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..........M.E.R.I.D.I.A.N......L.I.G.H.T.S..........

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"C'mon, let's go," Yuzuru beckoned, then took my stroller in his free hand, whilst he carried his own luggage with the other.

"W-wait. I can do it," I protested, placing my hand over his.

Yuzuru grinned, then bumped his shoulder lightly against mine. He continued to say, "Didn't you tell me to be more 'Gentleman', and less 'Prankster'?"

"I did, but-"

"It's fine." Yuzuru winked, highlighting his boyish features. "They're waiting for us."

I hesitated for a moment, then I followed him. My hand trembled ever so slightly, restless as my state of mind. I didn't know exactly what I was thinking but I found myself clutching the edge of Yuzuru's jacket sleeve while we traversed our way through the hustle and bustle of the airport.

Yuzuru glanced at my light grip on his sleeve before sighing in mirth and rolled his eyes in mock exasperation. "They're not man-eating monsters."

"Trust me, the anxiety I'm feeling right now is even worse than that."

Our banter continued on, and before I knew it, we were already at the main entrance, or I guess exit in our case. I was surprised by this, Yuzuru really had the ability to take my mind off things.

My anxiety grew ten-fold as Yuzuru swept his gaze around. He adjusted the luggage in his hand then, finally, his face lightened up. "Tou-san!" He waved, catching the attention of a gray-haired middle-aged man.

One look at the man, you wouldn't think that he was Yuzuru's dad since they didn't look anything alike. At least, at first glance. I was surprised. The man has a serious yet kind countenance in him.

On second thought, Yuzuru and the man's general presence was the same, but Yuzuru definitely inherited the majority of his looks from his mother.

I woodenly followed after Yuzuru as we approached his dad.

"Kaa-san didn't come?"

"She's preparing lunch with Saya," Yuzuru's dad replied, then glanced at me, which then fixed me in place like a deer caught in the headlights.

"Tou-san, this is Era," introduced Yuzuru, touching the slim of my back with a comforting hand. "My friend," he added, giving me a grin.

"H-hi, nice to meet you, I'm Elana," I stuttered a bit, prompting an unintended blush to cover my face.

"Nice to meet you too Elana-san, I'm Yuzuru's dad, Hidetoshi," said his dad, nodding and giving a smile back. He held out a hand, which surprised me before I got myself together and shook his hand. "How's your flight? Not too tiring I hope?"

"It's fine Hidetoshi-san, thank you for asking." I politely and shyly smiled back, unconsciously drifting towards Yuzuru.

Yuzuru stood by the side, observing my interaction with his dad, his hand still innocently laid on my back. He had a casual smile on him as soon as I turned my attention back. I hadn't seen him this comfortable before. Sure, when we hang out back in Nagoya, he often naps now and then and rummages food in my fridge like he owns the place. But here, in his hometown, his aura shifted quite vividly.

It goes to say, nothing beats home.

As we boarded the car and headed to their house, I couldn't help but gawk at the passing scenery nearby. Sendai was beautiful.

Yuzuru had the audacity to laugh at me. Almost hysterically, might I add.

I scowled at him but he just said, "What's there to gawk about? It's like any other place."

"It is not!" I reputed, feeling like I was the local, not him. Just who exactly was defending their hometown here?

"Oh? You've been around Japan, Elana-san?" Hidetoshi asked curiously, glancing at the rear mirror to where Yuzuru and I were seated in the back.

"Y-yes, Hidetoshi-san," I stuttered once again, clamping up as soon as I noticed my raised voice. Damn Yuzuru. "I've been to Tokyo and Nagoya. This is my first time visiting other cities here in Japan."

"This isn't like other cities? I don't get what you mean," Yuzuru said, continuing our conversation from earlier. "It has buildings, traffic, bushes, and all."

"I..." Now that I thought about it, it did. "Yeah, I mean... but I didn't think it would be like this. It's so clean and... congested," I had a weird look when I said that.

Yuzuru laughed, and I heard Hidetoshi let out a chuckle.

"I mean," I rushed on, before deflating and leaving behind a hot-faced Elana. "It's different from what I imagined. I thought Sendai was a province."

"In a way, it is," Hidetoshi said, hands on the stirring wheel as the car made a turn and went off the freeway. We were now heading towards the smaller streets. "Sendai is a province just off Tokyo."

"Sorry, I just instinctively latched on the word 'province' and compared it to the ones in the Philippines."

"Oh, how're the provinces there? I heard the beach is a nice spot to have a vacation," Hidetoshi said, a smile playing on his lips. 

"It's more underdeveloped than the ones here. It's mostly full of rice fields, farms, and Carabaos."

"Cara-what?" Yuzuru butted in.

"It's water-buffalo, it's a variation of a cow with horns this big," I explained, motioning my arms on the 'horns' part. "They help the farmers plow the fields."

"That would be nice to see," Yuzuru mumbled as he tried to imagine the animal.

"I'll let you ride a Carabao next time you go to the Philippines,"I said to him teasingly.

"Don't forget to take a picture," Hidetoshi said.

"I'd rather not," Yuzuru countered, making an X with his arms. "I don't trust a sentient being in between my legs... that sounded out so wrong..."

I snorted before I face-palmed at this teenage boy. He would've dodged that if he didn't react.

"Yuzuru!" Hidetoshi scolded, though I could hear the amusement in his tone.

"I didn't mean it!"

"Sorry, this son of mine..." Hidetoshi sighed. I smiled and shook my head. When I turned back viewing the buildings, a colorful flyer caught my eye.

"Are we near the ocean?" I asked.

"Around half an hour drive if the roads aren't busy," Hidetoshi answered.

"Why? Wanna go see it?" Yuzuru turned on his seat to face me, his arm laying on the back of my headrest.

"If it's not too much trouble?" I hesitantly replied.

"Leave it to me." Yuzuru winked with a grin on his face.

We made small talk, with Hidetoshi joining the conversation here and there. Before I knew it, we made it to Yuzuru's home.

The Hanyu family owned an apartment just off the city center. One would expect it to be industrial-like, but contrary to my beliefs, it was humble, comfortable, and homey.

"Ma, we're home!" Yuzuru called out as we changed our shoes into slippers by the front door.

I heard a few thudding footsteps before I finally saw Yumi emerge from the corner.

"Era-san, I'm so glad you could come!" Yumi greeted, warmly giving me a hug.

"Thank you, Yumi-san. Sorry for intruding." I returned the hug before Yumi retreated and held my arms instead.

"Oh, you're always welcome here."

"Smells good," commented Hidetoshi, as he passed us by with a luggage in hand. The aroma tasted in the air was indeed delicious.

"You're hungry, right?" Yumi smiled as she looped her arm around mine. She turned her head to look at Yuzuru and said, "Take it to the room. We're gonna eat soon."

"Yeah, no prob," Yuzuru replied, backpack on his back while carrying the other luggage and duffel bag, including my own.

"Wait, I can help-"

"No, it's ok. I got it."

"Yuzuru can handle it, c'mon let's go. You're our guest here."

I was tagged team again by this Mother-Son duo in no time.

With Yumi having a firm grasp on my arm, she ushered me into the dining room where different dishes were already laid out. I almost salivated on the spot at this full-course, genuine Japanese meal. I didn't know what the dishes were called but there was fish, meat, soup, and side dishes.

Yeah, I really should take cooking classes. At least, look at Japanese recipes. I was a foodie at heart. It's kind of a disgrace for me not to know these dishes. Especially, when I technically lived in Japan for six whole years.

"Hi," a soft voice greeted.

I turned my attention and saw a female Yuzuru on the side. I needed to do a double take and realized that it's his sister. Woah, they look so much alike!

Yuzuru was honestly a beautiful - well, ok, handsome - boy. It's not really a surprise to see that his sister was also beautiful.

The Hanyu genes were so strong.

I finally shook myself out of my crazy thoughts and saw that his sister was adopting a shy yet friendly appearance.

"Hello," I greeted back.

"Saya-chan, this is Elana-san," Yumi introduced us, standing in between. "Elana-san, this is Saya-chan, my daughter."

Being the pair of shy and awkward girls that we were, we just nodded to each other shyly while exchanging another round of polite 'hellos' and nervous smiles.

After a few moments, the whole Hanyu family and the foreigner - aka me - were finally seated around the dinner table. Yuzuru and I sat together side by side, opposite us were Yumi and Saya, while Hidetoshi sat at the head.

"Let's eat!"

"I'm starving!"

"Itadakimasu!"

*****

I fell heavily on the comfy bed facedown.

"Oh my god, I'm beat," I mumbled with closed eyes, savoring the soft pillows and mattress like an otter in its natural habitat.

I felt a dip on the mattress by my side as Yuzuru sat down. A moment of silence passed as we rested our drained bodies.

Gradually, my breathing evened out. I almost fell asleep when a hand suddenly touched my head gently and caressed my hair, tidying it away, revealing my clear face.

Sensing Yuzuru's actions, my lashes fluttered before I sluggishly looked at him. He had an unfathomable look in his face, it was almost blank but it's not. It was like he was debating something internally, yet hesitating to act on it.

"What?" I asked, curious about what he's thinking.

Yuzuru blinked yet remained expressionless. After a moment, the corner of his lips upturned slightly then he shifted his body and laid beside me with his head propped up by his hand, gazing down at me with slightly narrowed phoenix eyes. His other hand still lazily played with the strands of my hair, twirling it and sometimes grazing my cheek with his thumb, sending trickles of sensation. It was almost ticklish.

I giggled slightly as an unknown, strangely pleasant sensation swirled around in my chest and tummy, making me a little heady. The atmosphere was odd, but it wasn't uncomfortable.

Hearing my giggle, Yuzuru let out a side grin before he once again swept the hair and tucked it behind my ear.

"Whose room is this?"

"Mine."

"Huh?" My eyes widened before my sight darted to the side where my luggage was located.

"I'd be sleeping in the living room," Yuzuru answered my silent question.

"Wow... I feel bad."

"Don't be, I'm glad you're here."

"This is your room..." I fell into contemplation then a mischievous streak came upon me.

It might've shown in my expression because Yuzuru leaned back and became guarded. He said, "What now?"

With a naughty grin, I bit my lip and narrowed my eyes. Then I suddenly sat up and peered at the edge of the bed, looking downwards.

"What's with you?" I heard a laughing Yuzuru behind me, bewildered by my actions.

"Looking for evidence!" I loudly proclaimed. I was literally upside down on the bed, with my head peering under the bed and my feet swaying playfully on top of it.

"Evidence?"

"What teenage boy doesn't have it?!"

I was a woman on a mission, nothing could stop me. Sweeping my gaze left and right, I felt my breath come to a halt, before I let out, "Aha! Found it!"

I lunged at it with both my arms, successfully capturing it within my grasp. Then I felt my body tilt downwards as I didn't have anything to anchor me on the bed, I yelped, "Ah!" I closed my eyes tightly, waiting for the pain, but it didn't come as Yuzuru laid heavily on my waist to stop my descent.

"Geez." Yuzuru huffed as he helped me back on the bed.

"Thanks." I grinned sheepishly. The magazine safely stuck to my chest, within my arms. Remembering it, I narrowed my eyes saucily and placed it between us excitedly. "You naughty, naughty bo-... huh?"

Contrary to the scandalous magazine that I expected, it was some kind of human anatomy magazine.

"What is this?" It was my turn to be perplexed this time.

"This," Yuzuru started, taking the magazine and lightly thumping my head with it, causing me to instinctively shut my eyes, "is a cognitive science magazine."

"Cogni-... I don't even want to know," I gave up as soon as I started.

"Haaa~" Yuzuru dragged the word out, looking at me with a mirthful and equally mischievous look. I wholly regret stealing that look from him earlier. Never copy the progenitor. "Erana... what exactly were you looking for earlier."

I could hear loud and clear that it wasn't a question, but a certified statement. He knew.

"No-nothing..." I played dumb, turning my sight away. I could honestly feel the heat from my blushing face.

"Really?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," I stated shamelessly, raising my chin up in superiority, yet not having the guts to glance at him.

"Really?" Yuzuru repeated, voice gradually neared. His warm breath tickled my ear, sending tingles down my spine, as he whispered, "I think you know."

"I don't-" I began to retort, facing him. I stopped as I saw his amused expression with that knowing look. I opened and closed my mouth, blinked a few times, before clearing my throat in embarrassment. "Hmph!" I huffed, pink dusting my cheeks.

"Ahh, Era-ecchi," said Yuzuru, bringing a blanket against his chest as if to protect his innocence from the big, bad wolf. I think it's obvious that it was me.

"You-!" My mouth opened in indignation, then I smacked his side with a pillow which he blocked with his arm. "I am not!"

"Ah! Era, stop! Please don't!" Yuzuru began to say loudly, these misleading words were enough to strengthen my mission to smack with the pillow, which he blocked every single time.

"Yuzuru!" I yelped furiously, face intensely burning with heat.

Yuzuru got enough of my pillow smacking, he wrestled my waist, my back landed on the bed with him on top of me, and he then continued to tickle me in revenge.

"Ahem."

"Yu-!" I laughed uncontrollably. I was ticklish as hell, and the worst person knew my weaknesses. "Yuzu-!"

"Ahem!"

I think I heard a cough before.

"Stop it! Give!" I giggled as I tried to push this tickle monster off me. "I give! I give up!"

"AHEM!"

The loud noise followed by a series of knocks interrupted us.

Yuzuru and I simultaneously turned our heads towards the open door, where Yumi stood with one hand on her waist and the other still knocking on the door frame, no doubt to get our attention.

That's when I noticed our ambiguous position. Legs entwined together, clothes and general appearance in disarray, and Yumi's teenage son on top of a girl on his rumpled bed.

I swiftly pushed Yuzuru away from me. He complied this time as we both rapidly fixed our appearance.

A heavy silence surrounded the room where a parent was standing there - arms crossed - while two guilty children had their heads bowed from the silent scolding.

"Sorry," I mumbled weakly, bowing my head down. I couldn't bear to look at Yumi.

"We were just playing around," Yuzuru spoke up, strongly overpowering my own. "Sorry, Ma. My fault."

I heard Yumi sigh. I looked up and saw a 'what-will-I-do-with-these-kids' kind of expression.

"Just... keep the door open, alright?" Yumi smiled exasperatedly.

Yuzuru and I gave a sound of assent. Yumi proceeded to leave, but not without saying, "Yuzu, don't just stay here. Tour Era around Sendai."

"I already got a list in mind." Yuzuru grinned, leaning back on his hands in a relaxed manner. "I'm planning to visit the rink later. You brought your skates, right?" he inquired.

"Yep." I nodded quietly, still shy that Yumi found our fumbling around.

"Ok, have fun," Yumi said, waving her hand. "Door open."

"Yes, Ma," Yuzuru lazily replied, before falling back down the bed and laid there decisively.

I followed right after, severely exhausted by the happenings.

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..........M.E.R.I.D.I.A.N......L.I.G.H.T.S..........

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(If you enjoyed reading this, please leave a vote and/or a comment. I may not always reply - mainly because I sometimes find it awkward and intruding to reply [I'm weird that way] - but yes, I do read and appreciate every vote and comment left in this novel.)

(Thank you for being such an awesome support for this novel. I hope you continue to read until the end!~)