The evening of the dinner arrived quicker than expected, and Sam found himself standing by the front door, checking his reflection in the mirror for the tenth time.
"Why do you look so nervous?" Anna teased, leaning against the wall with a smirk. "It's not your first time meeting Mahiru, you know."
Sam shot her a look. "I just want everything to go well."
Anna rolled her eyes. "Relax, loverboy. She's coming over for dinner, not an interrogation."
"Still," Sam muttered.
Before Anna could say anything else, the doorbell rang.
Sam took a deep breath before opening the door.
And there she was.
Mahiru stood in the doorway, dressed in a soft cream-colored dress, her golden-brown hair styled neatly. She looked nervous, fidgeting slightly with the small gift bag in her hands.
"Hi," she said softly.
Sam's chest felt warm. "Hey."
"You gonna invite her in, or should I?" Anna piped up from behind.
Mahiru chuckled. "Nice to see you too, Anna."
Anna grinned. "Come in, come in. Let's see how my parents react to my brother's precious girlfriend."
Mahiru turned red. "A-Anna!"
Sam groaned. "Can you not?"
But Anna was already skipping toward the dining room, giggling.
Mahiru sighed. "I should've prepared for this…"
Sam chuckled, gently taking her hand. "You'll be fine."
She looked up at him, and for a moment, her nervousness melted away.
"...Okay," she whispered.
Hand in hand, they stepped inside together.
Mahiru stood awkwardly by the dining table as Sam's parents greeted her.
"It's so nice to finally have you here, Mahiru!" Sam's mother beamed. "We've heard so much about you."
Mahiru glanced at Sam, who cleared his throat, looking away.
"I-It's nice to be here," Mahiru said politely. "I, um, brought some sweets as a thank-you." She handed the small gift bag to his mom.
"Oh, how sweet!" she cooed. "You're such a lovely girl, Mahiru."
Mahiru blushed. "T-Thank you."
Sam's father, who had been quiet up until now, finally spoke.
"So, you're the one who keeps my son in check."
Mahiru blinked. "Uh… I—"
Sam groaned. "Dad…"
His father chuckled. "I'm kidding. It's good to have you here."
Mahiru let out a relieved breath. "It's good to be here, sir."
"None of that 'sir' stuff. Just call me Uncle."
Mahiru nodded. "O-Okay, Uncle."
Anna smirked. "She's already part of the family."
Mahiru turned bright red, and Sam sighed. "Anna, please."
His sister just giggled.
As they settled at the table, Mahiru noticed something strange.
Sam's father was welcoming—much more welcoming than her own father had been when Sam had visited her hometown.
She still remembered that moment vividly—Sam standing stiffly, her father's sharp gaze piercing through him as if he were some kind of unworthy intruder.
The way Sam had struggled to impress him, trying not to say anything that might provoke him, had been almost comical—but also nerve-wracking.
But here?
Sam's father was laughing and telling her she was practically family.
The difference was staggering.
As if reading her thoughts, Sam's father suddenly said, "You know, Mahiru, since you're practically a part of the family already, why don't you just call me Dad?"
Mahiru nearly dropped her chopsticks. "D-Dad?!"
Across the table, Sam froze mid-bite.
His father chuckled. "Well, you and Sam are serious about each other, right? It's only natural."
Mahiru's face turned a deep shade of red. "I-I…"
Anna smirked. "Ooooh, Dad's making it official~"
Sam groaned. "Anna, please."
Mahiru fidgeted with her fingers. "I-It feels… a little embarrassing…"
Sam's father laughed. "No rush, kiddo. But whenever you're ready, just know you're always welcome here."
Mahiru bit her lip, warmth filling her chest.
She stole a glance at Sam, who still looked shell-shocked by his father's words.
But she could tell—deep down, Sam was grateful.
And in that moment, she realized something—
Sam's family felt like home.
--
Dinner went surprisingly well—except for Anna's constant teasing.
"So, Mahiru," Anna said with a mischievous grin. "Since you and my brother are so close, do you guys—"
Sam shot her a warning glare. "Anna. Don't."
Anna ignored him. "Do you guys cuddle when you hang out?"
Mahiru choked on her drink. "W-What?!"
Sam buried his face in his hands. "I hate you."
Their mother sighed. "Anna, stop teasing them."
"But it's so fun," Anna whined.
Mahiru covered her face. "I regret coming here…"
Sam sighed. "I regret inviting her…"
Anna just laughed.
Despite the embarrassment, Mahiru found herself relaxing as the evening continued. Sam's family was warm and welcoming—well, mostly Anna was just chaotic.
But it felt nice.
Like she belonged here.
After dinner, Sam walked Mahiru to the door.
"That wasn't so bad, was it?" he asked, smiling.
Mahiru sighed. "I survived. Barely."
Sam chuckled. "They really liked you, you know."
Mahiru looked at him, a small smile on her lips. "That means a lot."
A comfortable silence settled between them.
Then—
"...I should go."
Sam nodded. "Yeah."
Neither of them moved.
Then, slowly, Mahiru leaned up, pressing a quick, soft kiss to his cheek.
"Goodnight, Sam."
Sam froze.
Mahiru giggled at his stunned expression before stepping back.
"See you tomorrow," she said, turning to leave.
Sam touched his cheek, feeling his face heat up.
As she walked away, he found himself smiling like an idiot.
"Damn it, Mahiru…" he muttered, shaking his head.
But he knew one thing for sure—
He couldn't wait to see her again.
----