Chapter 45

Misaki's father sat back and patted his belly. "It's been a long time since I ate this much, and I loved every minute of it." He gave Ren a thumbs-up.

"Oh, dear," her mother sighed. "We've only just met, and you're spoiling us too much." She glanced at her husband and shook her head.

"Too much? It's only just started," Ren said.

"No need for more."

"What are you offering?" her father asked, sitting back up.

"Dad!" Misaki cried out. "Don't use him for his money."

"He's the one offering! It's bad to turn down gifts."

"I have no problem with it." Ren shrugged, thinking about how they might be his family in the future. "Although I suppose Misaki will have to okay anything big..."

She raised an eyebrow. "Would you listen?"

"As best as I can; I don't want you mad at me." He played with her hand under the table.

"Aw! They're so cute!" Emi swooned and turned her attention to Shun. "Don't you think?"

"Yes, of course." Shun sighed, glad for them, but also wondering how much he'd have to put up with now.

"Oh, are you going to move back into the Hayase house now?" Emi asked, and everyone else froze.

"What was that?" her father asked.

"You've been living together?" her mother asked.

Emi's eyes widened, and she covered her mouth, wondering how that had slipped out.

Ren held his hands up. "She has her own room, promise! She's our collaborator, and it's safe at our house, so she was living there."

"Safe? Were you worried about something?" Her father's eyes were trained on her. "Is there another stalker?"

Misaki stared at the table, her clasped hands shaking. Oh gosh... Emi, why'd you have to blurt that out? What do I do now? If I tell them, they might want to stop me from singing again. Never mind that it was Aki!

Ren rested his hand over hers and leaned in close. "It might be best to tell them now, or they'll keep worrying. Want me to tell them for you?"

I should do it myself, shouldn't I? She swallowed hard.

"Does it count as a new stalker if it was the old one again?" Emi asked, and everyone stared at her again. "Oops... Maybe I should leave..." Emi stood and her mother pulled her back down.

"Or all of you should be honest with us. We want to know what's going on," her mother said, her eyes shaking.

"Aki..." Misaki's breath hitched. "H-he started—"

"It's okay, Misa; I'll tell them." Ren cleared his throat. "This actually started after our reconnection..."

"Misa..." Her mother couldn't help herself and rushed over to hug Misaki. "If you weren't safe, you could've come home." She sniffled and kissed the top of her head.

Mom... Misaki bit her lip, holding back her tears.

"Thank you, Ren, for protecting our daughter," her father said.

Ren raised an eyebrow. "So... you don't blame me? If I hadn't insisted she join us, she would've been safe at home."

"We can't know that for sure, and things could've gone even worse. If he wasn't captured that day, he could've attacked her another time when you weren't close enough to rescue her." He clenched his fists on the table as he thought about it. "When's the trial? Is it open? I want to be there when he's put away. And hopefully, it's for good this time."

Dad...

"Thank you so much, Ren, for protecting my baby." Her mother hugged Ren this time, and he froze. "If you ever need anything, we're here for you, too." She kissed the top of his head and moved on to hug Shun, too.

"I wasn't the one who saved her," Shun said.

"Not in that one moment, but between everything I've heard, you've played your part, too. Thank you, Shun." She took a deep breath, composing herself, and returned to her seat.

"Oh my gosh, can I hug you guys, too?" Emi didn't wait for an answer and lunged at Shun.

"Oh!" Shun laughed awkwardly and lightly patted her back.

"Emi," Misaki growled at her.

Ren chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm sorry; he has that effect on people."

"We're sorry." Her mother pulled Emi away. "We know she's a superfan, and it's hard to control her excitement."

"Well, we love our fans." He winked at them and made a heart with his fingers.

Emi squealed and bounced in her spot. "I'll calm down again, promise." She rocked back and forth, with a wide smile on her face. "So exciting."

"Well, I think this has been enough for me today." Daichi stood. "Thank you for the food, company, and for bringing Misaki into our lives." He bowed to them.

"You're leaving already?" her father asked. "I was thinking about learning a bit more about the industry and the boys over a few drinks." He grabbed sake from the fridge. "Join me in the living room?"

Daichi's eyes lit up. "Sure thing." He followed her father out.

"Can I have something to drink?" Emi asked.

"No," both her mother and Shun said.

"You're too young," Misaki said. "Sorry."

Emi puffed her cheeks out.

"How about an imitation one instead? No alcohol, but it looks fancy," Ren suggested. "Just need a wine glass if you have any, and I can work with what we have." Ren got up and rummaged through their cupboards.

"In the next one to the right." Misaki pointed at it. Made himself at home already.

"Ah, there're the wine glasses, thank you." He poured a can of sparkling juice into it and handed it to Emi.

"Thanks." Emi swirled it around before taking a sip.

Ren poured the wine he had ordered from the restaurant for the rest of them, handed the glasses out, and sat back down. He held up his wine glass. "In celebration of a great concert and a newly formed union." He winked at Misaki.

"Cheers!" They clinked their glasses.

I swear I didn't drink much. Misaki's cheeks warmed, and her head felt off. She glanced at the half-drunken wine glass. Lightweight.

Emi yawned and rubbed her eyes.

"Looks like someone should head to bed," Shun said.

"No, I want to stay with you guys," Emi mumbled.

"It is getting late, honey." Her mom stroked her head. "Maybe you should head to bed."

Emi puffed her cheeks out. "But I don't want this to end. It's been a dream."

"Well, you're a part of our lives now, so technically, the dream continues," Shun said, smiling as he continued to look through their photo album.

"Carry me?" Emi put her arms out.

Shun chuckled. "I think you can walk on your own, but I can escort you." Shun glanced at her mom, who nodded.

"Escorted by Shun?" Emi sighed, melting back into her seat. "Yes, please."

Shun bowed and held his hand out to her.

Emi took his hand, giggling, before he even had a chance to speak.

"I'll be back soon," Shun said and escorted Emi to her room.

Misaki fanned herself and took a deep breath. "I think I need some fresh air," she said and stood.

"I'll come with you." Ren stood right away.

"You don't have to; I'm not running away."

Ren's eyes widened. "I hadn't even thought of that. Definitely following you now," he huffed.

Her mother chuckled. "Aren't you such a good boy? Please keep an eye on her."

"Will do." Ren saluted and followed Misaki. She stumbled near the front door, and he caught her from behind, his arm wrapping around her waist. "Careful." He gave her a quick hug before releasing her. "You can hold onto me if you feel unsteady." He offered his arm after slipping his shoes on.

"I'm not going far." Misaki opened the door and motioned to the wooden bench swing on the porch.

"Still." Ren wrapped his arm around her shoulders instead, and they sat on the porch together. "How are you holding up?"

"Still a bit overwhelmed by the recent whirlwind."

"I guess I can be like that, sorry." Ren shrugged and gave her a cheeky smile.

Sure you are. She took a deep breath of crisp night air and closed her eyes. "How is it possible for things to change so quickly?"

"Because you bumped into the right person. I suppose that's all it takes. You never know what might happen. I'm just glad you lured me in with your voice and left a clue after running into me."

"Why does it feel like you like mentioning that I ran into you?" Misaki glanced at him, raising an eyebrow.

"Kinda do. I should probably thank Haruka for it again. Oh, we should let her know this is a thing." He pointed back and forth between them.

"Hey... wait... you guys all drove here in separate vehicles, but you all drank..."

"Ah, I see where you're going with this. Didn't think it through." Ren sighed. "Any chance we can sleep here? On the couches or the living room floor and hope we don't get tickets."

The door opened, and Daichi leaned against the doorway. "Drinking game for all the guys. Come on, Ren."

"Uh, I'm okay here."

"Nope, this is a family affair, all men required." Daichi dragged him back in.

Ren glanced back at her, pouting and reaching out towards her. "I love you," he said as he was pulled inside.

Oh no, Dad, what did you do?