Page 55 of Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal
Akira finally put his finger on it. He’d walked into a sitcom.
The members of the Miyabe household were naturals—quirky, complicated, and likeable—delivering a whirlwind of well-rehearsed drama. They eachownedtheir role. Doting father. Chatterbox mother. Kimi’s older sister was all sweetness and soft smiles, and her younger sister was a cool beauty with a calculating gaze. The grandmother had all but demanded documentation of their respective pedigrees.
“Puny stock,” she muttered. “What are your parents’ classifications?”
Kimi jumped to his defense. “I’m the reaver in our group, Grandma. Akira’s only human.”
The old woman narrowed her eyes. “Their line of work, then. How have they distinguished themselves?”
“I’m an orphan, ma’am.” Akira smiled apologetically. “I don’t really remember my parents.”
“How did you get into such a prestigious school?” The woman seemed suspicious. “Academic excellence?”
“My grades are pretty average.” Below average, if he was totally honest.
“I’m glad Akira was accepted,” Kimi said, her voice slow and calm. “He and Suuzu have been wonderful partners.”
“Better to pair you off with a nice reaver boy,” grumbled the lady.
Kimi remained patient, but not apologetic. “That would defeat the purpose of integration, Grandma. Triads have one of each, and I’m the reaver.”
At this point, Kimiko’s mother saw an opening and seized control. “I’m sure we’re honored! Aren’t we?” A glance in her husband’s direction seemed to confirm her suspicion, and her smile widened. Turning to Suuzu, she asked, “And what sort of creature might you be?”
“He’s not a creature, Mama. Suuzu is a person.”
“I never said he wasn’t! But you’re an animal-person, aren’t you, dear?”
Kimiko’s mom was all smiles as she blundered along, apparently ignorant of the oft-repeated guidelines of etiquette and courtesy toward Amaranthine citizens. Akira would have jumped in, but she didn’t let anyone get a word in edgewise.
“You look exotic.Areyou something exotic? A zebra, perhaps?”
Suuzu showed no sign of offense as he corrected her. Akira had always admired his patience when it came to some of the weirder questions people would ask. And now that he knew what to look for, he could see that all three of the Miyabe girls were fidgeting with purpose, probably apologizing to Suuzu even as they worked to interrupt and distract their mother.
Akira found himself liking the lady, if only because of the soft way Kimi’s father had of looking at her. The rest of the family might worry about what she’d say next, but this guy waslisteningto her. And that mattered to Akira. It fit with the way he thought things should be.
Maybe that’s why he wanted lessons in the signs and signals Kimi used. He hadn’t realized he was missing out on part of a conversation.
“Hajime-kun?”
“Yes, sir?” Akira replied. Kimi looked a whole lot like her dad, who seemed a little old-fashioned, but that was probably because of his traditional clothes. He gave off a patient and wise vibe. Unfortunately, he was also pretty sharp.
“Are you perhaps kin to a certain unregistered bloodline recently recognized as producing potent reavers?”
Kimiko winced.
They’d all hoped no one would make the connection.
Maybe he wouldn’t make a fuss. Akira said, “Yep.”
“What?” demanded Mrs. Miyabe. “What can you mean, dear? I thought he was human.”
“As human as you and I,” he said fondly. “What I mean to say is that this young man’s sister is Lady Mettlebright.”
Kimi’s mother might not know the ins and outs of Amaranthine etiquette, but she’d read the gossip columns. And Akira’s brother-in-law was big news.
Her hands flew to her mouth. “Youarea reaver!”
“I’m not. My sister is.”
