𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐓; 𝐍𝐚𝐠𝐢 𝐒𝐞𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐨

23. IN-LAWS

You couldn't believe what was about to happen.

Nagi dragged you by your interlocked hands, rambling on about how it was "no big deal" and you were going to be fine. However, you were very much not fine. The infinite possibilities of what could go wrong swirled around your brain. 

"Sei, maybe we can slow down!" You itched, trying to stop your boyfriend in his tracks.

"We're at a walking pace of a small insect." Nagi mumbled, and he was right. You two were practically shuffling your feet along the sidewalk-- if not for your pace, you would have probably been at your destination four minutes ago.

He sighed. "If it's really stressing you out, we don't have to."

"But I have to meet your parents sooner or later." You groan, clouding your face with your hands. "They can't think I'm flaky."

Nagi was currently bringing you to your doom... which you chose to brought to in the first place. It all started about a week ago, when Nagi mentioned how his parents were bugging him again about you, especially after hearing Shosuke met you before they did. You must have drunk something strong that day, because you determined right then and there that you would meet them.

Now... you weren't so confident.

"Y-You sure Shosuke isn't home today? Maybe he's upstairs hiding? Maybe he'll come back before we get there...?" You mumble, simultaneously praying that the little boy would be home so you would have someone to speak to if things got awkward.

"He's across the city on a field trip." Nagi replied.

"Ugh...."

"Y/n." Nagi stopped, bending down to make direct eye contact with you. "You could stand there and do nothing the whole time, and they would still love you."

"...You mean that?"

"Yes. But maybe don't do that."

You took a deep breath, taking Nagi's hand once more, before you and him both picked up the pace together.

Sooner than you'd expect, you were at the doorstep to his house. If a door could be intimidating, this door was the scariest door out of every door you have ever seen. Nagi tried nudging you forward, but your feet were somehow attached to the ground.

"Y/n." Nagi spoke.

You flinched, causing Nagi to laugh at your nervousness. You scolded him. Then, the door opened before either of you could touch it, and in that moment you debated fleeing the scene... but then you saw the two faces behind it.

A couple stood there: a man and a woman, both with jet black hair and wide eyes, just like Nagi's. You could see a vague resemblance to your boyfriend in each of them, minus their difference in hair color. Normally, you'd be scared out of your mind, but they wore the most excited expressions you've ever seen.

"Y/n, dear! We've heard so much about you! Oh, look sweetheart, isn't she gorgeous?" His mother cooed, surprising you with a tight hug and kiss on the cheek right off the bat. You send a curious glance at Nagi, who shrugs like he's used to it.

"Goodness gracious. How can we get any luckier? Our wonderful son brought home his wonderful girlfriend-- spectacular!" His dad exclaimed, giving you several hefty pats on the back. "Would you like some tea, miss?"

"Y-yes! Thank you." You nervously smile. At once, the father left to start drinks in the kitchen, while the mother took you by your hands and lead you to their living room.

You quickly found out that Nagi was a stark contrast to his parents. While your boyfriend was more reserved, quiet, and unbothered, his mom and dad were all over the place. They were boisterous, friendly, touchy, and outstandingly kind. Above all, they loved each other more than any other married couple you have ever seen.

You sat down on one couch with Nagi right beside you, while his parents sat across from both of you. His father placed down the tea tray at the center table, allowing everyone to grab their drinks.

"We haven't introduced ourselves, have we?" The mother smiled. "My name is Nagi Seiko, I'm Seishiro's mother. And my husband is Nagi Kenji. Please, dear, call us Seiko and Kenji."

"Ah, it's really nice to meet you, Seiko and Kenji." You greet. "I've been looking forward to it for a while, now."

"So have we. Seishiro talks about you all the time, we've gotten so curious. Tell us about yourself, dear!"

"Well, I'm a third year, like Seishiro... I really enjoy science classes, like physics and chemistry, and I want to be a radiologist when I graduate." You explained.

"Ooh, a doctor! That's a noble career, young lady."

"Thank you." You let out a sigh of relief. "At first, I wanted to be a photographer. But I realized how harsh this world can be career-wise when I was younger... so I found a way to apply what I love to a more intensive setting."

"Aw, hon, remember my photography days?" Seiko swooned to her husband's side. "I used to be a conservation photographer. Meaning, I would travel all over and take pictures of endangered animals. I put all that behind me when I met Kenji, though! Quite difficult navigating African Safaris while pregnant."

"I thought you still practiced, mom." Nagi asked, nibbling on a warm scone.

"Yes, but just recreational." She sighed. "Ah, it's so great to see ambitious young people. I know Seishiro needs a good influence."

"Pfft-" You snort.

"I'm very ambitious." Nagi boredly replied.

"Sure, son." Kenji laughed. "We had to force Seishiro to go to school every morning when he was younger. All he wanted to do was sleep!"

"Did not...." He muttered.

"Did to!" Seiko giggled. "I'm still surprised that Reo-dear got you into a sport! You and that boy are like night and day with motivation."

You laughed some more. "Yoichi told me all about how you try skipping practice, too. And how Reo would drag you back."

"Of course he did..."

"We'll talk about that later, Seishiro. You've got to be consistent! Oh— Speaking of differences, how did you two meet?" Kenji hummed.

You froze for a half-second, attempting to conjure up the fattest lie you could muster. There was absolutely no way you would open your mouth to Nagi's parents and say: "Oh! I actually barely talked to you son, I was just dared to date him because of my stupid friends!" Hell no. However, Nagi seemed to beat you to your answer.

"Chemistry class, freshman year." He replied. "Y/n's project boiled over, and the whole class had to clean it up. That's when I realized she existed."

"Y-Yeah." You nodded. You were surprised that Nagi remembered that detail so long ago— you erased that moment from your memory due to embarrassment. "Since then, I always kind of known about Seishiro. He's sort of infamous for his football skills, too, which really piqued my interest. We only started talking more recently, though, and that's when we started dating."

"Aw, how romantic." Seiko lovingly sighed. "Accidents lead to the best conclusions!"

For the next hour or so, you sat on that couch in the Nagi household and answered lots and lots of questions. It wasn't like an intense interview or anything-- his parents just kept talking and talking, which was charming in its own way. They clearly wanted to meet you and have you in their home, which was very refreshing.

The entire time, Nagi kept his hand around your waist, resting on your hip to support you. You could feel him tracing up and down your hip, occasionally tapping you to check if you were okay. You were grateful you were dating him.

"--Oh, and that was such a great night! We should really get back together with Susie sometime." Seiko laughed, leading to the end of her very long story about toucans.

Before she could start again, Nagi interjected. "I'd like to show Y/n my room, now, if that's ok."

"Ah! My goodness, it's already eight? We've nearly lost track of time." Kenji remarked. "You two get on out of here, your mother and I will clean this up."

Nagi stood and held his hand out to you, who graciously accepted his smooth escape route. You thanked his parents before he lead you silently up the stairs of his house, winding down the hallway until you reached his bedroom.