As soon as Arashi steps inside his home, he's instantly brought into a hug by his father.

Higari is all smiles, "I'm so proud of you! You showed the world just how good support really is!"

Arashi returns the hug with a chuckle, "Well of course I did, didn't have much choice when my dad is one of the best in the business."

Higari sniffles, "Damn it kid, you're gonna make me cry!"

After a few more minutes of hugs, Higari finally releases Arashi with one more pat on the back.

Arashi decides to ask his dad something that Mei had wanted him to pass along after the festival, "Hey dad? Can Hatsume come over today? We don't really see each other outside of school, so we wanted to try hanging out in a more casual space."

Higari contemplates this, "So. Finally want to bring your girlfriend over for the official parent meeting?"

Arashi's face heats up a bit, "I- Wha- Dad! We aren't dating! Why does everyone think we are?"

Higari chuckles, "I'm sure you'll get it soon. You're a smart kid. Anyway, fine, she can come over. Just no explosion, alright?"

With a confirmation from Arashi, Mei gets the news and soon enough she's at the door.

As soon as Arashi opens it, she launches herself at him, "Mochi! I missed you!"

Arashi laughs, wrapping his arms around his friend, "Me-mei, it's been like, two hours since you saw me."

Mei pouts, "And? I still missed you!"

Higari sighs as he steps around the two and shuts the front door, "Kid, I get you're excited, but you can't just leave the door open like that."

Arashi rubs the back of his head, "Oops, sorry dad."

Mei looks between Arashi and Higari, stunned, "Wait, dad? Did you just call Sensei dad? And you live with him?"

Oh, right. Arashi had forgotten he never really told Mei he was Power Loader's kid. Oops.

Arashi chuckles sheepishly, "Yeah, he's my dad. Sorry for not mentioning it earlier, but it just never really came up."

Mei nods in understanding, "I guess that's fair. Our conversations don't really have a good place to cut in and say 'oh yeah, by the way, our Sensei is my dad'."

Higari sighs, "I'm off the clock right now Hatsume, just Maijima is fine."

With a nod from Mei, Higari takes his leave as the two students move to Arashi's room.

For a while, the two just chat about inventions and the like, but then Arashi notices just how close they actually are to each other. Especially right now, as Mei is hugging his arm and pouting at him for saying no to a design for explosives.

Arashi can feel himself blushing at the contact, especially as he thinks back and remembers just how they act around each other at school.

Arashi clears his throat, eyes flitting away from Mei as he speaks, "Hey Me-mei? You know how everyone at school thinks we're dating?"

Mei raises her eyebrow but nods, "Yeah, kinda weird, right? I don't really understand how they'd think that."

Arashi takes a breath, using the moment to really think about how he feels about his partner. She's intelligent, bright, and fun to be around. Her designs, while tending to blow up in the early stages, are genius and would revolutionize the support industry in the future. And that's not even mentioning how she's his first friend in a long while, incredibly supportive of him. She's also just amazingly pretty, even covered in oil and grime, and her lips just look super soft and-

Okay, yeah. It's official. Arashi has a crush. He just got so comfortable around her that he never really noticed.

Turning back to Mei, who has been patiently waiting for Arashi to sort out his thoughts, he speaks, "Well, in regards to what people say about us… I don't think I'd mind too much if they were right."

Mei blinks, the gears in her head visibly turning. As she finally comes to the realization of what he mean, a blush spreads across her face as she quietly mouths the word 'Oh'.

Leaning in, Arashi whispers, "So, I really hope you feel the same way I do."

He goes for it, he kisses her. And damn was he right, her lips are incredibly soft. After a moment he pulls away, blushing profusely.

Mei's face is also quite red, but she's smiling, "Well, taking a moment to think about it, I guess I do. I do feel that way about you."

Arashi slowly pulls her close, shifting on his bed to lay down with her, "Does this mean we're together now? Because that's what I'm hoping it means."

Mei chuckles, "Yeah. That is what it means."

Arashi smiles and gives her another quick kiss, "Good. And you can start calling me Arashi now. It feels right."

Mei snuggles up against him, "Call me Mei then, it's only fair."

Arashi nods, then reaches down to pull out his phone, "I'm gonna text Shinso about this. He'll definitely get a kick out of it, since he thought we were dating too."

Mei giggles and turns over in his arms so her back is facing him, letting her see his phone screen, "Let me read along then, I'm sure it'll be funny."

Zinogre: Hey, Shinso

Nargacuga: What's up?

Zinogre: You were right.

Nargacuga: ?

Zinogre: We're dating now

Nargacuga: !

Nargacuga: I fuckin knew it!

Nargacuga: Monoma owes me 5000 Yen!

Arashi and Mei burst into laughter over the fact their friend made a bet about their relationship, before slowly drifting off for a nap. In the doorway, Higari smiles, happy for his son.

A/N: Welp, wasn't expecting to update this soon, but inspiration has struck. The ship is now dating, so shippers can now rejoice! Anyway, I guess I'll see y'all around. Bye.

P.S. The chat names are references to the Monster Hunter series, the Zinogre and Nargacuga being some of the more popular monsters you can face off against.