" That is what I expect to be with you, true friends who support and care for each other through thick and thin."
" I know there might be a reason why you no longer believe in that word, but if possible, I'd like for you to let me try. I'm sure, with my dedication, I can make you believe in that word again. So, I would greatly appreciate it if you don't shut me out."
Listening to him speak, Takumi didn't say a word, but he didn't oppose it either, which kind of gave Saunji hope.
As their lunch hour was coming to an end, Takumi's phone started ringing unexpectedly. Looking at the screen, the Seaside Orphanage's name popped up, and he froze for an instant.
Seeing the reaction he was harboring on his face, Saunji asked, "What's wrong? Why are you making that grim expression?"
As Takumi wasn't answering the question, he glanced through the phone he was holding and asked, "Who's calling?"
"The Seaside Orphanage Director." He finally spoke to answer the question.
" Why aren't you answering it?"
Understanding what the issue could be, Saunji tapped gently on Takumi's shoulder and said in a comforting tone the following, "Do you remember what I told you?"
—
"You need to believe in yourself and have confidence. Without it, there's nothing you can accomplish in life."
Looking at him, Saunji signaled him to attend the call. "Take it!" He said in a gentle tone.
Nodding in agreement with him, Takumi attended the call.
"Hello, Lady Claire," Takumi spoke. Lady Claire who was on the other side of the line spoke, "Hasegawa-San, I'm calling regarding Luna's adoption. A decision has been reached about the case, and I'd like to let you know about it."
"I'm listening!"
Expecting the worst possible outcome, he was stunned when he heard Lady Claire say over the phone, "Congratulations, Hasegawa-San, you did it! The board agreed to let you adopt Luna. Congratulations!"
"I can tell you weren't expecting this outcome, so I'm telling you, Luna has officially become your daughter. You should come by whenever possible to complete the related formalities and take your daughter home with you."
Frozen, Takumi thought he heard Lady Claire wrong. Saunji, who was still waiting for the latter to share the news with him, was confused when nothing was heard from him. When he heard Takumi say, "What did you just say?" "Could you repeat that for me one more time?"
Repeating her words for the second time for Takumi to hear, she uttered, "Congratulations on succeeding on Luna's adoption. Congrats, Hasegawa-San!"
Confirming the news one more time, Takumi who was still in a state of shock said, "What you said just now, is it true? You're not pulling my leg right now, are you?"
"No, I'm not." She retorted," I'm being quite serious as we speak. You did it, Luna is officially your daughter."
"I can't believe it. I can't believe what you're telling me right now. Thanks for the good news."
Before hanging up, Lady Claire uttered, "Don't forget to come by next week to complete all the related application process and take your daughter home."
A bit disappointed that he had to wait a whole week, he asked the director, "I won't forget, but why do I have to come by next week? Can't I come tomorrow?"
Retorting, Lady Claire uttered, "It would be wonderful if you could come by tomorrow, but Luna doesn't know anything as of right now as you probably know and I kind of need time to explain things fully to her. Also, I believe you need time to make the necessary preparations for Luna's arrival, so—-------------"
Before Lady Claire could conclude what she wanted to say, Takumi interrupted her in the middle and eagerly said, "Sorry, I kind of forgot in the middle of all this, that Luna still needed to be informed of the situation. Please take your time and don't rush because of me. I'll see you next week."
"Alright, See you next week, Hasegawa-San!"
"Yes, see you next week!"
Hanging up the phone, Saunji looked at him with lots of interrogation in his gaze. Uttering to his friend, he said, "You were right, Saunji when you told me I shouldn't worry and believe fully in myself because without it, there's no success."
"Just now, the director of the orphanage told me that I did it. I succeeded in the adoption; Luna has officially become my daughter."
Retorting to the news, he said, "See, I knew you could do it. Congrats on winning your first battle, Hasegawa!"
"There will be lots more battles for you to lead in the future, and I hope you won't cower in fear and face your demons head-on." "With that being said, let me ask you, Hasegawa, are you happy?"
"Yes, I'm very happy." He nodded, expressing his response to Saunji.
"Then, if you're that happy, shouldn't you express it to everyone?"
Saunji's intonation sounded confusing to Hasegawa who uttered, "I don't understand."
"You received some great news just now, didn't you?"
Nodding to the question, Saunji continued, "This is a good reason to celebrate and share your happiness with everyone, especially your colleagues."
"They nicknamed you 'The Robot' because you never share anything, and you seem kind of aloof to your peers. Personally speaking, now would be a good time to change their opinions of you, wouldn't you agree?"
Thinking Saunji had a point in whatever he said a moment ago, Takumi uttered, "Yes, you might be right, but I don't think this is a great idea."
"Why not? Why wouldn't this be a good idea?"
Hesitating, he said, "The opinion others have of me don't truly matter to me much, so why should I change what they think of me in their mind?"
Retorting to what Takumi said, Saunji uttered the following, "You know, sometimes a simple action that you find insignificant can bring about its load of joy."
"You've already won the first battle. Now would be about time to take on your second battle, Hasegawa."
Understanding where his friend was getting at and remembering their conversation from a moment ago, Takumi uttered, "Alright, I'll do it. You're right, I'm happy, so it's all the more natural that I share my happiness with others."
Delighted by the answer he received, he uttered, "Good! Now that it has been decided, let's go buy some snacks and share them with our colleagues, shall we?"
Takumi seemed troubled at that moment which interpellated Saunji who asked, "What seemed to be the issue?"
Retorting, he said, "I have yet to share the good news with my family, so if it's alright with you, could you—-------"
Understanding Takumi's predicament, he said, "Don't worry, I'll take care of things on my end while you share the good news with your family."
Grinning slightly, he uttered, "Thank you, Saunji, I won't take long."
"Don't mention it!"
When Saunji went to buy snacks for everyone, Takumi took the opportunity to contact his family members to inform them of the good news.
At the time of the phone call, Takumi's mother was looking through some pictures when her husband joined her. Hugging her from behind, he asked his wife, "What are you doing?"
"Are you looking at potential brides for your son again?" He asked the latter, who didn't say a word and remained silent. Noticing the pictures she was looking through were those of their son when he was little, he left from behind her and sat by her side.
"Aren't these pictures of Takumi when he was small? Why are you looking through them at this time?"
Retorting to her husband, she said, "I can't believe how grown-up my son has become that he can now make his own decisions like an adult. I'm so proud of him."
Chuckling, her husband told her, "I think Takumi would be very delighted to hear such praise from you."
"Don't make fun of me! I'm being serious right now." "Although our son has grown up and can now make his own decisions, this new responsibility he's about to take, do you think he'll be able to carry it out well?"
Reassuring his wife, her husband told her, "I don't have a slight doubt in my mind that he'll be able to carry out his new duties and responsibilities splendidly. Do you doubt our son's capabilities?"
Nodding to express her response, she said, "No, I trust him."
By that time, Takumi's father's phone rang and looking at the one calling, he looked at his wife and said, "When speaking of the wolf, you see its tail. Our son's calling!"
"Put the phone on speaker!"
Takumi attended his son's call while putting the phone on speaker. "Hello, Takumi!" The father spoke.
Takumi uttered from the other side, "Dad, Mom, I have some great news to share with you all." "The adoption was a success. Luna is now officially my daughter and your granddaughter."
"We knew you could do it. Your mother and I never doubted you, congratulations on being a father."
"Thanks, Dad!"
Looking over at his wife, he said, "Say something to our son! I'm the only one speaking since this call started, you should say something too."
Speaking to her son, she said, "You did well, congratulations, Takumi."
"Thanks, Mom!"
Although Takumi's mother said very few words, Takumi was happy regardless that his mother had congratulated him on landing the adoption successfully.
"When will you bring our granddaughter home?" His mother asked, and he retorted, "Next week."
Adding to her statement, his mother said, "We should throw a welcome party for Luna when she comes to welcome her into the family."
"That's a great idea, Mom! I'll tend to the preparations." Takumi uttered in delight to his mother, who retorted, "How could you take on the preparations when you have so much to do at the company?"
"Don't concern yourself with the preparations and focus on your job, understand?" "Your father and I will take on all there is to do."
"Thanks, Mom. I'll be hanging up now, goodbye"
"Take care!"