Please pardon my intrusion...

As Nami pulled me into their front door, I couldnt help but mutter that just to give respect to the owner of the house.

After a short date in that shopping district where we just spent time with each other window shopping and eating something to fill our bellies, the bus trip to their neighborhood went smoothly.

Naturally, we didnt repeat what happened last Sunday. The bus was still half-filled with passengers. We would definitely be caught if we became frisky and even more intimate with each other on public property.

Well, we reflected on the previous instance and Nami definitely felt the embarrassment.

Despite her confident approach that night, the shame from doing all those only caught her recently. Every time she would remember that, she admitted that after the feeling of embarrassment, theres a certain excitement.

Its too risky. Anyone would feel the excitement back then. Unless someone was frightened too much, preventing him or her from feeling the excitement.

In any case, Nami begged me to stop teasing her about it and just enjoy the bus ride with her.

Which I did, turning that moment into something more memorable for us.

Im home, mom! I brought a guest. Nami shouted towards the interior of the house which resulted in the sounds of activity as if someone was surprised by her voice as that person hurriedly stood up and began to walk towards their front door.

Apart from her mom, no other soul lived here with them. Her older brothers already have their own families and her father is working overseas.

Even if this house wasnt any bigger than ours, its definitely too big for only two people. Its like how that house was too big for me alone before Akane, Miwa-nee and Minoru moved in.

After removing our shoes and lending me a pair of house slippers Nami and I stood up with our hands clasped, waiting for the arrival of her mother.

Are you nervous? I asked her after noticing that her body was slightly shaking.

This girl didnt inform her mother that shes coming home with me.

Although I also felt slight anticipation because this should be the first time apart from Akane that I was going to introduce myself as a boyfriend to one of my girls parents.

Well in this case, to Namis mother. Will I pass to be her boyfriend or will she give me a failing mark? Will it be fine for me to stay here or will she drive me out after the introduction?

Those kinds of thoughts swirled inside my mind but still, I kept my calm while the girl next to me became riddled with her nervousness.

Upon hearing my question, Nami turned her gaze to me and forced a smile. Me? Nervous? Heh... Gone are the days where I had to feel guilty for dumping Kazuo for you. This is just me shaking in excitement.

Shaking in excitement, huh? Thats not what I see in her at this moment. Shes undoubtedly nervous.

Alright. I believe my Nami. Leave it to me. Ill give your mother a good first impression of me.

Idiot Ruu, Nami said smilingly.

At this point, the figure of her mother finally appeared from their living room.

As soon as she saw us standing right at the front door, she stopped in place with her eyes alternating between us before it eventually settled on our linked hands.

Looking at her from this distance, Namis mother typically looks like a mother. Her long black hair was bundled behind her with her fringes waved to one side. Shes wearing a one-piece sleeveless cotton dress thats slightly oversized for ease of movement or to cover her figure. Shes also wearing a shrug to cover her shoulders and her upper arm.

Her face resembled Nami but not by much... And although she still looked beautiful for her age, given that two of her children already have their own families, there were already a few lines of wrinkles written on her face.

Good evening, auntie. Im sorry for an unannounced visit. I respectfully bowed to her, sweeping away the awkwardness building up in the air.

And following up, Nami also opened her mouth as she introduced me to her mother. M-mom, this is Ruki. Onoda Ruki, my boyfriend.

As soon as the word boyfriend reached her, her moms eyebrow raised as she once again scanned me with her slightly familiar gaze. Its like being observed by Nami again.

The way shes looking at me was like shes trying to find fault that she could exploit.

Well, this was our first meeting and I just told Nami that I would give her a good first impression. That way, she wouldnt be against my relationship with Nami.

Furthermore, shes also the key to whether I could stay here with Nami or not. Since I presented myself to her, it wouldnt be like that time with Saki that sneaked in or that time with Satsuki where theres no one home aside from her

Namis mother surely wouldnt just let her daughter bring a guy up to her room and leave us alone. Thats tantamount to being irresponsible on her part.

Is that so? Welcome to our humble house, Onoda-kun. Come in, you two. And Nanami, tend to your guest. I will prepare for our dinner. Namis mother flashed a smile that was eerily similar to hers. A smile that was filled with meanings.

She then turned around and returned inside, leaving the two of us again.

Even though I got invited in, I hadnt felt a sense of acceptance from it.

And like my own observation, Nami whos still slightly nervous released a sigh after her mother disappeared back inside.

Her tensed body relaxed as she slowly faced me, D-did we do well, Ruu?

Honestly, I have no idea. But at the very least, auntie didnt chase me out. Thats a good thing, right?

When I met Akanes parents, its like meeting another relative. Were all familiar with each other by then so theres truly no difficulty at that time.

When I ran into Elizabeths parents back then, I just confidently made an excuse why I was in her room and didnt think too much about it... And its the same when I tried talking to them to lift Elizabeths grounded state.

This time, its truly a new experience that I had no idea if I did well at presenting myself when I bowed and greeted her.

This would also happen with Minas mother soon.

It is... Youre not rude as well so were safe. Lets go in. Ill help mom in the kitchen and talk to her about you.

Youll raise my favorable points to her? Im too lucky to have a girlfriend like this.

Its natural, idiot Ruu. How can I make you stay if my mom ends up not liking you?

Thats definitely a concern. Although I dont think I am unlikeable, I am also not confident with my likeability. I am just the same aloof and expressionless guy. Even if the number of times I expressed my emotion these days had increased, the air around me remained the same.

If that happened then... I will make an appeal and hope that she will accept me for you.

Thats easier said than done, I know. But theres no hurt to try.

As if its that easy. Lets go. Ill bring you in. Watch and wait for me.

Mhm. I will listen to my Nami.

Geez. Before going in... I need encouragement from you.

Is a kiss enough?

Thats what Im asking for, idiot... Calm my racing heart...

As her voice trailed, Nami closed our distance. And likewise, I pulled her in my arms. Even though theres the possibility of her mother returning to check on us, were in our own world.

With my lips overlapping with hers, Nami melted in my arms as a simple kiss eventually turned more passionate.

No matter how many times we kissed each other already, theres no doubt that were not going to get tired of it anytime soon.

And with this, Namis shaking calmed down and both of our heads cleared up.

When our lips separated, the two of us stared at each other before giggling at almost the same time.

As always, we reached another mutual understanding.

Ill watch over my Nami.

And I... will show off in front of you.

We exchanged another kiss and five minutes passed again before Nami led me inside.