Chapter Text
Before the time Senku Ishigami was to arrive at the airport, your dad had already checked the guest room four times.
Not because anything was wrong with it.
The sheets were clean. Your mom had put fresh towels in the bathroom. There was a little welcome basket on the dresser that she'd insisted wasn't a welcome basket even though it had snacks, bottled water, toiletries, and a handwritten card sitting right on top.
Your dad just kept finding reasons to go upstairs.
The fourth time he came back down, you looked up from where you were sitting on the arm of the couch.
"Is the room still there?"
He ignored you.
"Dad."
"I'm making sure everything's straight."
"You made sure everything was straight twenty minutes ago."
"Okay."
"And twenty minutes before that."
He gave you a look.
You smiled.
Your mom came through from the kitchen with her purse over her shoulder. "Are y'all ready?"
"I've been ready."
Your dad grabbed his keys from the table. "Shoes."
You looked down.
Then back at him.
"I have shoes on."
"Then let's go."
You stared at the back of his head as he walked toward the door.
"He's nervous."
"I'm not nervous."
"You've inspected that room like the Secret Service."
Your mom laughed and pushed you toward the door before your dad could start.
The drive to the airport wasn't long enough for him to stop pretending he wasn't nervous.
You understood it, kind of.
Your family had hosted students before, just never for this long. A couple weeks here. A summer program once. Nothing that involved someone moving into the guest room for most of an academic year.
And definitely nothing involving someone your age.
That part had apparently become increasingly important to your father the closer Senku's arrival got.
You'd heard his name enough over the last month that he already felt vaguely familiar despite never having met him. Senku Ishigami. Japan. Science major. Ridiculous academic record. Accepted into the same NASA-affiliated exchange initiative you'd spent most of last semester obsessing over. Interested in aerospace engineering, physics, chemistry, astronomy, and apparently anything else involving enough numbers to make your head hurt.
The program had sent your family a profile.
Your dad read the entire thing.
Your mom read enough to know what food allergies he had.
You looked at his picture and said, "His hair is crazy."
That had been the extent of your contribution.
You'd been more interested in the fact that your family had actually been approved.
Your Japanese helped.
A lot.
The program didn't require host families to speak the student's native language, especially since participating students had to demonstrate English proficiency, but it certainly hadn't hurt your application that someone in the house had spent the better part of six years learning Japanese.
Not that you planned on telling Senku why.
Ever.
That shit could die with you.
Unfortunately (very fortunately), your parents were alive.
Which meant there was always a risk.
Your mom turned around in the passenger seat. "You nervous?" She asked.
You frowned, confused as to why you'd be nervous- actually scratch that, why did she even ask that? "No."
"Excited?"
You shrugged. "Kinda." You answered, you both seemed to have interest in the same program so maybe you could learn something from him.
Your dad glanced at you through the mirror.
You blinked; unknowing of the annoyed expression now present on your face. "What?"
"Nothing."
"You looked at me."
"I'm driving."
"Exactly. Look at the road."
Your mom laughed.
Your dad muttered something underneath his breath and you settled farther into the back seat, looking out the window.
Truthfully, you were curious.
You'd volunteered to come with them because it would've been weird not to. He was going to be living in your house. Going to your university. You'd probably be driving him to campus most mornings until he figured out transportation.
You should probably be there when he arrived.
Still, standing inside the airport forty minutes later with your parents beside you made the whole thing feel considerably more real.
There were people everywhere.
Families pressed against barriers. Suitcases rolling over tile. Someone's toddler screaming like TSA had personally ruined his life. You were mad no one beat his ass for screaming like that.
You checked your phone.
"He landed."
"I know," your dad said.
You looked up. "Okay."
"I've got the flight pulled up."
"Then why'd you ask me to check?"
"I didn't."
Your mom sighed. "Please don't start."
You slipped your phone into your pocket.
Another ten minutes passed before passengers from his flight started filtering through.
You recognized Senku almost immediately.
His hair made it pretty fucking easy.
"Oh," your mom said beside you. "There he is."
Your dad straightened.
Senku had a backpack over one shoulder and was pulling a suitcase behind him, eyes moving through the crowd until they landed on the sign your mother had made.
You had specifically told her a sign was unnecessary.
She had specifically ignored you.
WELCOME SENKU!
Big blue letters.
Little stars around the edges.
You'd refused to participate in decorating it.
He walked toward you.
Up close, he looked tired. (He was fucking handsome.)
Not regular airport tired either.
His face wasn't dragging or anything, but there were faint shadows underneath his eyes, and the way he shifted the strap of his backpack made you wonder how long he'd actually been awake.
Your mom stepped forward first.
"Senku?"
"Yeah."
She held out her hand and told him her name, then seemed to reconsider halfway through whether she was supposed to bow.
You watched the thought happen across her face.
Oh no.
Senku saved her by taking her hand. "Nice to meet you."
Your dad introduced himself next, shaking Senku's hand before your mom turned toward you.
"And this is our daughter."
Senku looked at you.
You smiled.
"Hey."
"Hey."
That was it. Your mom looked between you, "Honey this is the part where you tell him your name…" She gave you a confused smile wondering what the hell you were doing or rather thinking.
"Shit, my bad, right um..." You told him your name and you offered to take his luggage to the car. The offer seemed nice but in reality it was just your excuse to get everybody on a move before you go show that damned woman with the son how to discipline her son.
Your mother talked enough for everybody on the drive home.
Senku answered when she asked him something, but he wasn't particularly chatty. You couldn't tell whether that was just him or whether the man was running on fumes.
Probably both?
You mostly stayed out of it, your airpods in and your nose in your phone while your mom turned halfway around in her seat every few minutes to ask him something else.
"So was it a straight flight here?"
"No. I had a.." Senku stopped, seeming to be looking for the right word.
He frowned slightly, tired eyes narrowing like the English word was somewhere on the tip of his tongue but it was refusing to actually pop up.
He ended up saying the word in Japanese. " A layover," you said, already looking back down at your phone.
"Yeah. A layover in…" He trailed off. When you looked up he was already staring at you.
"What?"
Your mom turned around too, her curiosity was very apparent as to why he stopped talking too. He ignored her, eyes still on you. Then proceeded to ask you in Japanese if you spoke Japanese.
You frowned. Why the hell would you have mentioned it? One you'd feel, if not look, stupid and you only knew him for twenty minutes. "Yeah." You locked your phone.
He repeated the word with much confusion, which caused you to match him with a frown, "what?" You asked
"You could've mentioned that."
"When?" You said in a matter-of-fact tone.
"I don't know. Maybe sometime between meeting me and now."
"We met like twenty minutes ago. And wasn't it on the paperwork? It's literally one of the reasons they matched you with us."
Your mom called your name in a stern tone, "… Be nice. I don't know what you're saying but you sound like you're being an ass to Senku."
"Wha—" You dragged your hands down your face, you probably should've went out with your friends or something instead of coming with them to go get him.
Senku told your mom everything was fine and that you'd just straightened out some confusion he had, which led to your mom giving you a quick, "I'm sorry." But proceeded to say, "You should really work on your delivery this is why everyone think you have such a attitude problem."
Classic mom.
You put your AirPod back in before she could decide that embarrassing you in front of somebody you’d known for all of twenty minutes wasn’t enough and start giving you a whole speech about your tone. You barely got it settled in your ear before your dad reached back from the driver’s seat and tapped your knee.
You pulled it out again, already irritated. “What?”
“Don’t be rude.”
“I literally just put my AirPod in.”
“We have company.”
Your eyes slid over to Senku. He wasn’t even paying attention to any of you anymore, his head leaned back against the seat while he looked out the window. “He’s not talking.”
“That doesn’t mean put headphones in.”
“Dad, please.”
“Just leave one out,” your mom added, like the two of them had silently decided they needed to tag team you all the way home.
You stared between the backs of their heads for a second before taking the other one out too and dropping both into the case. “Why do y’all act like I’m twelve?”
Nobody answered you.
You leaned back in your seat. “Exactly.”
Something moved beside you and when you looked over, Senku had turned his face toward the window, but you caught the smallest pull at the corner of his mouth before he could hide it.
“What?”
He glanced back at you. “What?”
“You were laughing.”
“I wasn’t.”
“You were about to.”
“That’s not laughing.”
You squinted at him for a second, trying to decide if he was fucking with you already. “Whatever.”
He went back to looking out the window.
Okay.
So he was irritating.
Good to know.
By the time your dad turned onto your street, your mom had managed to ask Senku everything from how long his flight was to whether he liked spicy food, and somehow she still looked like she had twenty more questions lined up. Senku answered most of them without complaining, though you could tell he was starting to get more tired the closer you got to the house. His responses had gotten shorter and every now and then his eyes would close for a little too long before he opened them again.
Your mom pointed toward the house as your dad slowed down. “This is us.”
Senku looked through the window. “Figured.”
For some reason your mom laughed.
You looked at him, then at her. “That wasn’t even funny.”
“It was a little funny.”
“No, it wasn’t.”
Senku glanced over at you. “Glad somebody said it.”
You blinked.
He got out of the car before you could answer.
“Oh, so now you wanna talk.”
Your dad was already at the trunk by the time you made it around the car, reaching for Senku’s suitcase when Senku tried to grab it himself.
“I got it.”
“I can carry it.”
“I know.”
There was a small pause where Senku looked at him, clearly trying to figure out what kind of answer that was supposed to be.
You walked past both of them. “Just let him take it. He’s gonna keep saying he got it until you do.”
“I heard that,” your dad called behind you.
“I know.”
You followed your mom inside, kicking your shoes off by the door while she immediately started pointing things out to Senku like he wouldn’t have the next nine months to figure out where the kitchen was.
“This is the living room, kitchen’s right through here, laundry room is behind that door. We usually eat around seven, but don’t ever feel like you have to wait for us if you’re hungry. Anything in the kitchen is fine unless somebody’s name is written on it.”
You pointed toward your dad as he came in with the suitcase. “That’s him.”
“Because nobody in this house respects ownership.”
“You wrote your name on orange juice.”
“I bought it.”
“It was Tropicana.”
“It was my Tropicana.”
You opened your mouth, then decided it wasn’t worth it and kept walking toward the stairs. “Bathroom’s upstairs across from the guest room. There’s one down here too, but if you need the upstairs one and I’m in there, good luck.”
Your dad looked at Senku. “She takes forever.”
You turned halfway up the stairs. “I have hair.”
“So does everybody else.”
“Not like mine.”
Your mom laughed behind you and Senku’s eyes moved up to your curls for half a second before going back to the stairs.
You noticed.
You didn’t know why you noticed, but you did.
“Come on,” you said, turning back around. “Before they start giving you the full documentary.”
The guest room looked exactly the same as it had the last four times your dad checked it. Bed made, desk by the window, dresser against the wall and your mom’s definitely-not-a-welcome-basket sitting right in the middle of it.
You pushed the door open and stepped aside. “This is you.”
Senku walked in, his eyes moving around the room before landing on the basket.
You pointed at it. “She says that’s not a welcome basket.”
He looked at the card sitting directly on top that literally said welcome.
Then he looked at you.
“I know.”
Your dad set the suitcase down beside the bed. “Let us know if there’s anything else you need.”
“This is plenty.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah.”
Your dad still looked around the room one more time like something could have gone wrong between the time you left for the airport and now.
You leaned against the doorframe. “Five.”
He looked at you. “What?”
“That makes five.”
Senku looked between you. “Five what?”
“Times he’s checked this room.”
“Don’t encourage her.”
“I asked a question.”
“And now you know.”
Your dad gave you one last look before leaving the room and you smiled sweetly at the back of his head.
Senku put his backpack on the desk and started unzipping it while you stayed where you were. You weren’t really sure why you were still standing there. Maybe because leaving immediately felt rude, or maybe because you were waiting to see if he needed anything before you disappeared into your room for the rest of the evening.
After a few seconds, he looked over his shoulder. “You need something?”
“No.”
He waited.
You waited.
Then you realized you were just standing there staring at him in his own room.
“Oh.” You pushed yourself off the frame. “Nah, I was just making sure you were good.”
“I’m good.”
“Okay.”
You started walking away, got about two steps down the hall and turned back. “Wi-Fi password’s downstairs on the fridge. Don’t ask my dad because he never remembers it, and if you need a ride somewhere just ask. I drive to campus anyway.”
“Your dad already volunteered you.”
“I know. I’m volunteering myself now so it feels less like I’m being trafficked into chauffeur service.”
That got an actual laugh out of him, quiet but there.
You pointed at him. “Don’t get comfortable.”
“Too late.”
Your hand dropped. You looked at him for a second, squinting your eyes.
He looked right back.
Then you rolled your eyes and kept walking. “Whatever.”
By dinner, you’d already figured out your mother was going to use Senku’s entire first night to learn everything the program profile hadn’t told her.
“So what part of Japan are you from?”
“Tokyo.”
“Have you ever been to America before?”
“No.”
“Do you have siblings?”
“No.”
“What made you want to do this program?”
“NASA.”
You looked down at your plate because you could feel yourself about to laugh.
Your mom paused. “Well, yes, obviously NASA. I mean what made you want to study here specifically?”
Senku swallowed before answering this time. “The research access mostly. There are labs connected to the program that I wouldn’t have access to back home, at least not as an undergraduate.”
Your mother immediately looked at you. “See? That’s an answer.”
You looked up so fast. “What did I do?”
“You could take notes.”
“On what?”
“Communication.”
Your dad coughed into his fist, very badly hiding a laugh.
You pointed your fork at him. “Don’t.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“You didn’t have to.”
Across from you, Senku lowered his head toward his plate, but his shoulders moved just enough for you to catch it.
“Oh, fuck you too.”
Your dad looked up. “Language.”
“Sorry.”
Senku finally looked at you, clearly still amused.
“You’ve been here for like an hour and you’re already joining them.”
“I’m eating.”
“That has nothing to do with what I said.”
He shrugged and went back to his food.
Your mom kept asking him questions, and eventually the conversation drifted toward school, which at least made it slightly more interesting. Senku mentioned the labs he was hoping to work in, some propulsion research, materials testing, computational modeling, and a bunch of other shit that would’ve lost you if you weren’t already somewhat familiar with the program yourself.
“What kind of propulsion?” you asked before you really thought about it.
Senku looked over at you.
You frowned. “What?”
“Nothing.”
“Then answer.”
“Electric mostly. Maybe chemical if they let undergrads anywhere near it.”
“They probably won’t.”
“Obviously.”
You rolled your eyes. “See, that. You don’t have to say obviously every time somebody says something you already know.”
“If it’s obvious, why wouldn’t I?”
“Because it’s annoying.”
“That sounds like your problem.”
Your mom looked between the two of you and sighed. “It has been one day.”
“It hasn’t even been a day,” your dad corrected.
You ignored both of them. “Anyway, you said electric propulsion?”
Senku nodded, and for the next couple of minutes the conversation stayed there, your curiosity winning out over how irritating you’d already decided he was. He talked about simulation labs and vacuum testing, and eventually he asked what part of the program you were interested in.
“Nutrition mostly. Biology too, but I’m trying to get into space nutrition and human performance.”
That caught his attention more than you expected.
“Long-duration missions?”
“Yeah.”
“Food systems?”
“That too.”
“Muscle loss, bone density, appetite changes in microgravity?”
You pointed your fork toward him. “Exactly.”
He nodded once, like something had clicked into place.
Your mom made a noise under her breath.
You looked at her. “What?”
“Nothing.”
“No, because what was that?”
She shook her head and took a sip of her drink, smiling into the glass. You looked at your dad. He had the same weird little expression on his face. "What is wrong with y'all?"
"Nothing," he said.
You stared at both of them before muttering, "Weird," and going back to eating your food.
By nine, Senku looked like he was running on whatever came after empty. He was still sitting upright and participating whenever somebody spoke to him, but his blinks were slower now and there were dark circles under his eyes that definitely hadn’t gotten any better since the airport.
Your mom noticed too. “Baby, go get some sleep. You look tired.”
“I’m fine.”
You looked at him. He looked like shit. But you kept that to yourself because apparently you needed to work on your delivery.
Your dad nodded toward the stairs. “Long flight. Go rest.”
Senku looked down at the time on his phone and his face went completely flat.
You laughed before you could stop yourself. “What time is it in Japan?”
He told you.
“Damn.”
“Yeah.”
Your mom stood up and started stacking plates. Senku reached for his, but she waved him off before he could even lift it.
“Leave it. Go upstairs.”
“I can take a plate to the sink.”
“I know you can. Go to bed.”
You looked at him. “Just listen. She’s not gonna stop.”
Senku gave you a tired look. “Experience?”
“Unfortunately.”
Your mom lightly smacked the back of your shoulder as she passed.
“Girl.”
You smiled and Senku finally stood, thanking both of your parents for dinner before heading upstairs.
You helped clean up after him, mostly because your mom would complain if you didn’t, and you were halfway through rinsing your glass when your dad said, “So.”
You stopped.
You knew that tone.
Your mother knew it too because she immediately looked over at him. “Leave that girl alone.”
“I haven’t even said anything.”
“You’re about to.”
You set the glass down. “What?”
Your dad folded his arms and looked toward the stairs before looking back at you. “Senku’s gonna be here for most of the year.”
“I know.”
“You’re both grown.”
“Okay?”
“And I don’t want any foolishness in my house.”
You stared at him for a second, genuinely waiting for the rest of the sentence before it finally clicked.
Your face twisted. “Oh my God.”
Your mom started laughing.
“Dad, why the hell are you even thinking about that?”
“Watch your mouth.”
“Sorry, but seriously. I met him today.”
“That’s why I’m telling you now.”
“What does that even mean?”
“It means I’m telling you before there’s a problem.”
“There isn’t a problem.”
“Good.”
“Good.”
“Then we understand each other.”
You looked at your mom like she might be able to translate whatever the fuck this conversation had become, but she was leaning against the counter smiling like this was the funniest thing she’d heard all day.
“Mom, are you gonna help me?”
“I told him not to start.”
“Tell him again.”
Your dad shook his head. “I’m just saying, he’s a young man living in this house and you’re my daughter.”
“Daddy, I am not about to sneak into that man’s room.”
“I didn’t say you were.”
“You basically did.”
“I said no foolishness.”
“What foolishness would there be if that’s not what you meant?”
Your mom covered her mouth.
You pointed at her. “And stop laughing.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, you’re not.”
She wasn’t.
You dragged your hands down your face. “I wouldn’t even put myself in that situation. He’s here for school, I’m here for school, we happen to be in the same program. That’s it.”
Your dad nodded like you’d finally said the exact answer he’d been fishing for. “Good.”
You narrowed your eyes. “I hate when you do that.”
“Do what?”
“Make me argue something I already agreed with.”
He shrugged. “Now I know we’re clear.”
“We were clear before you opened your mouth.”
Your mom laughed again and you grabbed your phone off the counter.
“I’m going upstairs.”
“Goodnight, baby.”
“Goodnight.”
Your dad waited until you were halfway up before calling after you, “And leave him alone tonight. He needs sleep.”
You turned around on the stairs so fast you nearly missed a step. “WHY WOULD I GO BOTHER HIM?”
Your mom was fully laughing now. Your dad just smiled. “I didn’t say you would.”
“You literally just did!”
“You’re yelling.”
“Because you’re annoying.”
“Goodnight.” You stood there staring at him for another second before shaking your head and continuing upstairs.
Senku’s door was shut when you passed it.
You didn’t stop, but your eyes did move toward it for a second.
Your dad was fucking ridiculous.
Senku was attractive, sure. You had eyes. Actually, attractive might’ve been underselling it a little, but that was beside the point. You’d known him for less than a day, he was living in your house because your family had agreed to host him, and the fact that your father thought he needed to warn you not to jump the exchange student was honestly insulting.
You went into your room and shut the door behind you.
There was absolutely no situation to put yourself in.
And you intended to keep it that way.