Our Cosplay Relationship Story

Episode 12: Family Matters

The morning sun poured into the Kushida household, illuminating the dining room where Mikano sat at the table, swirling her cereal absentmindedly. Her heart raced as thoughts of Tatsuya filled her mind. The warmth of their last moments together—the shared laughs, the kisses, and the promise of something more—made her giddy and nervous all at once.

"Mikano, are you okay? You seem a little lost in thought," her mother, Haruka, said from the kitchen as she prepared breakfast.

Mikano shook herself from her daydream. "I'm fine! Just thinking about some stuff," she replied, trying to keep her voice light.

Her father, Haruto, walked in with his briefcase, pausing to kiss Haruka on the cheek. "Good morning! What's on your mind, Mikano?" he asked, noticing the slight frown on her face.

She hesitated, knowing this was the moment she had been preparing for. "Actually, I wanted to talk to you both about something important," she began, her voice steadying as she pushed her bowl aside. "It's about Tatsuya."

Her mother's interest piqued as she turned to face Mikano fully. "Tatsuya Ishida? The boy from the cultural festival?"

"Yes!" Mikano said, her heart racing. "We've been spending a lot of time together lately, and I really like him. I'm thinking about taking our relationship to the next level—like officially dating."

Haruka's face lit up with a smile. "That's wonderful, sweetheart! I remember how you lit up when you talked about him after we met at the festival. He seemed like such a nice boy."

Haruto nodded in agreement. "He was polite and respectful. It's clear he has a good head on his shoulders." He leaned back in his chair, considering her words. "But are you sure you're ready for that? Being in a relationship comes with its own set of responsibilities."

Mikano felt a surge of determination. "I think so. Tatsuya and I communicate well, and we've already shared a lot about our lives. He makes me happy, and I want to see where this could go."

Her mother's smile softened. "That's an important aspect. Being able to talk openly is crucial. Just remember to take it one step at a time."

Mikano nodded, feeling encouraged. "When you guys met him, I could see how supportive you were. That made me really happy. I want to feel that way about him too."

"Communication and support are key," Haruto said thoughtfully. "But it's also important to maintain your own individuality. Make sure you're both growing as individuals while being together."

"Of course!" Mikano replied, her enthusiasm bubbling over. "I don't want to lose who I am; I just want to share more experiences with Tatsuya."

Haruka reached over and squeezed Mikano's hand. "Honey, it sounds like you're approaching this thoughtfully. Just remember, it's okay to be nervous. Love can be a beautiful adventure, but it's also a journey that requires effort and understanding."

Mikano took a deep breath, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. "Thanks, Mom. That really helps. I've been nervous about how to bring it up to Tatsuya, but I feel more confident now."

As the conversation shifted back to breakfast, Mikano felt a new sense of excitement. She was ready to take that leap with Tatsuya, and knowing her family supported her made all the difference.

Later that afternoon, she decided to call Tatsuya. They hadn't seen each other since the festival, and she missed him. "Hey, Tatsuya! Do you want to meet up later?" she asked when he answered.

"Definitely! What time?" he replied, his voice bright and cheerful.

"How about around six? I have something important to talk about," she said, her heart racing at the thought of finally discussing their relationship.