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When he had broken the news of this meeting to his prospective partner, he had just nodded and asked to be given the details and that was it. It had seemed a little strange to the pink-haired Iriomote cat at first. He had been so sure he was going to call the whole thing off. No one he knew would go through to such lengths just to get laid. It was strange to say the least, but if Haruichi was to be completely honest, he guessed that, at this point, he couldn’t really be too picky. So what if Furuya was a little bit strange ?Maybe the guy was just pent up ? Or lonely ? He was from Hokkaidō after all.
Haruichi kind of counted on the meeting to make up more of Furuya’s personality but he would be lying if he said that he wasn’t equally dreading it. It wasn’t like he was under any delusion that his older brother was actually gonna behave and be cordial to Furuya, let alone amicable. He might even be up to something, for all he knew.
They had agreed on midday for the time but at half to twelve, to Haruichi’s delight, Kuramochi rang the bell.
“Kuramochi-senpai ?”
“Hey, Haruichi. Furuya isn’t here yet right ?”
He stepped aside to let his unexpected guest come in.
“No, but I didn’t know Brother had invited you too.”
“Well, he didn’t forbid me from coming and I figured that you could use some support. And also because I’m worried Ryō-san is planning on poisoning the poor guy and disposing of the body.”
“That’s not very nice of you to say these kinds of things about me, Yoichi.”
They both turned towards the older student who had just stepped out of the kitchen.
“I especially made a nabe to clear my name of any accusation and yet. I am cooking for an ungrateful brother, a freeloader, and a lech.”
Haruichi rolled his eyes but Kuramochi looked more anxious.
“Do you want me to leave, Ryō-san ?”
His brother looked back intensely at the cheetah before going back to the kitchen.
“It’s fine, I had a hunch you’d come so I made enough for 4 anyway. But you have to set the table.”
“Sure !”
He went on to the dining room and, to everyone’s surprise, the bell rang again. Upon opening it, Haruichi was face to face with Furuya.
“Furuya !”
“Hi, Kominato. I’m not late, am I ?”
Shaking himself off of his stupor, he stepped aside and Furuya walked inside.
“No, please come in. Use any pair of slippers you’d like. I was a little surprised, I didn’t expect you to be this early.”
“Ah, well I was going to take the subway but I was strongly advised to take a taxi instead.”
“Why a taxi ?”
“According to them, I’m not very good with directions.”
“Ah.”
Heavy footsteps stomped on the hardwood floor and in seconds, the two older students were at the entrance. Haruichi shivered under his brother’s intense gaze.
“Oh ? Is it the infamous Furuya here ?”
The first year, amazingly unfazed, just bowed to him.
“Hello, nice to meet you. I am Furuya Satoru, first year. Thank you for allowing me into your house.”
Admittedly, Haruichi hadn’t expected Furuya to be so formal and polite. And apparently neither had his brother who seemed thrown off by it for a fraction of second and Kuramochi, ever the supportive friend, chipped in, deviating the attention towards him.
“Heya, Furuya. How are you, boy ?”
The polar bear turned towards him and bowed once again.
“Kuramochi-senpai, good morning. I’ve been good, thank you.”
His brother who had now recovered, seized him up, ultimately noticing how lightly he was dressed.
“I guess you really are a winter animal. You must be thriving in this weather.”
He looked down at his jacket over T-shirt outfit and shrugged.
“It’s warmer here than in Sapporo.”
Ryōsuke hummed.
“I see. Well, lunch is not ready yet. You can go wait with Haruichi and Youichi in the living room. I’ll be there soon.”
Kuramochi and Haruichi shared a confused look at the apparent cool demeanor of his brother. It was incredibly fishy. He had to be plotting something, and knowing him, he was going to try to wait until they put their guard down to strike. In the meantime, an oblivious Furuya waited patiently until they made their way to the couch. There, they sighed. It was going to be a long day.