"Today... Satsuki and I won't be going out on our date because I have an important matter to discuss with you two." Taishi looked into his parents eyes and they looked back at him with loving smiles. "I... love you two. I love this family. The moment I became a part of it, I started to love it." he said. His mom smiled at him and told him that she loves him back. "But you know, something disappeared from the family I love before... something..... I know you wouldn't like the sound of this but for me... that something is between mom and dad. Something between the two of you that used to be there before is now gone. You used to always look at each other, the way you two are looking at me now. With so much love and care and happiness. You used to always make jokes about each other and argue about stupid stuff and you'd laugh it off, like it's nothing and make up. But now, you don't look at each other the way you used to. You don't make jokes anymore and your fights are getting serious. So serious that you won't make up anymore." Taishi's mom opened her mouth to interrupt him but he went on. "Why is it that you try to look so happy in front of me and 'lose the roles' when you think I'm gone? Why have you two suddenly become like this? I can't help but think that; you two are only trying to carry on with your marriage so this family won't break. You're only faking your relationship and what for? If it's for me, no thank you. I'd rather you two just... just go and... divorce." Taishi's voice cracked and he was forcing his tears back in.
His parents looked at him with glum in their faces. "Taishi... we can't do that. We apologize for making you go through these hardships but we can still fix this." his dad said. "Fix it? You think getting mad at each other and talking without listening to what the other has to say is 'fixing it'? Dad, mom, you're just driving it worse that way. If you really want to fix it you'd do something better than that." Taishi's voice was trembling and so was his body. It was the first time he talked to his parents like this and though he felt like he was doing the right thing, he didn't feel at ease.
There was silence.
Taishi kept his eyes fixed at them but they looked away from him and away from each other too. He's running out of patience. Why can't they speak up now that they have to? Taishi's tears fell and he sat back to look at them. They were also crying. He breathed in deep and got on his feet to leave. "This is useless." He whispered to them.
"Taishi! Taishi..." his mom suddenly squealed and looked up to him. His dad also got alarmed.
"Your brother's death... I-- I've been blaming it on myself..." she sobbed. He looked at her in worry and surprise. "I found him that opportunity to work overseas. I told him about it and I persuaded him on it. The look in his face, his smile and the tone of his voice back then, he was glad. I was so happy to see him glad with my suggestion. But I... I knew that's not really what he wanted. Deep down I knew that's not really what he wanted... he doesn't want to be away from us. He doesn't want to be rich. That wasn't his goal. I knew it deep down and yet I ignored that thought. I led him to an accident because of a dream that I lost. A dream that I forced him to continue. It was all my fault. It wouldn't happen, he would still be with us right now and you, we wouldn't have to feel like this if it wasn't for me. It was all because of me!" Taishi's mother wailed. Taishi sat back down, his thoughts and emotions messed up. "I told your father this... but he didn't blame it on me. Like he always does when I've made a mistake. He comforts me until I feel okay. He says kind things and he didn't make me feel so guilty." His mom smiled a bit, though she was still crying. "I just don't understand why he kept on going overseas to do the job when I already feel bad about it." She added and glanced at her husband. Taishi looked at his father for his explanation next.
"Sorry... I'm sorry... I just thought that if I can show you that it's safe, it was just an accident, that it wasn't your fault, you'd be happier. You'd feel better if I do it. If I continue that dream you gave our son... I thought you didn't want me to continue going because you were doubting me, that's why I got mad. I thought my effort for you was being thrown away... I'm sorry, Rina. I'm sorry for being so blunt. I wasn't thinking clearly about your real feelings. I'm sorry I said all those harsh things. Sorry I've been a bad husband. Sorry. I'm sorry." His dad held his mom's hand and she leaned on his shoulder, squeezing his hand back. "It's okay... I'm sorry too. I understand now." she sniffed.
"Satsuki! Satsuki! Satsuki!" Satsuki, Satsuki, Satsuki darted down the stairs, with a toothbrush in her mouth, suds at the corner of her lips and a towel still rolled on her head when she heard Taishi's voice calling desperately at her. She opened the door and he ran to her. His face is a great example of what you look like when you've won a billion dollars. Giving her no time to say a single word, Taishi threw his arms around her and he kept chanting, "Thank you" happily. When he finally let her go, Satsuki took her toothbrush out of her mouth and asked, "For what?"
"They're good now. They've made up. My parents have made up." Taishi smiled. "Really?! That's great news, Taishi! But, why are you thanking me?" Satsuki asked, smiling confusedly. "Oh, Satsuki. Why shouldn't I?"
Kei and Mirai swiftly walked pulling their luggages behind them towards Taka's car and Mirei, Taishi while Satsuki ran into Kei's arms. Kei lifted his sister up and twirled her around. "12 days and 11 nights they're not together. They've been texting anyway, right?" Mirei breathed as Mirai walked straight to them and she raised an eyebrow at her little sister. "Eh~ Are you jealous? Do you want me to hug you too~" Mirai pointed at Mirei teasingly. Mirei made a face at her and she helped Taka load the luggages in the car. Kei and Satsuki walked to them and Taishi greeted him a "Welcome back." Kei smiled and nodded at him. "Thank you. I believe you've been taking care of Satsuki?" he asked. Taishi and Satsuki gave him a happy yes at the same time.
The lot of them got in the car and they left the airport. "So the plans for today is have brunch in shops around here then buy food and other stuff for later's christmas party, right? I'm excited~" Mirai reminded them and Satsuki anticipated, smiling at her. "Aren't you tired yet? You just came home from a trip and now you're still on about the next." Mirei snapped. "Why are you acting so cold? Didn't you actually miss me?" Mirai pouted. "Why and how could I?" Mirei smirked. "You're just saying tht because YOU wanna rest, right?" Mirai moved forward and rested her chin behind Mirei's seat to annoy her easier. "I do but you should take a rest too." Mirei swatted Mirai's hands off. "Eh... you're not so cold after--" Mirai stopped.
She and Mirei looked at their left and their eyes stayed glued at the seemingly happy couple walking hand in hand along the sidewalk. They were talking to each other with smiles on their faces. The other 4 followed the direction of their turned necks but since they were driving away, they didn't catch glimpse of what the sisters were looking at. "What was it?" Taka asked, glancing at the rear view mirror. Mirai and Mirei glanced at each other, both weirded out. They were sure if what they saw but they wouldn't believe it like that. "Nothing." They replied and everyone else exchanged curious looks, but asked no more.
