The metal gate creaked open with a soft push, and Rika guided Shin up the familiar cobblestone path leading to her front door. Her home stood comfortably tucked between two similar houses, with an immaculately kept garden lining the side—her mother's pride, no doubt. Roses and chrysanthemums bloomed in subtle shades, their sweet fragrance wafting in the warm evening air.
Rika squeezed his arm, suddenly a little tense.
"Nervous?" Shin teased, though his voice had dropped slightly, matching the quiet reverence of the moment.
She shot him a look. "Maybe. You?"
"I'm always nervous meeting a girl's mother," he admitted with a smirk. "Especially one I've kind of already met as just her friend's older brother."
Rika groaned, covering her face with one hand. "God, don't remind me."
He chuckled, gently pulling her hand away. "Relax. You're the one who wanted to tell her."
"Yeah, because it's real now." She looked at him, eyes softening. "You're mine. I want her to know."
Shin leaned down, brushing a kiss to her forehead. "Then let's do it, girlfriend."
The door opened before they could knock.
"Rika, I saw you through the kitchen—oh!" Her mother's voice was light and melodic, a gentle soprano with the distinct crispness of a woman who took pride in manners and neatness. She was beautiful—tall, elegant, and effortlessly graceful in a light beige blouse tucked into a navy skirt, her dark brown hair tied up in a loose bun.
Her sharp but warm eyes landed on Shin and widened slightly. "Akashi-kun?"
Shin bowed politely, offering a small smile. "Good evening, Aunty. It's been a while."
Rika's mother blinked, then let out a delighted laugh. "Oh my, it has been! My goodness, you've grown even more handsome since the last time you visited!"
Rika gave Shin a sideways look that screamed: Don't let it go to your head.
Shin bowed again. "Thank you. You look just as elegant as I remember."
"A charmer too, I see." She smiled warmly and stepped aside. "Come in, both of you. I was just steeping some tea."
"Thank you, Aunty," Shin replied as he stepped in behind Rika, slipping off his shoes.
Rika's home smelled faintly of jasmine and baked goods—comforting, familiar, and very "Rika." The living room was tidy, with pale wood floors, a small potted plant by the window, and framed pictures lining the wall of Rika at various stages of childhood, including a few with Ai.
"Please, have a seat," her mother said, gesturing toward the low table. "I'll bring the tea."
As she disappeared into the kitchen, Rika and Shin sat down on the cushions. Rika fidgeted with her skirt, fingers twitching nervously.
"She's not gonna freak out, is she?" Shin murmured.
"She might," Rika whispered back. "But not in a bad way. I think."
The clink of porcelain announced her return, balancing a tray with three cups and a pot of steaming green tea. She set it down smoothly and sat across from them, eyes flickering between the two with obvious curiosity.
"So…" she started, her lips curving with amusement. "Is there a reason why my daughter is clinging to Ai-chan's brother like a koala today?"
Rika let out a tiny squeak and sat up straighter. "M-Mom…"
Her mother raised an eyebrow, sipping her tea calmly. "Go on. I'm listening."
Rika shot Shin a helpless glance, then turned back to her mom. "I, um… I wanted to tell you something important."
Shin reached over and gently squeezed her hand under the table. She steadied herself.
"We're dating," she said finally, quietly but clearly. "Onii-San and I. He's my boyfriend now."
There was a pause. Her mother set her cup down slowly, blinking once.
Then she smiled.
"Oh… my little girl has a boyfriend now."
Rika's mouth opened in slight disbelief. "Wait, that's it? You're not—freaking out?"
"I am freaking out," her mother said, eyes misting ever so slightly. "But in the way a mother does when she realizes her baby isn't a baby anymore."
"M-Mom…" Rika looked like she might cry. Shin felt her grip tighten on his hand.
Her mother looked to him now, her smile softening. "You've always been polite, Akashi-kun. Even back then, I thought you were a respectful boy. And now… well, I can see how she looks at you. And how you look at her."
Shin cleared his throat, suddenly awkward despite himself. "I, um… I'll treat her well. I promise."
Her mother studied him for a moment longer, then gave a slow, approving nod. "Good. Because if you don't, Ai will probably hurt you before I even get the chance."
They all laughed, even Rika through her watery smile.
Tea was poured, and the atmosphere slowly shifted from tension to comfort. Rika's mom asked how things had been at school, how Ai was doing, what Shin planned to do after graduation. He answered everything honestly, his voice calm and thoughtful, and Rika looked at him with the quiet admiration of someone watching her boyfriend impress the one person who mattered most.
At one point, Rika's mother got up to fetch some cookies from the kitchen, leaving the two teens alone in the living room.
"She really didn't kill you," Rika whispered, stunned.
"Told you I was charming," Shin said, smirking.
"Shut up," she muttered, cheeks pink.
He reached over and flicked her forehead lightly. "Told you everything would be okay."
"I know. I just… I guess I always saw you as this unreachable person. And now here you are, drinking tea with my mom like it's nothing."
Shin leaned close. "Because you reached me, Rika."
She stared at him, heart pounding again.
Her mother returned, plate of cookies in hand. "Here we are! Fresh batch."
"Ohh, your cookies," Shin said, perking up.
"You still remember?" her mother asked, delighted.
"Of course. I remember everything from the last time I visited. Including the lecture you gave me about not making Ai cry."
"Good. The same applies to Rika."
"Yes, ma'am."
Rika, meanwhile, just sat there, cheeks puffed slightly, clearly trying to mask the overwhelmed emotions brimming beneath the surface. The moment felt surreal—warm, strange, and weirdly perfect.
As the conversation continued into comfortable domestic chatter, her mother eventually excused herself to finish a few things upstairs, giving them space.
Rika immediately collapsed sideways into Shin's lap.
"Oof," he muttered, catching her.
"She didn't scream or ground me," she mumbled. "I was sure she was going to…"
Shin ran a hand through her hair, stroking it slowly. "Maybe she realized what I already know."
"What?"
"That you're not a little girl anymore."
She looked up at him, eyes wide, vulnerable.
"You're the girl I wake up beside," he said softly. "The one who kisses me goodnight and makes my heart race with one smile."
"Anata…"
He smiled. "Now she knows too."
Rika buried her face in his chest and clung to him tightly. "Don't ever leave, okay?"
"I'm not going anywhere," he whispered into her hair.
And for a while, they just sat there—him stroking her hair, her curled up in his lap like the only safe place in the world. The sun dipped below the rooftops outside, and Rika's home, for the first time, didn't just feel like her house.
It felt like their story had begun here.
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END OF CHAPTER : 204 : MEETING HER MOTHER!
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