How they met each other's families? Thoughts on each other's family? Favorite family member? Favorite family member of their lover?

The Kobayakawas

Pre-Ship:

Snow glistened pure and white all around them. Tokyo in the winter was one of her favorite times. Cherry blossoms in the spring were nice, too, of course, but nothing beat that simple beauty of pristine snow. The look of scarves and jackets and mittens hiding ruddy cheeks and noses. The smell of roasting chestnuts and sweet potatoes on almost every corner. And, now apparently, the sound of a crowd standing outside Tokyo Dome pumped up and excited over a sport she'd never even heard of. Kobayakawa, Mihae adjusted the small bundle of fur closer to her chest and tugged her jacket closer around them. Pitt mewed and purred, tail thumping against Mihae's ribcage.

They reached the small table Sena had texted them about and her dear Shuma held out their IDs.

"Kobayakawa? Our son said we wouldn't need to pay," he explained haltingly.

"Of course not! You're the parents of Eyeshield 21! Why would you pay to watch your son play in the Christmas Bowl?" the cheerful young man chirped, eyes bright and eager. "How great that you're at my table! It's awesome to meet you. You have quite the son, you must be proud."

Mihae and Shuma blinked in confusion and glanced at each other.

"E-Eyeshield 21?" Mihae repeated in confusion.

"He's playing in this game?" Shuma questioned, utterly baffled.

"Nyaa?"

"The Kobayakawa's. Is there a problem?" rumbled a distinctly grumpy, young man's voice. Shuma and Mihae turned as Pitt stuck her nose in the newcomer's direction.

"Sh-Shin-san!" stuttered the ticket man.

Shin-san looked to be a very serious faced young man. Maybe a young college student? Though, under his heavy parka, Mihae could make out the blinding white of a school uniform. So… high school? He was a very handsome high school student, who was taller even than her husband by several centimeters, and large over all with broad shoulders and stern dark gaze under darker messy hair.

"That name sounds very familiar," Mihae realized out loud.

"Th-There's n-no problem," Shuma stammered, stepping back towards his wife. She sighed and rolled her eyes fondly. Shuma and Sena were too much alike sometimes. Good thing they had her around.

"Do you know our son? That looks like a high school uniform," she said, pointing to the opening in his parka just below his throat. He nodded once.

"Shin, Seijuuro. You are Kobayakawa, Sena's parents, right?" he asked, his words and tone polite, if blunt.

"You do know him! How wonderful! I thought his only friends were that silly monkey boy and dear Mamori-chan. Oh, and of course, lovely Suzuna-chan," Mihae cheered happily, clapping her hands together. Pitt meowed in protest at the jostling. She quickly readjusted Pitt in the crook of her arm while Shin squinted his eyes down at the cat.

"Excuse me, Kobayakawa-san, Kobayakawa-san, Shin-san? Your tickets," interrupted the ticket man. They all turned to see the leaflets he held out.

"Thank you, s-sorry," Shuma bowed and took them quickly. He froze when he realized he held Shin's. He swallowed and handed the ticket over.

Shin took it without taking his eyes off Pitt. They walked a few steps away from the table before Shin brought them to a halt.

"You brought an animal. To an amefuto game," Shin stated, obviously bewildered.

"Pitt is family!" Mihae protested.

"We couldn't leave Pitt behind," Shuma agreed quietly, one hand on Mihae's lower back. It was the closest Shuma got to being brave and Mihae gave him a proud smile.

"Hn," Shin grunted. He held out his hand, which Pitt eagerly sniffed, whiskers trembling. The boy's face, for the first time, softened into something that actually looked like a teenager, an almost smile that had both Shuma and Mihae blushing.

Oh, how adorable. I do hope my son and this boy are friends. I want to spoil him rotten!

"So, you know my son…?" Mihae prompted gaily.

Shin snapped back to attention and both Kobayakawa-sans had to hide their identical pouts of disappointment. Shuma was a lot less intimidated by the boy who liked cats than by the boy who looked like he could rip out Shuma's spine without breaking a sweat.

"He is my fiercest rival," Shin explained in his blunt, unabashed way.

"Y-Your r-r-rival?" Mihae and Shuma stammered together, incredulous and gaping. They both looked him up and down.

"You're sure… rival? Not, maybe, friends?" Mihae asked hesitantly.

"You d-d-don't s-seem like s-someone who Sena c-could rival," Shuma pointed out.

Shin stared at them uncomprehendingly. Slowly, understanding dawned on his face.

"You've never seen him play," he said simply. Mihae and Shuma shook their heads.

"We just found out yesterday about this Christmas Bowl thing. It's… it's a lot more important than he let on," Mihae explained, gaze darting over the ever-swelling crowd.

"Rivals? You're sure rivals?" Shuma asked again as he fiddled with his glasses.

"Sena Kobayakawa is the fastest runningback in Tokyo. Because of him, I was able to become even better a player, reaching speeds and endurance I never would have without him. He won our second match, besting me again. He is constantly evolving and growing as a player. When you see him play, you'll understand. He's…impressive," Shin told them. Instead of sounding angry, or irritated, or even hateful, he only sounded… proud. As if Sena's progress, and his superior abilities, were something Shin could only congratulate.

Either he was just that kind of person or… maybe… Mihae narrowed her eyes on Shin's face, saw the way it softened so much like it had when he'd greeted Pitt, and… suspicions began to form. She turned to meet her husband's equally pensive gaze. Years of conjugal bliss had developed a healthy rapport between them. And like most people who'd been together as long as they had, a simple look could hold a thousand words. They nodded briefly.

"Well, that's just wonderful! I had no idea Sena was such an amazing player!" Mihae gushed happily. She plucked a warily protesting Pitt out of her coat and placed her in Shin's automatically reaching hands. "Why don't you take us to our seats and tell us all about it. And maybe explain this Christmas Bowl a bit better."

Shin blinked down at Pitt, looking utterly confused as to how a cat had ended up in his hands. Then, he glanced at Mihae and Shuma and blinked again.

"I will have to go sit with my teammates when the game starts, if that's all right?"

"Oh, of course, dear. We won't make you sit with two boring old people the whole time. Just till the game starts," Mihae agreed happily.

After a short pause, Shin nodded. "You should know how far your son has progressed and just what to expect today. I'd be honored to explain it and take you to your places."

"Oh, how polite! I like you very much," Mihae giggled. "Now, cuddle Pitt up close to you, or she'll get cold- yes, just like that!" she instructed in her motherly, bossy voice.

Shuma pushed his glasses up his nose and followed them quietly. Mihae kept up dragging answers and explanations out of the clearly reticent young man, while she knew her husband analyzed it all. When sweet Shin left for his friends, her husband would have a much clearly idea of just what the relationship between Shin Seijuuro and their son was, or what it might turn into. When she tripped on snow and Shin's strong hand grabbed her and set her on her feet before she could even feel herself begin to fall, she decided she wouldn't might at all if rivals ended up being something else.

It would be nice to have a strong hand around the house other than her own. Or a person who could reach the top shelves without a stool. Wouldn't that be something?

"It's a shame. I really had such high hopes for Suzuna-chan and Sena," she murmured, pressing her hand to her cheek as she sat.

Shin and Shuma looked over at her. Shuma merely smiled and shook his head, but Shin stared in puzzlement, hand unconsciously stroking the purring Pitt's back.

A good addition to the family indeed, she thought satisfactorily.

Post-Ship:

With second semester of college about to start, Shin's summer training finally ended. He offered the few times Sena came up to train with him to take a day off to meet his parents- as they requested- but Sena put it off every time. It was very generous of Sena to care so much about Shin's carefully prepared training regiment, but, really, Shin could've re-planned a bit. He'd met the Kobayakawa-sans years ago after all, and knew he'd like to meet them again. Whenever he'd tried to explain that to Sena, though, the younger man would always find a way to change the subject or start running. One time, there even been kissing to distract Shin from the topic. Shin had decided to enjoy that instead of stop it. It wasn't often Sena initiated intimate contact, and Shin didn't want to embarrass him by pointing out how obvious the tactic had been.

Or embarrass him enough that he never attempted again.

Though, Shin couldn't help but wonder just what Sena was worried about. His parents had already seemed to approve of Shin during the Christmas Bowl all those years ago. Didn't he know that?

He checked to make sure the crate of oranges in his hands was all in one piece, and the box with fancy sake his mother insisted he take as well wasn't making any worrisome sloshing sounds. Taking anything fragile on the subway was always an exercise in observation and quick reflexes in order to protect such things. He made his way easily through the crowd when his stop came, then hurried to pick up his pace to get past the slogging crowd towards the turnstiles. Sena was waiting just outside the subway station, looking suntanned and beautiful. Not because of the way his nose turned up, or the slope of his shoulders, or the new clothes he wore that showed off his footballer's physique (though that did help Shin identify him even faster than usual. Sena's baggy clothes had always been something of a nuisance in that regard). No, what made Sena beautiful was the way he would turn towards Shin, picking him out of a crowd in an instant, and how his lips curved into a grin that lit up his entire face.

Because of Shin.

Shin reached his side easily and mentally cursed the crate in his hands. It would've been nice to kiss Sena hello. It'd been over a week since the last time they'd even talked, let alone seen each other. Sena had left for a week-long training at the beach with Enma, only confirming their plans to meet up when he got back and finally have dinner with the Kobayakawa family before communication had cut off. Shin had spent the entire week on Fuji trying not to feel lonely for the first time in his life.

Maybe also to avoid his classmates' and teammates' teasing over his "pining". Which was ridiculous. It was only for a week. Shin didn't pine on account of his boyfriend's absence for a week.

"Hey, stranger!" Sena joked, shoving his phone in his pocket. He glanced at the crate and sake box and blinked in surprise. "You're bringing all that?"

"It's a gift. It's customary to bring a gift," Shin explained with a frown. He scowled heavier as he glanced down at his armload. "Do you think they won't like it?"

"Oh, no! They'll love it, really. It just seemed like a lot! Can I help?" he offered, hands hovering awkwardly. Shin slowly raised an eyebrow. Sena ducked his head and chuckled breathily. "Okay, so you don't need help, but I could help anyway?"

"I'm fine. Let's go," Shin said decisively with a jerk of his chin to indicate Sena to lead the way. For a moment, Sena froze, eyes wide and slightly terrified. With jerky motions, he turned and headed towards the exit. Shin narrowed his eyes on Sena's back.

Shoulders elevated and held tight and narrow. Head ducking slightly. Feet shuffling. Fingers fidgeting. Shin stood on the sidewalk just a few minutes down the road, sighing softly. The symptoms he'd noted only got worse the further they got.

"Sena."

Sena jumped and stiffened all over.

"Sena."

Gradually, Sena turned around, eyes on the ground and hands wringing.

"What's wrong?"

"I…uh…" Sena licked his lips and rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "I've never done this," he whispered at last.

Shin stared for a long moment. Then, he gently placed the oranges down, set the sake on top, and placed his hands on Sena's shoulders. Rather than making him shrink further, Sena entire body went lax. It was rather flattering that Shin's touch calmed Sena instead of making it worse. Putting that thought aside, though.

"If it helps, I've never met my significant other's parents before, either," Shin said reassuringly. Sena let out a startled laugh.

"I dunno if that helps, actually, but thanks. I just…I know my parents know it's you, that they'd technically met you, but… they've never…never had to see it, you know? I know it's the 21st century, and being gay in Japan, in Tokyo, it's not, like, the end of the world, but… there's hearing me say it, and then there's seeing it. I don't know… I don't know if they're honestly okay with it, or just saying they are because it makes me happy," Sena explained sadly, dark eyes even darker as they fell to the ground. His mouth twisted down and hands clenched.

This wasn't like Sena's other insecurities, Shin knew. This was something big and important to Sena. He'd accepted being who and what he was in USA, but honoring one's parents, making them proud, Sena would always have that need in him. Coming face to face with the fact that he might not, and there'd be no way to change that, not without denying an important part of himself— Shin could finally see why Sena had put this off so long.

"Even if they are just saying it, it signifies that your happiness means a great deal to them, Sena. They love you, and care about what makes you happy. Does this make you happy?" Shin asked, thumbs carelessly brushing over Sena's collarbones and voice lowering.

"Yes! Of course it does! Of course you do! I think we've been through enough to make that obvious!" Sena exclaimed, almost annoyed. Shin had to fight back pride at that. Those few counselling appointments were already helping, in Shin's unprofessional opinion.

"Then, we just need to be ourselves and it will be okay."

Sena took a deep breath, releasing slowly before he pulled on a small smile.

"Yeah, you're right. You know me, though. I always gotta worry about everything first," he said wryly.

"Not this time," Shin promised, hands cupping Sena's face.

Something knowing and expectant entered Sena's brown eyes then. Brown eyes that flicked down to Shin's mouth almost too fast to catch it. A blush heated up Sena's cheeks, some little embarrassment for thinking about intimacy so quickly, Shin figured. A whole week of not seeing Sena's face had Shin pausing much longer than usual, thumbs tracing over cheekbones and fingers tracing the shell of his ears before sinking into thick brown hair. Eyelids slid down, half-hiding the dark irises and dilating pupils, and Shin wondered how he could forget just how dark and thick those lashes were, or the exact shape of Sena's mouth.

"I missed you," he confessed quietly. Sena smiled, blush even brighter.

"It was only a week," Sena argued bemusedly.

Shin shrugged.

"I missed you, too," Sena confessed. His hands came up to wrap around Shin's wrists. "But my parents are waiting, so maybe we should hurry…?"

Shin huffed in amusement, and leaned through the distance between them to finally kiss Sena hello. Sena's wide grin made it awkward at first, but it was the kind of awkward Shin enjoyed. He liked the feel of Sena's smile against his mouth. But he liked it just as much when the smile ended and Sena finally kissed back.

They made it to the Kobayakawa residence just barely in time. They might've run a little to make up for lost time, but it wasn't like it was a difficulty for them. Sena led Shin inside, grinning and still a little flushed, and they traded their shoes for slippers. A familiar meow had Shin's head jerking up. The small black-and-white cat from the Christmas Bowl wound its way around the corner, yellow eyes gleaming and tail-tip twitching.

"Heya, Pitt!" Sena greeted, patting her head affectionately. She lifted off her front paws to nuzzle her face into Sena's palm and then slide her whole body sinuously under his hand. He gave another scratch to her head, chuckling. "Missed me, huh?"

Shin crouched down and held out his fingers when Pitt turned her gleaming gaze towards him. Again, her whiskers tickled his fingers, nose twitching in interest. She sat back on her haunches, tail wrapping around her feet, tail-tip tapping the ground as she stared eerily at his face.

"Does she remember me?" Shin asked with a frown.

"I dunno, maybe? C'mon, let's give Mom and Dad your gifts before they get broken somehow," Sena suggested dryly. Shin got back to his feet and grabbed the crate and box.

"They made it this far," Shin pointed out.

"It'll be just my luck if they end up broken as soon as they get here," Sena joked, shaking his head.

Something wrapped around Shin's ankles and he froze, legs awkwardly spread and knees bent. He couldn't see past the crate in his arms, but he heard Pitt meow as she twined her way around his ankles, her head rubbing against his slacks.

"Sena."

Sena turned and laughed as soon as he saw it. He reached down and scooped a protesting Pitt into his arms.

"Hello, did I hear you- it is you!" Mihae Kobayakawa exclaimed joyously as she came around the corner. "Why are you still in the doorway, come in come in! Is that for us!? Oh, Seijuuro-kun, you shouldn't have!" she enthused, barely stopping for breath and plucking the gifts right out of his arms. "Papa dear! Come see what Seijuuro-kun brought for us!"

She was out of sight a second later. Sena gestured for Shin to hurry along and they made their way into the living room. The walls had pictures of their small family in different vacations and on various holidays. Since there were normally only three people, the two males looking eerily similiar, it was easy to guess they were the Kobayakawas. A few had some of Sena's friends, people Shin could barely recognize by their clothing or hair color. Anezaki was easy to spot with her auburn hair, and Hiruma with his piercings... Shin was mostly surprised there actually was a picture with Hiruma in it. He didn't seem the type for group photos, but it looked like Anezaki's graduation ceremony, so her, Kurita (recognized by his sheer size), and Musashi (with the mohawk and facial hair) were in the picture as well. There was one from the Christmas Bowl, that very first one, with Sena sweaty and muddy and still in uniform, helmet tucked under his arm, with both parents on each side, and Pitt in Mihae's arms. There was some from Sena's different graduations- kindergarten, grade school, middle school, high school in Notre Dame, his acceptance letter from Enma framed. Apparently the Kobayakawas had gone to America for his graduation and gone to Indianapolis and Chicago for a few days. No wonder he'd almost been late coming back to Japan.

Shuma was sitting in his chair, folded newspaper on his knee, and the sake bottle in his hands. The glasses had slipped down his nose as he read the label.

"This is… an expensive brand for a college student…" Shuma said in shock.

"My mother gave it to me, with her regards," Shin told them as he entered. Shuma glanced up, a little jump betraying his inattention.

"Oh, yes, of course. How are your parents, Shin-kun?" Shuma asked as he got to his feet. Shin placed his hands next to his thighs and bowed slightly.

"They're doing well. Thank you. How have you and Kobayakawa-san been?" he inquired. Mihae wandered in then, a tray of tea and crackers in her hands.

"Please, sweetie, just call me Mihae-san. You and Sena have been dating for almost five months! And we've met you years ago. Let's be family and not strangers," she offered cheerfully. She set the tray down. "Sena, sit down and make sure Seijuuro-kun is comfortable. I'm so happy to see you again, dear," she returned her attention to Shin. "I just knew you two would end up together, didn't I, dear?" she turned to her husband now. He nodded his head in acquiescence.

"We did. Ever since Christmas Bowl," he agreed. She giggled and clapped her hands as she perched on the chair's arm next to her husband. Sena blushed from hairline to collarbone as they sat down on the couch next to each other.

The moment they sat, Pitt jumped from Sena's arms onto Shin's lap. He stared down at her, eyebrows high, as she circled his lap, curled up, and began to knead his pants, purring loudly. Sena choked back laughter behind his fist, still red faced.

As per Shin's expectations, tea followed by dinner went just fine. Mihae kept up a constant chatter, dragging answers out of Shin for every nonsensical question she had all while puttering around making sure everyone had enough to eat, drink, and were comfortable. Shuma occasionally asked a question or put forth an opinion of his own, but mostly he sat quietly, eyes pensive but warm behind his glasses. Whenever Shin tried to directly address Shuma, however, the man descended into the same red-faced, stammering embarrassment his son had. It was surprising how similar Sena was to his father. Though Mihae's cheerful optimism and caring nature had also passed down to their son (though both were traits that were still growing).

All in all, Shin considered it a success. Not once did it seem like they were put out by a man being at their table instead of a woman. Not once were there insinuations that their relationship was wrong, or a phase, or unimportant. They were wholly and completely supportive of their relationship. In fact, Mihae kept teasing about wedding planning and adopting grandchildren, which had both Shuma and Sena choking on their drinks. Shin just nodded very seriously, because thinking about the future was a very wise course of action. He had no intention of thinking of an expiration date to their relationship, so their future together was an obvious topic of conversation. He was glad Sena's parents, his mother at least, had no problem with adoptive grandchildren. It was a very open-minded acceptance he wasn't sure his own parents would approve of without some intense discussion.

When it got too late and it was past time for Shin to leave, he was actually sad to go. Mihae shoved containers of leftovers in his hands, which he gratefully accepted. Sena had given her his recipes to cook from, so everything they'd eaten was from his own nutritionist's approved meal plans. It would be nice to focus on his first few days of school without worrying about cooking.

"Thank you for having me," he said, bowing at the doorway. Mihae and Shuma bowed back, both smiling, Mihae much wider and boldly than her husband. He had to bend down and scoop Pitt up from around his ankles. He handed her over to Mihae with a frown.

"It was a pleasure to have you. Please, come again soon! You two can help Papa and me drink that sake. We really can't drink it all alone," she offered with a grin, cuddling Pitt close.

"It was a very nice gift. Please, thank your mother for us."

"I will," Shin agreed.

"Come on, Seijuuro. You're gonna miss the last train," Sena warned, hand on the door already.

"I could run to Oujou if I must," Shin pointed out. He placed the house slippers on the rack and then turned towards Sena.

"I'd rather you take the subway. I'll be back soon!" he called out. The Kobayakawas said their last goodbyes, Pitt meowing piteously as the door closed.

They walked down the sidewalk in the twilight, hands shoved in pockets and jacket collars pulled up high. It was starting to cool down in the evening this close to autumn and Shin raised his face into the air to feel the gentle bite of it. Next to him, Sena began to laugh. Shin looked over at him, eyebrow rising in question. Sena shook his head and reached out. Catching the gesture, Shin pulled his hand free and held it out for Sena to slip his smaller hand into and squeeze gently. Shin squeezed back.

"I thought it would be awkward," Sena finally explained, hand gesticulating enthusiastically, "but I think my family likes you more than they like me. Including my cat!"

"Don't be ridiculous. Your parents love you," Shin replied with a slight huff.

Sena glanced up at him, mouth still twitching with humor. "What about my cat?"

Shin felt his own mouth curve up in response. "The cat definitely likes me more."

"Seijuuro!"

The sound of Sena's outraged laughter filled Shin's chest with something warm. Relationships were complicated, and sometimes Sena got worried over nothing and confused Shin beyond belief. But it was definitely worth it for days like today, and laughter like that.