Mute

40 | Meeting Them

I fidgeted nervously beside Shouto. His siblings had run out to grab something, and we were waiting in his house for them. I wanted to make a good impression, so I'd straightened and curled my hair, wearing a pretty light blue dress.

I just prayed they would like me.

"Shouto? Mom? Dad? Natsuo and I are home!"

Shouto rested his hand on mine, rubbing it softly to sooth me. For once, it didn't work. Especially not when a beautiful and really good looking guy walked into the room.

"Shouto! You're not supposed to be here for another hour!" The girl exclaimed. Shouto stood.

"No, I'm on time. You're late." He smiled slightly as his sister engulfed him in a hug. His brother was watching me though, and I respectfully dropped my gaze. I was used to looking people in the eye when they spoke to me, but it seemed more appropriate this way.

I was startled when he suddenly grinned and strode over to us. "Wow! You're really pretty, how come you're with this guy?"

Shouto laughed and I smiled slightly. "Fuyumi, Natsuo, this is my girlfriend Emiko. Emi, these are my siblings. Fuyumi and Natsuo."

I smiled shyly and was almost immediately tackled in a hug from Fuyumi. "You're so cute! I always knew Shouto would get the best, but you're better than I hoped for!" I awkwardly patted her head as she squeezed me and continued to ramble nonsense. I shot a look at Shouto and he gently pried me away from the girl.

"Right. Now you've met."

I flashed him a tiny smile as Fuyumi continued to squeal about something, I wasn't even sure what, but she seemed like she was having a lot of fun.

Natsuo made a face like he'd just met god. "Hold on, then you're the girl who sends Shouto home with baked goods!"

I nodded shyly, and once again was smothered in a hug. "Man, first time I tasted his cooking I almost died."

"It wasn't that bad." Shouto argued. Natsuo ignored him.

"It took me hours to try the cookies he brought home! And that was only after he said he barely touched them! Man, I'm gonna be fat I eat so much of what Shouto brings home."

I smiled and ducked my head shyly, it felt nice to know they liked the baking, though I'd been under the impression he only gave it to his classmates.

"Hey, sorry if we're making you nervous and stuff, we're just really excited!" Fuyumi beamed. I shook my head with a smile, waving my hands in an attempt to show I wasn't nervous or anything. She tilted her head.

"But you're not talking, is it because we're talking too much? We don't mind toning it down a bit."

I glanced at Shouto and he explained. "Emiko is mute. She doesn't talk."

"Oh my god I am so sorry that was insensitive!"

"Then how do you yell at Shouto?" Natsuo wondered.

I covered a laugh with my hand as Shouto comforted his sister and flashed a glare at the male. "It's not that she cant speak, she just doesn't. It's called being selectively mute."

"Oh! So she can yell at you!"

"Emiko has never raised her voice loud enough to yell." He countered.

Fuyumi wrapped me in a hug, which I was quickly coming to realize was common from her. "I can help with that! Natsuo always says I can be the loudest person on the planet, we can train you!"

I smiled nervously, grateful when Shouto rescued me. "Another time Fuyumi. I want to take Emiko to lunch, so we'll be off."

"Okay! Have fun!" Fuyumi hugged me one last time and Natsuo simply patted my head.

"Yeah, I hope we see each other again soon Emiko."

I nodded with a smile, following Shouto out of the house and down the street. He slipped my hand into his and smiled softly. I returned it.

"Did you like them then?"

I nodded. "Yeah, they were fun."

"Good." He relaxed. "They loved you."

I blinked up at him. "Really?"

He nodded and I relaxed, smiling down at the sidewalk. Shouto squeezed my hand. "I don't know how they couldn't."

I laughed, pushing him slightly. "Now you're teasing me."

"Yes. Yes I am." He smiled down at me. "Where do you want to eat?"

I shook my head. "I have absolutely no idea. I really don't mind anywhere we go."

He nodded. "I know a place that sells soba, and other things too." He added after a second. I laughed. "Or we could grab something and wander around town, buy stuff as we go."

I nodded. "Both sound good, I really don't mind either way Shouto. Anything you choose is fine by me."

"Then, I'd like the second option."

I smiled. "Okay."