The atmosphere at the dinner table was fairly harmonious, but as the conversation went on, it gradually grew somewhat awkward, and silence began to spread.
Ultimately, they had not come here to sit around chatting. Their problem remained unresolved, and everyone except Little Ji Yin knew that perfectly well, including Noriko (Ershu) herself.
"No matter how you look at it, it still feels unbelievable."
At last, Noriko broke the silence herself. Looking at Zuko and Azula, she said with a smile:
"To suddenly be told that I actually had two other children... I thought Nolen had come down with some illness. Before you arrived, I'd honestly been rather doubtful."
"But now, I think those things might indeed be true."
"You don't appear anywhere in my memories, but whenever I look at you, I feel this inexplicable closeness and familiarity, as though a voice were telling me that you really are my children."
"Mother..."
Hearing Noriko say this, Zuko was clearly rather happy, but Azula seemed unmoved, even furrowing her brow in disgust.
"Although I don't know why I chose to forget you, but-"
Bang!
"Enough!"
Azula abruptly slammed her fist onto the table, roughly cutting Noriko off. The violent impact sent the tableware rattling and clattering, tearing apart the room's peaceful, harmonious atmosphere without warning.
Azula's sudden change caught everyone in the room off guard, and they all turned toward her in surprise. Little Ji Yin even buried herself fearfully in Noriko's arms, ducking her head as she stared at Azula in terror.
"Azula, what the hell is wrong with you?!"
Looking at Aiken's frightened family, Zuko rebuked her sharply. But Azula ignored him, staring at Noriko as she sneered coldly:
"You clearly don't know anything, yet all you do is spout pretty words. I thought we were playing house.