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“Fucking hell” Katsumi muttered to themself, failing at opening the door once more.
Of course she’d forgotten her keys the day her parents were out of town. Just their luck.
They could technically get in by window or picking the door lock, but that would set off their fathers’ extensive security systems and they really didn’t feel like dealing with that today.
So that left one option. Stay at a friend’s house.
She sent a quick text to her unitmates, and before they could even switch tabs ask someone else, they’d already gotten an offer from Hana to stay with her, and confirmation from Isomi that it’s fine with their parents.
They sighed and answered the sisters’ texts with a quick ‘be right there then’
-~~——————————————————~~-
After an excruciatingly long train trip, she’d finally made it to the Kanzaki house. Honestly they always forgot just how big the house is.
They moved their arm to ring the doorbell but before her finger could make contact with the buzzer, the door opened, revealing a blindingly bright smile belonging to one Hana Kanzaki.
“Hi Hirano-senpai! Come in, come in!” She said, ushering Katsumi inside.
Katsumi quickly took off their shoes and switched them for a pair of indoor slippers, following behind Hana.
Eventually they reached the destination, and Hana opened the door to reveal a large neat room, if a bit empty. There was a futon fully prepared and laid out on the floor, as well as a dresser and wardrobe on opposite sides of the room, the closest to decoration being the rug on the floor.
“Sorry it’s not much, but I hope this is to your liking! The bathroom is on the left side and on the other side of the bathroom is my room if you need anything during the night!”
Katsumi blinked twice before fully registering the words. Sharing a bathroom. With Hana. Sure. They could do that. They totally wouldn’t like self implode or anything.
Her brain took a second to process the rest of the sentence.
“Wait what do you mean not much, the whole room is bigger than my father’s office this is more than enough. And I’ll keep the rest in mind.” She regained her composure soon enough. “Thanks again for taking me on such short notice.”
“Ah it’s no problem at all! I’m happy to help anytime especially if it’s a friend in need.”
Something in her stomach dropped a bit at being called a friend, but they tried (and failed) to crush the feeling. Like an annoyingly evasive fly. Or as her Father would say, a tiny enemy drone that refused to get destroyed.
“I’ll leave you to unpack! Call me if you need anything!”
And with that, Katsumi was left alone in the entirely too large guest room.
Well. They should probably just start unpacking her luggage instead of whatever the hell their emotions were doing.
-~~——————————————————~~-
After unpacking what little luggage they had, namely their practice clothing from rehearsal and some essentials they’d brought back from the dorms. They made her way to the living room in search of Hana or Isomi, getting lost on the way several times.
Instead of being greeted by someone she was hoping for, they instead had found the people she’d been dreading seeing most despite having met several times. Their parents. Thankfully only Otogari-san had seemed to be awake. Though they doubted he could get up with both his shoulders and lap being hogged by two grown men and an elderly dog.
Otogari-san seemed to have finally noticed her. “Ah, hello Hirano-san, Hana told me you’d be visiting. It’s a pleasure to see you again.”
She walked over and shook his awkwardly stretched hand. Even despite the amount of times they’d met him it never got any less nerve wracking. “Likewise a pleasure Sir Otogari-san.”
If there’d been one thing they’d learned from their fathers it had been to put on a polite face, even in the face of fear. Well. That fear was supposed to be more dramatic situations like business meeting and the like and not talking with your crush’s dad. But close enough.
“Would you like anything to eat or drink? Tea perhaps or biscuits?”
“Ah no I’m quite alright.” Katsumi said, trying to avoid the hospitality. Also they quite doubted he’d be able to get up at the moment.
“Are you sure? Theres chips as well if you’d prefer a snack.”
That did actually sound really appealing…. but she had a mission to focus on. “Ah no I swear it’s quite alright, if I do need something I’ll inform you.” Actually they’re more likely to ask Isomi. But it’s the thought that counts. “Though If I may ask, where is Hana-chan?”
A single raised eyebrow at the use of both the first name and casual suffix. “She should be in the backyard, could I trouble you to tell her dinner is almost ready?”
“Of course sir! Leave it to me!” Katsumi said, saluting and trying not to leave too quickly.
Though they could’ve sworn they heard a small whisper along the lines of youth and love, alongside another voice muttering stars above, she chose to ignore that instead.
-~~——————————————————~~-
“- I don’t know maybe I’m just looking into it too much… Oh! Hello Hirano-senpai!” Hana said, quickly getting startled halfway through petting her horse, causing a dismayed neigh.
Katsumi jogged up to Hana.
“You don’t have to adress me so formally outside of work hours, just call me Katsumi Hana-chan~” Katsumi said, emphasizing each syllable of the other’s name.
“Ah sorry Katsumi-senpai.. i’ll try my best!” The use of a first name and the determination in Hana’s words caused Katsumi’s heart to skip a beat.
“Well as long as you’re trying. Otogari-sama asked if I could call you in for dinner”
“Oh. Well I’m done with feeding the horses so we can go back together.” Hana said with a small smile.
She started walking, so Katsumi followed her in lieu of an answer. The atmosphere was starting to get unbearable awkward, so an attempt at small talk was made.
“…So how are the horses doing?” Katsumi asked.
“They’re doing well! Isomi’s been taking good care of them!” Hana replied happily.
Ofcourse. Hana may have liked horses but isomi’s a way bigger fan. Fuckkk.
“Good to hear, how’s the garden doing?”
Jackpot. Within minutes Hana had started a long monologue on the current status on all her different plants. It was pretty endearing to hear her talking about her plants so passionately. She seemed especially happy with how her tomatoes were growing.
[write a scene transition]
The food smelled great.
It’s always strange to see just how… affectionate Isomi and Hana’s parents are. Not that Katsumi’s parents weren’t they just had a… strange way of showing it. But that wasn’t the important thing right now, so.
They averted their eyes away from Otogari-San and Kanzaki-san’s lovey doveyness and instead looked at the food in front of them at the food. A Persian dish, though she hadn’t asked the name yet. It smelled absolutely amazing. That might be influenced a tiny bit by the fact that it’d been hours since she ate but they couldn’t wait to eat it.
Suddenly Katsumi felt a hand on their shoulder, they damn near jumped out of their skin before turning around and finding Isomi with a predictably shit eating grin.
“Fucking hell you scared the shit out of me. How do you sneak up on people so well??” They exclaimed.
“It’s a secret.” Isomi said, still grinning. It was starting to get a bit unnerving in all honesty.
“Well don’t do it then. What did you even do that for?”
“Oh baba wanted me to ask why you’re just standing there. Dinner’s literally on the table c’mon.” Which was the final warning Katsumi got before being dragged by Isomi to the dining table, and being shoved into a seat, in between Hana and Isomi.
The food was unbelievably good, Koobideh kebab with Japanese style rice and curry. The bits of saffron sprinkled on top enhanced the flavor and Katsumi was tempted to ask for the recipe.
But before they could do that all three of the parents had already left to do their respective tasks. Oogami-San was doing the dishes, Kanzaki-San went to walk the dog, and Otogari-San went to do something completely unknown and just gave a glance at Isomi and Hana that Katsumi is fairly sure was supposed to mean something.
The silence was broken by Hana, asking Katsumi if they wanted to play any games, or perhaps go outside and enjoy the rain for a bit, so they, along with Isomi ended up playing a few rounds of cards before retreating to bed.
Which is how Katsumi ended up where they are now, staring up at the ceiling unable to sleep. Closing their eyes every few minutes just to hear a loud clap of thunder, the rainstorm from earlier having turned to a full on thunderstorm.
There wouldn’t be a problem of course had Katsumi not been scared of thunderstorms. What an embarrassing situation to happen right as they were staying the night at their friend’s house.
Eventually they couldn’t bear staring at the ceiling much longer, and it was impossible to focus on the book on her phone is such conditions, so they decided to brace themself and to visit Isomi’s room. Only to walk past and to hear Isomi snoring so loudly it could be mistaken for the thunder itself. Most definitely a no-go.
So they braved the great unknown and decided to go to Hana’s room instead. Katsumi could see a small lamp shining from outside, so they knocked.
Katsumi heard quiet footsteps before the door opened, revealing a very awake Hana.
“Hi Hana I uhm. Well I.” Katsumi stumbled over her words as they tried to figure out how to explain themself. “I wanted to ask if.” A sudden clap of thunder sounded and they froze.
Hana looked understanding, and let Katsumi in without hearing out their attempted explanation.
“Couldn’t sleep?” She asked, slipping a hand onto theirs. Katsumi’s heart skipped a beat.
Katsumi sighed. Might as well be honest. “No, I’m not.. a big fan of storms.”
Hana didn’t press further. “Do you want to sleep here perhaps?” She asked, smiling lightly.
They nodded, and Hana shuffled the bedding a bit to make more room for Katsumi. Katsumi’s face burned as they laid down next to her, hugging her tight whenever a particularly loud clap seemed to resonate through the room.
Eventually, the pair fell asleep, when morning came the two were found cuddled up together by Kanzaki Souma, who simply smiled and closed the door again.