Adopted is the Keyword Chapter 5 Preview

"Mom!"

The woman blinked as she turned around and was met with the grinning face of her approaching daughter. "Chi? What are you doing here? I thought you were still at Mimi's?"

"We stopped for donuts ears on the way to your place," Junior called as he and Mimi approached. "And the universe conspired for us to meet."

Chi's mother smirked in amusement. "I'm sure you say that to every woman you bump into."

"I'm not that clever," Junior denied, Mimi nodding sagely. "I believe we spoke on the phone earlier."

"Indeed we did. Mr. Reaper, was it?" she asked greeted, looking him up and down.

"Grim Reaper II, at your service," he said, pretending to tip a hat he wasn't wearing and ignoring the surprirse in Ikra's eyes at how young he was. "And you must be Mrs. person whose last name I won't try to pronouce without hearing it first," Junior greeted in amusement.

Ikra chuckled. "Ikra Ishimachi, pleasure," she introduce, holding out a hand for him to shake. As they did, she looked down to the raven hair girl. "And you must be the famous Mimi. Chi has told me so much about you, I feel like we've already met," Ikra said, making Chi blush and wither under Junior's scrutiny.

Mimi nodded, paused, and pulled out her cellphone.

"Give her a second," Junior said before Ikra could look offended.

The beauty raised an eyebrow until Mimi turned the phone towards Ikra, showing what she had typed: "Nice to meet you too, Ma'am."

"How polite," Ikra said with a smile. "I suppose I should try some of those sign-lauguage dvds Chi bought."

Despite how rarely she used sign language, Mimi smiled at the gesture.

"I wouldn't bother, she doesn't like using it," Chi stated idly.

"Foot meets mouth," Junior murmured in exasperation.

"Chi," Ikra scolded with an expectant sigh.

"What? What I say?" Chi asked, looking between all of them in confusion.

"So, not to sound lazy, but should I leave Chi here, or just take her home like planned?" Junior inquired idly.

"Oh, no, its no trouble, I'll take her from here. I was actually just come to pick up some elephant ears as a surprise for Chi," Ikra said, making Chi go stockstill. "But it seems you've already spoiled my daughter enough on my behave, Mr. Reaper."

"Any friend of Mimi is a friend of mine," Junior assured.

"Still, I feel a little bad, her dragging you out here. How much do I owe you?" Ikra asked politely.

"Mom," Chi whinned softly.

"Its no problem, Mrs. Ishimachi, really. Besides, I got one for all of us," Junior turned down good naturedly. "Now we just have one final business to take care of."

"And what would that be?" Ikra asked, a finely trimmed eyebrow arched ever so slightly.

"Ohh, right, my pack," Chi recalled. "I left it in his car."

"I imagine you would," Ikra teased. "I'm sure you could train to run a marathon if you carried all of that around with you."

"Mom," Chi complained again, despite smiling good-naturedly.

"You mind waiting here, Ma'am? Mimi and me can grab it and be back in five, ten minutes?" Junior offered, Mimi nodding.

"Well, unless you want to ive these two a little more time together," Ikra said with a knowing smile to Chi, who blushed while not making eye contact.

Junior made a mental note that Ikra was aware of Chi's romantic interest in Mimi and was fine with it. With that filed away, he glanced to Mimi who shrugged. "Eh, sure, why not. Mimi, don't try to con the rich lady."

Mimi mock-glared at his retreating back for the joke, efore turning to her friend and said friend's mother. 

Ikra smiled mysteriously, making Chi a bit worried. "So, Mimi, has my little glutton been a good friend?"

Chi looked to Mimi with a very curious and hopeful expression.