''Ritsu, we would like to invite you back for the new year,'' said his dad. '' We also would like to see your partner too''

What ?

''Did Mom say anything about this ?'' asked Onodera as his head buzzed with questions.

''We had a talk about this, and we came to agree that we should meet the both of you. Your mother still isn't happy about it but atleast she's willing to see him first.''

''Ohhh…'' Onodera's words drifted off, all that he could say. Does that mean his mother was willing to give Takano a chance ?

''Come back on New year's day,'' said Papa Onodera. '' We won't take the whole day.''

''Okay…'' Onodera said in a daze, still taking the news in. They ended the call.

''What was that about ?'' asked Takano.

Onodera turned to him, surprised at this unexpected turn. '' My parents wants to meet you.''

Takano's eyes widened. What ?

''They want to meet me ?''

''Hai,'' Ritsu comfirmed, in disbelief himself. '' They want us to go on New Year's.''

Composing himself, Takano asked, '' Did they say why ?''

''Not specifically,'' said the brunette. '' They just want to meet you, and see me too. I haven't been back in a while. I'm not sure what to expect from them either.''

Mom just probably wants to compare him to An Chan ….

''New Years huh…'' Takano mumbled. ''That's less than a week from now.''


The next night in the department, Takano sat in his seat, still buried deep in work.

''Takano San! '' called Kisa. He and Mino had their bags and was ready to leave. '' We're going off first ! Good job today !''

''Good job today,'' bid Takano as they left, the only staff left in the quiet office.

Much later, as the editor drove back home, the thought of his pending parents meet surfaced.

Should he get something? He probably should as a gesture of courtesy and respect. So the real question is, what should he get them?

Health tonics?

The car slowed to a stop at the red light, vibrating slight as the engines run. Takano's reflection in the screen faced back at him.


Standing outside the fancy decorated shop, Takano wondered for a moment. He really was doing this. For a split second, Takano debated with himself whether it was a stupid choice. But he did his research, and read the reviews.

It's all or nothing.


'' Okaerinasai. . . '' said Onodera as the heard the door of their shared apartment open.

''Tadaima''

Onodera looked up- and paused at the sight in front of him. Takano had his hair cut.

''Masamune . . .'' Onodera commented, caught off guard, never thought that he would. Takano didn't just get his hair cut, but styled as well. It looked like a pretty expensive. '' You went for a hair cut ? …''

''Hai…'' said Takano.'' I thought I should go get it trimmed before we visit your parents. '' The editor in chief looked refreshingly different. Wearing his black framed spectacle; his fringe swept stylishly to the side, the back was shorter. Almost hesitantly, he asked, ''does it look presentable enough?''

''It does,'' said Onodera. Classically handsome. He wasn't used to the jarring change but the older male really did look like someone was the editor in chief of the best-selling department of the company now- prim and proper. All business. If he gave one of his smirks now, the raven would look devilishly handsome. Not only that, Takano was also carrying a gift set, a small basket full of health tonics.

''I also bought some gifts for them when we visit.''

Takano didn't say anything. The black haired male instead cast his gaze downwards.

Was Masamune nervous ? wondered Onodera. Was that why he went and get a haircut ? Because he wanted to look presentable to his parents ?

He probably spent a lot on it.

The older male was being quiet, even more than usual. The brunette observed him somemore. The raven was looking… unsure, deep in thought.

''Masamune,'' said Onodera.

Takano looked up.

'' It will go okay,'' said Ritsu, holding his arm. Even though the brunette himself was nervous at the whole thing, he wanted to bring assurance to his lover.

Wordlessly, Takano hugged him.


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The weekend finally arrived.

Quietly, Takano drove them, the atmosphere heavy.

''How are they like?''

''Eh ?''

''How are you're parents like ?'' asked Takano.

''Oh…'' said Onodera. '' Mum has always been strict with me but as I got older it got slightly better. She was the one who always said that prepared food is junk food. As for Dad, he was always busy at work and not at home often. . . '' Onodera drifted off, recalling his parent, unable to give an answer. ''Even I'm not sure how he's like.''

''I see,'' said Takano.

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Onodera and Takano entered through the gates, having the car parked right infront of the door. Onodera lived in a pretty big house by middle class standards but by the upper class standard it was humbly decent. Removing their shoes, they entered the house.

Takano stood, looking around the house. There were various photos around, all of them with Onodera inside. There was older one where he was around 5 or 4, holding a book and smiling delightfully at the camera. Another was when he was older, sitting together with a younger An Kohinata in their youths. One was taken with his parents in a foreign country, mostly likely taken when he was studying overseas. The cold gave him rosy cheeks. Lastly, there was one of their family photos; Onodera was in his gown, standing straight as a line with his parents seated formally at the front.

They might have been busy people, but clearly - Onodera Ritsu was very loved by his parents.


Quietly, Onodera lead him down the middle of a hall, into a big room. Seated infornt of a table, much like it was an interview, was Papa and Mama Onodera.

''Takano San,'' Papa Onodera greeted him. Two cups of tea were placed infront of the empty seats. '' Please have a seat.''

Sitting down, Onodera proceed to hold Takano's hand, anxiety reflecting in those green eyes.

'' You're the editor in chief for shojo manga in Marukawa. That's an interesting genre for a man to work in,'' started Papa Onodera. '' And you're very good at it too. I heard from Isaka you turned the whole department around. Sales have been solidly good ever since.''

''I do my best,'' Takano replied simply. '' I couldn't have achieved it if my workers aren't up to task.''

''How are your parents doing ?''

''I don't keep in contact with them anymore,'' said the editor in chief. '' After they got divorce when i was in high school.''

''I'm sorry to hear that.''

''It's alright.''

''You're 30 this year, correct ?'' asked Mama Onodera, cutting in.

''Hai''

''It's about time to get settled then.''

''I'm more or less settled,'' answered Takano, even though he already found the person he wants to spend his life with, blatantly looking at Onodera. Green eyes narrowed.

''More or less ?''

''Onodera's living with me now,'' said the raven. '' He's sharing my 's the closest we can get to married life.''

'' Falling for a subordinate isn't very professional is it, Takano San ?'' asked Mama Onodera, challenging him.

''I know I shouldn't have, but sometimes things like this aren't intention. And it happens in other offices too. But even when I did fell in love with your son, I didn't let it affect my professional life and the work we handled.''

''Weren't you both his neighbour and boss ?''

''Hai''

'' Don't you think you should have maintained your distance ?''

''On the contrary, I think that just makes it hard to do so,'' said Takano. '' And the feeling goes both ways.''

''How long has this been going on ?''

''I don't know,'' answered Onodera truthfully. When did things started? How can he define when did everything muddled up ? '' Ever since I started working at Marukawa.''

''Ritsu,'' asked his mom, finally going straight to the point- what she hasn't understand. '' Why does it have to be man ? Why does it have to be him ?''

''Tsuma,''

'' I – I don't know,'' answered Onodera, his blush deepening. He doens't have to give answer, but when the question was out, Onodera felt like he had to answer it. Why did it have to be the back haired senior ? Again and again. '' I wish I can explain why but I don't have the answer for it.''

''Do we need to give a reason ?'' asked Takano, cutting in to the conversation. '' As long as it's genuine, it shouldn't matter. ''

''Why do you love my son ?'' asked Mama Onodera. The only question that mattered.

'' I don't have the words to explain why,'' said Takano, never being able to find the right words to explain the range of emotions he has for the brunette. How Onodera was his everything.

''That's not good enough Takano san,'' said Mama Onodera. '' I only have one son. I can't just give him out to anyone. The reason why I arranged his enjoyment to An was because they grew up together. She understands him. She never objected to the arrangement. She loves him. If anything, An's the best for him.''

Under the table, Onodera's hands tightened around Takano's nervously as the brunette pursed his lips. With no one else knowing, Takano squeezed back.

''I know you are anxious about our relationship, about your son having a man as his lover,'' said Takano.''I love him, I truly love him.''

''My parents divorced when I was in high school, and they were arguing for ages before that,'' explained the editor in chief. ''They didn't cared about my feelings, how I was doing in school, whether I had eaten or anything like that. But I can tell you love Ritsu very much. I know, in your eyes, I might not match up to your son. But please believe me ,'' Takano looked at her, his dark eyes drilling into the green ones which passed down to Ritsu. '' I truly love him.''


Papa Onodera looked out the window, with Mama Onodera standing behind him. After the meeting was over, the pair looked out the window, observing the pair getting into the car and leaving.

'' Well, what do you think ?'' asked Papa Onodera.

''Not good enough.''

''Our son ?''

''Takano,'' said the mother of Onondera Ritsu, heading to take a seat in the chair. '' He's not good enough for our son.''

''But he loves Ritsu.''

''So did An Chan,'' said the lady. '' And she's known him since they were kids.'' He massaged her head. ''How did An lose out to him ?''

''Well Ritsu loves him,'' replied Papa Onodera, bringing the only difference that matters. '' And I don't doubt Takano's sincerity.''

''He's a man,'' Mama Onodera replied. If he was a she, she would have complied sooner.

''But our son loves him,'' said the head of the company. '' And he loves our son too.''

Suspiciously, Mama Onodera narrowed her eyes. '' I don't like him,'' she said, trying to explain the feeling she had. '' I don't think he can take care of Ritsu. He's not good enough.''

''Why do you say that ?''

''Mother's instinct.''

''Did mother's instinct told you your son was gay ?''

Mama Onodera glared at her husband. As his mother, and a woman, she mostly raised Ritsu up. He is her only son. Ritsu didn't have a relationship that could last for more than few months. Initially, she thought it was because of his engagement to An, but the brunette even rejected that, even if she has been pushing him for it. But a man?

'' Well, I think he's alright,'' said Papa Onodera. '' He seems to want nothing more than to be with Ritsu.''

His wife didn't argue.

The head of Onodera publishing went on. '' Takano himself is already an editor in chief, he has a stable income of his own. And from what Isaka said, he's a capable worker. You've seen him for yourself; he's not unattractive- in fact, he's probably very eligible. So why would he choose Ritsu when he could have choosen someone else, and have what is traditionally regarded as a ''normal'' life? ''

Mama Onodera remained quiet, looking forward pensively.

''I know you don't him because he's a man and there's the issue of Ritsu taking over the company. Frankly, I will have a headache sorting these out too. But-'' Papa Onodera paused, recalling the way Ritsu looked at his partner. '' You can't deny they have something special between them.''

''I just. . . I just want to find someone who's the best for him,'' said Mama Onodera.

''I know,'' said her husband, coming over. Placing a hand, he comforted her. '' I know.''


''So, how do you think it went ?'' asked Onodera.

''It went alright,'' said Takano, pausing before adding, '' I think your mom doesn't like me.''

'' She doesn't like anyone,'' said Onodera. '' When I was small, I thought she preferred having An chan as her child.''

''I'm sure she cares about you,'' said Takano, thinking about the line of photos in their house. '' Mine didn't even bothered.''

''I'm sorry,'' apologised Onodera, for bringing up such a sensitive topic.

''It's alright,'' said Takano. '' Well, now that's over. There's Marukawa's annual New Year 's Eve party tomorrow.''

''Oh.'' Remembering , Onodera's eyes went wide. ''Right !''


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Dear everyone, this chapter has been something I've looked forward too. I hope you did too !