Elysian's Monogatari

Chapter 174: Just this One

𝗡𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗔𝗴𝗼
𝗔 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗼 𝗴𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗸𝗶 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆

"Ren! Happy birthday!" Ren's mother, Riko, said excitedly. "Now you're officially nine years old! Congratulations!" Ren's father, Hanagaki Satoru, added with a smile. "...Yeah thanks." Ren said. "...? What's wrong dear? Why the long face?" Riko asked.

"Do you not like the colour of the cake?" Satoru asked. "No it's not that. I like the cake it's my favourite. But Nii-san is...." Ren said sadly. "Ahh I see you're sad because your brother did not attend your birthday party again this year." Satoru said in understanding.

"We can't help it. Losing his whole family in one accident on his birthday must have traumatized him a lot. Even though it's been years it's never easy coping the loss. Especially since we visited their grave last year with him." Riko said.

"That's right. Even though we successfully adopted him as our son, he hasn't really been joining us on our family dinner." Satoru said. "On the bright side he has managed to talk to us even for a little bit. I just hope he warms up to us more." Riko said.

"I have faith he will. It just takes time." Satoru said as he reassures his wife. "...." Ren said nothing as he clenched his fists. "Mom! Dad!" "Hm? What's up dear?" Riko asked curiously. "I really want to celebrate my birthday with Nii-san! So my wish for this year is to become closer to him than ever!" Ren said.

".....! ...I see. Despite not being related to us you still love him as your brother." Satoru said. "Of course! He's the best brother ever! I mean he's cold and can be mean sure but he's also kind! Last year he didn't participate with us but the next day when I woke up a present box was found on the floor right beside my bed. And I know no one else but one person who could have done that." Ren said with a smirk.

"Ara is that so?" Riko asked surprised. "Haha. Shiro really is kind as you say. He would rather be alone yet he takes care of others. Now if only he himself knows he deserves to join us..." Satoru said.

"Nii-san is still in his room?" Ren asked. "Yep. I called him many times but he didn't come out." Satoru said. "...." Ren said nothing at first but eventually he came down from his seat and hurried upstairs to his room. "Ren?! Where are you going?" Riko asked.

Ren continued running and when he finally reached he knocked on the door. "Nii-san? It's me. Open the door." However there was no reply. Ren waited a while more before he tried to open the door, expecting it to be locked. But to his surprise the door opened easily.

He quickly opened it wide and saw his brother on the desk doing something. Hearing the door open Shiro immediately turned his head around to see Ren standing at the door. "...Geh." was all he could mutter.

"You didn't lock the door. That's pretty careless for you no?" Ren said with a smirk. "...Shut it. Why are you even here?" Shiro asked with a sigh. "To invite you for my birthday party celebration of course!" Ren said. "...Pass." "Refusal in a second?! Why?!"

"...I don't see a reason for me to join in. Besides I'm busy so shoo don't disturb me." Shiro said. Ren pouted in response but then he noticed the paper on the desk. Shiro saw that Ren's eyes are on the desk and he immediately panicked a little.

"...Don't look. I'm not done yet." He said as he hides the paper with his pencil case. "Eeeeeh why can't I see?" Ren asked. "....Because I'm not done yet." Shiro replied. "Ren what's the rush? Why were you running?" Satoru asked as he and Riko appeared.

"...Geh." Shiro said. "Oya? The door is open for once." Satoru noticed. "Nii-san forgot to lock it." Ren said. "That's cause I was too focused on stuffs." Shiro said. "And what exactly is that 'stuff'?" Ren asked. "Hmph I ain't saying it. It's none of your business." Shiro said.

"Eeeeeh?" Ren said. "Haha. I'm glad to see you two getting along well." Satoru said with a smile. "How and from where?" Shiro asked with a sigh. "Oh right I almost forgot." He then said. "....?" Both the brothers tilt their head.

"You see mom and dad need to prepare something special for your birthday and to do that we need you two to go out to the grocery shop and buy something for us." Riko said. "...Why must I do something so bothersome? I'm fine going out alone to get it." Shiro asked.

"That's cause Ren is growing up too. We want him to experience the outside world without our help even if it is just once. So Shiro, just for today, won't you allow your little brother to accompany you to shopping?" Riko asked.

"....." Shiro looked hesitant and he said nothing but then he turned his head and saw Ren's eyes sparkling with excitement. Even though he really wants to refuse he knows full well he couldn't. At least not today. Finally, with a sigh, he agreed. "...Fine just this once. Don't blame me if anything happens." He said.

"...! Yay! I get to go out with Nii-san! I'm so excited!" Ren said as he runs downstairs. "...Tch. What a drag." Shiro said as he leaves right after. Riko and Satoru then followed as the four of them does their respective job with the parents going to the kitchen and the brothers going out. Little do they know, this is a mistake that will cost them badly.

[Yep. You guessed it. ChatGPT title again 😂]