In the long history of mankind, the tradition of meeting your significant other’s parents has long been known to evoke anxiety and apprehension. However, the situation I found myself in was far from the typical scenario. As I stood there, my hand firmly gripping Kaguya’s hand, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread creeping over me.

 

Kaguya’s parents stared at us in shock, their expressions a mixture of disbelief and disapproval. Similarly, Shizu was staring holes into me, her expression was one of skepticism. Even Kaguya herself looked like she was about to have a panic attack, her eyes wide with fear.

 

“Haruto, what are you saying?” Kaguya whispered, her voice barely audible.

 

But I refused to back down. I had made a split-second decision to speak out, and now I had to own up to it. Taking a deep breath, I turned to face her parents, my expression determined.

 

“I’m saying that Kaguya and I are in love,” I repeated, my voice steady. “And we won’t let anyone stand in the way of our happiness.”

 

Kaguya’s mother’s eyes narrowed, her lips thinning into a tight line. “This is preposterous,” she spat, her voice dripping with disdain. “Kaguya, tell me this is some sort of joke.”

 

On the other hand, her father remained silent, his gaze piercing as he studied us both. I could practically feel the weight of his disapproval bearing down on me like a physical force.

 

But I refused to waver.

 

If my friend was in trouble, then there was no way I could stand still and watch.

 

“This is not a joke, Mother. This is the true reality of things. Haruto Renzaki has stolen my heart,” Kaguya stated, a faint blush dying her cheeks.

 

It seems like Kaguya has understood my intentions, as she gave me a secretive wink to acknowledge the situation.

 

Clearly, we weren’t in love with each other, but this was a necessity for the situation. The reason behind Kaguya following me around was obviously due to the pressure from her parents. I was most likely one of the only male friends she could rely on for help.

 

All of the pieces just fell in place… heh, my superior intellect scares even me sometimes.

 

“We will talk about this at dinner tonight. You two must attend. Your friend can come along too.”

 

Her mother, Yuzuki Hinamori, sternly glared at us, her displeasure as palpable as the tension in the room. With a curt nod, she turned on her heel and headed to leave using the elevator.

 

Now that the main source of the problem was gone, everyone’s shoulders eased up from the constant tension.

 

Shizu immediately grabbed my shoulder and asked for an explanation. 

 

I turned to Shizu, grateful for her support in this unexpected situation. "I'll explain everything, but let's get out of here first. We have some time before dinner, and we need to figure out our plan."

 

We left the branch office and found a quiet café nearby where we could talk freely. Over a warm cup of coffee, the three of us discussed the situation.

 

“I refuse to believe that the best choice in that scenario was to confess your love in front of her parents. What were you thinking?” Shizu scolded me.

 

In addition, Kaguya joined in on the Haruto scolding session too. “Although I’m happy with your love confession, that decision has now led us to a dilemma.”

 

Kaguya and I were scheduled to have dinner with her parents later tonight, which could be a disastrous event if we aren’t prepared. Both of them were smart, rich, and influential people, but all was not lost. I could see a sure future where we succeed.

 

“What problem is there? If I have to act as Kaguya’s lover, then so be it. I’ll give the best performance of a lifetime!”

 

My enthusiasm was met with skeptical glances from both Shizu and Kaguya. Shizu sighed, shaking her head. "Haruto, this isn't some stage play where you can just wing it. Kaguya's parents are not to be underestimated. They'll see through any facade if it's not convincing enough."

 

Kaguya nodded in agreement. "She's right. My parents are shrewd. They'll scrutinize every detail. We need a solid plan if we're going to pull this off."

 

I leaned back in my chair, considering our options. It was true; we needed a plan—a good one. "Alright, then let's strategize. What do we know about your parents? What are their likes, dislikes, interests?"

 

Kaguya tapped her chin in thought. "Well, Mother is the CEO of a multinational corporation. She's very focused on appearances, status, and tradition. Father is a renowned scientist, more reserved but equally discerning. They value intelligence, ambition, and success."

 

Shizu nodded, adding her insights. "They're both influential figures in their respective fields. They most likely expect nothing but the best, especially when it comes to family matters."

 

I mulled over this information, trying to formulate a plan that would satisfy Kaguya's parents and help us achieve our goal. Suddenly, an idea struck me.

 

“That’s it! I know exactly what we need to do.”

 

***

 

The evening arrived, and we found ourselves standing outside the entrance of an upscale restaurant, the dim glow of its elegant exterior lighting casting a warm ambiance onto the bustling street. As we stepped inside, the air was filled with the clinking of fine china and the murmur of sophisticated conversations.

 

The hostess greeted us with a polite smile and led us to our table—a secluded corner booth adorned with crisp white linens and flickering candlelight. The atmosphere was refined, yet intimate, perfectly suited for the delicate dance we were about to perform.

 

Shizu and Kaguya both looked stunning in their meticulously chosen attire. Shizu opted for a sleek, form-fitting dress in deep navy blue, accentuating her slender figure and exuding an air of understated elegance. 

 

Kaguya, on the other hand, radiated ethereal beauty in a gown fit for royalty. Her dress was a vision in pale lavender, adorned with delicate embroidery and shimmering crystals that caught the light with every step.

 

As for myself, I stuck to my standard attire—a classic black suit tailored to perfection. While Shizu and Kaguya dazzled in their respective ensembles, I aimed to complement their elegance with my understated yet polished appearance.

 

“Are you worried?

 

I asked Kaguya, who was fidgeting in place, her eyes darting all over the place in search of her parents. She glanced at me, her eyes reflecting a mix of apprehension and determination.

 

“A little,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “But I trust you, Haruto. Whatever plan you’ve come up with, I’m ready to go along with it.”

 

“Then, let’s do it. We’ll have Shizu here for moral support too.”

 

“Thanks, but no thanks,” Shizu playfully rolled her eyes. “You guys focus on the task and I’ll focus on the delicious food.”

 

While we were in the middle of bantering, the soft sound of approaching footsteps caught our attention, and we turned to see Kaguya’s parents entering the restaurant.

 

Yuzuki Hinamori, her mother, strode in with an air of confidence, her sleek, tailored suit exuding power and authority. By her side, Kaguya’s father, Hiroto Hinamori, walked with a quiet dignity, his presence commanding respect without the need for words.

 

Finally, it was time for the greatest showdown of my life to start.