22

"I won't attend the engagement." Her eyes widened in shock. Ushijima was currently in the dining room with his mother. She froze upon hearing his words.

"Oh, my child, I don't think I heard…"

Ushijima stood firm. "Then I'll repeat myself. I'm not attending the engagement. I have no interest in it whatsoever. And that is final." He stared at his mother with a stern gaze, intending on not backing down.

"…is it about that girl again?" Her malicious hiss was clear.

He frowned. "Yes, it is about Yoshikami Hoshi."

His mother sighed, rubbing her temples. "The last conversation. That was final. I told you- I got an investigation. She's been keeping secrets from you…"

He cut her off, "And I have as well. I never told her about the engagement."

His mother scoffed. "That is something entirely different…"

"I made her fall for me." Ushijima narrowed his eyes. "That is not something different, Okaa-san."

His mother stood up and poured herself a glass of water. "And she is sickly, Wakatoshi. Griscelli syndrome is a rather dangerous thing to be part of our family…"

He cut her off again. "You can't blame her for being born like that. That is not her fault."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "There is one thing I let pass for an Ushijima and it's your left handedness. I'm not letting another imperfection be part of this family!"

"I like her, Mother. As a friend. As a person. As my other half." He pointed it out with each word. "I don't want her out of my life. Not like Otou-san."

The loud smash stilled the area into silence. Ushijima didn't need to look down at the glass shards and pool of water before his feet. He was prepared for this.

"We…agreed…not to talk about your father." She breathed out each word, glaring at him.

He stared back at her, never glaring, never looking away. "Otou-san loved you. And you pushed him away." He clenched his fists. He could see his mother shaking, the tears sparkling at the edge of her eyes. They were his eyes.

"That…" He could see her crumbling.

This was his chance.

"Yoshikami is my friend, Okaa-san. I'm not letting her disrupt my studies or volleyball. So, accept her that she will be in my life. She's that important to me, just as you are, Okaa-san." He pursed his lips, but she didn't reply so he continued. "I'm saying this for you to understand that. And whatever you say after this, I'm not going to stop her from coming back." He bowed then turned around, walking back to his room.

The silence behind him made it clear that his words got to her. He closed his eyes and sighed.

Next is Yoshikami.

The old woman let out a sigh. She was exhausted and the groceries on the ground were too heavy for her alone. She looked over at the girl beside her. She was tall with long, flowing black hair. She was accompanied by two other girls.

"Excuse me, deary, I hope you won't mind…" The girl walked away without even giving her a glance.

"Hey, Michiko, are you still going to marry that guy?"

"Ugh, of course. He's a gold package. He should be glad that I'm not like that cheating succubus. A freak of nature."

"Pfft, as if your fiancé is going to dump you for that freak."

The old woman narrowed her eyes and shook her head. Oh dear, how was she going to bring these home. She looked down at her groceries in worry. She began to pick it up when another hand grabbed the plastic bag.

"Oh, no. Please stop, that's mine." She slapped the hand away, but it gripped the plastic. "You… are you not listening…?" She glared at the girl who had the audacity to steal in plain daylight.

The man beside her noticed and looked at the girl disapprovingly. "Hey. Leave the old lady alone."

The girl only seemed to laugh. "Oh, I'm sorry about my grandma. She often forgets her own grandchildren." The old woman scoffed. Why she has great memory- and she only has one grandchild to boot. She jumped in surprise, feeling her purse taken from her shoulder.

"Why, you…!" The girl smiled at her.

"I'll carry these for you, grandma. Now, come on. You must be tired." The girl bowed at the man. "I'm sorry for disturbing."

"Hmph, if you wanted to pretend to be my grandchild, at least look the part." She glared at the girl. Now, where has she seen this girl with those features?

"I'm sorry. You looked really tired so I just wanted to help without much trouble." The girl smiled. "Well, we're about the same height so it's fine?" She giggled.

The old woman shook her head. "My house is just a block away now. Now, I remember your face so if any thing is missing here, I'll report you to the police."

The girl laughed. "Oh, you're the best grandma. Your children and grandchildren must be so lucky."

The old woman spanked her arm. "Oh, shush, child. I'm not one to be flattered easily." But then she sighed. "It would have been wonderful to have more children, but I was only to have one and a girl at that…"

The girl cut her off. "Then she's lucky to have a strict mom like you."

The old woman blushed, fanning her face. "No more flattery from you." She spanked her arm again.

"And with so much strength!" Oh, the old woman felt wonderful being complimented. Usually, the young ones would mock or pity her, but this girl beside her was being completely polite.

"Oh, it would be great to have you as a grandchild." She laughed gently.

The girl laughed as well. "I'd love to be as well. Is this your home, Grandma?" The old woman looked up and indeed it was her traditional home.

"Oh, yes, it is. Why don't you stay for a cup of tea, dear?"

The girl shook her head. "It's fine. I'm actually on an errand right now so my parents might be worrying where I'm at."

The old woman gasped. "Oh, dear, I'm sorry for holding you up."

The girl grinned. "No, it was fun. I'm glad to have met you, Grandma! Take care!" She ran off before the old woman could even stop her.

She sighed. "Oh, I would have wanted her to meet Wakatoshi." She shook her head in disappointment and turned to the metal gate, separating her from entering. "Oh, dear me, where is that child when you need him? Wakatoshi!" She pressed the button and shouted her grandchild's name.