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Chapter 28 – Family Chaos Before Dinner
Two minutes after sending the message, Manabu Horikita's phone buzzed.
> Akane Tachibana: Good morning. Yes, I'm free.
He couldn't help but smile faintly at the short reply. His fingers quickly typed a response.
> Manabu: Then I'll come to pick you up at 7 p.m.
Akane: Okay.
Satisfied, he placed his phone in his pocket and headed downstairs.
As soon as he stepped into the living room, he found his entire family sitting together — and the moment they saw his face, all three smirked in perfect synchronization.
> "So," Suzune said, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow, "let me guess — you've got a dinner tonight?"
Manabu blinked. "How… how do you know that?"
Suzune smirked even wider.
> "Please. I'm your little sister. You think I wouldn't notice when you walk around smiling at your phone like a teenager?"
Their mother giggled, setting down her tea cup.
> "Did you book a table yet?"
Manabu froze for a second. "Uh… not yet."
Their father leaned back on the sofa, sighing dramatically.
> "Don't worry, son. I'll take care of that."
Before Manabu could thank him, Suzune leaned forward, her eyes gleaming mischievously.
> "What about a ring?"
Manabu's face turned red instantly. "A ring?! Not yet!"
Their mother gasped in mock disbelief.
> "You haven't booked a table, you haven't bought a ring — then what exactly was your plan, my genius son? Just show up and improvise?"
Manabu rubbed the back of his neck, looking away.
> "I have no experience in this kind of thing…"
His mother sighed fondly.
> "You're just like your father. No idea what you're doing when it comes to romance."
His father looked offended. "Hey! I wasn't that bad!"
His mother gave him a teasing smile.
> "Oh, please. You didn't even book a restaurant when you asked me out. We went to five places because they were all full! And then you forgot to bring a ring or even a flower! You proposed to me like an absolute idiot!"
Suzune and Manabu both turned to look at their father in shock, trying not to laugh.
Their father coughed awkwardly. "Anyway… I'll, uh, go book that table."
> "Good idea," their mother said with a smirk. "And you two—" she pointed at Suzune and Manabu "—go buy a ring for my future daughter-in-law."
"Mom!" Manabu protested immediately, his face bright red. "We're not even dating officially yet! I don't know if she'll even say yes!"
Suzune smiled softly, tilting her head.
> "Big brother, even I can tell Akane loves you."
Their mother nodded in agreement.
> "I haven't even met her, but I can tell as well. The way you talk about her — it's written all over your face."
Manabu sighed, defeated, while his father quietly chuckled beside him. The two men exchanged helpless looks — father and son, both victims of the Horikita women's teasing.
> "We're surrounded," their father muttered under his breath.
Manabu let out a small laugh despite himself.
> "Yeah… completely surrounded."
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