Chapter 117: Riku's Invitation (IV)
Hell, even Mai who was the smallest and usually ate the food messily was now concentrating her best to not make a mess, furrowing her brows while she tried to copy Aiko\'s movement to cut the steak from her plate.
This situation was way too formal, and Yuki couldn\'t help but take a glance at the host family who was the reason why everyone was so stiff right now.
Yeah, the three people who were their current hosts were so well-mannered in front of the food, making them uncomfortable. Hell, even Riku who they had seen fighting and gobbling up for the food in the past looked so elegant right now. This situation made it hard for everyone to eat comfortably.
Fortunately, Misaki, the woman of the house noticed the awkwardness the children showed as she laughed all of a sudden. "Why are you all so formal like this? That expression should\'ve never been on the face of children like you! Be more relaxed and enjoy the food! Here, this is a good roast chicken that our chef cooks specially for you today.
It is delicious, so you should try it." She picked up something from the plate close to her and put it on Hina\'s plate.
Everyone was stunned for a second. However, they didn\'t need to get the second permission before hell broke there.
"Hey, don\'t push around!"
"Can you get me the salad, please?"
"No, that\'s mine!"
"Children, please, don\'t be rude!"
"Don\'t make a mess, Hina!"
"Taro-nii, that is my lamb! Don\'t eat it!"
Yuki had a sweat drop on his face, looking at the contrast situation a few minutes ago compared to now. It seemed as if the awkwardness before never happened here. Fortunately, the Agostini couple didn\'t mind their antic. In fact, Misaki seemed to enjoy this, as she smiled widely while started answering the children\'s questions.
Yuki glanced at Riku who still enjoying his food while ignoring the chaotic situation created by the children and couldn\'t help but ask, "Is it okay for them to be noisy like this?" He asked, whispered.
"Don\'t worry about it," Riku answered nonchalantly. "Even though it looks so formal from the outside perspective, it is because we are used to it. My father\'s influence, if you should know."
"Your father?" Yuki took a glance at the man unconsciously, just to throw away his face as soon as possible. He wasn\'t a boy who was intimidated easily, but the cold gaze from the older blonde was enough to send a shiver through his spine.
"Don\'t get fooled by his cold appearance." Riku rolled his eyes as he saw Yuki\'s reaction. "In fact, he is an avid otaku."
"An avid otaku?" Yuki parroted his words, dumbfounded.
"Yeah, and he is crazy about it," Riku commented casually while picking up the food from his plate as if what he just said was the most obvious thing in the world. "He even has something he calls a \'holly shrine\', a place where he put his figurines and toys there. He used to drive mom crazy with all of that.
In fact, the reason why he wanted to be a diplomat was because he wanted to marry a Japanese woman, and somehow, his dream came true as Mom fell in love with him. That is also why he is always crazy about following the tradition, wanting to be a proper Japanese, he said."
Yuki was speechless, didn\'t know how to react. The revelation about the coldest man he had ever seen to be an otaku was crazy enough, but he wondered if it was okay for Riku to talk about his father\'s dark secret so casually like this. Explore more at mvl
"So, what about Akira-sensei? He is your uncle, right?" He asked, trying to change the topic.
"He is my mom\'s older brother." Riku nodded, confirming his question. "Her family has a massive business in fashion, and since Akira-jiisan had never shown any intention to inherit the business, their parents, who are my grandparents, sent my mom to learn about fashion at a famous school in Milan. That is why we have a strong tie with Italy."
Yep. That confirmed the big question in his head. It was clear that the family wasn\'t an ordinary one. He was glad that they weren\'t some sort of mafia or yakuza like his wild imagination thought them to be.
Seeing the two boys whispering at each other intently while ignoring the other people at the table, Misaki suddenly joined the conversation. "So, you are Yuki-kun, right? Riku-chan told me a lot about you."
"Really?" Yuki was taken aback. He narrowed his eyes suspiciously when he saw his blonde boy avoid his gaze. "Nothing bad, I hope."
"Oh, on the contrary, it is always something good." Misaki smiled playfully at her son. "It is always \'Kobayashi-kun is amazing on this\' or \'Kobayashi-kun is amazing on that\', never anything bad about you."
"Mom, that is not cool!" Riku groaned while he had a blush on his face. "You promise not to tell him about it, right?!"
"Sorry, Dear. I couldn\'t help it." She giggled. Yuki was touched that his friend talked a lot about him with his mother. However, he just thanked the woman politely, didn\'t want to embarrass Riku in front of his parents.
"Oh, speaking of volleyball, I suddenly remember something." Misaki suddenly perked up. "A few days ago, my old friend suddenly called me, asking if she and her son could go over to our place. She said that her son is a shy boy, but is always good at volleyball. She wanted to encourage her son to socialize more with the boys at his age, and if I remember it correctly, he should be at your age.
That is why I also invite them here today, and they will be here in a moment."
Riku furrowed his brows immediately, showing that he didn\'t know about this sudden turn of events. However, it was her husband who reacted first. "You hadn\'t told me about this, Misaki."
"Really?" Misaki seemed surprised. "It seems it slipped through my mind. I am sorry, Dear. But the invitation had already been sent and those two are on the way to be here. Can we accommodate two more people here?" She asked cutely at her husband, not a hint of embarrassment could be seen in her eyes as she did all of this in front of the children.
Yuki felt awkward, trying to avoid staring at the lovey-dovey couple. However, he was surprised to see that the clash of personalities seemed to not affect their relationship. Even though one was way colder than any human being he had ever met and the other was so lively just like her son, they both had a healthy relationship that would make any couple jealous when they saw that.
After spending a few minutes chatting with the children, Misaki\'s phone suddenly rang, and when the woman checked it, she rose from her seat immediately. "They are here, wait a moment."
The children – and Yuki to some extent – took a glance to the outside just to find another luxurious car that was different from the ones used to pick them up before coming. He saw a woman who probably could be compared to Riku\'s mother in terms of gorgeousness came out of the car and greeted Misaki excitedly.
Following her, a boy with a calm and peaceful demeanor also stepped forward to greet the host.
Yuki and Riku exchanged a glance for a moment as they realized the boy\'s identity instantly.
\'So, this is the volleyball player that Misaki-san / mom talked about before, huh?\'