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{Note to readers this is Part 2 of Chapter 7 Please read Part 1 first to eliminate any confusion.}
Okaasama began pouring me some tea now that we were alone to have a little chat. “They are all such wonderful children… I am so blessed to have them with me. All of them are orphans for one reason or another except Chiro…he is my son by birth. I’m very sorry…how rude of me not to introduce you to everyone…I am Aiyami, you can call me Okaasan (mom) or Okaasama (mother) as the children do…The youngest girl with pigtails is Raiyna she likes to be called Rin, the oldest girl is Sakura like the cherry blossom trees. Then Chiro is second oldest and my son. It seems you already know my oldest Akairo. {Akairo is 16, Chiro is 9, Sakura is 8 and Rin is 6.} I’m a little too embarrassed to tell you my age though. Okaasama said pointing to each of the children as she said their names. “I am Rayne Onmi, 14 years old. Pleased to meet you and thanks very much for the food.” I said feeling as if I’d forgotten my manners for not introducing myself right away when I came in. “No need for such formalities my dear…Any friends of my children are welcome here. Please relax and make yourself at home.” Okaasama said smiling as she offered me some more tea. I held out my cup and thanked her then took a small sip before I heard some laughter coming from the kitchen that made my eyes wander from curiosity. “Please excuse me dear while I check on the children.” Okaasama said then she walked into the kitchen to investigate.

As Okaasama entered the kitchen she felt warm water and soap bubbles hit her feet. She looked up and saw all 4 of them soaked in water with soap bubbles in random places throughout their clothes and themselves. I expected Okaasama to be furious as I stood beside her, but to my complete surprise she took a handful of soapy water and evenly distributed over all four of their heads responding calmly with “I needed my kitchen floor mopped anyways and now I don’t have to do laundry either” and a smile. The children smiled and laughed as I watched from the doorway between the kitchen and dining room. Okaasama kissed each of the kids of the forehead or one of their cheeks, before whispering something to Akairo that I couldn’t hear from where I was at. Akairo nodded then I watched as Okaasama helped the younger kids into a back room and closed the door. Akairo sensing my confusion quickly responded “Okaasama is going to give them a bath then put them to bed while I clean this mess up. Feel free to relax in the living room…" Akairo said as he dried the floor with some towels from a near by cabinet. I knelt down to help Akairo and both of us reached for the towel, but Akairo got to it first and my hand ended up on his. At the same time we both pulled away...I could only assume my face was a bright red to match his...

That's when Okaasama came in asking how the clean up job was going. I quickly retreated to the living room and Akairo continued to clean up the few puddles that remained. Okaasama met me in the living room and by the look on her face I could tell I was still bright red. "Akairo will sleep out here tonight and you can have his bed...Chiro is asleep so try not to wake him when you goto bed Rayne-dear." Okaasama said beckoning me to her side followed with "Come I'll show you the way...Akairo dear please wait out here and I'll bring you a blanket and pillow"..."Yes Okaasama I'll stay here and wait for you here..." Akairo said calmly...all the red in his face was gone already. I looked back for a moment to say goodnight to Akairo then I crawled into bed and pulled the blankets over my head...So many things rushing through my mind at once made it hard to sleep. So many things I wanted to say to Akairo would have to wait till morning...
{End of Chapter 7}