Getting into the room, Edward took off his coat and tossed it carelessly onto his bed. Feeling rather stiff, he stretched, shoulders cracking faintly.
Anita quietly closed the door behind them.
"So," Edward began, dropping onto his window seat—one foot on the floor, the other pulled up, his arm draped loosely over his knee. "What's that sensitive thing you wanted to tell us?"
Anita checked to make sure no one was listening from outside, then stepped further inside, fidgeting with her fingers.
"Hey, Nits, why so anxious?" Mdachi asked sitting backward on the study chair - his chest against the backrest, arms across the top.
He rolled closer.
Edward straightened, sensing the tension. "Yeah, Anita. Wh… what's wrong? Is there something we should be aware of?"
Anita gave a brittle scoff. "Come on now, guys. No need to freak out," she said, trying to sound light. Both Edward and Mdachi eased—just a little.
"So what is it then?" Mdachi pressed.
"It's just that…"
Anita sat on the bed, hesitating.
"It's just that I don't want to sound like a bitch, but—"
Mdachi made a face at the word bitch.
Though subtle, Anita caught it. She ignored him.
"Edward, you should use the leaves now," she blurted out. "I mean—it's such a perfect opportunity to do so."
The boys froze. Their eyes met in silent disbelief.
"That's why I said I didn't want to sound like a bitch," Anita said, her tone slipping into frustration. "But I guess I still did." She looked away, guilt tugging at her.
"Makes sense," Mdachi muttered.
Both Anita and Edward turned toward him slowly.
Their looks said 'really'?
"No, I didn't mean it like that!" Mdachi stammered. "I meant—we've just come from a funeral, Nits. Couldn't this wait a little longer?"
"It wasn't my idea, Dachi. My mom told me to tell you." She sighed heavily. "She says now is the best opportunity since your parents are here—together. You understand what I'm saying?"
"I think I do," Edward murmured, sinking into thought.
"Thank you," Anita said softly. "And honestly, Edu, I agree with her. Now's the perfect time too. My mom's around—she can help in whatever way she might be needed."
"Yeah," Mdachi said dryly. "Not bitchy at all."
"Please, Dachi. Not now," Anita snapped, her tone worn thin.
"I don't intend to sound like a jerk," he shot back, standing, "but could this at least wait until tomorrow? Today was Hallington's funeral, for God's sake!"
Anita scoffed, offended. She rose too. "Seriously, Dachi? That's not fair."
"Isn't it?" he challenged.
Anita let out a long, exasperated breath, pinching the bridge of her nose before pacing the floor.
"Fine," she said sharply. "The timing may not be perfect, but at least reason with the fact that an oppo—"
"No!" Mdachi cut her off. "Edward's parents are together in their house every evening. So don't tell me this is the right opportunity. And besides, what exactly does your mom need to help with?"
"Lower your tone, Dachi," Edward intervened, stepping between them. He didn't like where this was heading.
Anita's patience snapped. "Yes, baby boy. Listen to Edward," she said, glaring at Mdachi over Edward's shoulder with that calm, dangerous kind of irritation.
Mdachi could sometimes be such a thorn in the ass, and Anita's remaining patience had just evaporated.
Ugh! She hated how he made her sound like the insensitive one. It wasn't even her idea!
"Just cool it, you two," Edward said. "I'm the one who should be upset… not you."
"Hmm?" he hummed, looking between them - expecting a reaction.
Mdachi sighed, rubbing a hand down his face as he paced away. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. Then turning back, "I'm sorry—both of you. I just saw the pain in you today at church, Edward, and I thought… maybe you should rest. For one day. Besides—" He looked at Anita. "I thought you avoiding the topic at church meant we weren't tackling it today."
"It's not like I'm enjoying this, Dachi," Anita said, her voice trembling slightly. "And it's my mom who told me to tell you." She sat back down. "She says there's no time—and that your parentage is a key puzzle piece in the investigation." Her voice softened as she looked away. "I guess her three investigators are doing their job quite well anyway."
"Three investigators?" Mdachi repeated, eyes wide.
"Yeah," Anita said flatly. "She's got three investigators trailing Beatrice."
"Oh my God. Why three?"
"That's not important right now," Edward cut in. His tone was cool, detached. "What I'd like to know is how we're supposed to use these leaves." He walked into his closet and pulled out his backpack.
He unzipped it and took out a small container. For the first time, he looked inside.
Inside was a white plastic bag—holding the mchawi majani.
"And when," Mdachi added suddenly.
Edward and Anita looked at him, puzzled.
"When you're going to use it," he clarified. "Have you forgotten? Our families are all downstairs. What—are you just going to stroll in there and use them?"
The door creaked open. All three turned sharply.
Edward reacted instantly—snapping the container shut, tossing it into the closet, and slamming the door.
"You needn't worry about when," said a familiar voice.
Jesse stepped into the room.
Everyone exhaled in relief.
As the tension eased, Anita hurried over and closed the door behind him. "Were you eavesdropping on us?" she asked, jaw tight.
"Um… no."
Her glare sharpened.
Jesse sighed, shoulders slumping. "Okay, yes. I was eavesdropping." Then he brightened. "But don't worry—the walls are soundproof. No one can eavesdrop on you. Unless… they're using magic—"
Anita quickly clamped her hand over his mouth and pulled him away from the door.
Mdachi blinked. "Wait… magic can be used to eavesdrop?" he muttered, frowning.
"What have I told you about poking yourself into things that don't concern you, huh? And using magic so carelessly—"
"Pardon me, Anita," Edward interrupted gently. He was more focused on what Jesse had said earlier.
Anita hesitated, then sighed. "Fine."
Edward crouched next to Jesse, resting a hand on his shoulder. "What did you mean by 'we needn't worry about when'?"
"Well," Jesse began, "everyone's outside—in the backyard. I was sent to call you to join us." He threw Anita a cheeky look before turning back to Edward. "Renee proposed that, apart from mourning Hallington, we should also celebrate him—so there's, like, a barbecue party going on. That gives you the window you need to use the leaves without anyone noticing, right?"
Edward stood. "Right."
"Hmm. Barbecue party," Mdachi muttered, already thinking about food. "Sounds like a nice idea. We really should celebrate Hallington's life. Let's go, guys." He started toward the door.
"Wait," Edward stopped him. "We still need to use the leaves—and figure out how to use them."
"Yeah… that," Mdachi said, deflating. "You'll have to wait, barbecue," he mumbled to himself.
"We could brew them into tea and serve it to them," Anita suggested suddenly.
Both boys turned to her blankly.
"We can boil the leaves, mix that water with tea, and give it to them," she explained.
"Okay," Edward said slowly. "But how does tea and barbecue party rhyme? Won't they find that odd?"
"You could just say it's a new kind of tea you wanted them to taste," Jesse said, "and ask for their opinion."
Edward frowned. "I don't think they'll buy that."
"Well, I don't think we have anything else to sell, Edward," Mdachi said flatly. "Either this… ama hakuna."
-----------------
Alighting the stairs, the quad walked in pairs — Edward and Anita ahead, Mdachi and Jesse behind.
Feeling suddenly mischievous, a spark of mischief lit up in Mdachi's eyes as he sneaked a glance at Jesse.
He leaned sideways and poked him on the shoulder.
Jesse looked up at him, brow twitching. "What?" he asked, voice edged with mild irritation — as if he already knew what was coming.
Mdachi smirked. "Hmm, you know, it just hit me — weren't you and my sister tom-and-jerring all around the house earlier?"
Yep. Jesse wasn't surprised. If anything, he was impressed it had taken Mdachi this long to bring it up.
He opened his mouth to reply, then closed it again, lips pressing together as he thought.
Mdachi saw the silence as victory. His grin stretched wider. Oh, how easy and thrilling it is to vex this boy, he thought, enjoying every second.
Ahead, Edward and Anita caught fragments of their conversation. Both had the urge to turn around and see Jesse's expression, but after a brief exchange of glances, they resisted.
Then — Jesse stopped dead in his tracks.
Mdachi halted too, two steps ahead, blinking at him. His beaming face twisted into confusion. "What?"
Jesse folded his hands neatly in front of him like a well-behaved scout boy. "Do you know what you remind me of, Dach?" His tone was polite — too polite. Their eyes locked, same height, same sharp tension.
Edward and Anita stopped too, turning to face them. They were already off the staircase, just five steps from the landing.
"This ought to be interesting," Edward murmured, readjusting his grip on the container.
Anita gave him a flat look, sighed, and crossed her arms. "Boys!" she muttered in disappointment, then thought dryly, We should be concocting some potion — but look at them. Typical. Puerile.
"What?" Mdachi asked after a pause. He knew Jesse — this was a setup for mockery. But he played along anyway.
"A banana," Jesse said simply.
All three — Edward, Anita, and Mdachi — blinked in disbelief.
Mdachi scoffed. "A banana?"
"Yes," Jesse repeated calmly, his hands still folded. "A banana." His gaze flicked briefly to Mdachi's hand.
Mdachi followed it — realization dawning. His skin tone, faintly golden.
"Oh. Okay. I get it. But was that supposed to be offensive? Because it wasn't —" he clicked his tongue. "You failed, buddy." He tapped Jesse's shoulder in mock pity.
Jesse didn't react. He was calm — unnervingly calm.
Then he stepped forward and gripped Mdachi's shoulder. "No, Dachi. It wasn't meant to be offensive. All I meant is, if you mess with me, I'll peel you like the banana you are." He released him with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
Mdachi's brow arched slowly.
"I know a spell," Jesse added softly, "that can make someone feel like their skin is being peeled off, buddy. And now that you know I'm a warlock… I'd really like to show you that little trick of mine — if you nudge me enough, that is." His smile sharpened, small but terrifying. "Okay?"
Mdachi didn't flinch. "Bluff."
Jesse tilted his head. "Pardon?"
"You're bluffing," Mdachi repeated, arms crossed, unshaken. "You wouldn't dare — even if such a spell existed."
Jesse's expression darkened. He seized Mdachi by the arm. "Want me to show you, kiddo?"
"Okay, enough, you two!" Anita cut in sharply. "I just can't take it anymore." She stepped closer, glaring at both. "What's wrong with you, huh? Can't you postpone this dry, meaningless argument till later? Have you forgotten why we even came down here? Or are you just—" she threw her hands up, "—blunt, not knowing when to be serious?"
But Jesse didn't let go. His fingers tightened on Mdachi's sleeve, eyes cold. Mdachi had a habit of poking his hive whenever he pleased — and always got away with it. Not this time. Jesse would show him who held the stinger.
"You should listen to your sister… Jesse," Mdachi taunted, smirking.
Anita groaned. "Don't make me come up there, Jesse!"
"Come up where?"
The sudden voice froze everyone.
Renee stepped into view.
Jesse released Mdachi instantly.
"Aunt Renee," Edward said quickly, stepping forward. "What are you doing here?"
"I just came to tell you that— Wait a minute…" Renee's eyes narrowed as she scanned their faces. "What was going on here?"
"Nothing, Renee," Anita said with a forced smile. "Just boys being stupid." She pouted and shrugged. "As always."
All three boys gave her offended looks. She ignored them.
"Okaaay," Renee muttered. "You guys can't get any weirder today." Her tone shifted to business. "Anyway, I came to see what's taking you so long. Join us. Now."
"Will do, Renee," Anita replied, flashing another fake smile.
"What's that?" Renee suddenly asked, pointing at the container in Edward's hands.
Edward froze. "Umm… it's—"
"It's my container," Anita jumped in quickly. "I brought Edward a snack with it yesterday. Just collecting it."
"Hm. Alright. Hurry up and join us." Renee turned a corner and walked away.
Anita exhaled the second she was gone.
Edward placed a hand on his chest, steadying his breath.
Mdachi, meanwhile, smirked at Jesse before adjusting his coat and heading down the stairs again. But as he moved, something inside his pocket thumped lightly against his ribs. He tapped it — the camera. Tigean's camera.
He froze. He hadn't deleted the footage. When he remembered earlier, he'd hesitated. Maybe he should've watched it first — maybe it held something they'd missed. That's how it always went in mystery films. And right now, they were living one.
He'd been about to check it that morning, but his mother had barged into his room, scolding him to hurry before they were late for the service. He'd shoved it into his coat pocket — and forgotten all about it. Until now.
He pulled it out slowly.
Anita noticed immediately. "Is that... that brat's camera?"
Edward turned toward him in alarm.
"Yeah," Mdachi said, stepping onto the landing. "I forgot to delete the footage. When I remembered, I hesitated because I thought—"
"Wait," Edward interrupted. "You didn't delete the footage?!" His tone was sharp, exasperated.
"Yes, I—"
"Just delete it, Dachi," Edward cut him off. "You know the havoc that video could wreak if it got into the wrong hands."
Defeated, Mdachi nodded. "Yeah, I know."
"Oh, and I forgot to tell you guys!" Renee's voice came again — loud, gleeful, echoing from the corridor.
Mdachi quickly shoved the camera into his trouser pocket.
Renee appeared at the corner almost immediately.
Finding them almost at the same spots, her cheerful face dropped. Her gaze flicked between Edward, Anita, Jesse, and Mdachi — all looking tense, suspiciously still.
Her eyes narrowed at Edward. "What are you guys hiding?"