We wrapped rehearsal, and as expected Reona and Riona didn’t leave — they stuck around for Mio’s dinner. Mom was home earlier than usual, so the whole family was there.
“Mio-chan’s cooking really is wonderful.”
“This is home cooking.”
“Right? Mio’s food is incredible.”
“Coming from you, Mom, doesn’t get me anything — but from Reona-san and Riona-san it does.”
Reona and Riona at our family dinner table had become a normal scene. Dad too — they slotted in cleanly. Effectively additional members of the household.
“Right — Ryouya is playing Snow White in the festival play?”
“Yes — Ryouya-kun insisted on playing the lead, so I went to bat for him.”
“Thanks to Nee-chan’s lobbying, Ryouya got the Snow White role.”
“I have said no such thing.”
I tossed in the protest. Mom believed Reona and Riona very easily. The fact that she’d handed them house keys on the first visit was already on the record. Don’t fall for scams in retirement. For a sharp-working professional, she was strangely easy.
“I can’t guarantee I’ll make it, but I’ll try to schedule it in.”
“If you can’t make it, Riona is filming, so you can watch later.”
“I’ll get the best shot for Ryouya’s mom.”
“I’ll be there. Going to see Onii-chan’s heroic performance.”
This play was already shaping up to be the most embarrassing performance of my life and getting it captured by family compounded that geometrically.
Our school is a combined middle-and-high, so the festivals coincide; Mio would definitely be there.
“Today they were rehearsing at home too — going well?”
“Hmm, Ryouya-kun hasn’t shed his shame yet.”
“I recorded today’s session. Want to hear?”
“Yes please.”
“Wait — when did you start recording?!”
I yelped. Audio replay would be very bad. I tried to stop her — too slow. Riona’s phone started playback.
Reona, Riona — I love you. Marry me.
The bit where I had been tricked into delivering that line played out loud at the table.
“O-onii-chan, what was that?!”
“Hey, Ryouya, very smooth.”
Mio panicked while Mom smirked. Total chaos. Riona, in her usual expression, spoke.