AN: I'm being very much self-serving here. The Saiki parents chatting with each other about their children, very domestic fluffy. Slightly OOC. Plus, Kuniharu doesn't get a lot of love and he should.
Thanks to: simkjrs, Purgatory_Empress, cheesatoe, Cryptic_Catastrophe. These are the people on AO3. Here, many thanks to Transus, FantomoDrako, emzhao07010, Shaye, darkpit65
Chapter 7 - Day After
"Mama! I'm ready and pumped for another day of work," said Kuniharu as he made his grand entrance to the breakfast table. "And it's going to be a beautiful day because of you."
"That's wonderful, Papa," greeted Kurumi with a wide smile. Though there were bags underneath her eyes from worrying about her father the night before, she was immediately bright at seeing her beloved husband. "My day is going to be perfect because of your love."
Kuniharu smiled wide, encouraged by the positive feedback he received.
This was a good start to the day. Grandpa's health scare had everyone on edge. Kuniharu, as the head of the household, wanted to be there for his wife and his family. So he got up extra early, so early that he was able to beat his son, Kusuo, to the breakfast table. This meant plenty of time to enjoy his wife's presence alone, still have the time to drive to the train station, catch the train to town and get to work just on time.
It looked to be a good decision to get up early, too, since it was raining outside. Traffic was going to be bad and the commute even longer.
There was no rest for the salaryman.
The breakfast spread was thinner than the previous day, since Kurumi got up a little later than usual. This was to be expected because they did get to bed later than their typical bedtime. Breakfast itself was still a healthy mix of fruits, juice, coffee, and heavenly pancakes.
The couples began their breakfast in no time, wanting to spend the ritual with just themselves.
As a thank-you-for-teleporting, Kurumi placed a coffee jelly at Kusuo's usual sitting place. Hopefully, Kusuo wouldn't mind her request to teleport her back to the hospital again, some time today. The visit was not absolutely necessary, but Kurumi was not 100 percent certain that her mother was at an age to remember all the detailed hospital instructions. It would do well for her peace of mind if she spends the day with them.
Speaking of Kusuo. Where was he? He was typically a punctual young man who followed a predictable morning routine. Maybe he was still sick?
Still concerned, Kurumi checked her phone to see if her elder son had responded to her text from yesterday.
Nothing. Maybe Kuusuke was busy?
Seriously, did the Saiki family hit a stretch of bad luck? First Ku-chan was not feeling well. Then her father got a stroke. Now Ku-kun was not responding to her. At least Kuniharu was still cheerful. Something still bothered her since she was usually the first to get up in the family.
"Papa. Did you hear someone crying from Ku-chan's room last night?" asked Kurumi with a frown
"Yeah. He probably was up late watching TV, or left it on," said Kuniharu. "You know how he is, rotting his brain with so much TV."
Kurumi nodded, agreeing with the explanation. Kusuo did watch far more TV than any normal kid should. Despite how he now has plenty of friends who dragged him to many after school leisure activities, Kusuo still liked to be alone and doing solitary activities. "You're right. He might just be tired from midterms and wanted to vegetate in front of the TV."
"Huh. Midterms?" asked Kuniharu. His life was very much one of the salaryman, focused mostly on work, pleasing the bosses, and providing the financial means for the family. Details of his children's academic life were rarely on his radar. It was not for the lack of interest, but more due to the pointlessness of it.
"Yes. I heard from Kaido-san that her son stayed up to midnight studying for two weeks straight for yesterday's midterms. She said that she was going to boost his allowance if he made it to the top 25 places. Do you think we should do the same for Ku-chan?"
Kuniharu raised an eyebrow, slightly incredulous. "Are you actually worrying about Kusuo's grades?"
Kurumi played with the hem of her apron. "A little. I know he does average because that's what he aims for. But I can't help but think about him getting good enough grades so he can get into a good college and getting a good job in the future. University entrance exams are coming up, you know."
Now Kuniharu was completely surprised by this. "Since when are you concerned about Kusuo's academics? And where is this coming from?"
"Kuniharu," she addressed her husband formally, something she did only when it was serious, "I know that we've agreed to let the kids develop as they wished and teach them to do right instead of do great. That we should be more concerned about their happiness than their achievements. But aren't we a little too hands-off with both of them? Kaido-san knows all her three children's schools, clubs, and cram school schedules by heart and where they are at all the time. She knows all their grades by subject. I haven't even seen Ku-chan's report card since the second grade."
"Honey, we are talking about our children here. You know that they are not like other kids."
"But..."
"Stop comparing yourself to the other moms. No one else has children like Kuusuke and Kusuo. Considering what they are and how they haven't started World War III, I think you are doing an amazing job."
Kurumi still did not seem convinced.
"Look, don't worry about testing and school academics. Did you forget that Kuusuke got into Cambridge Unversity at fourteen and already graduated with a doctorate? If you think about it, he's already been out in society (1) for years. You know he didn't do all that to challenge himself. None of the other moms have a kid like that.
"And you know Kusuo can be just as academically gifted as Kuusuke, he just chooses not to show it. We're lucky that Kusuo decided that he wants to appear normal that we actually got to experience raising a kid. Kuusuke was barely home since he could walk. So stop worrying about Kusuo's grades and comparing yourself to the other moms. Our kids are perfect the way they are and it's all owed to you."
At long explanation and encouragement, Kurumi seemed to relax and reassured. Kuniharu had gotten quickly to the root of the problem. It was useless, trying to compare herself to her other mom friends. Her mom friends would probably outcast her if they knew how truly exceptional her two sons were and how little effort that Kurumi expanded on their education. It made her feel slightly guilty to be so blessed with such and understanding husband and two flawless angels as her babies.
"Well, in other news," said Kuniharu. This time, it was his turn to fidget. "My mother, Risa, is coming for a visit."
Kurumi nearly choked on her juice. "But...but...didn't she disown you?"
"She did. And she somewhat un-disowned me. She wants to see where we live. Actually visit with us."
Kurumi made a face. "You think she's still mad at me?"
"I think it's more on me, the whole getting-married-before-graduating-college sort of thing. And, it's been over 20 years. Relax. No one can hold on to that silly grudge for so long."
"I'll let Kuusuke know. I don't think he's ever met her," said Kurumi, looking at her phone and quickly tapping out a message.
-Your dad's mom, Risa, is visiting in a couple of days. It will be nice if you're here.- She only looked at the phone for the briefest moment longer, hoping for the typical quick response.
"I know, wouldn't he be surprised," said Kuniharu with a mysterious smile. He did not catch the flash of disappointment on his wife's face when there was not an immediate return text. He was onto the next topic. "Speaking of which...today's Kuusuke's birthday, right?"
At that, Kurumi brightened. "That's right! It's Ku-kun birthday. His 20th." Her eyes gleamed in the memory of her eldest son, the joy and fear when he was first placed in her arms, compared to the handsome adult he was now. "Do you remember the day he was born? That silly doctor said he wasn't going to make it this far. That 'he'll be lucky if he makes it into his 20s.'"
"Yes. We were so worried, since he was premature. But it all turned out to be fine. He gained weight in no time, no health issue at all," said Kuniharu. Then in a side whisper. "And started insulting me by the time he was two months old..."
Kurumi was not focused on that. Her mind was already thinking of ways to bring a smile to her first baby. "I know! We should record us singing a happy birthday song to him!"
"Eh...!?" Kuniharu made a face. Birthdays were a big thing between the married couple and one of the many reasons to be upbeat and celebratory in their years together. Their children, not so much. As far as he knew, both of their children hated the attention that came with cringy birthday celebrations and went to incredible lengths to avoid it. "Wait...honey. Are you sure that we should?"
"We absolutely should. It's the least we can do for all those times Ku-kun gave us presents for our wedding anniversary and birthdays. He never missed one, you know. And we should with all of us, you, me and Ku-chan. We should record us singing him a happy birthday song and send the video."
The idea was greeted with an incredulous expression. "You do know Kusuo is going to gag at that, right? As in, he might physically vomit, especially if it's for his older brother."
"Ku-chan doesn't have to sing," said Kurumi. "He just has to be in the video. Come on. It'll be fun. We'll send it to my parents too. It'll cheer my father up to know that he lived long enough to see a grandbaby turn 20."
"I don't know that's such a great idea," said Kuniharu with a grimace. Seriously? Did she not remember how the two beat on each other every chance they get? Kurumi certainly had a selective vision of her two boys. They'll be lucky if Kusuo did not accidentally destroy the recording device. "Kusuo is going to say no," Kuniharu said, trying to be the voice of reason.
At this point, Kurumi pulled her usual overly-sweet-but-near-explosion-smile. She was about to snap if she did not get what she wanted. "Just go get him."
Appropriately cowed at such a scary expression, Kuniharu had to go along with the suggestion. "Sure. I'll go get the great Kusuo-sama."
"Thank, Papa!" said Kurumi, now back to her no-worries, no-stress self. "I'll go dig around for some candles and a lighter. We'll use the pancake as the cake."
On the way up the stairs, Kuniharu briefly looked out the window of the second-floor stairs. Darn. It seemed like it was going to another one of those all-day raining days. It was summer though and rainy days like this were to be expected.
Kusuo can hear us just fine. I wonder why he didn't come down in the first place...thought Kuniharu.
Not giving the question any further thought, Kuniharu proceeded to Kusuo's door. His hand on the door handle, not even bothering to knock.
The door was locked. Now, that was strange. Since when did Kusuo lock his door?
That brat probably locked it because he heard me coming! thought Kuniharu, a bit annoyed. When did he, the head of the household, become the doormat of the family? He knocked, probably a little louder than he had to.
"Yo. Kusuo. Mama and I are going to video record us singing the happy birthday song for your older brother and send it to him," Kuniharu yelled at the door. He did not need to, but just in case Kusuo was still asleep. "We want you in the video."
There was no response. He did hear a slight shuffling so he knew someone was inside.
Probably already ran off with teleportation already, thought Kuniharu. Then he remembered how frightening Kurumi could get if she did not get her way. Plus, he did love her and find doing things to make her happy a pleasure.
"Kusuo, I know you and Kuusuke have your problems and I'm sure you don't want to, but he is your brother. Just come down. It'll make your mother happy."
At that, the lock on the door clicked and the door was opened to a slit just wide enough to see a full face.
Kusuo was still in his pale blue pajamas, which was odd. Were those scorch marks on the edges of the sleeves and cuffs? There were heavy bags underneath his eyes. He had his usual frown, like the world overly disappointed him, that he had to stoop so low as to tolerate humanity for all seventeen, going on eighteen years of life. But there was a slight downcast undertone to it.
"Did you stay up too late to watch a movie about a kid and his dog, huh?" asked Kuniharu. Those sad heartwarming stories about man's best friend could move anyone to tears.
As usual, Kusuo's expression did not even twitch.
Kuniharu grinned, thinking that he had guessed right. "You, my young son, should take a bit of advice from your elders. You should learn to get to bed early and get ready for school early, like your fine father." For effects, Kuniharu lightly adjusted his tie at his throat. It was rare for Kuniharu to have gotten ready earlier than the almighty Kusuo.
The door slammed closed.
Two seconds later, Kuniharu heard his wife's enthusiastic happy chirpy voice from downstairs. "Good morning Ku-chan! You're just in time! I can't find the lighter, so can you light these candles for me?"
Kuniharu slouched a bit. The damn kid. He got dressed in a second and teleported!
Still grumbling about how disrespectful his children were to their elders, Kuniharu made his way downstairs
Back to the breakfast table again, Kurumi looked happy and proud. On the table was a stack of pancakes with exactly 20 tan-colored candles jammed on top in the shape of the number 20.
Kusuo, now in his usual school uniform, without the jacket, was next to the impromptu birthday cake. Per his mother's request, he lightly touched the tips of the candles with a finger, pyrokinesis activated to lit the candles one by one. He seemed a unsteady, like he was going to be positively sick from this exercise.
"Oh, no don't look so ill at the idea of pretending to be happy for Kuusuke. It will literally take only seconds of your life," quipped Kuniharu.
"Papa! No ruining this day. No one is pretending. It's Ku-kun's birthday and we are happy about it." Kurumi held her phone up and flipped to selfie-function. She angled the phone so that the makeshift pancake cake was in view with lit candles. The important part was to make sure the three of them were in view of the phone camera.
At the same time, Kuniharu checked the watch and almost fell over. "Ah! Honey, hurry up. I'm going to be late if I don't leave in 5 minutes!"
Kurumi quickly positioned the smartphone again and hit record. "Ku-kun. Happy 20th's birthday. We want to wish you a happy birthday. We're going to sing in three, two, one!"
For the next thirty seconds, discordant soprano and horrible tenor voices sang a rendition of the traditional happy birthday song that was so cacophonous that it sent the family's outdoor cat Amp and the indoor cat, Warp, screeching and ducking for cover. Birds that were hiding in the trees on the family property flew away disoriented. It was so awful, some of the cups and the glasses of the picture frames in the family dining room cracked.
"Ku-kun," said Kurumi to the camera, looking mighty proud once she was done. "Mama will make you a real cake when you come visit. Okay?" She hit the stop-recording icon then hit the send button.
Back at the table, Kusuo was still leaning over the pathetic looking pancake cake. One finger hovered on the last candle that had remained unlit. The other hand covered his mouth and his chest heaved.
Kuniharu observed this phenomenon and poked at his wife. "See, I've told you that he was going to gag at this."
This time, it was Kurumi who was in a hurry. "Honey! You're going to be late!"
The couple made an elaborate dance of professing eternal love to each other again while getting the work bag, the large coat, the umbrella, the house key, the cellphone, the wallet, and all the other little trinkets needed for work. They bid each other goodbye, spoke of the eternal heartbreak that was to be for the next several hours, before the door was finally opened and Kuniharu finally made it out with no time to spare.
"Ah! It's raining cats and dogs out here!" yelled Kunihaur before turning a corner to get into his car and drove off.
Back at the breakfast table, Kusuo had already blown out the fire hazard of the numerous tiny candles and started to clean up. As the youngest in the family, and therefore closest to the heart, he was the one who helped out mom with the domestic work.
"Thank you, Ku-chan," said Kurumi when she was finally back at the breakfast table. She smiled at him happily. What her husband said was true. Ku-chan was perfect the way he was. He was such a thoughtful kid.
Kusuo busied himself with cleaning off the breakfast table. He didn't touch his food. The fruit was packed away. The remaining juice and coffee poured down the sink. A light brush of the finger restored the cracks in the glasses and cups that cracked during the hellish rendition of the Happy Birthday Song. The pancake was not salvageable, now all soggy with syrup, candle wax, and odd concoction of sugar so it was chucked into the garbage. As for the pack of coffee jelly, he looked at it and quietly tossed it in the garbage too.
Kurmi saw this and recalled that coffee jelly is best served immediately out of the fridge. It had been out for nearly half an hour. Oh well, it wasn't the best brand of coffee jelly anyways and her baby boy had refined tastes.
There was a moment of silence before something unusual happened. Kusuo initiated a conversation.
"Ka-san. I am not well today. I'm staying home."
"Is it your headaches again?" asked Kurumi, automatically troubled.
"No. That is over."
Kurumi tilted her head curiously and observed him now washing the dishes. Did he really find doing something nice for his brother that odious? No. Something was clearly off. "Ku-chan. You're shaking a little. Are you sure you're feeling alright? How about I call your older-"
"No!"
Kurumi jumped slightly, not sure how to react. Kusuo had never raised his voice, telepathic and actual, in her recollection, at least not to her. She felt hurt.
Kusuo detected this and soften his dour facial expression down to his usual, blank stare. "Sorry. I am not going to school today. Can you let the school know? Tell them I'm sick or something."
Something about Kusuo's posture caught Kurumi's eyes. This was her baby boy, after all. He seemed dispirited, lacking his usual snarky spite. She wanted to say something, but she remembered the conversation she had with Kuniharu earlier. About how both of their children were simply perfect and that they've taught them right. It was not a wrong thing for her to be so hands-off and not prying. If he needed help, he would let them know. At this moment, he was asking her for a small favor, a very rare event indeed.
"Of course, Ku-chan. Take the day off," said mom. Papa was right. I shouldn't have make Ku-chan be in the birthday greeting...
Then she thought about Kuusuke's possible reaction to the birthday video. Would he make a face? Would he shake his head? Would he rush home to say "thank you" to her and Papa? Would he rag on Kusuo for being badgered into this? Kuusuke would laugh, of course. He did enjoy teasing his younger brother. She thought of his bright smile and the feel of his gratitude and hug when he visits them the next time. She loved how tall he had gotten, even taller than Kuniharu, and in spite of having such a short mother.
She then imagine how Kusuo was going to be when he was twenty. Probably just as tall, but a little more stout. Of the two, Kusuo had always been the healthier child. She'll have to remember to get Kuusuke to sing also for Kusuo in a couple of months. Kusuo would be so embarrassed and probably would try to stop it now he knew that she had the idea, but she was sure that such awkward displays of affection secretly made her baby boy happy.
Her babies were growing up just beautifully and her heart felt full.
Outside, it only rained harder.
AN:
(1) "Out in society" is a phrase to describe someone who had completed their education phase and is now on the next phase, which is typically working. This is the ultimate goal of the parents, which is to successfully see their children into "society" and get a jumpstart on life. It's generally when a person becomes their own "family." The success of the mom is measured in the success of the children because the assumption was that the mom has a direct impact on the children's success. In a sense, due to how early and successfully Kuusuke went "out in society," Kurumi would've been viewed as the ultimate mom.
I thought about using the term "working," but that didn't seem appropriate.
