How We Met Again

Chapter 14: The Storm on the Horizon

After parting ways with Yotsuba, I made my way home as quickly as I could. When I finally arrived, my dad was sitting at the table drinking a cup of tea. Raiha was sitting across from him, cross-legged on the floor. As soon as I walked into the main room, I could immediately tell that my little sister was anxious. My dad, on the other hand, seemed even more relaxed than usual.

"Hey, kid. Come sit down."

Apprehensively, I walked over to the table, and sat down next to Raiha.

"Dad, what's going on...?"

My dad wordlessly took a long sip of his tea. Raiha leaned over to me, and whispered in my ear.

"He's been doing that every time I ask him that for the last hour."

"Wow. Obnoxious," I muttered back to her. "This is either really bad, or it's--"

"Now then," my father said, interrupting me. "Hear ye, hear ye! I've gathered you both here today for a family announcement."

I narrowed my eyes at his tone.

It's definitely a good thing. He's being way too friggin' dramatic for it to be a bad thing.

"You know how I got that promotion?"

"...Yes, I do recall that happening," I said drily.

"Well," my dad said, rubbing his finger under his nose like he was some anime character who was supremely pleased with himself, "corporate have decided they want me to have a lil' more training, so they're paying to send me to a one-week workshop on management and leadership!"

"Go dad!" Raiha cheered.

I blinked. "That's great, but why did that warrant a fami--"

"Anyways," my dad said, punctuating each syllable, "the issue is that the workshop isn't in Nagoya. It's in Tokyo."

A pause.

"I see."

"For a week."

"...Ah."

I was starting to see the issue. Raiha, on the other hand, didn't.

"That sounds like a fun trip! Make sure to bring some souvenirs!"

My dad locked eyes with me. "You get it, right?"

I sighed. "Yeah, I do. Don't worry, I can handle it. When do they want you to go?"

"This coming Wednesday."

I blinked, and then my eyes widened.

Oh shit.

I slammed my hands down on the table, a sudden burst of anger coursing through me. "Are you serious?! That's such short notice!"

My dad shrugged. "There's not much I can do, y'know kid? Sometimes, things happen on short notice. Opportunities comes first to the prepared, and those who are willing to take the initiative. I need to take this opportunity by the horns."

"It's for a week right? So you wouldn't be back until the first day of midterms!"

"Yes."

I leaned back, and rubbed my temples, my anger still bubbling below the surface. "This is terrible timing."

"I know. I'm sorry, kid."

Raiha was looking back and forth between the two of us, confusion written all over her face.

"What are you talking about? Why would Dad going to Tokyo for a week be a problem if the company is paying for it?"

My dad reached over and tousled her hair, which just made her scowl at him.