"Junichiro? Well I'll be dipped, what brings you over to Arlen?" The man referred to as Junichiro cleared his throat, before nudging his head in the direction of a young boy near him. "Hank, my brother," he began, "I remember you and Peggy made a few comments about wanting a second child but gave up due to… complications."
Hank looked a little flustered and adjusted his glasses. "Uh huh, so you remembered that, then?" He then looked to the child that was accompanying his half-brother. "Wait a sec, this boy here wouldn't have anything to do with this, would he?"
"As a matter of fact, he does. I have the necessary paperwork right here," Junichiro shoved a pen along with several pieces of paper into Hank's hands, "so just sign and initial in a few places and I'll deal with the rest." Growing annoyed, Hank looked to the papers then back to his half-brother.
"Dangit, Junichiro! You can't just spring something on me like this! Who even is this boy?"
Junichiro cleared his throat. "This is my… son, Shinji Ikari." Junichiro placed a hand on the child's back and pushed him forward. "Say hello to your uncle, Shinji."
Looking up to meet Hank's gaze, Shinji was visibly nervous. "H-hello uncle H-Hank," The boy said with a fairly heavy accent. The propane salesman wanted to turn the boy away, but looking into his little blue eyes, Hank couldn't find it in him to refuse. With a defeated sigh, he spoke. "Alright, Junichiro. You win. I'll sign your dang paperwork and take care of the boy. Just tell me one thing first."
"Of course," Junichiro replied.
"Why can't you take care of him?"
"I am an exceedingly busy man, and since the… passing of my wife, I have had even less time to spend with my son. I knew you had shown interest in having a second child, and I was... impressed by how well you raised your own son, Bobby."
Hank sighed. "That boy ain't always right, but he's my son and dangit, I do care about him. Alright, Junichiro. We have a deal."
After Hank signed the papers, Junichiro left quietly, not speaking another word to his son. This perplexed Hank, but he didn't make any mention of it. Hank and Shinji stood silently until Hank finally realized something. "That's right! I've gotta find you a room." Since Luanne had moved out, Hank had grown accustomed to having his den back. Sadly, his den would have to be relinquished yet again. Once Shinji had unpacked his belongings, the two made their way to the dining room and sat down next to each other.
"Alright, Shinji. How old are you?" Shinji didn't speak but raised three fingers with his right hand. "Three years old, huh? My Bobby's 13. While that's quite the gap, I'm sure you'll get along fine." Hank walked to the fridge then retrieved a carton of orange juice. Getting a glass, he poured some juice then handed it to Shinji. The boy graciously accepted.
"We're alone for now. Peggy's out at some local boggle tournament and Bobby's hanging out with Joseph at the mall. I was gonna head out to the alley in a little bit, but with you around…" Shinji looked to Hank curiously.
"Tell ya hwhat, why don't we just watch TV." They both walked to the living room, then sat down on the couch. Grabbing the remote, Hank switched on the TV. "I don't know what kinda programs they have in Japan, but I'm sure you'll find something ya like on American TV."
Hours passed as the two watched TV and occasionally conversed. Once Bobby returned home, Hank explained the situation. The husky boy was quite understanding and was rather excited over the idea of having a younger brother. Peggy on the other hand…
"Escuchame? You did not just adopt a Japanese child while Peggy Hill was not present!"
"C'mon, Peg-leg! We did want another child, he's related to us, and look at the little fella." Peggy turned to face Shinji; her features quickly softened. "Well… he does look like a sweet little thing. Just make sure I am present the next time a situation like this arises!"
"Ya hear that, Shinji? Your aunt Peggy says you can stay."
Shinji smiled, but that smile soon faltered. Noticing this, Hank approached his new son. "Somethin' the matter, boy?"
"Why did mommy and daddy leave?"
Oh brother, how was Hank gonna explain this one? "Well, uh… I don't really know anything about your mom, Shinji. As for your dad, I'm sure he wants to be with ya, he's just busy." Hanks attempt at cheering the boy up seemed to be failing, so he attempted the first thing that came to mind. He patted Shinji on the head and laughed nervously.
"Don't worry, Shinji. You're a Hill now, and you're living in the greatest town on Earth; Arlen. If Peggy and I can help it, we'll make sure you live the best gotdang life you can!"
"Th-thank you… father."
11 Years Later
Quite a lot had happened over the last 11 years. Shinji had grown very fond of his new home. No longer did he have a Japanese accent; he spoke like any other Texan teenager. Like his adoptive father, he loved Texas, America, steak, football, Jesus and of course propane. Since he had become a preteen, Shinji spent a fair share of his free time doing volunteer work at Strickland Propane. The Strickland staff had come to be like a second family to the boy.
As for Strickland; Buck passed away 6 years prior due to a cardiac arrest, leaving Hank as manager. It was a mixed blessing to say the least; Hank had finally become manager, but lost someone for whom he held a great deal of respect. Strickland was in good hands, though. If anyone was capable of being manager, it was Hank.
Bobby and his fiancée, Connie, had been living in Massachusetts since Connie started attending Harvard. Joseph had become a college football superstar and had recently been drafted into the NFL to play for the Dallas Cowboys. Dale still hadn't stopped bragging. Speaking of Dale, him, Bill and Boomhauer hadn't changed much. They were still doing the same ol' same ol'. Dale was still an exterminator, Bill was still an army barber and Boomhauer was still a Texas Ranger as well as a womanizer.
Likewise, Peggy was still substitute teaching at Tom Landry Middle School. Each year without fail she continued to win the Substitute Teacher of the Year Award. Luanne and her husband, Lucky, along with their daughter lived a short driving distance away from the Hills. Considering their situation, they weren't doing too poorly for themselves.
It was a seemingly normal Saturday afternoon when Hank went outside to check the mail. "Hmm, this one's addressed to Shinji and it's from Japan." Hank scowled. He knew Junichiro had been busy, but not once had the man visited his son or even made contact. If this was his attempt at making peace, Hank was sure it was too little too late.
Once he had come back inside, Hank called for Shinji before handing him the letter. Shinji looked quizzically at the letter. "NERV? I've never heard of it before."
"I assume it's Junichiro's company or something," Hank explained as he went to the kitchen to fetch an Alamo. Shinji's grip tightened around the letter. Over the years he grew to resent his father, no, not father, Hank was his father. Junichiro just happened to impregnate his mother.
"Do ya think I should open it, dad?"
Hank took a sip of his beer before answering. "Couldn't hurt. I don't expect or even think ya should forgive the man, but at least see what he has to say."
Opening the envelope, Shinji found a single sheet accompanied by a photograph. "What's thi-Bwaaah!" Shinji immediately dropped the photo out of shame, blushing profusely. "Hmm, what's wrong?" Hank asked before picking up the photo. "Huh? She's showing off her cleavage! That's just indecent, I tell ya hwhat!"
Shinji was confused and irritated by the letter. Nearly all the text was blacked out, save for a large "COME!" and his father's name. Attached to the paper was an ID card of sorts; he glanced it over then sighed. "He wants me to come to Japan."
"Hwhat? Why?"
"I don't know. Almost everything's been blacked out. All I know is: He wants me to come to a place called Tokyo-3, he'll pay for the travel expenses, and that woman in the photo will pick me up once I arrive."
Hank looked peeved. "Well, did he include a phone number? We can call him and tell him you aren't interested." Shinji looked unsure of himself. After a few seconds, he clenched his fists and furrowed his brow. "No," the boy began as he stared his adoptive father in the eyes, "my gut is telling me to go. I don't know what's gonna happen, but at the very least I wanna tell that man off in person. Shinji Hill faces his problems head on. He doesn't run away like a coward!"
