Panda Suit

08 | A Warm Family

It's only been a few weeks, and I'm already exhausted...

As Riu carefully sifted through the array of fruit snacks on the store shelves, a weary sigh escaped her lips. For the entirety of the spring break, her parents had meticulously scheduled her activities, extra classes, and various duties, leaving her with barely any time to rest. Her father detested the idea of her sitting idly in her room, insisting that even a moment of leisure was a waste of time. Even while he was busy with work, some of the staff working at the house would keep tabs on her, and report back to her father, leaving Riu with no room to breathe.

Feeling suffocated at home, she had concocted an excuse to escape, claiming she needed to study at the library.

And here she was, covertly buying some treats to enjoy while reading a new novel later, knowing full well that if her parents discovered this stash of sugary delights, she'd be in for a lecture. To avoid detection, Riu had even ventured all the way to the school area, since it was the furthest place from her house she was familiar with.

Hmm... Should I buy the cherry flavoured ones? But the cola gummies look delicious too...

As she pondered about this, some boisterous voices suddenly yelled out from nearby, breaking her train of thoughts.

"OUCH! Why are ya slapping me?!"

"Who in tarnation is gonna need this much stuff?! I know you're excited, but stop puttin' things in the basket we can't afford!"

"Haaah?! I'm the one paying for all this, y'know? I can buy whatever the hell I want!"

"We came here for eggs and milk! Now you're trying to take home the whole store!"

Nearby, an elderly couple was arguing as if there were no tomorrow. Riu glanced over and saw the woman tugging the man's ear with a fierce scowl, while he glared back at her like an angry hound. The scene was almost comedic. Both were dressed in traditional Japanese chef uniforms, sporting a logo she couldn't quite make out from this distance.

Everyone else in the shop glanced at them too, but quickly resumed their activities as if this were a common occurrence. Riu sighed softly, hoping the couple wouldn't stress each other into an early grave. Just as she was about to turn away, a familiar figure emerged from behind the shelves, interposing himself between them with a chuckle.

"Now now, Gramps! You're supposed to treat your girlfriend with kindness! Isn't that what you always tell me?"

Riu nearly dropped the packet of sweets in her hands at the sight of him. Kiyome Kazue was here for some reason, his familiar radiant smile and sharp tufts of red hair filling her vision. She stood there, staring in bewilderment.

"Tell him, Kazu! Your grandpa is so mean to me!" The elderly woman suddenly clung to Kazue's arm, her wrinkled face scrunching up in a petulant harrumph. But this only seemed to infuriate the old man even more.

"The heck?! Get off my grandson, dangit!"

"Oi, Gramps! No being mean!"

"Shut up, brat! Why are you letting my woman cling to you like that, you damn womaniser?!"

It was, to say the least, an unusual scene. Watching this bizarre feud unfold, Riu felt a twinge of secondhand embarrassment. If this was what Kazue's family life was like, it was no wonder he was such an eccentric.

The elderly sure were lively these days.

Just then, Kazue's large eyes flicked up and locked onto Riu. She flinched, her heart pounding with surprise as he suddenly made eye contact. His face lit up like a thousand suns, and a sense of dread washed over her as he moved away from his elderly companions and headed straight for her.