Chapter Text
The fine golden strands slipped through her fingers. At first glance it seemed like a tedious task, but she enjoyed every moment as the most valuable of her treasures. The woman applied more apple oil, which only made her unique color shine even more.
“Is missing a lot, mom?”
Keiko heard her bored tone. She was somewhat desperate in these situations.
"Almost nothing, Anna," she replied, creating the ponytail. "If you moved less…”
"That's right, if you moved less, but you don't." Hao repeated exhausted. "Right, Matamune?"
The cat walked between his hands with real pleasure, without worrying about personal grooming. Contrary to his sister, who had sat there for an hour doing nothing. But it wasn't unusual, it happened almost every morning. And for him it turned out to be a delight, to accompany her in her beauty routine. Not because he was supportive, just because he liked to mock and deny his mother's flattery to her with sillys jokings.
"You will see! When we finish, you will be seen as a beautiful princess, Anna”, Keiko said so proud.
"Oh, yes, like a princess!” The little boy scoffed once more, making her rage.
"Arg! You will be the Princess, Hao!" Anna answered, pulling herself to reach him.
However, she ran the risk of going bald, since Keiko did not move an inch.
“Mother!” She exclaimed annoyed.
“Anna, to be eight years old you have a very impetuous character. You know what Grandma says: Good women must be cautious.”
"Yes Anna, you must be a wise young lady." Hao commented. "Well, that's enough. You already bored me and I have been ready for hours.”
She sighed wearily. This hair thing was a bit tiresome. And all because of Manta Oyamada's birthday. For him she was sitting there with that ridiculous hairstyle and would have to wear that beautiful dress that hung on the cabinet.
"As I said, Anna. If you didn't want to play with us, you would have told us before. We wouldn't have wasted our time here waiting for you.” Hao said irritably, pointing to the cat. “Okay, let's go Matamune. We better find Yoh, he’s more fun.”
Anna clenched her fist tightly. She wanted so badly to smash her porcelain doll in the brown head of her brother but before she could do that, the last of his hair left her room. His insolence already had her tired. But her mother didn't pay the slightest attention, she just hummed that strange melody, ignoring everything that was happening around her.
“Mom! Why don't you tell him something!”
"You know him, Anna." Keiko replied with a small smile. "He's always like that."
"Yes, Anna, he just wants to get your attention.” Yoh said, entering with a crown of flowers in his hands.
Unlike her other brother, Yoh was always there to make her feel better, never the opposite. He smiled at her, and that simple gesture was enough to calm her bad temper. She relaxed her body, allowing Keiko to continue the work.
After a few minutes, the work was done.
"I appreciate it, Yoh," said his mother, quite happy. "Thanks to you we are finished."
"You look very pretty, Anna," he said sincerely. "Very very pretty."
A slight blush covered her cheeks thanks to the authentic words, at least he appreciated what he saw.
"That's right." Keiko added, looking at the clock. "Now I must finish getting ready. Put on the dress and the shoes that are there. Anything you need, you can call me and I’ll come to help you.”
Two minutes later, Keiko was already rushing Mikihisa across the room. He snorted skeptically. Why did she have such careless parents that they dropped everything at the last minute?
“Well ... I think I'll go with Hao then." Yoh said..
“Wait, I always have trouble closing the dress," said the girl. "Close the door so I can change."
"And… don't you mind if I stay with you?"
She didn’t understand his question, especially when he felt a little nervous.
“What are you talking about? Dad sometimes dresses me, it's not a big deal.” She assured, taking off her blouse and pants. "Are you feel uncomfortable?”
"¡No …!" He denied, looking curiously at the female body. "Well, I'll help you."
She drew her feet in and pulled the dress up, pulling the ponytail aside so he could close up the final buttons and zip up. Sometimes Anna did it alone, but almost always ended up being unbuttoned or arranged by her mother. It was not explained why the lack of coordination if it was nothing extraordinary.
“You can do it?”
“Sure ... sure ..." Yoh said, standing behind her. "And ... what Hao says bothers you a lot?"
“Yeah! All the time.”
She snorted and squeezed the doll on her bed.
"He is hateful," said the blonde.
“Yes, but I know why he is hateful.”
“Why?” She questioned quickly.
"Because ... he thinks I'm your favorite." Yoh assured with a perfect smile, sliding the latch up slowly. "Done."
"Perfect," Anna replied, glancing at him. "Well ... in that case ... he may be right."
"Really?"
He blinked a few times, just to make sure he heard her well.
"Yes, because you are my favorite brother.” Anna added, taking his hand.
That had been nice, more for the sure way he said it. He remained motionless, until the blonde turned her face. The noise in the hallway evidenced that soon one of their parents would enter to rush them.
"You were very kind to help me."
It was the closest thing to a thank you. And it was even cuter, because she sounded just as mature as her grandmother.
"You're welcome, I like helping you," he replied happily, releasing her hand.
"I know, that's why you're my favorite."
Their relationship was quite good, maybe they were not ultra close, because she used to have friends at school. But they didn't get along badly. They did not fight, nor did they meddle in each other's affairs just for the sake of it. So in spite of everything, giving thanks was a bit strange, more because of the fixed way in which they sometimes looked at each other, almost curiously.
"Okay, kids, let's go," Mikihisa said, opening the door suddenly. "I want you in the car right now or your mother will be hysterical."
They almost laughed at the exaggerated comment. Then, the blonde looked for the pink bag on the counter to be able to leave, just as her father had suggested: at full speed. But before she could run, Yoh caught her attention one more time.
"Anna," he said, reaching out a hand, "You are also my favorite girl."
And he was never aware of what a couple of words could do, at least not in such a positive way. A delicate and beautiful smile adorned her face, giving him an image that he would surely never forget.
"Let's go, it's late.”
They heard Mikihisa’s voice from outside. Both kids ran to climb into their respective seats. Along the way, Hao kept bothering his father, hinting at how clumsy he was to drive by skipping over two continuous red lights. It was funny, Yoh had to admit, especially because of the way his mother chided him. Because if there was something remarkable about Keiko Asakura, it was that she was never late for social events, less if the hosts were a friendly family.
Upon arrival, the party was as majestic as expected. It didn't take long for the children to find fun in the garden, while their mother chatted with the hostess.
"How are you, Keiko?" Her namesake asked.
"Excellent, I think I have never felt happier in my entire life." Asakura confessed without doubt, although with some shame at seeing her daughter's strong behavior with the other kids.
Keiko Oyamada didn't care, even though the target was her oldest son. She only smiled, a gesture that exuded elegance. Just like the class she belonged to. Despite that, she did not use that charm to belittle anyone, Oyamada was a calm and friendly person. More so when the smallest Mannoko rested in her arms.
"You are a dwarf.”
The women heard Anna's distant voice.
"No, Anna, please ..." Manta pleaded.
To Keiko Oyamada it was clear that her friend was dying to scold her, but she didn’t. There was no need for her to say the reason, it was obvious to the naked eye, the way she looked at the little blonde, why she didn't even try.
They had known each other since childhood, so she knew perfectly well the wishes of her friend. It was her longing to be a mother, but her dream was always to have a girl. Now that she had it, she saw that illusion realized, which unfortunately she could no longer fulfill for biological reasons. But that adorable, bossy blonde creature was hers, in all the strict sense of the word, because he'd raised her almost as a newborn.
Anna was her entire treasure.
“It seems that the adoption was a good idea.” Oyamada indicated when she saw the little girl commanding his brothers. “It shows that your children liked his sister very well.”
“So is. Hao and Anna even though they fight a lot, but they are very close and Yoh is neutral, you know, being the middle one.”
It showed in the behavior of the three.
"And ... will you tell them someday?" Oyamada questioned, cooing at her baby. "I couldn't locate their parents yet, it's as if the earth had swallowed them up."
The correct thing would be to say yes, but she couldn't. Although at first she offered to take care of the baby for a few days. Mikihisa ended up loving her and did not doubt the love so intense that her twins had professed her since they were babies when all met them. Her parents were also fascinated by the blonde, especially Kino, who was her darling.
How could she even break that perfect bubble with such cruel truth?
"Well, children, stop mistreating Manta," Mikihisa interceded. "That's right, no more beating, Anna."
Asakura shook his head at that idea. No matter how many times she repeated that nothing bad would happen, she was sometimes afraid for the future. What if she found out? Would Anna hate her? Would she feel less? Keiko didn't want to lose her, he couldn't bear it.
“I see no need to, Keiko." She almost whispered, "And I implore you, don't tell anyone that Anna is adopted. I don't want her to feel left out, or to start looking for two people who abandoned her like she was just a stray cat.”
“But…”
"There is nothing more to discuss, Keiko.” She said more firmly. "Anna is one of the Asakura. And she always will be.”
To be continued