Chapter 75

Mrs Osamu had cooked enough food to feed ten families so my mum had me invite my friends to eat with us. Haruto, Yua, Sakura and Toshiro were present. We were all sitting in the dining room. Mum and Dad sat across from each other. I sat beside Haruto while Sakura, Toshiro and Yua sat facing us.

I wasn't happy about it though because I was currently on bad terms with two of them. Besides, I wanted it to be just me and my parents. Anyway, they were staying for a week so I would eventually have them all to myself.

"How are your parents, Yua?" Mum asked. She's always the conversation starter. She liked to keep people talking especially during things like lunch or dinner. She said that's what brings people closer. Well I didn't want to be any closer to Yua but it’s not like I could tell them what happened between us.

"They're fine Auntie. They even asked me to invite you to dinner tonight" Yua replied.

I inwardly groaned. There goes my date with Ryu. Ugh. I’ll have to cancel our plans now. I glared at Lisa but she pretended not to see it and kept smiling at my parents.

"Oh really? That's wonderful!" Mum said. "I'm already excited. It's been so long"

Dad nodded. "Yes. And I believe there are things we need to discuss with them". He gave me a smile then shared a knowing look with mum. I looked at them suspiciously. What the hell do they need to discuss with Yua's parents?

Yua was all smiles. "They're very excited to see you too, Auntie"

I shared a confused look with Haruto. I guess he had no idea too. Though, I had a really bad feeling about this. Knowing Yua, she must have something planned.

"Oh stop calling me that. Call me mum like Aito calls your mum"

"I agree. We are way past those formalities now. Call me dad" Dad said.

What the hell?

Toshiro snickered, wiggling his brows at me. "Sounds like Yua is becoming family"

Sakura smacked his arm and whispered; "Shut up! Yua has always been closer to them than we have"

"So have I" Haruto whispered. "You don't hear them telling me to call them mum and dad"

"So how is school going kids?" Dad asked, addressing the question to everyone.

"School is a huge rollercoaster sir. Weird things just keep happening" Toshiro said.

My parents frowned. "What weird things?" Mum asked.

Ah shit. I forgot Toshiro could never keep his mouth shut.

Toshiro was more than happy to tell them the latest gossip. "Well apart from Miss Park going to jail, we found out that Chibana Sara is a stripper. Her videos were released online. It went viral. I can't believe you didn't know"

Dad tsked and shook his head. "I always knew something was off about that girl"

"Really sir?" Toshiro asked. "Ha! Aito dated her for like two weeks or so"

Mum gasped and I groaned, shooting Toshiro death glares. The stupid fucker.

He just smirked. "What? Am I lying?"

"Yamamoto Aito, is that true?" Mum asked me.

I sighed. No use lying in font of all my friends/Yua who knew the truth. Toshiro will never support me anyway. He’d want to see my parents punish me. "Yes mum but I didn't know she was a stripper"

"Oh my god Aito. This is exactly why I don't like you dating" Dad said. "Your choices are always bad. Why can't you pick a good girl for once? There are plenty of them from a decent background. Why can't you find one? Besides, I didn’t teach you to sleep around. You’re from a reputable family. Do you have any idea what people could be saying about you right now?"

Too late for that. But I kept quiet and hung my head low, wishing they never came back in the first place. Ugh. I'd strangle Toshiro if I could. Maybe I should tell Ryu to beat him up.

"I agree with your father" Mum said. "I won’t let you go around soiling our reputation with your flings. From today henceforth, you're banned from dating or sleeping around. The next girl you sleep with must be someone you intend to marry"

I inwardly smiled since I had no plans of ever doing a girl. I’d rather be done. By Ryu.

Dad nodded as his form of consent and she continued; "And you Haruto, where were you when all that was happening? I thought you're his best friend"

"Oh I believe Haruto encouraged Aito" Toshiro put in.

He received another smack from Sakura. Haruto's lips kept opening and closing. Like he didn't even know what to say.

"Mum, Dad, like Aito said, he didn't know she was a stripper" Yua butt in. She was sitting next to my mum so she held her hand. Her voice went soft and gentle. "Aiti is a responsible guy. You know that. He's your son. He wouldn't have dated Sara had he known who she really was. Don't be mad. Please, mum"

As if she put a spell on them, their anger dissipated. Mum sighed. "I guess you're right darling" she said to Yua then faced me. "Just be careful Aito. I don't want you hurt again". I knew she was referring to Aera so I just nodded.

"Did you get yourself checked?" Dad asked and I nodded. "I'm clean dad"

He nodded curtly then refocused on eating. Phew. Glad that was over as soon as it came.

"Our final exams are in a month" Sakura said. "Last year of high school is coming to an end"

"So soon?" Mum said, jumping onto the topic. "You're all graduating in a month then"

I sent Sakura a grateful smile. Such a swift change of topic. She knew mum would instantly take the bait.

"Yes ma'am. I'm thinking of chasing a career in basketball. I'm quite good at it" Toshiro said.

"That's good. What about you Yua?" Dad asked.

Wait, why were they giving Yua more attention? Even more than me?

"Medicine. Ever since I spent a month taking care of my late aunt in the hospital, I became inspired to help sick people. I want to save lives" she replied.

"Ah, what a noble profession" Mum said. Dad looked so proud. "May you be successful dear. And you, Sakura?"

"I want to be a model" she said. “I’ve already gotten a few good offers so I think I’m going to skip college and build my career”

Mum smiled but it didn't reach her eyes. I'm sure she didn't approve. "Really? Have you informed your parents?"

Sakura nodded. "Yes ma'am. They support me"

Mum was surprised. "Well if they do then I guess I have nothing to say. Haruto?"

"I'm going to join the k-pop industry as a rapper" he said. "And yes, my parents approve" he quickly added. I stifled my laugh for that would get them on my topic again.

She hummed, trying to mask the displeasure on her face. Dad decided to not comment at all. "Aito honey, how about you?"

I tensed. I wasn't expecting her to ask me. To be honest, I had zero plans for the future. I never planned ahead because I had concluded that my life would end in high school but... now that I had Ryu, was I willing to leave?

"Aito?" Mum called, bringing me out of my thoughts.

I smiled. "I'm going to go into business mum. I'm joining you and dad"

Dad beamed. "That's the best news I've heard so far son. Amazing! Don't worry about a single thing. We'll set you through and I'm sure you'll do great"

Mum was also delighted. "You've really made me happy dear. I love you so much sweetie"

"Love you too mum" I mumbled. The conversation went on but my mind was already detached.

Do I deserve to be here after what I did to Area?

Do I deserve the happiness Ryu gives me?

Do I deserve to live?