Secret (3)

Interrupting my thoughts, Prune's father showed up.

"Long time no see Dylan."

"Likewise Ugine."

They shook hands.

"Aren't you busy? Or you pushed all the work to the other chefs?"

"It's not that busy at this time. I suppose it's alright.." Ugine laughed it off.

"Take a seat, oh, where's your daughter?" My mom asked.

"I appreciate it. Uh, I don't know, she went back into the kitchen, did anything happen?"

"She must have been jealous?" my father questioned.

"I don't understand my daughter all that much but let's not jump to conclusions?" Ugine had a strangely cramped smile on his face.

Prune is jealous? Hm… now that's tricky.. I don't think she liked me in the first place..

Crap.. again with my delusions.. Liliath is going on the offensive here and I'm still thinking about Prune? What's wrong with me?

I noticed Liliath's questioning gaze.

"What is it?" I asked.

Liliath looked away and asked, "Who is Prune to you?"

"A friend."

It's true that I liked Prune— keyword: liked— but when I found out that she was going to transfer schools, I somehow just accepted it as it was. Perhaps my 'like' towards her wasn't all that deep to begin with— which could be the reason why I didn't feel so much about losing her.

Though, with the situation now.. we may very well be entering the same school in the near future..

"Ah? So that's your intention?"

"Yup, so what do you think? The monthly rental is decent for the location of the rental and it's cheaper than the rentals for the in-school dormitory," my mom said.

I missed out on some parts but huh? Monthly rental?

"I would have to discuss this with my family before coming to a conclusion," Ugine said as if troubled.

"It's alright, we can schedule a later date to give you some time to finalize a decision."

"Then give me some time to think about it."

Did I miss something important there?

Huh?

"I better get back to the kitchen, my boys are waiting for me," Ugine stood up and stretched his back, "Thanks for the offer. And I'll have Prune come over to receive the bills for the meal if that's alright?"

"Yes, thank you," my mom showed a business-like smile.

He left the room.

It could've been another awkward silence if it were not for the sound of the little devil teaching Liliath how to eat ice.

That was literally bribery to have Liliath create more ice for the devil to snack on with such useless knowledge in exchange..

"Hey mom, what was that about?"

"Hm?" my mom looked at me puzzled.

"What is it?"

"Should we tell you?" she contemplated, "What do you think dear? Do you think it would spoil the surprise?"

"Noel, listen up. This is what you call anticipation. Brace yourself for what's to come," my father talking nonsense…

"What.."

"Liliath, don't tell Noel alright~" my mom said in sequence.

Liliath knows?!

"Tell what?" Liliath spoke in a cute, muffled tone. A piece of ice in her mouth impeded her normal voice.

Or not..

"I guess the secret is safe in her hands," my father sounded relieved.

SO SHE KNOWS ABOUT IT?!

"What is it? What about monthly rent and the school dorms?"

"You'll know in time, Noel," my father said with a natural smirk.

Seriously..

This is bad..

"Liliath?"

"Don't tell him Liliath, it's a surprise."

Mom.. don't instigate her. I really, really, absolutely fucking need to know what the hell this is about.

Liliath tilted her head.

My shoulders dropped and I just stared at her with my dead eyes. Apparently, a frown surfaced on my face.

She pouted. So cute.

I've been telling myself that Liliath is cute quite often these past few days..

"They're flirting again."

I switched targets and fired imaginary laser beams at the little devil. Speaking of which, I still haven't gotten my revenge on this twerp.

But no ideas come to mind.. she's too 'clean', no weaknesses, no gaps. I wish she got herself a boyfriend so I could tease her to the point of hell. Heck, I doubt telling mom and father about her stash of porn I found in her room would really do anything at this point. Because as I said, it runs in the family.

The door of the room slid open again and appeared Prune— I felt her gaze brush past me for a moment, it's obvious she was avoiding Liliath's gaze. Holding the bill, she was beckoned over by my mom who took out her wallet.

Liliath was staring intently at the exchange of Prune and mom— or more accurately— at the machine and card, and the receipt being spit out from the head of the machine. I'm sure Liliath must be thinking somewhere along the lines of 'ancient artifact'.

Prune was about to leave when my mom tugged at her shirt and whispered something into her ear— to learn that she whispered at the wrong place because her ears were no longer there. It's those two ears up on top.

Cringe.

I understand how you must feel mom— not.

Ignoring my father who was desperately holding in his laughter, my mom told Prune something. Prune nodded a few times and sent me a weird look for some odd reason.

"Don't tell Noel yet alright?" was the only thing I heard my mom say loudly, on purpose.

Grrr… what in the world..

Prune nodded, seemingly dazed. Just before she exited, she looked at me one last time— with a smile, a trace of sorrow could be seen from her eyes.

"What?" I spoke my thoughts.

"What?" just as the little devil repeated a second after.

"I still haven't had my payback on you, stop repeating my words as if you don't understand what's going on," I glared at her.

"But I really don't know what's going on though? Big sister Liliath, what is this about, why am I and big brother left out?" the little devil showed a genuinely confused expression— seriously? This supposed all-knowing devil doesn't know?

"..."

"So that's what it is.." the devil showed me a grin.

"Liliath.. you.."

"I only spoke what I knew?"

"So what did you tell my sister?"

"I don't know?"

SERIOUSLY?!

I gave up. I sipped on my tea and tuned my mind elsewhere.

I'm sure I'll figure out what it is in the future. It's something to do with real estate, renting and Prune.

Prune.

I might just be imagining things.. yeah. There's no way she likes me.