The Beginning of Summer

Part 5 - Getting To Know Each Other (#2)

I've had my time on the controller. Kaito and Takeshi were in control while Takeda is helping his brother out in the game. They all sat on the floor.

Hajime and I ended up taking a break on the couch. He's also had his time on the controller.

"So," I look at him. He looks at me as well. "How are you at your home? If you don't mind me asking."

He looks up at the ceiling. "It's always me and my mom. My dad's out of the picture ever since I'm 8. He works overseas, so he's rarely home. Like, super rare. My mom discovered that she has another woman there."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"It's fine," He replies. "We managed to survive without him in the picture. Up to this day, he isn't abandoning his obligations as my father, which is good. He's still financially supporting me."

"That's good! At least everything is fine, right?"

He smiles. "Yeah."

The sound of the controllers got louder that I thought it would break. I look over them to see that they were frustrated. It looks like they were stuck on a puzzle. 

"Ugh!" Takeshi literally almost threw the controller. "How do we do this?"

Kaito placed down the controller. "I'm done. I'm supposed to be here to relax and this is giving me stress instead."

I sigh and got up on the couch. "Here, let me take over. I might know this."

"Actually," Hajime spoke. "I've seen this before. Can I take over, Takeshi?"

"Feel free," He got up from the floor. "I'm about to blow up once I keep this up." He sat on the couch and filled a cup with soda.

* * * * *

"Okay, here," I said as I move the joystick of my controller. "Take this block and place it in the large button over there."

"Got it," Hajime replied. We were focused on the game that we didn't notice that Takeshi and Takeda were just sitting behind us, watching our gameplay. 

I don't know how long we were playing, but we were having fun. I've never played a puzzle game with co-op mode with someone like Hajime, so it was actually fun. Takeshi and Kaito would immediately quit and ask for another game to play.

"There we go!" I frantically clench a fist. "Another puzzle is done!"

"That was fun!" Hajime looks calm but ecstatic. 

I hear Takeda whisper to Takeshi on the couch. "Did you understand what happen?"

"No," Takeshi whispers back. "I suck at puzzles."

I notice that Kaito was missing. "Hey, where's Kaito?"

"Oh, you guys took long playing the game that he took a bath."

"Wait, we really played that long?"

"1 hour and 30 minutes, but he got bored so he went ahead and took a bath."

Someone knocks on the front door. I went and opened it.

"Hey, guys!" It was my uncle Yamato. He seems to be carrying a bag from the convenience store. 

He enters the house and sees the others. "Hello, kids!"

"Good evening, Mr. Ai!" They said out of sync.

"I heard that some of your friends were sleeping over, so I went and bought you all dinner."

I took the bag from his hand. "Thank you!"

"Oh, hello Hajime, didn't know you'd be here!"

He chuckles. "I was invited by Takeda here. They seem fun!"

Uncle also chuckles. "They are. Well, I hope you get along with my nephew here!" He places his arm around me. "This boy here isn't good with emotions, so if he doesn't realize something he did wrong, it's probably that! I hope you help him out."

He nods. "I will, sir."

"Also, where is Kaito? The absence of his presence is nerve-wracking."

"He's in the shower," I say as I point my thumb towards the bathroom.

"Ahh, I won't disturb him then. Well, I have to go. Enjoy the boys' night!"

We all said our goodbyes as he left.

* * * * *

Kaito got out of the shower, wearing a plain white shirt and a pajama. A towel is hanging around the back of his neck.

"I'm done showering," He sat down on the couch. It's your guys' turn."

"Takeda," He calls out, carrying two towels. He tosses one to Takeshi. "We need to save time so we still have enough time to game. So we'll take a bath at the same time."

"Excuse me, what?" Takeda looks at his brother with narrow eyes.

"The bathroom is big," Takeshi says. "There's a shower and a bathtub. If you guys want to game longer, then save time by taking a bath in pair."

"Oh, I see," Takeda was relieved. They both sprint towards the bathroom.

I sigh and agreed with it. I don't mind, really. More time to be awake, I guess.

"Hajime," I look at him. "Is it okay for you to take a bath at the same time?"

"Oh, sure," He replies. He seems unbothered so I guess it is really fine. "Can I take the bathtub? I've never used one in my life before."

I let out a chuckle. "Sure."

We wait for Takeda and Takeshi to finish in the bath.