Chapter Nine
Hiko got home a couple of hours later, early, toting several large bags of take-out food from their favorite ramen bar two blocks away. Hana experienced that icy-fire sensation again at the sight of him and took the bags from him so he could get his boots off.
Shinji, who hadn’t yet begun preparing supper, looked silently at the offerings and, without a word, went to get large bowls and chopsticks for the noodle and meat-filled broth. As always, pork for Hiko, chicken and shrimp for Hana and tofu for Shinji. Hiko knew them so well.
Hana unpacked the bags on the counter, vividly aware of the tension pulling at her neck, the same tension that had saturated Shinji since her phone call with Hiko. She watched Hiko wash his hands at the kitchen
