Saiki K PeePee

Ch. 18: Home

"Good afternoon, Kokomi-chan," Saiki's parents exclaimed as they came into view from the stairs.

No greeting for me? What am I, a side character?

Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Saiki!" Teruhashi greeted them cheerily.

"So, Kokomi-chan, will you be staying for dinner?" His mother inquired.

Yes, she will be, Saiki interrupted tersely.

Saiki glowered at his parents as they tried unsuccessfully to suppress laughter. Teruhashi put her hand up to her mouth and giggled as well. She didn't show a hint of her usual coyness, instead choosing to relax and enjoy the moment as it was.

"We're having curry rice tonight! I'm sorry, Kokomi-chan, if I had known you were coming over I would have prepared something more elaborate..." his mother announced, contrite for not preparing for a situation she had no way of knowing about.

"No no, it's fine, Mrs. Saiki! That's perfect!" Teruhashi said as she awkwardly closed her eyes and frantically waved her arms in a "no" gesture.

Once she had relaxed a bit, she allowed herself to feel at home, if only for a moment. She hadn't had curry rice very often, but she had fond memories of it. He heard her parents serving it to her and her grateful responses. He felt his features soften as he heard her genuine happiness and contentment.

"Please, Kokomi-chan, join us at the table," his mother cheerily requested, but he knew her well enough to know it was more akin to an order.

"Oh, of course Mrs. Saiki! Thank you for allowing me into your home!" Teruhashi said as she bowed politely toward both of his parents.

"It's nothing! We're just happy Ku-chan is spending time with friends!" his mother chirped back while making a dismissive hand motion.

He would let that slide, as she spoke about Nendou in the same way. They sat down and rendered the proper ritual, but didn't start eating just yet. Saiki knew he wasn't going to like what was coming next. They sat in silence before embarking on the conversation that could no longer be avoided. As expected, Teruhashi's mind was turning while his parents sat uncomfortably. She couldn't figure out how to tell them that the two of them were together more often because he felt like he wronged her and that she didn't know if it was going to be permanent.

"I'm really sorry about this whole situation," she started, brushing her hair behind her ear. "I must have put you all through so much stress these past few days. I understand why you wanted to keep Saiki-kun's powers hidden, they really are world-shattering. If I hadn't imposed on that day..."

His father cut her off. "It's fine, Kokomi-chan. It is what it is. Obviously, we're very happy that Kusuo is getting closer with people and we've been trying to push him to be more social for a long time, but we try to respect his boundaries because we want him to be able to live his life on his own terms. Slip-ups are bound to happen," he said gravely. It was jarring to Saiki to hear him so poised and focused.

I AM right here, you know, he growled to no one. He felt like a child at a holiday table spectating their parents exchanging pleasantries about them.

"Both of you are very good people. Thank you for taking care of Saiki-kun; I imagine that a lot of who he is is thanks to you two," she said warmly. Saiki was starting to get uncomfortable.

Why are you picking now to be a parent, idiot? Aren't you supposed to be saying something stupid or making light of situation? Why do you suddenly act like this when she's around or you're talking about her? Do you really want a daughter-in-law that badly? Go bother the annoying guy...