More Than a Lie (T.Kuroo)

Chapter 3: The Arrival

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The family reunion is held at a sprawling lakeside cabin, the kind with wooden paneling, wrap-around porches, and just enough rustic charm to feel cozy. Cars line the driveway, and you can already hear the chatter and laughter spilling out of the open front door as you and Kuroo pull up.

You glance at him from the passenger seat, adjusting your shirt nervously. “Alright, last-minute pep talk. You ready?”

Kuroo nods, though his fingers tap rhythmically on the steering wheel. “Definitely. Remember: minimal PDA, occasional ‘babe,’ and if Aunt Sachi starts drilling you with questions, just tap my shoulder.”

“Got it,” you reply, giving him a thumbs-up. “Let’s go make your mom’s dreams come true.”

As you both step out of the car, Kuroo casually drapes his arm around your shoulder, and you feel a slight jolt at the warmth of his hand resting there. It’s just an act, you remind yourself. But there’s an odd sense of comfort in his touch, a kind of quiet reassurance that’s as steadying as it is strange.

Walking toward the front door, you hear the loudest voice of all calling out. “Is that my Tetsuro?”

You look up just in time to see a woman who can only be Kuroo’s mother rushing toward the two of you, a wide smile stretching across her face. She’s a whirlwind of excitement, already pulling you both into a hug before you can even get a word out.

“Oh, I’m so happy to meet you!” she exclaims, releasing Kuroo briefly to grip your hands. “We’ve been waiting so long to meet the girl who finally stole our Tetsuro’s heart.”

Your cheeks heat up as she pulls you into a warm embrace, and you try to ignore the way Kuroo laughs softly under his breath. He doesn’t let go of your shoulder, though, keeping you close in a way that feels both reassuring and—unexpectedly—genuine.

“Mom, this is my partner,” he says, his voice holding a warmth that surprises you. “And, yes, she actually agreed to date me.”

Mrs. Kuroo’s eyes sparkle with delight, and she looks back and forth between the two of you, hands pressed to her chest. “Oh, you’re exactly as lovely as he described!”

You raise an eyebrow at him, and he clears his throat, clearly trying to play it cool. “You know… I give credit where it’s due.”

Mrs. Kuroo waves her hand, as if brushing off his teasing, and calls over her shoulder. “Everyone, come meet Tetsuro’s partner!”

Within moments, you’re being introduced to a small crowd of Kuroo’s relatives: uncles, aunts, cousins, and his grandmother, who insists on hugging you tightly before holding your hands in hers, beaming.

“So,” Aunt Sachi begins, with a mischievous glint in her eye, “tell us how this rascal managed to charm you.”

Kuroo glances at you with a playful smile. “Oh, it’s a long story. Right, babe?”

You try not to laugh at the forced pet name but manage to play along. “Yeah, we’ve known each other since high school, and… let’s just say he took his time figuring things out.”

Mrs. Kuroo gasps, clasping her hands together. “How romantic! A love years in the making!”

Kuroo gives you an amused look. “Hey, patience pays off.”

The warmth of his family’s smiles, the affectionate teasing—it all feels strangely natural. More than once, you catch him watching you as you chat with his relatives, looking almost… proud.

As the initial introductions wind down, his mother loops her arm through yours, steering you toward the backyard. “Come, come! We’ve set up a whole area by the lake, and there’s plenty of food. You two must be starving after the drive.”

Kuroo’s hand lingers at your back as you walk, and you try not to read too much into it. But when his mother whispers in your ear, “He looks so happy with you,” you feel your heart skip a beat.

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The lakefront is stunning, with tables spread out under fairy lights and enough food to feed twice as many people. Kids are running around, playing tag, while older relatives sit and chat under the shade of large trees. The smell of barbecue drifts through the air, and it’s hard not to get caught up in the warmth of it all.

As the two of you make your way through the crowd, Kuroo keeps close, introducing you here and there with little stories about his family members. His cousins tease him mercilessly, nudging each other as they throw questions your way.

“So, what’s it like dating him?” one of them asks with a grin. “He still as clumsy as he was when he was ten?”

You laugh, shooting a sidelong glance at Kuroo, who’s rolling his eyes. “Oh, he’s definitely still clumsy, but don’t tell him I told you that.”

“Hey,” Kuroo protests, nudging your shoulder. “I’m not that clumsy.”

But his family only laughs harder, and you can’t help but feel a certain ease settling over you. Being here, with Kuroo’s arm loosely around your shoulders and his family’s kindness surrounding you, it’s almost easy to forget that this isn’t real.

As the sun starts to dip lower, casting a warm golden light over the lake, you find yourself sitting with Kuroo by the water’s edge. He stretches his legs out, leaning back on his hands, and you follow suit, enjoying the peace of the moment.

“They’re really lovely,” you say softly. “Your family, I mean. They’re so warm.”

He glances over at you, and there’s something softer in his eyes than usual. “Yeah. They’re pretty great.”

Silence stretches between you, comfortable and companionable, until he clears his throat, breaking the spell. “So… how am I doing as your fake boyfriend so far?”

You laugh, shrugging. “You’re selling it surprisingly well. I think your mom’s ready to start planning our wedding.”

He grins, leaning a little closer. “Guess that means I’m doing something right.”

The air between you feels charged, like the boundary you’d set for this fake relationship is suddenly blurred. But before you can think too hard about it, Kuroo’s mom calls from across the yard, waving a camera.

“Come on, you two! Let me get a picture of the happy couple!”

You stand up with a groan, and Kuroo laughs, holding his hand out to help you up. When his fingers lace with yours, there’s a small spark of something electric—a flash of something that feels like it should be real.

“You ready for the rest of the weekend?” he asks, his voice low, almost teasing.

You give his hand a small squeeze, nodding. “Let’s do this, babe.”

And as the two of you pose for the picture, Kuroo’s hand at your waist and his family beaming in the background, you can’t help but wonder if you’re the only one feeling the lines between fake and real beginning to blur.