The morning sun greeted all the people who hurried out to work, and also someone in particular.
That person was Miya.
Like every morning, she got up exactly at six o'clock. The perfect time for her gentle stretches and her daily yoga session. She was passionate about this practice, and she showed it in every pose, every deep breath.
This kind of exercise helped her relax her soul and her body itself. It allowed her to face the day with clarity and control. Or at least, that was always the intention she sought.
After calming her own thoughts and feeling her mind clear, she headed to the kitchen with calm steps. She prepared a beautiful and adorable breakfast: toasted bread with jam carefully drawn in the shape of a smiling little bear, and a few fruits cut precisely to form a pink-and-white heart. It was the cutest thing Miya did every morning to start her day on the right foot.
And she really needed to start the day well, since she had something important to do.
"Ready," she murmured to herself, looking at the plate with satisfaction. "Now it's time to go to Ren's place."
About sixteen days had already passed since Miya had called Ren because of the sudden appearance of a middle-aged man and a young woman.
During all that time, Ren had not communicated much, but Miya had seen everything that was happening in his house thanks to her window.
Just as she finished washing the dishes, heavy footsteps were heard coming down the stairs. With a long, sleepy yawn, a man no older than twenty-one made his presence known.
He wore a well-fitted formal suit, a neatly adjusted dark blue tie, and his hair combed back. His appearance conveyed confidence, though also a subtle melancholy.
"Good morning, Miya," the man said in a calm voice.
Miya did not respond. She simply stared at him with an obvious look of disdain on her face.
"I suppose that reaction is your version of saying good morning too," he commented, glancing at her briefly before adjusting his tie with a slow movement.
With completely calm steps, he headed for the door to leave, but not before saying:
"Please, don't do anything bad while I'm gone, please, sister."
The man left with those words.
Miya merely shook her head, completely ignoring what she had just heard.
The look of disdain she had shown toward her brother vanished instantly when she noticed again the breakfast she had prepared for Ren. Her expression changed completely: soft, sweet, full of enthusiasm.
With a small, genuine smile, she took the tray and left her house toward Ren's. She wanted to take advantage of the moment alone she had with him before his father arrived.
When she reached the door of Ren's house, she rang the doorbell gently.
After a few seconds, Ren opened the door. When he saw Miya holding the tray, a shy, welcoming smile appeared on his face.
That same smile that, to Miya, was so innocent and pure—the one she had loved from the very first moment she saw him.
"Good morning…" Ren murmured, still a little sleepy.
"Good morning," Miya replied, lifting the tray enthusiastically. "I brought you breakfast. May I come in?"
Ren stepped aside.
"Of course, Miya. You didn't have to trouble yourself…"
They both went in together and sat at the small table in the living room.
As Ren began to eat, Miya watched him closely. Every bite, every movement of his jaw, every time he lowered his gaze, uncomfortable from being watched so intently.
Miya knew perfectly well what she was doing, and she liked it. Watching Ren like that seemed to her something worthy of contemplation.
"Uh… don't you want a bit of fruit?" Ren asked, stopping his eating and offering her a slice with the spoon.
"No, no, Ren. All of that is for you. I brought it for you," Miya replied with a gentle smile.
Ren nodded, a bit more uncomfortable, and continued eating under that attentive gaze.
When he finished, Miya rested her elbows on the table and looked at him curiously.
"You seem better," she said softly. "What happened with your mother… you're getting over it, right?"
Ren lowered his gaze for a moment, thoughtful.
"I guess so. Time helps, doesn't it? Little by little."
Miya smiled.
"Yes."
'Forgetfulness is always the best,' she thought as she watched him.
At that very moment, her eyes landed on a corner of the living room. Three suitcases. To be precise, three purple suitcases with pink details, perfectly arranged.
In Miya's mind, those suitcases could not belong to Ren. Maybe they were his mother's… right?
"Ren, and those suitcases?" she asked, pointing at them with a tilt of her head.
Ren, who had been washing the cup and plate Miya had brought him, turned and looked at them.
With a half-smile, a bit embarrassed, he said:
"They're Yaina's."
Miya's eyes widened immediately upon hearing that. Quickly, she put on a sweet smile.
"Did she forget her things, or what are they for?" she asked, lightly moving her feet against the floor with obvious anxiety.
"She'll be living with me," Ren replied.
That answer left Miya silent for a second. Her cheeks were tinged with a faint pink color.
"Will your father move into the house with her?"
"No, she'll be living with me for a while…"
Chapter 11: Usurper She-Cat