who is as strong as an ancestor is a threat,"

"Tch! I see,"

"Well, what do you think about being our son?"

"You don't know me, yet you want to be my parents. Is this because of my immortal physique?"

"YOUR WHAT!??"

Everyone in the courtyard, except Hiro shouted. They had their eyes wide opened and were flabbergasted by what they heard.

Elta's father stretched his hands to the sky and a barrier appeared around them.

"What did you just say?" he asked.

"You didn't know?"

"No,"

"I thought you knew. Old man… old Sai rather, and her grandfather knew,"

"This… they kept it to themselves. You can never say this to anyone else, okay? If possible, never talk about it again,"

"Sure,"

"Elta, Xue Li, this matter should not leave this courtyard. It should die and be forgotten today,"

"Yes, father,"

"Yes patriarch,"

"So about being our son?" Elta's mother asked.

"Hmm, I don't know. What does a son do?"

"Huh?" Elta frowned. "What are saying? Didn't you have a family before?"

"Elta!" Her father called out. "He doesn't remember anything,"

"Oh, I'm sorry,"

"Why the face?" Hiro frowns at Elta's sulking face.

"Huh? Well… never mind. Anyway, a son doesn't do much. He makes his parents proud, bring honor to their name and when he's all grown up he protects and takes care of his parents. He also takes care of his siblings if he has any. That's what a son or a daughter does,"

Elta's parents looked at her and smiled. Hiro on the other hand frowned and said.

"Why are you talking like old Sai? Are you an old lady?"

He lowered his voice and whispered. "May be you are in disguise,"

"Don't let me deal with you," Elta bit her lower lip.

"If that's all a son does, then I can be your son. It's not hard,"

"Good, good. From now on, you'll be our son," Elta's father said.

"I finally have a sibling,"

"Wait, do I have to take care of you?" Hiro asked.

"I'm stronger, so I'll take care of you,"

"Hmph, you better take care of me well,"

"You! I bet I can take care of you more than you can take care of me,"

"In your dreams, when my strength returns I'll show you I can take care of you more than you can,"

"Hehe,"

"Haha,"

Elta's parents laughed as they watched the duo bicker.

"We should properly introduce ourselves," Elta's mother said. "I'm Ming Lu, from today I'll be your mother,"

"This is Enji Lu, your father from today,"

"Am I to say something now? I feel I should,"

"Haha, just greet them," Elta said.

"Hmm, I greet mother and father. Is that, okay?"

"Bow your head when you greet,"

"Oh, I greet mother and father," Hiro bowed slightly.

"Yes, and I'm Elta Lu, your elder sister. You'll greet me too,"

"Why are you older?"

"How old are you?"

"We both know I don't know that,"

"Then I'm older,"

"How old are you,"

"I'm proudly sixteen,"

"Then I'm sixteen too,"

"You look fifteen,"

"I'm slightly taller,"

"Says who?"

"Says me and fact,"

"Well, I'm stronger,"

"You! I'm still not greeting you,"

"They are acting like twins," Ming Lu (Elta's mother) whispered.

"If you don't I won't teach you,"

"Okay," Hiro said and turned. "Father, mother can you teach me?"

"You! Whatever! Let them teach you,"

"Father is quite busy so I'll teach you,"

"Thank you,"

They ate together, laughing and chatting. It was quite harmonious. Hiro and Elta bickered from time to time, as they ate.

…