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You feel a hand on your shoulder before one of your earbuds is plucked out of your ear.
“Aren’t you tired of that album yet?” a low voice inquires.
You hold up your hand and your boyfriend obediently puts the earbud into it. You pause the playback on your iPod, slip the other earbud out and wrap the cord around the iPod.
“No. I’m not tired of it yet,” you respond. Shuichi rubs your shoulder. You’re sitting right next to the window. Though you can’t see the view (which Shuichi assures you is spectacular) the afternoon sun feels pleasantly warm on your skin.
“It’s time to leave,” Shuichi says.
“Uh-huh.” You leave your iPod on the arm of the chair and stand. Shuichi’s hand slips to your lower back. You remember how hesitant he’d been to touch you when you’d first met him, but now such physical contact is frequent and familiar. It had taken some time for him to confess that he hadn’t known how you would take it. He’d been afraid that you would think he was being overprotective or interfering.
You might have felt that way right at the beginning, but you know Shuichi too well now to question his motives. He is overprotective and interfering, but it isn’t because he assumes you can’t handle things on your own. It’s because he’s just that way with everyone important to him.
Today, you will meet some other people who are very important to him and you feel so nervous that you almost forget to pick up your cane. It’s Shuichi who gently reminds you just before you step out of the apartment.
“Sorry. I guess I’m nervous,” you admit as you walk down the hall toward the elevator.
“There’s no need to apologise,” Shuichi responds. “And please don’t worry about Mother. I’m sure she will adore you.”
You aren’t quite so sure. What if Shuichi’s family assumes your blindness is hereditary? What if they think that you aren’t good enough for him? Shuichi’s assurances are heartfelt, but to you they feel hollow. Your mind won’t be put at ease until you actually meet the Hatanakas.
Shuichi quietly describes the yard and house to you as you both make your way up the path, your hand on Shuichi’s upper arm. Your cane tip rolls across the smooth surface of the path.
“Three steps,” Shuichi murmurs, alerting you just a moment before your cane hits the first one. You adjust your grip and move up them alongside him onto what Shuichi has already told you is a small porch. You catch a whiff of fragrant flowers that reminds you of the apartment you and Shuichi share. Shuichi always has flowers around, and it seems that his family is no different.
Shuichi doesn’t have to knock. A feminine voice scolds Shuichi as he pauses, with you still by his side. “Shuichi, I told you not to come early. Kazuya and Suichi aren’t home yet.”
“I’m sorry, Mother, but it’s a long drive. I didn’t time it very well…” Shuichi sounds bashful, but you know that he always intended to be early. It’s a habit of his that sometimes annoys you. It’s nice that you never have to wait for him when meeting up, but at the same time, you always wonder how long he’s been waiting for you and that makes you feel guilty.
“Mother, I’d like you to meet…”
You duck your head instinctively as Shuichi introduces you to his mother. You’re a little self-conscious. You know it’s polite to look at someone directly while speaking to them, but that’s a little difficult for you as all you have to go on is the direction of Mrs. Hatanaka’s voice. Will she think you are being rude when you can’t meet her eyes directly?
But Mrs. Hatanaka’s voice is warm when she says, “It’s so nice to finally meet you. Shuichi has told us so much about you but he’s kept you to himself. That’s quite unfair.”
You can’t help but raise your eyes and smile shyly.
“Mother…” Shuichi sounds put-upon, which causes your smile to widen.
“Come inside, please. I’ll take your coat, dear…”
You shed your coat and shoes, and slip into a pair of house slippers. Mrs. Hatanaka leads the two of you to the living room and briefly leaves to fetch tea after you’ve been settled on the sofa.
“I told you that you have nothing to worry about,” Shuichi says. He sits beside you, one hand wrapped around yours. Your cane is folded on your lap. You feel the need to keep it visible as you haven’t met all the Hatanakas yet. Not everyone will understand its significance, but some will, and that cuts down on awkward explanations.
“She’s really nice, Shuichi. But I’ve got the feeling that you’ve been discussing me with her behind my back…”
“Well, just offering a little advice…” Shuichi admits sheepishly. “I hope you don’t mind. I didn’t want anyone to feel uncomfortable this evening.”
“It’s okay, Shuichi. I don’t mind. I just hope that you didn’t badger her too much.”
“Badger her?” Shuichi sounds incredulous. “I was very polite and—“
“Bossy,” you put in uncompromisingly.
“Firm,” Shuichi objects. “That’s not the same thing.”
Mrs. Hatanaka’s soft laugh cuts off your semi-argument as she returns, presumably with the tea.
“Shuichi, darling, you do come off as a little bossy at times,” she says. “Even when you were a child…”
Huh. Now here’s a perk of meeting Shuichi’s parents that you hadn’t considered yet. While you can’t coo over Shuichi’s baby photos, you can certainly pry out some embarrassing childhood stories. Up until now, the possibility hadn’t occurred to you because you’d been so nervous, but you have a feeling that Mrs. Hatanaka — Shiori, as she’d introduced herself — would be happy to share those stories.
You might not have anything to worry about tonight, but Shuichi just might.