-In 2023, not all parents hold their children to traditional standards for love and marriage, but modern lifestyles are still not always accepted. Especially not when your younger sibling is getting married first and your parents are practically jum...
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Y/N'S P.O.V.
Yet again, it's time for you to pick yourself up and drive over to your parents' house for one of their 'family dinners' which, you suppose, permanently includes Fuyuko now. Part of you is a bit relieved since she often takes your side and helps diffuse some situations with your mother. But on the opposite end, you know you'll get pressured now more than ever to find a partner and settle down. Well, little do they know, that already happened. And you regret it with your whole heart.
When you arrive and knock on the door, you take a deep breath and put on your best fake smile. Thankfully, Sawamura answers, giving you another second to breathe.
"Hey," you call out to him as you pull him into a tight squeeze. "How was your honeymoon?"
"It was good," he responds as you pull away from the hug. "Fuyuko and I had a lot of fun in Hokkaido. I'm glad that's where we decided to go in the end."
"It's famous for its hot springs, right? Is that what you guys went there for?" you ask him as though he hasn't already told you before. You're only just stalling to go into the dining room with the others.
"That and their ski areas. You would've liked it there," he smiles. "But how're you doing? What've you been up to?"
"I suppose that's what this dinner is for," you smile back at him.
"Have you got some kind of big news to tell us?" he teases as you step past him, psyching yourself up to go inside.
"Something like that," you shrug. "Shall we?"
"Didn't think I'd ever see you excited for one of these dinners," he laughs. "I'm ready when you are."
When you get inside, your mother rushes toward you at the speed of light. She hugs you tightly and says she's missed you despite how she's only just called you the day before. Besides, she doesn't typically say that sort of thing, and it throws you off guard.
Just then, you begin to look around the room. Sitting beside your usual spot is Hinata. His back is perfectly straight and he's drinking from his glass probably hoping to diffuse the awkwardness.
"Hinata," you whisper as your mother releases you from the hug. "Mom, what's going on?"
"Oh, honey, I invited him to join. I thought he was so sweet at the wedding I just couldn't resist including him for our first family dinner since that night!" she hums sweetly as she looks over at him.
"Really?" you ask as you eye him. He's now engaged in some conversation with your dad that you can't hear. "You actually like him?"
"Don't be so surprised, Y/N. I already told you I think he'd be a great pick," she smiles yet again.
"Not now, mom, please. Can we just eat?" you sigh.
"Sure, honey," she nods. "Food's on its way!"
When it finally comes time to eat, you take your seat beside Hinata. He smiles politely at you, adding a brief "hi" before swallowing dryly.
"Hey. How are you?" you ask nervously. Your whole face feels hot as you remember what Faye and Kotonoha advised you last week. Little did you know then that you'd be stuck with him at your family dinner. Good thing you took off that damn wedding band.
Somehow, you make it successfully through dinner without having a disagreement with anyone else. Quietly thanking Hinata in your head, you stand up and excuse yourself for the bathroom.
When you look at yourself in the mirror, you let out a deep sigh. You hate these stupid lies, acting like you didn't just commit yourself to some other guy and sitting beside Hinata nearly leading him on. You're so over faking. Somehow, you've got to tell them all what's going on.
The second you step outside the bathroom, you see Hinata waiting across the hall. Chills sweep down your body when you see him leaning across the wall so nonchalantly. He's so handsome. And you feel like such an idiot for ruining the good thing you had going with him.
"Oh, sorry, were you waiting for long?" you ask as you close the door behind you.
"No, not really. I only got here a few seconds ago," he tells you.
"Okay, well, I'll catch you back out in the other room for dessert. If it's something Fuyuko or my dad made, it'll be really good," you tell him with a genuine smile. It really has been a good night so far. You hate knowing that you're about to ruin it.
When you get back to the dining room, you help the others clean up and set up the table with a few desserts. Together, you and your mom light a few candles, setting the final touches when she clears her throat and the whole night goes to absolute shit.
"You know, love, in this day and age it's alright for women to propose to the man. I think it's quite a nice gesture that way, if you ask me," she hums to herself, making your eye twitch. You almost feel like saying 'no, I didn't ask you' but you try to be as civil as possible.
"Really, well it'd be a bit awkward for me to ask a single man to marry me when I've already gotten married," you admit to her.
When she doesn't respond, you put down the candle you were lighting and stand up straight. She stares at you nearly the same way she did when she caught you and Hinata in the act. But what makes it worse is that behind her, Hinata is quietly listening.
"Are you serious?" she whispers. "You got married?"
"Same night as Sawamura," you admit quietly. "So I guess you don't need to be embarrassed your son got married first."
Just then, Hinata clears his throat. Recognizing his voice, your mother turns around and gasps dramatically as though she's on some kind of telenovela.
"Thank you for the meal, ma'am, but I think it's time for me to head out," he tells her, his voice cracking halfway through. "I appreciate the thought in your invitation. Have a great night."
After your mother nods and smiles rather awkwardly, Hinata walks out without paying you a single glance. You sigh as you sit down by the table alone.
Just then, the other three walk in with the dessert plates. "What's goin' on in here?" your brother asks nervously, knowing things never go right at family gatherings.
"Your sister," your mother grumbles as you look down at your lap, "is married."
