A Family Dinner

“Hoi! Hoi!” Kikumaru Eiji shouted running through the streets. “ -Chan! -Chan!” he yelled making everyone on the street stare at the over hyper active third year.

The girl stopped, carrying her bag. “Eiji…” said softly smiling as he stopped in front of her after performing some flips and basically landing in front of her.

Kikumaru put an arm around her, “Where is my Chibi-Chan going?”

Elbowing him lightly, “Don’t call me the same name as Ryoma-Kun, its weird.”

“Hoi! Hoi!” arms stretched above his head as he walked along with her, “So where are we going?’

Smiling as she pushed her short hair behind her ears, “We?” teased as he took her hand lightly.

Stopping he frowned a bit, a very rare site on Kikumaru’s face, “You forgot, didn’t you?” he asked.

blinked.

“I invited you for dinner…” he told her sheepishly, “Kaa-San’s birthday dinner.”

’s heart pounded.

had been dreading this day, she had hoped she would ignore it but to go to Eiji’s house. His parents, two brother and sisters, all eyes on her. She was so dreading it. But…. She knew she couldn’t say no….. smiling, but her heart pounding inside, “Of course not.” Holding her bag, “Im going to the mall to get your Kaa-San something.”

Scratching his messy hair, “You don’t have to.”

“I want to.”

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froze, no frozen was the wrong word. She was rooted to the ground, she couldn’t move or breathe as Eiji escorted her to the living room. Six pairs of eyes was eyeing her.

And a weird thing, a parrot looking at her as well. The colorful bird cocked its head to the side and kept blinking looking at .

Her pulse increased as the temperature of her body rose. She tried exerting a welcome to the family but nothing came out.

“Nya~ This is .”

“Ahh… So this is the that Eiji’s been mentioning to us.”

’s face heated up. Not only did she think Eiji would be talking about her but talking about her to his family himself.

“It seems our little Eiji has a little crush on -san… Kawaii, na.”

“Nya~ Onee-san!”

Giggling and chuckling can be heard around the room. Eiji tried hiding his ever creeping blush but proved no avail.

Yes, it was true that Eiji had talked about to his family. He also talked about other people such as his fellow team mates. But it seems that he talked about more than the others. However, never seemed to notice.

“Nya~ I’m going to get kaa-san’s gift.”

As quick as a bullet, Eiji ran upstairs, leaving alone with the rest of his family.

As if realization hit her, ….. realized… he left me alone?!!! She wanted to scream rooted to the floor. Her hands moved unconsciously to her mouth, as if trying to say something, but she just didn’t know how to handle come the situation.

“Its’ alright, my dear.” A hand on her shoulder, “We don’t bite.” Eiji’s mother told .

Heat filled her cheeks, “Uh…no…gomen.” Bowing lightly, “It’s just…”  Eiji! Where are you? Her mind screamed! As she was being led to the living room.

It seemed forever when Eiji had finally come down, but by then she had gone through a set of a thousand questions. She felt it was more of an interrogation than a family dinner. realized the family was very overprotective of Eiji, she could understand that since he was the family’s baby.

“Nya~ I’m back!”

It was then that Eiji took his seat, right beside .

The rest of the dinner went quite well, with more questions being directed to . Eiji took this as a sign that his family wanted to know about her. , however, was beginning to get apprehensive. She never had too much attention directed to her before and this was definitely a new experience.

After dinner was ready, Eiji’s siblings cleared the table and brought out the cake with the plates and utensils.

“Tanjoubi omedetou (kaa-san)!”

She blew out the candles on the nicely decorated cake. She then split the cake into many pieces in which everyone had a piece.

took a bite of the homemade cake.

“Ooishi…”

“Nya~ Really? I made it.”

Eiji smiled proudly.

“You’re kidding me, right? I’ve had better.” Teased one of his brothers.

“Mou… You’re mean!”

Everyone laughed at Eiji pouting face.

After the plates were cleared again, the others took out their presents to the Kikumaru mother.

smiled a bit, the family seemed so loving to her. Unlike her, she had divorced parents and both of them were workaholics. Her father had remarried and was busy with his new wife and her mother worked two shifts and had never time for her. Sighing, a bit while she felt a moment of self pity. Just as she was going to frown, she felt someone nudge her.

Looking to the right, she found her boyfriend’s warm brown eyes looking into her own. “What is it?” she asked softly.

Eiji pointed at the wrapped gift in her hand.

Flushing a bit, realized she was still clutching at the gift while the others had already given Eijis mom their gifts, “Aaah…” she stuttered, “Kik…. Kikumaru san….” She said her voice barely audible putting the gift in front of her, “I…” she began…”Happy Birthday….”

Eiji’s mother smiled, “You shouldn’t have my dear.”

Blushing horribly now, “I wanted to.” Looking at her lap, her long hair covering her face.

“I was with her!” Eiji said excitedly. “We both picked it up….” His arms around .

It was the first time that Eiji’s family had seen Eiji be affectionate in a relationship. Even if it was a small action, it was still an action.

Eiji’s mother stared at and Eiji with happy eyes. She felt that Kikumaru would be fine. Her family would just have to learn to accept the fact that Eiji was growing up.

Opening up her present, she stared at the stuffed bear with a packet of home backed cookies in its paws. It was like Eiji to get this for her. It seems that has finally caught Eiji’s personality.

“Nya~ Do you like it?”

“Of course. Thank you, .”

Eiji’s mother smiled a happy smile. He was happy that his mother liked his girlfriend’s gift. Does this mean she and the family approves of her?

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“Thanakayoooo!” Eiji hugged happily as they stood in front of her house. “The family likes you.”

looked worried, “Are you sure, Eiji?” still being held by him, “They asked me a lot of weird things.”

“And that’s because they like you.” Tapping her nose gently.

Her frown deepened.

“Hoi! Hoi!” looking seriously at her, “No frowning.”

She continued frowning. Tears were about to overflow from her eyes. Eiji could see the sadness in her eyes.

“Nya~ Please don’t cry.”

Eiji held her close to his body. He knew very well about her family issues. Maybe bringing her into a different family setting like this was not a good idea.

returned the embrace still trying not the let the tears spill out.

She wished that one day she would be able to have a family as close and cheerful as his.

One day.

~~~

Written by DeVeliCious & Annie

March 17, 2006