The Korezutos

The Korezuto Parents

"Mizuki!" Reiko hugged her mother in law,"it's been too long."

"Did you get Senji here?" Mizuki asked.

"All three of them made it, along with Nori and I."

"You got a snooty Mongolia out here? Color me impressed Reiko."

"She's one of the sweetest people you'll ever meet. Fukiya's giving her a tour at the moment."

"You invited a Mongolia to my house?" Mr. Korezuto asked.

"She's no trouble. She's technically disowned if that makes you feel better," Reiko said.

"A disgrace?" Mr. Korezuto asked.

"Be nice," Mizuki smacked her husband's arm.

"Fukiya!" Nori overheard the conversation," Reiko didn't mention I'm not invited."

"You are!" Fukiya insisted," my dad is just a grump."

"Nori!" Yato caused her to jump,"let's go to town to shop before dinner."

"What does Reiko want us to get?" Nori asked.

"Tonight I'm cooking. You get to be my assistant. So you'll have to come with me."

Fukiya was excited,"please tell me you're making your ribs!"

"You bet I am."

Most people in town knew Yato. They were super excited to see him. He had grown up. Was Nori a fiance? Was he eating well? How many times had he been to the capital's castle? Everyone was so invested in how he was.

"Nori, there's a clothing store here. Why don't we go look while we have time?"

"Are you sure?"

"Go find something nice."

Nori let Yato choose some clothes with her before they got the food they needed. On the way back, Yato wouldn't let Nori carry a single thing. Which she thought was ridiculous because he had grocery bags stacked up high on his arm.

"If you won't let me carry anything, why have me come along?" Nori asked.

"To spend time with you."

"Have you missed me?"

"Maybe."

"Are you content being the crowd control police forever?" Mr. Korezuto asked Senji.

"We'd better just sneak by," Yato whispered to Nori.

"I feel bad. I'll go save him," she said.

"You'll get stuck," Yato warned.

"Then I'll get to meet your dad."

"You don't want to."

Yato couldn't convince Nori. She walked into the room and told Senji his wife was looking for him. He took the chance as quickly as he could.

"Mongolia," Mr. Korezuto said,"why do you continue to work at the compound? The riots over the crown have stopped."

"Well I guess it's just become something I enjoy."

"Enjoy?"

"Your boys make me think the work environment can be effective and enjoyable."

"My boys?" Mr. Korezuto laughed,"Senji is an underachiever. Yato is a meathead. And Fukiya is a nervous wreck! You must be crazy if you think they enjoy their job."

"Senji got the riots under control in a mere four months. Yato is both intelligent and empathetic! And Fukiya may be quiet but he's not shy." Nori argued.

"What would a Mongolia know?"

"The impact of a father's criticism."

"Nori," Yato entered the room,"can you go find the spices we bought?"

"Which ones?"

"All of them. I seem to have misplaced them."

"Right...excuse me Mr. Korezuto."

Once Nori was out of earshot Yato turned to his dad,"is that any way to treat a guest?"

"She was uninvited."

"Reiko asked her to come. She was excited to come! To meet you and mom!"

"She stood up for you boys. I liked that."

"Can I help you?" Mrs. Korezuto asked as Nori pulled out a cutting board.

"It's alright. Yato is coming."

"I would like to help."

"In that case, can you start the oven?"

"That's all?"

"Yato said he wanted to do it. I'm just setting up."

"He always liked to cook."

"I don't know how he manages to enjoy it."

"He doesn't do it all the time. And Fukiya is so excited for his food it would be hard not to enjoy it a little bit."

"Fukiya told me it's really good. I'm excited to try it too."

Yato raced into the kitchen,"I'll do the rest. Don't touch anything else."

"In that case," Mrs. Korezuto gave a warm smile,"I would like to talk with you Nori."