After Dinner

"Tatsu, we'll be taking Suzuki-kun for awhile. You can go on to your room and wash up first." The madam grasped my wrist and tugged me towards the living room.

Huh? What!? Why!?

"Mother, I'm afraid that'll make Suzuki-kun uncomfortable." Tatsuya interjected.

Yes, please listen to your son!

"Nonsense." The father said adamantly.

"Suzuki-kun?" She gave me the puppy dog eyes.

Not this again!!!

"We just want to chat with you more. Is it too lame to talk with us adults?" She stuck out her bottom lip while looking disheartened.

God! Fucking! Damn! It!

Why am I such a sucker!?

"No, not at all." I effortlessly smiled. "I don't mind at all, Tanaka-san. You can go ahead."

Tatsuya looked to be the one uncomfortable here. He stayed silent for a minute before nodding.

"Then, I'll go first." Tatsuya said before turning to leave.

"Come! Let's sit and have some dessert while we talk." The mother wrapped her arm around mine as she dragged me to the couch.

Some tea and cakes slices sat on the table. They clearly planned this.

I sat down awkwardly as the couple sat across from me like before. I was expecting them to start right away, but they were surprising silent. Not knowing what to do, I just enjoyed the cake in front of me.

Then, a butler walked in.

"Tanaka-sama, the young master has entered his room." A butler informed the father before turning to stand in the hallway.

Huh?

"Suzuki-kun, we'd like to ask for your help." Mr. Tanaka bluntly stated.

HUH???

"Uhm, what could I possibly help you with?" I nervously asked.

And why does Tatsuya have to be out of earshot!?

"Suzuki-kun, we...made a mistake." The madam solemnly spoke. "I hope you don't mind listening to our story?"

"Oh, please, go on." I urged her on, curious. "I don't mind."

This is new.

The parents looked at each tiredly and exhaled a deep sigh at the same time.

"You see, we married and had Tatsu at a young age because of obligations." The mother started. "We were freshly out of college and still wanted to explore without being tied down. For that selfish reasoning, we left Tatsu with a nanny."

"Of course, we checked up on him from time to time, but he was never a priority for us. We just asked for reports that he was doing well and excelling. We never really...cared about him." She looked vary ashamed to admit their past.

"As we grew older, we've realized what a joy children can be. Many of our friends recently had children of their own and are constantly doting on them and bragging about them to us. Of course, we could brag about Tatsu's achievements, but we couldn't brag about our relationship or how adorable he is." She said with a forlorn expression.

"We recently tried talking to him, but he rejects us. We can't create a bond at all. We realize its our fault that it has come to this, but Tatsu seems to refrain from creating close relationships with anyone."

"That is, until you showed up." She smiled.

Ah?

"When we started getting reports about Tatsu spending time with someone, we were relieved. When he, himself, sent a report to us about wanting to nurture you and keep you around in the future, we were ecstatic! Someone managed to break down his walls!" She looked at my with eyes sparkling with reverence.

Please don't look at me like that.

"We're very thankful to you, but we also have a favor to ask." This time it was the father who spoke.

"Could you please help us become a family?"

...

WHAT!?

"Er, because I've become someone your son doesn't push away, you think I'll be able to help him not push you away as well?" I reiterated in a stupor, trying to grasp some bearing.

"I don't think you realize how amazing it is for Tatsuya to keep someone near him." The father stated. "You are the only person in his entire life that he wants to keep close."

Ah, I don't want to hear that...

"Please, Suzuki-kun! We'll forever be indebted to you!" The mother pleaded with glistening eyes.

Why am I so weak to these faces!?

"Of course, I'll help, Oba-san. I'll try my best." I forced an appeasing smile. She gave me a big smile in return, clearly showing her excitement.

"Thank you so much!" She looked like she wanted to reach over the table and hug me but restrained herself.

"Then, what do you suggest we do?" The father asked with all seriousness.

Ah, why have I become a family counselor?

"I think a good start would be to slowly start staying in the house more often. You currently leave and almost never comeback, and when you do, you barely give him any time from what I can tell. Suddenly staying here permanently would be too abrupt." I explained.

"I don't know exactly how little you two visit this house, but I'd start with doubling it. Continually do so over time until you no longer leave unless absolutely necessary."

"During the time you stay, have dinner with him. Try conversing with him. After that, try to do activities with him you both enjoy."

I finished my suggestions just as another butler came in.

"I apologize for interrupting, but I'm here to inform that Suzuki-sama's room is ready." The butler professionally announced.

Oh, Suzuki-sama! Hehe, I like that!

"Thank you for the advice, Suzuki-kun. We'll work hard." The father smiled warmly.

"Please, go wash up and rest. I wish you a good night's rest." The madam also radiated fluffy energy.

"Then, good night." I stood up and bowed before following the butler.

Ah, I'm such a good, helpful person, aren't I?

We ascended the stairs from earlier in the lobby and went down a hallway. I was amazed as we passed door after door until we reached my room. The butler opened the door for me and told me all necessities like clothes, toiletries, and such were all taken care of. After that, he left.

I really wanted to just flop onto the huge king sized bed in front of me, but I knew if I did I wouldn't get back up. So, I languidly headed to the bathroom.

The bathroom was immaculate as expected. On the spacious counter were many goodies. A brand new toothbrush, tooth paste, a set of pajamas, boxers, a hairdryer, etc. Basically, when the butler said all necessities were taken care of, he meant it.

After some self care, I exited the bathroom only to see the Ice King sitting at the end of my bed with his head buried in a book.

...

I DON'T HAVE MY BINDER ON!!

I immediately turned around to go back into the bathroom.

"Forgot something?" I heard Tatsuya ask as I entered the bathroom.

"Uh, yeah! I need the towel for my hair." I lied as I grabbed the towel and hung it on my neck.

The ends of the towel covered my chest, but I don't know if that's enough!

It'll take too long to put the binder back on without Tatsuya getting suspicious!

I looked around for any other possible thing I could use to hide my womanly parts but came up empty.

Pull through long and fluffy towel! You're my only hope!

After making sure the towel covered as much as it could, I walked back out.

"T-Tanaka-san, what're you doing here?" I asked with my nerves obvious as I sat down on the side of the bed with my back turned to him. I raised the towel onto my head to dry it.

Calm down, bitch!

"I wanted to make sure my parents didn't say anything unnecessary to you." Tatsuya cooly said as he closed his book. I glanced back and met his gaze.

...His expression didn't seem off, so I'm okay for now. Phew.

"Nah. Well, they didn't really talk about anything I didn't already know about you." I calmly replied as I continued slouching over to dry my hair and hide my chest.

"Is that so?" He was clearly unsatisfied with my answer.

"Your parents were... different from what I expected." I diverted the conversation as I'm sure he should hear from them what we talked about before.

"I assume you were expecting them to be like me?" Tatsuya raised an eyebrow.

Yes! He went along!

"Well, yeah." I nodded. "They were more friendly they I thought they would be."

Though, they're still scary.

"I can see the similarities, though." I stated as I let my towel off my head and onto my shoulders.

"Similarities?"

"Yeah, other than physical features, of course. For example, your father seems like he has a similar attitude when it comes to business related things." I reluctantly remembered those fluctuations from his father.

"Your mother also has a similar pushy nature like you." I nodded to myself.

"You think I'm pushy?" Tatsuya coldly asked. I straightened up.

"I-I mean, you get what you want. No matter what. That kinda pushy." I cringed. "M-Maybe ambitious would be a better word." I sighed at my lack of tactfulness.

"It seems you really do need to read a dictionary." Tatsuya shook his head in disappointment. I chuckled sheepishly.

"I don't disagree." I smiled reluctantly.

"You don't find them to be too careless?" Tatsuya suddenly asked. I blinked and tilted my head in confusion.

Uhm?

"...Do you?" I returned the question. Tatsuya narrowed his eyes.

"Very much so. They are constantly shirking off responsibilities to others and going at their own pace without any thought to the consequences." Tatsuya coldly spoke.

Oh, dang!

"Have the consequences been harmful?" I narrowed my eyes as I gauged Tatsuya's expressions.

"No." He frowned.

"And you don't like that they haven't been harmful?"

"Of course, I don't. How could they learn its wrong if there aren't any repercussions?" Tatsuya hissed with clenched fists.

At this point, I've realized what we were really talking about. Though, I'm not sure if Tatsuya realizes it.

The Tanakas are really a handful.

"Well, have you tried speaking with them about it?" I softly asked.

"How could I? They don't give me any time to." Tatsuya scoffed.

"Have you really tried to sit them down and talk?" I gently pressed.

"...Of course, I have." Tatsuya's eyebrows were scrunched together. "Rather, I suppose I should say I had."

"What does that mean?"

"Years ago, I tried speaking with them about it. My parents are people who never stay at home for more than a day. Because of that, that one day is planned out down to the second." Tatsuya calmly explained.

"The only time I get is dinner. However, during that time, my parents looked over my reports cards or listened to my caretakers rather than me. When they did speak to me, it was plain to see they still saw me as a child. Anything I said that wasn't what they wanted to hear wasn't registered by them. So, after trying for a year, I gave up." Tatsuya finished with an exhausted look in his eyes.

"Your parents sound more like backers than parents." I mumbled. Tatsuya nodded in agreement.

"Why did they take an interest in me then?" I acted clueless. "They seemed awfully interested in you having a... friend." I hesitated to say the word.

"I'm... not sure." I never heard Tatsuya speak with such uncertainty before. "I know that it's unusual for me to speak about anyone else, and they must have realized that as well."

"They must care about you since they did a background check on me." I wearily said. Tatsuya quietly nodded. "How about you try talking with them today before sleeping? I have a feeling they'll listen to what you have to say."

Hehe, good job me!

"I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try." Tatsuya agreed. I smiled.

He stood up and fixed his glasses before looking at me. I reflexively slouched. His eyes narrowed.

"You didn't eat too much, did you?" Tatsuya asked with mild concern.

"No, no. I just, uh, uhm, er—"

"Sit up straight." Tatsuya sharply commanded. I automatically followed the order.

...

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