Oh I've been so excited for today since it's your birthday. Hahaha ^^
I really hope you like this present. Happy birthday! :D
"Mom, dad, can't Onii-chan and I come with you?" Hikari begged.
"Hikari, sweetie, you can't." Her father said sadly. "You and your brother still have your exams in just a few more days. You both have to stay and study hard."
"But-"
"Hikari, we're really sorry but you and Atsushi have to stay." Her mother interrupted.
Hikari frowned, while her brother remained calm like usual. Her father and mother won free tickets for a vacation to Hokkaido on a lottery. She wanted to come along for the trip so badly, but thanks to her upcoming exams, she can't. Atsushi wanted to go as well, but his calm composure made it look like the opposite. So, here they were in the living room, discussing it over.
Their parents stood up. "Atsushi, I'm leaving Hikari to you. Take care of her while we're away, okay?" Jiro said.
"Alright. Have a nice trip." Atsushi said.
"But I still want to go!" Hikari complained again.
"Hikari, you have to study hard. Remember, you want to beat Kei, right?" her father said while grinning.
Hikari sighed slightly and then nodded. She wanted to beat Kei more than anything. "Fine."
The man patted his daughter's head and smiled at her. "Good girl. Now, your mother and I have to pack our things. We'll be going tomorrow afternoon."
"And you two should study." Masako added quickly.
"Yes, mom." Hikari and Atsushi said simultaneously.
After that, all of them went to their own rooms. Their parents were quickly packing their things while Atsushi and Hikari were studying. Well, Hikari was sulking more than studying. She wanted to go with her parents so much. It's been awhile since the whole Hanazono family had a family vacation. It'd be so nice if she, Atsushi, and her parents could go on the vacation together. But her father was right though. She's going to have her exams in a matter of days, and if she really wants to beat Kei, she has to study like crazy. She sighed and rested her forehead on the desk. She really needs a vacation.
Just then, someone knocked on her door. She immediately sat upright and grabbed a book. "C-Come in."
The door swung open and it revealed Atsushi. He walked in and sat on her bed with his elbows on his knees and his hands dangling. "Sis?"
"Yeah?" Hikari looked at her brother.
"What are you doing?"
"Reading this book."
"But…" He looked at her and the book closely. "You do know that the book you're reading is upside-down, right?"
Hikari's face blushed from embarrassment and immediately closed the book. Atsushi chuckled. "So, what's up, Hikari?" He asked.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you seemed a bit upset when mom and dad told us we can't go with them."
"Of course I was!" She stomped her way to her bed and sat next to him. "I mean, I wanted to go so badly!"
"I know. I wanted to go as well." He patted her head. "But we have our exams, so of course we can't go."
"Yeah, but…" Hikari trailed off for a moment then sighed. "Why can't we have a family vacation?"
Atsushi looked at her but before he could reply, she continued, "I can't remember the last time all of us had a vacation together! It's not fair!"
"Hikari…" He wrapped an arm around her and kissed her head. "We'll have lots of other chances. Don't worry; I'm sure we'll have a family vacation soon."
Hikari nodded. He was right, there would be other chances.
~0~0~
Hikari groaned as the morning light shone on her and forced her to wake up from a rather peaceful sleep. She pulled her blanket up to her face and tried to fall back asleep. There was no school today, so she wanted to sleep just a bit more. She was tired from yesterday's event.
Just then, the door swung open and Masako came in. "Hikari? I thought you were awake already." Her mother said, sounding a bit surprised.
Hikari slowly sat upright, rubbed her sleepy eyes and yawned. "Yeah, I was a bit tired." She replied.
Masako sat on the edge of the bed and looked at her daughter. "Hikari, I heard from Atsushi that you really wanted a family vacation."
Hikari only nodded. She expected Atsushi to tell their parents about that.
Her mother held Hikari's hand. "Hikari, I really am sorry but you and Atsushi can't go. You two have exams soon."
Hikari nodded again. "I know, mom. And I'm sorry, too. I was being stubborn."
Masako smiled and hugged her daughter. "I promise, we'll all have a nice family vacation soon. Okay?"
Hikari quickly looked at her mother in disbelief, but smiled widely. "R-Really?" Her mother nodded happily and they hugged each other again. Hikari was so happy she could sing. Soon, they'll finally have a family vacation; just the four of them, having fun together and creating beautiful memories. She could hardly wait!
~0~0~
It's afternoon now, which means that Jiro and Masako had to leave for their trip.
The Hanazono family was at the airport. Masako was buying some bread at a nearby shop while Jiro was checking if they forgot anything. "...and we already packed up the map, so what are we forgetting?" Jiro kept mumbling to himself. When Masako came back with a bag full of bread, then he remembered. "Oh, that's right!"
He pulled Atsushi and Hikari into a big hug. "We'll be going now, kids. Take care." He said to them. They returned the hug.
"Take care as well, dad." They both said.
They let go of each other and bid their goodbyes. "We love you both." Masako said softly.
"And we love you too, mom." Atsushi said.
"Mom?" Hikari suddenly said.
"Yes? What is it, Hikari?" Masako asked.
"You still remember about the promise this morning, right?"
Masako thought for a moment and finally nodded. "Of course, dear. I promise, we'll have the family vacation that you always wanted."
Hikari grinned and hugged her mother tightly. "Thanks mom. Have a nice trip."
Masako nodded and hugged her. They let go of each other and Masako went to hug Atsushi next. "We have to go now, kids." Jiro said. He kissed their heads and smiled at them. "Don't forget to study hard. Your mother and I will be home before you know it."
