Sunday. 6pm.

The kitchen of his house smelled of tomato sauce and chaos.

Kai Mori was there.

With the black T-shirt rolled up to the elbow, washing the dishes.

Washing. Crockery.

The terror of school. The boxing fighter. The owner of murderous looks.

Now with a sponge in his hand and being supervised by his younger sister, Kitty, who was standing on the bench with a glass of juice in her hand and a critical look.

“You forgot that little corner of the baking sheet.”

She pointed with the straw.

Kai looked. He sighed. Cleaned.

“You were born to command others, right?”

“I’m the youngest, it’s my right.”

You appeared at the kitchen door, leaning against the mug, hiding your laughter.

“You’re torturing my boyfriend, Kitty?”

“He said he’s dating you, but he hasn’t proven yet that he knows how to fold napkins.”

Kai turned his face to you, the water running down his tattooed arms.

“Is this a test?”

“No. It’s training.” Kitty crossed her arms. “To be worthy of my sister.”

Kai smiled. A rare, real, completely surrendered smile.

“Okay, general. What else?”

“Can you teach me how to really punch later?”

“Closed. But only if you teach how to make that nest of pasta with secret sauce that your mother makes.”

She widened her eyes. “This is family.”

“And I’m trying to get in.”

You entered the kitchen for good, hugged Kai from behind and rested your chin on his shoulder.

“You’ve already entered, Kai. Now you just need to survive.”

Kitty took a sip of the juice, thought for a second...

“Okay. He passed. For today.”

Kai winked at you, with that debauched look of someone who survived hell and liked it.

“She likes me more than she shows.”

“I really like it,” Kitty said, walking to the living room, “but if you hurt my sister, I’ll hide your bike and tell you it was the neighbor.”

Kai froze.

“...Is she serious?”

You laughed.

“She’s always serious.”