Shoto hadn’t expected this to feel so nerve-wracking. He sat in the living room of his mother’s apartment, together with Rei, Fuyumi, and Natsuo. They were in the middle of planning a long-overdue family trip—a weekend getaway to a quiet beach town, something they hadn’t done in years.

“Can I bring my boyfriend?”

The silence stretched for a beat too long. Rei blinked, her lips parting slightly, as if she hadn’t heard him correctly. Fuyumi’s mouth formed a soft “oh,” her eyes widening. Natsuo, who had been reclining against the couch, suddenly sat up straighter.

“Boyfriend?” Natsuo echoed, a grin pulling at the corner of his mouth. “You? Dating?”

Shoto exhaled through his nose, already anticipating his brother’s reaction. “Yes.”

Rei was the first to recover, her expression melting into something warm and gentle. “Shoto, that’s wonderful,” she said, her voice filled with quiet excitement. “You’ve never mentioned… anyone before.”

“I know.” His fingers curled slightly against the fabric of his pantsz. “But this trip felt… important.”

Fuyumi clasped her hands together, practically vibrating with barely contained enthusiasm. “Of course you should bring him! I can’t believe you’ve been keeping this a secret!”

Natsuo let out a low whistle. “Damn. So, where’d you meet the lucky guy?”

Shoto’s lips quirked up ever so slightly. He didn’t usually like being the center of attention, but somehow, this moment wasn’t uncomfortable. “In school.”

Fuyumi and Natsuo shared a look, the kind only siblings could understand. “Wait,” Natsuo said, squinting at him. “Is he in our class?”

“No.”

“But he goes to UA?” Fuyumi asked, leaning in.

“Yes.”

“You don’t have to tell us everything right now,” Rei said. “We’re just happy you’re sharing this with us.”

Shoto nodded. He wasn’t used to this—talking about something so personal, letting others see this part of him. But the way his family was looking at him, the way their warmth filled the room, it made him glad he had spoken up.