2025-12-30: As a Family
- Log: As a Family
- Cast: Ririka Kawase, Ichika Kawase, Dr. Soutarou Kawase (their father), Suika Kawase (their mother) (both NPC'd by Ichika Kawase)
- Where: Kawase Family Household
- OOC Date: December 30, 2025
- IC Date: Sunday, September 02, 2012
- Summary: Ririka finally worked up the nerve to come out as gay to her parents... and Soutarou and Suika have something to tell their daughters in turn: Suika is pregnant.
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
To say Ririka was nervous... would be a bit of an understatement. She loves her parents, but she also has a lot of ideas about what they expect of her, and what kind of daughter they expect her to be. There are tiny, perhaps inconsequential moments that have nonetheless stuck with her for many, many years.
It's hard overcoming something she's spent most of her life living with.
... but it's also hard to keep all of that bottled up until it was ready to burst. She'd taken a chance by telling her sister, and that had worked out... remarkably well. Ichika had even offered to set her up on a date!
... Of course, if she kept awkwardly dodging dating questions from her parents, or tried to hide the fact that she was, in fact, dating... well...
It'd just be easier to get it done and over with. And less stressful, in the long run.
And so she'd taken the plunge and told her parents there was something she wanted to talk to them about. That it wasn't bad, just... important. And so, on the last day of Summer Break, she'd arrived, spent some time psyching herself in her room, and then come downstairs for the talk.
She's dressed casually, in a purple skirt, black anime t-shirt, and a vest, her hair back in a ponytail. Taking a deep breath, she gets a glass of water and then sits down at the kitchen table. It's the easiest place for everyone to sit and all face each other.
she's tapping on her thigh, running her words in her head over and over again.
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
Ichika is sure things will go well for Ririka, but her nerves are a little infectious. So it takes a little work for Ichika to present the easy confidence she wants Ririka to feel. It's worth it, though. Ririka's been psyching herself up, and Ichika gives her a smile when she comes to sit down at the table with everyone. Ichika's in normal clothes for her--tanktop, cargo pants and so on.
But their parents are hard to read. Mrs. Kawase sits down first, smiling at her daughters, and Dr. Kawase a moment later with a firm nod to both.
"So," Mrs. Kawase says, "Something important! Well, you know that you can always come to us."
She looks to Ichika, who reveals nothing, and then Dr. Kawase focuses on Ririka.
"So, Ririka-chan," he says. "What's on your mind?"
It must be importnat to do on the last day before school...
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
Ririka really appreciates Ichika presenting that calm, confident exterior, even if she doesn't know how much effort it's taking her. She gives her a small smile back, actually relaxing a little as she waits for their parents to join them.
She sits up a little straighter when Mrs. Kawase joins the, giving her small smile, and another one for their father.
She can always come to them. Which is why it's taken her so long to do that. "Of course..." Her smile strains just a little.
She looks to her father as he asks what's on her mind. "Right, well, um..."
All of those rehearsed lines seem to just flit out of her head.
Deep breath. "There's... something I need to tell you. About myself. That I haven't really told anyone before, but..." There's a quick glance at Ichika. Okay, so she told her, but that's still a very small circle.
More tapping on her thigh. She hasn't started humming yet, at least, so that's a good sign. "... you know, Mom, how you asked me last week if anybody had asked me out on a date, and I said I hadn't really had the time, because I was too busy, and I know it made you worry but I promise I'm not overworking myself--" She absolutely is. "--it's... just... the truth is..."
Ririka takes a deep breath. "... I haven't been accepting dates because... I'm... not interested in the people who've been asking me. And I'm not interested in them because... Well..."
There's one final hurdle to push herself over. She takes a deep breath. "The truth is..." The words come out in a rush. "I'm into girls. I figured it out a couple of years ago and just haven't... managed to tell a lot of people."
She looks between both of her parents, her expression open and vulnerable. "But I wanted... I wanted to finally tell you, so I could stop... hiding that part of me."
Ririka sneaks a quick glance at Ichika for reassurance. Is she doing this right? She has no idea.
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
Something to tell them. Dr. and Mrs. Kawase wait through Ririka talking herself through it, their expressions calm and patient. Mrs. Kawase notices the strain, of course--and more to the point shows that she notices, looking supportively at Ririka for a moment. Sometimes it's harder than it sounds to do something like that.
No humming, but--"I remember," Mrs. Kawase says, and Dr. Kawase notices Ririka's quick-to-offer reassurance about overwork. One final hurdle, and...
Ichika nods encouragingly to Ririka when she looks, giving her a V-sign.
Dr. and Mrs. Kawase look at each other for a moment; it's very difficult, in that span of time, to tell what they're thinking--but when Mrs. Kawase looks back, she smiles. "...It must've been very difficult to share that," she says. "Since you weren't able to before. I appreciate that you're willing. ...We don't want you to feel you have to hide from us."
Dr. Kawase is quieter for a moment, but nods at length. "Thank you," he says. "...And I see. So it's not a matter of being unable to find the time, but a matter of different interest..."
Ichika doesn't chime in just yet. But Dr. Kawase says, "Well, to begin with--"
Mrs. Kawase sets a hand on her husband's, and he continues, "That's just fine. We'll support you."
"Yes," Ririka's mother agrees. "Of course. But we do have some questions."
Ichika smiles at Ririka, but doesn't otherwise interrupt.
"...Have you actually dated any girls as yet?" Dr. Kawase asks. "Either is fine, but we would... appreciate knowing, if and when you do. You can imagine..."
Ichika actually chimes in here, "Yeah, after me, you like to have a sense of who our partners are, right?"
"Right," Mrs. Kawase says. "...But we can go over the practicalities with you later. First..."
"You're aware that such a life has difficulties even in the modern world," Dr. Kawase says. "We want you to know that we'll support you, if you choose to be open about this aspect of yourself, or if you choose to keep it private. Whatever you want to do from here is fine."
"You're our daughter, and we love you. ...Though I do have some worries about your overwork, cosnidering you didn't come home for summer... Those can wait for now."
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
It's a small thing, but Ririka apprecaites that look of support from their mother. She can't know if they'll be accepting, but it still helps at least build the confidence to get to the main point.
Ichika flashes a V sign, and Ririka smiles back at her, for just a moment. She doesn't offer her own V yet--she's still full of uncertainty.
She's tense, in that moment where their parents are looking at each other.
She nods a little, as Mrs. Kawase says it must have been difficult. She doesn't say anything just yet, but she does manage a small smile back as her mother smiles.
"You're welcome..." she says to Dr. Kawase, quietly. Different interests... She slowly nods, and in a quiet voice just says, "... yeah."
She lets out a small breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding when her father finally says they'll support her. "Thanks." She's still tapping her thigh, but with a little less intensity.
Questions. "Yeah, I... figured you might." It's kind of a big reveal, after all.
She looks to her father as he asks if she's managed to date, and shakes her head. "Um... not officially? I... well. Um... Kind of had a big crush on Yukina-chan? That's... how I figured it out. Eventually. But we weren't official, or anything."
But they want to know who her partners are, since... "Yeah, that... that makes sense. Uh..." She looks over to Ichika, giving her a questioning look. When she gets confirmation she looks back to her parents. "... Ichika-nee offered to set me up with someone she knows."
She looks to her father next. Difficulties... Ririka slowly nods. "Yeah, I know... and I'm not ready to just... tell everybody about it, but... I wanted to stop hiding it from you two."
There might be a flush as Mrs. Kawase reveals she still has overwork concerns. "Eh heh... um... thank you both for being so accepting. It... it really means a lot to know that..." She looks between the two parents. "... you're willing to accept this side of myself. I was... honestly a little worried you might not..."
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
Questions! They do have them. And Ririka is set to answer, too. Dr. Kawase nods. "I see," he answers, and Mom chimes in, "That explains a bit, dear. You seemed especially heartbroken to see her go."
Dr. Kawase continues, "Then you should be aware--the risks of dating, they do apply with girls as well. You won't have to worry about certain things, but others are universal." As ever, Dr. Kawase is practical. "...So go with your eyes open, Ririka-chan. I'm proud that you're able to stand up for yourself this way."
Though he can't entirely hide that he's a bit worried about it.
Ichika offered to set her up. Dr. Kawase lifts an eyebrow. "A Kasu High student, I presume. Well, we have a couple of those we're fond of now," he says wryly, "But if you both start taking up petty crime you'll run into trouble."
Ichika rubs the back of her neck. "Actually I'm kinda trying to go legit, Daddy..."
Mrs. Kawase smiles, but it's a little lopsided. She focuses back on Ririka in short order. "We appreciate that," she says to Ririka. "We'll always support you, no matter what you do."
Her face falls a little. "After losing Toshiaki-kun," she says, "I promised I would do whatever it took to keep hold of you two. ...If that means supporting you now, then all the better."
"I've known some people who prefer things that way," Mrs. Kawase says. "Though of course, I and your father were together in high school..."
Dr. Kawase nods. "Yes. As have I. There's nothing wrong with it, though society tends to disagree. If anyone gives you any trouble, you just refer them to me." And his lawyer, if it comes down to it.
Mrs. Kawase is sympathetic, then. "You never know," she admits. "Knowing these days, I've seen some truly awful parents... And some of those that are mostly good, but fall short in a few ways. But rest assured--we accept you. The whole you. ...Just because it means you're not going to do everything we expected now doesn't change that."
Dr. Kawase is wry, "True. But you live your way, Ririka-chan. Just make sure we get to stay a part of it, will you?"
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
Ririka smiles a little sadly to Mom. "... yeah, I... I was. Heartbroken. I just... didn't figure out why until after."
But the smile vanishes when Dr. Kawase starts talking about risks. She nods to him, seriously. "Right. I... I know. And I will, promise." She manages a little bit of a smile as he says he's proud of her. "... thanks."
She might be too worried herself to catch the specific worry that Dr. Kawase has, in the moment.
A Kasu high student. "Eh heh... I mean..." If she knew someone from Gekko who was interested, that'd certainly be easier, but... She quickly holds up her hands, saying. "I wasn't planning on it! Honest!"
She winces a little at herself for that. It's not like she wants to disparage Ichika by implication or anything. But she's happy to hear her sister is trying to go legit.
But, support. Ririka nods, starting to relax just a little. "Thanks." Though her expression also falls when Toshiaki is mentioned. "... yeah." She looks down at the table, silent for a long moment. "I was going to tell him, when..." She doesn't finisht hat thought.
Well, there's only a narrow window in which she would've. And a pretty clear reason why it didn't happen.
Ririka looks to her mom with a little bit of surprise. "... You have?" Known people like that, that is. And her Dad, too...
Ririka is all too aware of what society expects... no matter how much she'd like not to be. But she manages a steadier smile as her dad says to refer them to him. "... Thanks, Dad. I will."
So they did expect certain things... but hearing she's accepted helps soften that some. "... and thanks, Mom."
She nods to Dr. Kawase, more firmly. "Of course! That's... that's why I wanted to tell you. So I wouldn't have to hide it if I ever..." She blushes a little, her voice softening, but she's still smiling. "... if I ever got a girlfriend."
She never reacted that way to the prospect of dating a boy.
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
"I'm sorry." She's very sympathetic, Mrs. Kawase; a young heartbreak is something anyone can sympathize with, right?
But Dr. Kawase nods when Ririka listens to him. "Good," he says. "We can talk more about that when you actually start dating; I know your mother already spoke with you about what you'd expect from boys, but..."
It's different, now.
Ichika laughs at Ririka, and isn't at al offended by it. "It's cool, it's cool. I'm not gonna set you up with somebody who's gonna get you into trouble if I can help it."
But.. Toshiaki. Dr. Kawase is the one to look a little pained at that. "I'm sure he would've been a fine confidant for you," he says of his son.
But, they have! Mrs. Kawase nods. "Most people don't talk about it, of course, but here and there. And your father has had many patients, some of whom have preferences like yours."
But expectations? If she asks, it's pretty harmless stuff. But Dad smiles, at that. "Good."
"...Heh. Yes, indeed. If you do, we want to meet her."
"You really do seem different discussing that prospect," Mrs. Kawase says with a smile. "All right. Just be safe, and.. be happy."
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
"Thanks," Ririka says softly. "I'm... over it now." Well, mostly. It was her first crush, after all.
More about... "Eh heh... right. Right." Oh god. Is she going to need to have The Talk: Girls Edition? Do they even know what to say for that?
She manages to grin at Ichika. "Thaaat'd be for the best," she admits. She doesn't say the other type of person Ichika's trying not to set her up with though.
"... yeah," Ririka agrees softly of Toshiaki. Her feelings about him are... very complicated, but in this context, mostly sad.
"Oh, I guess that makes sense," Ririka admits to Mrs. Kawase. And her dad's patients...
Ririka smiles a little more. "I'll bring them home, promise." But the prospect... "Eh heh... yeah, I... well, yeah. I feel a lot different about it, you know? Not that the dates I went on before weren't... nice, but it just never... clicked, until I figured it out."
"Thanks. I'll try." Ririka lets out a huge sigh of relief. "I... I feel a lot better already just getting this all of my chest."
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
She's going to have to have The Talk: Girls Edition. Luckily, their research probably won't include things like 'don't U-Haul on the first date' because they aren't suffused in the right kind of memes. Instead, Ichika grins back. And they... almost certianly know the kind of person Ichika could set her up with, yes.
Toshiaki... they all have deep feelings about him. That's perhaps the main thing that brought the family together the way they are now.
"Good," Dr. Kawase says of bringing them home. Then he nods. "Logical," he says. "If you don't feel that 'spark' for boys, then no boy is going to make you feel that way." A different dad might make a joke about what not to expect now; Dr. Kawase is not that dad.
Instead, Mrs. Kawase smiles at Ririka. "I'm so glad," she says. "We want you to be able to come to us with these things."
"Is there anything else you'd like to share at the moment?" Mrs. Kawase continues. "...It's fine, if you have more to say. If not..."
She looks at her husband, and he looks at her, then they both look to the girls. "While you're here..."
"There is something we'd like to tell you two, as well."
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
Well, at least The Talk: Girls Edition will probably be a little awkward for the both of them, when the time comes. (At least Ririka's not liable to move in with someone while she' sstill in high school.... especially not considering her role in SEES.)
Ririka might still be struggling to process her grief over her brother's death, but she's at least taking steps forward now.
She's not about to mention her reaction to seeing Yuusei dressed up as a girl. That one she's still figuring out. "Yeah, pretty much..."
"I will, Mom, promise," says Ririka with a smile. "I don't think there's anything else... Um... I did tell Ichika-nee already, of course, it just... sort of happened that way."
She looks to Ichika and gives her a smile. "It's... made discussing her dating life a lot easier."
But she sits up a little straighter, looking between her parents curiously. "Oh, well... I'm listening." She shoots Ichika a glance. Does she know what this is about?
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
They're all processing in their own way, really. Forward is the only way to go.
But, Mrs. Kawase smiles. "Good. Then you can rely on each other. I'm glad to hear that."
Discussing her dating life... Dr. Kawase inclines his head. He just acknowledges. That's it. But as to the other matter...
Ichika doesn't know; she looks to Ririka in some surprise, and back to their parents.
"Well," Mrs. Kawase says, "You should know..."
She squeezes her husband's hand. "I'm pregnant," Suika says. "I'll be having another baby. ...I'm at about fourteen weeks, now; I didn't tell you because..."
She looks gently at Ichika, and continues, "It would be too painful if things hadn't worked out."
"But now that I'm this far, it's more likely that things will turn out all right..."
Ichika is pretty stunned for the moment. Her eyes widen. And then, "Oh--Oh, that explains..."
"Yes," Suika answers. "I wasn't sure I could entirely hide it from you..."
Dr. Kawase nods. "We'd been open to the possibility for some time, but... I was a little surprised," he admits.
Mrs. Kawase looks between her daughters. One can almost tell she's a little nervous. "I'm due in mid-February."
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
'I'm pregnant.' Ririka blinks and starts to say something, but then pauses as she starts to process that.
She can't help but look to Ichika to see her reaction. It's kind of huge news for their family.
Fourteen weeks. Mid-February. "Mom... Dad..." There's a rush of complicated feelings, but for now she forces herself to focus on the joy. "I... Congrats! This is-- I had no idea!"
She's the youngest of the family. She's never had to deal with this particular type of news before.
"When are you due? No wait--you already said. Mid February. Right. Sorry, I'm just. Surprised. But I'm happy for you! For both of you!" Ririka is trying not to ramble, and is only partly succeeding.
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
Ichika's reaction is complicated; her heart leaps into her throat. "Congratulations," she says, but it's just slightly strained. "That's--that's wonderful!"
No idea, indeed. Mrs. Kawase smiles at Ririka. "Like I said, I didn't want to say sooner, just in case. But, I'm glad you seem happy. I know we're a bit older than we were when we had all of you, but..."
Dr. Kawase says, "She'll be relying on you. And me, of course."
Ririka rambles, but Ichika is quieter. "That's..."
She bites her lip. "So that's two pieces of good news, today."
She looks to Ririka, and manages a smile. It's... complicated, for Ichika.
And that becomes clear with, "I'll support you, Mom. But I want to know a lot!" She starts to ask--and then shakes her head. "But, not just yet."
Dr. Kawase says, "So you see, Ririka-chan... If our family is going to get a little bigger, it's all the more important to make sure we support those of you who are already here."
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
Not sooner. "Right--that... that makes sense." And relying on her... well, Ririka won't let a responsibility go unanswered. "Of course! I'll make sure to come home a lot to help out."
Ririka's complicated feelings are, undoubtedly, different from Ichika's, but they're still there. She catches her sister's eye when Ichika looks her way. She smiles back, but... under the table she reaches a hand out for Ichika to try and give hers a squeeze.
She's going to make it a point to talk to Ichika later.
But she looks to aa he makes his next point. "Right. Of course!" She looks to Mrs. Kawase again. "And I'll do what I can to support you and the baby."
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
"Don't overwhelm yourself of course," Mrs. Kawase is quick to say. "I know you ahve a great deal going on yourself these days, with school, and your clubs, and your band and your music..."
"But if you can just come by now and then, that'll be enough."
Ichika squeezes Ririka's hand back.
Dr. Kawase says, "Well then. ...We'll talk more later about what you've shared with us," he says, "But I think we've about overwhelmed one another with news already, and I have some work to be doing."
"But thank you for telling us, Ririka-chan."
Mrs. Kawase smiles. "Yes. I was a little worried too... But that just helps me understand you better, I think."
"And you'll have to tell me all about how that date goes!"
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
Suika might have Ririka's number, as she cautions against overwhelm. "O-of course, I won't," she tries to say with a smile. Okay, she might have to work at it.
"Right... um, good luck with your work, Dad." But the sharing. "Of course..."
She manages a smile for her mother. "I'm glad... and... eh heh, I will. Promise."