CHAPTER 114

I do not own Skip Beat! Yoshiki Nakamura does.

~~Magical Summer trip ~~

~~ part 19~~

~~The echo of the old times carving a new present for an enchanted future~~

He let his steps lead him to the familiar kitchen, as expected, finding both his parents there. Both snacking on carrots and pieces of cucumber, while they silly argued which meal to do for dinner. He stopped at the entry, and his body naturally leaned on the door's framework as his eyes fondly followed the carrots sparring happening, in order to decide who could choose dinner.

He couldn't believe he was actually here, in his childhood home, with his parents. And they hadn't cussed him out. They had accepted everything. Everything. Just thinking about it made his throat clutch. He had thought, at best, they would only blame him for a part of it. He hadn't thought they would understand. Hadn't thought they would forgive him having been through fights, enjoyed them even. Hadn't thought they could ever forgive him having excluded them from his life. He didn't understand how it was possible, how they could forgive him that easily. He truly didn't. It had felt unfathomable only a couple of hours ago. And now he was here. With them.

With Kyoko.

He chuckled when he saw his mum disarm his dad's carrot with a shout, after a worldly unfair trick to any man. She had blown him a kiss.

His parents turned toward him a little startled – though his mum was sporting a victory grin – , and, he guessed they weren't used having someone else at home anymore. The thought made him sad, but he also understood.

They grinned at him happily, and his mum jumped her arms around his shoulders, surprising him.

"You'd better get used to hugs in the following days," She grumbled in a snuggle, "I'm not finished stocking up for the both of us."

Ren circled his mum's back, returning the hug. He would not complain. His dad smiled on the side.

"Yes, Mum."

When she took a step back, Ren looked warily at the carrot in her hand.

"So, you won."

"She did. Unfairly so, though."His dad said.

She shrugged.

"A woman uses every trick at her disposal."

Kuu came to hug his wife's waist, chuckling a little. Totally okay with that. Before turning to Ren.

"She won't be the one cooking dinner, however. You can relax, Son."He said, hugging his shoulders a little.

And he did. He couldn't help but feel relief hearing that and failed to hide it.

Julie pouted before brightening.

"But I get to choose what it will be, at least."

Him and his dad shared a conniving gaze before he dad asked.

"You finished showing Kyoko around?"

Ren shook his head. "Not yet. Not the outside."

He smiled at the question on his parents' face.

"We would have a proposition first."

"Oh?"

He looked alternatively to his dad and his mum.

"To the both of you."

"What sort of proposition?"His mum enquired, and the happy curious smile she made reminded him of when he was little.

Ren crossed his arms.

"A challenge."

"Oh-oh."Kuu started to grin, curious too.

"You kids think you can challenge us?" His dad tempted, crossing his arms too, before asking, "In which field, may I ask?"

"Kyoko can play basket." Ren replied merrily. "2vs2."

"Ohhh."His mum said, before giggling in comprehension.

His dad's eyes burnt with a competitive fire, and he felt like the little kid he had been again, challenging his dad to try to beat him, and play with at every chance he would get. His own gaze softened when his dad replied, after looking briefly toward his mum, for confirmation.

"You are on."

§§§

His parents told him they would put back some of the fresh food they had got out already and change, before meeting them, and he returned to his old room to inform Kyoko. They agreed to wait for them outside and Kyoko asked if she could pass on something lighter first.

He led her back to the room she would be staying in, after she slipped she wasn't sure she had memorized the house yet, making him laugh. He donned some airier tee too, grab a couple of water bottles for everyone, and went to fetch for a less used ball in his parents' gym.

He had told Kyoko to meet him in the living room, and he was opening the huge glass door leading in the backyard, when both his parents arrived.

"I hope you are ready to get your butt kicked by your parents, Son."His dad said, and Ren was about to reply when Kyoko entered the living room. She was fixing a high pony tail that didn't even prevent her hair to reach the mid of her back. She had changed for loose light grey-blue jogging with stripes of black on the outside lengths and on the top edge low on her waist. A white tiny sleeve V-neck tee she had tied in a crop made her top. She managed to look so class and luring, sporting a relaxed sports gear, it left him speechless. However, he was even more captivated with how cool and assured she appeared. She had even switched to proper trainers. She had taken him quite seriously – not that he didn't plan to play his best – , but she looked so resolute he couldn't help but smile.

Always giving her all was so her. And it made her so much hotter to him.

And she had put a fucking bra, for once. Which should have relieved him but only made it worse, making him imagine when she wasn't wearing one even more. And, especially when, unsatisfied with her hair, she lifted her arms even higher, stretching her body taut even more. God, she was toned. Like, everywhere.

His eyes got magnetized to the band of skin peeking above her waist and the fairy tattoo. The way her hips fanned out in elegant curves was truly a sight to be held. They started widening out just under her belly button, approximately at her tattoo level and stretched the jogging so wonderfully. It gave a perfect harmonious balance to her gait, anchoring her but without weighing her down. But despite how firm and trained those hips were, they also appeared insanely soft and supple. It made you want to test their resistance. See just how strong they were. He truly hated his line of thoughts right now. He was making his own doom.

He remembered how it felt when he had those hips under his hands when he held her waist on the bike, and had to make himself violence to not let his mind wander more, as his hands twitched.

"I think we have a treacherous advantage," his dad said softly, and Ren looked in his direction as he heard his mum giggle.

He lifted a brow at them as he saw Kyoko finally fixing her pony tail.

"You might be too distracted to see the ball." His dad teased, with a very knowing smile. And for the first time in like, ever, Ren had the feeling of a teen being embarrassed by his parents about his crush.

"Dad!"He groaned, feeling himself blush highly unusually.

His dad laughed, patting the back of his shoulder with a shit-eating grin before stepping outside.

"I mean… If stares could speak…"His mum added, following after his dad.

"Not you too, Mum…"

They just laughed as Ren abruptly shut any retort he could have had in mind just when Kyoko reached them, and she questioned with her eyes what it had been about.

He shook his head.

"They are messing with me."

She grinned in reply.

"A shame I missed it."

He pulled a grimace in her direction and led her outside, on the visible part of his parents' backyard terrace. She paused just as he closed the door behind them, noticing his parents were nowhere to be found.

Probably already waiting for us on the court.

It was huge enough a dozen cars could have parked there. Though, they would never have done it, considering how much his parents loved their garden. They had had a couple of receptions there, though his recollection was fuzzy about it, as he had still been quite young from the one had been part of.

But no matter how huge the terrace was, it didn't prevent your gaze to reach the grass section in a straight line of sight after the end of the slabs, and what was beyond.

"Your garden has levels?!"He heard her say, eyes full of awe and joy.

Indeed, it has. And little tile paths or steps to reach them. And more wonders. He really couldn't wait to see her face when he would show her the area on the right, and one of the ways you could 'go down' the 'levels'. He also wondered if his parents had added things. It looked wider and more complex than in the past. Seeing her joy, he thought it was one thing he understood. Nature. Or more precisely gardens in this case. His parents' one had always been his favourite part of the house. He had loved to play and spend time with little animals that lived there when he was young.

He laughed when he heard her grumble about fairy kingdoms. She really could be so cute. Sometimes, he really wished he could believe in these sorts of things like her. Or better yet, that it existed so blatantly, that he could see it and share that with her too.

He bet she would love if special spots existed where you could go visit fairies.

His steps pushed her to follow him to the left, however, and away from the main areas of the garden.

They turned the corner of the house, reaching the tower where resided the garage and the several cars they owned. And just a little further, a basketball court lied there, his parents waiting and sitting on the bench on the side, after having visibly pulled the two rings of the goals up.

"Ah, there you are." His dad said with a nefarious challenging grin when they reached them, and Ren took note of Kyoko stare as she noticed the court.

He tilted his head toward her.

"Extravagant much?"

She shook her head in amusement, her eyes shined at him, and she pointed at the court.

"I was wondering where you could have played with your dad when you said you used to do it at home."

"So, kids, what are the rules?"Kuu asked once Ren had placed the water bottles on the bench.

Ren threw a glance at Kyoko, and she waved at him to take the lead and decide. She went to sit on the other bench by his mum's side and drank some water, reminding him it was turning pretty hot.

"Me and Kyoko against you two." He said.

"Game of 13 or 15 points?" asked his dad.

"15."

"One or two points for a win?"Enquired his mum.

"Two."

"2 and 3 points."

"Free throw for starters," He added.

"No out-of-bound rule, I guess?"His dad said, and Ren nodded.

"What about fouls?"His mum asked.

"Only severe ones."He replied and his dad sighed dramatically.

"What a pity, I won't be able to throw you over my shoulders like when you were younger."

He gave him a mourning puppy look, and Ren groaned. The soft giggle of Kyoko reached his ears, and he felt like he was going crazy. That was definitively one aspect of visiting them with her he hadn't anticipated. He crossed his arms in front of him, scowling at his dad.

"First, it has always been way out-of-bound, and I was ten. Don't expect the same amount of success," and his eyes narrowed as he finished, "even if it hadn't been considered a foul".

His mum joined them, smiling a little too brightly, while his dad shrugged.

"I could still try."

"No."

"Can you, please?"His mum asked.

"No."

"I'd kinda like to see this…" Kyoko said sheepishly. "Especially knowing it is possible…"

"Kyoko!"He protested.

She snorted, and mouthed a sorry.

His mum turned to Kyoko swiftly, looking at her way too eagerly.

"What do you mean?"

Ren groaned. Now that his mum was interested, Kyoko didn't have a chance not spilling it.

He saw Kyoko scratched her throat.

"Nothing."

"No, No." His dad said, "I'm curious too, what did you mean?"

They both went to her, cornering Kyoko and giving absolutely no room to escape.

"Please tell us. Please"

Ren knew exactly what faces they were making at that instant, and he saw her struggling to resist, as she lifted her eyes to him. Not doubt asking him if he was okay with her telling them. Even for something as silly as this. He smiled. Sometimes she was even more careful about his secrets than he himself would have been. And this wasn't even one. Overly respectful was not light of an understatement. It was adorable.

"Maybe not the whole detailed event," he proposed, and she nodded a smile as his parents pivoted their heads in his direction. They looked affronted.

"Trying to prevent Kyoko-chan to tell us anything?"His dad fake-grumped, though Ren could see he was amused.

"I'm not gushing out any secret without his express authorization," Kyoko replied dead serious, before Ren could say anything, "even to his parents."

His mum pouted. But his dad grinned, looking so happy for some reason.

"And even if I can see the whole family got the same dreadful trick under their sleeves." She said merrily.

His parents had the nerve to blink innocently at her, which only made her snort.

"Now, now. We don't see what you mean, Kyoko-chan," his dad replied, and he would have been believable if only for his shit-eating grin.

She didn't even bulge, but he could see the slightly frozen expression through her smile.

"Puppy eyes won't work," she stated, "I had a really exhaustive training with your son." Ren was pretty sure it still worked when he did it, sometimes. Not that he was always conscious he was making those expressions. But she usually grumbled at it or made a face when he did. One that indicated clearly how insufferable and unfair she thought he was. So, even when he was unaware, he most often ended up getting the knowledge he had been doing it. Also, she looked embarrassed, most often, when he did it. Which, in turn, made him wish to tease her by doing it more. He would never do it to truly coerce her, of course. He might plead his case, like when he had asked her to come with him, but if she sincerely didn't want to do something, he didn't want abusing this. But if she were getting immune to it, he would be a tad disappointed to not be able to tease her that way, anymore.

All of this didn't really matter right now, anyway, because she had been lying through her teeth. His parents didn't know her well enough to notice and he would even have bet she had counted on that. But she was lying. And she was totally affected. The direct proof happened when his mum turned tearful eyes at her and, and he noticed Kyoko's eye twitch a little, even if her grin widened.

"That is woefully unfair," protested his mum, sulking even more through her smile, and she twirled around to watch him with eagle eyes. "You drilled her?" She asked this with such an over-dramatic flair and pose it was obvious she was acting through it, despite the accusing tone.

"I did not!"

His dad laughed, smirking toward his son, and Ren felt chills running down his back. Oh, he was not looking forward to what it promised.

"I don't think that is what Kyoko-chan meant, sweetheart." His dad said, patting his mum's shoulder, and a gleam of understanding appeared on his mum's face.

Argh…

He couldn't even imagine what was going his mum's mind but he knew just the expression her face was making made him want to run.

Kyoko smiled but chose silence through this, and Ren was thankful for it. His parents were taking every bit she said to them as future weapons of teasing right as they spoke. Though they tried to do it discreetly, and he was pretty sure Kyoko hadn't realized most of it.

His dad grinned back at her, and it was a scary smile that reminded him of when his dad was plotting something.

"Full immunity doesn't exist. So, don't think it will prevent us to try," He warned her. "Especially if, success, means you sharing amazing things about our son."

"Noted."She said, eyes laughing, and playing it as innocently as possible. Oh, she was good. But Ren wondered how long she could make then believe she was immune to them.

He sighed in relief, nonetheless. That had been another thing he had been unnecessarily worried about.

His parents could be a sprinkle stubborn and relentless. He had been concerned they might go overboard, and that Kyoko would be swept around. It seemed he had been wrong on both fronts. Knowing Kyoko, he hadn't been excessively worried either. Just a little. Because, even if he knew how strong she was, he also knew how sensitive family situations could be to her, and how scared she could be of causing troubles or be a bother. And while his parents never meant wrong, they could miss signs if the person on the other end didn't share their limits enough or wanted to please too much.

But it seemed they were not going too hard with it.

"So, can we have the edited version, at least?"His mum asked, this time to the both of them.

"It is not that special, just a tint embarrassing," Ren chuckled, "the event around it; anyway, the rest is quite funny."

Under the puzzled looks of his parents, he added.

"I think Kyoko was just especially cautious."

"I didn't know what you would consider ok to share or not from that event."

He snorted, it nearly felt like she was protective of him.

"It isn't such a big secret."

She shrugged. She looked a little awkward to have overthought it.

This time, the three Hizuri grinned, and Kyoko groaned when she realized why, only triggering more laughs from all of them.

"I'm spending too much time with you."

He just smiled. As if.

It would never be enough.

Neither of the two noticed the exchange of gazes from Ren's parents.

"So, are you going to tell us?"His dad asked, at last.

"Ah. Yes."

Ren resigned himself, and went to sit near her while his parents looked at her impatiently.

"Certain circumstances," she started, looking at him with a smile, "made my help necessary in the past, so, since Ren was unable to, at the time, I carried him."

That was a very succinct and polite way to say he had been too drugged by some stranger – the part he didn't want shared to his parents – , to be able to move on his own.

"So, what I meant was that, since I could do it, you certainly would be able to, too, Kuu-san," She continued. That new bit would certainly not discourage his dad to try in the future, though, if he had a say to it, he wouldn't.

Both his parents – but his dad in particular – looked at her with scepticism. Ren didn't blame them. He was tall and heavy. You really needed quite the strength to carry his weight.

"You carried him? When?"His dad asked.

"Hm, it was years ago." Her response making his dad eyes grow in size even more.

"Years ago but – … How old were you?"

He saw Kyoko squirm under the attention.

"During that event, a little shy of 18 years old."

Looking impressed, and a grin growing on his dad's face, he turned in his direction, as if to ask confirmation, and Ren nodded with a grin.

"She used a special hold, at the time," he told his parents. His dad started to shake.

"Wait," his mum cut in, "you said 'at the time', and Kyoko-chan said, 'during that event', as if it happened several times"?

Ren laughed and seeing Kyoko messing with her hair because of how closely they were looking at her, he jumped to her rescue. Sort of.

"The event that provoked this didn't replicate. But, the hold, which you surely know Dad, as you must have done it in one of your movies at least, is the fireman carry." He saw the recognition on his dad's face as he continued. "And at the time, if it was only thanks to it Kyoko was able to get me out of the troubles I put myself in, we'll say. Otherwise, I would still have been too heavy."

Kyoko nodded.

"Plus, I was still much smaller." She added.

Ren lifted a finger before his parents could comment.

"But now isn't true, anymore. So it happens, she is so damn strong she can lift me even without that special hold."

Kyoko sent him a glare. He smiled in return, he had seen she was trying to cut short to the explanations, his eyes blazed his response. 'You spoke about this, no way are you avoiding it.'

His mum stared at Kyoko in wonder, making her blush, which pleased Ren to no end. She had better get used to it. If he had his way, his parents would adore her. And shower her with attention.

"Truly?"His mum asked with joyful curiosity in the gaze. Oh-oh. Neither of them would escape it.

Kyoko cleared his throat.

"It isn't that impressive but, yes. That is why I'm sure Kuu-san – "

But she was cut short when his dad placed both his hands on Kyoko's shoulders, making her jump. He looked as excited as a kid, and Ren resigned himself to the unavoidable.

"Show us."

"Eh?"

"Please."Kuu said again.

"Please."Concurred his mum.

Kyoko didn't reply but looked in his direction sheepishly and his parents turned to him, eyes pleading to him this time. Too defeated and amused to protest, he stood.

"We are not escaping it anyway."

His parents took a step back and Kyoko stood too.

"Sorry," She whispered as she closed in.

He shook his head.

"Just help me to distract them so that they don't keep talking about in the future."He said very seriously, but it only made her eyes dance.

"Do you really think that – "

He nodded.

"You have no idea. If you don't hurry, they will take pictures."

She snorted, and slipped an arm around his waist. He held back his breath. He felt her bent, and then her other arm was at his legs. And suddenly he was in the air, comfortably settled in her arms. He watched from the corner of his eyes his parents' expression both baffled and full of mirth.

1, 2 … 3

The garden exploded in laughs – as he had thought it would – , and he focused his attention on the proximity of Kyoko holding him as he crossed his arms.

"That is… Quite the sight," His dad mumbled out between throttles and whistles of air escaping through his lips.

"You look very comfortable, Kuon," His mum added, holding her sides. He was actually. He was feeling the soft warmth of Kyoko seeping through his clothes. And if tilted his head, he would have been able to reach her lips. Not that he would say it. Or do it.

He ignored them and turned his gaze toward Kyoko. He could see her hilarity in her eyes, but sympathy disputed it too. And he smiled, choosing to be amused rather than embarrassed with this.

"Please put me down, Mum is pulling out her phone," he whispered cheekily, and laughing, Kyoko instantly put him down.

"Wait!"His mum protested but he shook his head at her.

"Not allowed. I thought we were here for a game." He added in hope to divert their attention.

He thought she would insist but then she smiled.

"Fine, but I don't despair making it happen again while you are both here."

"Or I could do it. Since Kyoko so very well demonstrated how to."His dad added.

"Dream on it, Dad. Kyoko is the only one allowed to."He shot back.

And then he realized what he said. He turned in time to see the slight but pretty blush on Kyoko's face. God did he love seeing her flustered. He thought he should regret his words, and feared it would make things awkward but she seemed fine. She didn't comment any form of protest on it.

"That is not fair." Said his dad, smirking. His mum concurred in the sentiment too. He ignored them, and they didn't push it, which he was grateful for.

He went to gather the ball resting by the other bench. One could have argued they were taking this way too seriously as they all took the time to stretch for a minute. But none of the four people present were ones to take a challenge easy.

They made a couple of mock free throws, and Ren found himself amazed once more seeing Kyoko land every single of hers. He was still rusty but he still made his and his parents too.

Then, they each went to their side.

And finally. They started the game.

It began easy at first. Ren threw a free throw against the ring to start off the play. Kyoko naturally let him have under the goal, knowing he was taller, and she took the back. His dad got the ball and smirking, and threw the ball into the basket.

His mum cheered, and he heard Kyoko laugh.

"That's two-zero," Julie said, grinning.

"Bet we are going to give a good lesson to those kids, Julie." Kuu said, provoking them.

Ren shook his head.

"A little hasty, aren't you?" And he threw the ball at Kyoko, who caught it as he ran, but she was blocked by his mother. Twirling, she was fast to evade her. Kuu joined before she could attempt to mark and blocked her. She smiled and he saw the moment she checked his position, before throwing the ball over her shoulder. She made the ball bounce hard on the ground so it could land right into his hands. He smirked. Oh, it was going to be fun. He threw the ball from where he stood before his parents could even think about reaching him, stunned by Kyoko's move. It landed into the goal.

She grinned at his parents as she came back near him to set herself on the other side, and block the way to their own basket.

"That's 3-2."

His parents narrowed their eyes at them.

"Alright. You asked for it."His dad said and Julie concurred with a feisty nod, as Kuu dribbled toward them. His dad attempted a throw on his side but Ren blocked him. He pivoted right away and Ren could see his dad still had those slick moves of his. He lowered the ball and the dribbles to tiny bounces as he got closer to Kyoko, and tried a feint. But just as his dad was going to pass her, she stole the ball, making his father swear as Ren snorted while he ran after her.

She was fast, though, and he didn't catch up before she reached the basket. His mum tried to block her but Kyoko, too agile, managed to drop the ball in.

Ren laughed.

"Can't keep the ball in your hands, gramps?"He taunted. "That's 5-2."

Kuu snorted.

"Still very young, and it will be more than enough to swipe the floor with you."

Kyoko returned to him and he lifted his hand with a grin, she tapped it.

"That's not what the score is saying," Kyoko let out with a light smile in his parents' direction.

"Just wait you two," Julie said with a feral smirk.

"You play a little?"Ren emphasized in Kyoko's direction, tilting his head to the side without looking, as they repositioned themselves.

She stared at him oddly.

"That's what I said, why?"

He shook his head, chuckling. As expected. He had suspected it, but she was way better her words had suggested it.

"For nothing."

The game resumed and his dad dribbled again, faster this time. And managed to throw the ball toward the basket. But Ren jumped, and he caught it before it could go in.

He grinned at his dad.

"That won't work as in the past."

"It's because you are abusing your longer limbs." He whined cheekily.

"Says the man whom used to loom over me mercilessly when he was twice my size. And you are barely eight centimetres smaller, Dad." Ren snorted.

He threw the ball to Kyoko, she caught it and dribbled before throwing it back at him just before his mum could steal it. He dribbled again but was blocked by his dad. Kyoko was blocking his mum.

"You won't go anywhere, Son." Kuu said and Ren smirked.

"You think?"

He dribbled backwards. His dad followed but not closely enough. He threw the ball at the ring, bypassing his dad, and the ball bounced back. That was what he had been looking for, however, and he jumped again. Right at the same time as his dad.

He caught the ball before his dad, though, using the length of his fingers to catch it with one hand, and he dunked.

Kyoko cheered, making him grin even wider as he landed back on his feet.

"That's 7-2."He said, grinning wickedly at both his parents.

"I think we underestimated them, Julie." Kuu said, laughing, as he accepted his son's hand after he had landed on his butt.

"We did," She said but the mischievous smile made Ren stand at attention.

"My mum is plotting something," he told Kyoko, "be careful."

She glanced toward his mother for a second before nodding.

The game continued, both teams attempting a couple of throws scarcely missed, but eventually his dad landed a shot from behind him, pretending he was going to race toward Kyoko. They both tried to block him but hadn't reacted fast enough. Well, rather, he hadn't, Kyoko had but she was from further away.

"Wait for the come back," his dad grinned, after the shot.

"I won't."Ren replied and threw the ball to Kyoko.

Him and Kyoko did a couple of fast passes and dribbles, avoiding his mum and dad blocks with quick changes of ball – and he threw a long shot, earning another three points.

His dad swore.

"10-5, Dad."

"You are both way too agile, it's quite unfair to abuse your old parents."

His mum concurred, adding.

"We might die soon, and you are going full blast at us, poor us," She even pretended to shed a tear with a delicate deft finger. His mum's gorgeous lock dancing around her as she painted this act.

Ren arched a brow, blocking his mum's way as she tried to by-pass him with the ball.

"I thought you said you were 'still young and will swipe the floor with us'?"He reminded, smirking.

His mum waved the hand not holding the ball in the air, taking a dignified stand, "this and that are different obviously".

Kuu nodded thrice, deeply serious.

"You should respect your wise elders, kids."

"Wise? Are you sure about that precise term?"Questioned with an exaggerated sceptical tone Ren, barely holding back his smile, and he heard Kyoko giggle at their banter, which turned into a full laugh when Kuu did the family shrug. She was clearly finding them hilarious.

"You are far too young and beautiful to be considered elders, Kuu and Julie-san," she commented merrily, and both distracted by her, Ren took the opportunity to rob the ball from his mum's hands.

He ran to the side but was blocked by his dad, whom too, stole the ball from him. But he stopped to address Kyoko.

"Sidetracking us with compliments? How trickily corny, Kyoko-chan."His dad said, shaking his head with a smile. "Who taught such dirty tricks?"

Then his dad started dribbling and running. But Kyoko came from nowhere.

"Not so fast, Kuu-san," She said, blocking him as she spread her hands wide and lowered her stand. He tried left but she blocked him. "I'm pretty sure it is the influence of spending time with your son, again," she added, replying his earlier comment.

He shot her a puzzled look for a second, and tried to pass her right. She blocked him again. She could see his smart kind eyes calculating options as he took a step back. "After all, who would not be distracted when they hear you praise your family?"

Ren heard the low chuckle of his mum as his dad slowly smiled at her.

"That's a 'me' trait, doesn't mean it runs in the whole family," Kuu said, trying to pass her again, and he nearly did it but she twirled on herself to catch him back two steps later, effectively blocking him again. Her eyes dancing with tease at his dad looked deafeningly gorgeous.

"Beg to differ, considering what I experienced with Ren and noticed," Kyoko grinned with assurance as she said this, "I would bet money you all vanquished proper adversaries in acting and real life drowning them in compliments." She narrowed her eyes near the end as she added, dangerously, "whether genuine or not".

Ren laughed.

Kuu remained stone face for a second more before looking toward his mum, "Was she spying on us, honey?"

His mum chuckled too.

"She had us all figured out," Ren said, still laughing.

"You are a very perceptive young lady," His mum said, and Ren felt his heart swell with pride, feeling happiness filling him that his parents start to see how wonderful she was.

Kyoko grinned.

"Well, being observant is the basic skill the two best actors I know, endeavoured to drill into me from the very beginning," And as she said this, she smiled toward him and his dad. "And I listened."

Ren couldn't help the joy he felt knowing she considered him and his dad are the best actors, but it made him laugh as his dad glowered at her. She had indeed used the same method and he could feel his dad feeling played by her.

"Don't think I forgot that time when you were younger and you acted you way out of our predicament," he said. "But not this time." And he passed her, running.

Or rather, Ren saw the exact moment she let him pass and he heard the snort of his mother as well as his own smile stretched again.

But then, his mouth fell open, as his dad dashed toward the ring, and Kyoko raced after him, blowing at full speed. Her long legs appeared to be gliding as she sprinted, displaying such an ease and a strength as she moved. She even caught up to his dad as he neared the goal.

So fast.

A worried surprised look crossed his dad's face as he noticed her just behind him and he shot the ball. She jumped.

So high. He could not help his amazement. She was such a sight to look at. A free spirit, laughing and jumping, unbounded by anything. He could look at her moves all day, he would never get bored or full with looking. Not with the ease of her grace, and of her joy embodying her every movement.

She grabbed the ball just before it could enter the basket and threw it at him the moment her feet touched back the ground, but still too captivated he merely caught it and didn't spur any movement.

She raced back toward him, confused. He blinked and started to dribble, blocked by his mum, who was smirking a little too much. He threw back the ball to the side and at Kyoko, just before his dad could intercept it, and Kyoko let the ball bounce on the board to get into the basket. She turned back to smile at him.

Wow.

He grinned like an idiot and went to her.

"You were incredible."

She blushed a tint and they tapped five again. He vaguely saw his mum pull his dad to the side but couldn't be bothered as he said, taunting them more.

"That's 12-5, prepare yourself, Mum, Dad."

"Not so soon," His mum said, and they resumed position as his dad took the ball, and his mum went to defend against Kyoko.

Ren placed himself in front of his dad, lifting his arms high, to block a maximum of space around his dad.

"One goal, only one goal." He teased.

The smile that his dad gave him was way too confident, nearly mocking, and that made his son suspicious. He was engineering something.

"Lowering your guard and be overly confident can turn tables at any time, Son." He said, and he was about to reply when he heard his mum.

"Ah, Kyoko-chan, your top knot came loose. Ah, and your ponytail too." His head turned before he could even think about it, his eyes gliding to the untied knot and the scrunchie slowly slipping from the long amber locks.

"Oh, you are right, thank you."Kyoko said, and she grabbed the loose tee. She was about to redo it when his mum spoke again.

"Do you want me to show you a knot that holds a little better?"His mum proposed her.

"Sure."

"Excuse me," his mum slipped, at she grabbed the loose part of the cloth and in a swift move, made a tight knot. Kyoko gasped.

"Julie-san, that is fine but I can't breathe and my breasts are crushed," She said the last part lower, but Ren still caught it. His eyes were instantly attracted to the part she indicated, the cloth stretched around her bust, pressing, and he gulped. He was dying.

Somewhere, a ball was dribbling.

His mum chuckled.

"Oh my, you are right, sorry." Kyoko untied the knot with some difficulty and did it again but slightly less tight. Even so, compared to the one she had before his mum 'help', it was still more revealing.

"Son, I'm right here," Suddenly said his dad from way further – when had he moved? – and he threw the ball as Ren started running. The ball went right into the goal, giving his parents 3 more points.

Damn shirt.

His dad grinned.

"That's 8–12, son."

His mother cheered.

Ren narrowed his eyes at both his parents, he could have sworn Kyoko's tee and hair had been perfect just before. He should know, he could barely keep his eyes from her. He doubted it had come off both at the same time.

Kyoko rushed to him, hair still untied as he got back the ball. He tried hard to unsee anything as now, his attention had been attracted even more with what he was pretty sure was his mum's doing.

"What happened?"

"My dad distracted me." He said, shaking his head to clear his mind and in hope she wouldn't ask more. She didn't.

His mum came in front of him this time while his dad went to defend against Kyoko.

"Hi Son," Julie said and Ren harrumphed. He couldn't believe they were daring to do this.

"It won't work twice, Mum."He warned her.

She smiled.

"I don't see what you mean, honey." She looked so innocent as she replied, genuinely puzzled, that he nearly believed her. If not for the twinkle of mischief in her eyes, he would have doubted his own suspicions from earlier.

"Mum," He stretched again, and avoided her hand stealing the ball just in time.

She looked to the side, then, and Ren thought it was his chance to pass her and started to run.

"Ah, Kyoko-chan, you should tie your hair back, with how long they are, it could be dangerous," His mum said in a concerned voice, and he stopped, worried. He looked in Kyoko's direction as she dropped her head down to gather her hair, offering a full view of her taunt backside, before straightening up and stretching sexy muscles as she lifted her arms above her to tie long strands once more.

The ball was strongly pushed off from his hands by his dad as he tapped into it, making it a pass to his mum, standing behind him still. She caught the ball, and dribbled away. Both him and Kyoko ran after her, but she landed the shot. It was only a two-point one, thankfully, but it was still landed.

He swore.

"And that's 10–12, kids," Kuu said, shaking and holding his sides. "I didn't think it would work so well." He added, and the mirth in his eyes was just vexing, at this point.

He glared at them.

"That's really cheap tricks, Mum, Dad."

His mum laughed.

"We didn't force you to get distracted, did we?"She said. "All fair, I'd say."

He grumbled and Kyoko asked him.

"How did they – ?"

"They used dirty tricks to distract me."He explained, reluctantly and upon seeing her face, he got she wouldn't settle for no explanation, and added. "When my mum said it could be dangerous with your hair untied, I worried and turned my face away in your direction. My parents used that to steal the ball. It is true it is my fault for diverting my attention, however." He added, choosing to say part of the truth, at least, though still feeling unsettled as it was dangerous zone.

On the side, his parents were laughing even more. Clearly amused by his explanation.

"Sure, that is what we did."His dad said, shaking some more.

"That is truly low."Kyoko said, though he could say she was amused to some amount. If only she knew… She looked at him.

"We can't have more points be stolen, Ren."

He nodded.

"I know."

He tilted in her direction.

"I have an idea." And he started whispering to her. "What if we used our acting skills?"

"What do you mean by that?"She asked, curious.

He grinned.

"Well, you are insanely fast, so if you were to act as if…" He continued to whisper the rest of his idea to her, and an amused excited face made its way on her face. Oh, she totally wanted to try it. And he wanted nothing more than kiss that passionate expression of hers senselessly.

"Are you done plotting, kids?"Kuu said, mocking them.

"Maybe they are conceiving an excel strategy, Kuu. Do you think they'd need paper and pen? I can go fetch some if they truly need it."Julie joked, adding to the jest.

Kyoko couldn't help but giggle at his mum's comment, even though it was silly. Ren ignored them. They had dared to use Kyoko to distract him, he would be merciless.

"It would need you to be in front of mum, because with Dad, I think…" He continued, and she nodded.

"Got it. He might notice." She said and he smiled at her.

"Ready?"

"Ready."

They walked to the centre of the basketball court, and stopped in front of his parents.

"Let's finish this," his dad said.

"Let's."Ren said, and both his parents narrowed their eyes at them, noticing how confident he looked.

They resumed their earlier position, Kyoko and him close to their own goal, his parents on the outside line of the goal mark. Kuu gave them the ball, and Kyoko caught it before giving it to him.

She began to run – and he had to laugh inwardly with how hard she was trying to run leisurely at first – just as he lifted his hands and stretched-shot his arms in her direction. His mum ran after her as she raced on low-stand to the goal, shaving the outer right edge of the court as her right hand moved non-stop, half-hidden by her body in front of it, while he stayed still.

Both noticed the trick just a second before Ren moved, when the ball – his mum had thought in Kyoko hand – reappeared in Ren's hand. When it had, in fact, never left it.

His dad hadn't bulged much, but he had surely felt something off, even if the illusion had held for him for a few seconds. But it was still enough for Ren to make the couple of dribbles he needed, and he thanked that they were playing on half the surface of an official gym court would have been. He reached the middle as his dad reached him, and jumped. On the other side, Kyoko jumped at the same time, and he made his move. His parents started running toward the goal as he dropped back on the ground.

His parents understood even faster but even as they raced back, he had already used the time to dribble again and jumped once more. If he made it, all good. If he missed, Kyoko could catch it and make the goal.

He made his shot. He landed into the net basket in loud sound.

Three points.

He heard Kyoko cheer just he had returned to the ground, and next instant she was jumping in his arms.

"We won!" She said, he held her for a second more, laughing, before letting go.

They both turned to his parents as their son smirk at them.

"You were saying, Dad?"

Both laughed in response.

"They got us, Julie." His dad said.

"But how did you – ?" His mum asked coming to them, looking at Kyoko. "I was persuaded you had the ball, and then, Kuon had it."

She scratched her cheek sheepishly as she gave his mum an answer.

"I did my best to 'act' like as if I had it and were dribbling with it."

His father groaned.

"Using acting to fool us is already bold," he grumbled with a smile, "but to say it worked too…"

Ren couldn't help but to chuckle. To see his dad so shocked and appalled – they had played him with an act – , even through his defeated smile; it was especially satisfying.

His father turned back to them and point his thumb at him, "This will not do, I request a second round. You against me, Son."

He smiled at his dad.

"Sure."

"Let's see if you can be as good on your own," Kuu said.

"Be ready to lose for the second time, Dad." He said, drinking the water Kyoko presented to him.

His father grunted in response, making Kyoko and his mum laugh as they sat on the nearby bench.

"No mercy this time."

"Because your dirty tricks were your way of giving mercy?"Ren retorted with a tint of sarcasm. "You won't be able to make those this time."

His father laughed as he got the ball after the mock throw. He dribbled away from him and Ren ran after his dad.

"All is fair in love and war."Sang merrily his dad.

"Since you are the one saying it…"

And on those words, he swiftly stole the ball from behind from his dad's hands as he was dribble-running it on the floor.

"I will have no mercy for my dear Dad, then…"

He threw the ball into the ring without even looking at it, smirking at his dad, all the while.

"3-0."

"Damn brat."His father swore, running after him, and making him laugh as he ran backwards.

PS: Well, well, well. Hello everyone. It has been a while, all my apologies. Life tough health-wise for me again, and i have so many dentist appointment on top of that, it is making me nauseous. And it is especially hard for me to go, as it never goes all that well. Anyway, i hope i will be able to provide you with another chapter before the end of the year but no promise.

I hope you will love this one, it was especially fun to write.

Things are progressing, slowly, slowly... But surely.

Cackles.

Kisses to you all and i hope you are having a wonderful festive season.

Mimagfan.

AUTHOR OUT.