Ayumi grabbed her wrist and tugged her toward the dining table.
"You're not intruding! You're family now. You brought my stuff—you're basically adopted."
Mika let herself be pulled, laughing nervously.
Shiki followed more slowly, hands in his pockets.
Ayumi plopped Mika down in a chair, then darted back to the kitchen to check the curry.
Mika sat stiffly, fingers twisting in her lap, stealing glances at Shiki whenever she thought he wasn't looking.
Shiki dropped into the chair across from her, leaning back, arms crossed loosely.
"You're Ayumi's roommate?"
Mika nodded quickly.
"Y-yeah. We've been sharing since first year. She's… a lot."
Shiki snorted.
"That's one way to put it."
Ayumi's voice floated from the kitchen.
"I heard that!"
Shiki raised his voice without looking away from Mika.
"Good."
Mika bit her lip to hide a smile.
Ayumi reappeared carrying a steaming pot, setting it on a trivet in the center of the table.
"Ta-da! Extra spicy curry! With love!"
