Episode 11: Breakfast

Part 1: Kai WHAT?!

They had been sitting there for a while, talking.

Mostly Lakshmi and Arjun.

Ryú interjected here and there, but the two of them carried most of the conversation.

Sherry had come over to take their orders, returning a short while later with Nari’s tea and coffee for everyone else.

Nari was taking her second sip when her phone rang.

She glanced down at the screen.

Kai.

…Crap.

“Hello.”

“I finally put away all those clothes.”

“We need to get you a better wardrobe.”

Nari sighed.

“Hello to you too, Sis,” Nari replied sarcastically, mimicking the greeting her brother had failed to give her.  “Did you get your shopping done?”

“I’m serious. None of those clothes will do for when you go out with Ryú.” He just continued when she replied.

She frowns, looking down at her watch.

“What are you still doing at my house?”

“I’m categorizing what you have.”

A pause.

“And it seriously needs updating, Sis.”

Nari pinched the bridge of her nose.

“I don’t remember giving you permission to interrogate my wardrobe.”

“You didn’t.”

“…Kai.”

“Details.”

She opened her mouth to argue.

Instead, she noticed he had stopped talking.

For a brief moment, there was only silence.

Then—

“…Where are you?”

Nari blinked.

“About to eat breakfast at Stone’s Throw Café.  Why?”

Silence.

“Did you say… Stone’s Throw Café?”

“Yes.”

“Turn your camera on.”

“Why, Kai?”

“Because I hear a voice that I should not be hearing anywhere near you.”

“No.”

“Is he there?”

“…”

“Nari.”

“…”

“Is. He. There.”

“…”

“Who, Kai?”

“He’s there, isn’t he?!”

“…”

“And you walked out looking like you did!”

“Kai…”

“I’ll be right there.”

Click.

Nari stared at her phone in disbelief.

“He hung up on me.”

Across the table, Ryú made a valiant effort to appear completely uninterested in the conversation that had just taken place.

He failed.

Spectacularly.

“Who was that?” Lakshmi asked.

Ryú looked almost relieved to have someone else ask the question.

“Kai.”

Lakshmi frowned thoughtfully.

“Your brother?”

Nari nodded.

“He’s on his way here.”

There was a brief silence.

Arjun’s grin spread slowly across his face.

“This should be good.”

“Were you supposed to be having breakfast with him?” Lakshmi asked. “Did we interrupt something?”

Nari shook her head.

“No. He heard Ryú and Arjun talking in the background.”

Understanding immediately crossed Lakshmi’s face.

“Oh…”

Ryú slowly looked down at his watch.

Arjun noticed.

A grin spread across his face.

“Want to bet how long it’ll take him to get here?”

Ryú sighed.

“…You’re impossible.”

“$20 says he’ll be here in fifteen minutes.”

“If he’s coming from Nari’s house…” Ryú said, glancing at his watch, “twenty minutes.”

Nari slowly turned toward him.

She narrowed her eyes.

“…How do you know where I live?”

Lakshmi quickly covered her mouth, unsuccessfully hiding a laugh.

Ryú suddenly found the hem of his shirt sleeve utterly fascinating.

“Busted!” Arjun exclaimed.

Ryú shot him a look that promised retribution.

Nari looked from one man to the other.

“…Never mind.”

She held up a hand.

“I don’t even want to know.”

Just then…

The unmistakable sound of tires screeching echoed from outside the café.

Every head at the table turned toward the front windows.

Ryú glanced down at his watch.

“Nineteen minutes.”

Arjun sighed dramatically, reached into his wallet, and handed Ryú a twenty-dollar bill.

“I hate losing.”

Lakshmi smiled into her teacup.

Nari closed her eyes for a moment.

“He’s going to make a scene, isn’t he?”  She said, watching her brother sprint around his car.

Ryú didn’t even hesitate.

“…Probably.”

The bell above the café door jingled.

The café door flew open.

Kai swept inside like a hurricane.

“Sis! There you are!”

As if he hadn’t known exactly where she was.

Half the café looked up.

Sitting on the other side of the counter, Thomas’ head snapped up at the unmistakable voice.

He watched as Kai St. Claire strode purposefully toward Nari’s table.

His eyes widened.

“…Sis?” he muttered under his breath.

He looked from Kai…

…to Nari…

…then back again.

“She’s Kai St. Claire’s sister?”

Kai reached the table wearing the expression of someone who had just happened to wander in by complete coincidence.

“Ryú!” he exclaimed cheerfully. “Arjun! Fancy seeing you here.”

He turned toward Lakshmi and smiled.

“Lakshmi. Beautiful as ever.”

“Cut the crap, Kai,” Nari said dryly. “They knew you were coming.”

Arjun laughed.

Lakshmi didn’t even try to hide her smile.

Ryú simply stared at Kai as though he’d suddenly sprouted a second head.

Completely unfazed, Kai pulled out a chair, sat down, and helped himself to the conversation as though Nari hadn’t spoken a word.

Sherry appeared beside the table with her notepad.

“The usual?” she asked.

Kai smiled.

“Black.”

She nodded.

“Three sugars?”

“You know me well.”

“I know your sweet tooth.”

She chuckled, scribbled the order, and disappeared toward the counter.

As Kai looked around the café, his gaze settled on a familiar face near the back.

His eyes lit up.

“Thomas Miyahashi?”

Thomas looked up.

“Kai…” Nari began warningly.

“What are you doing back there?”  Kai rushed on, as though he hadn’t heard her.

Ryú’s expression immediately darkened.

Lakshmi noticed.

Of course she noticed.

A slow smile spread across her face.

Kai waved enthusiastically as Sherry brought his cup of coffee.

“Come over here! Join us!”

A low growl rumbled from somewhere beside Nari.

She slowly turned her head.

Ryú was still smiling.

Mostly.

His eyes, however…

…were another matter entirely.

Nari slowly turned toward Kai.

Kai looked at Ryú, then back at Nari.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then, turning toward Ryú, they asked in perfect unison:

“…Did he just growl?”

For one glorious second…

Silence.

Arjun lost the battle.

He threw his head back and burst into laughter.

Lakshmi simply smiled into her teacup.

Ryú looked positively offended.

“I did not growl.”

Arjun laughed even harder.

“You absolutely growled.”

“I most certainly did not.”

“Ryú…”

“I cleared my throat.”

Lakshmi raised an eyebrow.

“Like an angry grizzly?”

“I do not sound like a grizzly.”

“No,” Arjun said between laughs.

“Worse.”

“You sounded possessive.”

Nari narrowed her eyes at Ryú.

“We are not going to have another pissing contest.”

She pointed a finger at him for emphasis.

Kai looked between the two of them.

“…Did I miss something?”

“No,” Ryú answered smoothly.

Thomas approached the table cautiously.

Every few steps, he stole another wary glance at Ryú.

Kai noticed.

He looked from Thomas…

…to Ryú…

…then dismissed whatever silent conversation seemed to be taking place between them.

“What are you doing here?” Kai asked.

“I remembered seeing a marketing mockup for Stone’s Throw Café,” Thomas replied. “I thought I’d come see the place for myself. Maybe get a few ideas.”

Kai nodded approvingly.

“Good initiative. What do you think?”

Thomas glanced at Ryú once more before answering.

“It’s got a Southern-meets-West-Coast vibe.”

Kai smiled.

“I was thinking the same thing. If we lean into that, create a catchy slogan…”

Thomas nodded.

“I’ve got a few ideas already.”

“Excellent.”

Kai took a sip of his coffee.

“Have them on my desk by three o’clock Monday.”

Ryú gave Kai a nearly imperceptible nod of appreciation.

“Will do, Mr. St. Claire.”

Thomas smiled politely at Nari.

“It was nice seeing you again.”

Ryú’s eyes darkened.

Kai blinked.

“…You know my sister?”

Thomas smiled awkwardly.

“We actually met this morning.”

A low growl rolled across the table.

Thomas froze.

“…I’ll… uh…”

He pointed vaguely toward his table.

“…get out of everyone’s way.”

Without waiting for a reply, he beat a hasty retreat.

The moment he reached his seat, Arjun burst into laughter.

Part 2: Oh No, You’re Not

Sherry and Newton emerged from the kitchen, each balancing heavily laden breakfast plates, and an assortment of side dishes.

Nari’s eyes widened.

We could feed a small nation with all this.

Across the table, Kai, Ryú, and Arjun’s eyes lit up like little boys on Christmas morning.

Nari blinked.

“Ms. Sherry… who exactly do you think is going to eat all of this?”

Without a moment’s hesitation…

Three hands went up.

Kai.

Ryú.

Arjun.

Nari slowly turned to Lakshmi.

Lakshmi simply shook her head.

“Every time,” she said with a resigned smile.

As everyone began serving themselves, the conversation inevitably drifted back toward marketing.

“…If we reposition the brand…”

“…The demographics suggest…”

“…The café’s identity…”

Nari quietly buttered a piece of toast.

She took a sip of her tea.

She listened.

Another bite.

Another sip.

The discussion grew more animated.

She looked over at Lakshmi.

“Are they always like this?”

Lakshmi smiled.

“Pretty much.”

Nari watched them for another minute.

Three brilliant men.

One beautiful Saturday morning.

One incredible breakfast.

And not a single one of them was paying attention to any of it.

She slowly set her teacup onto its saucer.

“Enough.”

The word wasn’t loud.

It didn’t need to be.

Three conversations stopped instantly.

The entire table fell silent.

Every pair of eyes turned toward her.

Lakshmi stared.

Her expression bordered on awe.

“I have never,” she said almost reverently, “seen anyone silence all three of them with a single word.”

Nari looked from one face to the next.

“Kai Ren Cruz St. Claire.”

Kai winced.

“Ryú Wei Luòng Alexander.”

Ryú straightened almost imperceptibly.

“Arjun Rhaminjin.”

Arjun blinked.

She folded her hands on the table.

“Does this look like a boardroom to any of you?”

“This food is meant to be enjoyed.”

Nari looked at each of them in turn.

“Savored.”

She picked up her teacup.

“Appreciated for its subtle nuances… its layers of flavor… the balance of its spices.”

She slowly set the cup back onto its saucer.

“Not eaten as though it’s cardboard while you discuss marketing strategies.”

Silence.

She glanced from Kai…

…to Ryú…

…to Arjun.

“Have any of you actually tasted your breakfast?”

Three blank expressions stared back at her.

Almost in unison…

Their eyes slowly drifted down to their plates.

Not one of them answered.

“Can I adopt you?” Lakshmi asked with a grin.

Nari laughed.

“I think my father might object.”

Lakshmi waved a dismissive hand.

“We’ll negotiate.”

Arjun chuckled.

Ryú simply continued watching Nari.

She looked back at the three men.

“How can you write a marketing slogan if you haven’t even tasted the food?”

They stared at her.

Confused.

“Really?!?”

She gestured toward the plates spread across the table.

“None of you have paid any attention to the star of the show.”

Kai frowned.

“The café?”

Nari shook her head.

“The atmosphere?” Arjun guessed.

Another shake of her head.

Ryú studied her for a moment but remained silent.

Nari smiled.

“The food.”

Three pairs of eyes dropped to their breakfasts once again.

“The food?” Kai repeated.

“Of course, the food,” Nari said. “People don’t come back because someone had a clever slogan. They come back because they remember how something made them feel.”

She picked up her teacup.

“This tea…”

She closed her eyes for a brief moment after taking another sip.

“…is the first conversation your customer has with Stone’s Throw.”

She looked towards Sherry.

“Ms. Sherry, can you bring some of this tea for everyone?”

No one spoke.

For the first time that morning…

Every person at the table was listening.

Even people at neighboring tables had begun listening.

Nari picked up her teacup once more.

“Have any of you noticed the delicate floral notes of the saffron…”

She took another sip.

“…or the warm richness of the roasted cardamom?”

Three pairs of eyes stared at her blankly as Sherry brought out their teas.

She smiled.

“Pick up your tea.”

They obeyed.

“Now… don’t gulp it down like you do your coffee.”

She paused, watching them.

“Take a small sip and let the flavors linger on your tongue. Don’t rush them.”

The three men did as instructed.

Newton, unable to contain his curiosity any longer, drifted closer to the table.

His eyes never left Nari.

“You…”

His voice was almost a whisper.

“…you can taste that?”

Nari looked up and smiled.

“Of course.”

Newton stared at her.

“No one has ever noticed those flavors before.”

“They’re subtle,” Nari replied gently. “But they’re there.”

She cradled the cup in both hands.

“This is the kind of tea you can enjoy exactly as it is…”

She smiled.

“…or with a little cream if you’re in the mood for something that leans more toward a chai.”

A tear slipped silently down Newton’s cheek.

“I’m not much of a coffee drinker,” Nari admitted, “but I imagine you’ve hidden little surprises in there, too.”

Before Newton could answer, Sherry hurried over carrying a fresh cup of coffee.

Without a word, she placed it in front of Nari.

Newton held his breath.

Nari added a touch of sweetener, stirred slowly, and took a thoughtful sip.

She closed her eyes.

“A medium roast…”

Another sip.

“…with rich cocoa notes…”

She tilted her head.

“…a gentle warmth from star anise…”

A smile touched her lips.

“…and just the faintest whisper of citrus at the finish.”

Silence.

Absolute silence.

Newton sat stunned in his chair.

Sherry pressed both hands over her heart, looking as though she’d just watched one of her children take their very first steps.

Around the café, conversations faded.

One by one…

Customers looked down into their own cups.

Then they lifted them.

And, for the very first time…

They actually tasted the coffee.

Nari reached for a piece of bacon.

She took one bite.

Then looked around the table.

“And this bacon…”

She smiled.

“Did any of y’all notice he finished it with brown sugar and pink peppercorn?”

“I think Thomas was right.”

Nari looked over at him and gave him a wink.

Ryú growled again.

Thomas blushed.

“It really is Southern cuisine meeting West Coast cuisine.”

Thomas smiled, relieved that someone had understood what he had been trying to express.

“But…”

She looked back down at her plate before lifting her gaze to the others.

“I’d go one step further.”

Every eye at the table fixed on her.

Nari looked around the café.

At the polished wood.

The warm morning sunlight.

The families laughing over breakfast.

Newton sitting quietly nearby.

Sherry with hopeful eyes.

Then she smiled.

“A Southern Gem…”

She paused.

“…blended with a Pacific Pearl.”

Silence.

“A five-star cuisine…”

Her smile softened.

“…that still reminds you of Mom.”

No one spoke.

Thomas’ eyes widened.

Arjun slowly lowered his fork.

Kai simply stared at her.

Lakshmi’s hand drifted to her heart.

Ryú never took his eyes off Nari.

Newton closed his eyes.

After six months…

Someone had finally found the words.

Sherry whispered softly,

“…That’s it.”

Newton looked at Kai.

“Get me a pen.”

Kai blinked.

“What?”

“A pen.”

Kai fumbled through his pockets and handed one over.

Newton grabbed a napkin and began writing furiously before the words could escape him.

Arjun slowly looked at Ryú.

Ryú looked back at him.

Neither man spoke for several seconds.

Finally…

Arjun broke the silence.

“We just wasted six months.”

Ryú let out a slow breath.

“…Six months.”

Arjun looked back at Nari.

“She did it…”

He shook his head in disbelief.

“…in ten minutes.”

Nari blinked.

“What?”

Arjun pointed at her.

“I’m giving you a consulting fee.”

She laughed.

“I’m serious.”

He looked at Ryú.

“She’s getting a consulting fee.”

Ryú nodded without hesitation.

“Agreed.”

Nari looked completely bewildered.

“I was just eating breakfast.”

“Exactly!” Arjun exclaimed.

“That’s what makes it so infuriating.”

Kai, meanwhile, looked positively radiant.

He beamed at his sister with unmistakable pride.

Then, almost immediately, his expression shifted into one of theatrical indignation.

“I’ve been trying to tell all of you!”

He pointed dramatically around the table.

“For months!”

“You all thought I was exaggerating.”

He jabbed a thumb toward Nari.

“I wasn’t.”

He folded his arms across his chest.

“I had to compete with this.  All my life.”

The table stared at him.

Kai sniffed dramatically.

“Do you have any idea how exhausting it is having a sister who can casually solve six months’ worth of marketing problems before she’s finished her tea?”

Lakshmi laughed.

Arjun groaned.

Ryú couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

Nari simply looked at Kai.

“…You’re exhausting.”

“I know.”

He smiled proudly.

“It’s a gift.”

“That’s it.”

Lakshmi folded her arms with a decisive nod.

“I’m officially adopting her.”

She pointed toward the three men.

“She managed to silence all of you…which NO ONE has ever done before…”

Then she turned toward Nari.

“…and did your jobs better than you did.”

Arjun opened his mouth.

Closed it again.

She wasn’t wrong.

“Oh, no,” Newton objected immediately.

“We’re adopting her.”

Lakshmi turned.

“We?”

Newton nodded toward Sherry.

“Sherry and I.”

Sherry smiled brightly.

“No one…”

Newton looked at Nari with unmistakable admiration.

“…has ever appreciated my food the way she just did.”

“She’s staying here.”

“No, she’s not,” Lakshmi countered.

“She belongs with us.”

“Excuse me,” Kai interrupted, looking personally offended.

“You’re all forgetting one very important detail.”

Every head turned toward him.

“She’s already mine.”

Nari sighed.

“I’m sitting right here.”

No one appeared to hear her.

Lakshmi.

Newton.

Sherry.

And Kai continued debating who was going to keep her as though she weren’t seated less than three feet away.

Across the table…

Ryú said absolutely nothing.

He simply sat there.

Watching Nari.

A hopelessly pleased smile had settled across his face.

Lakshmi noticed.

Of course she noticed.

Her eyes flicked from Ryú…

…to Nari…

…then back again.

A slow, knowing smile spread across her face.

“Oh…”

She leaned back in her chair.

“I see what’s happening.”

Every conversation stopped.

Ryú’s smile disappeared instantly.

“…Lakshmi.”

She ignored him.

Looking directly at Nari, she announced,

“I’ve made my decision.”

Everyone looked at her.

“Dinner at our house.”

“Tonight.”

Arjun blinked.

“What?”

“We’re celebrating.”

She looked at Newton and Sherry.

“The completion of your marketing project…”

Then at Nari.

“…and the official adoption of Nari.”

Silence.

Nari laughed.

“I don’t remember agreeing to be adopted.”

Lakshmi smiled serenely.

“That wasn’t a request.”

Newton nodded immediately.

“I approve.”

“So do I,” Sherry chimed in.

Arjun burst into laughter.

Ryú lowered his head, unsuccessfully hiding his smile.

Nari looked around the table at the collection of smiling faces.

“…You people are absolutely ridiculous.”

“No,” Lakshmi corrected gently.

“We’re family.”

For just a moment…

No one spoke.

Kai looked around the table in mock disbelief.

“Excuse me.”

Everyone turned toward him.

“She’s MY sister.”

He pointed at himself.

“I had her first.”

Arjun snorted.

Lakshmi smiled.

“That isn’t how people work, Kai.”

“It should.”

Nari sighed.

“I am literally sitting right here.”

No one paid her any attention.

Lakshmi smiled sweetly.

“Then you won’t mind sharing.”

Kai looked horrified.

“Sharing?”

He clutched his chest dramatically.

“I’ve spent my entire life sharing.”

“You’ve spent your entire life bossing me around,” Nari corrected.

“Details.”

Lakshmi nodded thoughtfully.

“I suppose we can work out visitation.”

Kai blinked.

“…Visitation?”

“Once a month should be sufficient.”

“Once a month?!”

Lakshmi nodded as though she were being exceedingly generous.

“Fine.”

She smiled warmly.

“Twice a month.”

Kai looked at Arjun.

“Are you hearing this?”

Arjun took another bite of his breakfast.

“I think she’s being very reasonable.”

Nari buried her face in her hands.

“This conversation has gotten out of control.”

Kai turned toward her.

“When have you ever had control of this conversation?”

For one perfect beat…

Silence.

Nari stared at him.

Then she started laughing.

Arjun nearly fell out of his chair.

Lakshmi laughed into her teacup.

Even Newton chuckled.

Ryú lowered his head, unsuccessfully hiding his grin.

Kai smiled triumphantly.

“What?”

“It was a fair question.”