Chapter 55 - Meeting Family
Walking to Sui’s house became the longest walk of Yuiko’s life.
Yuiko held Sui’s hand so tight her fingers trembled slightly. Her tail was coiled tightly around her thigh, it felt like it would hurt soon. Yuiko flattened her ears against her head – the best way to show her fear even if she tried so hard to look brave.
"Yuiko," Sui whispered, tightening his grip. "It will be okay."
"What if they won’t like me?" Yuiko whispered. "What if they think I am not good enough for you?"
"They will definitely like you." He stopped walking, looking straight into her eyes. "Because I love you, and they trust my judgment."
"But what if..."
"Yuiko." He cupped her face, caressing her cheeks with his thumbs. "Look at me."
She obeyed, looking at him with her golden eyes wide open with fear.
"I will be by your side the whole time." He paused. "If you feel nervous – squeeze my hand. If you need a break – I’ll invent an excuse. We are in this together. Remember?"
She inhaled sharply. "Together."
"Together," Sui repeated.
He leaned closer and kissed her forehead gently. Yuiko’s tail uncurled a little and her ears perked up.
"Ready?" he asked.
"Ready," she said, gaining confidence.
They walked up to the front door. Sui unlocked it with his key.
When the door opened, they were welcomed to the cozy house by the smell of home cooked food. From the kitchen could be heard clatter of pots and cheerful humming.
"Mom? Dad?" Sui called. "We are here."
A tall woman appeared in the doorway. She had a kind look in her eyes and a friendly smile. Her hair was the same shade as Sui’s, and she had the same gentle movement pattern.
"You must be Yuiko!" she exclaimed, wiping her hands on her apron. "Sui told us a lot about you!"
Yuiko bowed, intimidated. "It is nice to meet you, Mrs.—"
"Oh, please call me Haru." She laughed, wrapping her arms around Yuiko. "No need for formality, you are family now."
Yuiko froze in shock, and then slowly relaxed under Haru’s warm and welcoming hug.
"Thank you," she managed to say. "Thank you for letting me visit."
"Of course! We have been waiting to meet you." Haru looked her up and down appraisingly. "Sui talks about you all the time. It is so cute, actually. Can’t mention you without mentioning your name for five minutes straight."
"Mom," Sui complained, blushing.
"What? It is true." She winked at Yuiko. "He is completely smitten with you."
Yuiko’s tail began to wag, getting rid of some tension.
"It is nice to hear that," she said quietly. "Actually, I’m smitten with him too."
Haru smiled brightly. "I knew I liked you."
Then came a gruff voice from the living room. "Are they here yet, or are you going to keep them at the door all night?"
Haru chuckled fondly. "That’s my husband, Kenji. He acts all grumpy, but actually he is a sweetie."
She guided them to the living room, where a tall man was sitting in an armchair. He had the same warm eyes as Sui, with a bit of sternness in them.
"So you are Yuiko," he rumbled. "Sui told me a lot about you."
Yuiko bowed again. "It is nice to meet you, sir."
Kenji looked at her attentively, analyzing her as if she was under microscope.
Then he smiled a small smile, transforming his face.
"Good. You are polite. That’s a good start." He stood up, approaching her. "Sui is a good boy. I raised him right. But he is a bit dense sometimes."
"Dad!" Sui interjected.
"It is true." Kenji patted his son’s shoulder. "He needs someone like you. Someone who’ll keep him on his toes."
Yuiko’s tail wagged happily. "I’ll do my best."
"I know you will." Kenji nodded in approval. "Now, let’s eat. Your mother cooked all day."
The dinner was served in the warm and cozy dining room. There was a table overloaded with food – grilled fish, vegetables, rice, miso soup, and various side dishes, which made Yuiko drool.
Haru gestured for her to sit down. "Yuiko, sit next to Sui. I want to see how you two interact."
Sui pulled out a chair for her, and Yuiko seated herself, clasping her hands in her lap. He sat beside her, his knee touching her’s under the table. Just his presence helped her relax.
Haru passed various dishes around, not taking her eyes off Yuiko.
"So," she said lightly, "Sui tells me you are in the same class."
"Yes, ma’am—I mean, Haru. We have been in the same class since the first year."
"That is wonderful. How did you two meet?"
Yuiko glanced at Sui, who nodded encouragingly.
"We were in the same study group," she said. "He sat opposite to me. I thought he was quiet at first, but then he made a joke, and I couldn’t stop laughing."
"And the rest is history?" Haru asked, twinkling with amusement.
"Pretty much." Yuiko’s tail started to wag. "He just... made me laugh. And then I realized I wanted to hear him laugh too. And then we spent more and more time together. And then—"
"And you fell in love?" Haruka completed.
Yuiko’s face turned red. "Yes."
Haruka smiled brightly. "That is so romantic."
Kenji leaned towards them. "And what are your intentions with my son?"
Yuiko tensed. "My... intentions?"
"I mean, do you date him for fun, or seriously?"
Sui wanted to intervene, but Yuiko squeezed his hand under the table.
"I am serious," she said calmly. "I love your son, and I want to have future with him. I want to support him and get supported by him. I want to grow old with him, if he will let me."
Kenji stared at her for a while. Then he smiled.
"Good answer."
Yuiko released a sigh of relief.
Haru kept on asking questions, but now they were friendly and ordinary ones. What is her favorite food? What does she like to do in her spare time? What are her dreams?
Yuiko answered each of them, becoming more and more comfortable as time went on. Haru was so warm and pleasant person that she couldn’t help it. Her laughter was sincere.
When the dessert was served, Yuiko felt like she knew Sui’s parents all her life.
"So," Haruka began, handing her a piece of cake, "Sui says you’ve got a cat."
Yuiko’s eyes widened. "I don’t have a cat. I’m a cat."
Haruka giggled. "I know, silly girl! I mean your pet, the one you feed in the park."
"Oh! Yes, I feed some strays. They’re very cute."
"And Sui says you have a soft spot for animals. That’s fantastic!"
"Yes, I also heard from Kenji," added the latter, "that you’re an excellent cook."
"Sui told you that?" She turned to look at him in surprise.
"He did!" mumbled Sui, blushing. "And you can cook."
"Barely."
"But better than me."
"That’s low praise."
They all laughed.
That evening ended well. Her tail was wagging happily; her ears were pricked; her smile was sincere.
Haruka gave her a big hug right before leaving through the door.
"You’re a wonderful woman, darling. Truly wonderful. Feel free to visit anytime."
Kenji put his hand on her shoulder.
"You’re good for him. Can feel it."
Yuiko’s eyes glittered.
"Thanks," she whispered. "Both of you. Thanks."
Sui held her hand.
"I told you," he whispered. "They’d adore you."
She smiled happily, looking at him.
"Let’s go home," she said softly.
"Right."
The return journey was quiet but comfortable.
Her tail was swinging lightly; her hand was warm and in Sui’s. The air was cold and fresh, the stars lighting up the night sky above.
"I can’t believe how well that turned out," she said, amazed. "I was so nervous and then..."
"Then they met you," Sui interrupted. "And saw what I see."
She looked at him.
"What do you see?"
He stopped and turned to face her, looking at her with tender eyes.
"I see a kind person. A brave person. Someone who makes me laugh and thinks first about other people. Someone who loves animals and doesn’t lose hope in humans. Someone who is beautiful from the inside and outside."
Her face blushed.
"Sui..."
"I see a person I want to spend the rest of my life with."
Tears welled up in her eyes.
"Thank you," she whispered. "For introducing me. For staying by my side. For... for everything."
He held her face in his hands, caressing her cheek with his thumb.
"Thank you for being yourself," he whispered. "For trusting me. For loving me."
She leaned against his touch, closing her eyes.
"I love you," she breathed. "So much."
He kissed her—tenderly, gently, with love and promises in his lips.
When they parted, both smiling,
"Same time tomorrow?" she asked.
"Same time tomorrow," he replied.
She laughed, her tail swinging.
"I meant the dinner."
"I know. But I’ll see you tomorrow anyway."
"You’re impossible."
"You still love me."
"Unfortunately."
They walked home holding hands.
And Yuiko knew, without any doubts, that she had finally found her family.