Junichiro “Jun” Kubota sat nervously in the Aizawa living room. Tomo had stepped out to grab snacks, leaving him alone with her elegant, mischievous mother, Akemi Aizawa.
Akemi scooted closer, eyes alight. “Jun, dear,” she said sweetly, “now that you’re dating my Tomo, I’d like to discuss something important with you.”
Jun gulped. “S-sure, Akemi-san.”
She smiled. “No need to be so formal. We’re practically family now.” Folding her hands, she continued in a playful tone, “I’m so happy you and Tomo finally got together. I’ve been rooting for you two. In fact,” she leaned in with a conspiratorial wink, “I can’t wait until I get a grandbaby or two to spoil.”
Jun nearly fell off the couch. “G-Grandbaby?!” he squeaked, face blazing red. Definitely not the talk he expected today.
Akemi laughed. “Not this second, of course. But a mother can dream.” She patted his arm. “However, if we’re talking future babies, there’s a family quirk you should know about.”
Jun took a shaky breath. “A… quirk?”
Akemi nodded, suppressing a grin. “The women in our family tend to expand quite a lot once they get pregnant.”
Jun blinked. “E-expand… how?”
Akemi giggled. “We gain weight, dear. Lots of weight. One day we’re slim, the next—poof!—soft and round.”
Jun’s jaw dropped. Akemi and Tomo were so athletic; he could hardly imagine it. “R-really? But you and Tomo are—”
“—in great shape now, yes,” Akemi finished. “But it’s true. Look here.”
She opened a small photo album and pointed. One photo showed teenage Akemi in a karate uniform—slim and fit, just like Tomo. Next to it was a photo from a couple years later: Akemi noticeably chubbier, clinging happily to a younger Gorou (Tomo’s dad) while holding a festival snack. The transformation made Jun do a double-take.
“Th-that’s you?!” he blurted.
Akemi tapped the chubby photo, smirking. “Hard to believe? I really filled out once I snagged my man.” She lowered her voice theatrically. “Let’s just say I drained poor Gorou’s energy like a succubus and worked up a huge appetite.”
Jun turned bright red. “S-succubus?!” he croaked, nearly swallowing his tongue.
Akemi winked, patting his shoulder. “Just teasing.” She closed the album. “My point is: when Aizawa women get comfortable, we eat. So don’t be shocked if someday Tomo craves triple desserts and turns into an adorable blimp.”
Jun nodded weakly, brain flooded with an outrageous image of a very round, pregnant Tomo demolishing an all-you-can-eat buffet. He wasn’t sure if he was horrified or oddly fascinated—just extremely flustered.
Right on cue, the door slid open. Tomo walked in with a tray of drinks and snacks. “Sorry it took so long—” She stopped, noticing Jun’s crimson face and her mother’s too-innocent smile. “…What’s going on here? Jun, you look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Jun jolted upright, nearly spilling his tea. “N-nothing! Everything’s fine! Totally fine!” he yelped, voice cracking. A comical sweat drop popped onto his forehead.
Tomo eyed them both. “Mom, you weren’t messing with him, were you?”
Akemi was already gliding to the door, humming. “Me? Never,” she chimed, halo practically glowing over her head. “We just had a friendly little chat about your future.”
Tomo’s face went scarlet. “F-Future?! M-Mom!”
Akemi slid the door open. “I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone.” She cast Jun a sly wink as a parting shot. “Enjoy your snack, Jun. You’ll need your strength.” And with that, she was gone.
Tomo stood frozen for a moment, face red and eyes wide. “I knew she was messing with you,” she groaned, plopping down next to Jun. “Needing your strength? What does that even mean?!”
Jun gave a feeble chuckle, scratching his head. “Haha… y-you know your mom. She just likes to tease…”