More Than a Lie (T.Kuroo)

Chapter 9: Family's Approval and Pressure

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The sun had dipped lower in the sky, painting the horizon in shades of orange and pink as the family reunion continued in full swing. The air buzzed with laughter, the sound of children playing, and the sizzling of barbecue on the grill. You and Kuroo had rejoined the crowd, finding a spot among his family members who were gathered around a makeshift outdoor dining area.

“Look who finally decided to grace us with their presence!” Kuroo’s mom called out, her arms open wide as she beamed at you both. “Come on, sit with us! We were just talking about you two.”

As you settled into the picnic table, you exchanged a glance with Kuroo, a mix of amusement and anxiety swirling in your stomach. “Uh oh, what did we miss?” you whispered to him.

“Probably something embarrassing,” he whispered back, shaking his head as he took a seat beside you.

His mom leaned forward, a playful glint in her eyes. “We were just saying how perfect you two are together. Honestly, I can’t think of a better match!”

“Right?” one of Kuroo’s aunts chimed in, nodding vigorously. “You both just click. It would be so lovely if you decided to stay together forever!”

You felt your cheeks heat up at the compliment, and you glanced sideways at Kuroo, whose expression had shifted to one of surprise and unease. “Um, thanks?” he replied, a nervous laugh escaping him.

“You know,” Kuroo’s mom continued, oblivious to the sudden tension, “we’d love to have you both back for family dinners more often. You could even come for holidays! Just imagine, a big family gathering with all the grandkids running around. It would be perfect!”

As she spoke, the playful banter from earlier felt like it had been overshadowed by a weighty expectation. You could see Kuroo’s fingers tighten around the edge of the picnic table, his usual confident demeanor fading. You shared a quick, concerned glance, silently gauging each other’s reactions.

“Uh, yeah, that sounds nice,” you said, trying to keep the mood light despite the heaviness settling in your chest. “But, you know, we’re just—”

“Just having fun!” Kuroo cut in, his tone slightly strained. “Just for the reunion, right?”

Kuroo’s mom gave a knowing smile, her eyes sparkling with affection. “Of course! But you know, if it works out, we’d be thrilled to welcome you into the family. We love you like one of our own already.”

A silence followed, the weight of her words hanging heavily between you. The family members around the table exchanged nods and smiles, completely oblivious to the way both you and Kuroo were spiraling inwardly. It felt as though everyone had just taken a collective step into a reality that neither of you had prepared for.

After a few awkward moments, Kuroo’s dad cleared his throat, trying to shift the conversation. “So, who’s winning in charades? I’d like to think my dramatic interpretation of a horse was top-notch.”

The conversation shifted, but you could see Kuroo was still processing what had just happened. You caught his eye again, and the worry reflected in his gaze mirrored your own.

Once dinner wrapped up and the dishes were cleared, the family members began gathering for another game. You grabbed Kuroo’s hand, pulling him aside as the crowd started to disperse.

“Hey,” you said, your voice low, “are you okay? That was a lot.”

He ran a hand through his hair, looking torn. “Yeah, I just—this wasn’t supposed to be serious, you know? It was all fake. Just a way to get through the reunion.”

“I know,” you replied, swallowing hard. “But they really seemed to think we were perfect together. And honestly, I could feel it. There’s something between us, Kuroo.”

“Right?” he said, his voice rising slightly in panic. “But what if they’re right? What if we’re not just pretending anymore?” He paced a few steps away, his expression conflicted.

You watched him, your heart racing. “Is that so bad? I mean, we’ve gotten closer, and I enjoy being with you, even if it started as a joke.”

Kuroo paused, turning back to face you. “But what if this is just the excitement of the moment? We’re not in a real relationship. I don’t want to ruin our friendship by jumping into something that might not last.”

“Or maybe it’s the start of something new?” you suggested, trying to keep your tone light despite the tension. “I’ve always felt a connection with you, and this weekend has just brought it to the surface.”

He looked at you, his brow furrowing as he contemplated your words. “I care about you, and I don’t want to mess anything up. What if we get back to reality after this and realize it was just fun? What then?”

“Then we deal with it,” you said, stepping closer to him. “We’ve always been honest with each other, right? Why not start now? I just think that maybe, just maybe, this could turn into something more.”

Kuroo took a deep breath, clearly torn. “You really think so?”

“I do,” you said firmly, meeting his gaze. “But it’s okay if you don’t feel the same. We can just go back to being friends. But I need to know where you stand.”

He was silent for a moment, weighing your words. “I like being with you,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “More than I thought I would. But the pressure from my family—”

“Forget about them for a second,” you urged, taking his hands in yours. “What do you want? Forget the expectations. What do you really want?”

Kuroo looked down at your intertwined fingers, and you felt the warmth radiating between you. “I want to explore this,” he finally said, his voice steadying. “I don’t want to jump in headfirst, but I’m willing to see where this goes.”

A rush of relief washed over you, and you smiled brightly. “So we’ll take it slow? See how it feels?”

“Exactly,” he said, a grin breaking through the tension. “But I don’t want to hide it from my family either. If we’re doing this, I want them to know that it’s real.”

Your heart fluttered at his words, excitement mixing with the weight of the decision. “Deal. We’ll tell them when we’re ready.”

With a renewed sense of purpose, you stepped back into the crowd, hand in hand, ready to face whatever came next. As the laughter and games resumed around you, the weight of the family’s expectations felt lighter. The air between you and Kuroo had shifted, blossoming into something more substantial, and you couldn’t help but smile at the thought of what the future might hold for both of you.