"I'm going to confess today."
She looks up from the bowl that is cradled in her arms.
"Oh!? Who is she!?" She asks excitedly.
He takes a deep breath to keep his dread at bay.
"It's not a she," he whispers. He dares not look at her when he corrects. He's afraid to.
"Do I know him!? Is he that Daisuke boy? Or that cute one on the soccer team? The one who snorts when he laughs?" She asks with the same exclamations.
His head snaps up to look at her. His eyes are wide open in surprise.
"You..you don't care?"
She smiles as she sets the bowl down. She takes a seat next to him and places a hand against his cheek.
"Of course, I care about who you like. Do you not want me to?"
He looks down.
"You know what I mean," he clarifies.
"Oh, honey. All I want is for you to be happy, and whoever you choose to be with, I'll support you. Always."
He bites his lip as she kisses his forehead. He's relieved that she is taking the news well. He is, but he is still tense. Still in turmoil.
"What about dad? Do you… do you think he will hate me?"
"Your father would never hate you, Kazui. Your his whole world."
He blushes.
"That's not true," he protests.
"Oh, hush. Listen to your mama," she playfully scolds.
"Yeah, punk. Listen to your mama," a new voice comes into the mix.
"Dad…"
"Such a warm greeting," Ichigo sarcastically remarks as he walks over to the table. He gives Orihime a quick peck on her cheek, and he ruffles Kazui's hair before sitting down across from them.
Orihime giggles.
"Now, now, Ichi. We can't gang up on him like that."
Ichigo smirks as he reaches to grab a piece of bacon from Kazui's plate.
"Why not? It's fun."
Kazui reacts by moving his plate away from his dad's grasp. Ichigo reacts by using his other hand to steal his sought after prize.
"Too slow, kid. Better luck ne–"
"I'm asking out a guy today!" He interrupts his dad's teasing. The nerves were getting to him, and he couldn't hold it in any longer. Although, maybe he shouldn't have interrupted. That may have been the last time his dad would act normal around him.
"Who is he?" Ichigo grunts out. His voice is harsh.
Kazui nearly shriveled up in despair right then and there.
"It better not be that thug Tooru. Oh please, Kazui, tell me it's not that Uryuu clone. I already have one of my own. Don't make me deal with two."
"I'm telling him that!"
"You are such a snitch, Hime."
She sticks out her tongue, and he makes a fake attempt to grab it. She squeals, and he laughs.
And Kazui? He can only watch with his mouth agape.
"I think flies will make a home in there if you don't close your mouth soon," Ichigo remarks as he chews on his food.
His mouth snaps close, but he can't hide his confusion or surprise at his dad's reaction.
"Look, Kazui, love whoever you want. As long as you're happy, I'm happy. But whoever you love, just know this…" Kazui gulps anxiously. "Male or female, no one will be good enough for my baby boy."
His eyes instantly water, and he starts sniffling to hold back his tears, but they overflow anyway. And he hears identical sniffles next to him, and he knows his mother is crying, too.
"Geez…I forgot that I have two cry-babies here," Ichigo complains fondly. "Can't we have one breakfast without tears?"
"No!" Kazui and Orihime reply at the same time. They look at each other's tear-stained faces and burst out laughing. Ichigo snickers at their antics.
And all was well.