While investors and business owners across Japan were losing their minds over the historic stock market crash, Takuya Nakayama stood leisurely at the international arrivals gate of Haneda Airport, glancing every so often at the flight information board.
On nearby TV screens, financial analysts dissected the plummeting Nikkei Index with grave faces. The whole city seemed weighed down by the gloom of recession.
But none of that seemed to concern him.
With the Lunar New Year approaching, the production team for Chinese Cuisine Masters, led by Eri Nakagawa, had finally returned from their long shoot in China.
Before long, a familiar figure appeared among the crowd at the exit—and Takuya's eyes instantly lit up.
Eri, dressed smartly in a beige trench coat, pulled her suitcase along, looking slightly tired.
But the moment she saw Takuya, the calm, professional look on her face melted into pure joy.
She said a few quick words to her colleagues and then broke into a near run toward him—like a swallow returning to its nest.
There was a soft thud as she crashed into his arms, carrying with her the faint scent of travel and the warmth of reunion.
Takuya took her suitcase with one hand and gently ruffled her hair with the other, savoring the softness between his fingers.
"Welcome home," he said, his voice low and warm—enough to dissolve every bit of her fatigue.
"Mhm, I'm home," she murmured, her face buried in his chest, breathing in his comforting scent.
"Did you get used to the food over there? You look thinner," he said, his hand brushing softly down her back, his tone full of concern.
"Not at all! The food there was amazing—way more than what we showed on Chinese Cuisine Masters! Some dishes didn't make it into the show because they didn't film as well," she said, her eyes curving into cheerful crescents. "And production went really smoothly this time. The Chinese TV staff really got the hang of it—we wrapped up five full episodes in just three weeks! We even trained some of their crew. Next time, they can handle lighting and stage management themselves, which will save us a lot of money."
She spoke with so much excitement that the spark in her eyes outshone any business plan Takuya had ever written.
"That impressive, huh? Looks like my Eri's already a top-tier producer," Takuya teased, gently pinching her cheek.
"Hehe, of course!" Eri puffed her chest a little, proudly playing along.
When they reached her apartment, Takuya suddenly said, "Come to my place tomorrow. My mom's been talking about you nonstop ever since she saw your first episode."
"Eh? W-wouldn't that be too much of an intrusion?" Eri asked nervously.
"If I don't bring you, I'll be the one getting scolded," he said with a smirk.
The next afternoon, Eri arrived at the Nakayama residence, holding carefully chosen gifts, her fingers trembling slightly as she pressed the doorbell.
The door swung open to reveal Miyuki Nakayama.
"Oh my! Eri-chan! You're finally here!"
Her eyes turned to cheerful slits as she immediately took Eri's hands, her enthusiasm leaving Eri almost flustered.
"Come in, come in! It's freezing out there. Was the trip to China tough? The conditions must've been rough, right? Did anyone give you trouble?"
Bombarded with questions, Eri could only smile politely as she was ushered inside. "Hello, Mrs. Nakayama. No, not at all—everyone treated me really well. Everything went perfectly."
In the living room, the head of the Nakayama family, Hayao Nakayama, was reading the newspaper. When he looked up and saw Eri, his sharp expression softened instantly.
Eri handed over her gifts.
For Miyuki, she had chosen an embroidered silk scarf from Suzhou. For Hayao, a premium tin of West Lake Dragon Well tea.
And for Takuya, a small wooden charm carved with a mythical beast—handmade from boxwood.
"I bought Mrs. Nakayama's scarf directly from a master embroiderer in Suzhou," she explained sweetly. "And the tea is from a local factory we visited while filming in Hangzhou. A friend there gifted it to me."
The thoughtfulness behind the gifts impressed them both.
Miyuki ran her fingers lovingly over the intricate embroidery. "Oh, you didn't have to bring anything! You're far too polite, dear."
Even the usually stern Hayao gave an approving nod as he examined the tea tin—clearly pleased with his son's considerate girlfriend.
At lunch, Miyuki's hospitality reached full throttle.
She had prepared a massive spread that nearly covered the entire dining table, constantly filling Eri's bowl while chatting about Takuya's childhood food preferences as if she were welcoming a daughter-in-law rather than a guest.
But the real "test" came after the meal.
With the dishes cleared, Miyuki pulled Eri over to the living room couch with barely contained excitement and—much to Takuya's horror—brought out a thick photo album.
"Eri, dear, come look at Takuya's childhood photos!"
From the kitchen, Takuya froze mid-motion, dread washing over him.
"Mom! Please—don't bring those out again!" he groaned in despair.
But Miyuki ignored him entirely. She opened the album to the first page and pointed proudly.
"Here, this was when he was five! He insisted on trying on my high heels—then tripped in the hallway and burst into tears. Look, his nose is running!"
"Pffft—!" Eri covered her mouth, shoulders shaking as she tried not to laugh at the red-faced little boy in the photo, dressed in women's heels and bawling his eyes out.
Takuya buried his face in his hands, feeling his dignity dissolve into the ether.
"He was so adorable back then," Eri managed between giggles.
"Oh! And this one!" Miyuki flipped another page eagerly. "During the elementary school festival, he signed up to sing on stage—but the moment he got up there, he forgot all the lyrics and just stood there for three minutes straight while everyone laughed!"
Eri's laughter only grew, her eyes turning into bright crescents again as she looked from the embarrassing photos to Takuya's expression of utter defeat.
The two women—future mother- and daughter-in-law—were completely engrossed in conversation, laughing like old friends. The poor Takuya could only sigh and accept his fate.
Meanwhile, Hayao quietly brewed the Dragon Well tea Eri had brought. As he took his first sip, the smooth fragrance filled the air, and his respect for her deepened even further.
By the time the sun began to set, it was finally time for Eri to leave.
Miyuki reluctantly walked her to the door, reluctant to part.
At the gate, Eri paused and turned to Takuya, her cheeks slightly flushed.
"My mom watched the show too," she said softly. "She really liked it. She keeps saying I've done well." She hesitated a moment, gathering courage. "I'll be in Tokyo for a few days… would you come visit? My dad wants to meet you."
Takuya's heart warmed—he knew what that invitation meant.
He met her gaze, filled with quiet anticipation, and smiled.
"Of course. Tell your parents I'll come by tomorrow."
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