"Shuta! Come down! Your dinner will get cold!"
"Mom, I have to finish this for tomorrow! Teacher will be mad at me."
Chise's forehead creased just a wee bit over how her boy was losing time for meals, but Shuji came over and clapped his wife on the shoulder. "You got to give it to him, hon. At that rate, he will be disciplined enough to qualify for the army."
"Shuji!" she chided her husband. "There's no way we can let Shuta end up there. It's too hard."
"Come on, dear. He's tough. He's determined. If you're not proud of a son like him, I am."
"No, Shuji dear. He's brilliant. I want him to be a scientist."
"Have it your way, but if he'll be a scientist Shuta will still get into the military as an engineer. Maybe he'll make another ultimate weapon," he smiled with a wink.
"Shuji!" she snapped. Her voice was low, but it threatened. "It's not a fine joke. Not at all."
He instantly hushed, realizing the import of his jest, but she was quicker to apologize. "I'm sorry. I just don't want Shuta's youth to be spoiled by too much responsibility." She smiled. "I'm buying him a new suit." She smiled mischieveously to herself. "I heard he has a girl he likes. I'm so proud of him."
"You're the one getting the enjoyment out of this," remarked Shuji drily. "You're just like a high schooler."
"What's so wrong with that? If it will make Shuta happy, I don't see why we should keep a good lovelife from him. Besides, he's eighteen now. If we give our blessing, he'll make a fine young husband, just like his dad. All I have to do is get him a regular position in a big national company. I'm sure they won't mind."
"Chise," he protested. "I thought you didn't want to abuse your clout." Of course, if you were the protector of a whole nation, that country would do just about anything you asked.
"Just this once, dear. For our son. It's not to indulge myself; I want only the best for Shuta."
"I doubt he would agree with you. Of course he would want to make his own name if he is to impress a girl. And what's the use preparing for university if you could land a job just like that?"
"I know," declared Chise, not minding Shuji in the least. "My son will be the finest young man in all of Hokkaido. No. In all of Japan."