War Against Father and Son

Teshii just stared at Sasuke, curious – and slightly wary – of what he was about to say.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes slightly and finally opened his mouth.

"Have you done anything inappropriate to my little princess?" His tone wasn't that of a father casually asking a question – it was an interrogation.

Teshii blinked behind his crimson sunglasses, caught completely off guard.

"Um… no, sir," he said quickly.

Sasuke's gaze narrowed even further, his piercing eyes boring into Teshii like lasers. He clearly didn't believe a single word.

"Are you sure?" he pressed, his voice colder.

Teshii nodded vigorously.

"Yes, sir!"

Sasuke didn't blink.

Still glaring.

Still unconvinced.

"Are you really sure, Teshii?"

"Yes, sir! I haven't done anything inappropriate to your precious daughter," Teshii replied, smiling awkwardly, his hand instinctively scratching the back of his head.

Silence fell over the table.

The only sound was the soft clink of utensils tapping against plates.

Sayaka and Hikari continued to eat their breakfast, calmly observing the tension unfold like it was an everyday family drama.

Then–

"Actually…"

Sasuke, sitting at the lead of the table, slowly turned his head toward Hikaru – who looked as if he was about to say something that could very well end Teshii's life.

Hikaru didn't even look up from his plate as he casually spoke.

"Dad… in case you didn't know… Teshii told me last night, that he and Hikari kissed during their date."

Silence.

Sayaka cupped her cheeks, her eyes sparkling.

"My baby girl is finally growing up!" she said sweetly.

Hikaru sat there, munching on his breakfast like he hadn't just dropped a nuclear bomb at the table.

Hikari, on the other hand, sat across from him, blushing furiously, unable to meet anyone's eyes.

Teshii stared at Hikaru, his jaw slack, utterly stunned.

Betrayal. Pure betrayal.

"Sunshine! How could you do this to me, man?! I thought you were my friend!" Teshii cried out, clutching his chest in dramatic heartbreak.

Hikaru took another bite of his sautéed vegetables, unbothered.

"Hmph."

"You were like a little brother to me, bro!" Teshii whined, placing a hand on his heart like a wounded warrior. "This betrayal… really hurts!"

Hikaru calmly set his utensil down on his plate, crossed his arms, and turned his head away.

"You deserved it, anyway, Teshii."

Then–

BAM!

Sasuke slammed his hand on the table, the impact shaking the dishes.

"YOU TOOK MY LITTLE PRICNESS' INNOCENCE?!"

Teshii quickly turns his head to Sasuke, eyes wide, trying his best to plead for his life.

"What?! No! Of course not, sir! Me and Hikari only kissed." Teshii raised both hands innocently. "It's not like me and Hikari have se–"

POW!

Hikari elbowed him sharply in the arm.

"Ow!" Teshii winced, turning to her. "What was that for?"

"Don't make it worse, babe!" Hikari hissed, glaring at him.

"Don't call him that, Princess!" Sasuke snapped, eyes blazing.

"I'll call him what I want, Dad!" Hikari fired back, clinging tighter to Teshii's arm. "Teshii is my boyfriend, after all!"

Sasuke's teeth ground audibly at her words.

"What… did you just say?"

"Please calm down, everyone!" Teshii said, trying to de-escalate the brewing war. He turned toward Sasuke again.

"Me and Hikari are together now." He held up one hand in a half-heart shape. Hikari raised hers too, completing it.

"I really hope you can accept our relationship… Dad!"

Silence.

Sasuke's brow twitcthed.

"Dad?"

Hikaru immediately shot up from his seat, glaring daggers at Teshii.

"DON'T CALL MY DAD 'DAD,' TESHII! ONLY ME AND HIKARI CAN CALL HIM THAT!"

Teshii grinned, shameless, wrapping an arm around Hikari and pulling her into his chest.

"What? I'm just trying to embrace the family."

Sasuke's aura darkened, practically glowing with rage.

"YOU… ARE CERTAINLY NOT FAMILY."

Teshii winked.

"Not yet."

Sasuke grit his teeth so hard it was a miracle they didn't shatter. The urge to murder Teshii with his bare hands was growing by the second.

"I WILL NEVER ACCEPT YOU AS MY SON-IN-LAW!"

Then–

"Sasuke…"

Sasuke, Hikaru, and Hikari immediately flinched – while Teshii, still clueless, tilted his head in confusion.

The three – Sasuke, Hikaru, and Hikari – slowly turned their heads toward Sayaka, who was smiling.

But not a happy smile.

It was the smile.

The one that wasn't cheerful – it was dangerous. A patient smile stretched too thin, a thread snapping after being tugged one too many times.

Sweat slid down Hikaru's temple. His posture stiffened as dread settled into his bones.

Mom never calls Dad by his name… And when she does… Dad is in trouble.

He slowly glanced at Sasuke.

His father was trembling. A bead of sweat dropped from his temple.

Hikaru pressed his palms together, quietly muttering a prayer.

I really hope you live, Dad. And if you don't… I'll see you in the next life.

"Sasuke…" Sayaka said again, her voice coated in that calm, terrifying tone only moms and wives could master.

Sasuke jolted.

"Y-Yes, love?"

Sayaka calmly placed her utensil down. Her gaze lifted to meet his – and then, she glared.

A sharp, slicing look.

"I want you… to leave Teshii alone. And… accept his relationship with Hikari."

"B-But…" Sasuke stammered.

Sayaka tilted her head. Her eyes narrowed, a subtle "try me" in her stare.

"Huh?"

Sasuke stopped breathing for a moment. He slumped back in his seat and let out a long sigh.

"Fine…"

Hikari, seated beside Teshii, tried her best to contain her giggle behind a hand. Teshii grinned ear to ear, casually taking another bite of his eggs. Hikaru continued eating his breakfast in silence, pretending like he had absolutely nothing to do with the chaos, thinking he'd gotten away with it.

Then–

Sayaka turned her head toward Hikaru, the calm smile gone.

Her eyes sharp.

"And as for you, young man–"

Hikaru immediately flinched, dropping his utensil. He slowly looked up at his mother.

"Y-Yes?"

Sayaka crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes at her son.

"You shouldn't be treating your friend like that just because he's dating you sister."

"B-But–" Hikaru grumbled.

Sayaka shot him a sharper look.

"No buts, mister!!"

Hikaru immediately shut his mouth, slouched in his seat, and crossed his arms, pouting like a scolded child.

"Perhaps…" Sayaka added, tapping her finger against her arm. "I should teach you good manners all over again – remind you how you're supposed to treat your friends."

"Huh?! Hikaru blinked, stunned.

Sayaka let out a long sigh, dramatic and full of motherly disappointment.

"When I gave birth to you and Hikari… I at least expected you to be the well-mannered one. But I guess I was wrong."

Our favourite couple – Teshii and Hikari – tried their best to stifle their laughter, their shoulders shaking slightly. And Hikaru?

He looked like he'd just been hit with the biggest insult of his life.

"Wait! Hold on… what does that mean?!"

Sayaka ignored him entirely, instead muttering under her breath:

"I really wished you turned out like him… like Hinote."

Teshii's ear twitched. He blinked behind his crimson sunglasses, raising an eyebrow as he turned toward Sayaka.

"Hinote? "Who's that?"

Sayaka glanced at Teshii with a small, wistful smile.

"Oh… Hinote is just one of my best friends' sons. I used to help take care of him."

"I see," Teshii replied, watching her carefully, his expression softening.

On the other end of the table, Sasuke's gaze quietly shifted to Sayaka, his face sobering as he muttered:

"Sayaka…"

He knew exactly how much the boy named Hinote had meant to her.

Then–

Sayaka clapped her hands together and smiled brightly at Teshii.

"Well, either way… I really hope you'll take good care of my baby girl, Teshii!"

"Wait!" Teshii grinned. "Does that mean I'm officially part of the Nozomi Family?"

Sayaka chuckled.

"Not yet." Her smile softened. "But… I really hope you will be part of our family in the future."

Sasuke and the twins twitched – Sasuke and Hikaru's eyes twitching in fury, and Hikari's out of embarrassment.

And so… the Nozomi family and their unexpected houseguest continued eating breakfast.

And finally–

Teshii had won the war… against father and son.

30 Minutes Later…

The Nozomi Family and Teshii had finished their breakfast. Hikaru was now in his bedroom, changing. Hikari was in the shower, Sayaka was in the kitchen cleaning up, and Sasuke had left for the airport for work.

And Teshii?

He was lounging in the living room, sitting on the couch, his fingers tapping across his phone screen as he texted someone.

Then–

Teshii: I expect us to be in the university by around 1

Teshii: So

Teshii: I'll be expecting to see you there!!!

He slipped the phone into his pocket, stood up from the couch, and smirked.

"You ready to go, Sunshine?"

Teshii turned around and spotted Hikaru, now fully changed.

Hikaru nodded silently.

As the two of them made their way toward the door, a voice echoed from the stairs.

"You guys leaving now?"

They both looked up the staircase.

It was Hikari, freshly out of the shower, her hair still damp and clinging to her shoulders.

"Well, hello, my queen. And yes! Me and Sunshine are leaving now." Teshii smiled.

Hikari crossed her arms, pouting playfully.

"Teshii."

"Hmm?" Teshii tilted his head, curious.

"Are you forgetting something?" Hikari asked.

Teshii blinked behind his crimson sunglasses – and then it clicked.

"Oh."

He stepped forward just as Hikari descended the last few stairs.

And when they met at the bottom, face to face, they leaned in for a quick kiss – soft, simple, and familiar.

Hikaru narrowed his eyes at the scene.

"Do you two seriously have to do that in front of me?"

Teshii turned back toward Hikaru, smirking.

"Yes, Sunshine! We do!"

Hikaru rolled his eyes and walked out the door with a loud sigh.

Teshii turned to Hikari once more. She was blushing, smiling softly.

"I love you, my queen."

"I love you too, babe."

They shared another quick kiss before Teshii turned and headed for the door, waving at her as he exited.

Outside, Hikaru stood waiting, arms crossed, clearly impatient.

"So…" Hikaru muttered. "Did you enjoy kissing my sister?"

Teshii beamed.

"Kissing Hikari is probably the best thing that's happened in my life."

Hikaru narrowed his eyes at him. Teshii just chuckled.

"Anyway…" Teshii said. "Let's go. The others are waiting for us the safehouse."

Teshii started walking, heading in the direction of the safehouse.

As Hikaru was about to follow him–

Rssht!

He stopped in his tracks and quickly turned around.

But…

No one was there.

He narrowed his gaze, scanning the street, eyes alert.

What was that?

Then–

"Sunshine! Are you okay?"

Hikaru turned his head. Teshii was already fat ahead, waving at him.

Hikaru raised a hand and gave him a thumbs up.

"Yeah. I'll be right there!"

He took a step forward, following after him.

But something felt… off.

Why do I feel like someone's following us?

TO BE CONTINUED!!!