"Akihito Kazuya!"
A fair woman calls out Kazuya's name. She has auburn-like hair, tanned skin, a fierce yet beautiful face with a few wrinkles that's barely noticeable, and a slim body.
Behind her, is a man who looks in his forties. His hair is black with streaks of white, a shaved yet manly face and wearing black square glasses, and a body that looks fat but well built.
From the kitchen, Kazuya's body starts to fidget as he approaches the woman. He stops on his track and is about to speak, but he is interrupted by the woman.
"A cat bite your tongue, my dear?"
"No grandma, my apologies."
She reaches out her hands and embraces Kazuya.
"No worries my dear, I'm glad to see you again."
And to his surprise, Kazuya sees his dad behind her grandma.
"Hello kid, it's been a while."
"Dad."
Kazuya's grandma withdraws, and his dad approaches him with a warm embrace.
'Oh, it makes me want to cry. It's been so long since I last
hugged them.'
The family sheds a few tears as they reunite with one another. Kazuya retreats from the hug and asks a question to his family.
"Why are you here in Tokyo? I thought that you were busy in Sapporo."
His father and grandma looked at each other for a moment. Then his father starts to explain.
"Well you see Kazuya, your grandma and I have a business trip here. Since the meeting will be held this week, we reserved a one-month break."
"One month? But the company?-"
His grandma softly giggles while she pats Kazuya's shoulders.
"Don't worry Kazuya, we discussed this with the whole company. They agreed to it, but we also promised them a one-week vacation in return."
Kazuya sighs in relief because he knows the history of the company. He's glad that the company's rules and regulations changed and became more friendly to the worker's thanks to his father and grandma.
"That's good, also you deserve a month one break. After all, you always work hard for yourselves and the company."
"Yes, also your father and I can have enough beer for ourselves, without the restraints of your mother."
He laughs awkwardly. Because in the Akihito household, Kazuya's mom is the one in charge. From being strict with his grandma's diet to limiting or preventing his father from drinking a beer.
"Oh, mom's still strict as always."
"Yes, but we know it's also for our safety." his father said.
After that, they notice that they've been glared at for quite a while. the Akihito family let out a laugh for a few moments. Then, they bow to the whole restaurant.
"Sorry for intruding!" his grandma said.
Kazuya feels a little embarrassed, after all, the people watched them as they converse. Even Sayuki and the others watched them from the kitchen.
Then, from the office, Ms. Niko walks to the dining area and welcomes the customers.
"Hello and welcome-... Kazuya who are these people?"
His grandma interrupts him again and returns the greeting to Ms. Niko.
"Hello ma'am, I am Kazuya's grandma. Akihito Ei, CEO of the Akihito Entertainment Co."
Murmurs of voices can be heard around the restaurant. Each of the customers taking their time to look at Ms. Ei, even one dared to ask her a question.
"Are you Akihito Ei, the former actress and now CEO?"
"That's right."
Murmurs turn to applause. The crowd becomes wild and they keep talking about her. Akihito Ei, a former actress during the late eighties and early nineties. She's famous because of her outstanding roles in dramas and hosts famous game shows and segments.
"It's really her."
"She still looks stunning at this age."
"I wonder if I could ask for an autograph."
She puffs her chest and readies a marker. After all, she needs to be prepared because she's the CEO of Akihito Entertainment Co.
"If you wish for an autograph, please prepare a paper or any memorabilia and create a line."
The crowd gets out of their seats and quickly forms two lines. Seeing a staggering amount of fans, Ms. Ei starts to sweat. 'I thought they had forgotten about me, but it looks like I have far more trouble to bear.'
She looks at both of them and tilts her head. Kazuya asks his father to follow him and escorts him to Sir. Haru and Sir. Tomoyuki.
"Sir. Haru, Sir. Tomoyuki. This is my father Akihito Ryu."
Mr. Ryu offers his hand and shakes with one another.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Akihito. My name is Nagasawa Tomoyuki. It is a pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure is all mine. I've heard great things about you from Kazuya, and I'm glad that you taught him well even if he doesn't excel in math."
Sir. Tomoyuki's face didn't change, but he gets caught off guard. 'Oh… I'm so proud of myself. Thank you Kazuya, thank you' he takes one good look at Kazuya before returning his gaze to his father.
"Thank you, Mr. Ryu. I had a wonderful time with Kazuya until now because he was my former student and now a friend."
Mr. Ryu smiles further after hearing that. He gives him one last shake before looking to his left.
"And you might be Sir. Haru."
"Yes, I am Sir. Futaba Haru. It is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance."
But before Mr. Ryu speaks, Sir. Haru examines Kazuya's father. He didn't seem to be bothered, for he also has friends who are like him.
"I might say, you're a charming individual."
"Ah, thank you for that. Also, you seem to be confident in yourself."
Sir. Haru glares at Sir. Tomoyuki, and teased him for a while. He is pissed and takes a big bite of tonkatsu.
Mr. Ryu laughs softly at their chemistry. It's been a long time since he had the last interaction like this.
"You two are really wonderful. Kazuya gave you the best remarks for being the best teacher in his whole life. From teaching him and playing games, he treats you like family."
The teacher's heart flustered before Mr. Ryu's speech. They never received much affection from their favorite student, unlike Kazuya.
"Psst, Kazuya."
While the three converse, Kazuya tries to find who's calling him and sees Sayuki with Mio and Yu. He walks towards them, and Sayuki grabs his collar.
"Hey Kazuya, am I dreaming?"
"N-no, but please don't grab my collar suddenly."
"Are you really the grandson of the famous entertainment company?"
Her eyes filled with passion, Kazuya could only sigh. 'This is why I don't want to reveal the truth about my family.' But come to think of it, this could help the restaurant even further. With their fame, they could bring the restaurant back on track.
"Y-yes, I am."
"Then why didn't you say so!!??"
Sayuki shakes Kazuya while holding his collar. Mio and Yu intervene in Sayuki.
"Hey Sayuki, calm down!" Said Mio
They tried to remove her hands but it was no use, It only hardened the grip even more. Yu holds her arms. While Mio squeezed between us and pushed Sayuki away.
But with every push, Sayuki continues to persist endlessly that it took a while for her to calm down. She felt guilty and gives everyone a drink in return.
"I'm sorry."
"Tell me, why are you acting like this?" Mio asks as she glares at Sayuki with cold eyes.
Sayuki's hands start to shiver while looking at Mio.
"W-well, i-i uh i."
"Speak clearly."
She clears her throat and explains.
"I've been to numerous auditions. Most of them were from the Akihito Entertainment co; because I wanted to be an artist just like my mom. But, I was always rejected and mom told me to work here for now."
The three of us look at each other, thinking whether we should pity her or not. But we ignore the thought and helped sayuki to stand up.
"Keep dreaming Sayuki, keep dreaming." Said Mio in a teasing tone.
She starts to pout a little but then bows to Kazuya.
"Im sorry, Kazuya if I surprised you a while ago."
"A-ah, yeah sure. But please don't do that again."
Sayuki straightens her back and smiles at Kazuya. They then look at the decreasing line of crowds.
"To think that your grandma is a former actress. I'd guess you could have a good life right now. But why are you here?" Mio asks, and the three looks at Kazuya.
Kazuya sighs and explains.
"Well, I wanted to repay what they have given to me. After all, I am adopted by the Akihito family because of my mom."
Yu noticed the man that's with Kazuya's grandma and points at him.
"So that man married your mother?"
"Yes, he's my stepdad. But that would be rude of me to call him that. I love him so much that he raised me as his own."
The three are touched by Kazuya's words, they pat his head by taking turns. Embarrassed, Kazuya weirdly looks at them.
"Why would you do that?"
"Well your hair is fluffy that's all."
'seriously, im not buying that.' he thought while shrugging off the embarrassment.
After a while, Ms. Ei finished signing memorabilia and papers. She took deep breaths while her head rests on the table.
"One beer please."
Meanwhile, Mr. Ryu could only feel pity for her mom. Seeing such a line makes him want to run off. 'this is why I told mom not to barge suddenly on Kazuya's workplace. Jeez, we could just have asked for his address.'
He looks at Kazuya that's on the other side of the table. Looking at him, he couldn't help but smile. 'Look at my boy, all grown up.'
Ms. Niko and the others are observing them in the kitchen.
"Akihito Ei looks flawless even up to this day. The only changes she had is her wrinkles and her tanned skin."
"So what does Ms. Ei look like before?" Sayuki asked.
Ms. Niko is holding her own memorabilia and shows it to them. A young Ms. Ei is what on the picture, with a white gown, a long silky and curly hair, and a beautiful face that's elegant yet fierce.
"Woah, she looks like a queen from a fairy tale." Said Sayuki. Mio and Yu also agree.
"Yes, many people look up to her before. The men would try to court her but they were all turned down. While us women want to know her secrets."
They continue to watch them while Mr. Mori heads to their table while serving the order. Sir. Haru and Sir. Tomoyuki joins Ms. Niko and the others.
Mr. Mori arrives with 2 beers on a tray, he gives the mugs to Mr. Ryu and Ms. Ei. Delighted by his service, the two order a meal from the menu.
"Ryu, what's your order?" Ms. Ei asks
"Hmm, I would like to try the tonkatsu mom, since it's the best seller here." Mr. Ryu replies
"Ok, ill order two tonkatsu with rice and two ice tea."
Mr. Mori lists the orders on a paper and asks again.
"Is that all madam?"
"Yes, that's all."
"Thank you for your patronage."
Mr. Mori bows, Ms. Ei and Mr. Ryu bows in return. He then leaves and heads towards the kitchen. While waiting, Mr. Ryu and Ms. Ei give Kazuya a serious glare.
'Oh shoot, I am screwed!' Kazuya starts to sweat as he feels the intensity of their glares.
"Kazuya, can you explain what happened during your stay here in Tokyo." Ms. Ei asks
"W-well-"
Kazuya explains everything, starting from college to the present. When he talks about being broke, they can't help but feel pity, after all, he could just ask them for help. But they were touched by his dedication and passion to strive. When Ms. Ei hears a particular surname, she raised a brow. 'looks like ill need to pay someone a visit.' while his father can't help but hug him deeply, for he missed him and he wants to congratulate his son for trying to live a life.
After the conversation, they could only giggle at what Kazuya has achieved. They are proud of him because he tried.
"Looks like I have to thank Ms. Kobayashi for helping you my dear," said Ms. Ei
"Also I heard that one of your co-workers is her daughter, is this true?" Mr. Ryu asks
"Yes, and she's at the counter with my other co-workers."
Kazuya points a finger at Sayuki. When she noticed it, she starts to fluster and bow to them.
"Please say thank you on our behalf."
"Ok, dad."
"And as for the punishment my dear," Kazuya's face change, from a happy one to a nervous look. He starts to shiver as he waits for his punishment. "you will tour us in the city."
He's surprised, but nonetheless, he is happy for that's the punishment he received.
"Sure, I will tour you first thing in the morning."
"Maybe next time, because we have a business meeting tomorrow, so we'll call you if we are free."
"Ok, grandma."
With that, the family hugs each other again while the others aw in their reunion.
Chapter 6 end
To be continued.