Bab 14: Chapter 8 - Early Growth
speech:"like this"
though:'like this'
telepathy:<like this>
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////////MC POV///////
Things have been awkward at the Nakiri mansion even now, a little over a year after the events of that night. There is a cold war in the house, Erina and Alice are confused but Soe, Leonora, and Ivy just swim around the issue and keep Senzaemon away from the house.
I am now seven years old.
Senzaemon is still angry with me, not that I care, but I keep tabs on him just to be sure, but in this one year, he didn't have much time for anything else besides the Nakiri group and his job as the Headmaster of Totsuki.
Right now I, Rito and Mikan are accompanying Leonora to New York as she is visiting her sister, Carla Russo with her daughters Laurie and Judie Russo, and her sister-in-law Elisa Russo and her daughters Theodora and Irene Russo. Alice and Ivy of course have also come.
Carla change back to her family surname after the divorce and Elisa kept her husband's even after his death, neither Carla nor Leonora was bothered by it since they all have a good relationship.
Mikan:"Niichan niichan look look."
Mikan and her shiny eyes filled with excitement just points at everything and call me to explain, the two of them, of course, know nothing of English. Alice since is already used to a multilingual environment has some notions about English and Italian, the latter because it's Leonora's family's mother language, them being of Italian origin.
Mikan:"Niichan niichan what is that?"
Cad:"Oh that's a flashmob."
Mikan, Rito:"Fleashmobu?"
Trying not to laugh at their wrong pronunciation I start to explain why are all these people just start to dance around the street. It is a whole different vibe from what they are used to, not only because it is a different country but because they are used to a more suburban environment,
So they have been asking me a lot of things since we landed, Well I will just enjoy myself with them while we can, maybe later we can go to a park or something. I also brought a few of my Shadow Dwellers I will let them take care of these two.
At first, they were confused why a bunch of women that came out of nowhere were obeying their brother's orders, I just said they were my employees just like Nanako's waiters. My parents think they are Nakiri's subordinates.
Soe always tries to get information out of me disguised as a friendly chat, Issei weirdly enough is the only one that is not bothered by it. He says "If it is from this devious brat then we have nothing to worry about, is his enemies that have a problem.".
Anyway, the car stops at a mansion a little away from the city, getting out of it I see in front of the mansion two beautiful ladies and four girls, one had the typical Russo silver hair, tied back, a beauty mark on her left side about her lips dressed in a white shirt and black skirt having blue eyes, so light that they appear gray.
At her side were two girls one that looked my age and the other a little younger, maybe a year younger just like Mikan the older one had black hair till her hip, a beauty mark below her left eye dressed in sports gear like a tomboy girl.
The younger one had brown hair and was in a little dress, her hair was tied in a single braid on her back, and both of them had the same gray eye as their mother.
The other woman had shoulder-length blond hair tied in a ponytail and was dressed in a business suit with glasses, she had emerald-like green eyes, at her side were two girls, one about the same age as Mikan, and the other older, maybe at Yui's age.
Both of them had the same silver hair of the Russo family but had their mother's green eyes, the older one had glasses and hip-length hair, wearing a white blouse and dark green skirt.
The younger one had short neck-length hair and was wearing a white dress.
Elise:"Oh my, what cute children have you brought Leonora, hello everyone I'm Elise, and these are my daughters Theodora and Irene."(in Japanese)
She had a strict aura around her that totally contradicts with her warm behavior toward us.
Theodora:"Hello, welcome to our house, I'm Theodora."(in Japanese)
She welcomes us but I can see she is more on the serious side, maybe she was deeply affected by her father's death.
Irene:"ugh, Hello, Welcome."(in broken Japanese.)
She nervously tries to greet us in Japanese, which got a little broken because of it but I can see, those mischievous eyes, maybe she can talk properly but she was acting cute.
Carla:"Indeed, welcome everyone, please to meet you three, hope you enjoy your time in here, I'm Carla and these are my girls, Judie and Lauren."(in Japanese)
A little on the motherly side Carla greets us with a warm smile
Lauren:"Uh Hello?"
She says a little confused, looks like she doesn't know what to do since she doesn't speak Japanese.
Judie:"Oh hello, how was the trip? Can you tell me anything about Japan? Wait, you aren't even understanding me, ugh how are we going to talk?"
Like a machine gun, she fires question after question and seems like a curious mind.
Cad:"Don't mind, I will translate to my brothers I'm Cadmus and these are my brother Rito and my sister Mikan."
On cue, Rito and Mikan bow their head in greeting.
Cad:"You already know Alice and Ivy now you have the displeasure of meeting your other cousin Erina."
Erina:"HEY."
My joke at the expense of the tsundere made everybody chuckle, save for Rito and Mikan and we proceed inside. I just jab at her because she has been getting more annoying with time, she now acts like a faithful puppy to Ivy, following her around and not letting me get close to her.
Not that she had been successful, Ivy won't let anyone stop us from having our time together, and even if I do something about it she wouldn't mind as I never cross the line, but I will have to make her fall in line soon.
After some pleasantries, we send the younger ones plus Alice, Erina, and Lauren out to play while we delve into more serious matters. So in the room are me, Leonora, Elisa, Carla, and Theodora.
Cad:"*sigh* So what did you talk about Leonora?"
At my question Leonora, Elisa, and Carla take on more serious expressions, Theodora just raises her eyebrow looking at me appraisingly. Leonora looks at Elisa, who sighs and starts to explain.
Elisa:"We need your help investigating my husband's murder."
After saying that Carla and Leonora look down sadly, and Theodora snaps her head to her mother with open eyes.
Theodora:"Mo-mom, what are you saying?"
Elisa:"I'm sorry Theodora, but we are going nowhere, no matter what method we use we have just been going around in circles, it is like whoever did this is always leading us, I can't take it anymore."
Although her voice did slip a few times she maintained her firm tone until the end, I can see that she is deeply hurt by this issue and in near desperation but it is holding on. The same can be said about the other women in the room.
Cad:".....I see, it's really late for that now, you do realize that they had one year to properly cover their tracks and most likely most of my efforts will give no results."
Elisa:".....I am prepared for that."
Cad:"I told you very early on Leonora to make up your mind if you wanted my help or not, now I really don't know how much time it will take."
Leonora:"I know that, I know, but….."
Cad:"Wheren't you the one who always insisted that I am part of the family and to depend on you?"
Leonora:"...I'm sorry Cad-kun."
Cad:"I'm not telling you this for you to apologize but the family feeling you have towards me is reciprocated so don't hesitate next time."
Leonora:"..Thank you, Cadmus."
Cad:"*sigh* It will take time, but I will definitely catch who did it."
Theodora:".....Who do you think you are?"
Cad:"Huh?"
Theodora:"What right do you have to scold aunt Leonora, what exactly do you think you can do about my father's murder?"
Leonora:"Theodora don't be like that."
Theodora:"What, are you guys insane? Why are you even listening to him he is just a seven-year-old boy."
Cad:"You are a ten."
Theodora:"*snort* We are not the same."
Cad:"That's for sure."
Theodora:"Youuuuuu."
Elisa:"Theo enough."
Theodora:"But mom-"
Elisa:"I said enough."
Elisa:"I apologize for my daughter's behavior, Theo, apologize."
Theodora:".....I'm sorry."
Cad:"Are you bothered that I'm a boy?"
Theodora:"......"
Carla:"What do you mean Cadmus?"
Cad:"I just find it weird that she specifically said 'seven-year-old boy' and not kid, child, or something like that, or just said 'a seven-year-old', what she said isn't that uncommon but it is not usual either."
Elisa:".....Is it because of Jordan?"
Cad:"Jordan?"
Elisa:"Her childhood friend, the son of our primary suspect, they had I fight."
Theodora:"He is not my friend."
Cad:"...I see, well I do understand your concerns regarding my age and from how you are acting in comparison with your mother and aunt I gather you are the only one that doesn't know about my capabilities."
Elisa:" Yes, I apologize for that, I wanted to keep her in the dark, but unfortunately she is too smart for her age and was adamant on taking part, even if just an observer….. but it appears she couldn't hold herself."
Cad:"Well, take this as a lesson, I know that you got hurt by your crush-"
She turns stiff for a second, blicks three times fast, and widens her eyes a little.
Theodora:"THAT….What are… HE IS NOT MY CRU-."
Cad:"Let me finish."
With a strong tone, I stop her protest.
Cad:"I know that you are hurt but that it is no reason to project on someone that you know nothing about even more for someone like you, you are in a position of power and will be the object of envy and greed of many, and judging by your mother, and how you are developing also a future subject of lust."
She got stunned at the start but quickly flushed from my comment at the end.
Cad:"You are going to come in contact with some of the worst examples of waste of air the world has to offer so you better learn fast how to keep your calm, not to show too much to those people, and how to evaluate who you can trust."
Theodora:"......."
Cad:"*sigh* Anyway I want all you guys have, clues, proofs, contacts, everything, we are going to sift through all of it even if we have to stay awake all night if necessary."
Elisa, Theodora, Leonora, Carla:"Yes."
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//////////////Erina POV///////////
Why are they always like this? Why can't I be part of it? Am I doing something wrong, does one-sama dislike something about me?
Alice:"He is going to do something dangerous again isn't he neesan?"
What is she talking about?
Ivy:"What are you talking about Alice?"
Alice:"Please neesan, I may not be as smart as you, but since the day Erina came to live with us I've noticed that you and Cad-kun do things, dangerous things, I know he was the one that planned everything to save Erina from her father."
What?? That is not possible, he is just the bad guy that wants to take my one-sama from me, one-sama was the one that did everything to save me.
Ivy:"So you are finally admitting to eavesdropping on us?"
Why aren't you denying one-sama?
Alice:"..."
Ivy:"*giggle* You don't have to worry so much, Cad knows what he is doing, and he is not doing it alone. besides his subordinates, he knows I will always have his back."
Alice:"...Can I do it too?"
Ivy:"fufufu, So you also want to Cad to rely on you uh?"
Alice:"Ye- W-what are you saying neesan, th-that's not it, I want.. I want… YES, I want to be strong to help neesan that's it."
She blushes and tries to find an excuse.
Ivy:"Fufufufufu."
Alice:"....."
Ah, I can almost see smoke coming out of her ears.
Ivy:"I will train you, it will be painful, and I will have no mercy, do you really want to do it?"
Alice:"Yes neesan, I don't want to be apart from you....And Cadmus, I want you two to be able to count on me."
Alice….
Ivy:"*sigh* Very well, but first let's go to a more private place, I have a story to tell you."
Did one-sama just look at me before leaving?
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/////////Theodora POV///////////
I am ashamed of myself.
All those people sucking up to me, telling me how smart and capable despite being ten and I could barely contain myself before I had all the information and lashed out at a seven-year-old boy.....maybe my fight with Jordan did affect me much more than I expected.
He is just a kid, I tend to forget that my mind is way more mature than anyone my age. The worst part is the isolation from both the adults and my peers, I think that was why I ended up developing a crush on Jordan, the only one that treated me normally.
But this boy…..can he be called as such? Sure he is just seven but look at him. I am 1,58cm in height which is pretty close to the maximum someone my age could reach but he is taller than me.
His cute face is already morphing into more handsome features with his honey-like eyes shining brightly reflecting light, his calm demeanor as if he is always in control oozing confidence.
And look at his figure, are those muscles that a seven-year-old should have? Although he is not bulky his clothes perfectly hug his body, not too tight not too loose, showing his well-toned compact muscles, it is just perfect...What the hell am I thinking? Ugh, sometimes my overly precocious brain is my worst enemy.
.....Maybe I could just look a little more before continuing to work.
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Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone