One Night- Tsukishima Kei

24

"Oh- I got this." I smile, taking the plate from Midori.

"Ah! Thank you, you're so helpful." She smiles and I slightly bow before taking the plate to the dining table.

"Let me grab that from you." Akiteru stands to take the plate but I move it away from him.

"Nuh uh. You just came back from University." I set the plate down myself then look at Kei. "And you are my future husband. So you guys need to relax." I grin, skipping back into the kitchen to help Midori bring the rest of the food out.

"Future husband, eh?" Akiteru nudges his younger brother and the boy becomes flustered. "Didn't know you two were that serious."

"Whatever." Kei mumbles, looking away.

Midori and I plate all the food in the middle before setting the table. We pour everyone drinks as well before sitting down ourselves.

Akiteru moves to sit next to his mother, leaving the chair next to Kei open (which I happily take).

We say our thanks and begin to eat. Kei grabs his chopsticks to start grabbing food but I gently push his hand down and do it for him.

"I'm not a baby, you know. You don't have to do everything for me." He looks at me and I just giggle.

"But I like it." I say simply.

He sits still as I put food onto his plate but when I go to put some on mine, he grabs both of my wrists, easily holding them in one hand as he begins to do it for me.

"Well I like it too." He says matter-of-factly.

I look up at him, eyes soft and full of love as I smile.

"I never thought I'd live to see the day where Kei acts like this." Midori puts her hands on her cheeks, sighing happily. "Akiteru, our Kei is growing up!"

"I know. He's so talkative with her too." Akiteru grins.

Both Kei and I heat up in embarrassment, and he lets go of my wrists once he finishes giving me food.

"Thank you for having me over tonight." I bow my head to Midori.

"Oh, it's no problem! Kei and I love having you over for dinners. It's become our favorite thing." Midori smiles brightly.

For the past few weeks I've been joining this family for dinner. Midori keeps inviting me and I would be lying if I said I didn't want to go.

Family dinners are definitely not a common thing for me. Hell, family itself isn't something I'm used to.

"You've been coming over often?" Akiteru asks and I shyly nod.

"Yes. I'm very grateful that your family allows me to join for delicious meals." I respond and he chuckles a bit.

"You don't have to be so formal." Midori chuckles. "We're all family!"

My expression slightly falters and I blink a few times at Midori.

Family? She really considers me family? This is the second time She's said that but I thought she was just trying to be nice the first time.

I feel Kei put his hand on my knee and a warm smile takes over my face as I nod.

"Yes, right."

Having dinner with the Tsukishimas fills my heart with joy. The thought that one day I might become part of this for real makes me...happy.

So, incredibly happy.

I'm getting too ahead of myself though. I'm always telling Kei that he's my 'future husband' or 'future father of my kids', but he's never really responded to it.