Prompt: Morning/Change (Part 1 of 7)

Kotoko Saga occasionally had a moment in the morning where she could sit and enjoy a cup of coffee. Instead of rushing out with a thermos and a stress headache like she normally did, she could relax in the kitchen she never cooked in and watch out the nearest window for a hint of a bird. It was on mornings such as these where she got glimpses of her son.

She could tell that there was something...different about Masamune. Perhaps she did not always have the time to be home, perhaps there were days (or weeks) where her and Masamune did not even pass one another, but she knew her son well enough to know that something was on his mind.

Normally their conversations were short, Masamune often being the one to cut them off. He'd mutter something about being late to school despite having more than enough time to sit down and eat, but Kotoko couldn't blame him for not knowing how to talk to her. She didn't know how to talk to him either.

But recently, when she's had these slow mornings, Masamune lingers. He takes his time getting ready to leave, he asks a few questions about her work or her plans for the day, and he fidgets the entire time before he hesitantly makes his exit. Normally he left the house like it was on fire, so what had changed?

To be quite frank, Kotoko was getting tired of this game. It had started in the middle of January and was now spilling over into February. It was obvious that Masamune had something to say and if she had taught her son anything it was that it was best to be direct with people.

Yet again, Masamune entered the kitchen before school and greeted her with a good morning, setting his school bag on an empty chair. She said good morning back and then fell silent, sipping her coffee and waiting for Masamune to continue the conversation. However, Kotoko was not a particularly gentle or patient woman so when Masamune gave her an anxious sideways glance while he grabbed something to eat, she sighed.

"Just spit it out already, Masamune. These mornings are meant to be relaxing for me, but you acting all nervous has got me on edge."

"It's nothing." Came the automatic, almost robotic response.

Kotoko couldn't contain her scoff. "That is obviously not true. Tell me what's bothering you or stop acting antsy."

Masamune shifted from foot to foot, not looking directly at his mother. She opened her mouth to reprimand him, but he finally spoke up.

"Valentine's day is in a couple days..." He started, but much to Kotoko's frustration he did not elaborate.

"Yes? And what about it?" Kotoko was confused as to why Masamune suddenly had a concern with the holiday. Not to mention it was a surprise he was asking HER of all people about Valentine's day. It was rather obvious Kotoko's own love life was in a rough spot, especially to Masamune who unfortunately bared witness to his parents' arguments more than once.

It wasn't like Masamune wanted to ask his mom. He wanted to ask his dad even less. However he didn't really know who else to ask. He could always ask a certain kouhai of his, but he sort of wanted things to be a surprise. He was sure he'd get a much cuter reaction that way.

"Well, normally girls give guys chocolate, right? But what if I like a person and...we're both..." Masamune trailed off once again.

"Both what?" Kotoko pressed, raising an eyebrow. Masamune liked someone? And liked them enough to want to celebrate Valentine's day with them? Why was this the first time she was hearing about this?

'Because you're never home' a voice reminded her, a voice that was filled with guilt and shame, a voice that often haunted her, but it was a voice that she quickly squashed.

"Forget it." Masamune said.

"No, I want to know." Kotoko genuinely meant it, not ever one to mince words.

"I'll figure it out." Masamune shrugged. "Worse case scenario we both get chocolate for each other, which isn't a big deal."

"Then what will you do for white day?"

Masamune shrugged again. "The same thing I guess." He said.

"Who is this person? Tell me about them. How did you meet? What's their name? What-?"

"I should go, I'm gonna be late." Masamune said, cutting off the incoming onslaught of questions his mother undoubtedly had. He picked up his bag and slung it over his shoulder, going to leave. He wasn't ready to answer her yet. One day he would be, hopefully someday soon. He wanted to proudly show off the person he was in love with, but that day just wasn't today.

"Masamune, wait." Kotoko said, standing and putting her hand on his shoulder. He slowly faced her, unsure and anxious to leave. Kotoko stood a little straighter and lifted her chin slightly, looking at her son with a stern expression. "If you're going to do this then you'd better do it right! Don't half ass it by taking the easy route and getting store bought chocolates. Give them homemade ones or don't even bother."

A very subtle look of surprise washed over Masamune's face before he frowned. "But I don't know how-"

"If you really care about this person then learn. You have a few days, get the ingredients today after school and get to practicing."

Masamune nodded with a soft 'hai'. Kotoko decided she was satisfied with his response and sat back down. "Now go. Like you said, you're going to be late."

Masamune smiled faintly before leaving. Homemade chocolates, huh? He suspected Ritsu might faint at such a gesture. In the past Valentine's day had been just another day, albeit a little more annoying with girls he barely knew giving him chocolate. Now though, he could hardly wait. Not that he'd ever admit that.

Kotoko watched him leave with a blank face, but she felt heavy with both affection and sadness. She could only hope her son would do better than her this Valentine's day. She returned to her coffee, finishing it quickly as her little voice filled with regret returned. Though, this time it was also filled with a wary hope. A hope for more mornings like this.