#slfhalu

“Not enough! Repeat after me, Kei-kun! [ I apologize for my insolence ] !”

“I… I apologize for my insolence!”

How did things come to this– where he bows down in a dogeza to his girlfriend’s mother who slapped a broom to the ground as he apologized like that? Uomi Kei doesn’t feel like remembering it at first, but his mind keeps flashing back to the content of his memories.

So, Kikubatake Erisa-san, Chieri’s mother, visited. That would be fine on itself, he’s dating her daughter and he’s familiar with her, anyway. The thing is, she came without warning except for a text message for Chieri that she forgot to read as she was busy with her streaming work. This day happened to be a day where Silvi next door would have lunch with them, and the sight that welcomed Erisa-san was Uomi Kei surrounded by Silvia Goldberg and Kikubatake Chieri who fought over something silly as they clinged to Kei.

Which makes things worse, Silvi claimed that she’s Chieri and Kei’s girlfriend. Which led to a series of events that made Erisa-san mad as heck as if she misunderstood something, and now he’s bowing like crazy for his insolence even though he did nothing at all. 

“....She really is Chieri’s mom!”

“W–what are you trying to imply by that, you thieving cat…. I am even scared of my mom when she’s mad like this…”

The girls were spared from her wrath for now, it seems. It’s kind of unfair, but if he spoke up, Kei knew it would make things worse for him. 

Erisa-san sighed out loud for the others in the room to hear as she facepalms. She put aside the broom and crossed her arms. 

“Alright, that’s enough teasing. Kei-kun, raise your face.” Erisa said, and as Kei raised himself as he got pulled by her hands to a direction that indicated Chieri’s room. ”Now, come with me. You two, don’t follow.”

“But Mom–”

Erisa sternly stops Chieri with a gesture, and Chieri backs off, biting her lips. Silvi seemingly wanted to follow regardless, but Chieri pulled her hand before she could, in fear of her own mother. 

As Kei followed to Chieri’s room and the door was shut, Erisa sat down on Chieri’s work chair while she commanded Kei to sit down on Chieri’s bed. It seemed like Erisa’s anger was slightly subdued somehow, but there’s still an uncomfortable stare on her eyes at Kei.

“First of all, I should say I’m thankful it’s not Nagi– Chieri’s father that came here today. He was going to, but he had work to do. I feel like he would have a stroke if he saw that sight…”

Erisa rolled her eyes. Kei decided to speak up.

“Erisa-san. I can explain.”

“You better. That’s why I pulled you aside, I can imagine we could not have any proper conversation with Chieri and Miss Goldberg barging in.”

Erisa was indeed sharper than she looks, something she developed in the youth where she was an idol back in Indonesia. Not like Kei would’ve known the details, though.

“So. About Silvi. She’s a gaming world rival of mine from America, as you might have known. She moved next door on her own, and for some reason she kept insisting that she wanted to date both me and Chieri…”

“And you said yes to that poly relationship despite Chieri being uncomfortable with it?”

“No!” Kei answered as quickly as he could. “I only love Chieri, and I don’t want to be in a polyamourous relationship! But she’s still our neighbor and she doesn’t have that many people she knows in Japan, so she comes by often…. I swear it’s just that, and I only see her as a friendly rival! I’m not cheating on your daughter, I swear!”

Kei bowed down again spontaneously, but he could hear Erisa sighing loudly. As Kei raised his face once again, Erisa stared at him fiercely, causing him to shiver in surprise, but soon softened up.

“Your eyes don't look like a liar’s, and you answered quickly. I trust you.” Her answer caused Kei relief, at least until she continued. “But be careful if Nagi visits since he’s much more conservative about it. He’d get a stroke, as I said. I will inform you, but manage your own arrangement with any of your female friends if he does.”

“I— I got it!”

“Now that’s out of the way…” Erisa walked over the door, and opened it up to find Silvi and Chieri. “Girls, most of all, I’m thankful you didn’t interrupt us, regardless of whether you heard it or not.”

Silvi was quick to approach Kei.

“Kei! Are you okay! Don’t tell me you got to the HITOZUMA route?!”

“W–w–what are you saying, Silvi! Don’t make my mom misunderstood further!”

“Eeeh, but I heard in Japanese games it’s common… Saw it in your magazine!”

“D— Did you read that bishoujo game magazine in my room— Aaargh! No, Chieri! Not in front of mom!”

“As you can see, those two are like that, so,” Kei pointed at the two with his thumb as he sighed. “I can’t blame you for misunderstanding, but please trust my word on it.”

Erisa chuckled awkwardly. Kei couldn’t tell the exact meaning of that chuckle, and it inflicted slight fear on him.

----

Mom: I know you’re bisexual but having both of your lovers being the top earning pro gamer in two different countries is kind of… shocking.

Chieri: IT’S NOT LIKE THAT MOM?? 

Chieri: AND I HAVEN’T TOLD YOU I’M BISEXUAL YET???

Mom: I know, just joking around.

Mom: …Huh, you haven’t told me? It’s kinda obvious

Chieri was going to reply to her mother’s text message that night as she stepped across the corridor but suddenly, Kei hugged her from behind, tight enough to stop her movement. Huh, so he’s done with his ranked matches and practice today, Chieri thought to herself.

“Kei, what’s this about?”

“Nothing. I’m just tired…. too much was going on today.” 

Kei’s sigh got into her neck with their position, and Chieri giggled out of ticklish sensation.

“Understandable. Feel free to recharge here.”

“It’s partially your fault for not checking your messages either, Chieri.”

“Ugh, yeah, you’re right. Anything I could do for your forgiveness?” 

“Let’s see… How about cuddling ourselves to sleep tonight?”

Kei lets go of Chieri’s back a little, and now Chieri could see him smirk. Chieri raised her eyebrows.

“You sure? Weren’t you going to grind a little more on SLF tonight?”

“Don’t feel like it today. I need to recharge.”

“I’ll have a tough dance lesson tomorrow, so please do nothing sexual…”

“Nah, don’t worry. I just wanna cuddle.”

“You said that last time too…” Chieri sighed as she rolled her eyes, remembering a few days ago. “Fine. Your bed or mine?” 

“Mine. Let’s go to my room.”