chapter 145
When Raiven had first told him that his mother wanted to meet them for dinner, Haru had been skeptical.
For a moment, he had genuinely wondered if he had misunderstood him.
His first meeting with Mrs. Park hadn't gone the way he had expected either. Haru had spent days imagining the woman as someone who would immediately dislike him, perhaps even curse him out for being involved with her son. Instead, she had been something far more difficult to understand.
Pleasantly cold.
She had been polite throughout their brief interaction, but there had been a careful distance in every word and every gesture. It was the sort of courtesy that made it impossible to determine whether someone liked you or was simply too disciplined to show that they didn't.
Now, a week after Raiven had casually mentioned the dinner invitation, Haru stood in front of the bedroom mirror for what felt like the tenth time.
He adjusted his collar.
Then his sleeves.
Then the collar again.
He stared at his reflection.
Was this too formal?
Too casual?
He had already changed twice.
Something inside him desperately wanted Mrs. Park's approval. Perhaps it was because she was Raiven's mother, or perhaps because this was the first time he would be meeting Raiven's father properly.
Either way, Haru wanted to make a good impression.
He was still debating whether his outfit was appropriate when Raiven appeared in the doorway.
"Are you going to change again?"
Raiven leaned against the doorframe, watching his restless boyfriend with amusement.
Unlike Haru, he was dressed casually. He looked completely unconcerned about the evening ahead.
Haru scoffed and adjusted his collar once more.
"You look fine," Raiven reassured him.
"I want to make a good impression."
"You've already made one."
"That was different."
"How?"
"That was an unexpected meeting."
Raiven raised an eyebrow.
"And this one isn't?"
"This is dinner with your parents."
Haru said it as though Raiven had invited him to meet royalty.
Raiven laughed quietly.
"You don't need to worry."
He crossed the room and slipped his arms around Haru from behind, resting his chin against his shoulder.
"I am very impressed, actually. So impressed that I'm considering ripping these clothes off and putting you on that bed just to show you how impressive you look."
"Raiven."
Haru scolded him mildly, though the heat rising into his cheeks betrayed him.
Raiven chuckled and kissed his cheek.
"Besides, you're the first person I've officially brought home."
Haru's expression changed.
Raiven rarely spoke about his family.
He had never taken Haru home before. Even when his schedule brought him near his family's neighborhood, Raiven usually found a reason to avoid the house altogether.
Haru had noticed.
He simply hadn't pressed.
"My dad is pretty easygoing," Raiven continued. "My mom is... well, you've met her. She's a director at the agency. You've already spoken to her."
"That was separate."
"And my dad is basically a house husband anyway."
Haru turned slightly.
"Didn't you tell me he owns a laundromat?"
Raiven shrugged.
"Well, according to my mother, that doesn't qualify as worthy work."
Haru blinked.
He wasn't sure whether Raiven was joking.
"What about your brother?"
"He plays esports. He won't pay attention to you."
"Doesn't he have a tournament next week?"
Raiven stared at him.
"How do you know that?"
Haru's cheeks flushed.
"I might have searched it up."
"Why?"
"I'm sorry if I want to have more things to talk about at a sudden family dinner."
"I told you about this a week ago."
"Yes. That's short notice."
Raiven laughed.
"You're unbelievable."
Haru picked up his bag from the dresser.
"Let's go."
As they entered the elevator, Raiven slipped his hand into Haru's.
The teasing gradually disappeared from his expression.
Haru noticed.
"Are you nervous?"
"No."
"You're lying."
Raiven glanced at him.
"You're the one who searched up my brother's tournament schedule."
"That's because I care."
"I know."
The elevator doors opened.
They walked toward the car.
Haru hesitated before getting inside.
"Raiven."
"Hm?"
"I want this to go well."
Raiven looked at him.
"I don't know when, or even if, we get married, but..." Haru's voice softened. "I don't want all the family sides to be empty."
Raiven stopped.
"You want to get married?"
Haru immediately laughed.
"Not right now. I'm still young."
Raiven stared at him for another second before smiling.
"Good."
"Why good?"
"Because if you had asked me to marry you tonight, I'd have had to remind you that you still haven't learned how to leave the bathroom without leaving your clothes on the floor."
Haru shoved his shoulder.
"Drive."
The Park residence was located in one of the city's wealthier neighborhoods.
Haru had expected something impressive.
He still wasn't prepared for it.
The mansion stood behind tall gates, surrounded by carefully maintained gardens and mature trees. Warm lights illuminated the exterior, making the enormous property look almost inviting despite its imposing size.
Haru stared through the window.
"Are you sure your father makes enough from a laundromat to live here?"
Raiven laughed.
"My mother makes more than enough."
"Right."
"And this house has been in the family for years."
Haru nodded slowly.
That made more sense.
When they arrived, several members of staff were already waiting near the entrance.
Haru immediately straightened.
Raiven noticed.
"Relax."
"I am relaxed."
"You're standing like you're about to give a speech."
"Shut up."
Raiven smiled.
The front doors opened.
They were greeted politely before being led inside.
The interior was elegant without being excessively decorated. Everything appeared carefully chosen, but there was little that suggested people actually lived there.
Haru found himself wondering whether that was simply because he was nervous or whether the house really did feel strangely impersonal.
Then he saw Mrs. Park.
She stood at the end of the hall wearing an elegant dress, her posture perfectly straight.
Her eyes moved toward Haru.
For a moment, Haru felt his stomach tighten.
Then she smiled.
"Haru."
"Mrs. Park."
"You came."
"Of course."
She approached them.
Raiven's mother studied him briefly before turning her attention to her son.
"You're late."
Raiven checked his watch.
"By three minutes."
"Still late."
Haru lowered his head to hide his smile.
Some things, apparently, hadn't changed.
Mrs. Park looked back at him.
"Come. Dinner is ready."
Her tone was polite.
Not warm.
But not cold either.
Haru followed them into the dining room.
The table was large enough to seat far more people than the four who would actually be eating.
That immediately made Haru uncomfortable.
He took the seat beside Raiven.
Across from them sat a man Haru immediately recognized as Mr. Park.
He looked older than Raiven but considerably more relaxed than his wife. His expression brightened when he saw them.
"Finally."
He stood.
Raiven rose as well.
"Dad."
They shook hands.
It wasn't a hug.
It wasn't particularly affectionate.
But Haru noticed the brief hesitation before Raiven pulled away.
Mr. Park looked at him.
"And you must be Haru."
"Yes, sir."
"Don't call me sir."
Haru blinked.
"Just call me Mr. Park."
Raiven's father smiled.
"I've heard quite a bit about you."
Raiven immediately frowned.
"From who?"
His father laughed.
"Your mother."
Raiven looked at his mother.
Mrs. Park simply picked up her glass.
"I didn't say anything embarrassing."
"You're sure?"
"Eat."
Haru bit the inside of his cheek.
This was already more awkward than he had anticipated.
A few minutes later, another figure entered the room.
A young man wearing an oversized hoodie walked in while staring at his phone.
He barely looked up.
"Sorry."
"You're late," Mrs. Park said.
"I was practicing."
Raiven glanced at him.
"Your tournament?"
Taevin finally looked up.
"You know about it?"
"I heard."
Taevin looked suspicious.
Then his eyes moved toward Haru.
"Did you tell him?"
Haru raised both hands.
"I may have done some research."
Taevin stared at him for a second.
Then he laughed.
"You're weird."
"I'm trying to survive dinner."
That earned another laugh.
Raiven looked between them.
"Traitor."
Taevin dropped into his chair.
"I like him."
Haru smiled.
Dinner began.
For the first several minutes, conversation remained painfully formal.
Mr. Park asked Haru about his work.
Haru answered.
Mrs. Park asked about Nexus.
Haru answered.
Taevin asked whether the filming schedule was exhausting.
Haru answered that too.
It wasn't unpleasant.
That was almost the problem.
Everyone was being too careful.
There was no natural rhythm.
No one seemed to know what they were supposed to say.
Haru glanced at Raiven.
He was eating quietly.
His expression remained neutral, but Haru could tell he was uncomfortable.
Not nervous.
Not frightened.
Just unfamiliar with this.
Like someone who had spent years watching a family from outside a window and suddenly been asked to sit at the table.
Mr. Park eventually cleared his throat.
"So... how did you two meet?"
Haru nearly choked on his drink.
Raiven sighed.
"Dad."
"What?"
"You've met him before."
"That doesn't mean I know the story."
Haru looked at Raiven.
Raiven looked back at him.
There was a silent conversation between them.
How much do we tell him?
Haru smiled awkwardly.
"We met through work."
Mr. Park nodded.
"Right."
A silence followed.
Taevin looked at his brother.
"You're terrible at this."
Raiven frowned.
"At what?"
"Talking."
"I talk perfectly fine."
"No, you don't."
Haru covered his mouth.
Mrs. Park glanced at Taevin.
"Eat your food."
Taevin shrugged.
Mr. Park smiled.
For the first time that evening, the tension eased slightly.
But Haru couldn't stop noticing the little things.
Mrs. Park occasionally watched Raiven when she thought no one noticed.
Mr. Park kept trying to include him in conversations, even when Raiven gave short answers.
Taevin didn't speak much to his brother, but whenever he did, there was less hesitation than there was between Raiven and their parents.
It wasn't a close family.
Haru could see that now.
There were too many pauses.
Too many things left unsaid.
Too many years sitting between them.
Yet there was something else there too.
An effort.
Small.
Awkward.
Almost painful.
But genuine.
Haru looked at Raiven.
Raiven caught him staring.
"What?"
"Nothing."
Raiven narrowed his eyes.
Haru smiled and reached beneath the table, quietly taking his hand.
Raiven's fingers tightened around his.
Across the table, Mrs. Park noticed.
She said nothing.
But for the first time that evening, the expression on her face softened.
Just slightly.
Dinner continued.
It was still awkward.
Still tense.
Still far from the warm family gathering Haru had imagined.
Perhaps this was what rebuilding looked like.
Not grand gestures.
Not suddenly becoming a perfect family.
Just four people sitting around the same table, trying to learn how to speak to one another again.