"So what am I supposed to do? What am I supposed to know?" Rin paced around the room, hands fiddling behind his back.

Nakamura shrugged, remaining seated. "I think it's best I don't tell you too much. You will psych yourself out."

Rin halted. "No I won't."

"You will." Nakamura shut him down, leaning back in his chair. "So don't worry."

"I'm not worried. I just want to know who I'm engaged to. Is that too much to ask?"

"Hey, look, they're a good family."

"Really, now?"

"Really."

Rin rolled his eyes, walking toward the french windows as he tried again to busy himself with pacing. "And you're sure of this why?"

"Because I've met them." Nakamura shifted in his chair to face Rin. "And also because they are willing to save your future company, with little to no compensation might I add."

"Huh." Rin turned to face Nakamura. "I guess I am little to no compensation." He said that mostly as a joke, but kind of not.

"Not what I meant. Besides – they're giving up a child too."

"I guess."

The adviser huffed. "Try to lighten up a bit."

"I'm not nervous, I'm -" Rin huffed. "Anxious."

At that moment, his mother stormed into the room. She was a flurry of bright hair and business suit, high heel and concern.

"How's Rin-Rin holding out?" She half shouted into the room. "Is he okay?"

"He seems okay." Nakamura comforted her.

"He is in the room." Rin shrugged.

Ms. Matsuoka flopped down into the chair that Nakamura had risen from. "I really hope everything goes well for him."

"I assure you, madam. Rin is going to put his best effort forward." The adviser smiled at his employer, then glared over his shoulder at Rin. "Isn't he?"

Rin glanced side to side, shocked that they were even addressing him. "I guess he will."

"Really, honey?" Ms. Matsuoka span around in her chair, looking to her son.

And, of course he would. He knew he would. But right then his mom just looked so weary, and worn down, and she was known for her zealous personality and attitude – but in that second, she was tired. So he walked over to her, and kissed her on the forehead, smiling at her with an encouraging murmur of, "Absolutely."

He probably meant it. She seemed happy about it.

Her face lit up as she stood, reassuming the tough nature that she was known for. "Right! So! Your future spouse will be here in -" She paused, glancing at her watch. "A matter of seconds. Okay? Ready. Get ready. Where's Gou?"

"Here, mom." Gou Matsuoka responded to the call almost instantly as she descended the stairs across the room, adjusting the sleeve of her dress. "I'm ready."

"Good!" Ms. Matsuoka stood, instantly regaining the energy in her face as she leaned over and kissed her daughter's cheek. "We're ready."

"Perfect timing." Nakamura muttered. He had just checked his phone, and received a message that their guests had finally arrived. "I'll be greeting the family. Everyone stay put and," He hesitated, his face suddenly pleading. "Be on your best behavior. Please."

"When are we not?" The entire family asked in unison.

The adviser shook his head with a smile, exiting the room.

Gou huffed a breath out as he left, turning to pat her brother on the shoulder. "So, big bro, you're doing all this for a business?"

"Probably more for the family than the business." Rin shrugged, avoiding her eyes.

He could see her smiling at him from the corner of his eye. "Either way, that's pretty okay of you. Maybe even cool."

He was supposed to be a big, tough, stand-offish older brother. But what is better than your little sister calling you cool? Nothing. Nothing in the world. This moment had him half way certain that he'd made the right decision.

Rin shrugged her hand off of his shoulder, staring her down. "And people say chivalry is dead. Now," He grinned, lowering his head. "How's that boyfriend been treating you?"

"Please don't start this."

"I want regular updates."

"I don't really think it's your business."

"Why don't you want to talk about him?"

Gou rolled her eyes, pushing Rin's face away. "Because you'll pick at every single thing I say about him."

"Maybe, but-"

"Rin." Their mother's voice broke in in a slightly playful, yet warning tone. "Don't bully your little sister."

"Hey, mom. I'm just trying to enjoy my last few moments as a free man." He shrugged, glancing at his mother.

"Try not to sound so excited." Sarcasm.

"I'm overflowing with joy." He inherited the sarcasm.

"You sound a little bitter." Gou chimed in.

Ms. Matsuoka shook her head. "You can't be bitter on your engagement day."

"Is that what's happening today? We're becoming an official thing today?" Rin asked, because he actually had no idea what was supposed to happen.

His mother stared at him. "I don't know. I think so."

"You don't know?"

"No?"

"WHY DON'T YOU KNOW?"

Gou shrugged, leaning into the conversation. "In all fairness, Rin, you don't know either. It's not mom's wedding."

"Th-that's because-" Rin's words wandered off. Maybe if he had asked more questions, he'd have more answers. He kinda just said 'yes' to this whole thing, and then ignored his issues in hopes that they would go away for the last few days. "Whatever."

Ms. Matsuoka laughed at her son. "You'll be fine, kid."

"It doesn't matter." Rin groaned, muttering one last thing as he shifted away from his family. "I just hope she's cute."

For a split second, Rin's mother and sister glanced at each other. Gou looked genuinely concerned. Ms. Matsuoka felt a hint of pity, but was mostly laughing. Oh man. Ohhh man. He wasn't ready.

"Super cute." Ms. Matsuoka pitched him that, biting her lip to keep her laughter inside as Gou glared at her scornfully. 'Don't entertain this' was sailing across the young girl's face, but the damage was done. Rin looked to satisfied as he adjusted his tie.

Before Gou could even attempt to salvage her brother, the door swung open. Nakamura stepped into the room, moving aside as he introduced the family entering behind him.

A man with black hair and a straight back and piercing blue eyes shuffled into the room, followed closely by a lady who looked much younger, and had a brighter air about her with her shining silver hair. The man had a face that was straight as well, but round and soft enough that he didn't seem intimidating. The woman's face was angular, giving a wise perception, but her smile eased the blow of her smarts.

"Karin." The woman was the first to speak, releasing a long breath. "It's so nice to see you."

Ms. Matsuoka laughed, and Gou smild. This seemed to be going okay. Rin felt like things were pretty okay. His mother and that lady were on a first name basis. It was all good.

Nakamura grinned, gesturing to the couple at the door. "The Nitori family."

Okay awesome. Rin was doing pretty okay so far. How bad could it be, anyway? They seemed like a swell family. He donned a smile, nodding to the couple as they moved into the room. Things were all clear so far. He just needed his future wife to be half as pleasant as her parents seemed, and then he could bear to be around her. He didn't have to be in love with her, after all. Just tolerate her-

As Mr. Nitori shook Ms. Matsuoka's hand, his wife turned back to the door. "Ai! Come on in! Don't be shy."

Ai is a cute name. Was the first thought across Rin's mind. This could work out. His smile grew a bit larger as he shook his future in-laws' hands. He quickly turned his eyes to the door, staring intently.

Finally, he figure emerged. The first thing Rin saw was the silver hair, and the blue eyes. This kid was the product of her parents, definitely. Her hair was cut pretty short, but that was the 'in' style anyway, and she-

Boy. Definitely boy. This is not a drill. Boy.