Disclaimer: It's a work of fiction and just having fun with my favorite SNS pairing

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Even though I was the one who asked, I thought it would not work.

In fact, a part of me was expecting a negative response; maybe even a "No" would have been better if I knew what would happen.

I had asked for a pick up by the family's staff, as well as requested for an accommodation for Soma to be arranged near the family villa considering what we had planned for tomorrow, while technically not bringing him home.

Of course, if it were up to me, I would like to share close proximity with him like we did for the past month.

Preferably share the same room like we did at his place.

Maybe even the same bed like our first night as a couple…

Chastely.

(... or otherwise.

What? We have not met each other for almost a week.)

What I had not expected was to be picked by the stretched limousine, much less with someone in it.

"Good evening, Mother." I greeted, hastily stuffing my phone into my hoodie's pocket.

It was too soon for Soma to meet her!

"Good evening." her eyes went to the young man beside me, "You must be Yukihira Soma."

"Evenin', Arato-oba-san. Hajimemashite." Soma said with a polite bow, a small greeting mannerism that I might have influenced over time.

Mother nodded slightly, giving Soma a quick scan before letting a light smile, "Come aboard, both of you."

"Wow, this is my first time sitting in one of these." We shared the seat facing Mother, "it's bigger than Narkiri's."

"Oh? Of course you meant Nakiri Erina?"

"I sure do, oba-san. She was the one who assessed me for the entrance examination. Her reputation apparently scared off other examinees that I was the only one left." Soma replied with a hint of nostalgia, "That was the first time I met Hisako." Soma added to me with a chuckle, "both of you were not very pleased to meet me."

"We just met." I huffed, "it would be the same for any stranger who is getting too friendly with Erina-sama."

Soma laughed, "Well, at least I got to make my dish,"

"Furikake Gohan." We said simultaneously, sharing a look.

"Did you try it?" Soma directed the question to me.

"No, but it smelled delicious. Will you make it again for me sometime?"

"Definitely," with that Yukihira Soma grin, "we'll add that to the list." turning to Mother, "I would make it for your whole family."

"Furikake? As in the rice topping? That would be an interesting change of pace." I could not get a clear read on Mother, a trained psychiatrist, unsure if she was just being polite. "It's a good thing she allowed you to pass the exam, even to her standards."

A back-of-head scratch, "She failed me, actually."

"She did?" Mother's eyes flickered with interest. "How did that make you feel?"

"A little disappointed, but I resolved to do better. Somehow I still got the notification to enter Totsuki though."

"It was Director Nakiri Senzaemon," I chipped in, "He tasted your dish."

"He tasted it?"

"Erina-sama is known to have quite strict standards that failing a whole cohort is not unexpected. As a custom, I would diplomatically ask if the Director would want to taste them too. I remained in the kitchen to keep your dish warm and handed him your application." I explained, "I had agreed and exercised discretion to not inform Erina-sama when the Director crumpled the result slip."

"So…this means you played a role in my acceptance into Totsuki?"

"I won't claim credit for your dish impressing the director."

For a few beats, Soma seemed to have a loss for words. However, the appreciation on his face was thanks enough.

"Senzaemon-sama is a long time family friend. Impressing him with cooking is no small feat." Mother nodded in acknowledgment. "So, what are your goals in the future?"

"I was born into a family restaurant. My goal had always been to be a better chef than my father. My vision is to be earning awards while travelling around the world to explore different tastes and cooking techniques in my journey to stand atop the culinary world." He made a resolved declaration."My family restaurant will be where I will return to and share my experiences."

"Aiming for the top? That's really ambitious," Mother shifted slightly forward, "You said 'had always been': did something change?" Mother is really sharp to notice an otherwise innocuous phrasing.

"Not so much changed, more like 'expanded'." Soma glanced over to me, "It's getting harder to foresee myself doing it alone.".

"Shinko." I said.

"Shinko." He agreed.

"What can you tell me about 'Shinko'?"

"It's a brand that is a combination of both of us," Soma started to explain to Mother.

"It comes from a combination of both our family names." I added. "'新' from our family's '新戸'."

"And '幸' from my family's '幸平'."

"Together, they make '新幸', which has an auspicious meaning,"

"'New Fortune'." Soma finished for us.

We shared a proud moment for our synchronisation.

Mother observed our exchange, remarking, "I had assumed it was a fashion accessory before. I noticed that both of you have wrapped something on the wrist: Yours on the left and Hisako's on the right. What can you tell me about that?"

It was then we noticed that our hands had subconsciously reached for the other's. The ends of our bandanas were intertwined just as our respective hands on the armrest between us.

It was quite poetic.

Soma shared about the significance of the white stretch of cloth: the connection to his late mother, and how it serves to get him fired up when cooking,

He then looked to me to hand the conversation over to let Mother know of the incident at the beach that got me started with wearing it on my wrist, then out of habit, and finally in an homage to Soma's mother when Soma told me of her story.

…I confessed that some part of it was to be a connection with the prodigal chef.

I felt Soma squeeze my hand tenderly at that.

Mother considered what she was told, then asked, "you mentioned running the restaurant by yourself; I understand that your father is a travelling chef?"

"Yes, he's a freelance chef who works in kitchens around the world. He's never in the same place for a long stretch; it seems he's always called to another place to work for them."

"So, he's usually overseas. What are your thoughts on that?"

Listening to the back and forth between Mother and Soma, it confirmed my suspicion that Mother was probing him to assess his psychology. I can see her ticking off a checklist in her mind. Her body language, though, seemed quite positive as she seemed to be intently engaged with Soma's positivity and his natural charm.

Soon, it evolved to Soma asking Mother questions, as it got comfortable enough to expand their conversation to other aspects of common interests like the food preferences of her and Father's, where have they travelled to ask if they tried certain dishes and her thoughts on it.

It actually seemed that Soma had slowly but surely got Mother to warm up to him, that even laughter came into the conversation.

I see that as a good thing.

"It's a pleasure and refreshing to chat with you, Soma." Mother said as we pulled into the driveway, "I look forward to your cooking for my husband and I tomorrow… I surmised that's what you are planning?"

As I said, Mother sure is sharp.

Or: never underestimate a psychiatrist.

"You guessed right! Amazing, oba-san!" Soma grinned, taking in the fact Mother had figured out his plan optimistically.

"Why don't you stay in the guest house for the night? You may arrange for the staff to bring you to shop for the necessary ingredients tomorrow."

I would guess Mother was expectedly conservative as to our sleeping arrangements.

Separate rooms.

Better than him being off the premises.

"That will be great! Thanks!" Soma grinned, opening the door before the chauffeur could do it, stepping out of the car, before turning and offering a hand to help Mother and I out of the vehicle.

"Oh my, you're a polite one." Mother remarked, likely awarding Soma a few more brownie points.

"I was initially planning to give this tomorrow." He brought up the gift he bought while we waited for the pick up, "Since I'm meeting you at your doorstep please accept this gift."

Mother was pleasantly surprised. "This is…"

"Candied hawthorn." Sona replied. My eyes widened at that. "I learnt from Hisako of its numerous benefits while considering you can enjoy them while meeting your patients."

Consider the simple candied hawthorn, a childhood treat that can be bought from any convenience store. I didn't really notice what he got when he excused himself while I was on the phone.

This kind of everyday gift has Yukihira Soma written all over it. Would I have recommended something else?

I wonder how Mother will take it… will its simplicity be taken negatively?

Then again, what do you get for someone who can basically afford anything they desire?

Mother broke into a smile and chuckled, "Candied hawthorn, I cannot remember the last time I had this." She opened the packet and popped one into her mouth. "This brings back memories." She offered the pack for both Soma and myself, "thank you; Hiroyuki would enjoy this too."

Soma and I shared a look, glad that this gift was well received.

Putting a piece into my mouth, I tasted the sweet sourness spread around my mouth, activating my taste buds and saliva glands, puckering my cheeks in a way that made me recall a simpler time when a candy like this would bring joy.

"It is nice to meet you, Soma." Mother glanced over to a staff member who stepped forward, "It's getting late; Ozaki will lead you to the guest house."

"I would appreciate the guide, this place looks huge!" Soma remarked with a wide grin, "Thank you again for your hospitality, oba-san. I wish you a good night."

Mother nodded in acknowledgment, "Oh, Hisako, would you please share with Soma the contacts of key staff members?"

"Yes, Mother." I reached into my pocket to pull my phone out.

…Along with it came a small square item that fell onto the ground with an unceremonious pat.

Its size, shape, and wrapping is unmistakable,

The condom.

The one gifted at the end of the elementary school camp from Okuma, to an oblivious Soma, then to me, who slipped it into the hoodie's pocket.

I had forgotten about it when I stuffed my phone into the same pocket for convenience.

There was a stunned moment as we stared at the packet.

"Well," Mother broke the silence, looking to Soma, "I trust you will be pleased to know the guest house comes with a butler."

Innocuous words that were mortifying.

Like I said: if I knew that this would happen, I would not have called.

Morning greeted me with fair weather, the sun partly hidden behind fluffy clouds, a fresh breeze carrying the scent of dew kissed grass, and light chirps of the local birds. It should make anyone glad to wake up to this.

However, I barely appreciated it as I had a sleepless night.

It was all because I had the birds and the bees talk with Mother before she let me off for the night.

"You're a responsible girl, and we trust your judgement. It won't be right, much less practical, to control what you do personally, nor would we want to be interfering. As a parent though, I would firmly recommend you hold back at least until you graduate. I could only assume it was too awkward to admit it before." Mother tipped her head to the condom laying on the table, "Nonetheless, it's good that you took precautions."

I was too flustered to tell her otherwise, desperately wanting the session to end quickly.

Now is not the time to dwell on that: Today is the day when Soma officially meets my parents. There is some anxiety about that.

When I got to the dining room, the breakfast table was empty.

Was I too early?

A glance at the time says otherwise. It is the usual time my parents would have their breakfast. At least that is so for the weekday; I'm not certain it also applies on the weekend.

I mean, this is the first weekend I'm spending with them in a long while…

A light metallic clink drew my attention, followed by the smell of breakfast being made in the kitchen. Behind a generous marble kitchen island stood my boyfriend, nimbly wrapping dumplings.

"Yo! Good morning, Hisako!" Soma greeted me cheerfully

"Good morning. What time did you start making these?"

"Almost an hour ago. I just asked what was in the fridge and got to work." He grinned, "Come join me."

"Have you seen my parents?"

"Not yet. I'm told they were still in their room."

Hmm, perhaps they do sleep-in on the weekends?

I surveyed the table, noting the different coloured skins on the table, "you're actually making different flavoured dumplings?" I was both impressed and sceptical of this amount of effort he is putting here.

"Yeh, there were quite a lot of ingredients that hadn't been touched." Soma placed down a completed dumpling, "Plus, it should allow me to gauge your parent's tastes."

His talent in food logic never fails to astound me. "Alright. So what do you have?"

"I made a variety of options." Soma gestured to the ones that were ready, "I got their general taste profile and portion size from the staff before I got to work."

Looking at the options, I thought that they were quite impressive.

My parents arrived not long after to the dining room, dressed down in what I assume was their weekend attire. Mother was smiling cheerily, while father looked as if he had sucked on a lemon.

"Good morning, Father. Good morning, Mother." I stepped out of the kitchen and greeted them.

"Good morning. Sorry that we are late. I was having a chat with your father this morning."

I glanced over to father, who sat on his usual seat with his arms folded in front of him looking like he's throwing a tantrum. "Is… everything alright?"

"Oh don't mind him." Mother whispered while walking by me towards the kitchen, "Fathers are usually reluctant about their daughter's boyfriend."

"But wasn't the omiai his idea?"

"He was not expecting you to choose anyone soon." Mother smirked, "He imagined it would take awhile, or at least open your eyes to options."

"Good morning, oba-san." Soma greeted, finishing up the dishes now that the family was present for breakfast. "I'll be serving shortly."

"Wow, thank you for making breakfast, Soma. The kitchen smells delicious." Mother turned to me, "I just realised I haven't tried your cooking yet."

"We were rarely home for meals, Mother."

"Quite right. Well, it's the weekend and this is a good change. I'll be waiting in the dining room for our breakfast." Mother flashed a supportive smile.

"You didn't cook for the past few days?"

"The staff does the cooking and food is always ready when we eat here."

A short pause to think, Soma then stuck out his tongue, "Blehh… lazy." he chuckled heartily.

I rolled my eyes at his light hearted teasing, giving his bottom a light smack as I passed him going to the sink. "Alright, how shall we serve?" I washed my hands as a custom before handling food.

Breakfast is served.

Soma cheerily greeted and introduced himself to Father who simply gave him a nod, acknowledging his presence as Soma poured tea for everyone.

At the very least, Father had unfolded his arms.

What grabbed our attention was the plating of the dumplings. In a ring, the seven colours of the rainbow were arranged, surrounding a white one in the middle.

Soma went around the plate.

White: the original xiao long bao

Red: Szechuan pepper beef

Orange: Canard a L'Orange - French orange duck

Yellow: Italian white truffle and eggs

Green: Spinaci e Ricotta - Spanish spinach and ricotta

Blue: Samgye - Korean ginseng-licorice chicken

Indigo: Knedle - Balkan plum dumpling

Violet-pink: Sakura michi with red bean

"I recommend eating in order of the rainbow!"

I decided to take his recommendation, starting with the white original as the base line.

Within the paper thin skin was a generous amount of soup stock accompanying well seasoned minced pork filling. The taste was pronounced yet not overbearing; a balance of fat and lean that left a pleasant lingering taste

Next was the red Szechuan pepper flavour, similar to the white but using beef and with a spicy, numbing kick to be ready for the day, adding some depth to the flavor profile, mellowed with a hint of white vinegar.

The Canard a l'Orange was an interesting twist for a french dish to be sealed in a citrus flavored skin. The orange and shredded duck combination was a treat for the taste buds, playing on the tongue after the numbness from the Szechuan pepper.

The Italian white truffle and egg was simple, yet elegant, giving the palate a break. Rather than scrambled eggs, it was chawanmushi-like within the skin with a dot of truffle for an earthy reset of the taste buds.

Next, we were brought to Spain by the Spinaci e Ricotta. Biting into the skin released a nutty white cream, a melodious usher for the spinach and ricotta which performed a synergistic tango of flavors.

His attention to detail was also amazing as he explained that all colouring used to respective skins was natural: The light blue hue for the ginseng chicken's skin was from powdered ginseng-and-licorice oolong, complementing the Samgyetang and chicken thigh pieces. Having tasted the ricotta in the prior dumpling actually enhanced the ginseng soup by giving a beautiful herbal contrast.

I have not tried Balkan food before but Kendle was a sweet experience. Potato based skin dyed by plum skin juice wrapped a plum and sour cream mixture. Notes of cinnamon left a pleasant aftertaste that signalled that it was a dessert. Moving back to cream after the prior ginseng piece brought the clever contrast again,

Finally, the red bean and sakura mochi pieces brought comforting familiarity, returning to the delicate Japanese flavours. It simply felt like home after a whirlwind of adventure.

Soma had brought us a journey around the world on a plate, describing each dish when my parents asked like a skilled tour guide with engaging stories and factoids.

Father, who was a little apprehensive initially, actually asked if there were seconds for certain pieces, to which Soma was happy to serve the extra pieces he made.

"My my, that has been a very eye opening experience." Mother remarked, tapping the table in thanks as Soma refreshed her cup of tea. "Must have taken you a few hours to make everything?"

"Happy to serve! I love cooking and seeing how well stocked the kitchen was, I couldn't help but jump into it." Soma grinned widely, "I hope you enjoyed your meal?"

"Very much so. The ginseng chicken one was my favorite. Is this what you had planned to make for us?"

"Oh, no, this was just what I found in the kitchen. I have other plans for dinner."

"So our dinner plans are settled." Mother replied positively, "tasting what we had for breakfast, I look forward to seeing what you will make for dinner."

"Very much so." Father finally joined the conversation. "We do have a greenhouse. Soma, why don't you join me to have a look and see if anything will be useful."

"Sure!" Soma complied.

I took it as a signal to follow too but Mother placed a hand on mine, "Hisako, let the gentlemen do their thing. I got a nice Pu'er that I've been wanting to drink with you, come join me."

Putting the actions of my parents together, I figured what was happening:

Father wants to have a private talk with Soma.

It has been awhile since they left.

I was told the greenhouse Father referred to was not some small backyard greenhouse which was why they were taking their time.

I know better; I know that was just a cover to calm my nerves. How can I relax when I know that Soma should be getting grilled while I sit on a plush chair sipping tea that I could barely enjoy? I was getting antsy.

Who knows what Father has in mind.

Mother was coaxing me to settle down, "Soma will be fine." She sipped on her tea, dropping all pretence, "For your father to ask him for a walk is a good sign. It's just the usual talk fathers give to their daughter's partner."

"What will they be talking about?"

"I can't say as to what exactly will be asked," Mother shrugged, "It's just to get a feel of how well Soma may get along with him."

That barely seemed assuring: I am not very certain as to how Soma's easy going personality will be taken by Father.

"There is one question that I know would surely need to be addressed." She set the tea cup down, considering me.

"What needs to be addressed?" I prompted when she thought for a few moments.

"Which family name will your children carry?"

The mention of children made me blush. "Doesn't it seem a little early for that kind of talk?" I refilled her tea, hoping to distract and change the subject.

"On the contrary, this matter is best addressed before you commit further." Mother let her words sink for a few moments. "Soma is the only child for his Yukihira family. On the other hand, you are the only child for the Arato line."

That means…

"One of you will have to change."

"It's customary to take the husband's name, isn't it?" I asked, even though I had a feeling it would not be that straightforward.

"Customary. Japanese allows married couples to take either surname, just not separate." Mother looked me in the eyes. "Hisako, dear, I trust you know where I'm going with this?"

"You mean to say, he's to take the Arato surname?"

"Yes. And so will your children"

The expression on her usually gentle face made it clear it was not negotiable.

A/N: What does this mean for the new couple? How will they resolve this?

I hope you like how that small gift from Okuma got featured now!

How's the food description part? if you've any suggestion on how to make it better, I'm open to hear them!

Thank you for reading and reviewing. The reviews are how I gauge interest so drop a few words!