Chapter 11: Older! / Liam! A New Friend!!

Two years passed.

“Hey, Renji. We’re going to your place today, right?” A voice asked.

“Yeah, but isn’t it always renjis house? Do you even need to ask?” Another, lighter voice said.

“Hm? Ah! Right, yeah. It’s my place. Again. Well, we do have all the cool stuff there I guess. Is it movies or games today?” Renji asked.

“I bet Nozomi chooses movie.” The male voice said.

“A mov-hey! Daisuke! At least let me speak for myself.” Nozomi said.

“Are you really going to get mad after Daisuke's prediction being correct? It’s pretty impressive. Like magic.” Renji said.

“Ah. Sorry. I got a little bit touchy. After my brother ate my last ice cream I got a tiny bit angry. Especially since he doesn’t even have enough money to pay me back.” Nozomi said.

“I said I was sorry. Also, Renji, are you really still a magic fanatic? You rave about it almost daily. I’m sure that if you get to choose one of the movies, it’s probably going to be about magic, right?” Daisuke said.

“I find it rather interesting to listen to him. He may not have the best grades in everything else, but if it comes to magic? He’s probably top 3 in the city for how much he knows about all the stories. Speaking of magic, though, I heard that your dad has copies of the ‘the god and the demon’ series, right Renji? They say that the original copies actually have magic powers. The story blew up in popularity recently, too. You hear theories about it all the time.” A voice said.

“Liam, his dad is the author of the books. You didn’t know that?” Nozomi asked.

“Yeah, I think he’s working on the fifth volume right now.” Renji said.

“Wait, what? How the heck did I not know? This is revolutionary information! Tell me, are the original copies actually cursed?” Liam asked excitedly.

“Yeah. Actually, they are. Surprisingly. It’s one of the few supernatural things I’ve experienced. My dad has no idea how they got cursed.” Renji said.

“Yeah, even I’ve seen it once. Just seeing it alone wards you away. It’s incredibly creepy.” Nozomi said.

“Yeah, it’s like it has a mind of its own. Your dad theorized that it could actually be somewhat capable of affecting people's heads, right? It doesn’t affect him or your sister, so it may just be really creepy, rather than cursed, though.” Daisuke said.

“Oh, Right. Why is your father an author if he already has a stable job in the whatever science thingy? What was he good at again?” Liam asked.

“I think he said it was because he was bored. Also, for the second thing, he does work with science, but it’s easier to ask which field of study he isn’t good at. At least, that’s what mom said. And she isn’t the type to lie, usually. Except about her job. She mentioned having one once, but keeps dodging my questions. She isn’t that good at lying. My dads’ still cooler than anyone in my opinion, though. He is seriously impressive. He’s a divine chef, for crying out loud. I get to learn from the greatest chef on the planet.” Renji said.

“Yeah, his dad’s cooking is like, seriously addicting. Especially his hot chocolate.” Nozomi said.

“I agree with Nozomi, but I prefer his vanilla ice cream.” Daisuke said.

“Try having both at once. Oh. My dad might be cooking this week.” Renji said.

“Sweet! Liam, you should come too!” Daisuke said.

“I met you guys barely a week ago, I can’t just suddenly barge in.” Liam said.

“Liam... First. You're our friend, it is obviously going to be more fun if you come with us. Second. If my parents put a heavy emphasis on anything while I was growing up, it was on how important friends and family are. Like my aunt, Rai.” Renji said.

“Well… in that case, I don’t really see any issues with it. Sure! I’m free pretty much every day during the week, I don’t really have too much going on most of the time.” Liam said.

“What a coincidence. Same with us, too.” Nozomi said, gesturing to everyone.

“Alright, my dad texted me back. Oh….. Well, I should have expected that.” Renji said, shaking his head, sighing.

“What happened?” Liam asked.

“Renjis dad isn’t really that aware of dates and times.” Nozomi said.

“Did he say ‘ask your mother’ again?” Daisuke asked.

“Yup. My dad’s the smartest idiot I’ve ever met.” Renji said, sighing.

“Yeah. I have to agree with that. Very much so. Liam, when you meet him don’t worry about literally anything. He’s pretty easygoing.” Nozomi said.

“Yeah. I really have to agree with Renji on that smart idiot one. He’s… well, he’s interesting…. Renji, we should let Liam know about your dad before he comes over, right?” Daisuke said.

“Oh. Yeah. He’s 19. Well, he looks 19. He doesn’t seem to age, either.” Renji said.

“You forgot to mention the weirdest part. Liam, when you meet him you will notice one very, very interesting thing. He floats.” Nozomi said.

“Wait, floats? What do you mean by that? That can’t mean what I think it means. Are you being literal or metaphorical?” Liam asked.

“Oh. No, he floats in the air. He does it without even thinking about it. I’m not surprised you don’t know. You moved here how long ago? You heard no rumors?” Nozomi asked.

“Around three months ago, people never seemed to gossip around here. It’s like everyone already knows each other. Getting back to the topic I’m concerned about, exactly how does your father float? Isn’t that impossible?” Liam said.

“It is. Yeah. He’s been able to do it since he was little, apparently. He can control it. My mother can sorta do it, but it’s like she starts slipping on ice. My sister can also do it. We have no idea why they can. It’s become public knowledge around here, though. People aren’t as concerned with it anymore. I mean, to be fair, he has lived here for a long time.” Renji said.

“Wait, seriously? Can you float, too?” Liam asked.

“No…. I can’t. I’m average in everything I do. Despite being born from a family of geniuses. They tried teaching me for a while, but my dad can tell a person’s compatibility with floating. I think I’m the only one in the family that has no compatibility. Even my aunts can do it.” Renji said, somewhat bitterly.

“Aunts? Oh. You mean your entire family can do it?” Liam asked.

“They aren’t related to the family by blood or marriages, so not exactly.... Except aunt Akari, maybe? They never really told us. She’s also been able to do it since she was a teenager. She can’t do it anymore, though.” Nozomi said.

“You forgot to mention that only dad can reliably and constantly float. Rin can, yes, but only for around 16 seconds. But dad is almost always floating if he moves around town or in the backyard. Mom stopped him from using his floating to move in the house. She also forbids it be done in public anywhere other than in the town. She said the city was okay, too, but we haven’t really gone there much. I’m guessing the reason it doesn’t really get much publicity is because, not only are the people here nice, but dad had himself studied in private. He worked on the tests, too. So the news doesn’t get pressured into publicizing it, to cause people to ask him to get tested on by the university’s or the government. He works with both.” Renji said.

“Tell me again, why exactly are you guys living here?” Liam asked.

“My mom and dad find it more comfortable. Personally, I agree. Same with my sister. Our aunt Akari got a place for herself and her two kids. Aunt Rai technically has a house, but she barely uses it. It’s around an hour away from here. She stays at our place most of the time, like a lazy couch potato.” Renji said.

“An hour? Wait, when you say aunt Rai, are you talking about principal Rai, by any chance?” Liam asked, looking behind Renji.

“Yes, why?” Renji asked.

“Because I’ve been standing right behind you for about a minute. Are you practicing those martial arts seriously or not?” Rai asked.