DaiShun (The Boyfriend)

Chapter 34: I really love you a lot

The evening had settled over the house, casting a warm glow as Haruto returned home from work. As he stepped through the door, he was immediately greeted by Ayumi and Hana, their faces lighting up with welcoming smiles. "Welcome home, Uncle," Ayumi said with a soft, warm tone, while Hana stood beside her, offering a polite nod.

"Thank you," Haruto replied, a gentle smile gracing his face. His eyes then shifted to Shun, who appeared with a readiness to help. "Dad, let me take your bag," Shun offered, his voice laced with the genuine care that had become second nature in this household.

Haruto handed over the bag with a grateful nod. "Thank you, son."

Hana watched this small interaction with a mix of emotions swirling within her. Seeing Shun so naturally integrated into the family, addressing Haruto as 'Dad,' made her chest tighten with a feeling she couldn’t quite name—envy, perhaps, or longing for something she never had.

As the evening light softened further, Ryuji walked through the door, his face showing the slightest signs of fatigue from the day's work. The moment he stepped inside, Ayumi greeted him with a bright smile, one that instantly washed away the weariness from his face. Ryuji couldn’t help but blush a little, returning her smile with a bashful one of his own. The subtle exchange between them didn’t go unnoticed; it was a moment of pure, innocent affection, a reflection of the quiet but profound bond they were building.

Just then, Yumi appeared from the kitchen, her voice carrying the familiar warmth of home. "Dinner will be ready soon. You guys should go and freshen up."

Haruto and Ryuji nodded in unison. "Okay," they replied, almost as if rehearsed, before making their way to their respective rooms.

Meanwhile, Ayumi slipped into the kitchen to help Keiko. “Auntie, let me help you with the final touches.”

Keiko smiled as she handed Ayumi a dish. “Thank you, dear. It’s so lovely to have you around. You always know just how to help.”

Ayumi blushed slightly, pleased by the compliment. “I just want to make sure everything’s perfect.”

Keiko chuckled softly. “With you helping, it always is.”

Hana and Yumi busied themselves setting the table, laying out the dishes with care. Hana moved with a sense of purpose, but her mind was elsewhere. She kept stealing glances at Shun, at the way he fit so seamlessly into this family dynamic. It stirred something deep inside her—a yearning for that kind of belonging.

Soon, everyone gathered around the table for dinner. The atmosphere was filled with warmth and laughter, the kind that only family can generate. As they settled in, Ryuji reached over and placed some extra portions onto Ayumi’s plate. "You should eat more," he said, his voice gentle but insistent.

Ayumi looked up, surprised by the gesture. A blush crept up her cheeks, and she smiled softly. "I will, thank you."

Shun noticed the exchange, a smile spreading across his own face as he watched the silent communication of affection between his brother and Ayumi. He couldn’t help but feel a sense of joy at seeing Ryuji so genuinely happy.

Dai, always attuned to Shun’s moods, observed the way Shun’s eyes softened as he looked at Ryuji and Ayumi. Without a word, Dai reached over and placed some food on Shun’s plate as well. "You too should eat more," Dai said with a playful smile, his voice holding the same gentle insistence as his brother's.

Shun, startled by the gesture, looked up to see Dai’s teasing expression. A blush spread across his face as he stammered, "O-Okay…"

The room burst into light laughter, the sound of it filling the air with a comfortable ease. But across the table, Hana felt that familiar mix of emotions resurface—an odd blend of wistfulness and an unspoken sense of loss. She watched the way Shun blushed, the way Dai smiled at him with such open affection, and it struck a chord deep within her.