17

Slithering Shadow

From the distant double doors came a dozen sisters, each holding a variety of silver platters, some large and some small, and they began to surround the table in symmetrical patterns. 

Slipping in between the spaces, the sisters gently placed the platters across the table, some in front of the guests and some spaced away. 

“You may begin eating once they depart,” Neoma instructed, looking delightfully at the silver platter placed in front of her, reaching up to her chin in height. 

The squad began slowly revealing their dishes, excited to find out what exquisite surprise awaited them. From the warm steam to the inviting aroma, the fare has made its grand debut, scattered across all honored guests. 

A ginormous bowl of miso ramen introduced itself to Kaito, blowing its soothing steam around the plate as the broth rippled smoothly. The savory smell on its own outclassed everything he had ever smelled.

Is this really for me? Kaito thought, swallowing his subtle drool, as he lifted the chopsticks on the side, reluctant to dig in. No, I can’t.

He couldn’t look anymore, so he instead took a peek at everyone else’s dishes.

Looking slowly at his sister's food, Alfredo pasta with sliced chicken, already half finished despite her steady pace, he turned away in shock. 

She really didn’t hesitate, he thought to himself as he glanced at Souta’s dish, the remains of what appeared to be meat skewers and small grains of jasmine rice. And he’s finished already!?

He returned to staring at his bowl and lifted his hand, picking up the narutomaki and shisho, a rare delicacy among the rich, where they had to be imported from an exclusive land, once even rumored to be quite common a few decades ago. 

“Well, here goes nothing.” He whispered under his breath, blowing onto the hot noodles. 

From the bouncy noodles to the savory broth that dripped, filling his mouth with a wonderful combination of sensations, his pupils shimmered with appreciation. 

“Ah, that was delicious.” Elena sighed in relief, lying back on her chair, glancing at Kaito’s dish, barely touched. 

To her surprise, two sisters returned, with embarrassed smiles and a nervous pace, holding another two large plates, approaching the far end of the table. 

“Oh yeah, it was unbelievable,” Souta whispered from across, leaning forward, slowly reaching his hands toward the remaining appetizers and desserts. 

“For once, I recommend you two take after Kaito,” Aki commented, lifting his chin towards him with his slow pace, holding his half-eaten burrito as Elena quietly reached for a slice of strawberry shortcake. 

“Well, technically, the majesty’s order is that we could dig in.” Souta chuckled mischievously, finally deciding on a chocolate muffin. 

Little by little, his heart began to beat faster, his husk vibrating by his heart.

What is it now, damnit, Kaito thought, taking a second to collect his breath.

Placing his chopsticks down, he pushed against the table and leaned back, reluctantly staring at the bowl of tempting food. 

Then he glanced up, dressed with a frown and muted eyes, taking a guilty sigh. It could be a prison for criminals, but what if it's not? 

The surrounding sounds began to fade in some measure, his thoughts growing heavier than his grumbling stomach. 

What if it's something or someone else? He thought, taking a deep breath, looking at the mouth-watering miso ramen. What if they’re hungry? 

Then, returning to his senses, he turned quickly towards Neoma. “Hey, your majesty, I was wondering if I could bring this food somewhere else…” 

Along with Kaito, Elena, and Souta dropped their jaws too, shocked by the elegant display of gluttony. 

Neoma, glancing between the three, lowered her napkin, having cleaned the crumbs around her lips. The surrounding area, almost a third of the table, was filled with empty plates, cleaned dry as if she hadn’t eaten in days.

“Do you guys want more?” She tilted her head curiously, stacking one of the empty plates onto another, receiving the next meal with her other hand. “I can call my sisters to make more if you want.”

Returning her attention to the dish, she smacked her lips, picking up an ice cream sandwich one at a time, eating one after another, somehow still with a delicate formality. 

“I mean no disrespect, but is eating that much healthy?” Kaito asked, putting back the lid on his platter.

“Is this really a lot?” Halfway done with the stack of ice cream, she glanced between the dozen empty plates and the plate. “It’s barely enough to last until lunch.”

“Your majesty, lunch comes before dinner.” One of the sisters commented softly, the other lifting her empty plates and retreating through the exit. 

“Oh, right, dinner.” Bouncing her hand against her forehead, Neoma chuckled. “I was confused this whole time.”

“So may I?” Kaito grabbed a hold of the silver platter, taking a nervous breath.

His squad, all finished with their food, looked at Kaito confusingly, momentarily turning their attention to Neoma as well. 

She gently placed her chin onto her intertwined hands, supported by her arms, as if she were daydreaming. “I don’t see why you don’t want to eat here, but go ahead; Just take a maid with you.”

As she gestured her hand dismissively, hiding a warm smile, Elena leaned to her side and turned her head.

“Kaito, what’s wrong?” She asked, reaching out towards her brother. 

He got up cautiously, not wanting to drop the hefty platter, excusing himself from the fancy lunch. “Nothing, I’ll be right back. I just need to check something.” 

Hiding among the mist of confusion between the squad, Neoma and her sister turned to each other briefly, nodding in agreement. 

“Alright, what did you two do?” Elena slammed her hands onto the table, glancing between Souta and Aki in frustration, making the viltrolero’s horchata slosh around.

Reaching the door, Kaito noticed he couldn’t pull the handle and turned around, seeking help, but the Sister was right behind, opening the doors for him. 

“Thank you, Sister, umm…” Stepping into the hallway, he paused in thought, noticing her shutting the doors shut, echoing a fierce click. 

“Just sister, I haven’t earned my Lunarian license, so I don’t have a name yet.” She bowed, lifting the sides of her skirt. “In fact, I was only born yesterday.”

Returning to formal posture, her hands resting in front of her, her gaze was caught by his expression, a fascinated expression over his face.

Carefully lifting his pointer finger at her, he smiled nervously, still unwilling to let the large plate slip. “Okay, what do you think about… Luisa?” 

“I appreciate the gesture, but only our majesty can name us.” Exhaling mildly, she reached for her shoulder and scratched a small itch, barely blinking as if she were an ice statue. Her maxi dress glistened with a dark blue, her scarf a lighter shade.

“I guess that makes sense.” Kaito took a defeated sigh, his feet resisting the urge to wander. “But if she’s basically your mother, why does she call you all sisters, too?” 

Kaito lifted his hand to scratch his head, accidentally letting the platter fall, a sense of worry overcoming his entire expression. 

Fwoosh! A small gust of wind raced across him, speeding like a cold storm, as he heard the loud clatter of the metal and the faint swirl of the ramen.

Warily bringing her leg into a flexion, she grabbed the silver platter with her hands once in reach. “The food, you want to give it to someone else, don’t you?”

Drawing away from her flexible showcase, she walked over to Kaito and handed over the silver platter.

“Thanks so much, but how did you know?” He gasped in relief, holding onto the food even tighter. 

She shook her head gently, raising her hand to cover her faint giggle. “You just confirmed the majesty’s suspicions.”

“Touche.” He readjusted the plate, moving his hands underneath it. 

Keeping her Lunarian etiquette, she began strolling down the hallway, brighter and more decorated compared to the lower floors. “Follow me, please. I’ll take you to her.” 

Managing to slip past behind them, a shadow headed the other direction with something in their hands.