Chigiri wasn't too sure about this, he felt like he was intruding. Even more than usual. Kunigami's sisters had invited their brother over to dinner, and Kunigami had insisted that Chigiri join him.

Kunigami had two sisters, one older and one younger. Tonight they were going to Yuuko's place. She was married but her husband was working abroad, so Kotone, their younger sister, was living with Yuuko and her daughter at the moment while she studied at college.

"Are you sure about this?" Chigiri checked one last time. "I'm not exactly the kinda guy you want around your family…"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Kunigami laughed. Chigiri felt his cheeks heat up when he realised how it sounded.

"I just mean, I have a history, and your family shouldn't be exposed to it."

"Hey, we all have a past, but forget yours for tonight. Just have fun, okay?"

Chigiri wasn't even sure he remembered how to do that.

"Okay," he agreed. "I'll try." For you.

He waited nervously while Kunigami knocked on the door.

Kotone opened it, grinning at her big brother.

"Rensuke!"

"Hey, Kotone," Kunigami smiled back.

Then she turned her attention on Chigiri, cheeks flushing.

"H- Hello…"

"Hi," Chigiri smiled, he wanted to make a good impression for Kunigami's sake. "It's nice to meet you. My name is Hyoma Chigiri."

Kotone seemed dumbstruck.

"This is Kotone," Kunigami said for her.

Just then Yuuko appeared.

"Hey, Yuuko," Kunigami greeted.

"Rensuke!" Yuuko said. "You never said your friend was so handsome! Please come in, make yourself at home."

"Oh okay. Thanks," Chigiri accepted.

Inside he was introduced to Kunigami's six-year-old niece, Reina. She was kind of shy, but that was okay. He knew it could be hard to put yourself out there with strangers.

They all sat down. He already felt self conscious enough and Kotone kept staring at him.

"Quit it, Kotone," Kunigami said.

"But he's so pretty!"

"It's rude. And he's not single."

He was surprised that Kunigami would lie to his sister, but it did make things easier.

"Oh, really. That's too bad…"

Kotone let it go after that and started chatting about university. She was studying in the humanities department but hadn't decided on a major yet. The things she talked about were all things Chigiri had missed out on. While other people his age had been attending college and setting themselves up in life, he'd been wallowing in self-pity, getting high and doing odd jobs for gangs to get his next fix. Still, none of that was Kotone's fault and he had promised Kunigami he would try to forget his past for the night.

He looked over at Kunigami who was looking back at him, and somehow he knew that Kunigami got it. Kunigami patted his thigh and in that one small gesture he felt Kunigami's unwavering support and was so, so grateful that he had it. He offered Kunigami a smile of thanks, the whole exchange going unnoticed by Kotone who had moved on to complaining about her psychology professor.

"Dinner is ready," Yuuko announced. Kotone and Reina went first, and then Chigiri felt Kunigami's hand on his shoulder and the taller man leaned down to speak into his ear.

"See? They like you. You're better than you think."

Dinner was a feast, and Chigiri finally felt like eating wasn't a chore anymore. He didn't eat as much as Kunigami, but the food was really good and he made sure to tell Yuuko so.

They didn't ask him too many questions about himself, so he could only assume that Kunigami had warned them not to. He was grateful not to have to lie or avoid things, but he also felt bad that he could be making things awkward, though both of Kunigami's sisters were friendly and kind like their brother so they probably didn't mind.

After dinner they were all going back to sit on the couches when he felt a tug on his shirt and looked down to see Reina looking up at him.

"You have really pretty hair," the little girl said.

"Oh. Thank you," he smiled. "You're hair is very pretty too." It was gold like Kunigami's, and hung loose all the way to her waist. "Hey, I know, want me to braid it for you?"

"Like yours?" she said with sparkling eyes.

"Sure," he smiled. "Go grab your brush and a hair tie."

Reina ran off to get her things.

"You don't have to do that," Yuuko told him.

"It's fine," he smiled. "I want to."

"Okay, but don't do anything too complicated, she'll want me to replicate it."

"I can teach you if you want. Sit beside me and I'll show you."

"I don't want to be any trouble."

"It's no trouble," Chigiri told her. "I like doing this kind of thing."

"It's true, Yuuko," Kunigami said. "Chigiri posts videos online about this kinda stuff."

"Really?"

"Yeah, just for fun."

"Oh, can I see some?" Kotone asked.

"Sure. Kunigami can send you a link."

Yuuko agreed to the lesson and sat next to him.

Reina came back, handing the brush over.

"Hey, this is a cool brush."

"Yeah," she grinned at him. "See the sparkles?"

"Oh yeah. Neat. Now sit there in front of me."

He took his time brushing her hair out, being careful not to damage it. He loved the colour and the way it shined. I'll bet it's true gold in the sun like Kunigami's.

He divided Reina's hair into sections, talking through the steps as he went for Yuuko to follow along.

"Now see, you're going to want to leave enough hair here to crossover as you go."

His eyes met Kunigami's and there was look on his face that Chigiri had never seen before. It was soft and pleased and made him blush. After that, he kept his eyes on his work until he finished the braid.

"And that's it."

"Can I see now?" Reina asked excitedly.

"Sure."

She ran off to the bathroom to look in the mirror, then came running back.

"It's so pretty! Thank you," she grinned.

"You're welcome," he told her. "Thank you for letting me. It was fun." He genuinely meant that, it was nice to have something to offer for once instead of taking all the time.

Reina climbed up on the couch next to him and leaned in.

"Where's your phone? Take a photo of us matching," she grinned.

"Oh, umm…"

"Here," Kunigami said, lining his own phone up. "Say cheese you two!"

"Cheese!" Reina grinned while Chigiri put on the best smile he could manage.

"Oh wow."

"Oji, let me see!" Reina said.

Kunigami grinned and turned his phone to show them the screen.

"You guys look like models."

"Really?!" Reina said excitedly. Of course Reina's mother and aunty agreed, but the thing was it was kind of true. Reina was cute as a button, and Chigiri was surprised by how natural he looked.

"I'm making this my wallpaper," Kunigami decided.

"Please don't," Chigiri said, while Reina cheered her uncle on and they both ignored his protests completely.

"There. Done," Kunigami declared, showing them the result. "My two favourite people."

"Yay!" Reina cheered, and Chigiri smiled despite himself. I guess it's not so bad.

xxx

When the evening was done and they stepped outside after saying their goodbyes and promising to visit again soon, Chigiri looked up at him, a contentment in him that Kunigami hadn't see before.

"Thank you," Chigiri said, voice soft and warm. "I think I needed that."

In that moment he wanted to lean down and kiss Chigiri, but he didn't. The evening had gone well and adding a new complication to Chigiri's life right now was absolutely not what Chigiri needed. If they could continue this status quo for a while, Chigiri would have a chance to build his confidence and maybe start planning a future for himself. That was the most important thing, and Kunigami would never forgive himself if he did anything to jeopardise that.

"I'm glad you had fun."

"Yeah," Chigiri said, smiling and tucking a strand of loose hair behind his ear. "I really did."

Being close to him, helping him, it's more than enough. And if that's all it ever is, I'm okay with that if he is. All I really want is what's best for him. Hopefully though, in the end that turns out to be me.

xxx

Kunigami was just heading out the door to work the following morning when Kotone called.

"Hey, sis."

"Aniki! You should have told us!"

"Told you what?" he wondered. Was this about Chigiri again?

"About Chigiri."

"What about him?"

"Rensuke," Yuuko chimed in, which was usual. Whenever his sister's called they put the phone on speaker so all three of them could chat. "We're so happy for you. Chigiri is lovely."

"Umm, thanks? It's not as though I haven't had friends before though."

"Rensuke…" Yuuko said again. "You don't have to lie to us."

"I'm not."

"Yes, you are!" Kotone cut in. "Chigiri is totally your boyfriend! If you'd told us in the first place I wouldn't have embarrassed myself."

"What?! Chigiri is not my boyfriend!"

"We said it's okay, Rensuke. If you're happy, we're happy."

"Look," he sighed. "It's not what you think. Even if I do feel that way about him, he doesn't feel the same."

"But you said he was taken…"

"Um, yeah okay, that part was a fib. I just didn't want any pressure put on him."

"You were jealous!" Kotone declared.

Kunigami felt his cheeks heat up because she was right.

"Hey, I've gotta go. I'm gonna be late for shift."

"Rensuke!"

"Okay, bye."

He ended the call and let out a long breath. His sister's were right, but it didn't matter. His feelings didn't matter right now. Maybe one day they would, but not yet. Not when Chigiri was still recovering and needed to focus on himself. Still, as he replayed the conversation over in his head, he found himself smiling. At least I know if I do go down that path I have their support. My sisters are pretty great.