Mio Arrives at the Aoyama Family House

My mother looked at me as someone who had just confirmed a long-held suspicion.

And, as always, she didn't miss the chance to provoke.

"Looks like your girlfriend isn't coming after all," Ayane said with a thin smile.

My father let out an almost imperceptible sound of contempt.

"Don't tell me you actually believed that nonsense," Shin commented .

My heart was beating too fast.

Even so, I forced a calm tone.

"She's still coming," I said, trying to sound confident.

(Please… come.) — I thought, begging for a miracle.

It was then, at 7:23 PM, that a sound echoed through the house.

Knock . Knock . Knock .

Everyone fell silent.

My father frowned.

"Did they arrive early?" my father said.

My mother stood up slowly.

— Akane . — my mother ordered Akane to open the door.

(This is the end for me.) — I thought fearfully.

— I understand. — he replied. Akane , appearing in the hallway.

She went to the door and opened it.

On the other side was a beautiful girl with long hair and elegant clothes.

She was breathing slightly heavily, as if she had been running.

Then she lifted her face.

It was Mio.

I felt an enormous weight lift from my chest.

(She came…) — I thought, relieved.

My father stepped forward.

"Who are you?" he asked.

Mio straightened her posture, controlled her breathing, and spoke in a firm voice.

My name is Kurokawa Mio. I'm your son's girlfriend. It's a pleasure to meet you.

The shock was immediate.

My mother's eyes widened slightly.

My father… stammered.

"R- Riku ... what... what does this mean?" he asked, completely confused.

Smile.

"She's my girlfriend. Besides, it's rude to leave someone waiting at the door. Tell her to come in," I said with a confident smile.

My mother stared at me for a long second.

Then he smiled.

"Our son is right. Kurokawa-san , please come in," my mother said .

— Thank you. — Mio said gratefully.

Mio entered.

Akane closed the door behind her.

"You can sit next to my son," Ayane said , pointing to the sofa.

"Thank you, miss. You're very welcoming," Mio replied, overly politely.

(They have no idea what this tsundere 's true side is like .) — I thought.

Mio sat down next to me.

I could feel the tension in her body.

Suddenly, my mother's cell phone started ringing.

— It's Midorikawa Hana . I'll answer right here. — she said . Ayane , looking at the screen.

She put the phone to her ear.

"Hello, Hana-chan . What's wrong? Did something happen?" he asked. Ayane .

Everyone was paying close attention.

"Unfortunately, my father won't be able to come to your house. He fell ill and is in the hospital." The voice on the other end sounded tired.

My stomach turned to ice.

"My daughter, Sakura , and I are here with him. But he's insisting that Sakura go to this dinner at all costs. So I'll take her there and then come back to be with him," Hana continued .

My mother's expression changed.

She seemed genuinely sad.

"I understand…" said Ayane .

"If you need anything, just let me know. What time are you two arriving?" my mother asked.

"Around 8 p.m.," Hana replied .

— Okay. See you in a bit. — he said Ayane .

My mother hung up.

My mother was silent for a few seconds.

Her gaze, once steady, now seemed distant.

She lowered her head slightly… and then raised her face again, taking a deep breath.

" Hana said that Hirotsu is hospitalized. He won't be able to come. But he asked that his granddaughter come for dinner. Hana will bring her here. They should arrive around 8 p.m.," Ayane announced , her voice a little lower.

My father nodded.

— I understand. — he said . Shin .

The atmosphere became heavy for a moment.

Then my mother changed the focus.

Her gaze fell directly on Mio.

"So, Kurokawa-san …" Ayane said , with a smile that was too polite to be innocent.

"How did you meet my son?" she asked. Ayane .

My heart raced.

Mio straightened his posture.

"It was in one of his plays," he replied matter-of-factly.

"My little sister and I were watching," she continued.

My mother tilted her head, interested.

"Which piece?" my mother asked.

Mio smiled.

— Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. — Mio replied.

I swallowed hard.

"I really enjoyed the play. We laughed a lot. Riku 's performance as the Evil King was incredible. Especially the part where he disguises himself as an old man and offers the apple to the prince. That scene was perfect," Mio continued .

There was a brief silence.

Then my mother smiled for real.

"I've never told this to anyone before..." said Ayane .

"But that's also my favorite part," she revealed . Ayane .

I was paralyzed.

(She never said that.) — I was shocked.

— …Seriously? — I thought , unable to hide my surprise.

(For the first time, my mother commented on something specific about one of my performances.) — I thought happily.

Mio then rummaged in her bag.

He carefully removed a folded piece of paper.

It was an autograph.

"He gave it to me after the play. At the autograph session," she explained .

My mother stared at the paper for a few seconds.

"So you two started seeing each other after that day?" she asked.

"Yes. But hidden. I didn't want reporters near me all the time," Mio replied .

My mother looked away from me.

(Damn... she suspected.) — I thought apprehensively.

"Why did you never tell us anything about Kurokawa ?" he asked. Ayane , now looking directly at me.

I swallowed hard.

"I... I was afraid she would give up after meeting you guys," I replied.

My father frowned.

"Do we look like scary monsters to you?" he said . Shin .

"If the press tried to bother her, there would be enough security to prevent it," he continued, as if he were a war general speaking.

She smiled slightly.

"You would have already given her a reason to give up," I said, laughing.

" Tsk ... You always exaggerate," my father said in an annoyed sound.

He then turned his gaze to Mio.

— By the way, Kurokawa-san … do you really like theater? Or did you only go to see it because of your little sister?

Mio did not hesitate.

"My little sister likes it a lot," he said.

"But I started to like theater and acting after meeting a certain lady," she continued.

My father raised an eyebrow.

"A lady?" he said.

"Yes. She told me that if I wanted to pursue my dream of becoming a model, I should also learn about acting," Mio replied .

"And who was this lady?" he asked. Shin .

Mio answered without thinking.

— She introduced herself as Nakahara Nagomi .

The effect was immediate.

My mother froze.

My father's eyes widened.

Even Akane and Himari , who were further away, remained silent.

And then…

I froze too.

(What…? Nakahara Nagomi ? She knows Nakahara Nagomi ?)

My heart skipped a beat.