Misaki didn't get a chance to settle down when he came home from work to see that Akihiko had packed a fair amount of his belongings in a luggage bag. Misaki also noticed some of his own possessions were packed in their own separate bag as well. "Misaki", Akihiko rushed, "we're going off the grid!"

"I refuse!" Misaki shouted. But alas, the larger man was already nudging him back out the door, luggages preventing entry into the condo, "There's no time. Preparations have already been made." "Please tell me you aren't avoiding another deadline- again!"

They were already on the road when Misaki's phone started to ring in his pocket and he prayed that when he looked down on it, he wouldn't see Aikawa or Isaka's name on the screen. "Don't answer it!", Akihiko insisted. Misaki shot back, "You know I can't do that!" As the honest younger man attempted to answer the call, the older one scooped the device out from his grasp. "Hey, give me back my phone, Usagi-San!" Akihiko kept his eyes on the road, keeping the phone just out of Misaki's reach, declining call after call from his editor, double checking if the location settings were off in the process.

"What gives?!" Misaki asked when the driver finally gave the phone back. "Where we're going", Akihiko finally answered, "I don't want any unnecessary interruptions." Misaki frowned, "Isn't it a little early to be going to the summer home? We didn't even plan properly." Akihiko smiled and shook his head, "Not this time. I'm not avoiding Aikawa because I'm missing a deadline, rather I'm trying not to, and she's getting in the way of my creative free will." "Oh? What kind of stuff are you writing about?" Misaki spoke under his breath, 'Please don't let it be for the BL novels.'

Akihiko explained, "I'm writing about a character who's an only child, but according to Aikawa, my way of writing the family's dynamic is all wrong and cliche?" The author squinted his eyes in confusion. "I thought it wasn't half bad, but apparently not." Misaki chuckled, "I guess even Marukawa's top selling author has his dull moments." "I'm offended." Misaki rolled his eyes and smiled to face the window at his side, watching trees pass swiftly by.

After being on the road for some time, Misaki finally spoke again, "Wait, this neighborhood looks familiar. Usagi-san?" He turned to face Akihiko, "We aren't going to the Usami mansion, are we?" Misaki's spine shivered at the thought of having to run into Usagi-chichi and talk about agonizing life decisions. Akihiko shook his head once more, "Absolutely not, however the place we're going to just so happens to be right near there." The car began to slow down and Akihiko drove into the opposing property from the Usami estate.

Misaki observed his new surroundings intently. What he saw before him was a large traditional Japanese style home. Despite the intimidating size and style, the outside of the house was very well kept and looked as if people still lived there. Stone walls looked to be surrounding the entire property. "Misaki", Akihiko called out for the boy who was in a trance, "Come carry your bag."

"Usagi-san, who's house is this?" "No one you need to worry about." "Way to keep it vague." "Just wait and see. You'll be surprised." The two men slowly walked up to the front door as the older one reached out to ring the doorbell. A few moments passed and they could hear soft footsteps and the door finally beginning to open.

Behind the door appeared an older woman with a pair of kind dark eyes that still held some sparkle and brown hair. Her hair was neatly put into a bun and was peppered with grey hairs from signs of aging, though her face was scarce of any wrinkles. Her kimono was pristine and complimented her ladylike appearance. "Akihiko-kun, it's so good to finally have you visit us! Welcome back." The lady greeted Akihiko with a warm smile, like she had known the man for a long time. "Ruiko-sama, it's good to see you." The man greeted the elder woman with the most polite smile Misaki had ever seen, he could pucker from how sweet it looked. "Have you been well?" Akihiko continued. The two continued to swap pleasantries as they entered the residence. Misaki couldn't utter a word as he followed behind his partner. He kept glancing back and forth at the two, questions lining up in his head. Why was Akihiko being so polite? Who is she to them?

"Who's at the door?" Misaki's thoughts we're halted when another individual turned the corner at the entrance. It was an older man, around the same age as the lady who turned to answer, "Goto, it's Akihiko-kun!" The man greeted Akihiko with a small smile, "Akihiko-kun, it's been a while." Akihiko turned toward the elder man and bowed, " Hello, sir. Not too long, I hope." "It's fine. We understand you're a very busy man, Mister Award-winning Author." The eldest man then turned his attention to Misaki. The youngest flinched as he was met with the elder man's fierce eyes, surveying his profile like the stranger he was. The man stood tall to show he wasn't a thin and weak old man. His face, which presented an uninterested frown, was accompanied by wise wrinkles. His short hair, a salt and pepper mix. A total opposite from the woman's beside him. "Is this a friend of yours?" The lady also chimed in, "Oh! How rude of me, we haven't been introduced."

Misaki stuttered to answer and quickly bowed to the couple with a shy smile, "Hello! My name is Takahashi Misaki. It's nice to meet you." "This is the person I told you over the phone I would be bringing along", His partner added. The couple bowed in return to Misaki. The elder man softened his gaze, "It nice to meet you, Takahashi-kun. My name is Kamijou Gotoku." "And I'm his wife, Ruiko", The lady said sweetly, "It's always a pleasure to meet one of Akihiko-kun's friends."

Gotoku insisted on taking the mens' bags to their room, and Ruiko ushered them into the common area, "Make yourselves comfortable. I've already prepared the tea, so I'll be right back." The two men sat at the low table and waited for their hosts to return. Misaki adjusted himself as he surveyed his surroundings and faced his partner who sat calmly beside him. "Usagi-san…" "Hm." "What are we doing here? How do you know them?"

"I've known these two since my childhood. I'm using them as inspiration for my book, and we'll be staying with them for one week." "One week?!" Misaki shouted under his breath, "I can't believe you're taking advantage of this poor couple's hospitality just so you can write your weird stories!"

"Stop with the 'taking advantage' stuff, I'm not doing that at all. They know why I'm here and they agreed to help me."

"More importantly", Misaki replied, "I still have work, you know!"

"Isaka-san hooked me up with vacation time for you, you're welcome."

'Of course, why am I not surprised, he would have a hand in something like this?' Misaki groaned to himself.

"Sorry for the wait", Ruiko returned, "I have snacks, it should hold us until dinner." She placed the platter down and made her way to the opposite side of the table and took her seat with her husband not far behind. The four adults drank and the woman of the group initiated small talk, Akihiko complying to her questions. Misaki observed Akihiko's polite performance. He wasn't sure if this was just another of his charades, but the younger man gave him the benefit of the doubt as he told him that they were familiar with him in childhood. Misaki's eyes wandered and caught a glimpse of Gotoku side eyeing him during the conversation. Misaki pretended not to notice, but the elder took that as a cue. "Takahashi-kun", Gotoku finally spoke, "I hope you don't mind me asking. How do you know Akihiko?"

Misaki was prepared for situations like this. After many run-ins with the surprisingly large number of people involved in Akihiko's life, Misaki had gotten used to it. It was time for the "How do you know Mr. Usami?" game.

"My older brother became friends with Akihiko in high school, that's how we were introduced to each other."

"So that means you've been friends for a long time?" Ruiko asked.

"No, We only first met when I was studying for college entrance exams."

"I was his tutor", Akihiko added.

Gotoku smirked, "Judging how you were a top student, I can only assume Takahashi got in. Are you almost finished with school?"

Misaki grinned as he finished, "Yes, Akihiko was a great help. I will graduate this year!" Gotoku nodded in approval, "Well then, keep up the good fight."

"Oh, Takahashi-kun!" Ruiko chimed in, "The school you attend, is it by chance Mitsuhashi University?" Misaki turned to Ruiko and nodded, "Yes, it is."

Ruiko smiled brightly in hope, "Then you must be familiar with our son!"

"Your son, is he also a student?"

The woman made a small laugh behind her hand, "No, no. He works-"

Ruiko was cut off as the doorbell suddenly rang.

"Pardon me, I'll answer the door." Ruiko excused herself with a big smile and made her way to the door. Her footsteps increased as she was out of sight and rushed around the corner. Misaki turned to Ruiko's husband, "You have a son?"

Gotoku nodded, "Yes, he's the same age as Akihiko and works at the university. He's supposed to be visiting today as well, so that might be him outside right now."

Misaki took some sips of his tea as he thought aloud, "Oh. Well if he's a professor, I might've have heard of him. Let's see, your surname is Kamijou so…"

Oh hell no.

Misaki stuttered his words as he tried desperately not to put the pieces together. Akihiko crept a smile and hid his face in amusement. "Uhm…K-Kamijou…let's see…his first name-" The boy sipped his tea as he pretended that some snacks were caught in his throat.

"Look who's come home!", Ruiko sang as she returned with two figures who followed closely behind.

The three men turned their heads toward her. Misaki didn't need to pretend anymore- because now he was drowning.

—

Nowaki fidgeted in his seat with his partner beside him. They didn't own a car, so the two men took the trip by taxi. When Hiroki told Nowaki that he planned on introducing him to his parents, he was absolutely over the moon. On the other hand, he was agonizing over the event in his head all night. He barely got an ounce of sleep. Hiroki would watch Nowaki, checking for any signs of hesitancy. Even when he knew Nowaki wanted to do this, there was still a lot of pressure from the whole ordeal.

Nowaki wanted to meet Hiroki's parents for a while now. He remembered how eager he was that one time after Hiroki sent the letter refusing an arranged marriage to his parents, stating that there was already someone who claimed their son's heart. Nowaki woke up the next morning, hyped up on coffee and immediately put on a spiffy suit, proclaiming to meet his boyfriend's parents. Hiroki turned down his out of the blue proposal. It was way too early in the morning to be making life changing decisions. It wasn't until recently, Hiroki finally decided to officially introduce him. With Hiro's consent, Nowaki was not going to pass up the opportunity. This would just bring Hiroki and him closer.

However, the agonizing questions hovered over him throughout the night. "What if things don't turn out well?" He thought to himself. "What if they don't accept me? Are they going to take Hiro-san away from me? I can't let that happen!" He thought this in the car too, he tried to suppress any more questions in his conscience. He was making himself all jittery from the pressure. "I have to stop overthinking."

Trapped in his own thoughts, Nowaki stared out the car window. He wasn't aware of the sour expression on his face. Hiroki turned to look at him and knew he had things on his mind. "Nowaki." Hiroki tapped his boyfriend's leg, snapping him back to reality. "Are you sure you're okay?" He asked in concern. Nowaki smiled reassuringly, "I'm good." Hiroki frowned, unsure whether to leave it be or call him out. "I won't hate you if you suddenly change your mind right now." "No, don't say that. We're already so close, and I overheard your mother on the phone. She sounded so happy to know you were staying over. I wouldn't want to spoil the first day."

Hiroki narrowed his eyes and held Nowakis cheeks to look him in the eyes, "Promise you'll be chill?" Nowaki stared at the man with wide eyes, a grin switched onto his face, "No promises!" Hiroki scoffed at Nowaki's playful response, "Now I know you're fine, you big dope!" Hiroki released his partner's face with a small smile. As the car drove up in front of the property, the couple took a deep breath. Hiroki composed himself as they exited the vehicle. Nowaki stared up at the large house as more butterflies fluttered inside his belly. Hiroki went ahead and paid the driver before quickly departing. There was no going back. Perhaps Nowaki could just run inside, say hi, reveal the truth and gun it before Hiro's parents could process what he said, shooting straight back home into the sunset holding Hiroki tightly in his arms! His legs were fast enough, he thought.

Hiroki ushered Nowaki inside the gate, the taller man following closely behind, like he was worried he'd get lost just by stepping foot into the property. Hiroki reached up to ring the doorbell with one hand. The other arm preoccupied by his partner's hand gripping it weakly. The older man looked up at Nowaki and his clutched arm, "You can let go now big guy." Nowaki unhanded Hiroki's arm swiftly, the older man then taking back his arm and planting a supportive pat on the taller man's back. Hiroki mumbled shyly to reassure his partner, "I'll be here the whole time."

Nowaki smiled at his lover, his nerves slowly dissipated as they stood at the entrance of the home. The door finally shifted slightly as a large pair of eyes peered through the crack. They looked at Hiroki expectantly. "Hello motherrr." Hiroki called in a sing-song tone.

With that, the person behind the door finally opened the door. Nowaki observed the large grin on the woman's face as she then opened her arms to the man in front of her. "Welcome home, Hiro-chan!" The woman embraced her son tightly as she hummed. Hiroki blushed at the childish nickname, but instead of admonishing her for it, he returned the hug. Nowaki smiled at this spectacle. Hiroki told him that his mother was a sweet lady. It was his father he warned him about. The woman released her son and turned her attention to Nowaki. With a welcoming smile, she greeted him, "Hello, young man. Hiroki told me that he was bringing along a friend. I'm his mother, Kamijou Ruiko." Nowaki and Hiroki's mom traded a bow as Nowaki introduced himself, "I'm Kusama Nowaki. It's nice to finally meet you, Kamijou-sama."

"Please, call me Ruiko. Kamijou-sama is my husband."

Nowaki smiled shyly, "Okay, Ruiko-sama it is."

"Come inside you two, everyone else is waiting." Ruiko beckoned the two into the house. Hiroki questioned his mother's statement, "Everyone?"

As they turned the corner, Hiroki's question was answered. He was not pleased with the outcome. His mother sang as she announced his arrival, "Look who's come home!"