That Summer

Chapter 13

By the time we walked back to Hiro's parents' house, the sun went down and Kai and their dad had returned home from work while their mom was setting up the table for dinner. I went to help his mother but she took one look at me and dragged me to the bedroom I was staying in. She pulled out a beige dress with a black belt and forced me to change. Then, she took out my french braids and put on a black headband that matched the belt on top of my wavy hair. She couldn't stop raving about how pretty I looked and I was embarrassed. She then dragged me to the table for dinner and where everyone else was sitting and waiting for our arrival.

    "You look pretty during dinner too." Kai complimented.

    "Thanks," I said shyly.

    "She matches all the clothing I bought. It's so hard to pick just one at time." Hiro's mom raved.

    "She's not your doll," Hiro said quietly.

    "Now, now. Let's start dinner with a toast to Hiro's girlfriend. Then, we should get to know more about you, Mirai." The dad interjected.

    "Cheers." We all said but I noticed Hiro and I were only ones who barely took a sip of the white wine.

    "The fact that both of you aren't denying that Mirai is your girlfriend tells me that you two are very close," Kai told Hiro with a mischevious smirk.

    "Kai, don't pry like that. She's like my daughter." The mom grabbed onto my arm and she was already tipsy.

    "Mirai, are you interested in Hiro for his wealth or wanting to steal his research?" The dad asked.

    "Dad!" Hiro stood up from his chair as yelled at his dad.

    "Calm down, son. I'm just asking." The dad said and Hiro slowly sat down while glaring at him.

    "I didn't even know he was surrounded by so much money until last night. Also, his research is very complicated so there's no way I can make use of it. It would be disrespectful to steal any of his hard work." I assured the dad.

    "What a good girl. In the past, many of Hiro's colleagues stole his discoveries and took all the credit for it." The dad drank the whole glass of wine and Kai refilled it.

    "What?" I was upset to hear something so unethical.

    "Dad, don't tell her things like that." Hiro cut in.

    "I just wanted to let her know that my son has experienced some hard times." I knew a lot more than that.

    "Thank you for telling me. I'm happy to learn more about Hiro so I can understand him better." I smiled while his mother was still clinging to my arm like a koala.

    "You are so nice, Mirai." Kai laughed and took a sip of wine.

    "I care for Hiro. So, it's only natural." I slowly slid my wine glass away from me and I saw Hiro do the same.

    "You two are both pure." The dad was already on his third glass of wine.

    "Mirai is my favorite." Their mom held onto my arm even tighter.

    "Mom, she's not even your daughter." Kai said pouring himself a second glass.

    Within the hour, both parents were drunk and fell asleep on the table. Kai was buzzed so Hiro and I slipped out of the dining room to escape the invasive questions. But maybe the questions were better than sitting in awkward silence. We went into the living room where it was much quieter. Hiro and I just sat on the couch with some distance and no words to say. He probably felt embarrassed by his drunk family while I didn't know what to say after learning so much about him. I wanted to say something but I couldn't think of any conversation starters. Most of our conversations started with me talking to Hiro. Our friendship started because I talked to him first. I looked over at him and he seemed like he was going to say something.