Chapter 12

The release was a success. They had the first concert of their release tour that night in one of Tokyo's biggest halls and celebrated with their fans. Even Shuusei had not tried to avoid that event because it was something special. But when he came home he only fell into his bed. It was after midnight after all and Hotsuma was just watching a dumb game show on TV so he noticed his return.

The next day the band visited the restaurant where Hotsuma worked now. It was in a small street near a big shopping mile. The building was at least 70 years old but well-kept and Shuusei felt a bit excited to come here again. It had been so many years.

It was Fujita-san who greeted them and led them to their table. There were no other customers at the moment which made Shuusei feel sad. When they came here as kids they often had to wait to get a table.

"Hotsuma-kun had already announced that you'd come. I'm happy to see you again as well, Shuusei-kun. God, it's been so long. And now you're so famous!" The old woman was happy to see him again. "Congratulations on the new album although I have to admit I don't listen to your kind of music. Wait, I'll get you the menu."

"It's nice here!" Tsukumo stated when he looked around.

Fujita-san returned first with a carafe of water, five glasses and then five menus. "Today's specials are ratatouille and chicken tikka masala," she told the young adults.

"I want something prepared by Hotsu-kun!" Ria chirped.

"That would be the specials. Hotsuma-kun is still getting used to the regular menu," Fujita-san explained.

"The ratatouille is fantastic! It's become one of my favourite dishes," Shuusei explained. "But I'll try the chicken. He hasn't prepared that for me, yet."

So in the end Tsukumo and the girls wanted ratatouille and Sairi and Shuusei took the chicken. And they ordered the most expensive sake the shop had to offer. They were here to celebrate after all.

While they were waiting for their orders Sairi noticed a piano on one of the walls. "Fujita-san? Does the piano work?" he asked the woman who was just getting their sake ready.

"It hasn't been tuned in ages so I guess it would sound terrible in your ears."

Sairi thought for a moment but got up nevertheless and sat down at the instrument just to try it out.

"What do you think?" he asked his friends.

"Could be better, but no catastrophe. Play us something nice!" Tsukumo asked and Sairi started to play.

"It's been ages since I last played a piano." The young man grinned but visibly enjoyed himself.

He returned to the table when they got their sake to raise his cup with the others but then returned to the piano and played a new song.

"May I request a song?" Fujita-san asked a bit shyly. "I don't know if you can play it, though..."

"Just ask and I see what I can do. I can never ignore the wishes of a beautiful woman," Sairi winked and Fujita-san's cheeks turned a little bit red.

"Oh you don't have to flatter an old hag like me, young man."

"I don't. I'm just stating the truth. Beauty has nothing to do with age. So what can I play for you?" Sairi enjoyed this conversation very much.

Fujita-san asked for a song that must have be modern at least 30 years ago but Sairi knew it and after he tried a few passages started to play.

Shuusei watched it silently but happily. He was glad his friends liked this shop. Perhaps they could tell other people about it so that they could get new customers. He didn't want this restaurant to close.

After a while Hotsuma came out of the kitchen. He wouldn't miss the chance to deliver the food himself. It was no problem since they were still the only guests.

"Hotsu-kun!" Ria cheered when she saw the boy. "You look great!"

"Er... Thank you!" Hotsuma was surprised due to the joy Ria showed only by seeing him. "You look great as well. Who had the ratatouille?"

When everyone had their food Hotsuma sat down with them for a while to talk. They hadn't met since the anniversary and he also hadn't seen Shuusei today so he just took his time to catch up a bit. And to listen to the praise the five had for his cooking.

"Really at first I was a bit sad when I heard you'd not prepare sweets, but this is really great!" Tsukumo grinned and Touko nodded. She had just stolen some of Shuusei's food just to try it. "We'll send our parents over, soon. They need to try your food as well!"

"I'd be happy if you did." Hotsuma sighed. He was worried that they wouldn't make it.

"We will!" Ria promised. "Sairi you need to get your family here as well. They know many people and can spread the word!"

"They prefer other kinds of restaurants, but I'll ask them to try it. It's delicious!" Sairi said.

"Thank you."

"Oi Renjou!" A voice came out of the kitchen. "Break's over! You've got things to learn."

"Coming!" Hotsuma sighed and got up again. "Work's calling. See you later." Hotsuma left the group and returned to the kitchen. He had to learn to prepare the meals from the regular menu as well after all.

"And you Shuu-kun must also get your family to come here! They know this shop and they know Hotsu-kun so it will be no problem, right?"

Shuusei nodded and smiled. Sometimes he envied Ria for her endless positive energy. But before he could answer the door opened and a bell announced new customers.

"Be Welcome!" Fujita-san greeted the new guests and Shuusei almost choked on his sake when he recognized the three people.

"Oh..." a young woman said. "We just talked about the family-like atmosphere here. But I didn't expect it to become this family-like."

Shuusei shrugged and got up. "Sometimes life surprises you more than any story can do, dearest sister." Shuusei got up and hugged the smaller woman who was two years older than him. She looked even more fragile than Ria but Shuusei knew his sister was also a tough person.

"Congratulations on the new album! I love the songs!" She said happily. She usually pre-ordered everything her brother and his band released.

"Thanks. I'm glad you like it!" Shuusei smiled at his sister.

"It's a surprise to see you. How are you?" his father interrupted the siblings' warm greeting. He was a tall, stern man whose whole aura spoke of pride and all-seriousness.

"I'm fine. Work's demanding. And you?"

Shuusei noticed a small twitch at the corner of his father's mouth. But gladly he didn't say anything. "I'm fine thanks. Congratulations... I guess"

His mother greeted him a bit more warmly. "Congratulations on your new album. Can you take a rest now? You seem to be tired"

Shuusei shook his head. "We'll have two concerts in Tokyo the next two days and then go on tour again for a month. But only through Japan and Asia this time."

"But try to take a rest. You look like you'd need it," his sister pleaded quietly.

"Don't worry about me. I'm fine. Really!" He smiled to underline his words.

"Hey, Shuusei, won't you introduce us?" Touko demanded now that all the important things were said.

"Of course," he sighed and introduced both parties. Shuusei had moved out early and somehow the band had only met his sister once at a school festival but not the rest of his family.

His father kept his distance and already sat down at a table while his mother and sister talked a bit to Shuusei's friends until they sat down as well. Shuusei preferred staying with his friends. No matter how much he loved his sister his relationship with his parents was a bit cool.

"Is that European stuff edible?" He heard his father ask sceptically and sighed. That man was just too narrow-minded.

"You can. Both dishes are delicious," Shuusei said. "And made by Hotsuma."

"Hotsuma-kun? I mean... you told me he can cook but that he'll work as a chef?" Sachiko, Shuusei's sister asked. "Then I'll try the chicken stuff!"

Shuusei's mother wanted to try the ratatouille and his father stuck with something Japanese from the menu.

"Your dad's a bit grumpy isn't he?" Ria asked quietly. Sairi had again occupied the piano and played some meldoies that no one could really dislike so that private talks were possible.

"He's not too fond of me. Wanted me to get a 'real' job in some big company sitting at a desk all day long for forty years and not living a dream which may very well end suddenly and then I'd have nothing left."

"Ugh boooooring. I'm glad you chose to stick with us!"

Shuusei laughed. "I'd always choose you over some boring live according to society's plan where you barely live at all." Really. No matter how stressful and problematic this life was at the moment, he didn't regret his choice to follow his dream of becoming a musician.

They spent the whole evening in the small restaurant. Sometime later in the evening Sairi played music to dance to and soon they had cleared a small space so that it was possible to dance. Fujita-san enjoyed how lively her restaurant suddenly had become and the music attracted other customers.

Later Sairi and Shuusei switched places so that Sairi could dance and Shuusei could get a bit away from the crowd of people. He had danced with his sister and the girls as well. But then he was happy to just sit there and play music as always when it got too lively around him. Especially when they got recognized he was glad to be busy with the music so that he wasn't talked to too much.

They only left when the restaurant closed for the day and Shuusei was happy that he didn't have to leave alone. He was quite drunk from all the sake and Hotsuma took good care that he reached home safely.

"Haah it was a nice evening," Shuusei stated, when he kicked off his shoes.

"Indeed. I could hear your fun in the kitchen. Perhaps we need to organize music events from time to time." Hotsuma mused.

"Sounds good. But then you need to tune the piano."

"Fujita-san had already made a note to call someone. She loved the evening as well! Guess you all will get a thank you present soon."

Shuusei snickered. "Yeah. She loved the good mood. And she loved it when Sairi had asked her for a dance."

"Old womanizer." Hotsuma grinned and Shuusei nodded. He had taken out his phone and Hotsuma couldn't get what he was doing. "And you had fun as well?" he asked.

"Yes. Very much. Although there was one person I wanted to dance with but couldn't"

"Huh? You could have asked that person?" Hotsuma said reluctantly. Didn't he like the fact that Shuusei wanted to dance?

"Nope. That person had to work in the kitchen and didn't have the time to dance with me." Shuusei had now chosen a song and pressed play, then put the phone aside. "Would that person grant me a dance now that he has the time?"

Hotsuma looked at his friend. Was he serious? Or just too drunk? But he couldn't withstand the begging look in Shuusei's eyes so he nodded. "Of course." he said and took Shuusei into his arms to lead him around the room to the powerful sounds of a song he didn't know.