"Ah, the food's finally here," Rin's face was filled with delight, now changing the hostile mood.

While you received your orders, you looked at Kei, who was looking at little anxious and gloomy. It was probably due to the awkward atmosphere earlier which still lingered until now. Perhaps his mother was offended by what yours said. But it'd be a lie if you'd say that you don't applaud your mother for making a point through a joke, even.

"Itadakimasu."

"Japanese food really is the best!" Rin exclaimed after taking just one bite.

"Aren't you used to Japanese food, Rin-san?" Akiteru asked, maybe an attempt to lighten the mood.

"I'm just half Japanese and we rarely eat Japanese food in the Philippines," Rin explained, in between munching his food, "Oh, but I'm not half Filipino, it's actually pretty compli-"

"He's half Australian but they live there because of Mom's work," you cut his explanation which would have seemed to take forever.

"Mom's an anthropologist," Rin proudly flaunted, surprising Kei.

"How come they never told me," Kei muttered inaudibly.

"Well, that is quite complicated," Akiteru commented and had a small chuckle escape his lips.

"Now, as for the wedding, when do you plan to hold it?" your mom brought it up again, maintaining her cheery voice and aura.

"We plan to get married after we graduate," Kei answered straight-forwardly.

"Oh, I see, I'm really looking forward to it then!" your mother cheerfully said.

"Aren't you supposed to save up money first?" his mother opposed, again. But you couldn't blame her this time, she was being practical. "Have you saved up already?"

"We don't need a grand ceremony. Something simple, with our few friends and family, will suffice, ma'am," you answered her with an ingenuine smile on your face.

"I'd like that," Kei agreed with you, "I also don't want a huge crowd."

"That's my girl," your mother commented, proud of your answer.

"Anyways, who's ready for dessert?" Rin changed the topic.

The rest of the night went on like that. By now, you couldn't say that his mother was unreasonable and you understood her, just a little. She was worried about practicality and all that, and maybe that's where Kei got his rationality and intellect.

"It was really nice meeting you," your mother told them as you headed towards the exit.

"If you ever plan on visiting the Philippines or Australia, feel free to call me," she added.

"Thank you," Akiteru spoke politely, now as you stepped out of the restaurant.

"We're heading home now," his mother said and bowed her head, "You're coming too, Kei."

"M-me? Huh?"

"Yes."

He couldn't say no to his mother and sighed, "I'll text you later, call me when you get home," he told you.

"Sure. Take care, Kei," you smiled at him, unable to give him even a peck on the cheeks.

"See ya, Kei-kun," Rin waved while the three of them headed to the parking lot.

"Now, why was she so mean to you?!" Rin immediately asked the moment the three were out of sight. It was almost like he was waiting for them to leave for him to rant.

"Mean?" you tilted your head, pretending to be clueless.

"Yeah, she was so mean to you!" he stressed even more, "I couldn't take it!"

Maybe Rin really cared about you as your brother to an extent, despite him being an annoying drama queen.

"She was being practical," you said in her defense. Why are you even justifying for her?

"Well, she is practical," your mother agreed with you surprisingly, "But she was kind of uh," she tried pinpointing it.

"Mean!" Rin continued her sentence.

"She even asked what your plans are for the wedding. Get married, duh!" he added, now he was just being plainly idiotic without even knowing, "I mean, what else?!"

"Anyways, if that lady presses you with questions like that, then just answer the way you did a while ago," she told you a piece of advice.

"Let's just go home," you shook your head. You forgot your apartment was farther than their hotel and it was already getting late.

"Are you going to stay with us? I mean, you just said home," your mother asked.

"I never shared a home with you, though," you began to recall your memories.

"No, I can go home by myself," you denied.

"Are you sure?" Rin doubted, "Your big brother can take you home."

"You don't even the streets here, Rin. And I'm surprised your Japanese is still decent, sort of."

"Fine, fine."

"Well, we'll take a taxi, as usual. Are you going to take the train?" your mother asked, "And are you sure you don't want to stay with us instead?"

"Yes, and uh, yes," you kept nodding.

"Message me when you get home, okay?" your mother was visibly worried. You couldn't recall the last time you saw her expression like that, or even the last time she worried for you. When she left Japan with Rin and her husband, she rarely sent you letters.

"I'm gonna go now, bye," you waved and started walking away before your emotions would get the best of you.

Your apartment – 10PM

It was already 10PM when you arrived at your apartment. It was an awfully tiring commute home, but you didn't have any other choice. The moment you turned on the light, you proceeded with your usual routine. You changed, did your skincare, then organized your bag.

As you threw yourself to the comfort of your bed, you noticed your phone vibrate on the bedside table.

"Did you get home safely?" you read Kei's message. He always sent you messages like that when he couldn't take you home. He was a consistent man and today wasn't an exemption.

"Yeah, are you home already?" you asked and rolled over your bed, now feeling sleepier.

"Yes, half an hour ago."

"Alright, I'm going to sleep now then. I have morning classes tomorrow."

"Can I call you first? Just a quick call, just a moment to hear your voice."

"Dere mode!" you told yourself.

Without hesitation, you pressed the call button and it didn't take long before he picked it up.

"Hey," you cheerfully greeted, as if you haven't met just a few hours earlier.

"Hey, Y/N," he spoke, "I think I already miss you."

"Very dere mode!"

"We were just together, Kei. You're so silly," you teased him as you stared at the ring on your finger. It had a thin shank with an elegant gemstone sitting on top.

"I know. I also want to apologize for earlier, you know, my mom," he told you in a softer voice.

"It's okay, I swear. She wants what's best for you," you defended her again, "Don't worry, I'm fine."

He paused for a moment and you checked your phone if the call was still ongoing, which it was.

"K-kei?" you called him name.

"Y/N," he responded. "I still can't believe I'm marrying you," he continued, now in a softer voice.

"Yeah, it feels like a dream. Tsukishima Y/N, would you believe that?"

"T-tsukishima," he repeated his own last name.

"I'm taking it," you proudly said.

"It's very fitting."

Tsukishima Y/N.