Lei was not too busy, but oh boy was she nervous. Yu had told her that she was preparing a ritual, which would bring her parents back into the present. Yes, she still wanted to rush things with her, but when it came to meeting her parents, this didn't negate the nervousness in her heart that was tingling from there to her fingertips... The only thing that counteracted this, was that Yu, probably, would feel the same, when it would be her turn.

Maybe this was a bit of mischief or a streak of wickedness, which made her enjoy this outlook as much as she did, regardless, it helped her a bit, soothing her emotions, and it was uplifting enough, for her to survive the days without Yu and only was accompanied by the growing anticipation. Still Lei didn't have much to do, at least no things, which would distract her.

No matter, the director had loved the idea, which Yu had come up with, and he had added a twist to it already.

It was out of her hand now, thus she could only wait, at the same time it needed to be run with the higher-ups and execs. What she could do though was, giving pointers to the writers, who needed to adjust the script, or even write new ones, so that they could really incorparate the twist into the story, which the director had come up with... They were quite busy and a bit desperate for help... However, this mostly didn't affect Lei as she went about her day...

It was good that they weren't far along in the filming process, but it would still increase the workload and so everyone had to be on board. But really, it looked promising, especially after Lei had asked the lead and the co-star's tentatively about it - at least they wouldn't mind. Not to say that they would be thrilled, actually, if Lei would stay on set for longer.

They liked acting with her, even though, or maybe due to her being reserved at first. The moment when she started to act, she was focused a 100%.

She had this Aura, which pulled the other's in, and made it easier for them to get into the zone.

This did not mean that they, or she never fumbled takes, but even then some of the material was still usable or even better, than the script.

This also held true, when it came to the rest of the crew - it felt so natural for them to act and be in this show, it almost didn't feel like a job.

In her free time Lei went to the café, which Yu had showed her and played with the little furballs - especially a certain white wolf that had grown particularly fond of her.

This made it easier for her to alleviate her thoughts and her missing of Yu.

Yes, they were writing each other and constantly pebbling each other with small gifts, self-made and other, but ... Lei was aware that this sounded pathetic, still... they had been living for such a long time and after it had clicked, at least at the moment and somehow, every second apart felt like torture.

When Lei had this thought, she needed to snort and then laugh to herself; had she really turned so needy? This reminded her so much of her père it was uncanny...

Of course this was perfect cannon fodder for him, the moment she started to try and keep it from her parents, which was quite unsuccessful, when she asked them for help with the preparations, for Yu's parents, it got out almost instantly and organically.

Finally, the evening of the meeting day arrived.

Yu had asked her father's to send some sweets and gifts from home - her ba send a bottle of self-made plum wine, while her père refrained from baking and only send an assortment of packaged delicacies that wouldn't go bad for a while, even upon arriving in Nihon.

These things included almonds with orange blossom, nougat and an assortment of colourful sweets.

Of course, she had also hit the local stores and looked for gifts and even had found a Patisserie, where she could buy a summer themed orange cake.

They each had been showering the other in gifts, thus it was only sensible, to put a lot of effort in the gifts, for her future In-Laws.

But as she was very nervous, it had taken her longer to buy, and she had flooded Yu with images, asking and inquiring again, and again, whether her choice would be to her parents liking.

Lei had arranged everything in a basket and covered it with a self knitted blanket, which was embroidered with purple magnolias.

She took deep breaths and started to get dressed, changing for the third time.

Should she go for a dress, a two piece? Maybe a pantssuit?

It probably didn't matter much...

Perhaps one of her designs that merged the pompous french dresses, with the elegant Hanfu? Of course, there were less pompous styles, but something about these two styles kind of just harmonised with each other, in Lei's opinion.

Her hair was braided and she arranged it similiarly to the slight ruffles in the silk cloth, which complemented the look.

She glanced into the mirror and though she was insecure, and her breathing came rapidly, she had no time to change again. Thus, she left and let her manager drop her off, to avoid anything falling out of place or getting dirty.

The house was beautiful.

A rare sight, to have something mostly untouched by modern architecture. Not in general in Nihon, but in this region, where Yu's parents resided.

Even in this changed state, and changed in comparison to the picture of the original site, it was still a remarkable sight to behold.

Her manager gave her an OK hand sign and a wish for good luck, as Lei was still regulating her breathing, before ringing the bell.

When she had stepped out of the car, her heart had skipped a beat and for once, the yearning to see Yu again was overshadowed by her anxiety.

She hoped that the parents had been informed, because Yu had hinted at being hesitant to ambush her parents right away, but it had been almost two weeks and a week after the ritual… it should be fine.

Lei really hoped that this would not be a surprise to them and that she would remember everything that Yu had told her, which she needed to pay attention to.

It was not that she wasn't familiar with Nihon's customs, but it didn't hurt to ask, whether there were any special things she had to pay attention to.

It really helped that some of the customs had already been taught by both sides of her parents. They were very old-fashioned and all about respect and filial piety.

If her ba hadn't already known, Lei would've waited an appropiate amount of time, before telling him.

It needs to be added though that her ba had been quite untraditional with her pére, in that he had claimed him, way before asking each their parent's approval. He didn't regret it, but usually it flustered him so much that he had to calm down first, before he spoke further about the issue.

After a bit the door was opened and a man with middle-length hair and a bit of a stern gaze opened it.

She greeted him with a low bow and introduced herself. It was a relief that, at least, they weren't surprised and that she was allowed to step in.

Subsequently, to taking off her shoes, she handed the man the basket and was invited in.

A silence spread across the house...

And Lei was led into the living room, where a tall woman with curly hair stood her face showing a honeyed smile.

All the warmth that had evaporated from the man seemed to be at home with his wife and radiated from her, re-warming the now mostly autopiloted dragon.

She greeted her as well and bowed.

Suddenly, the former stern man, relaxed his feature's a bit and gave the basket to his wife, who thanked Lei and took out the plum wine, for the meal that they would take together.

The appearance of the man had softened and made him look more elegant and refined, his lashes were as long as Yu's and their facial shape was rather similiar.

He looked freshly shaven and sat down first. His wife showed her a chair farthest from the door to sit on and then sat down before her.

Lastly, Lei took her seat and tried to relax.

"Yu is still debating what to wear, don't worry, she will be here soon.", the reassurance of Yu's mother, calmed her nerves a bit.

Lei tried to pick up the small talk and was grateful that Haeun-ssi had started it. They had introduced themselves, when Lei had arrived.

They continued talking, mostly initiated by Haeun-ssi and the topic focused on what she had brought and why she had travelled here.

Sometimes Yuto-san threw in more concerning questions, which just spoke for his seriousness, however his wife wouldn't let him bully Lei too much.

After a bit of back and forth the redhaired woman noticed something was off here. Only a short while later the conversation got lighter and laughing Yu's father apologised saying that he had rarely gotten the chance to be the overprotective father, and she hopefully could forgive him this act.

Lei could laugh then, the nervousness dripping off of her like the condensate off the wine bottle.

About half an hour later Yu arrived wearing a more modern summer style Yukata.

In awe and struck speechless, Lei stood up, as she arrived to greet her formally as well, and as she had done with her parents.

She sat down after Yu did and then they started to eat.

There was still a lingering icy atmosphere, due to Yu's father, but after a small kick, which was heard, by most surrounding parties, it eventually thawed and they continued their chatting.

At least in between eating their fill.

Afterwards, when it came to opening the wine Lei did the honors, after politely asking and then pouring a cup for each parent.

First for Yu's dad and then her mum, before giving a serving to Yu and lastly herself. She had used both her hands, as was custom, not only here, but also with her ba.

As the atmosphere had eased, the mood got lighter and even though sometimes the question's were still a bit serious, it was easy for both of them to answer them.

Each, or sometimes simultaneously. They did not hold hands or anything however, a very daring toe nudged agains Lei's ankle and elicited a giggle from Yu, while Lei smiled charmingly.

Note: I am aware that Lei would never use first name basis on the first meeting, this was just to finally reveal Yu's parents first names. At least the first half of them.