The next morning, Aiko woke up with a lingering smile on her face, still basking in the warmth of the previous day's adventure. She got ready for the day, humming a cheerful tune. Just as she was about to head out to meet Ryo for their usual morning coffee, her phone buzzed with a message.
Ryo: Can't make it for coffee today. Something came up. Sorry!
Aiko frowned at the message, a bit disappointed but curious about what could have come up. She replied with a quick "No problem! See you later?" and headed out. As she walked towards the café, she decided to pick up a coffee for Ryo anyway, hoping she might run into him later.
At the café, she was surprised to see Kenta and Hana, who seemed to be in the middle of an intense discussion. She approached them, her curiosity piqued.
"Hey, guys! What's going on?" Aiko asked, setting her coffee down on the table.
Kenta and Hana exchanged a quick glance before Hana spoke up. "Ryo's parents are in town. They showed up unexpectedly this morning."
Aiko's eyes widened in surprise. "His parents? But why didn't he tell me?"
Kenta shrugged. "He probably didn't want to worry you. He's trying to sort things out. They wanted to see him and meet...you."
Aiko's heart skipped a beat. Meeting the parents was a big deal, and the fact that they showed up unannounced made her nervous. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.
"Do you know where they are now?" she asked.
Hana nodded. "They're at Ryo's apartment. He's been trying to get everything ready for their visit."
Aiko nodded, determined to be there for Ryo. "I should go and meet them. Wish me luck!"
Kenta and Hana smiled, giving her encouraging nods. "Good luck, Aiko! You'll be fine," Hana said.
Aiko hurried to Ryo's apartment, her mind racing with thoughts about meeting his parents. When she arrived, she took a moment to compose herself before ringing the doorbell.
Ryo answered the door, looking slightly frazzled but relieved to see her. "Aiko! I'm so glad you're here."
Aiko smiled, giving him a quick hug. "Of course, I'm here. I want to meet them."
Ryo led her inside, where his parents were sitting in the living room. His father was reading a newspaper, while his mother was sipping tea. They looked up as Aiko entered, and she felt a wave of nervousness wash over her.
"Mom, Dad, this is Aiko," Ryo introduced, his voice steady and calm. "Aiko, these are my parents."
Aiko bowed politely. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Tanaka."
Ryo's mother smiled warmly. "The pleasure is ours, Aiko. Ryo has told us so much about you."
Aiko felt her nerves ease a bit at the kind reception. They all sat down, and Ryo's parents began asking her questions about herself, her family, and her relationship with Ryo. Despite her initial apprehension, the conversation flowed smoothly, with Ryo occasionally jumping in to add his own comments.
As the afternoon progressed, Aiko found herself enjoying the company of Ryo's parents. They were kind and genuine, and it was clear how much they cared for their son. Ryo's mother even shared some amusing stories from Ryo's childhood, which made Aiko laugh and feel more connected to him.
By the time they finished their tea, Aiko felt a sense of relief and accomplishment. Meeting Ryo's parents had gone better than she could have hoped for. As they stood up to leave, Ryo's father turned to Aiko.
"We're very happy Ryo has found someone like you," he said with a warm smile. "Take care of each other."
Aiko nodded, her heart swelling with happiness. "Thank you, Mr. Tanaka. I will."
After they left, Ryo pulled Aiko into a tight hug. "Thank you for being here. It meant a lot to me."
Aiko hugged him back, feeling a deep sense of love and gratitude. "I'll always be here for you, Ryo."