Sorry about the last chapter guys. When I'm typing the story, I tend to use "Chad" instead of "Yuuichirou" because it is a lot easier to type and I'm not Japanese. The last chapter I forgot to change the American name for the real one, so sorry about the confusion everyone. I feel like a dumb ass. I'll try not to make the same mistake twice.

Chapter 4

First Impressions

The train finally stopped in its desired location. The group got off, luggage in tow. As they exited the station, they noticed an older man clad in a nice suit with balding hair standing erect next to a rather large car. The second he saw the group, his appearance brightened and he walked over to meet them.

"Kumada-san, it's a pleasure to have you back home," he said looking directly at Yuuichirou.

"Kamin-san! It's been such a long time!" Yuuichirou exclaimed, dropping his bags and putting his hands on the gentleman's shoulders, beaming. "Everyone, this is Kamin-san. He had been our driver for as long as I can remember. He was the one who took me to school every day and would listen to me whenever I had a bad day. He's an old friend."

Kamin positively beamed during the introduction.

"Yes, I have watched Kumada-kun grow up into a fine young man." Yuuichirou's smile widened. Yuuichirou took this time to introduce his old friend to his new ones.

"It's very nice to meet all of you," he said. "Let's get your bags in the car. Your parents are very eager to see you." With that, he picked up the girls' bags and began to walk over to the back of the car.

"Really?" Yuuichirou asked, hurrying to catch up with the man.

"Yes. They are very excited. Your absence has been far too long." Kamin finished loading the bags and had already closed the trunk. He walked over to the back seat and opened the door.

"Ladies first," he said, indicating for girls to get in the car.

One by one, the group entered the vehicle, with Yuuichirou the last one in, closing the door behind him. Kamin then took his place behind the wheel. In a few moments, they were on the road.

"Kamin-san, why did you take this car? You know I hate it," Yuuichirou called to the driver.

"I know, but it's the only one your father has that can fit seven people and all their bags," Kamin called over his shoulder.

Yuuichirou sighed. Everyone else, however, was in awe of their mode of transportation. None had been in a limo before. It was so spacious, filled with twinkling lights on the ceiling, a mini-bar, and a TV.

"Wow, Kumada-kun. Your dad owns a limo?" Minako asked.

"Yeah. He uses this for business meetings and stuff like that. He doesn't really use it that often."

"Why do you hate it, anyway?" Ami asked.

"It's so ostentatious. I hated the looks people gave me whenever I'd take it and does anyone honestly need this huge thing for one person?" Yuuichirou replied.

"I guess you're right," Usagi said.

Aside from Yuuichirou's disdain for their vehicle, the ride was very pleasant. They listened to Kamin talk about the Kumadas and their business. Apparently, nothing much had changed in the years.

"We're here," Kamin finally said after ten minutes. Everyone, except Yuuichirou, leaned over to the window to get a better view. They drove through an elaborate gate that opened as the vehicle got close and drove up a driveway lined with flowers and surrounded by green grass. They stopped right in front of the house. Kamin opened the door for his passengers.

When Yuuichirou finally got out of the limo, he noticed that his guests were staring open-mouthed at his house. He looked up at it for the first time in years.

The house was, for lack of a better word, spectacular. It was the biggest in the district. It had a western, Hollywood-esque look to it.

Yuuichirou walked in front of his friends, obstructing their view. They shifted their gaze to him.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you guys about this earlier," Yuuichirou said. "But I never feel comfortable talking about how rich my family is."

Rei understood Yuuichirou's reluctance. Her own father was a business man and when she was seven, he sent her to live at the shrine. She didn't like to talk about him either.

Yuuichirou turned around and faced the mansion. He sighed.

"Let's get this over with."

The entire group walked up to the front door while Kamin got their bags. As they reached the door, a maid opened it before Yuuichirou could ring the bell. The giant door opened to a grand walkway where the seven of them now stood.

A man and a woman stood in the middle of the entrance. Yuuichirou bowed to them.

"Hello mother, father," Yuuichirou said, still bowed.

The woman walked up to him and placed her hand on his head. Yuuichirou looked up.

She had the same shade of brown hair as Yuuichirou and it was pulled up in a nice neat bun. She had delicate features that were made even softer because she was smiling at her son. She gave him a warm hug.

"Welcome home, Yuuichirou-chan," she said softly.

Yuuichirou returned the hug after a moments shock. It had been such a long time since he'd hugged his mother. It reminded him of when he was a child. He shook the memories out of his head.

Yuuichirou's father was now at his wife's side. The two men bowed at each other. "How are you doing, son?"

"I'm good father. I hope you are well," Yuuichirou replied. He then remembered the others. "Why don't I introduce you to my friends?" Yuuichirou turned to them. "Everyone, this is my mother, Kumada Hana, and my father, Kumada Akira." Everyone bowed. Yuuichirou put his hand on Grandpa's shoulders. "Mother, Father, this is Grandpa Hino. He has so graciously taken me in to be an acolyte." He gestured at Rei. "This is his granddaughter, Hino Rei and her friends: Aino Minako, Tsukino Usagi, Mizuno Ami, and Kino Makoto," Yuuichirou said, indicating each girl as he said her name.

"It's very nice to meet all of Yuuichirou-chan's friends," Hana said warmly. "Especially you Hino-san. We greatly appreciate you taking such good care of Yuuichirou."

Grandpa bowed at her again.

"It's been my pleasure," Grandpa replied, eyes twinkling, earning the old man a smile from Hana.

"Why don't we have dinner? You had a long trip over here and you must be hungry," Akira said.

Usagi was thrilled at that idea.

Rei sat on her bed later that night, already in her pajamas.

They had had a nice dinner. The food was delicious and Yuuichirou's parents were kind. They had pleasant conversations throughout dinner, but Akira remained silent for most of it. Hana seemed genuinely interested about the shrine and asked several questions about it. Grandpa had answered them very enthusiastically, happy that someone was interested in his life's work. Chad, however, remained uncomfortable the entire evening. As soon as dinner had finished, Usagi let out a large, unlady-like yawn that immediately resulted in them being sent to bed. Everyone got their own bedroom, with Yuuichirou getting his old bedroom which had remained unchanged from when he lived there.

Rei's room here was larger than the one at the shrine. It was tastefully decorated and contained a large closet and bathroom.

This doesn't seem that bad, Rei thought, looking around the room. She fell back on the bed. Yuuichirou must have been exaggerating about his parents. They seemed like nice people. She slowly began to close her eyes. She was more tired than she had thought. This week might actually be fun. With that thought, she fell asleep.

AN: If you guys are wondering why Yuuichirou is so nervous about his parents, just wait for the next few chapters.