Another look into Ichihara’s past when he admits he is gay to his family. Sunao meets his family and begins to understand why Shin acts the way he does.

Glimpses of Truth and Honesty

"Shin's Family"

Seventeen-year-old Shin sat at one head of the table and his father on the other head. His mother and sister were located on Shin’s left side while his twin brothers Kyo and Ryo were on the right. There were two empty chairs at the table, one next to Kimiko and one next to Ryo. The Ichihara resident usually had relatives over for dinner but today it was actually a quiet dinner with just immediate family involved.

Ichihara Seiji, police chief sat proudly before his family. The closer Shin got to graduation, the more excited his father got. He had visions of Shin working along side him as a father-son duo. “And I told them at the police station that soon my son will be joining the ranks. I can barely wait!” Seiji said taking a swig of his drink and going back to hastily eating.

Shin, who was still brooding over Tamaya and Sawada, ignored his father’s rambling. He actually didn’t really want to be a police officer like his father and had dreams of opening up his own private detective business. His father had merely brushed this idea aside and insisted he was going to eventually take over his position as Chief of police once Seiji retired.

“Dear, be sure to eat your vegetables.” His mother Etsu reprimanded her husband. “You know what the doctor said about your cholesterol. Kimiko, you’re making a mess!” She said going at her twelve year old daughter with a napkin. His little sister hadn’t been eating over her plate and merely laughed as her mother patted her and the table with the paper napkin. Between her husband and children, Ichihara Etsu had a lot going on.

“What about us dad?” Kyosuke one of the twins said kicking his brother’s chair. The twins were fourteen and definitely trouble makers.

“We wanna shoot bad guys too.” Ryosuke agreed.

“And girls automatically like you when you’re a cop.” Kyosuke grinned wildly.

“They won’t like you, Kyo-nii.” Kimiko jeered sticking her tongue out at her brother.

“Boys, stop playing around. Kyosuke, stop kicking the table. Ryosuke, don’t think I don’t see you trying to poke around your food. You’re eating it all.” Etsu reminded.

“Ah, sons, we should make it the family business. A family full of cops!” Their father started dreamily. He stood up with fake tears in his eyes relishing the idea. “Ah and thank you for the wonderful meal, wife. I shall be going now.” He turned to leave laughing merrily.

“Not uh.” She stopped him. He grimaced.

“Sit back down and finish your vegetables.” She said pointing to the chair. He turned slowly laughing childishly.

“Ah, but…”

“Sit.” She ordered. He did as he was told. Ichihara, Chief of police was used to giving orders and not taking them, except when it came to his wife who was truly the head of the household.

“Ah, she sure told you dad!” Kyosuke teased.

“Kyosuke, you have dish duty.” Etsu announced.

“What? No fair!”

His brother laughed besides him. “Ryosuke, I’ll need you to sweep the upstairs. Something I asked you to do last weekend.” She reminded. He slumped in his chair. “Shinsuke?” She wondered looking over at her eldest. “You haven’t said anything at all today. What’s wrong?”

“He’s probably thinking of how wonderful it will be to work along side his father!” Seiji announced standing up again.

“Finish your dinner, dear.” Etsu reminded. He sighed and sat back down again begrudgingly taking another bite of his vegetables. For a middle-aged man, he sure was acting like a kid. His sons snickered at him but then they too grimaced when they took a bite of their vegetables simultaneously.

“He probably got dumped.” Kyosuke jeered at his older brother.

Shin just glared at him. “As a matter of fact I did!” He snapped. Kyosuke just blinked. He hadn’t been serious after all. Everyone else looked over at Shin with worry.

“Ah, don’t worry. I was dumped millions of times before I met your mother.” Seiji said almost stiffly. Etsu just smiled at her husband.

“There are plenty of others out there.” She told her son.

His families’ advice and worried looks actually irritated Shin more than comforted him. He slammed his chopsticks on the table. “Shinsuke?” His mother wondered.

He stood up with his eyes closed in irritation. “I have an announcement to make.” He said looking at each member of his family.

“Oh my.” His father commented.

“You might not like to hear it but…” Shin paused. “I’m gay.” He stated. His family just stared at him.

“Haha, very funny Shin-nii!” Kyosuke laughed.

“I’m not joking.” He said seriously. There was a silence again.

“Ok, Shinsuke.” His mother finally nodded.

“What? No way? You like guys?” His brother Kyosuke was freaking out.

“That’s weird.” Ryosuke seconded looking very worried.

“I want to meet Shin’s boyfriend!” Kimiko chimed smiling goofily spilling more food onto the table much to her mother’s annoyance. She was twelve years old by now; she should at least learn to eat properly…

“Oh me too!” Ryosuke agreed. “I’ve never met a gay person before. I wonder what they are like.”

Shin groaned. “I don’t even have a boyfriend yet.” He said sitting back down.

“Well when you get one, I want to meet him!” Ryosuke seemed excited.

“Don’t tell me you’re gay too.” Kyosuke jabbed his brother in the shoulder.

“Am not!” His brother hit him back.

“Boys stop fighting at the table.”

“Let’s take this outside!” Ryosuke challenged.

“Yeah!” Kyosuke agreed.

“I could beat you both up!” Kimiko interrupted. They just stared at their younger sister and then clutched at each other as if scared.

“You’re right! We’re sorry imouto!” They shuddered.

“Well, Shinsuke. That took a lot of courage to say. I would just like you to know that I support you.” His mother smiled warmly. “It will be hard on you but I hope you find happiness.” His mother somehow always knew just what to say. Ichihara looked over at his father who was surprisingly eating calmly. He had expected his father to be the most upset because Seiji seemed to want his son to be just like him, and that definitely didn’t mean gay.

His mother sensed her son’s discomfort at her husband’s silence. “Seiji…” She started.

“A phase.” Her husband said taking another bite. “It’s just a phase.” He explained.

Shin couldn’t believe it. His father was again brushing him off. “It’s not a phase.” He said testily. “I’ve thought long and hard about this and I like men, not women. That’s not going to change.”

“Once you get over this gay phase, you’ll marry and have a proper life with a nice girl.”

“It won’t happen.” Shin groaned glaring at his father.

“Of course it will. Women are genuinely very understanding. I know one lucky lady will someday fall in love with you… regardless of what strange phases you went through as a teenager.”

“Father!” He slammed his fist on the table. “You’re not listening to me. This is not a phase. I am gay! I will never marry a woman!”

His father stared at him darkly. “I can’t help but think this is just another way for you to rebel against me, just like you saying you didn’t want to be a police officer.”

“I don’t want to be a police officer.” Shin growled. “I’m going to be a detective.”

“Nonsense.” His father shrugged.

“Dear…” Etsu tried to intervene. He shook his head at his wife.

“I don’t agree with my oldest son purposely doing things against me simply to be rebellious.”

“I’m not doing those things in order to rebel!” Shin shouted. “You just think that just because your son doesn’t want to do exactly what you say or be exactly what you have in mind, he must be rebellious! Well I am my own person you know! I’m gay and I’m a detective!” He kicked his chair backwards. It clattered on the floor violently.

“You’re not a detective yet! You’re a seventeen year old boy going through some sort of rebellious stage.” His father retorted.

“Tsk!”

“Shinsuke.” His mother said softly.

“I’m sorry mom.” He said still glaring at his father.

“Shinsuke, I didn’t say you had to be just like me but I am your father and I know what is best for you.” His father glared back.

“Nonsense.” Shin mocked his father.

“Don’t talk like that to me, son!” His father stood up quickly.

“Seiji. Shinsuke. Calm down.” Etsu tried to intervene. Kimiko was looking down at her plate as if she were about to cry. Kyosuke and Ryosuke who were usually rowdy were actually quiet staring at their father and brother who they had never seen yell at each other before.

“After graduation, I’m moving out.” Shin announced turning to the door.

“Shinsuke, you should live here.” His mother followed after him.

“I can’t live here with him.” He yelled pointing at his father.

“Son, come back here!” His father snapped. Shin just left out the door, slamming it behind him. Later, he found himself at a gay bar where he met Takasugi Hideki. That night, he spent the night at Takasugi’s where he lost his virginity.

“I hope it’s okay.” Sunao fretted as he placed the dinner upon the table.

“Don’t worry, Nao-chan. I will like anything that your sexy self has provided.” He said eagerly eyeing the food before him. “Oh nice.” He said as Sunao lifted a cover to reveal a fish.

“Well it’s my first time making this dish. I hope you like it.”

“Itadekimasu!” He said and eagerly grabbed at the various dishes before him. He took a bite and pondered it. His eyes went wide.

“How is it?” Sunao fretted. “Did I put too much spice in it?”

Ichihara fell over. “Shin! Oh no! It’s bad isn’t it?” Sunao went over to his boyfriend who was now lying on the floor. “I shouldn’t have tried to make my own recipe.”

Ichihara responded by giggling. “No, no, Nao-chan. I merely fainted from the deliciousness.” He teased.

“Wha?” Sunao stared down at him in disbelief. “Don’t do that!” He yelled banging a spoon on the table angrily.

“Sorry, sorry! Ah, Nao-chan, you are so cute!” He said sitting up. Sunao blushed. “It is just like to worry about the food.”

“I just want it to be good.”

“Don’t worry.” He said smiling seriously at his lover. “I understand the hard work you put into this meal. I am very grateful. I love you, Nao-chan.” He said taking another bite. Sunao blushed some more. He wasn’t used to hearing such nice words especially from someone like Ichihara who acted like a child more than an adult. It always surprised him when Shin said something serious. More so, he wasn’t used to being able to return those words either.

“I love you too.” He said lowly.

This feeling of making meals for someone and exchanging, “I love you’s” outside of the bedroom was something new to him. He liked it but at the same time he was somewhat embarrassed to be happy over something as simple as Shin enjoying his cooking.

After dinner, Sunao was cleaning up when Ichihara received a phone call. “Ah, be right back.” He told Sunao and went into the other room to receive the call.

“Ah, mother.” He said into the phone as Sunao put the dishes away behind him.

“I’ve been patient long enough, Shinsuke.” The older woman said. “Ever since Kimiko told me you had a new boyfriend my curiosity has been killing me. When will I get to meet him?”

“Ah, but mom…”

“You should invite him over for dinner. I’d love to have him.”

“But mom, what about dad?”

“Don’t worry about your father. I’ll take care of him.”

“But mom, you remember what happened last time. I don’t want Sunao exposed to that.”

“Don’t be silly. That was a long time ago. Anyway, are you there with your boyfriend now? Let me talk to him.”

“Aw, but…”

“Shinsuke.” She said in a tone that only mothers have.

“Fine.” He pouted and went into the kitchen. “Here.” He said handing the cell phone over to the tan man.

“Eh? What is it?” Sunao took the phone confused.

“It’s my mother.”

“Eh?”

“She wants to talk to you.”

“Ok…” He hesitantly put the phone up to his ear. He was a bit nervous. “Hello?”

“Oh is this Sunao-san? My son’s boyfriend?” A warm voice greeted.

“Uh, yes…” He said hesitantly remembering how most of his relationships were private. He had most definitely not talked to any of his past partner’s mothers.

“I am holding a family dinner this Friday night and would like you and Shinsuke to come. Are you free?” She wondered.

“Um… yes.”

“Oh good. I am so looking forward to meeting the young man my son has decided to date. Don’t worry about bringing anything. I’ll see you and Shinsuke at 7PM this Friday. Is that okay?”

“Okay.” He agreed not knowing what else to say.

“Ah, what did she say?” Ichihara wondered hesitantly as Sunao handed back the phone.

“Um… we’re supposed to go eat dinner at your parents house on Friday.” He said in a daze. Ichihara groaned.

“Ah, it’s just like my mother to go through my boyfriend.” He groaned. “Ah, don’t worry Nao-chan. She’s a good woman who likes to meddle sometimes.” He assured.

“You don’t want to go?” Sunao wondered sensing Shin’s hesitation.

“Well it’s just my father and I aren’t on good terms. He doesn’t believe I am gay and thinks it’s just a passing phase. That’s why I didn’t want you to meet my family.”

“Oh, I see.”

“My mom’s pretty nice and you’ve already met my adorable little sister. Ryo and Kyo are annoying but if they say anything to make you mad, you can just bop them on the head.”

Sunao was now nervous. He had never known his own father and he barely remembered his mother. He could only remember the back of a woman who had left him at the orphanage when he was only three. These sad and mostly nonexistent memories of his own family made him feel awkward to meet a family like Shin’s. His family seemed so big and why shouldn’t it since Sunao’s family of zero was much smaller than Shin’s five member family.

It was even more unnerving that Shin was nervous too. They were like a secret couple that had just been found out and now had to confront their families. Friday night was still a couple days away. While on one hand this meant the meeting was still a ways off, on the other hand it meant there was more time for Sunao to worry about it.

“Ah, Ebi!” Bun greeted when he came into work one day. “Did you sign up any new customers for the gym? Otani will have a fit if you didn’t fill out the proper paper work.” He whispered lowly.

“No, I didn’t sign anybody new up. Why do you ask?” Sunao wondered confused. Bun frowned as he stared at his friend and coworker.

“Um… it might be nothing but you should watch out Ebisu.” His nose scrunching up in worry.

“Huh?”

“Well just earlier there were these two guys in here asking about you.”

“What?” Sunao wondered in alarm.

“Well when I told them you weren’t here they just left. They looked like cops. You aren’t in any trouble are you, Ebisu? You can tell me if you are. I’ll keep your secrets safe.” He said grabbing at Sunao’s hands dramatically.

“No, I… I have no idea who they were.”

“Ah, well. They were kind of handsome if not a little on the lanky side. And above all, they were twins!” He gushed pushing his chubby cheeks together. “Can you imagine having twins for lovers? There’s something about two people having the same face that is so erotic!” He smiled dreamily. Sunao laughed lightly at his friend’s silly daydreams.

He didn’t know who the two men were but something didn’t seem right in the back of his mind. It was almost like he should know who they were but he just couldn’t place them. He had never met any twins before so he decided to forget about it and went about with his work. Besides, the dreaded family dinner was quickly approaching…

It was finally Friday and Shin and Sunao rode nervously on the train. They didn’t say much. Ichihara had made Sunao most worried about meeting his father who Sunao could only assume would not approve of him. Shin had assured him that his father wouldn’t say anything but Sunao was still pretty nervous.

When they got off the train they were met with two men in police uniforms. “Ahoy Shin-nii!” They said together waving in unison. They were both very tall with short black hair peeking out from under their hats, which they wore slightly crooked. They looked identical except for their crooked hats. Before Shin could answer they were immediately by Sunao’s side.

“Eh?” He said finding the two tall twins suddenly very close to him. “You must be Shin’s girl.” One said leaning down and squinting at him.

“Wow, nice to meet you!” The other said shaking his hand.

“Um…” Sunao found these two men to be standing a little too close to him.

“Onii-chan got himself an exotic beauty!” The other said patting Sunao on the head only to have Shin’s fist land on his face. Sunao jumped as the brother went flying backwards. Shin kicked the other one in the stomach and he buckled over moaning.

“Nao I told you if these two do something to annoy you, you could just hit them.” Shin said wiping his hands as if he had just taken out the trash.

“Shin-nii! You’re so mean!” The first one said standing back up quickly a knuckle imprint now evident on his face.

“We were just greeting him!” The other one said clutching at his stomach and tears in his eyes.

“Leave Nao-chan alone you two nincompoops.”

“Hmm?” They both said mischievously rubbing the bottom of their chin in unison. “Hey you!” They chimed pointing at Sunao. “We went to your workplace.”

“What?” Shin seemed agitated and got them both in a headlock even though they were both taller than him. So the two men Bun had been talking about had been Shin’s brothers. He blushed at the thought of them trying to check up on him. It seemed just like something Shin would do. Sunao couldn’t believe that there could ever be more people like Shin.

“Wah!” The twins whined with fake tears in their eyes still being restrained by their older brother.

“Who said you could bother Nao-chan at work?” Shin scolded them.

“We’ll bother you instead then!” One smiled playfully.

“I want to see the lovely Misa-chan again!” The other cooed. Shin simply let go of them so they fell face first onto the ground.

Shin sighed and started walking away. “Let’s go and get this over with.”

“Father sent us to personally escort you!” One of the twins beamed.

“Yeah, yeah.”

“We can use handcuffs!” The other said taking out a pair. He was punched for this by Shin.

After an interesting ride in a cop car, they finally made it to a rather large house. Shin had decided not to ride in the back like a criminal and displaced one of the twins so that him and Sunao sat in the back as if they were criminals. “I’m surprised father even let you use his car.” Shin teased.

“What? I’m a good driver!” His brother the driver argued.

“It’s not so bad back here, right?” The twin asked Sunao.

“Uh… no it’s ok.”

“Seriously… using a cop car as a taxi.” Shin grumbled. “You two are idiots. We could have just walked.”

“But we wanted to arrest you!” The twin in the back said pounding on the cage behind Shin.

“Fat chance, little brother.” He teased sticking his tongue out at him. His brother just laughed.

“Here we are!” The brother driving said pulling up to the Ichihara house. He quickly got out and went to the back to open Sunao’s door.

“You’re releasing the wrong criminal, Kyo!” The brother next to Sunao whined. Shin opened up the door Ryo was sitting by and knocked him on the head.

“Nao-chan is not a criminal.”

Ryo just laughed sheepishly and said, “Yes, onii-chan.” He saluted.

Kyosuke threw open the door. “Ok mother, we kidnapped Shin-nii and made sure he didn’t run away.” He yelled into the house. A woman said something back but no one could hear exactly what. A girl in a purple trench coat ran down the stairs.

“Imouto!” Both Kyo and Ryo said together holding their arms out but she rushed past them and hugged Shin. The twins fell to the floor comically as if in shock.

“Shin-nii!!” She said hugging him. “And hi Sunao-nii!” She peeked behind her brother and stuck her tongue out at him.

“Uh… hi.” He said. He noted that she was wearing the same trench coat that Shin had gotten her for her birthday a few months earlier.

“Son.” A man’s voice said from behind them. There stood a shorter older man with graying hair. He was a little chubby and sported a mustache and beard. Sunao could only assume this was Shin’s dad and feared for the worst.

“Father.” Shin greeted and they hugged almost awkwardly.

“You must be the boyfriend.” He nodded at Sunao.

“Uh… yes.” Sunao was a bit surprised since he thought the man might be hostile towards him.

“Sons, you didn’t wreck the car did you?” The man said looking outside.

“Of course not chief!” They said saluting the man.

“Hmph.” He said folding his arms seriously and then smiled. “Well what are you all standing around here for? Let’s eat!” He cheered walking into the dining room. Sunao blinked. This is not what he expected.

An older woman in an apron and dress came out of the kitchen wiping her hands with a dishtowel. She sported a short hair cut like her daughter. “Hello Shinsuke. Oh and Sunao-san, nice to meet you.” She bowed. “I’m sorry I didn’t come out earlier but I had to take the turkey out of the oven.”

“Turkey?” Shin wondered.

“Mom went all out and made a big meal.” One of the twins said nudging Shin with his elbow.

“She was really excited about meeting you!” The other said pointing at the lifeguard.

“You’d think Shin-nii was getting married or something.” Kimiko giggled.

“Oh, sit down everyone.” Their mother scolded. “Sunao-san, you’ll be sitting next to me.” She said pointing to a chair in the middle. Sunao gulped nervously but was relieved when Shin took the seat on his other side. The father sat at the head of the table while the twins and Shin’s sister sat across from them.

As his wife set the food on the table, Shin’s father beamed with pride. “It’s been a long time since the whole family has been together like this.” He said.

“Shin-nii hates us!” One of the twins mocked cried.

“I do not.” He said sarcastically.

“Shin is busy being the world’s greatest detective!” Kimiko cheered.

“You can be an arm rest.” Her brother next to her teased placing his arm over her head. “Kyo-nii!” She said knocking him out of the chair.

“Kimiko, stop that.” Her mother scolded coming into the room with the last dish and finally sitting down.

“Itadekimasu!” They all chimed together and Sunao said it too but he was a bit late. He wasn’t used to eating with this many people. Everyone except for Sunao and Shin’s mother immediately began grabbing for the food.

“Kyosuke, don’t fill your plate up so much!” His mother scolded. “Dear, I will be making up your plate.” Her husband pouted and moved his hand away from the dishes. “Sunao-san, be sure to take as much as you like.” She said smiling at him.

“Or it will be gone before you know it.” Shin joked tapping him lightly on the arm.

“That’s cuz Kyo-nii eats like a pig.” Kimiko smirked at her brother.

“I’m a growing boy!” He joked patting his muscles.

“You don’t see me eating that much.” Ryo said next to him.

“That’s cuz you’re just picky.” He stuck his tongue out at his twin.

“Besides you’re twenty years old. Have you stopped growing already?” His sister pointed out.

“I think I may be pregnant.” He joked.

“Wha?” Ryo and Kimiko laughed at the same time.

“Idiot.” Shin groaned.

“Nonsense, son.” Their father scolded.

“Kyosuke…” His mother warned.

“It’s true mother. Last night I was abducted by aliens and now I’m going to have an alien baby!”

“Kyosuke, stop it please.” His mother said raising her eyebrow.

“I’m sorry you have to listen to my brother’s idiocy.” Shin told Sunao.

“Ah, it’s ok. He reminds me some of you.” Sunao admitted.

“How could you Nao-chan?” Shin said placing his hand upon his heart as if he had been shot. Apparently, he didn’t want to be compared to his foolish younger brother.

“Eh?”

“Haha, he sure told you.” Ryo said pointing at his brother and laughing.

“Ryosuke, don’t point your finger. Kimiko don’t forget to finish up your homework tonight if you want to go out with friends tomorrow. Dear, I made dessert so don’t eat too much.” The woman said all in one breath. Sunao assumed that she had a lot of practice.

“Ah, yes, so Sunao-san.” His father started. Sunao sat up straight.

“Yes?” He said timidly.

“What do your parents do for a living?” Shin shook his head at his father but it was too late.

“Ah.” Sunao actually didn’t mind answering his question. “I do not know. I was left at an orphanage in Hokkaido when I was three.”

“Oh, I see. That explains it then.”

“Huh?”

“Dear.” The woman next to him said with warning in her voice.

“What? I’m just saying that it’s understandable to stray from the straight path if you don’t have any parents.”

“Father, stop it.” Shin said. Sunao was surprised. He said it with a force that he had never heard Shin voice before. It was almost scary and Sunao thought that you probably shouldn’t speak like that to your father. He thought relations between your parents should be pleasant but then again what did he know?

Sunao didn’t know if he would have still dated men if he had grown up in a normal family. He didn’t think so but what did he know? A lot of times he felt that he was forced into this lifestyle. He looked down not wanting to think about it but also not wanting to face Shin’s father. He had once thought he had a father figure only to be disappointed. He desperately wanted Shin’s family to like him but he didn’t know what to do.

Shin’s mother put her hand on his and smiled warmly. “Hokkaido, huh?” One of the twins mentioned. “I wanna go there. Are the women there sexy?” He asked smirking. Sunao was surprised at how similar the smile was to his own boyfriend’s.

“Kyosuke!” His mother reprimanded.

“What kind of question is that, idiot?” His twin asked his eyebrow going up in disproval. “Besides why would he notice women? He’s gay.”

Their father cleared his throat and Sunao suddenly felt uncomfortable. “Ok then. Are the men there sexy?” His brother asked without a second’s thought.

His twin spit out his food. Kimiko giggled and Shin sighed in aggravation. “Why are you asking that?” The twin wondered. “Don’t tell me you’re gay too, Kyo?”

“Of course not. I was asking him for you.” He jeered.

“Wha?” His brother was mad. “You better hide your handcuffs tonight.”

“Tut tut.” He jeered back. “Getting kinky with your own brother…”

“You only wish!”

“Kyosuke. Ryosuke.” Their mother barked.

“Sons…” Their father sighed.

“Idiot brothers.” Shin shook his head.

“You don’t even own handcuffs.” Kimiko reminded. “Dad had to take them away.”

“It’s because Ryo is the handcuff freak.” Kyo joked.

“You’re the one who handcuffed that one hooligan.”

“I was teaching him a lesson...”

Shin kicked one of the twins across the table. “Ow! Shin-nii! What was that for?” One whined.

“You’re making a fool of yourself in front of Nao-chan.” He scolded.

“But we only have one day to make a fool of ourselves.” One whined.

“Yeah, you have a lot more time on us. I bet he’s made a fool of himself lots of time, right Sunao-nii?” The other joked. Shin kicked him too.

Kimiko had called him Sunao-nii and now it seemed like the twins were too. The attachment of “brother” to his name felt foreign to Sunao especially said in such a shortened more intimate way. He couldn’t help but blush.

“Aw… he’s blushing. Ow!” The twin complained again.

“Shinsuke, stop kicking your brother.” Their mother sipped some tea calmly.

“Sons, you should act your age.” Their father said. He then extended his arms. “Or you’ll be sent to bed without any dessert just like a little kid.” He said standing and puffing his chest out. It seems he had forgotten about his disproval of Sunao’s and Shin’s relationship.

“You never did that even when we were children.” Ryo joked.

Sunao looked over at the twins and decided he liked them as they joked with their father. He was at least grateful to them for lightening the mood. It seemed that they were even more playful than Shin himself. Sunao couldn’t imagine what it would be like to have a brother. Even though he had grown up with several children at the orphanage, he’d never considered any of them his brother or sister.

After dinner, Shin’s mom beckoned Sunao into the kitchen. “I was wondering if you would help me clean up Sunao-san.”

“Mom!” Shin complained. “He’s the guest.”

“Yay! That means we don’t have to do it!” The twins chimed.

“You’ll be taking out the trash and recyclables.” Their mother told them.

“Aw…” The complained.

“It’s ok.” Sunao said to his boyfriend who looked reluctant to let him help. “I can help out.”

“Son, I need to talk to you.” His father said. Shin looked back and forth between Sunao and his dad. “I’ll be right back.” He decided. “Mom don’t work him too hard.” He warned and followed his father to another part of the house.

They were both silent as they washed the dishes and put food away. Sunao didn’t know what to say but whenever he glanced at the older woman she would smile warmly at him. He was also worried about Shin who was now speaking alone with his father. He couldn’t help but think they were talking about him. He suddenly felt like he shouldn’t have come. It was his fault that Shin’s parents were unhappy. He wasn’t a girl after all.

“Ichihara-san…” He started. “I’m sorry.” He said lowly.

She smiled knowingly. “I do not share the same ideas as my husband.” She said as if reading his mind. “I don’t care if all my children turn out to be gay. I just want them to be happy.” She looked down smiling. “Seiji will come around eventually. Don’t think he doesn’t accept you.” She took a dish out of his hand and put it away.

“He just has a hard time understanding anything outside of what he believes is normal. He expected Shin to be just like him after all.” Sunao wondered what Shin would have been like if he took more after his father. His father seemed just as dramatic as Shin. Anymore similar, than maybe Shin might as well have been a copy of his father.

They were silent once again as they finished washing the dishes. “Sunao.” She said as he handed her the last dish. “I hope you and Shinsuke will be happy. I don’t mean to impose and maybe it’s a bit too forward of me to say this but if you would like to, you can call me mother.” She said patting his arm.

“Um...” Sunao whispered. “But I…” Even though it was a distant memory, he could still remember his mother just a little bit. Also, even though she had left him he didn’t think anyone could replace her… even this nice woman here.

“Oh don’t mind me.” She giggled patting him on the back slightly sensing his discomfort. “I might be getting too ahead of myself there. Just forget what I said.” She hung the dishtowel up to dry.

“Nao.” Shin stood in the doorway of the kitchen.

“Shin?” He wondered.

“Sorry mother but we have to go. Misa is making me come in early tomorrow even though it’s a Saturday.” He said making a face.

“Misa? You said Misa-kun?” One of his brothers said plopping onto Shin’s back. “How is the ever lovely Misa-chan?”

He shrugged his brother off. “Don’t let her hear you say that or she’ll kill you.” He warned his brother.

“Still the same, eh?” His brother sighed dreamily.

The other twin snuck up besides Sunao who jumped upon seeing him there. “Sunao-nii, I hope you enjoyed your stay.” He said putting his arm around Sunao’s neck. Then the other brother was on his other side with his arm around his neck on top of his brothers.

“We should exchange phone numbers so we can tell each other all the embarrassing secrets that is Shin-nii.”

“You…” Shin pinched his brother’s ear pulling him away from Sunao.

“Did you know Shin…” Before he could finish Shin had punched him in the stomach. “I was just going to tell him what a good guy you are…” His brother buckled over in pain.

Sunao’s middle was attached by a teenage girl. Kimiko smiled up at him mischievously. “Bye Sunao-nii! Take care of my favorite onii-chan.”

“What? I thought you said I was the favorite.” The brother on the floor stood up.

“She only said that when you bought her candy.” The other teased. “Bye the way sister, whatever he buys you, I’ll double it.”

“Hah!” Shin laughed patting his sister on the head playfully. “Everyone knows love can’t be bought, you two nincompoops!”

“Ok? How about triple?” He told his grinning sister. Shin just rolled his eyes.

“Goodbye Sunao-san.” Suddenly Shin’s father was there saying goodbye to him. He shifted uncomfortably as the man bowed before him. He bowed shyly back.

“Come on.” Shin said leading him out the door.

“You are welcome here anytime, Sunao-san.” The mother yelled after them. They waved and then headed down the street towards the train station.

“Oh!” Sunao remembered after they walked in silence for a bit. “What did your father talk to you about?” He asked curiously.

Shin just smiled his goofy grin and took Sunao’s hand in his. “Basically he told me that it was unlikely that I would still be in a phase after five years.”

“Eh?”

“Ah, my father is a good man probably…” He said giving a half grin, half frown. “It was the closest I’m gonna get to his blessing.” He shrugged.

Did this mean… “Shin?” He wondered. The detective squeezed his hand.

“Come on.” He said pulling Sunao down the street as he picked up the speed.

“Shin!” He yelled as they trotted towards the train station.

Shin didn’t let go of his hand even when they boarded the train. They received a few stares to which Sunao was more conscious of than Shin who just ignored them. They found a seat and sat down still hand in hand. Sunao wondered why he was still holding onto him.

“So that’s my family.” Shin said looking off to the side.

“Ah, yeah.” Sunao forced a laugh. “It was so lively. I was a bit nervous.” Shin squeezed his hand and then laid his head upon his shoulder. “Shin?”

“I’m sorry, Nao-chan.” He said. “I just want to lay like this for a bit. Maybe get some sleep.”

“Eh?” Was he serious?

“I was actually really nervous too.” He said closing his eyes. “I don’t care if they don’t accept you because I could just as easily give them up to be with you.” He said.

“Don’t say that…” Sunao said quietly.

Shin opened one eye and peeked up at him from his place on his shoulder. “It’s true.” He smiled. Sunao couldn’t help but think the detective was acting childish.

“If that’s true than why were you nervous?” Sunao argued.

Shin didn’t answer and just took a deep breath relishing the feel of Sunao’s shoulder as a pillow. “I just want you to be happy.” He said. “If my family made you unhappy…” He didn’t finish his sentence. “That’s what I was nervous about.” He finally said.

“But Shin… you should treasure your family. At least you have one.” He ended silently. Shin lifted his head and looked Sunao in the eyes.

“Nao?”

“I don’t know what it’s like…” Sunao began. “To have a family… it must be special. But I don’t know. I wish I had one so at least I knew what it was like” He added biting his lip.

Shin caressed his face, brushing a strand of wavy hair out of his eyes. “Then how about this?” He said with a twinkle in his eye. “My family can be your family too.”

The tan gasped. It felt sort of like a proposal. It was also unnerving because Shin’s mother had pretty much said the same thing. “I… I don’t know.”

Shin laid his head upon his shoulder again. “Nao-chan…” He said lowly closing his eyes once again. “Everything of mine is yours. Everything and more. I want to give you the world.”

Sunao didn’t say anything. He couldn’t help but feel secretly pleased with Shin’s words even though they sounded cliché. He laid his head on top of Shin’s as the train rumbled along. Those who were watching noticed that they both looked peaceful resting upon each other on the train.

Next chapter: While Sunao lifeguards at the pool, Shin ogles at him from the bushes. Meanwhile, Sunao and Bun’s past is revealed along with their boss Akatsuka who may be hiding a secret himself.