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"This is creepy."
Draken rarely sounded like he was genuinely afraid of something, but this had to be such an extreme case if the way he grabbed Mitsuya's hand was any indication.
"I could say the same thing."
There was a pure wonder in response to Draken's reaction. Mitsuya squeezed Draken's hand back, and the woman before them didn't miss the minuscule gesture.
She threw a delighted, loop-side grin.
"You got yourself a boyfriend, eh?"
Mitsuya was perceptive almost to every homophobic undertone, having to hear it his whole life. And yet, despite the playful glance the very person sported, he didn't spot any. It was like he had faced another version of Draken when he first knew Mitsuya wasn't straight.
It was scary that Mitsuya didn't have any single fear or doubt of this woman.
That this lady would not act like she wasn't supposed to.
It was scary how Mitsuya almost knew instantly.
"You got any problem with that?"
Yet, Draken acted defensive on a whim, halfway through pulling Mitsuya behind him, as if he wanted to protect him.
The woman and her companion stared at each other before they burst into laughter.
Yet, Mitsuya recognized, that it was not mocking laughter.
It was like they had made a very funny joke that Draken had failed to see, and they both knew it.
"Definitely not." The red-haired boy wiped the corner of his eyes.
He looked way younger than he and Draken. But there was something in him that gave Mitsuya chills, like he possessed some ancient vibe. That despite his look and behavior, he could be, he might be older and more experienced in some other field.
There was not a slight of comedy when he told them, "I think it's super cool, right, Tao-san?"
"I don't usually agree with him, but Al's right. It's super cool for me," the woman, Tao, gave them a warm smile.
The first impression was proven right.
She and Draken did not just look so similar. Braided blonde hair ("Holy crap, Tao-san! What in the chances! You two even got identical hairstyles!"), dragon tattoos ("You tattoed that yourself?" "Nah, got this in Chinatown, can't remember the dude. Whose yours?" "This is his work." "Damn, you got some talent, boy."), and even the same caring, older sibling vibe.
Mitsuya was as shocked as Draken when Draken told him, that he just got a letter from someone who claimed to be his long lost sister.
Masaway was no better source of information and he couldn't confirm the legitimacy of the random letter.
But Draken was curious and he wanted to see whether this was only a cruel prank (which he had sworn that he would take very, very seriously) or if this was an honest, real thing (which he actually joked that he wouldn't be disappointed if it was not the case).
Draken had told him, that he wanted the opportunity to punch whoever assholes who dared to play him, and he needed a witness so he asked Mitsuya to come with him.
Even though, it absolutely went without saying, that Draken wanted Mitsuya to be there for moral support.
Now, looking at the female version of Draken, which was similar not only in appearance but what Mitsuya assumed, in personality as well, Mitsuya was glad Draken took the risk with the letter.
"Why—"
Mitsuya glanced at Draken. His boyfriend gulped down nervously like he wasn't sure how to word his sentence.
That was understandable since Draken always thought he didn't have anyone in the world. Masaway was a substitute uncle at best.
Even if he thought of the girls in his establishment to be his sisters, it was never gonna be the same.
Mitsuya squeezed their joined hands, hoping he could transfer some comforting courage to him.
Draken slightly nodded, squeezing him back.
"Why are you looking for me all of sudden?" Draken said. Tao smiled at that. Mitsuya noticed the melancholy in her expression. It seemed that the only encouragement he needed was Tao, paying full attention and listening to him. "How do you find me? Where are you all of this time—"
"Tao-san literally just found out she had a baby brother, Ken-kun. Believe me, if she found out sooner—" Her companion, Alma, butted in. Tao elbowed him, hard, causing him to yelp dramatically. "What's that for?"
Tao sighed, reaching out to her pocket, and pulling out a pack of cigarettes.
Alma was quick to find her a lighter.
"Yeah, I just found out that I had a sibling, Ken—" Mitsuya didn't miss the way Tao looked at the flame that touched the tip of her cig, instead of staring at Draken. "—can I call you that?"
Mitsuya had opened his mouth and was about to correct her, but Draken answered. "Yeah, you can."
Tao inhaled her smoke before exhaling slowly.
"I have to confess that I don't believe it at first. I've never heard of any news regarding my family. And when I was in a difficult situation, suddenly I was told, 'Yo, guess what, you got a brother somewhere,' like what a fucking coincidence. And, I'm not gonna lie, I almost didn't pursue that lead because I don't think it was any lead at all."
Draken didn't respond. Mitsuya squeezed his hand again, but Draken didn't return the gesture.
"I'm glad, I did though." She extended her hand, almost like wanted to offer a super awkward hug, but then she settled for a super awkward shoulder patting instead. "To think about, I will never forgive myself if I don't try to find you. I'm glad, I found you, Ken."
Draken turned to Mitsuya.
His black eyes contained a multitude of emotions that Mitsuya recognized because he had been with Draken for so long; as a friend, best friend, sworn brother, and now his boyfriend.
The way Draken spoke a thousand words worth with his eyes.
The way he looked for reassurance through one glance.
"Is it weird if I accept this lady with no further questions?"
"Do you think she's really your sister?"
"I still think she didn't tell us the whole truth, but I feel like she isn't lying."
"You believe her?"
"Kinda?"
"Then, whatever your decision is, I fully support you, Draken."
Mitsuya gave him a nod.
Draken breathed in, trying to keep his voice steady as he spoke, "I'm glad, I met you, Tao-san."
There was an unrecognizable expression flashed on Tao's face.
The next thing, Mitsuya knew, Draken was hauled into a hug.
Tao's cigarettes fell under her shoes, crushed.
Draken went rigid, his eyes immediately sought for Mitsuya, half-panicking, 'what's happening!' and Mitsuya mouthed to him, 'hug her back!'
So Draken wrapped his arms gingerly before Tao woke up from her trance and pulled back.
Alma was definitely not staring at the scene that just happened in front of him, with an open mouth.
"Sorry for that," Tao regained herself, making sure the cigarettes on the ground were thoroughly stepped on.
"It's okay." Draken shifted his gaze to the frozen Alma. "Is he alright?"
Tao rolled her eyes.
The red-haired boy blinked.
"I'm totally not! I just witnessed Tao-san hug someone after one hundred years!"
Draken scrunched his eyebrows in Tao's direction. "How old are you?"
"It's rude to ask a woman her age—" Alma started before he got his ear pinched. "What the hell?!"
Mitsuya chuckled as he watched Tao and Alma's banter. He felt a familiar, gentle, and quiet squeeze over his hand.
"She's awesome," Draken commented in low voice. "Her adoptive brother is not that bad too."
Mitsuya returned the sentiment, bumping their shoulders.
"Your family is great."
There was so many things to uncover, so many things to learn, but watching Draken and Tao interacted like they didn't just meet merely minutes ago, Mitsuya had never been so sure that it was gonna be alright.
He would help to make sure of that.