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“Mamoru, for the love of god stop fidgeting.”
“S-Sorry! Ryo-kun, are these cakes okay?”
“Yes.”
“Should I take something else?”
“No, that’s all for now.”
“Okay!”
Ryota goes out of the kitchen in his room first, and he can’t help the small sigh.
As it was mother’s day, Koki, Kensuke and Ryota had tried to spend the time with their mothers- It was nothing new, and he completely understood it. But, because they had to leave for a work location in the evening, Mochiduki had asked if it was possible for them to stay in the dorms, so the staff could come get their luggage when they had sorted out everything, and then he’d come pick them up later.
A logical option would’ve been rearranging to meet another day, but one thing led to another, and now the parents of his three fellow members were in Growth’s common room having snacks with them.
Koki’s mother, Ayano, was of course the one he was most familiar with. The woman had visited enough in his time in Koki’s apartment before debuting, and had opened the doors of her house to him during the different holidays through the years. If anything, he felt comfortable enough with her by now.
Aside from her, there was Ryota’s mother. Like with Koki, Ryota was a carbon copy of his mother, and their personalities were similar, too. Ryota’s parents weren't the type to go much to their concerts, but whenever they did they were thorough with their opinions and their praises. As well, they were well aware of the work they did, always sending pictures of the TV with the programs they were in.
While his meetings with her weren’t as recurrent, Kaho had always treated him warmly.
“Mamoru?”
His thoughts are stopped as Ryota enters the room yet again, clearly confused at what was taking him so long, so he grabs the tray they had prepared, ready to bring it back to the common room.
“I’m going!”
He’s grateful that Ryota keeps the door open, and he gets to feel immediately the smell of coffee in the room, watching as Kensuke is preparing a lot of cups for them, Koki in the main kitchen preparing a bunch of other snacks.
“Do you need help, Mamo-chan?”
“Ah- no, no, it’s okay! Thank you, Himari-san!”
Perhaps, Kensuke’s family was the one he’d most talked to about his music, they were always willing to hear, and specially talked to him in private, even through texts, sending him stuff for him to check or music they’d like, along with other minor chit-chat.
Still, being in the presence of all of them together is a little strange, especially in the common room of the dorms…
“Oh my, Ryo-chan, you didn’t have to buy so many cakes.”
“No, it was no problem. I hope you don’t mind that they’re mini-cakes.”
“Of course not! We get to try a lot of different stuff like that, thanks~ Kensuke, you take notes from him.”
“Ah? I helped!”
“Is that true?”
“He did, Himari-san. Ken stood in line.”
“Ryo made the reservation, but I was the one who went to pick them!”
“Kou was the one who told me about it, though.”
“Ah, moth-… Mom mentioned it to me.”
“Is that so? You've got great taste as always, Ayano.”
“The cakes are from that new patisserie I mentioned? They have amazing stuff! Let's try these cakes soon!”
“The drinks are ready. Who wants tea?”
“Then, I'll serve the coffee!”
He's quick to act after saying it. It's a little endearing, watching the women being all chatty with each other. Not only them, but their fathers as well are engrossed in their own talk.
It's a blessing, to be able to be included in those talks so easily, as if he's part of the whole situationship.
As well, it makes him a little nervous.
He's sure his groupmates and friends wouldn't get angry, curious if anything, but it was crossing a line for them.
Perhaps he should’ve asked them… But that would’ve destroyed any purpose of doing it on his own.
For the time being, he stuffs his mouth full with the food, watching them.
In a way, it's amusing how they seem to be younger than what they are in front of them. He's used to the three of them to have a certain maturity to them, without a doubt caused by their experience at work. They're always regal, and even the times when they act as childish as they're doing in that moment can be counted with his hands.
It's endearing, too.
Koki, Kensuke and Ryota are of course different from their parents, but they've been shaped by them, there are similarities everywhere, and there's a distinct aura in each of the families that he can appreciate.
To be surrounded by such genuinely kind persons is truly a gift.
“Very well, then. I guess it’s time for us to leave. You boys are busy.”
If there was a chance, then that was it.
So, taking a deep breath, he gets up from his chair, calling their attention.
“Um! Excuse me!”
“Mamoru?”
He can't help but feel the warmth in his cheeks, feeling shy about what he's about to say…
“Mamoru-san?”
Of course, everyone was looking at him confused, and it doesn’t help him, but he still forces his words out.
“I- Before you left, I also wanted to… give you something… Could you please wait a second?”
He doesn’t even let them reply, before he rushes to his bedroom. Of course, he had them prepared in a bag already, and even as he grabs it he can’t help but swallow anxiously. The wrapping isn’t perfect, but he had tried-!
When he got back to the room, the fathers were still on a side, talking to each other, while the mothers were at the table, talking with their sons… At least, until they realize he’s there, growing quiet to let him talk.
“Ayano-san!”
“Yes?! What is it, Mamoru-san?!”
Even if she’s confused, there’s always a smile on her face, waiting for him to talk, and without a doubt, she’s ready to go along with whatever he does.
She’s very similar to Koki, she’s as supportive as him, but she has a playful side that is endearing.
Taking out one of the boxes from his bag, he offers it to her, bowing as he waits for her to take it.
“Ayano-san, I’ve known you for a decade by now… Um… Sorry, I took the liberty of preparing a gift for you, for mother’s day. I wanted to thank you for taking care of me for so long.”
“Eh?”
“Ayano-san, you and your husband were truly a help to me… Kou-kun was the one who chose to help me back then, but you were also really kind to me back then. And even across the years, I’ve been grateful to you many times. I’m honored to be allowed into your life. I hope… That you’re not offended!”
“No, no, the honor is mine, Mamoru-san!”
“Mamoru…”
“Sorry, Kou-kun! I took the liberty of doing this!”
“No, I don't mind…”
“MAMORU-SAN!”
He's immediately crushed in a hug that he barely has the time to reply to.
“Ayano, you're gonna kill the boy.”
“But Kaho!!!”
“Ayano-san, come on, let's give Mamoru-kun a little space.”
“Akito-san! Look at what he got me!!! Kou-kun, you too!”
Koki sighs as he watches his mother, yet accompanies her, making him smile a little.
The next box he takes is a little heavier, with a thicker wrapping. He had spent extra time on it, to ensure it'd look presentable to her standards…
So, turning to Ryota's mother, he offers it to her.
“Kaho-san! I have something for you, too!”
“My, is that so?”
“You're always so mature, Kaho-san! I've learnt a lot from you! Not only for my job, but for my life… And I love when you teach me about plants, too! You're- You're really amazing! Thank you!”
The woman doesn't say anything else for a few moments after opening her gift, before getting up, getting closer to him.
Even if she's even smaller than Ryota, there's definitely a strong presence in her. A strong, beautiful and kind presence.
In a blink, she's done fixing her shawl, and is meeting his eyes.
“Mamoru-san.”
"Yes!”
"What was the name of your mother?"
"...Eh?"
"Mom. Mamoru, you don't have to answer."
The information comes to his head without even thinking much, and he can't help but swallow, struggling for a little before the words come out of his mouth.
Her eyes like rubies don't get upset, even if she has to wait.
"Haruka. Her name was Haruka."
"Mamoru-san, bend a little.”
“Kaho-san…?”
“Come on, do it.” With nothing else, he complies, and he soon enough feels her small hands on his head, giving him a small pat.
He can't do more than meet her eyes yet again.
“I’m sure she’s watching over you now, so I hope my feelings of gratitude reach her. Congratulations on your son, Haruka-san. He's a very kind gentleman, and he takes care of my own son in many aspects. I'm glad they've met, as they have a beautiful group in which they support each other. Haruka-san, you might not be here physically to take care of Mamoru-san, so while it's a little late, let me ask that you take care of our kids from your side, and we'll take care of yours from here."
She laughs a little as she sees him tear up, and he immediately wraps her in a hug that she responds to.
“Kaho-san… Thank you.”
At least, for a little bit, before she pats his back, clearly wanting to get away.
“Mamoru-san. Long hugs are more of Himari’s specialty.”
“Ah- Yes! Sorry…”
“I hope I get a gift too, Mamoru?”
“Of course!”
Himari is quick to give him a tight hug, and it’s obvious to him where Kensuke gets his habits from.
Like he does, she’s quick to pull him closer, randomly reaching to ruffle his hair in a way that he has complained to Kensuke about how it feels like they’re petting a dog multiple times.
It’s so warm, though.
“Aww, clean those tears! Come on, so we can take a picture with everyone!”
—o—
“And that's how we spent our weekend before preparing to come over here.”
“That sounds so nice! Growth, you're people who value your families, I see.”
“And it shows in the family the appreciation for Mamoru-kun!”
As the hosts show the picture they themselves had posted earlier, he can’t help but feel his face burning. It was obvious he had been crying, and the three women were comforting him in their own way.
“It's a little embarrassing to see my face now…”
“Mamoru has been around our lives for a long time now. It’s not surprising our families are also soft to him~”
“Ken-kun…”
“Well, I can’t deny it. They’d have to accept him for letting us live with a stranger older man when we were still minors in the first place, after all.”
“Hey, Ryota-kun, why phrase it like that?!”
Kensuke and Ryota both laugh at his whine, and he can only turn to the leader, who’s also covering a small laugh.
“I’m sure that our parents back then could see how much of a good person Mamoru was and were happy to have him around, like we do even now.”
“Kou-kun! Thank you!”
As the three of them laugh, Mamoru remembers those first meetings with all of them, the way slowly they’ve all opened up to each other, in Growth.
To think that ten years had gone by…
“Then, Growth, how about you tell us about the concert you’ll be doing this week?”
“Mamoru, do you want to start?”
“Yes!”
It was a beautiful feeling.