POV: Teruhashi Kokomi
Today's another important day.
I'm finally going to see my parents.
It's strange that I can't remember them. At the earliest age where I can recall memories, they were already gone. The only thing I know about them is from what my brother has told me. But his answers weren't as clear as I wanted.
Flashback,
T: Oni-chan,
Makoto: What is it, my dear Kokomi?
T: What are our parents like?
My brother's usually joyful tone and gleeful smile falls apart from the question he's not ready for. He looks away from me in deep thought to give a proper answer.
M:...Mother is a...busy and famous person. Father's doing all he can to support her.
so we call them Mother and Father.
Back to Present,
And that's all he can tell me. Shows that my brother doesn't know that much either. I think its fair to say that at least they have dark blue hair and blue eyes like me and my brother.
I walk down the stairs of my house to see my brother running around the house in an apron, rigorously cleaning the entire floor. He turns to see me watching him.
M: Oh, Kokomi, you're awake.
T: Yeah, good morning, Oni-chan.
I turn to also see Kusuo standing in front of the door with his arms crossed. I pat his shoulder and greeted him.
T: Good morning, Kusuo.
S: Hm? Yeah, good morning.
T: Are you nervous?
S:...kinda. But for a different reason.
T: What is it?
S: I know who they are. The hard part is how I have to deal with her.
T: Her? Just my mother?
Before Kusuo can answer, I hear my brother turning off his vacuum cleaner. I turn around and ask,
T: Are you done cleaning?
M: No...she's here.
T: Did she call you-
Before I can finish, my brother ran to the air conditioner remote, pushed a button and suddenly all the windows and sliding doors were closed by a black screen. I didn't know we have that function.
T: Oni-chan, wouldn't it be too dark?
S: I wouldn't worry about that.
We hear a vehicle outside, a car door open, and loud high heels walk on a stone floor. We couldn't hear anything else. Like all the other sounds stopped to wait their turn.
The door opens, to show a slender woman in a thin wool azure dress and golden high heels. Surprisingly, there are no rings, bracelets and necklace, just a pair of simple golden earrings, seen through her short dark blue hair that doesn't cover her ears. Her face,
Her round blue eyes and her slim face shape, untouched by any impurities, and untouched by any interference. No makeup, no surgeries,
The woman in front of me was beautiful, and that made me believe that she was my mother.
After forcing myself to stop admiring her, I look around and see the house was fully lit up, but the lights are out. I look back and the light was from my mother's radiant presence. My golden glow that others are blinded by pale in comparison to hers. My mother looks around the house, and finally lets out the first words that I have ever heard from her.
Kanade: I'm home, Makoto. Kokomi.
My brother ran to us.
M: Welcome home, Mother! You must be tired from the long trip. Please, have a seat.
I was slightly surprised of Makoto's behavior. She is our mother, but it's not every day you see him act so subserviently towards someone else. She walks past Kusuo and I without hesitation, and as soon as she's a short distance away, we suddenly notice a tall man that was behind her. A man in a black suit, a berry blue tie, white gloves, and glasses. He looked like if my brother became a butler in 10 years.
He looks at us with his piercing blue eyes. He slowly takes off one of his white gloves and puts them in the inside pocket of his jacket. He gets down on one knee and takes my hand.
?: You've grown so much, Kokomi.
He notices that I'm confused by his bold display.
?: Oh, my apologies...you don't even know my name. I'm Teruhashi Tadao, and I'm your father.
T: Father?
He gives a gentle smile.
Father: That voice, is as beautiful as I expect it to be.
He stood up and puts his glove back on.
F: I would love to talk more, but we don't want to keep your mother waiting.
We walk to the living room and see my mother sit on a leather brown armchair supported by hand-crafted wood while my brother kneels on the other side of the coffee table on the floor with his head down.
T: Oni-chan? Did something happen?
Makoto looks to us with a forced smile, trying to hide another emotion.
M: It's nothing, Kokomi. This is how I normally report to Mother.
T: Report?
S: Where did that luxury chair come from?
K: Have a seat Kokomi.
I sit on the sofa nearer to my mother while Kusuo sits beside me. My father walked to the other side of the arm chair and also kneels next to my mother even though theres another sofa.
S:...so that's a normal thing for them.
My mother starts the meeting.
K: Makoto,
M: Yes Mother!
K: You've done an acceptable job of managing the interior of the house.
M: Thank you Mother!
POV: Saiki Kusuo
I'm not an expert when it comes to familial relationships, but this interaction is not normal between mother and son.
K: Makoto,
M: Yes Mother!
K: I think it's time for you to tell me why you wanted me here. I had to delay my trip to Luxembourg after all, so I'd prefer it to be a good reason. You did mention it to be Kokomi related, so if it wasn't important,
K: Then I would be disappointed.
Makoto shuddered on his knees with his head down.
M: Y-you see Mother...I,
T: Mother!
Kokomi speaked up for him. Seems like she feels bad that Makotos being intimidated and pressured by his mother.
K: Oh, Kokomi, you spoke up. I'm so happy to hear such a sweet voice from you. Truly fitting for my daughter. Are you going to tell me instead?
K: That's such a shame then, Makoto.
M:...i'm sorry, Mother.
K: So what's the news, Kokomi?
T: I...I'm dating someone, Mother.
Their mother started thinking and finally glanced at me.
K: It is something that I should know,
She turns to me, expecting me to greet her. I start greeting her verbally with a bow,
S: It is a pleasure to finally meet you. My name is Saiki Kusuo, Teruhashi Kokomi's boyfriend.
She observes me and my greeting.
K: That was an appropriate first greeting. Looks like you have a good head on your shoulders. You're passable for a temporary partner.
T: Temporary?
K: I can allow temporary partners. I cannot stop the beauty and growth of youth. You're allowed to grace a lucky man with your time and presence.
T: But Mother,
K: What is it, Kokomi?
T: I-
S: Kokomi, let me say it.
T: O-okay.
I noticed when I cut her off, Kokomi's mother's brows momentarily furrowed but went back to normal.
S: Kokomi and I both intend to sustain a long relationship until further steps.
K: Said further steps being marriage?
It is very embarrasing to say this to Kokomi's parents, but,
S: Ideally.
I glanced to Kokomi, her hands are covering her face while she's blushing red.
She looks at me disapprovingly, closes her eyes, and exhales loudly.
K: It's worse than I thought.
K: Kokomi,
T: Y-yes, Mother?
K: I always hope and work for what's best for you, and how I see it,
She glances at me again.
K: I don't think he's suitable for you.
T: But Mo-
K: He seems to be from a working class family. I can praise his good etiquette, but that doesn't assure me on your security. I heard that Saiko's son approached you as well. I would've been less worried if you were with him instead.
Sounds like she knows Saiko's father.
T: But...Kusuo's amazing too.
K: Can he show me?
T:...no-
S: I can.
Kokomi turns to me in surprise while her mother raises an eyebrow in intrigue.
T: Are you sure, Kusuo? I know you won't do this for anyone.
S: I can't convince her with my personality alone. I have to show her I can be worthy of you.
Seeing that this might be the only time her whole family is here, this is the best time to show them.
I slowly raised my hand and everyone in the living room and the couches started floating from my telekinesis. Kokomi's mother's eyes widen and is holding onto the armchair she's sitting on, but still keeps her composure . Kokomi's father looks surprised but still maintains his kneeling posture, and Makoto is flailing around in panic.
M: Wha-wha-what is this?! WHAT'S GOING ON?!
F: Oh my.
I slowly let everyone and everything down but Makoto manages to fall on his face.
M: What was that?!
Kokomi's mother lets go of the armchair, lightly fixes her hair and says,
K: So you have superpowers.
Kokomi's father lightly chuckles and remarks,
F: Looks like Kokomi got herself a special boy.
K: I can see that, Tadao.
M: Kusuo has superpowers?!
K: Makoto,
Makoto's confusion and shock was forced shut by her call.
K: You're being too loud.
M:...my apologies, Mother.
K: So, is there more that you can do?
S: I-
T: He does!
Kokomi cut me off excitedly. Even her mother was surprised.
K: Oh, are you going to be the one to tell me, Kokomi?
T: Yes! He has,
Kokomi started to list all of the powers I have to her family. I see her mother's eyes slightly twitch sometimes from the amount, Kokomi's father listened silently without a facial response, and Makoto was frozen in shock with a gaping mouth in silence. When she was done, I complimented her.
S: I didn't think you would remember them all.
T: I wanted to surprise you.
Kokomi's mother watches us and responds,
K: Interesting.
We both turn to her and she continues.
K: Although he doesn't look the part, that's asking for too much anyway. His powers can be very useful for you.
An odd way to compliment me.
K: I suppose it'd be acceptable for him to be your lover, he's at least an exceptional bodyguard.
Kokomi smiled brightly for the first time today and thanked her.
T: Yes! Thank you Mother!
And her mother smiled back. I guess even her mother can't resist Kokomi's smile.
K: However,
Kokomi's joy pauses.
K: I would like to place one condition.
We both stare at her attentively.
K: If your ideals do become reality, and the notions of marriage do come to fruition,
K: I would like your boyfriend to take our family name.
I wasn't expecting her to use that as a requirement. It's not a matter of legality, its just uncommon for the husband to adopt the wife's surname. My family would be caught off guard if I did, but I can convince them. Teruhashi Kusuo does sound odd though. Well, of course it does, it's going to change the name that I had for my whole life. But I'm not entirely against the idea-
T: No.
During my deliberation, Kokomi rejects the condition. Her mother was caught off guard by the refusal.
K: Kokomi?
Her mother calls her name in curiosity for her answer.
T: I want to take Kusuo's last name.
K: Kokomi,
K: You're a special girl. I expect the best from you. You have the potential to go so far in this world with your gifts. I just want to preserve that gift by prioritising you in the future. Because I care about you Kokomi.
T: I may be Teruhashi Kokomi, but I dont want to be everyone's perfect girl Teruhashi Kokomi forever,
Kokomi stands up in front of her, and declared.
T: I want to be Kusuo's wife.
T: I want to be a housewife, Mother.
That was the first time I saw her mother in clear shock. Her composure after all this time breaks, like this is the one situation that she didn't find favourable.
K: Kokomi, I did mention how special you are. I hope you realise that you can do so much more than being a housewife. I know you can. Everyone here knows you can.
T: That's not it Mother. Kusuo needs me by his side. And I will stand by him, and him alone, forever.
K: Kokomi, I admire your passion for love, but your love can reach so many more people. You have the ability to give millions around the world happiness with your love and kindness. Seeing that capacity to be restrained and never see the light of day, that'd be such a shame.
T: Mother, the love I have for Kusuo is larger than my love for everyone that you want to put me in.
K: But Kokomi,
T: BUT NOTHING!!!
Her mother became silent from her outburst.
T: I've seen my life trying to be the perfect woman of the world that you want me to be. It's painful!...It's lonely...All because I had to sacrifice my love for Kusuo. I appreciate all you've done to support me until this point, but what you're expecting of me is not who I want to be,
Her words suddenly felt familiar to me, and what I remembered became the same words that she's saying to her mother.
T:...Sometimes, I just want to know what it feels like to be a normal girl....
T: I want to be a normal girl, Mother!
The play. Looks like she's been thinking about this for a long time.
T: I want to live my life as Kusuo's loyal wife, not being burdened by a heavy responsibility pretending to be my role in the world!
K: Kokomi-
T: STOP CALLING MY NAME!
Kokomi's mother flinched and she looked slightly hurt.
T: You say my name over and over again, like you didn't leave me alone for the past 13 years! Kusuo calling my name once would have more impact than the amount of times you called my name this entire time. You say you want what's best for me, then why won't you support me for what I've worked for this whole year?! How hard it is to have a boyfriend that I love, that can never be accepted just because of me!
T: I CAN BARELY EVEN CALL YOU MY MOTHER!
And she stormed out of the living room. Kokomi's mother paused momentarily and closed her eyes, trying to fight her negative emotions from showing.
K: That emotional outburst...she's still a little girl after all.
She noticed me staying at my seat.
K:...You're not going to go after her?
S: I'd rather not be too involved in family matters. I'm also aware that one of us wants to have a more private conversation with Kokomi.
She follows my gaze to her husband silently sitting next to her this entire time.
K: Tadao,
F: Yes, Kanade?
K: Comfort Kokomi.
F: As you wish, Kanade.
Kokomi's father stands up and silently walks out of the living room.
K: How thoughtful of you.
S: That's part of it. Another reason is,
S: I also want to have a private conversation with you, Madam Teruhashi.
She slightly smirks from my bold request.
K: You fascinate me more and more, young boy.