Will I Be Enough?

Okami's POV:

"Haha… Mom, thanks for keeping our secret between us only. I'm really grateful for it."

She just smiles and pats my hand gently.

"Oh dear, don't you worry. It's something I promise I'll keep secret."

Yeah, right… Secret.

---

Flashback: 1 year and 5 months ago

(Two days after okami's birthday celebration—)

"What!!"

I flinch at my own voice, a rare spike in volume slipping out. My fingers twitch against the hem of my sleeve.

"Uhh, Okami-kun, keep it down, okay? Shh!" Usagi waves her hands nervously, eyes darting around.

I lower my voice but not my disbelief. My eyes stay fixed on her.

"You… really told your mom and dad about us?"

She nods—once, twice, like it's the most natural thing in the world.

Seriously? My shoulders sag. I look away, scratching the back of my neck.

"Usagi, seriously… you share everything with them, huh?"

"You're coming tonight, okay?" Usagi taps her phone screen a few times, then looks up with a grin. "Mom invited you for dinner. Make sure you're on time."

I shift my weight, arms loosely crossed. "…But are you sure she'll accept me?"

She tilts her head. "Ehh? Why not? It's not like you two are meeting for the first time. You already know each other."

I glance down, fiddling with the cuff of my sleeve. My voice comes out a little lower, quieter.

"Yeah, but… that was when we were just friends. Now I'm… someone who's dating her daughter."

Usagi breaks into a giggle, covering her mouth with the back of her hand.

"Fufufu~ You overthink a lot, Okami-kun."

I don't answer right away. My fingers tighten slightly against the fabric.

Maybe I do. But what if she doesn't like me like that?

Usagi slings her bag over one shoulder, flashing me a teasing grin. "Okay, I'm off! I've got lectures to suffer through—yours are canceled, right? Just go home and brace yourself to become part of my family!"

She giggles and waves, spinning around dramatically as she walks off.

I just nod silently, watching her figure disappear into the crowd.

Once she's gone, I exhale, shoulders slumping.

Sigh… I guess that's what it is now. I have to meet her parents.

The weight of it hits all over again. My steps feel slower than usual as I walk toward the school gate, spotting Rentarou leaning against the fence like always.

"Rentarou," I call out as I approach.

He raises a brow and smirks, arms still folded. "Hehe, what did you two do behind the building, huh?"

"Tch, you moron. It's not anything you're thinking," I mutter, brushing past him.

He jogs a step to keep up. "Hmm? Then what happened? You look like someone told you there's a pop quiz in gym class."

I pause, rub the back of my neck, and mutter, "Usagi… told her parents about me. I have to meet them tonight."

His smirk fades. "Oof."

Yeah. Oof indeed.

Rentarou chuckles, flashing a wide, mischievous smirk.

"Well, well… someone's car is already in fourth gear. Things are escalating real fast."

I groan softly, rubbing the bridge of my nose. "Right? It's only been four days and I'm already meeting her parents. Forget her mom—what about her dad?"

My pace slows. The pit in my stomach gets heavier.

"What if they don't like me? What if they reject me… because of my family situation?"

Rentarou glances over, the teasing fading just a bit.

I keep going, words quieter, more to myself than him.

"I don't even earn much right now. Just doing odd jobs here and there… and my stupid dream of being a writer? That's still… nowhere. Not published. Not even close."

My hands slip into my pockets. I stare at the pavement.

"Why would anyone be okay with a guy like that dating their daughter?"

Rentarou sighs, but there's a softness in it now.

"You really do think a lot, man."

Rentarou claps a hand on my shoulder, nearly making me stumble.

"Now c'mon, cheer up, fella! Don't you dare drag that gloomy face and 'tragic anime protagonist' aura to meet her parents!"

I blink at him, unimpressed. "…This is my normal face."

"Exactly my point!" He grins, practically bouncing in place now. "Let's go. We're giving you a makeover."

"A what."

"A makeover, Mr. Sad-Eyes. We're talkin' new shirt, decent hair, and maybe—just maybe—you'll walk in like an actual boyfriend and not like someone dragged in by accident."

I sigh, staring off like I'm watching my remaining dignity float away on the breeze.

"…Do I have a choice in this?"

"Nope." Rentarou throws an arm around my shoulders and starts steering me toward the station. "You're gonna look good, feel confident, and maybe even stop mumbling like you're narrating a noir film."

I don't resist. I just go with it, feet dragging slightly.

Guess this is happening. Might as well let the chaos guide me now.

Later – Inside some random clothing store

"This… is too much." I stare at the mirror, tugging at the sleeves of the soft button-up shirt I'm now wearing. The material feels too new. Too clean. Too not me.

Rentarou holds up a blazer and slaps it against my back like he's sizing up a mannequin. "Nope, this is just enough. You look like a functioning adult now. A boyfriend with potential. Maybe even a future son-in-law. Who knows?"

I glance at the price tag. "This stuff isn't cheap…"

He waves it off like a mosquito. "My treat. You're lucky I love your socially awkward, constantly-worrying face. Now hold still, I'm fixing your collar."

I mutter under my breath, "You're acting like I'm going to a job interview, not a dinner."

"It is a job interview," he smirks. "Position: 'Usagi's Forever Boyfriend.'"

He pushes me gently toward the counter. I follow, still in disbelief.

Once I'm dressed and everything's paid for—by him, of course—Rentarou checks his watch and lets out a dramatic gasp.

"Bro, it's already 6! Hustle! Go win their approval, make eye contact, and for the love of everything—don't stutter like you're in a courtroom."

I freeze. "Wait… six?! Already?"

He pats my back like a coach sending a player onto the field. "You got this! Just smile… or at least try not to look like you're in pain."

I nod slowly, swallowing the lump in my throat.

Okay… here goes nothing.

Sigh…

And just like that, I'm already here. Standing awkwardly in front of Usagi's house.

It's 6:40 PM. Twenty whole minutes early.

Why am I like this?

I take a deep breath. Hold. Exhale.

Then another.

Nope. Still feel like I'm about to throw up a dictionary.

I glance down at my phone, desperate for some kind of emotional life raft—

And the screen lights up with notifications.

Hina-chan:

[I heard from Usagi! All the best! Be yourself and show your sincerity!]

Right… sincerity. I can do sincerity. Maybe.

Mei-chan:

[Break their leg, Okami!]

…Please don't mean literally.

Izumi:

[May your love cross her parents' heart… and I forgot the next line. All the best!]

I let out a tiny, strangled laugh. The first in hours. My hands are cold. I grip my phone tighter.

Okay. I've got support. I've got… new clothes. And Rentarou's weirdly expensive cologne.

Now all I need is a miracle.

I raise my hand, finger hovering over the doorbell. One deep breath—

Click.

The door swings open before I can press it.

I freeze.

There she is.

Usagi-chan's mother.

Usually all soft smiles and gentle tone. The kind of woman who offers snacks before even asking your name.

But tonight?

Her lips are pressed in a firm line. Arms folded. That usual warmth in her eyes replaced with something unreadable. Stern. Sharp. Serious.

"I was expecting you, Okami-kun," she says, voice calm but heavy.

I straighten up instinctively, hands twitching at my sides. "Y-Yes, ma'am."

Abort mission. I've made a grave mistake.