Family

"Do you know what's a popular drink here?" I asked as I studied the menu.

Unlike Ranimer, most of the drinks here are sugar heavy. From frappes to milkshakes, there was even a heart attack in a cup option.

... I think I prefer Ryuu's coffee.

'Having it once in a while isn't bad right?'

No. It's too... sugary. Also, I'm the one that's picking the drink, not you.

"I'm not sure. I only know this establishment became successful because of the trendy aesthetics of their drinks." Tatsuya mentioned as he observed the menu too.

"Really?" After he said that, I had to look around.

It's true. I saw many people taking pictures of their drinks, which were either colorful or had some design on it made of whip cream or foam.

... This is why I like coffee more.

'Just try one!'

Fine. I guess I'll go with a regular caramel frappe.

"I see that. What kind of coffee do you usually drink, Tanaka-san?" I asked as we waited. The place was popular, so the line was a bit on the longer side.

"I hardly have the need to, but it's usually a normal black coffee." He answered, though his attention was obviously not on me.

"That's really bitter though." I like coffee, sure, but I don't like bitterness.

"It gets the job done." Tatsuya lightly shrugged.

"That's the most efficient, I suppose." What did I expect?

"Of course." I can see the corner of Tatsuya's lips tilt up a bit.

I do not like that. At all.

"Let's go." A register opened up for us.

We placed our orders and after Tatsuya paid, he headed off to find a table. It didn't take long to get the drinks, and I headed to the table Tatsuya claimed.

The table was a more secluded corner that had a great view of the shop.

He really is a workaholic, isn't he?

I sighed as I placed his iced coffee in front of him before sitting down.

"Is there a problem?" Tatsuya immediately asked.

"No, I just wondered if you ever get tired." I said offhandedly, looking down at my drink.

Do I have to drink this?

'Yes.'

"Excuse me?" When I heard the chilling tone, I looked back up at Tatsuya.

"Well, I always see you working, and you seem to only think about your family's business and studying." I looked right at him, our eyes meeting. "You're not overworking yourself, are you?"

"..."

Oh.

This was actually an issue.

Not my problem though.

'At least be a decent human being.'

... You're telling me to be one with a yandere?

'I... Please?'

I mentally sighed.

I'll try to help a little.

'Thank you.'

You're too soft-hearted.

"You haven't collapsed yet?" I asked.

"I'm careful not to overwork myself to that point." Tatsuya answered simply as he lazily stirred his coffee. "Only an imbecile would."

You heard him. We're done here.

'But-'

No. He has it under control. He'll be fine.

'... Ok...'

"That's good. As long as you're not affecting your health." I took a sip of my drink.

This tastes too sweet.

'It doesn't taste that bad though.'

I suppose I'm way too used to Ryuu's coffee.

'She' also tasted the drink because 'she' connected our senses together. As long as the connection is active, 'she'll feel what I feel.

"Let's move on. Last time, did you talk with your parents?"

'Yes! I've been waiting for this!'

"Ah, yes, that matter." From his lukewarm reaction, 'she' already felt let down.

"How did it go?"

"I told them the same things I spoke to you about that night. Afterward, they proceeded to say they have been suffering consequences and apologized for not being there for me." Tatsuya apathetically answered.

Oh no.

"And?" I questioned him, having a feeling of how it went.

"After hearing their sad excuse of a sob story perspective, I realized the extent of their selfishness and ignorance." Tatsuya scornfully spat.

A bigger oh no.

I like that poisonous tongue though.

"As mother was crying off to the side, father said that they would like to mend our relationship." Tatsuya continued.

...

Are they idiots?!

You don't just do that and expect everything to go perfectly fine!

Love takes time and trust!

Just saying sorry won't make you a happy family!

This definitely went so badly.

"And what did you say?" I asked.

"That's ridiculous."

Yep, I knew it.

"I suffered for years! They've only recently realized they had a son, not an heir. Now that they want that relationship, they just expect me to give it to them?!" Tatsuya scowled.

"I won't give them what they want so easily, those spoiled brats." He frostily hissed.

Oh wow.

This is the most emotion I have ever seen him have.

'Noooo.'

No? No!? What did you expect?! They neglected their child for years, yet they wanted to be a family after saying just one sorry?!

The world doesn't work like that.

Sorry, your fantasy didn't work out.

'I really wanted it to.'

... I'll try to pave a path for him.

'Really?'

Yes. But if they don't take it, don't blame me for not doing anything ok?

'Ok!'

"It looks like things didn't go so well." I commented.

"Far from it." Tatsuya went back to his cold self, though colder now.

"Do you plan on giving them a chance?" I poached carefully.

"... I'm not sure." Tatsuya softly answered.

"They may not be the best parents, but they're your only parents. It'd be a shame if you don't give them a chance while they're still around." I took the straw out of my drink to mess with the whipped cream on top. "Besides, they are seriously repenting. And I can tell you still care about them. Otherwise, you wouldn't be this affected."

"..." I felt Tatsuya's steady gaze.

"What is it?" I dropped the straw back in the cup.

"You speak as if your parents are dead." Tatsuya calmly stated.

...

My parents.

Though I suppose it's more of 'her' parents.

Even if they are... gone, they never ever knew I existed.

'I...'

Don't worry I'm not sad. I'm not alone.

We're not alone.

'Alright.'

"In a way, they are dead. I don't know them that well, and I haven't seen them in forever." I had a self-deprecating smile. I never even saw this body's parents so it's true.

Looking straight at him, I saw Tatsuya's eyes filled with an unknown emotion.

God, I'm so good at acting.

"Just... give your parents a chance." I smiled a bit brighter. "Maybe go see a counselor for you and your parents. At the very least, you'll know that you tried and that you cared."

"... I suppose you're right." Tatsuya looked off to the side.

"Mm." I nodded and sipped the sweet drink.

'It feels like you're guilt tripping him.'

I said I'll pave a path, but I never said it'll be a good one.

We fell into a sort of mutual silence as we finished our drinks. Neither of us was in the mood to continue talking, so we didn't. Tatsuya observed peacefully while I searched for where to buy chocolates.

And after some time, I finished while trying to not slurpy sound with me sucking my straw to clean out the whole cup.

"If you're finished, I'll walk you home. It's getting dark out." Tatsuya had cleared his cup a while before me. I guess he waited for me.

"No need. I still have to buy chocolates." I denied his offer.

"Alright. See you tomorrow. I'll have the contract finished then."

We parted ways after we threw away our trash.

I walked towards the shop that I searched up on my phone. I looked around for 10 minutes before changing my mind.

I decided to make the chocolates myself instead of buying them.

I went and bought all the ingredients.

Walking back home, I looked around me, taking in the scenery.

Even though it was spring, nights can still be chilly. On this particular night, the wind just so happened to be around. The last of the cherry blossoms were being blown away.

The cherry blossoms looked nice today.

'Ah.'

What is it?

'I just realized we didn't go to Cherry Blossom Viewing this year.'

Really? That's all?

'Well yeah! Who knows when's the next time we could be in Japan again.'

...

'You... you plan to stay here?'

Maybe.

'But don't you want to go back?'

Is there a point? There's nothing left there.

'But that's the real world.'

Who's to say that this also isn't the real world. They both could be real.

'...'

Didn't we find him?

'...'

I wouldn't go back even if there's something left in the other world.

'...'

We wouldn't go back.

'Alright.'

I walked back home slowly, feeling the cool, fresh air.

After I got home, I spent an hour making the chocolates.

Ryuu will like these for sure.

I put the chocolates in the refrigerator for tomorrow.

I set up an alarm 1 hour earlier than usual. I intend to use that hour to train my body.

After setting up the alarm, I went to bed.

I fell asleep, excited for tomorrow.