Unexpected

Part 62

Today is a momentous day. Sangil is coming to my parents' house. We're having dinner and conversation (mostly). My childhood house can be intimidating at first, so I try to put Sangil at ease while we're still in the car.

"You've met my family before, so don't be nervous."

"I'm not that nervous," he responds.

"Good. Even when you see how huge it is."

"Wait, how huge are we talking about?"

"It's not a castle like you see on TV dramas, don't worry." But it is large, I think. "My family is friendly, it will be okay. Everyone will be there. And by everyone I mean my parents, siblings, their spouses, and kids. Only Enzo, my older brother, couldn't make it."

"Why not?"

"Good thing we're having this conversation in the car, off camera," I quietly say. "He's in the navy and couldn't get leave. I think he's overseas on a UN peacekeeping mission."

"Why are you glad we're having this conversation off camera?"

I look his way before putting my eyes back on the road. "Because the military is a sore subject between Korea and Japan."

He nods. "Right. I forgot. The navy, you said?"

"Technically it's called the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, but the navy for short."

"Japan doesn't have conscription. Why did he join?"

"He wanted to learn some specific training, and serve his country. My oldest brother, Shiga, joined the air self-defense force. That's where he learned to pilot a helicopter. After ten years he left, and now flies a helicopter for a hospital."

"Like doctor heli in Code Blue?"

I laugh as Sangil references a Japanese drama. "Yes, similar to that."

"Ten years," he murmurs. "That's a very long time."

"Yeah. Enzo will serve ten years as well, but he's halfway there."

"What does he do?"

"Computer stuff, mostly. I don't know the details."

Sangil shifts in his seat. "So how many people is 'everyone'?"

"Twenty-four including me." We pull into the driveway as I speak. The sprawling two story house is large, but I have a hard time seeing it from an outsider's perspective, since I grew up here and know it as home. Besides, five bedrooms among twelve siblings meant we usually shared, even though the eldest were out of the house by the time the youngest were adopted.

"Yabai."

I laugh at Sangil's whispered exclamation. "It's okay. I'm here with you." I find a spot to park the car, and we put on our mic packs. Then I kiss the back of his hand for courage.

We're bombarded at the door by my nieces and nephews. "Oniisan!" They shriek when they see Sangil.

"Aww, they remember you," I tell him. I look beyond the kids to the others. Who's that? I think as I stare at a beautiful young lady. She looks familiar, but I can't place her. Then a lightbulb goes off in my head. "I need a quick bathroom break," I tell the room as I grab her arm and drag her into my old bedroom. I do a double take because it looks different, but then I gather myself together and turn off my mic.

"Dayan!" I softly exclaim. "I almost didn't recognize you!"

She smiles. "That's the idea."

"So you have no plans to reveal yourself to your company yet?"

"Not yet. I don't even know what I'm waiting for. I think I have a good idea of all that truly goes on there, having worked as a gofer and assistant manager. But ... maybe I've come to enjoy the anonymity it gives me. When I announce myself as the owner of Yama & Co, I know things will change. And I'm not sure I want that."

"So is it just the CEO and your idol friend who know?"

"And one of the makeup artists." She gestures to her face. "I couldn't have done this on my own."

"I also like your hair. Is it a wig?"

She grins. "Yes. I wanted to be here, but I know that until I announce myself as the owner of the company, I can't have someone recognize me as Yukiko the assistant manager."

I nod. "I'm going to turn my mic back on, so don't say anything incriminating."

She rolls her eyes at me, then gives me a hug and we leave the room.

We sit down to dinner right away, and I can see that my mom had our cook busy all day (and probably yesterday as well). We spill over from the dining room into the kitchen and living room, with all of us here. Unlike some of our earlier encounters with my family, they behave themselves. Maybe because of all the cameras.

After dinner Sangil excuses himself to use the bathroom, and when he returns his face is flushed.

"You okay?" I ask as he sits down beside me.

He nods. "I just saw your parents at the end of the hallway. They were hugging."

"Lucky," jokes Nikita. "We have to endure kissing."

"It happens a couple times a day," adds Airi. "At least."

"Guys," I caution them. What they're saying is true, but I'm not sure if the audience will understand their oddball sense of humor. It sounds like they're complaining.

We hear a thump from the back of the house, followed by a wail.

"I think that's one of mine," says my sister-in-law, Ikari. "Here, hold him." She thrusts Kora at the closest person and goes to her crying child.

This leaves Sangil gingerly holding an infant. He gives me a slightly panicked glance. "I've never held such a tiny baby before."

"You just need to support the head. And you're doing that." I look down at Kora's sleeping face. "So cute."

"He is cute," agrees Sangil.

"Too cute!" exclaims Taiga.

I look over at her and realize that she's talking about how Sangil and I are sitting close together on the couch, cooing over Kora. She winks at me when I catch her eye, then snaps a photo on her phone.

My mom gives Sangil a photo album, and he teases me about my not-so-photogenic pictures. My mom loved those awkward moments, and printed them out (we have hard drives full of thousands of digital pics as well). "Your high school uniform was a sailor inspired one?! Do you still have it?"

"No, I don't think so." And I am glad, because I wouldn't want to put it on. High school was embarrassing enough.

Several of us head to the game room, where Sangil and I proceed to get our butts kicked during air hockey and billiards by my siblings (and their spouses). I give Sangil a quick tour of the house, highlighting the home theater and my former bedroom, even though it looks different. Then we go outside, where the August night is still warm, and lie in the hammock.

"So, how did that go?" I ask him.

"Fine. You were right, your family is nice. And they love me," he adds with a grin.

"True." Several minutes pass before I suggest a moonlit swim in the pool. I wear a black two piece swimsuit, with diamond cutouts on my hips and a halter style top. We swim lazily in the cool water until we call it a night. 

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Recently watched Drive to Survive season 4. And then F1 had its first race of the year this past Sunday. Even with Snuper inactive, maybe I can motivate myself.