After chatting with Yamamoto's mother for a while, she noted that it was almost time for dinner and called for Shiho-chan so they could start cooking.
"Oh, um, I’ll help too," I offered.
"Would you? Thank you."
Leaving Yamamoto to his own devices in his room, the three of us had a wonderful time preparing the meal together.
This was my first time at his parents' house. Though it had started with nerves and various complications, I was truly happy that we had reached a point where I could laugh and cook alongside his mother and Shiho-chan.
I felt that from the bottom of my heart.
A short while later, Yamamoto's father returned home. After a quick self-introduction, I sat down to eat dinner with the entire Yamamoto family.
"I never would have guessed that after all this time away, you'd finally come home and bring a girlfriend with you," Yamamoto’s father said, his voice thick with emotion.
"See? I told you. Well, it’s not like she’s actually my girlfriend, though," Yamamoto replied.
"Is that so? I think you two make a lovely match."
Yamamoto wore a complicated expression.
I felt the same way. Our relationship was surprisingly delicate at the moment... being teased about it by outsiders made me feel a bit restless and awkward.
Shiho-chan and Yamamoto's mother both gave his father a sharp poke.
He winced slightly, muttering about how it hurt. He looked a little pitiable.
Once dinner was over, we spent some time in the living room being bombarded with questions from the rest of the family. Yamamoto answered them with a look of obvious exhaustion on his face.
Late that night.
"I’m going to bed soon," Yamamoto said, yawning as he rubbed his eyes.
"Don't rub them. You'll ruin your eyesight," I scolded.
"...Mmm."
Perhaps because he was back at his parents' house for the first time in a while, Yamamoto was far more relaxed than usual. That had to be it. It was the first time I had ever seen him look so completely drained of tension. Even his responses to me were half-hearted.
"Megu-chan, you’re tired from the long trip, aren't you?" Shiho-chan asked.
"Eh? Oh, maybe I am."
Now that she mentioned it... I did feel sleepiness starting to wash over me.
"You should head up, then. You can just use big brother’s room."
"Wait, no, that’s not fine at all."
My sleepiness vanished instantly. What on earth was Shiho-chan saying?
"Eeeh? But big brother’s room is the only one that’s free right now."
"What about your room, Shiho-chan?"
"I’m already in there."
"Hold on. By that logic, where is Yamamoto supposed to sleep?"
"In his room, obviously."
"Then the room isn't 'free,' is it?"
"Big brother’s room is big, you know."
Was it? I had been allowed a glimpse into both of their rooms earlier, and I didn't recall there being any significant difference in size between his and Shiho-chan’s.
"I'm sorry, Megumi-chan. It's just for one night."
Having sensed the atmosphere, Yamamoto's mother pressed her hands together in a pleading gesture.
It was strange. Why was I the one being begged right now? And what was the "correct" way for me to respond?
...I mean, the two of us had already been sleeping together in a single six-tatami room for about two months now, so it was really just business as usual.
"I understand," I said.
If they were going to ask that much of me, I had no choice but to comply. I gave my answer reluctantly.
Immediately, Yamamoto's mother and Shiho-chan broke into identical, radiant smiles.
...Somehow, the looks on their faces were the spitting image of the face Yamamoto makes when he manages to scrub away a particularly stubborn water stain. I suppose that's what it means to be family.
"Yamamoto, we're going to sleep."
"Eh? ...Oh."
Taking the hand of the drowsy Yamamoto, I started leading him toward his childhood bedroom.
I had the distinct feeling that curious gazes were burning into my back, and I was fairly certain it wasn't my imagination.