The new neighbours

Chapter 1 : Dinner

You set the box down carefully before wiping away the beads of sweat on your forehead.
"(f/n), could you come help me?" your mother shouted from outside the house. You sauntered over to her and picked up the package she was struggling with. She followed you into the house and thanked you after you put the box down. "This is pretty different from Miyagi, but I know you'll grow to love Tokyo, (f/n)." You nodded. "My bedroom's bigger than my old one and the internet here is faster. This place is growing on me already."

You pushed your window open, breathing in the subtle fragrance of the cherry blossom trees in your neighborhood. You closed your eyes and inhaled deeply. You felt a pair of eyes on you, so you broke away from your trance. You looked at the window across yours warily and your gaze was met with glistening yellowish-brown eyes. The boy who owned said eyes quickly looked away and drew his curtains closed.

Before you could call out to him, you heard your doorbell ring. You descended the stairs, seeing your father welcome two unfamiliar adults into your new home. "You must be our new neighbors," the lady assumed. Your mother nodded and grinned warmly. "Yes, we just arrived from Miyagi." The man held his hand out and your father took it. Both men shook their hands firmly. "I am Kozume Kenji. This is my wife, Kozume Arisa." Your parents introduced themselves then the adults all bowed to each other. "It's getting late. Would you like to eat dinner in our house? We can help you get settled tomorrow," Kozume Risa offered. Your father graciously accepted the proposal. "Thank you for the hospitality," your mother said.

You stood before your mirror, picking at the hem of your dress. "Okaasan, must I be so formal? Wouldn't a shirt and jeans suffice?" You looked over at your mother clicking her earrings into place. "First impressions matter a lot, my dear (f/n). You aren't even that formal. You're just wearing a dress and a little make-up."

"Not willingly," you muttered almost inaudibly. Your mother laughed heartily and pinched your cheeks. "I'll get your father and then we'll go."

Your family waited outside the Kozume household. You managed to convince your mom that heels would be overdoing it for a dinner at a neighbor's house, so she let you wear flats, albeit a little grudgingly.

The wooden door opened, revealing Kozume Kenji wearing something similar to your father's get-up. "(father's/n)! Come in, come in." He ushered all three of you inside his house. He guided your family into the dining room.

The food was set up beautifully (was that a sushi boat?) and it smelled better than it looked. "It looks delicious, Arisa. Thank you for all the effort put into this," your mother said. "Oh, it was nothing! If you'll excuse me, I'll call our son down. Kenji, please seat our guests."

The man led you and your parents to your seats then took a seat across your father. He engaged in small talk with your parents, and being uninterested, you tuned them out.

Kozume Arisa entered the dining room. "Our son will come down in a while. His friend will also be joining us for dinner, I hope you don't mind. He lives across our house." Your mother waved her hand. "Of course we don't. He's just another neighbor to get to know."

The adults resumed their conversation, but a minute into it, two young boys walked in. You assumed the shorter one was the said son (you figured so be cause mr. and mrs. Kozume weren't that tall, either), and the taller boy was his friend. "Kenma, Kuroo-kun," Kozume Kenji acknowledged. He gestured towards the empty seats - one across you and one beside you. The shorter of the two boys took the seat across you, and the tall one sat to your left.

"This is our son, Kenma. That's his friend, Kuroo Tetsurou," Kozume Risa introduced. All three of you bowed your heads to each of the boys.

"Thank you for the food!"
As all of you finished the dessert, Kenma's mother spoke up. "I'll wash the dishes. Kenma, why don't you bring Kuroo-kun and (f/n)-chan up to your room?" Kenma nodded lightly, putting his plate in the sink. He cast a glance at you and Kuroo before leaving the dining area. Kuroo did the same, and you mimicked his actions before following him out of the room and up the stairs.

The two of you walked up the stairs in silence. "We haven't properly introduced ourselves. I'm Kuroo Tetsurou. I also live in this neighborhood." You gave him a small smile. "(l/n) (f/n). My family just moved here from Miyagi." He pushed open what you assumed was Kenma's door and entered, you following close behind.