Chapter <b>239 </b>


    After leaving the hospital, Mirabe hailed a cab and headed straight home.


    Aside from Marian, who was busy in the kitchen, the house was still home to just one other person – Leo, who had begun to ept his new role as a couch potato.


    Every day after school, Mirabe had a little ritual of popping by the bakery downstairs to pick up a slice of strawberry cheesecake, and today was no exception. She walked through the door and handed the sweet treat to Leo.


    Looking down at the strawberry cheesecake in his hands, Leo gave his sister a look that was hard to decipher. “My agent says I’ve been packing on the pounds.<b>” </b>


    Without missing a beat, Mirabe slung her shoulder bag onto a nearby cab, nced at him. and said offhandedly. “A little extra fluff makes you cuter.”


    Leo looked baffled. Since when did gaining weight equate to cuteness<b>? </b>


    Mirabe realized she might have chosen her words poorly but was not inclined to correct herself. She plopped down on the couch. A Messenger notification pinged, and she fished the device out of her pocket.


    It was a message from Niki, whom she had recently added as a contact.


    Niki: Youngdy, take a peek at the proportions in this recipe. Do you see anything amiss? {image}]


    Mirabe opened the image to find amon cold and flu remedy but didn’t overlook that one ingredient’s dosage had been deliberately increased by a few grams.


    After pondering for a couple of seconds<b>, </b>she replied. [Is this some kind of special concoction?]


    On the other side, Niki received her message and instinctively stroked his long white beard. He was puzzled – given the youngdy’s knowledge of herbs, she should’ve been able to deduce the purpose of the mix. After a moment, he typed slowly.


    Niki: [It’s for themon cold.]


    Niki: [Look at the amounts again, more carefully.]


    Meanwhile, Leo, who was fiddling with his phone, sat down next to Mirabe and asked, “Hey. sis, do you like music?”


    As she replied to Niki, Mirabe looked up briefly and answered, “Ah, I listen to it now and then.”


    Leo touched his nose, somewhat disappointed. No wonder his sister always seemed oblivious to his career<b>. </b>With that in mind, he brought up one of his tracks and hit y. “What do you think? Is it good?” He cranked the volume to the max as if concerned she wouldn’t hear it properly.


    The sudden st of sound startled Mirabe, nearly causing her to send an unfinished message. She massaged her temples and said with a hint of exasperation, “Leo, my ears work just fine.”


    Leo persisted, “But is the song good?”


    She nodded. “It’s great, really great,” her tone dripping with nonchnce.


    Leo, sensing her attention was elsewhere, turned off the music with a sulky motion and leaned in to see whom she was chatting with so intently.


    Mirabe didn’t bother hiding her Streen. Without looking up, she said, “Some old–school alternative medicine practitioner.<b>” </b>


    Leo nced over the chat. It was full of iprehensible jargon<b>, </b>and he quickly lost interest, retracting his gaze.


    After sending thest message, Mirabe put her phone down and finally turned to Leo, a beat toote, asking. “Why’d you stop the music?”


    “As if you don’t know why,” he thought, but Leo didn’t dare voice his thoughts aloud. He was about to share histest recording when Marian’s voice carried over, interrupting him.


    “Dinner’s ready.”


    Instantly, Leo switched off his phone.


    Mirabe stood up. “Come on, Leo. Let’s eat.”


    She couldn’t resist ruffling his thick, curly locks as she passed by – they were as soft as wool, just as she’d imagined. Satisfied, Mirabe smiled to herself.


    Leo, baffled by his sister’s behavior, simply followed her to the dining table.