一つの大きな家族 (Hitotsu no ōkina kazoku) -- One Big Family

Chapter 9: Mayuzumi Chihiro-san!

Ryouta received a mail from his father when he was in the mall with Kazunari and Teppei. His excitement rose up the moment he read the message, and excused himself to hurry home because there was someone important right now.

Teppei and Kazunari had to run faster to follow their blonde friend.

"Mayu-cchi!!" Ryouta greeted the moment he opened the door, letting himself pounced onto the person, who was welcoming him with a faint smile.

Teppei had to squint to check if he was seeing things, and Kazunari was laughing in the background at the ridiculous stunt Ryouta was doing.

And it turns out, there was really someone welcoming Ryouta with his antics. Teppei almost yelped the moment they noticed the person.

He had the same poor presence like Ryouta's father, but stronger. Kazunari was also having troubles because of the intense laughter he let out a while ago.

"Mayuzumi Chihiro. It's a pleasure to meet Ryouta's friends." Chihiro introduced with his usual faint smile. Tetsuya was standing besides him to welcome Kazunari and Teppei.

"We had a different father. Chihiro-san took his father's last name, and I took my father's last name." Tetsuya explained as he gained confusion from Teppei and Kazunari. "Don't worry, we both came from the same mother."

"Yeah, that's right." Chihiro seconded. He turned his head to Ryouta, who was still clinging to him. "You're not a kid anymore, Ryouta. Why are you pouncing onto me like you were?"

Ryouta pouted his lips and let go. He averted his eyes away while humming.

"Anyway," Tetsuya interrupted. "Are you both going to stay here to eat dinner?"

Kazunari shook his head while explaining that he needs to go somewhere else. Teppei had promised his grandfather that he'll buy some stuff on the way as well. Ryouta pouted while the two continued apologizing for ditching their usual dinner at Ryouta's place.

As Ryouta bid them goodbye, Chihiro and Tetsuya was looking at each other before Chihiro commented out loud.

"Ryouta reminds me of you, Tetsuya." Tetsuya giggled, but it died down the moment Chihiro's words sunk into his mind. It showed that he was having trouble with his statement, to which Chihiro added. "I mean, the way he acted towards his loved ones."

"I know..." It was silent, but Chihiro figured that he hit a bullseye on that matter. But he also figured that forcing Tetsuya to talk about it is pointless. Regardless what's going on in their live Chihiro wants to be the one they thought of before rushing to someone else.

"Tetsuya, I have come to play... who are you?" Tetsuya jumped when he heard Seijuro's voice. Ryouta was standing behind Seijuro with an uneasy smile.

Chihiro gave Seijuro a sharp glance, before averting his eyes away.

"Ah, Akashi-kun! Why are you here? Aren't you suppose to be at Akita for your meeting?" Tetsuya stepped in while taking Seijuro's coat.

Seijuro's eyes still lingered on Chihiro before pulling his phone out quickly. Ryouta looked at him and asked him what he was doing, to which he answered by talking to that someone he just called. He turned his back against Ryouta and Tetsuya, yet remained earshot range.

"Kagami, your Tetsuya had an affair." Tetsuya can already hear Taiga's screams. Ryouta was giggling. "Hurry. Before this person attacks Tetsuya."

"He won't attack me, Akashi-kun. This is my older brother, Chihiro-san." Tetsuya quickly interrupted soon after Seijuro placed his phone down. Seijuro gave Tetsuya a glance, before averting his eyes to Chihiro once again.