After the shenanigans between Rin and Auntie, things have eventually settled down thankfully when all of us are gathered together at the dining table for a delicious supper.

Auntie has prepared various meals consisting of fried shrimp, an assortment of healthy vegetables, and beef. The dishes may look simple, but Auntie prioritized the food’s overall taste over its appearance, and I definitely prefer that way. No need to go to extreme length in designing your dishes extravagantly and posing a risk of neglecting flavor. Of course, it’s not to say that Auntie’s dishes are not presentable. They’re simple enough to fulfill the requirements of not turning your eyes away at first glance. Auntie may have probably known of my preference over simple dishes and took into account preparing them for this very moment of my arrival.

And speaking of my arrival, now’s the perfect time to ask her why Rin and Ren were not seemingly informed about it. If the siblings knew of my coming, then the unpleasant situation that has occurred a while ago would never happen, and instead, they would immediately welcome me with open arms.

As I was about to pop out the question, however, I did not get the chance since Ren has done so on my behalf instead.

“Mother, if Hiro will be staying here, why were we not told in advance? The incident earlier should never have happened if you did so.” Ren gave Auntie a suspicious look.

My point exactly, Thank you, Ren.

Rin agreed with her twin brother and voiced out her supporting statement as well.

“Yeah, mom!! Do you know how embarrassing it was on my part?! And pray to tell why is he going to stay here? Not that I don’t want him to. Just asking.”

Okay, Rin’s statement is not exactly supportive in nature. It was more of a personal rant, but her reasoning is still valid nonetheless.

Adding to my suspicion, I also deduced that Rei herself must have known about me, given that she instantly recognized my identity when we first met outside. Perhaps Auntie has only told her youngest daughter and not the twins.

We all waited in sheer anticipation for Auntie’s response. All eyes were glued intensely at her figure, but to her credit, Auntie remained unfazed throughout the whole ordeal. Shortly after, she chuckled heartily, much to our utter confusion.

“Well, to be honest… I wanted this to be a surprise.” Her answer warranted some dumbfounded look from us all, except Rei clearly.

Yep, the little sister definitely was involved in this conspiracy with the mother. Such a terrifying pair indeed.

“A… a surprise?” Ren clarified, wanting to make things absolutely clear.

“You see, it was two months ago when Enji called from his work in Tokyo and told me about Mikoto's death in a car accident," Auntie answered, this time with a look of pure sadness when she mentioned the name of my mother and her untimely fate.

"Yes, and we still can't believe what happened to her." Ren nodded with the same expression as his mother. He then faced me, garnering a concerned expression, and said, "We all heard about what transpired to Aunt Mikoto, Hiro. For what it's worth, we're truly sorry for what has transpired upon her. She was practically our second mother after all, like how you see in our own mother."

Rin shared the same sentiment with her twin brother and bowed her head down in an apologetic manner. "I too feel the same way. Auntie Mikoto was a gentle soul who always looked out for all of us. I hope you're feeling okay, Hiro."

With their concerned gesture, I responded appropriately to negate any further worries that they are feeling about me at this very moment. I don't want to see their saddened looks, and I can feel the atmosphere shifting into a gloomier mood. This family dinner is meant to rekindle the bonds between us and not resurface any wounds.

* "Thank you, everyone, but you don't have to worry any longer. I've made my peace, and mother wouldn't want me drowning in despair. (Gentle)

* "I'll be fine. Besides, mother's ghost would haunt and kick my sorry ass if I'm going to turn all broody and dark. Rather cliche if you ask me." (Comical)

* "I don't need any pity coming from anyone. I'll be alright, and I have managed. Let’s not speak about it." (Aggressive)

"I understand," Auntie said as her expression changed quickly to a smile. "Your mother would no doubt be proud of you for being strong in spirit. Such is one of the good qualities that you inherited from her, that I can say with confidence."

The twins agreed with their mother, nodding in acknowledgment. They also assumed their own smiles at me, trying their best to liven up the ambiance, all for my sake.

The Amakusa, the family that you can definitely count on, especially in my time of need. If Uncle Enji never made the suggestion, I’m not even sure if I’m going to last long, considering that both of my parents, the light of my lives, have been taken away from me in a blink of an eye just like that.

Anyways, a topic change is on the proposal, and hopefully, it won’t be as melancholy as the last one.

Seeing my saddened look, Auntie decided that now is the time to shift the subject in a lighter tone, all for the sake of not allowing the tone of the family dinner to descent into pure despair. It was never my intention to spread my negativity to this household, so I was grateful to her for her quick thinking and action.

"I see, haha." Auntie shifted her expression with a light chuckle. "I'm relieved that you see things in a rather positive manner. I believe you got that fun side from your father."

Of course, I knew better than to express my disdain in this situation. My comical demeanor only served as a coping mechanism to cover the unadulterated anguish I felt right now. My mother was the one constant in my life for as long as I can remember, and to take her from me just like that…

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

It’s just fucking sad, really.

Furthermore, I’m aware that Auntie answered in a way that would cease the flow of this depressing conversation in favor of livening the atmosphere a bit. I decided to thank her personally in private later.

I may be a joker, but I’m well aware that depression is like a fucking pandemic who exempted no one, even a fun-loving, cultured humorist such as myself. And yes, some things can’t be considered a joke, especially this one. I’ve experienced how this shit has destroyed my will, and I don’t want others to suffer the same fate.

“You are in pain, that I’m well aware. It’s just been two months, after all. I understand.” Auntie said in a sorrowful manner, seeing the heart-wrenching expression that I’m currently showing to them all.

The twins shared the same sentiment as their mother, gazing at me similarly while Rei only donned her childlike naivety. Rei’s reaction, that I can understand since the girl never knew what a good and inspiring person my mother is.

Looking at the dispiriting appearances, I opted to drop my hawkish demeanor for now. I never wanted to see them acting all dismal like this. If this is God’s demented way of character development, then screw him and his story outline.

Thankfully, Auntie quickly changed the subject matter in favor of getting rid of the daunting miasma that has been now plaguing us. Got to give it to her. She definitely knew how to turn the situation upside down in an instant. For that, I’m truly appreciative of her concern and efforts. I may talk about it in the future, but I’m just not comfortable doing it today.

True to her intentions, Auntie changed the subjects by asking me what I was up to for the past long years of my absence here. I first told them of my whole meeting with little Rei and our encounter with her bullies.

“Rei, are you hurt?” Rin asked with concern upon hearing the news.

“I’m fine, Big Brother Ren. Big Brother Hiro had a chat with them, and they were all sorry in the end.”

The rest of the Amakusa family looked at me with gratitude for saving Rei from the bullies.

And add to the fact that I handled things diplomatically, they were all impressed at me acting like the bigger individual, appealing to the bullies’ guilt and convincing that they were doing the wrong thing.

“It was good of you to act maturely, Hiro,” Auntie said with a tone of praise. “Not many would behave like the way you do, and I’m proud of your actions. Your mother would certainly approve.”

Auntie then faced her own children this time and spoke in a lecturing manner.

“And that my dear children, is how you act in most of your undertakings. Hiro will no doubt be a good influence for you all.”

The said children of Auntie nodded in agreement as they continued to partake in their respective meals.

“I’m fine, Big Brother Ren. Big Brother Hiro scared the bullies off. You should have seen him. He was funny!!!”

The twins laughed at the hilarity of how I handled the situation comically. Auntie shook her head at my immaturity, although I still saw the look of amusement on her face.

“A wedgie?! How old school can you be, idiot, hahaha!” Rin was cackling her ass out.

“Hiro, you never fail to amuse. Don’t you?” Ren shared the same feeling with a look of enjoyment.

“Oh well, at least you never had the intention of outrightly hurt them, I suppose. Still, I need to have a talk with their parents about the matter.” Auntie shared her views about the affair.

“I’m fine, Big Brother Ren. Big Brother Hiro scared the bullies off. He was scary at first, but he did save me after all.”

How I handled things aggressively did not bode well for Auntie, as evident by her frowning response.

“Really, Hiro? Taunting little children now? I had hope that you handled things differently, in a more mature sense, a befitting for someone older.”

Apparently, Auntie was displeased by my actions of intimidating the bullies since they were still children. Nevertheless, I decided to remain quiet and listen to her lecture.

Though, the same thing can’t be said for the twins as they more or less somehow agreed with my actions.

“It’s fine, mother.” Ren tried to reason with her. “As long as Rei is spared from the harassment, perhaps you can let this pass.”

“Yeah, mom.” Rin agreed with her brother. “Hiro was just trying to do the right thing.”

“Please, mother, Big Brother Hiro did save me.” Rei joined in with her older siblings.

Auntie looked at her children for a moment and contemplated their pleading words. After a short while, she eventually gave in and merely sighed in response.

“Hmm, I suppose I can’t deny the young man’s intentions, no matter how harsh it is.” Auntie nodded in consideration. “Still, I need to have a chat with the children's parents before the matter would take a bitter turn.”

“And Hiro.” Auntie turned her attention to me with a stern look. “Please don’t act like that ever again. Your mother won’t approve.”

“No promises. I did what had to be done.” I merely answered her with a stoic look, causing her frown to turn more profound.

Now that particular issue is out of the way; I quickly asked Auntie as to why it was necessary for the secrecy of my arrival here.

“It’s the truth. I just wanted to surprise you, children, that’s all.” Auntie smiled at us.

“You know, mother, the misunderstanding could have been avoided if you have told us in advance.” Ren sighed in annoyance at his mother’s antics.

“Yeah, mom, we could have, you know… prepared better or something. I… we don’t want Hiro to feel unwelcome after all, even after he was gone for eight years.” Rin wholeheartedly agreed with her brother, her face red in embarrassment since the misunderstanding included her alluring figure's exposure to me.

“Haha, I did not expect this to happen, though, and for that, I apologize for the inconvenience, everyone.” Auntie chuckled nervously, being overwhelmed by three judgmental stares. Yes, including me.

“And you, little sister.” Rin directed her gaze suspiciously to Rei. “Based on what mom and Hiro told us, in addition to you knowing Hiro’s identity when you first met, you are definitely in cahoots with her.”

“Yes, Rei.” Ren shared the same sentiment with his twin sister. “What do you have to say for yourself, hmm?”

“Hehe.” The little girl of the Amakusa chuckled nervously at the stares of her older siblings. “Mother told me that she would double my allowance for two months if I stayed quiet.”

Upon hearing Rei’s answer, the twins turned their full attention to their mother, their faces flat with disappointment.

“Really, mother? Bribery? Is that what a self-respecting mother is supposed to teach her daughter?” Ren was not amused.

“Guilty as charged.” Auntie giggled in amusement.

After that was all said and done, we thankfully continued the rest of the conversation in a lighter direction, and most of it was centered around me. Since I was the

I told some of my memorable tales back in Tokyo, leading a good and simple life together with my mother in a small apartment complex for eight years. It’s not much, but the two of us have managed, and I also carried my own weight by supporting the two of us by procuring various part-time jobs that I can manage. Mother was a single parent, after all, ever since my father died when I was six. Even when her salary as a sales representative in a small business company is enough to support the both of us, I still deemed it necessary to reduce the burden that she was carrying for my sake.

The topic that I’ve been telling them is more inclined to the recent events, the things that I’ve been up to when I entered my first year of high school at Asuka High via their full scholarship program.

Yes, I was a diligent student, believe it or not. I’m proud to say that I have excellent grades, and both teachers and my fellow students look up to me. Mother told me not to waste my potential, saying that I can literally do anything if I put my mind to it.

Oh, I’m not a prodigy or anything, mind you.

I’m simply a very hardworking individual who worked his ass off in most situations that I find myself in. Logically, your hard work is going to pay off, one way or another. So, I find it baffling as to why the teachers keep praising me for my prodigious talents as they like to sugarcoat it. Really, anyone can do it if they exert the same amount of effort as I did.

“A scholar in Asuka High, isn’t that one of those prestigious high schools in Tokyo?” Rin asked, with her tone filled with awe.

“If it’s you, Hiro, then I’m not that surprised,” Ren smirked playfully. “You had shown some aptitude in both academics and martial arts when we were kids back then.”

I chuckled at their praises, not wanting to act all arrogant at my accomplishments even when I have every right to do so.

“So, any clubs that you have joined in?” Rin made her inquiries out of the blue. “Given how you have beaten my brother, I’m sure you are in a martial arts club of some sort, right?”

“Wrong.” I shook my head with a smile. Of course, I don’t blame her if she came up with a reasonable conclusion, given my display at how I expertly pinned Ren down like a professional.

“Really? Then what club were you in then? I’m curious at how you were able to maintain your training if you are not in an organization that promotes anything involving combat.” Ren did not hold back his interest.

“Well, to be honest, Rin is not exactly wrong in her reasoning.” I laughed a bit. “The club that I was in required some knowledge in martial arts. Thus, I still need to hone my skills regularly.”

“Interesting,” Ren responded with intrigue. “You had my curiosity piqued. What club were you in?”

With Ren’s question, I gave him my answer regarding a small piece of my past-

* “I was the Public Relations Officer of the Student Council.” (The “Emissary.”)

* “Believe it or not, it was the Drama Club.” (The “Thespian”)

* “I had my fair share of dealings with some delinquents and student gangs as a member of the Disciplinary Committee.” (The “Arbiter”)