Chapter 178: Somethings Going On Between You Two

Classes had ended hours ago, and Mika was back at what he now thought of as home—Yelena and Charlotte’s place.

The lamps were lit, the smell of simmering food drifted from the kitchen, and the whole atmosphere carried that lazy comfort of evening. He was sprawled across the sofa in an almost careless way, one arm stretched out while the television muttered in the background.

Charlotte had claimed her spot pressed right against him, cozy as a cat curling on its favorite pillow. She had his hand pinned between her breasts, clinging onto it possessively while a bundle of colorful markers sat on the coffee table.

Every now and then, she plucked one up and doodled right onto his skin, smiling as she drew silly cartoons, flowers, even a lopsided attempt at his face. To her, his hand was a canvas, and she was enjoying herself immensely.

Mika, though, wasn’t paying attention to the TV or the childish doodles. His eyes kept drifting past the flickering screen, toward the kitchen.

Yelena stood there in her apron, focused on chopping vegetables, moving around with practiced precision. She looked busy, but every once in a while, she would glance back over her shoulder, just for a heartbeat.

And every time her eyes accidentally locked with Mika’s—she jolted like she’d been caught in something forbidden, turning away fast, fussing with her cooking like it demanded all her attention.

He let out a quiet sigh. ’It’s been like this since I came back.

When he first stepped through the door earlier that day, he’d thought about pulling Yelena straight into his arms, smothering her with affection the way he’d been aching to. Ever since he had crossed that line with her, he couldn’t stop wanting more, her voice, her touch, her warmth.

But instead of the warm embrace and the kiss on the forehead he’d expected—she had stumbled back like she’d been startled by a ghost, her greeting clumsy and flustered. When he stepped toward her, she edged back, as though she couldn’t bear his closeness.

The whole day had passed like that, her jumping at every interaction, face flushed, gaze darting away, always looking busy. It was obvious she had realized something, admitted it to herself maybe, but still couldn’t accept it. She was panicking, fumbling, drowning in her own thoughts.

But Mika didn’t mind. In fact, he was pleased.

This was better than her being indifferent. If she had treated him exactly the same as always, calm, motherly, detached, that would have been the worst outcome. That would’ve meant she’d brushed her feelings aside, buried them, and he’d have no way in.

But like this? Every glance, every fluster, every awkward step proved she was affected. The seeds he had planted were growing. Slowly, steadily, she was falling.

He smirked faintly to himself, eyes lingering on her hips as she reached for a pot.

’She’s flustered now, but give it time. She’ll come around. And when she does, I’ll have her completely.’

But he wasn’t the only one who noticed.

"Mika..." Charlotte piped up suddenly, still doodling on his hand. She tilted her face up toward him, her expression soft but curious. "Don’t you think Mama’s acting strange today?"

That made him look down at her quickly.

"...What do you mean?" He asked. He forced his voice casual, almost dismissive. "She doesn’t look any different. She’s acting the same."

But Charlotte shook her head, stubborn as ever.

"No, really. Mama’s weird today." She glanced back toward the kitchen, where Yelena had her back turned, shoulders stiff as she stirred a pot.

He stilled. "What do you mean?"

Charlotte tilted her head, her soft cheek brushing his chest as she pouted.

"Don’t play dumb. She’s being weird. Really weird."

She nodded toward the kitchen.

"When we came home, I saw her. You know how Mama usually runs straight to you and hugs you back when we came back from school as kids? Sometimes she even ignores me just to grab you first...But today, she was about to, and then she stopped."

"Like she froze, and then she just stepped back instead. She greeted you like you were some stranger, not Mika."

Mika’s lips twitched, before giving her a small shrug. "Maybe she’s just treating me like a grown-up now. Not like a kid anymore."

"That’s nonsense." Charlotte snorted, unconvinced, her hand squeezing his against her chest. "Even if you were older than her, Mama would still treat you like her little boy. That’s just who she is. She loves smothering you." She shook her head firmly.

She leaned closer, lowering her voice. "It’s not just that. I saw her face earlier. Every time you talked to her, she went all red, like she was embarrassed. She couldn’t even look at you, Mika! She kept glancing away like you were dangerous or something."

"And when I tried to talk to her, she jumped every time I said your name, like she was on edge."

Charlotte lifted her chin, pointing subtly toward the kitchen.

"And look now. We’re cuddling here, normally Mama would never let that slide. She’d come right over, wrap herself around you, make me scoot over. She wouldn’t miss a chance like that...But today? She’s hiding in the kitchen."

Charlotte pressed herself closer to him, lowering her voice conspiratorially.

"Something’s definitely wrong. And you know what it is."

Mika stiffened, his expression hidden behind a small smile. ’Sharp little brat. She’s catching on.’

The truth was Mika had fully intended to reveal his relationship with Yelena at some point, it would be essential if he was going to build the harem he envisioned.

But first, he needed to win her heart completely, make her his without doubt or hesitation. If Charlotte caught on too early, everything could become complicated.

So, as Charlotte pressed him with those sharp, suspicious eyes, Mika decided to deflect the attention.

A sly smirk tugged at his lips.

"Really? Even though you say that, I didn’t really notice." He leaned closer, his voice low and playful. "But maybe, instead of just guessing, we should ask Yelena herself. If you think she’s avoiding me, why don’t we just ask her if it’s true?"

Charlotte blinked in surprise. "Ask Mama directly?"

"Why not?" Mika turned his gaze toward the kitchen and raised his voice. "Yelena! Can you come over here for a second? Your daughter’s got a question for you."

The clatter of the knife against the cutting board stopped abruptly. Yelena stiffened, shoulders jerking up. She turned just enough for her eyes to meet Mika’s, then immediately looked away, pretending to fuss over the pot on the stove.

"I’m busy." She called back, voice tighter than she meant it to be. "Just ask me from there. I can hear you."

Mika chuckled softly, his smirk widening.

"No, this one’s important." His tone was smooth but edged with a quiet authority that made Yelena’s chest tighten. "It’d be better if I asked you personally. So come here."

Yelena froze. She hated how her heart pounded at that voice, how his gaze seemed to pin her down even across the room. Every step closer to him felt like it would unravel the fragile control she had left.

But both Mika and Charlotte were staring at her now, expectant, waiting. If she resisted, if she acted too strangely, Charlotte would notice, and that she couldn’t allow.

She set the knife down with a click and walked over, arms crossing over her chest as she stopped beside the sofa.

"Fine. But make it fast." She said stiffly. "The stew’s on the stove. I don’t want it to burn."

Mika leaned back lazily, watching her, his smirk never fading.

"It won’t take long." He gestured to Charlotte. "It’s just that your daughter over over here...thinks you’re acting strange. She says you’ve been avoiding me. Says you’re treating me like I’m a threat or something. I told her I don’t see it. But she insists. So—"

His eyes gleamed knowingly.

"Is what she’s saying true? Or is she just imagining things?"

At his words, Yelena’s entire body shivered. The question she’d dreaded had been laid bare in front of both of them. For a moment her mask cracked, her proud posture faltering, her eyes flickering with panic.

But then she saw Charlotte’s expectant little face turned up toward her, and she knew hesitation would doom her. Charlotte might be silly at times, but in moments like these, she was sharp.

So Yelena straightened her spine, forced her lips into a cool smirk, and scoffed.

"Hmph! As if this little brat could ever make me feel threatened." Her voice rang with forced pride. "I’m the Blade Maiden. The one who saved the world. People look up to me wherever I go. Why would I, of all people, be scared of some annoying little devil like Mika?" She shot him a defiant glare, hiding the flutter in her chest. "He’s the same child I push around for fun he’s always been."

Charlotte tilted her head, still uncertain. That was how her mother usually talked, but something about it felt too stiff. Still, she pressed further.

"Then why are you acting different, Mama? You are different. Yesterday you were hugging him, cuddling him, kissing him like always. But today you won’t even go near him. You keep your distance, Mama. It’s obvious."

Yelena’s face twitched. She fought the urge to wince, to look away.

"That?" She said quickly, grasping at the excuse that sprang to mind. "That’s nothing. Auntie Nadia’s supposed to call me later about something important, and you know how she is. Every request of hers is a pain."

"I’ve just been preoccupied thinking about what she’s going to ask. That’s all. My mind’s been elsewhere."

She flicked her daughter lightly on the forehead, forcing a playful smile.

"Don’t overthink. It’s not Mika. He’s the same Mika as always and that won’t be changing any time soon."

Mika sat back, amused, watching the lie roll so smoothly from her lips. She was good. Desperate, but good.

Charlotte blinked at both of them, then let out a long sigh of relief. "Yeah...maybe I really was overthinking. Maybe it’s nothing."

Yelena exhaled quietly, almost inaudibly, relief washing over her. But when her eyes accidentally brushed against Mika’s, his knowing gaze burned her. Her cheeks heated instantly, and she looked away fast, pretending to adjust her hair.

And then Charlotte’s whole face lit up, like she couldn’t wait to share some scandal.

"Oh, Mama, you won’t believe what Mika did today!" She chirped excitedly, bouncing in her seat. "If you hear it, you’ll be so mad you’ll kick him out of the house...That’s how bad it was!"

Mika stiffened, eyes narrowing as he looked down at her.

"Charlotte..." His voice dropped dangerously. "Be quiet. No one likes a snitch." He pulled her closer to him, tightening his grip on her waist.

But Yelena’s eyes sharpened instantly.

"Mika." She snapped. "Don’t threaten my daughter in front of me." She leaned down, her tone turning stern. "Charlotte, what happened? Go on, tell me what Mika did in school now...I swear if he made a bunch of more students eat more poop—."

"No, Mama! It’s not that!"

Charlotte wriggled out of Mika’s grip, grinning impishly as if she were about to expose him for fun.

"Remember that big lunch you made him? You woke up early just for him. You went all out with all his favorite dishes?"

Yelena frowned. "Yes. What about it?"

Charlotte’s grin widened. "The thing is he didn’t eat it all. He sold it. He actually auctioned it off to a bunch of students at school. And do you know how much it went for?...Six digits, Mama. Six digits!"

She leaned back smugly, watching Mika’s expression.

"That’s how much your home-packed lunch sold for."

"WHAT?" Yelena’s voice cracked with fury. Her eyes flew wide as she reached out and grabbed Mika’s ear, tugging sharply. "You little brat!"

"Wait—Yelena, wait—!" Mika winced, trying to free himself.

"I put my heart into that lunch!" She scolded furiously, yanking harder. "I planned it all the night before! I went out of my way to buy fresh ingredients, your favorite ones!"

"I thought all day about how happy you’d be to eat it, and instead you sold it off like it was nothing? You sold my cooking like it was some...disposable product?"

Her eyes burned, her grip twisting his ear mercilessly.

"How could you? Is my food really so worthless you can just sell it away?"

Mika groaned, trying to hold her wrist.

"Ow, ow, no, it’s not like that! Listen! I didn’t sell everything! I ate most of it myself and with a friend of mine! I only put up a few pieces of fried chicken, just a few! But I didn’t expect it to go so high, but those spoiled rich kids kept bidding like maniacs. I couldn’t stop it!"

Yelena tugged harder. "That’s your excuse?"

"Wait! That’s not all!" Mika quickly caught her hand, his tone softening. "I didn’t keep the money. Not a single coin. I donated it all to a local pet shelter. For abandoned dogs and kittens. Every last bit went to them."

That made Yelena pause. Her grip loosened, her eyes softening just slightly. "...Really?"

"Yes." Mika said earnestly, meeting her gaze. "I felt guilty, okay? I didn’t want to profit off your cooking. So I turned it into something good."

Yelena hesitated, then finally released his ear with a huff.

"Fine. If it went to a pet charity, then I’ll let it go this time." Her eyes narrowed, stern again. "But listen carefully, young man. If you ever do something like that again, if you sell my food one more time, I will never cook for you again...Ever."

Mika froze, horror crossing his face. He bowed his head immediately, voice solemn. "Anything but that. Yelena, your cooking is one of the reasons I’m alive right now. Without it, I’ll die."

A proud smile flickered across her lips as she straightened. "Good. Then you understand." With that, she turned back toward the kitchen, walking away with her head high.

Seeing that she had successfully pulled Mika into trouble, Charlotte giggled, snuggling back against Mika.

"I think Mama’s fine after all, Mika, since she reacted just like she normally would. I really must have been overthinking things." She looked up at him, sheepish. "And sorry, Mika, for doubting you and saying you were lying to me, I just mixed up things for a moment."

Mika, however, didn’t answer. His gaze was locked on her, sharp and heavy. And immediately Charlotte felt her stomach drop as a shiver ran through her spine.

That look, she knew it. She had betrayed him, tattled on him, and Mika wasn’t the type to forgive her betraying him, especially when it came to snitching to Yelena.

She swallowed hard, her playful grin faltering as she whispered nervously. "Mika...?"

But he only smiled coldly, deciding in his heart to ’punish’ Charlotte and make Yelena watch it all, so that he could provoke her hidden feelings to come out more brazenly...