Shin tried to adjust the tie a little bit. Uchi's clothes fit okay, but he really didn't feel very comfortable. He pushed open the door to the restaurant and glanced around. It was a little early, but he guessed they would already be seated. He walked up to the host, and suddenly realized he didn't know what name the reservation would be under. He grabbed his phone and called Natsumi. He could hear her ring tone farther into the restaurant. Glancing toward it, he saw her waving from a booth by a window.

He counted heads on the way over and knew that he would not be the last to arrive. Natsumi stood up and smiled, while the Yoshida family slid out of the booth awkwardly. They went through introductions, bowing to one another, and Shin took up a seat next to Natsumi. There were a few glasses already filled with sake, and Shin guessed he would be expected to drink, there was a glass sitting filled in front of him. He took a sip out of respect, but was going to try a squeak by drinking as little as possible.

"So Sawada, your sister tells us that you are applying to Keio?" He nodded, guessing that until the uncle and date arrived, he would be the subject of discussion. "Why Keio?" The question they really wanted to ask was why Keio now, as opposed to when he graduated from high school.

Natsumi looked a bit concerned, not sure how her brother would react to being grilled. He gently nudged her with his elbow, trying to get her to relax. "Well, when I graduated from high school, I applied to Keio and was accepted. Instead of attending school I decided to go abroad and do what I could in sub-Saharan Africa and the Coast areas." He took a sip of sake, holding the small glass in both hands. "About 2 months ago a ticket became available that would get me back to Japan, so I took the offer. Since I wanted to attend Keio, I thought I would try again. I guess I just needed some time between high school and college."

He wasn't sure what to expect from the Yoshida family. He got the impression from Akio they would either be extremely impressed with his charity work in a foreign land, or they would resolve that he was abnormal, and therefore below them. "It sounds like your father should have been a diplomat if his son is so well traveled." Akio's Dad was the first to speak. Shin wasn't sure if it was a positive or negative response, but it indicated that they wanted to know where their parents were.

"I think father is too rigid to be a diplomat." Natsumi fielded the question. "He couldn't even miss a meeting to meet my boyfriends family." It wasn't quite a lie, but it wasn't quite the truth. Sawada Shotaro was indeed attending a meeting, but he would not meet their family unless it was because Natsumi was marrying Akio.

"Well I guess making sure the country is running smoothly is important." Jun Yoshida leaned back into the booth. His wife touched his arm, a hidden request to be kind.

"Well good luck on your entry exam Sawada!" Furrowing his eyebrows a little, Sawada studied the features of Akio's mother. She looked alarmingly familiar, but Shin could not place her face. "How are your classes going Natsumi?" They collectively shifted their attention.

"They're going well. I have a lot of work to do though." She thought of the project and stack of papers sitting on her desk in her dormitory. "With the end of the year approaching there have been a lot of things to do." The Yoshida's collectively nodded. Sawada could feel himself relaxing slowly. They chatted together for a few more minutes waiting on the remaining few.

From the corner of his eyes, Sawada noticed two people approaching the table, and Akio's face lit up. His father turned around and looked at the two, "Ahh, your brother is finally here Keiko."

Sawada was on the verge of shock. Kumiko had frozen in her tracks. They were staring at each other in confusion. Shinohara scooted in next to his sister, pushing the youngest couple together. It took a second before Shinohara noticed that Kumiko was staring blanking across the table. The two men's eyes met, and all movement stopped, either out of curiosity or a sort of horror.

All the dots were connecting. A date, Kumiko had mentioned, but she was not specific about a name, and Natsumi must not have known a name for Akio's uncle, or if she had, it was so farfetched she wouldn't have believed they were related. "How do you all know each other?" Yoshida's mom forced the question to the surface.

Shinohara shook the strange off. "Well…" The history between the three was not incredibly detailed, but was somewhat awkward. Kumiko worked with troubled teens, Shin had been one, and Shinohara had a habit of arresting them. "I know Sawada because of Yamaguchi, and she taught Sawada as a senior in high school." That explained most of it, while leaving a few of the unsavory details out.

"Bizarre how small of a world it is." Sawada's eyes rested on Shinohara. High school was years behind them, and Shinohara felt his stomach tingle. Squeezing the last of the space in the booth, Kumiko sat down, and felt a bit awkward to be looking across at Sawada. He gave her a small smile, before turning his focus to the family proper.

Who was sitting across the table couldn't matter to Sawada right now; Natsumi was meeting her boyfriend's family. The table settled into a rhythm of eating and chatter. The Yoshidas all seemed impressed with the Sawada siblings. Most of the conversation revolved around Natsumi and her studies, and Sawada and his time in Africa. Neither of them had an opinion on being the center of attention, but Sawada could feel Kumiko's eyes on him while he talked, and it felt like fire.

As dinner came to an end, Natsumi rested her head on Shin's shoulder, relaxing as Kumiko and Keiko ate dessert. Sawada was flawless at hiding the glances at Kumiko, and all but Natsumi were unaware. Once the plates were empty, and the conversation was on its last legs, they all scooted out of the booth. Akio's father cleared the path toward the cashier, and the end of a somewhat enjoyable dinner. They each bundled up, and strolled into the night. Tomoyo and Kumiko walked close to each other, talking in small voices. Sawada didn't know how much was jealousy, but he was feeling more and more awkward despite being incorporated into the Yoshida family. Keiko patted him on the shoulder, bringing him back into the world. "It was nice to meet this part of your family." Natsumi and he both bowed and returned the compliment.

The seven stood together, exchanging their various goodbyes, and commenting on school and work. Shin briefly asked how Kumiko was feeling; it was the only thing he had said to her since the shock had worn off earlier. After Akio gave Natsumi a quick peck on the cheek, they parted ways. Natsumi walked beside Shin, a smile hidden in her eyes.

They were mostly silent as they walked down the street, both thinking about the night. "Thank you for coming tonight, Shin." Natsumi wrapped her arm around her brother's shoulder. "I don't think I could have faced them alone."

He shook his head, "Don't worry, you know I'll always be around." He ruffled her hair, and they descended the stairs to the subway.

They were sitting before either of them spoke again. Natsumi had been thinking about the continuous stream of glances Sawada had sent Yamaguchi, she just wasn't sure of how it was best to ask. "Do you… like Yamaguchi?" She finally decided blunt was best.

Sawada rested his head back on the seat. He had hoped no one had noticed, but he knew his sister better than that. "Yeah. Pretty much have since the end of high school. Doesn't matter right now though." He shrugged, letting the idea settle.

"Why doesn't it matter?" Natsumi always had strong feels about ideals about love, friendship, and her brother. "That's like saying Akio doesn't matter."

"Calm down there little sister." He laughed, turning towards her. "You have something lucky there. It's completely different with Kumiko for me. She's about as dense as a block of oak." He knocked on the hard plastic of the seat to mimic the futility of the situation. "I have more important things to think about right now, like school."

Natsumi wrinkled her nose at him, but she could not deny his point. Yamaguchi was a determined and kind woman, but something could be right in front of her and she would never see it. "But what are you going to do?" Natsumi liked things to be proactive.

"Nothing. There's nothing to do except what I'm already doing." It was strange to know there wasn't anything to actively do. "If it's meant to be, the time will come." The subway slowed, having reached their destination. "But I don't want you to think about it Natsumi. Just focus on school." He pulled her up, and they departed the subway for her dormitory.

"That just seems…" Natsumi didn't know what word to use. He was right, he was always right, but if he was back in Japan, and the girl he wanted was right there, he should be fighting for it.

Before she could assemble the sentence, Shin finished it for her. "Apathetic?" She nodded. "Maybe, but I can't spend everyday trying to win her." He looked stoic as they covered the last few blocks to her dorm, and Natsumi realized why he had made the decision.

"Okay Shin. But you had better make what you do worth it." She climbed up the few stairs to her door before turning around. "I missed you while you were gone, so all that time had better be worth it too."

"I know Natsumi, and I'm sorry. But you're strong, and you're doing really well." He climbed up the stairs and gave her a tight hug. "I promise it will all be time well spent."

"That's quite a promise Shin." She returned the hug letting the time he had been away drift off. "But I believe you." They let go, and Shin gave her one good smile before nudging her towards the door.

"You have studies, and so do I." The siblings hugged one more time, before Natsumi pulled open the door to her residence hall. She waved until the door clicked, and Shin disappeared from her sight. As he strolled down the sidewalk, his phone alerted him to a text message. A little smiley face, and a few words of encouragement from his sister met his eyes.

I may or may not edit this later. I wanted there to be more interaction during dinner, I just couldn't write it to my satisfaction, and since it's been 'finished' for a week, it was time to post. It has been too long since I updated.