Chapter 80: Dinner at the Toyas (1)
"And that’s what happened. I hope I didn’t bore you or make things too heavy," Ren Toya says, after telling his guests — Zaira, Chris, and Mia — about his parents’ death, Raelor Valraen, and his connection to Zaira.
His sisters, Yuzu and Iris, are there with them as well.
"N-Not at all. We were the ones who asked you to tell us. Unfortunately... I know what it means to lose both your parents to someone you thought was a friend. It’s a pain that never goes away..." Mia sobs, her voice trembling, eyes glistening.
"You lost your parents too...?" Aoshi asks, puzzled. "But Chris told me you moved here with your mother..."
Mia and Chris exchange a glance. He gives a small nod.
"My name isn’t Mia Jones... it’s Mia Valakis. I’m the princess of Mildelar — or I was, before Markus Dulcar betrayed us. He was one of the royal family’s most trusted allies. The woman Chris mentioned isn’t our real mother, but one of my late father’s wives — Lucius Valakis — and Chris’s adoptive mother. We had to change our identities to escape those hunting me, so I ask for your discretion. I’m only telling you this because I trust you."
Ren’s expression hardens, almost accusatory.
"You shouldn’t have done that. Forgive my bluntness, but revealing something like that to someone you’ve only known a few days — and know nothing about — was reckless. For all you know, I could be one of the people hunting you. You’re lucky I’m not... but next time, you might not be."
"Y-You’re right... I’m sorry," Mia murmurs, lowering her gaze, embarrassed. "It’s just... you told me about your past, and it felt natural to share mine. I’ll be more careful next time..."
A heavy silence settles over the living room, broken only by the soft clink of chopsticks and the sound of chewing as they eat Iris’s cooking.
Meanwhile, Zaira keeps giving Ren sweet, flirtatious looks. Not because she really wants to seduce him, but for the fun of watching Yuzu’s jealous expressions and the glares she keeps throwing her way. She’s been provoking her ever since they sat down.
After several minutes, Chris is the one who finally breaks the silence.
"Ren, how come you didn’t invite Leon Thzraneel tonight? I got the impression you’re friends. Sure, he’s a bit odd, but he seems like a fun guy to have around."
It’s not like he really cares — he’s just making conversation.
"Let’s just say things between me and Leon are... complicated. We are friends, but..."
Ren pauses for a moment before going on.
"Well, your sister told me something she shouldn’t have, so it’s only fair I return the trust she placed in me. Did you know Leon is a vampire?"
"Unfortunately, I know far too much about him... I’ve known him since we still lived on Elyndra. He was even a famous rapper — I still can’t believe it. I have no idea what he’s been up to since coming to Earth, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he got himself into trouble chasing easy money..."
"Well, you’re not far off... he told me he spent his early years in America — Detroit, I think — trying to get his music career off the ground. You can imagine how that went...
It didn’t turn out the way he hoped, and just when he was about to give up and return to Elyndra, an organization reached out to him. They promised connections to major record labels in exchange for... certain favors. Leon is an assassin in that organization, known as Orange — though I think he’s the only one in the world who ends up befriending his targets instead of killing them..." Ren finishes with a faint smile, remembering what a complete disaster Leon is as an assassin.
Yuzu and Iris, on the other hand, grow somber. But Ren’s smile is just for show — an attempt to lighten the mood. In truth, he’s even more worried than they are about the situation they’re in.
And now, on top of that, there’s frustration — he hasn’t managed to find any information on Red: Axel Volkom, the vampire sent by that organization to oversee Leon’s work.
"Why would anyone want you dead? Is that Raelor guy behind it?" Chris asks, making sure to finish his bite first.
On the way to the Toyas’ small house at the foot of the Tama hills, Mia had hammered into him and Zaira the importance of basic table manners — or else, they’d get the hell beaten out of them.
"I doubt it. Raelor Valraen’s power is beyond comprehension — he could crush anyone, let alone the three of us. If he really wanted us dead, we wouldn’t be sitting here talking.
Whoever’s after us just wants payback for not joining him. That’s all... and it pisses me off!"
Ren slams his fist on the table, rattling the dishes.
"That bastard’s got it all wrong if he thinks he can ruin the lives of anyone who refuses to bow to him! Whoever he is, I’ll make him pay for it!"
"That’s enough, Ren," Iris cuts in, alarmed by her brother’s rising tension. "We have guests, and this is no way to behave!"
"Y-You’re right, Iris. Chris, Mia, Zaira... forgive me. I’m sorry for losing my temper like that."
"Oh, it’s nothing..." Chris murmurs.
Iris wraps her arms around Ren’s neck and gently pulls him in, resting his head against her ample breasts.
"Easy, Ren..." Iris whispers softly, gently massaging the back of his neck.
"I-I am calm. It’s just... fuck, some things really piss me off. Our lives were already a mess, and now that piece of shit and his lackeys are involved too. That bastard doesn’t even have the guts to show his face!"
"I-I don’t like it when you get angry, big bro..." Yuzu murmurs, worried.
She slips her hand under the table toward Ren beside her. Her arm moves slowly, steadily. The table hides everything — but no one’s in doubt about what’s happening.
Chris and Mia exchange a stunned glance, then look down at their food and keep eating, feigning indifference as if nothing unusual is happening.
Iris is the one who steps in, discreetly pulling Yuzu’s hand away from between Ren’s legs.
"Yuzu, honestly... have some restraint. Do you really think this is the time to be ’massaging’ Ren?" she scolds.
At that, Mia lets out a quiet sigh of relief.
Phew... for a second I thought that kind of thing was normal in this house...
"...we have guests," Iris adds. "You can do that when we’re alone."