Chapter 17: Ch 17 - Reina’s Kitchen, Reina’s Heart
The heavy wooden door to Mika’s room closed softly, muffling the distant sounds of the house. Keita and Mika were gone again, vanished into their private world of distorted images and possessive intimacy. The familiar ache of their absence, the gnawing worry that had settled into Reina’s bones since they’d last left her alone, was a familiar companion. But today, it felt different. Sharper.
She needed something real, something tangible to hold onto besides worry. She needed comfort. The scent of her garden had always been a balm, grounding her in the simple beauty of growth and care. Today, that need felt particularly acute.
Reina moved through the house with quiet, purposeful steps. She bypassed the main kitchen – too much counter space, too many other people’s smells lingering. She headed towards her own small, cozy kitchen tucked away at the back of the house, closer to the garden. It smelled faintly of herbs she’d dried herself and the lingering scent of Keita’s coffee, a comforting blend she’d somehow inherited.
The counter was clear except for a small, simple vase holding a single wilting rose and a few sprigs of fresh mint. Her domain was neat, uncluttered. She hummed a low melody as she pulled out a porcelain bowl and spoon from a cupboard.
Today’s special: Keita’s favorite mushroom and wild rice bowl with a side of his grandmother’s secret miso glaze. She’d learned the recipe ages ago, a secret passed down through generations, a comforting ritual. Making Keita happy, even in small ways, anchored her against the swirling chaos of the world outside this home.
She measured ingredients with practiced precision, the scent of mushrooms and ginger filling the small space. Her hands moved with an almost unconscious grace, recalling decades of repetition. The rhythmic chopping of onions, the careful simmering of broth, the delicate balancing act of flavors – it was a sacred act, a form of communication without words.
The door to the master bedroom opened slightly, and a shadow fell across her path.
"Mika?" Reina turned, a warm smile forming on her lips. "Just checking on Keita, did you find everything alright?"
Mika stood there, leaning against the doorframe, her expression unreadable. Her dark eyes scanned the room, lingering on Reina’s focused, contented state. There was a flicker of something in Mika’s gaze – possessiveness? Jealousy?
Reina felt it too, a tightening in her chest. "Yes," Mika finally said, her voice low. "He’s... resting."
"Ah," Reina smiled understandingly, though a part of her mind registered the slight awkwardness in Mika’s response. "Good. I made his favorite for dinner. Thought you two might appreciate some nourishment."