Introduction (14 nov 2020)

This chapter took a bit longer than expected to finish. Partially due to being extra busy at work, and one of my favorite pieces of music that I often listen to while writing, had suddenly gone missing on YouTube. Turned out it had been re-uploaded to a different channel. So, it looks like the 11th chapter of this fan made story is going to be released in the 11th month of this year after all.

I hope you will enjoy reading this, and I'm definitely looking forward to hearing what you think of this chapter, as well as the other chapters in this story.

Note: If you want to comment on this story, or any of my other stories, you're welcome to leave a review, preferably as registered member, as this allows much more interaction between writer and reviewer. If there are parts you felt lacking, or disliked, please let me know this as well. Things can appear amazing in my perception, while others might think very differently. I'm eager to hear such feedback as well, since praise is always nice, and can confirm being on the right track, criticism is often what helps more to improve.

Chapter Prologue:

The unexpected events of the day before, had resulted in Kazuya having to temporarily postpone visiting his parents. But today it was time to finally 'face the music' and tell the truth about the real nature of his relationship with Mizuhara and Ruka, respectively. How will his family react to this?

Meet the Parents (again) - part 1

"Aahhh!" Kazuya yawned, as he slowly opened his eyes.

He stretched a few times, and then slowly rolled over, to get up. He had been having some trouble falling asleep last night, and his head was still feeling fuzzy. But still he had noticed something was strange. Kazuya sniffed a few times; 'What is that? Seems like something's cooking… and it sure smells pretty good too! Am I still dreaming this? Or maybe it's one of the neighbors?' he wondered. 'Nah, it's too strong, it… it's coming from the kitchen!? Perhaps I left something on the stove?'

As fast as his still partially sleepy body allowed, Kazuya stumbled towards the kitchen.

"Ah, there you are, sleepyhead," a cheerful sounding voice greeted him, as he put his head around the corner.

"R-Ruka? What are y-you doing here?" Kazuya asked.

"Oh, just baking some pancakes for you, dear!" was the enthusiastic reply, while she skillfully flipped another one over.

"Well, it does smell delicious, thanks!" Kazuya complimented her, while slowly getting more and more to his senses after having such a rough night.

"Ah, it's nothing…" Ruka replied, "… I've made you dinner a few times now, but nothing else, and I wanted to feel what it's like to cook breakfast for my boyfriend."

"That's sweet of you, Ruka…" Kazuya said, as he wanted to get some plates to put on the table.

"No no, you just sit down, I'll handle that for you, dear," Ruka said, with a big smile on her face.

"You're really spoiling me…" Kazuya replied, "… but I'll do as you say and…"

Kazuya was now finally starting to get fully awake and realized something was just a tiny bit off about this situation…

"Wait, how did you get here!?" Kazuya wondered; "Did you stay over? Did we… eh?" he added, as some sweat drops appeared on his face. "But if we did, then why don't I remember anything? What's going on with me!?"

"Relax, I took your extra key last time I was here and let myself in this morning," Ruka explained. "If we would have… eh, been together, I'm sure you would remember," Ruka continued, with a smile on her face; "I still remember the first night I slept over at your place, like it was just yesterday. I'm sure when something more were to happen, it will be special too…" she added, with a dreamy look in her eyes, meanwhile blushing.

"Eh… well, I guess so…" Kazuya mumbled, also blushing, as he felt a bit embarrassed to be talking about this subject, this early on the day, even before breakfast.

"Ok, dig in!" Ruka said, after putting a large dish with a pile of pancakes on the table, then adding some toppings on the side; "It wouldn't be smart to go to your parents on an empty stomach, right?"

"I have to agree on that," Kazuya said with a smile, as he sat down, and put a pancake on his plate.

After enjoying the breakfast Ruka had made, the two youngsters went on their way. Because the weather was really nice, they decided to go on foot for the last part. While holding hands, they walked on, till Kazuya suddenly stopped.

"Oh, btw, I do need that extra key back," Kazuya said, as he held up his other hand.

"Awww…" Ruka pouted, "… do I really have to?"

"Remember we agreed on taking it easy?" Kazuya reminded Ruka; "You having a key means we're practically already living together. And although I must admit it does sound really tempting to live with a cute girl like you, don't you think it's a little too sudden for now?"

"Well, you know how I feel about this, I've been ready to move on for quite a while now…" Ruka started, "… but I guess you are right. I was prepared to 'play the long game' and even though it's been taking much longer than I ever expected, I don't want to force things…" she added, as she reluctantly took the spare key from her bag and handed it over to Kazuya.

For a little while Ruka remained silent, feeling like she had taken a small step back, instead of going forward. But she quickly got over this, and the rest of the way she was as talkative as ever. 'It seems like there is nothing that can keep Ruka down…' Kazuya thought. 'That positive attitude is just what I need right now, when telling the truth to my family. I'm glad she's with me for this!' he added in his mind, as he subconsciously tightened his grip on her hand, which he was still holding.

"Aua! What's with the squeezing!?" Ruka yelled.

"Oh, sorry…" Kazuya apologized, as he relaxed his grip again.

"Are you… nervous?" Ruka asked, while they were getting closer to the Kinoshita family home.

"Who, me?" Kazuya replied, trying to act casually.

"Didn't we agree to be honest to each other?" Ruka asked, looking at him with a piercing glance.

"Eh… well, maybe I'm feeling just a little bit unsettled…" Kazuya reluctantly admitted.

"That's fine…" Ruka said, while smiling again, "… just don't forget that you have me now."

"Ok, I'll try…" Kazuya replied, "… and thanks for coming along."

"No problem, I am your girlfriend, right?" Ruka stated, as she gave him a loving glance.

As they walked around the corner, the Kinoshita family home came into view. 'Ok, this is it!' Kazuya thought, as he pressed the button of the intercom.

"Oh, hello Kazuya…" grandmother Nagomi greeted her grandson with very little enthusiasm. "Oh wait, who's there with you? Is that princess Chizuru?" she asked, with her voice suddenly sounding very hopeful.

'Pretty much as I expected…' Kazuya thought. 'This might even be harder than I thought. I wonder how Ruka will feel about this welcome?'

"Hello grandma!" Ruka said, with a cheerful voice, much to Kazuya's surprise.

"Oh, hello Ms. Ruka," grandma Nagomi greeted the unexpected guest with a friendly voice; "Please come in, you two!"

They walked up the stairs, leading to the front door of the apartment on the second floor, which was where the Kinoshita family lived.

"So, Ms. Ruka, what brings you here so unexpectedly?" Kazuya's grandma wondered, after opening the front door, and letting the young couple inside; "Could it be that you have come to visit your 'Tokyo grandmother' again?"

"Well, yes… but, eh…" Ruka hesitated, as she looked down at the ground.

"Is something wrong, my dear?" grandmother Nagomi asked; "You know you can tell grandma everything. What's bothering you?"

'Oh no, Ruka must be feeling embarrassed or possibly even sad about grandma initially expecting to see Mizuhara instead of her!' Kazuya thought. 'What if Ruka instantly tells her the truth about how things really are, without waiting till I've first prepared grandma a little, so the news doesn't come as that much of a shock to her!?' Kazuya wanted to take Ruka apart, but before he could react, the dark-haired girl spoke again!

"If it's ok with you, grandma… I'd first like to pay respect to the family altar…" Ruka replied, while still acting a bit shy.

"Huh? Why sure, my child. Please come with me," grandmother Nagomi said, as she led Ruka to the family's sanctuary.

'Ah, now I understand. Last time Ruka came to our place, she didn't think of this at all, but Mizuhara did, and that made grandma take an even bigger liking towards her back then…' Kazuya pondered. 'Ruka probably remembered this and must have felt bad about forgetting to pay respect… It even seems grandma no longer is overly disappointed Mizuhara isn't here. That's good! Ruka, you are so amazing at times!' Kazuya complimented her inside his mind.

Ruka closed her eyes, and folded her hands in silence, to honor Kazuya's late grandfather, then turned around again.

(author's note: in Japanese culture, it is a custom to pay respect to the family altar when visiting one's significant other's family for the first time, if marriage is considered seriously)

"It seems you've really grown up since we last met, on my grandson's birthday," Nagomi praised Ruka; "You've certainly become a fine young lady, Ms. Ruka. I bet Chizuru must have been a good influence on you."

'Oh no! That's only going to add fuel to the fire, grandma further praising Mizuhara and suggesting she's some kind of big sister and teacher to Ruka!' Kazuya started panicking. 'Why did I ever lie to grandma by telling that Ruka was a pathological liar and that Mizuhara could only put up with her behavior because they were friends!? I'm such an idiot! This can only turn out really bad from this moment onwards. Ok, let's brace for impact! In 3, 2, 1…' Kazuya counted, as he closed his eyes.

"Yes, I really learned a lot from Chizuru-san," Ruka said, with a cheerful smile on her face.

'Whaaa!?' Kazuya screamed in his mind, as his jaw nearly dropped on the floor from sheer surprise about Ruka's composed reply. 'Thank you, Ruka! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Not spilling the beans right away, means there's still a chance to slowly prepare grandma for the truth about Mizuhara and me...'

"Speaking of princess Chizuru, is she not coming today as well?" grandma Nagomi inquired.

Kazuya remained silent. 'Just as I feared, grandma just stays so focused on Mizuhara. This must be making Ruka endure even more. How will she take this?' he wondered.

"Chizuru-san really wanted to come, but she was busy…" Ruka explained, "… she did ask us to apologize on her behalf."

"Oh, that's my princess, always so considerate!" grandma Nagomi praised Chizuru.

Ruka quickly glared at Kazuya, clearly showing to him that she was starting to get fed up with this. 'Shoot, I got to think up something quick. Ruka's been holding up better than expected, but it's clear she can't really endure much more of this. Quickly now! I've got to create some kind of diversion. But what? Come on, Kazuya, think harder!'

"So, eh… mom and dad are not home today?" Kazuya asked, trying to change the subject with the first thing that came to mind.

"Hmm? That's a silly question, Kazuya. Of course they are not at home but working in the store. You should know that by now." Kazuya's grandma explained, clearly annoyed; "Not everyone can slack off during the week, like you do in college."

"Hey, I do happen to have a part time job these days!" Kazuya objected, while meanwhile wondering why he asked such a stupid question.

"Oh? Did you already spend all the money your father gave you, when you went to college?" Nagomi wondered; "Well, that was probably to be expected, kids these days really don't know how to be frugal. Although I can't imagine what you could have spent it all on…"

Ruka exchanged a meaningful glance with Kazuya. 'Yeah, she's right, I'm guilty… I blew most of that money, and even more on renting Mizuhara. If this conversation continues like this, I won't just have grandma against me, but Ruka as well…'

"I'm sorry, grandma," Kazuya apologized, as he bowed down his head.

"Well, most important is you're still healthy. Money isn't everything anyway. So, what brings my grandson here?" grandma Nagomi asked; "It's not a Wednesday, so there must be a very special reason for it."

"Speaking of that, actually, there is…" Kazuya started.

"I knew it. It is about the money after all. Maybe you just brought Ms. Ruka along, hoping I wouldn't be able to say no to you in front of her?" Kazuya's grandmother asked, as she squinted her eyes.

"Ehhh, well…" Kazuya hesitated to continue talking.

Ruka noticed how Kazuya was struggling, and felt it was time for her to act. She had seen this indecisiveness of him all too often. Ruka took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

"I am Kazuya's girlfriend!" Ruka blurted out loud.

Both Kazuya and grandma Nagomi looked surprised by Ruka suddenly speaking up. 'Damn, I should have spoken sooner, and get to the point, instead of beating around the bush once again…' Kazuya blamed himself.

"Wait, Kazuya, does this mean you are cheating on angel Mizuhara with Ms. Ruka?" grandma Nagomi asked, as she raised her eyebrows.

Kazuya violently shook his head, but his grandmother didn't pay any attention to him, while she was composing her thoughts, and sighed deeply, before speaking again.

"It must be all due to the bad influence from those manga stories kids are reading these days. Or those anime series on TV, where guys collect a harem of cute girls, and then easily hop from one girl to the other…" grandma Nagomi started; "That modern garbage gives youngsters like you the idea it's ok to toy with a woman's heart and forget about the values of true courtesy and loyalty."

Kazuya's grandmother paused briefly, then continued; "If grandpa would still be alive to this day, he would be very disappointed!" she added, while wiping a tear from her eye with her handkerchief.

"Grandma… I'm so sorry, but…" Kazuya wanted to begin explaining, but his grandma interrupted him.

"I'm very disappointed in you too, Ms. Ruka!" Nagomi continued; "You seemed like such a nice young lady, but instead it turns out you are nothing but a homewrecker. I'm sorry grandpa, I tried to raise our grandson the best I could and pass our family values onto him. But I have failed you…"

'Grandma is overreacting, as usual!' Kazuya thought, as he was starting to recover from the sudden criticism coming from Nagomi's mouth. 'Well, technically she is right, I've been leading Ruka on for almost as long as I've lied to everyone about Mizuhara and toying with her heart. So, I do deserve grandma's wrath, but Ruka definitely doesn't! I have to speak up for her!'

"Grandma… please don't blame Ruka for this…" Kazuya started, as he bowed down his head deeply in respect for Nagomi, "… it's really all my fault. There is one thing you should know. One thing that I should have told so much earlier, but I didn't have the guts to say it, when I should have…"

"Huh? Kazuya?" grandma said, as she turned her head towards her grandson.

"The truth is…" Kazuya took a deep breath before finishing his sentence; "Mizuhara has never been my real girlfriend!"

(To be continued…)

Epilogue (21 nov 2020)

So, the first word is out, finally. But is this the end of all misunderstandings, or the beginning of even bigger problems? I guess the next chapter will reveal more about this, right?

Please let me know what you think of this story and leave some feedback in the form of a review. If you are logged in on this fanfiction website, and post a review as registered member, I can even reply to your comments. Looking forward to some more interaction with the people who read my stories!

Btw, since I am not a native speaker, there will likely be some silly mistakes in this story. And in punctuation, maybe I made the same mistakes as in previous stories, or even made new mistakes. Hope you can bear with me and see through that. Helpful tips and suggestions are welcome.

Stay safe, and maybe until soon!