Misaki couldn't believe Takumi was bringing this up now. She appreciated that his feeling for her were strong enough that he wanted to introduce her to his family, but she was freaking out a bit right now and reconciling her perception of today's events to reality was more important to her than taking another step forward in her love life. "Takumi," she said gently, "I really don't think this is the time."
"Misaki," he said as he took her tiny hands in his own, "I love you and I want to be honest and open with you. I don't want there to be any secrets between us. I can imagine you've had a very emotional day, but I think that this will help you come to terms with what you've been through." Takumi looked to his father and grandfather for assurances that he was making the right move. His father gave him a thumbs up and Richard shrugged. He was already banned from Pheromone, how much worse could it get?
"Fine," Misaki sighed. If this was important to Takumi, she'd try to hold it together for a quick meet and greet. "Where are they?"
"They're right here, darling," Takumi said waving toward his father and grandfather. Misaki looked in the direction he'd indicated and saw nothing but the two imaginary aliens or prototypes or whatever they were.
She turned back to Takumi. She raised one eyebrow, and shook her head while raising her shoulders. The gesture clearly said "and where exactly are they?"
Richard couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Takumi, you sure did get a bright one there, didn't you? Did you pick her up at Air-Heads-Are-Us?"
Edward jumped to his son's defense, "now Richard, she has never seen a Pheromonian before, just give her a minute to soak it all in."
"Actually," piped in Gerald, "humans are rather daft creatures. Misaki isn't particularly stupid for her species, but if you're comparing her to a Pheromonian she's never going to measure up. But since Takum is stuck here, she's just as good as any."
Richard was still stuck on Edward's comment. "What do you mean never seen a Pheromonian? It seems she's been spending quite a bit of time with my grandson… your son!"
"Now, now," Edward replied, "you must have known I meant in our actual body. Takumi had always worn his human suit around the girl."
Misaki stood there in shock. Could it be true? Was Takumi an alien? Wait… had Gerald just called her dumb? She needed to make sure she set him straight! But maybe after she dealt with the other parts of that conversation. "Alien?" Misaki said looking into Takumi's eyes feeling a touch of betrayal, sadness, confusion and fear.
Takumi could see this was going to be a rather emotional drawn out discussion. He turned to everyone else in the room. "Guys, maybe you can head back to England now. I think I'd like a little time to talk to Misaki privately."
Richard scoffed. "Well you said you'd introduce us and I would hardly consider that a proper introduction. If you plan to form some sort of relationship with this nitwit, I need to first know more about her to see if she's capable of being improved."
Misaki's face grew red. She was feeling very insulted by Takumi's family and was a little tired of keeping mute. She swung around to speak her mind, but Takumi stopped her and spun her back to look at him. "They are adjusting right now and are struggling. Please stay quite for now. We'll see them soon and they will get to know the real you and you'll see they aren't bad people. Just try to not say anything now that you'll regret later. Be the bigger person."
"Well of course she's the bigger person," Richard scoffed, "she's enormous. Gangly, awkward, and looming…"
"Grandfather!" Takumi snapped. "It is time for you to go... now. All of you. I will arrange for introductions on another day." Claire was quietly herding the party out the door. Richard could see his grandson was behaving in an aggressive and agitated way. He decided he was tired and it had been a long trip. He didn't really want to deal with this impertinent boy right now anyway.
"Fine," Richard said as he left the apartment.
Takumi followed them out and closed his apartment door. Then he found Misaki and led her to the couch. He sat her down and sighed. This was going to be a long night.
