On the way to my house, I told Ren that my parents were coming today. That's why I advised him to go home.
"Ha, no, I'm going with you, I want to meet your parents!" (Ren)
— Eh, okay... (Yumi)
My parents' car was parked near my house.
"They've already arrived!" (Yumi)
— I'll be ready. (Ren)
I hesitantly open the door, and a pleasant smell was coming from the kitchen.
"Yumi, is that you?"?? (Mom)
— Yes, I am, and not alone? (Yumi)
— Who are you with, a friend? (Mom)
— I don't understand, who are you with? (Dad)
Yumi shifted nervously from foot to foot, acutely aware of Ren standing firmly behind her. His presence radiated calm, but it only made her more anxious.
— **Yumi** (quietly, through gritted teeth): *Ren, maybe we shouldn't…?*
— **Ren** (smiling): *Relax, it'll be fine.*
Her mom stepped out of the kitchen, drying her hands on a towel, followed by her dad, who eyed Ren with suspicion.
— **Mom** (surprised): *Oh? And who's this?*
— **Yumi** (timidly): *This is… Ren. My… friend.*
Ren stepped forward effortlessly, breaking the tense silence.
— **Ren** (politely): *Hello! It's a pleasure to meet you. Yumi's told me a lot about you.*
Her mom chuckled, while her dad crossed his arms, sizing the boy up.
— **Dad** (pointedly): *"Friend," huh? And why are we just hearing about him now?*
Yumi felt her cheeks burn.
— **Yumi** (hurriedly): *Dad, we just… met recently!*
— **Ren** (calmly): *But I hope we'll be seeing each other more often now.*
Her mom, sensing her daughter's flustered state, smiled and gestured toward the dining table.
— **Mom**: *Well, in that case, come in! I'm just finishing up dinner.*
Ren nodded and, before following, leaned in to whisper to Yumi:
— **Ren**: *See? Everything's fine. They're great.*
Yumi let out a shaky breath. Maybe he was right… So why was her heart still racing?