Last time, my dad wanted me to meet my grandparents. I told him I would stay on my best behavior.
Hey mom and dad, this is Izumi. Shiki replied. So this is the child you had with that "woman"? Tsuyu asked. Oh, so my mom is "that woman"? I asked. Izumi, what did we go over before we came? Shiki asked. Dad, I started nothing. I replied. Your facial expression tells otherwise. Shiki replied. Mom, please, I wanted her to meet you and dad. Shiki replied. What is this commotion, Tsuyu? Kousei asked. Shiki, your family came. Why does girl look like that foreigner you dated in America? Kousei asked. She is my daughter I had with Rachelle. Shiki replied. You are proud of disgracing my family? You having a child of wedlock? Kousei asked.
As he said that, I saw dad's eyes. He was a little kid who was crouching to hide away.
I see what my mom meant. I replied.
Father, now we can agree that we have all done something before. Natsu replied. He had a child with that woman. Kousei replied.
A voice screaming from the living room.
I hear a familiar voice?! Izu asked.
No, why is he here? Shiki thought.
Hey Shiki! Izu yelled. Hey Izu. Shiki replied. What brings you for a visit? Izu asked. Remember, in my college years, that one girl that was untouchable. Shiki replied. Yes, she was hot. Why would you bring her up? Izu asked. See, I have a surprise. Shiki replied. You're my little brother. What surprise do you have for me? Izu asked.
Dad, why did you run away to break the tension? I asked. Oh wow, so you took my advice to heart? Izu asked. Dad, what is he talking about? I asked. This is your Uncle Izu. He is the one who gave me the courage to approach your mom. Shiki replied. So you're the "Izu" that my mom mentions? I asked. Yup, how is that beautiful bachelorette of a mother of yours doing now of days? Izu asked. Oh, the usual. A sexy psychiatrist with a seductive voice to match. The constant harassment of being a bombshell. A typical Friday. I replied. From looking at you, I can tell you took in your footsteps. Izu replied. What? I asked. I see the septum holes. Where is your tattoo? Izu asked. That's rude to ask me that question. I replied.
Another person walked into the room.
Who angered mom and dad? I haven't seen them like this since you bought Rachelle to meet them over twenty years ago. Neve replied. Neve? Shiki asked. Oh I see, she ruffled their feathers? Neve asked. Dad, we're you afraid I would get an attitude with my grandparents? I asked. Your mom just spoke the truth. Shiki is a victim of tiger parenting like the rest of us. Neve replied. Out of the four of us, Shiki is still a slave to dad. Izu replied. Dad, why do want his approval so badly? I asked.
As I looked in my dad's eyes, I could see it written all over his face.
I hugged my dad.
My mom called.
Me: Hey mom, why are you calling?
Rachelle: A feeling.
Me: A feeling?
Rachelle: Shiki did your father insulted Izumi and I?
My dad just looked down in his lap.
Rachelle: Telling from your silence. I take that as a yes.
Neve: Rachelle!
Rachelle: Nene! Is Izu with you?
Izu: How are you my European beauty?
Rachelle: Nice to hear the kindness of this family. Back to matters. Shiki I know your looking your lap.
Mom is spot on.
Rachelle: Izumi, can you hand your phone to your father. I know how to calm your father down.
Me: Mom, you should have came with me.
Rachelle: Much as I love authenic Asian cuisine, I will have to pass this time.
Me: Wait you are coming to Japan?
Rachelle: No, it is a secret. I will say this. You were brought up in the invitation.
Me: Mom, that is no fair. Tell.
As my mom said that I started to pout.
Rachelle: Do what I asked of you. You can pout all you want. I can't reveal it to you.
I handed my phone to my dad.
It was like last time, he started to become calmer. He cleared his mind. Dad handed me my phone.
Rachelle: Now, I want you to tell your father what I just told you.
Shiki: Rachelle, are you trying to get me killed?
Rachelle: Stop acting like punk or Izumi will lose all respect for you.
Shiki: Don't add Izumi in this.
Rachelle: Tsk tsk. Shiki you really amaze me.
Shiki: From that response, you are shaking your head.
Rachelle: Tell him what I just told you in your own words. You will feel better.
Shiki: Whatever you say, Rachelle.
Rachelle: Hand your phone back to Izumi.
Dad handed my phone back to me.
Rachelle: Tell your dad he can talk to me anytime. I will not charge him.
Me: Mom, why would you charge my dad?
Rachelle: I am a professional, honey. Your father is a different case.
An hour passed since my dad walked away.
Why did you do it? Kousei asked. Dad, I wish you would stop controlling Shiki. He is a grown man still trying to keep you happy. You seen what happened with, his ex-girlfriend Rachelle. You came back into his life and scared her away. For the sakes of keeping you happy, he kept Izumi a secret all this time. Neve replied. Neve, you don't have to defend me. Shiki replied. Dad, I know you wanted the best for all of us. I understand you wanted me to go to the best schools in the world. Afterwards, come back home and get married. I did that but I never told you or mom that I got Rachelle pregnant. Shiki replied. Why would you even have a child with that girl? She corrupted you. Tsuyu asked. Rachelle never corrupted me. She shed a light on how controlling you two are. Shiki replied. I would brush it off but until a year ago. The family got together and talked harshily about Rachelle. Mom said "Rachelle corrupted me". Dad you said, "Good riddance to that woman. He married someone on his level". Aunt Yusa said "Right that dumb strawberry blonde. She is a nobody." That is the most racist thing you could say in front of anyone. Oh and that dumb strawberry blonde has her PhD in Psychiatry. She has her own liscences and with her own office. Rachelle and I may have not worked out but she is willing to help me if I ask her. Natsu has met her before. They have no problems with each other. The problem is you mom and dad. Shiki replied.
As I heard dad say that, grandmother and grandfather were dumbfounded in disbelief.
Uncle Izu and Aunt Neve smiled.
Natsu hugged him.
I'm glad you finally said it. Natsu replied. Me too. Shiki replied.
Rii and Takumi were surprised by Dad's remarks.
I could tell this was weighing on him for a long time.
My phone vibrated in my back phone.
I looked at my notifications.
Mom: Did he finally get it off his chest?
Me: Oh yeah and grandma and grandpa were so dumbfounded at him speaking his truth.
Mom: 😏
Stay Tuned.