WHEN WE ARRIVED AT THE HOTEL, SAKI ACCOMPANIED US TO THE RESTAURANT. The reservation was under his name so that Misao's dad won't be able to trace his Mom's and sister's whereabouts, as Saki explained. I never imagined the intensity of Misao's family's toxic circumstances until now. I've heard some stories from Misao, I believed him and felt sorry for him, but honestly, at the back of my mind, I thought 'it couldn't be that bad'.
But man, I was wrong.
Saki told us, it was Misao's sister who called him to ask for a favor so they could meet without their dad finding out. He also said he could hear the desperation from her voice and he couldn't let himself do nothing.
"Reservation for Ishikawa Saki." Saki told the person in charge at the restaurant's entrance.
"Ah, Yes. For Mr. Ishikawa Saki. Please follow me."
We followed the host inside and on the way, I was so amazed by how beautiful and expensive looking the place was. This is the first time I've been in a fine dining restaurant. It was a good thing that I didn't dress too casually today but still, my outfit wasn't even near the sophistication and standard of this place.
The host showed us to a private room in one corner of the restaurant.
"Some guests already arrived and were waiting inside the room." The host informed us respectfully.
"Thank you." Saki replied and when the man left, Saki turned to us, "They're inside."
Saki gently pushed the door and the first thing I saw was the large painting hanging on the wall across us – a deep red Sakura Blossom tree with misty silhouettes of mountains in the background. Then, my eyes shifted to the two women occupying the seat with their backs facing us.
"Madam, we're here." Saki said in a low yet cheerful voice, which made the two women turn their bodies to look at us.
The other is obviously much older than the other but both of them are really beautiful and classy. Their lips both slowly curved up in a huge smile that made them even more radiant, totally different from the girls I'm so used to seeing. It's an understatement to say that I was star-struck.
"Misao!"
"Brother!"
The younger one stood up and rushed to get close to Misao, who was standing right beside me, and when she did, she wrapped her thin arms around Misao's body and he also hugged her back. After a few seconds, she lifted her head and her eyes landed on me.
"You must be Toshiro?!" She said to me with a big smile on her pretty face. I felt my cheeks getting warm.
"Y-Yes. I'm Toshiro." I paused, "Eh? You already know my name?"
"Of course! My brother talked about you so endearingly last tim—mmm!" Misao covered her mouth with his hand, preventing her from finishing what she's going to say.
"That's enough, Miki." Masao commanded with an embarrassed expression. He took a second to compose himself before he introduced her to me. "Toshiro, this is my sister, Miki."
"Hi Miki."
"Hi Toshiro." She said with her charming smile never leaving her face. A total opposite of Misao, the thought almost broke me into a smile.
"Why are you guys still standing there? Come over here and take a seat." The woman, I presume was Misao's mom, called us over.
"So, my job here is done. I'm taking my leave now." Saki announced.
"You're going back already, Saki?" I asked him.
He grinned at me, in a way, tauntingly. "This is a family dinner. I wouldn't dare to intrude."
"F-Family dinner…" I felt my face turn red with embarrassment. Then I heard Miki chuckling beside me.
"Just kidding." Saki suddenly blinked at me, "Reo is waiting for me outside. We're going on a date."
"I… I see."
"Thank you, Saki."
Saki patted Miki's head, "It's nothing. Call me anytime you need my help. I'm going now. Bye Auntie! See you later."
After Saki left, my heart began beating so fast. All the nervousness from the past three days suddenly came rushing on me, washing all over my body, and my knees were starting to lose their strength. Misao led me to the table and we sat across Miki and his Mom.
"Mom, this is Toshiro, my boyfriend." Misao introduced me to his mom as soon as we sat down. I felt my heart skip a beat when I heard him say the word boyfriend. What the heck, this is so nerve-wracking.
"Uhm, hello. Nice to meet you." I glanced at Misao's mom and found her smiling so endearingly at me.
"Hi Toshiro. I'm Risa, Misao's mom. I know how hard it is for Misao to make friends, that's why I'm so grateful to you. Thank you so much for taking care of my son."
"Mom…" Misao grunted.
"Oh… It's nothing, you don't have to thank me. Misao and I were friends that's why—" I paused and took a quick glance at Misao before continuing, "I mean, Misao's a quiet and serious person but he's really kind. And it's embarrassing to say but, I think, I was the one being taken care of by Misao."
Miki and her mom looked at each other for a second, giggling.
Miki leaned closer towards me with an excited expression, "Say, Toshiro, what do you like about my brother?"
"What I like about Misao…?" I shifted on my seat, glancing over at Misao asking for rescue but instead I found him already staring at me with an anticipating look in his eyes. And then, I watched as the corner of his lips slowly curved up into a smirk.
"Go ahead, Toshiro. I wanna know too…"
I sneered at him before looking back at his mom and sister, who're still smiling at me from ear to ear waiting for my answer.
"Uhm... Actually, when I first saw him walking into our classroom, my first thought was, 'Wow, that guy looks so cool' with that stern look on his face and composed demeanor he really caught my attention. But Misao is kind of elusive…" I chuckled, and they followed, "He was always alone and he seemed hard to approach. Despite that cold front, I found out that he's actually a really kind person. He took care of me and always helped me when I was in need. When I'm with Misao, I feel like I have nothing to worry about. But even though he makes me feel that way, when I heard about his past and circumstances, I thought, I wanted to be the person beside him, giving him strength, happiness and protecting him."
I felt Misao's hand hold mine underneath the table. Its warmth brought me comfort as if all those nervous feelings from before never existed in the first place.
"I like everything about Misao – all the nice things, even his quirks and all his unpleasant memories and fears. Even the things I still don't know about right now, and who he'll become someday. I'll make sure to try to understand him and stay by his side."
Misao squeezed my hand tighter, as if I'd disappear if he let go.
"Thank you for loving my son that much, Toshiro." Risa-san's eyes were welling up as she stared at me, "I'll sleep well at night thinking that Misao has someone who loves him so dearly by his side. Thank you so much."
"Ah! Please, you don't have to thank me," I started panicking, waving both of my hands right in front of me. "You have nothing to worry about, Madam."
"Madam? Just call me mom, okay?" She smiled, teasingly.
"M-Mom?! W-Wait… Isn't that a bit too early…"
"Haaa…" Misao released my hand, instead he placed his arm over my shoulders pulling me closer to him, "This dinner turned into an engagement meeting."
"E-Engagement?!" I shrieked with disbelief. My whole speech was already embarrassing as it is and now Misao has to make the atmosphere even more awkward, for me at least.
"Right." Miki said, clapping, "This is great! I'm so happy for you, Brother. I'm so rooting for you guys!"
I can't help but smile thinking that Misao's family are such nice people. Despite hearing about his stories about his father, I'm glad that he still has a family that's happy to see him and supports him as who he is. And even though he could not return to his true home, yet, I wanted to give him a place he could call his own. A place where he could be himself, where he could do whatever that'll make him happy, where he could say everything in his mind, and a place where he could be vulnerable but also where he could build himself up over and over.
***
"THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR GOING OUT OF YOUR WAY TO MEET US."
The dinner was already finished and we're about to bid our goodbyes. Misao and I will take a bus back home while Saki-san will pick up Misao's mom and sister again to bring them back to their house.
To be honest, I had a great time. They're such welcoming people and eventually I became comfortable chatting with them. I ended up telling them lots of stories about Misao and our gang. It was obvious that they're having fun hearing about Misao's everyday life after running away from home. At least, I was able to relieve them of their worries for Misao.
"I'm happy that I'm able to meet you today, Toshiro." Risa-san took my hand. Misao and his mom, somehow, emits the same warmth, both felt really comforting. "This is the first time I heard such fun stories about Misao. I could see that he's having fun there with you. Our family house seemed more like a prison for Misao. That's why I'm happy that he finally found a place he could call his home."
We exchanged a gentle smile with each other. I think that was enough for the both of us to convey how much we both love and treasure Misao.
"Mom, Saki's here!" Misao called us from the outside of the room, peeking through the door.
"You two should always take care, okay? And if you guys have any problem and you need help, don't hesitate to tell me. I will definitely help you both."
I gave her hand a soft squeeze, "We will. Thank you so much."
---
WE WAITED FOR THEM TO LEAVE BEFORE WE BOARDED THE BUS BACK.
As soon as we sat down, Misao took my hand placing them onto his lap, and then entwined his fingers with mine. He held my hand so tight while caressing its skin with his thumb, leaving hot traces that sent warmth straight into my heart.
"Misao… Your mom and your little sister are such kind people. I'm glad I came with you to meet them…"
Misao looked at me with a satisfied expression, "I told you, you don't have anything to worry about."
"Hmm." I took his hand that was holding mine and brought it close to my lips, planting a soft kiss on his knuckle. "Please stay beside me forever, Misao."
"Should we buy a ring on our way back?"
I chuckled, "The ring can wait for another day but… I can't wait to go home and spend the night with you."
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Stalemate Series:
Book #1 Stalemate + Extra Chapters
Book #2 Checkmate + Extra Chapters
Book #3 King's Gambit + Extra Chapters
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