Chapter 20: Chapter 20

"Forgive me for the late introduction," Aoi bowed slightly on his seat to Yanagi's parents. "My name is Kashiwagi Aoi. Yanagi-kun's schoolma-"

"My lover," Yanagi promptly corrected, knowing what Aoi was about to say.

Aoi scolded Yanagi with his eyes, "Yana-"

Before he could say anything though, Yanagi's mother already smacked her son again, "Who taught you to cut people off when they're speaking?"

"Eh...a-ah, it's okay aunty…" Aoi became a little flustered instead.

"Mom, you're scaring Aoi," Yanagi rubbed the back of his head with a grimace.

Yanagi's mother returned to her elegant demeanour and cleared her throat. He smiled reassuringly at Aoi, "It's alright, Aoi-kun. We know. But do your parents…?"

Aoi's father was the one who answered. He nodded, "We do."

Yanagi's parents sighed in relief and relaxed their shoulders. They really thought their son had given Aoi's parents a heart attack.

"We're truly sorry for the sudden intrusion," Yanagi's mother continued. "Our stupid son suddenly said that he was going to visit Aoi and we couldn't stop him in time."

"No. It was probably because our son said something to him," Aoi's father looked at his son inquiringly.

"Yes, it was my fault aunty," Aoi bowed again in apology. "I apologize for disrupting your family event."

"It's not-!" Yanagi wanted to refute but his mouth was shut by Aoi's glance.

"Oh my, is that so?" Yanagi's mother chuckled. "If Aoi was the one who called him then it's no problem at all. Right, honey?"

Yanagi's father nodded, "He kept scaring away his cousins and nephews anyway, so it's better for him to do some good and make you happy instead."

Aoi blushed from embarrassment and he didn't know where to look, "I-it's nothing like that, Uncle…"

"Our son always bullies the people he likes. Please forgive him," Aoi's dad nodded in apology.

"Dad!" Aoi couldn't believe his father just said that about him.

"Oh, please, bully him as you like, Aoi-kun," Yanagi's mother patted her son 'lovingly'. "His body is becoming sturdier and his mentality is becoming tougher thanks to your care."

"We'll also educate our son more to be an equally good influence to Aoi-kun," Yanagi's father firmly said to Aoi's parents.

"Yanagi-kun is already a good child," Aoi's mother waved her hands. "Thanks to Yanagi-kun's tutoring, our son's grades have been improving."

Aoi's and Yanagi's parents harmoniously talked with one another, gradually moving on to other topics aside from their sons.

Aoi and Yanagi looked at each other and excused themselves together to bring a new batch of drinks and snacks. In the pantry, the two of them could finally sigh in relief and exhaustion at the same time.

"I didn't think that single text would cause this kind of event," Aoi poured the hot water slowly into the teapot where he already put the teabags in.

"I'm sorry, Aoi. It's because I rushed here," Yanagi hung his head.

"Well...it's fine, isn't it? I could finally greet your parents and our parents got to know each other as well."

"I'm sorry...my mom is a bit…" Yanagi covered his face in shame.

"She's so lively. My mom definitely needs someone like her to hang out with," Aoi chuckled and put away the kettle.

Yanagi hugged Aoi from behind and pressed their heads together, "I'm happy."

"?" Aoi looked back, "Why?"

"I...I didn't plan to say anything to your parents about our relationship or introduce you to my parents until you say that you like me," Yanagi's eyelids hooded lower. "But when you texted me that earlier, I...never felt such a panic in my life. You're really too cruel, Aoi…"

Aoi chuckled, "But you told your parents about us?"

"Because if I don't, they'll keep trying to match me with their friends' daughters," Yanagi complained.

"Sounds tough," Aoi couldn't imagine if it was him in Yanagi's position. "I didn't know arranged marriage is still a thing."

"..." Yanagi turned Aoi around to face him, "...Aoi, are you okay with this?"

"Okay with what?" Aoi tilted his head.

"With our family getting more and more familiar, it'll be more difficult for you to find another partner. Until graduation- Until after graduation…" Yanagi's hold tightened, "...you'll be stuck with me."

Aoi raised an eyebrow, "So when you said that you can't leave me, this is what you mean? Because you've already told your parents about me and if you leave me, they'll arrange you with a girl you don't want?"

"No!" Yanagi hurriedly denied it. "This and that are different. Even if only God knows I love you, I can't and won't let you go."

Aoi was caught off guard by the sudden declaration and cleared his throat, hiding his blush.

"Then, there's no difference, is there? Why even bother asking?" Aoi glanced at Yanagi with a meaningful smile. "With or without our parents, aren't I'm stuck with you already?"

"!"

Yanagi's heart thumped wildly from Aoi's smile and dazedly leaned closer.

"Ahem!"

The two of them stiffened in place and saw that Aoi's father was watching them with his arms crossed next to the dining table.

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Yanagi quickly separated himself from Aoi, "A-ah...that, um...there was some d-dust in Aoi's eyes."

"It's alright, Yanagi-kun," Aoi's father lowered his arms. "I just want to request one thing from you."

"Y-yes! Anything!" Yanagi straightened his posture like a soldier.

"Can I ask you to be patient and not touch Aoi until both of you turn 18?"

"Dad…" Aoi rested his forehead on his palm, "...I'm not a gir-"

"Of course!" Yanagi unhesitantly promised. "I never planned to touch him until graduation, but if you'd give me your blessing…"

"Mn," Aoi's father was satisfied and nodded. "You may take your relationship further once you turn 18."

Yanagi bowed 45 degrees, "Thank you very much, otou-sama."

"Wait a minute! Pause!" Aoi slammed the pantry's counter. "Why do I feel like both of you have already assumed that I'll be the one who gets 'taken'!?"

"Eh?" Both his father and Yanagi looked at Aoi blankly, as if he just said something that defied common sense.

Aoi, "..."

He kicked Yanagi's leg and headed up to his room fuming.

"A-Aoi!" Yanagi rubbed his leg in pain before he limply chased after Aoi.

Aoi's father, "..."

Well, he couldn't help but reach that conclusion by comparing their body size.

He went back to the living room with the tray of tea, guiltlessly leaving Yanagi to coax Aoi by himself.

***

In the end, Yanagi's family stayed until lunch before they excused themselves to leave. Not only did they still have guests in their home, they also found out that the Kashiwagi family also had their relatives coming over.

Both Aoi's and Yanagi's parents let the two of them go outside to play together and they didn't decline the chance.

"Why do you never dress so nicely when we hang out on the weekend?" Aoi scanned Yanagi from top to bottom as they walked down the street.

"My mom forced me to wear this…" Yanagi touched his coat thoughtfully and looked at Aoi. "Do you like me better styled like this?"

"It would be a lie if I said no. You look cooler than usual," Aoi honestly said. "Though I'm more comfortable with your usual casual style, I wouldn't mind you taking more effort in making yourself look fashionable in them."

"I understand," Yanagi took note of it.

"Where should we go?" Aoi looked around the street.

There weren't many people on the outside now since most of them were probably gathering with their friends or families.

"Um…" Yanagi honestly hadn't thought of anything as well since he came on impulse anyway. "Have you seen the large Christmas tree in front of  Aven Mall?"

Aoi shook his head, "I've only seen pictures of it online."

"Should we go there?" Yanagi suggested.

"Sure," Aoi wanted to see it as well.

As they walked to the train station, Aoi thought of something. Didn't Yanagi get to his house by car? Not that he had any problem walking to the mall, but wouldn't they reach there faster using his car instead of walking?

He decided to ask once they were inside the train, "Do you prefer going by train instead of car?"

"Eh? Are you tired, Aoi?" Yanagi worriedly checked Aoi's complexion.

"I'm fine," Aoi pushed Yanagi away from him. "I'm just curious because you came here by car and it's still outside my house with your driver, waiting for you."

"Oh, that…" Yanagi scratched his neck sheepishly. He crept his hand onto Aoi's palm, resting between their seat, "Because like this, we can be together longer."

Aoi's chest tightened and he clutched his coat.

Yanagi was cute today as well.

"Although the outcome was totally unexpected, I don't regret sending that message to you," Aoi chuckled. "You still ended up spending the day with me."

"I also don't regret following my impulse and running to your house," Yanagi smiled. "Because of your message, I can finally confess to your parents."

Aoi leaned back, "Actually, I already told them about us the first day you stayed over."

Yanagi couldn't process that for a while, "But at that time…we had only gone out for a couple of weeks…?

Aoi smiled at Yanagi with a hint of laughter, "When I like something, I never let go of it."

Yanagi's eyes widened in astonishment. His fingers interlaced with Aoi's, locking them in a tight, trembling grip.

"I love you too, Aoi."

--The End--

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