7.1 — The Visit
It started with a simple message:
> Sayaka Aizawa: "Minato-kun is always at our place. It's only fair we return the favor. How about dinner this Saturday?"
Aki Tachibana: "We'd love to have you! I'll prepare something light~"
And just like that, the Aizawa family—Chiharu, Sayaka, and Hiroshi—arrived at the Tachibana household.
Minato opened the door.
> "Chii-chan! You made it!" he grinned brightly. "You're wearing the cute hoodie again!"
Chiharu froze.
> "D-Don't say it like that in front of my parents—!!"
Behind her, Hiroshi's eye twitched.
---
7.2 — POV: Hiroshi Aizawa (Dad of the Flustered Girl)
Hiroshi stepped into the Tachibana household and immediately noticed:
1. It was warm.
2. There were many framed pictures—most featured Minato smiling like a golden retriever.
3. He already didn't like how easily his daughter's blush activated.
> Focus. You're here for dinner. Not to glare daggers at a child who might one day marry your daughter.
As they sat at the table, Hiroshi caught Minato casually offering Chiharu a spoonful of pickled veggies:
> "Chii-chan likes these, right? I saved some for you!"
> And he's feeding her now?!
Hiroshi forced a smile. "Isn't that sweet," he said, clenching his chopsticks so hard they nearly snapped.
---
7.3 — POV: Aki Tachibana (Minato's Mom)
Aki had been waiting for this evening. She'd seen the signs. The way Chiharu stared at Minato like he was the moon. The way Minato smiled at her like she was home.
She knew. Oh, she knew.
As Sayaka helped her bring out the food, the two mothers shared a knowing glance.
> "Your boy is... very open-hearted," Sayaka said diplomatically.
> "And your daughter is very patient," Aki replied with a grin.
They laughed softly. Then Sayaka whispered—
> "He called me a 'food goddess.'"
> "He what?"
> "And told my husband he had 'husband energy.'"
> "Oh no. He is his father's son…"
---
7.4 — POV: Sayaka Aizawa (Mom of the Overthinking Daughter)
Sayaka sat at the dinner table watching her daughter whisper "please don't say anything weird, please don't say anything weird" under her breath while sitting beside Minato.
Minato, meanwhile, was talking about dinosaurs.
> "If Chii-chan was a dinosaur, I think she'd be a clever one. Like a brainosaurus!"
> "That's... not a real one, Minato-kun," Chiharu said weakly.
> "Then you'd invent it! Because you're smart!"
Sayaka held her teacup tightly.
> This boy is a weapon of mass emotional destruction. Now I understand why Chiharu comes home dizzy every day.
She glanced toward Aki. They were both trying not to laugh.
---
7.5 — POV: Ryo Tachibana (Minato's Dad)
Ryo Tachibana, a laid-back man with messy hair and bookish glasses, was quieter than his wife, but sharper than most gave him credit for.
As he watched his son beam at Chiharu, offering her the best part of his grilled fish, he thought:
> He really likes her. Not that he knows what that means yet, but… it's there.
And when Chiharu blushed and whispered "Thanks… stupid," with her lips twitching into a smile, he thought:
> And she's already his world.
He chuckled to himself and reached for the sake.
---
7.6 — Late Night: Dads and Drinks
After dinner, the kids were off playing board games in Minato's room (Chiharu already losing her mind every time their hands touched), and the moms quietly chatted over tea in the kitchen.
That left Ryo and Hiroshi on the veranda with small cups of sake and a cool summer breeze.
A long silence passed between them.
Then Hiroshi said:
> "Your son is… very attached to my daughter."
Ryo smiled faintly. "And your daughter clearly lights up when he's near."
Hiroshi groaned. "They're five. Why does this already feel like watching a teen romance?"
> "Minato's dense," Ryo said with a laugh. "He won't realize anything until she's old enough to yell it at him."
> "And Chiharu will suffer until then."
They sipped in silence again.
Then Hiroshi said, "...He called me 'husband material.'"
Ryo choked on his drink.
> "He WHAT?!"
> "With all the sincerity of a monk," Hiroshi muttered.
They looked at the stars.
Then Ryo said, "We should probably start preparing ourselves."
> "For what?"
> "The possibility that this… might be fate."
Hiroshi sighed deeply.
> "Do you want to buy a shotgun with me?"
> "Sure. You get the license, I'll bring the snacks."
---
7.7 — In the Kitchen (Moms Listening)
Sayaka and Aki, peeking from behind the curtain, giggled.
> "They're bonding," Aki whispered.
> "Over shared father trauma," Sayaka replied.
> "At this rate, we won't need matchmaking. The kids will take care of it themselves."
They both smiled softly.
And in that moment, the two families silently acknowledged something beyond friendship—something blooming slow and bright.