Sekai Romantica: After Story

Mom sobers up

Onodera POV

About a week later

We were heading home from work, hand in hand, when my phone started to ring. I held up a 'one second' sign to Takano before I answered the call. Takano nodded in recognition. I saw that it was my mom. I looked at Takano and showed him the caller ID. I hesitated before I hit 'accept the call'.

"Hello?" I asked nervously.

"Ritsu?" Asked my mom. She seems calm enough. I exhaled in relief. I nodded quickly to Takano to tell him. He gave me a thumbs up.

"How are you?" Said my mom, making conversation.

"I'm good. How are you?" I said. When I asked 'how are you', I said it a little bit more serious to tell her that I mean about the meds.

"I'm good. I've been taking the medicine." She said. Good, she caught on.

"That's great!" I said, saying it with as much emotion as I feel. Takano snickered next to me. I stuck my tongue out at him.

"Is it ok if I come over today?" asked mom. I looked at Takano. He looked confused. I asked him using my lips 'my mom wants to know if she can come over today'. Takano hesitated for a moment, and then nodded.

"Of course!" I said. Takano just shook his head like I was crazy. He thinks I am weird that I am showing so much emotion, I guess. So, I stuck my tongue out at him.

"See you in a little bit, Ritsu! I love you!" Said my mom. I put my hands on my phone to get ready to hang up,

"I love you, too! Byee." I said.

"Bye." She said. When she said that, I hung up. I faced Takano.

"Soo, we have work to do before my mom comes over." I told Takano. He started to nod.

"Yeah we do.. do you think she will accept us?" Asked Takano. He sounded concerned. I squeezed his hand. Then I looked at him for a few seconds before answering.

"Honestly.. yes." I said, feeling strangely confident. Takano looked at me shocked, and then calmed down.

"Well, if you think so, then I guess I think so too." Said Takano. I guess this is the first time where our confidences are flipped. I started laughing at that thought. Takano looked at me like I was crazy again.

When I calmed down, I said, "I was just laughing because I had a funny thought. It's like our confidences our switched." I said, smiling at Takano. He smiled at me with that pervy smile of his, ruffled my hair, and brought me in for a hug. He also kissed the top of my head. I wrapped my arms around him. I love this man more than words can express.

At the apartment

We worked together to tidy my apartment for my mom to arrive. As I was putting the last thing away, I heard my door being knocked. That has to be her. I sent Takano one last look that says 'im so scared' before I answered the door. When I opened it, I saw my mom's slender frame with her tight jeans and tight shirt on. I stepped out of her way to allow her to enter.

"Hello Ritsu." Said my mom as she walked in.

"Hi, mom." I responded. Just then, Takano came in to greet us. He bowed to my mom.

"Very nice to see you again, Mrs. Onodera." Said Takano, with his gentlemany smile. My mom gave him a smile back. She shook Takano's hand.

"Very nice to see you too, Takano." Said my mom.

I started to walk into the kitchen before I asked "Does anybody want anything?" They both wanted water. I filled three glasses of water. Takano walked in.

"Do you need any help?" He asked politely. I nodded.

"Can you just grab your glass?" I asked. He nodded, and took his glass. I walked back in the living room, where my mom is. I handed her the glass of water. She thanked me. We all got comfortable on the couches. Me and Takano sat next to each other, leaving my mom to sit on the chair. We sat in silence for a few minutes. Then Takano put his glass down, and started to speak.

"Mrs. Onodera, I am sorry, but I am just going to cut to the chase. I love your son more than words can say. And it would mean the world to both of us if you will accept us." Said Takano. Both me and my mom are surprised that he suddenly said that.

"I have nothing against you. You seem like a nice person, but I must ask you a few questions to make sure you are a good fit for my Ritsu." Said my mom. Takano exhaled in relief because in the beginning it sounded like she was going to reject us.

"Go right ahead." Said Takano.

"Ok. First question- will you make sure Ritsu eats a heart healthy 3 meals a day?" My mom asked. Takano gave me a sarcastic look that said 'ha, funny she said that'. I blushed. He faced my mom again.

"Of course. I already do. In fact, Onodera collapsed before from malnutrition, and so now we eat at least 1 full meal together everyday." Takano explained. That made my blush deepen. My mom looked at me.

"Is this true Ritsu?" Asked my mom, with a hint of laughter in her voice.

"... yeah." I admitted. Takano just smiled at me.

"Oh, next question- prove to me that you love my son." Said my mom. Takano cracked his knuckles.

"Ok. That's an easy question. The truth is that we were dating in high school because Ritsu suddenly just confessed to me, and I agreed to give him a shot. Ok, the truth is that I didn't actually like him in the beginning, but his personality has grown on me, and I fell deeply in love with him. Then, a couple months later, he broke up with me due to a small misunderstanding. While the ten years apart, I never forgot him, and I just knew that he would eventually come back to me. Even when he did come back to me, he did not exactly come running into my arms right away. But, I stayed by his side the whole time, waiting for him to come back to me." Said Takano. My mom's eyes started tearing up by the end of the story.

"What was the misunderstanding?" My mom asked.

"I thought that Takano didn't love me because, like he said, he didn't love me in the beginning. 10 years later, I learned that was not true, but I still did not want him to break down my walls that I spent 10 years making. But, he did eventually break down them, and I have never been more happy in my entire life." I answered. Takano squeezed my hand when I was saying the last sentence. We were smiling at each other. My mom started to get up, and pack up.

"Welp. I have seen enough." Said my mom, heading towards the door.

She stopped at the door, and turned around to face us.

"Takano Masamune, take good care of my only son. Yes, I approve of you two." Said my mom before she walked out the door. When she closed the door, me and Takano gave each other the tightest hug we ever gave each other, while kissing each other passionately. Finally, we can be together. Forever.