Okaeri: Part 17: Eien

Part 17, written by Choco

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Yuri meets Himitsu's mother.

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‘Wake up!!’ Himitsu called. Yuri bolted up.
‘Where’s the robbery?’ Yuri asked groggily. He flattened his hair and stretched.
‘Nowhere.’ Himitsu said. She drew a square.

Yuri raised his eyebrows.
‘Why didn’t you do that before? We could’ve reached your home earlier than this!’
‘I was tired yesterday.’ Himitsu shrugged.
‘Tired and you could walk from 6 to 10 without stopping?!’ Yuri exclaimed.
‘Tired to perform spells, idiot.’

They jumped through the square and reached a nice little cottage.
‘That’s where I grew up. Nice, huh?’ Himitsu said.
‘It’s something.’ Yuri said, shrugging.

Himitsu knocked on the door.
‘If you’re here to express pity over me for losing the Head Witch post, please go away!’ A voice called from inside.
‘Ma! Let it go, will you? It’s been 2 months already!’ Himitsu groaned.
‘No, I won’t let it go! I’ve been tolerating too many people! They’ve been coming and saying ‘Poor You!’ and when in all honesty, they’re really here for some help.’

A lady with ocean blue hair opened the door. She had turquoise eyes, just like Himitsu and was quite tall. She was pleasant looking. She looked at Yuri for a moment.
‘Survivor of the mass zombie breakout.’ Himitsu explained as she gave her mother a hug.
‘Oh goodness. Come in! It’s a wonder you’re still alive!’ The lady smiled.

The house pretty from the inside too. It gave a cozy feeling. There was furniture everywhere, neatly arranged, but patchwork quilts and differently patterned pieces of cloth were scattered everywhere. Each quilt was colourful and had a homely feeling.

The house seemed to have the theme: “British Cottage”.
‘It’s a very nice house.’ Yuri told Himitsu. Himitsu sighed.
‘Yes it is.’
‘Sit down and make yourself comfortable, fortunate one! I’ll cook up some food for you and Himitsu.’

She rushed to the kitchen. Yuri sat down hesitantly on the quilt-covered couch.
‘My mother loves to do patchwork, if you’re meaning to ask.’ Himitsu said, picking up one of the quilts and folding them. ‘And, as you see, she isn’t the most organized person.’
‘I think it gives a cozy feeling to the home.’ Yuri insisted.
‘I’m glad you think so.’ Himitsu said, putting aside one of the quilts.
‘Ahh, I forgot to introduce myself! Stupid of me… My name is Eien.’ She called from the kitchen.
‘Hello, Eien.’ Yuri called back. ‘I’m Yuri.’

Himitsu’s mother came out, holding two bowls of stew.
‘Here. Stew.’

Yuri nodded and took the green mush from her hands. Casually, he grabbed a small booklet from the table. It was entitled “Head Witch Guide”.
‘They passed it out when I applied to be a candidate. No use for me now.’ Eien grunted. ‘You can do whatever you want with it, Yuri.’

Yuri looked at it, and stuffed into his pocket. He needed something to read.

Himitsu gave her mother a rare smile and took the bowl. Yuri couldn’t help but admit she looked better smiling. Her smile seemed to light her face up like a light bulb being switched on! He smuggled his phone out from his bag and snapped a photo of her. He tucked it away silently.

Yuri dug his spoon into the so-called stew and ate it. It tasted bitter and had a tinge of sour in it.
What kind of stew is this…? Thought Yuri.
‘Oh, I added some lime in it too. So the bitterness won’t get to you.’ Eien smiled. Yuri nodded hesitantly, trying to swallow the stew.

Himitsu grinned at Yuri’s pained expression.
‘Too sour? Or too bitter for you?’
‘Can I have a whole bottle of maple syrup?’ Yuri mumbled.
‘Then you won’t taste the zest in it anymore! I forgot to tell you, I mashed up some lime peel for it.’

Yuri coughed. Himitsu laughed quietly as she ate her stew.
‘Taste perfect, Ma!’ Himitsu grinned.

After eating the horrific stew, they all sat down in the living room and Himitsu and Yuri explained their story.
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Part 17, written by Choco Soong.
Plot created by K
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Okaeri is a fantasy story written by two students.
Okaeri rightfully belongs to K and Choco
No copying or distributing to public without written permission from the owners as listed above.