Title: Mending
Plot Writer: NerdyInuProductions
Manga/Anime: Skip Beat
Status: Complete
Disclaimer: I don't own this Anime, Manga and its characters, but I proudly own the Plot and the Story which I thought and loved to share, hope you give me some reviews and tell me what you think.
Salamat!
Unlike their eldest son, they got a close family friend to update them about their eldest's progress and well being. However in their youngest they were left in the dark and had no idea who to call or ask to know how their boy is doing.
Kuu and Julie are desperate to know, however fears that their son is going to hate them further if they try to interfere with his University or his new life.
Yes, he kept his given and last name, however the weight of distancing himself to his parents are being carried by the couple.
It has been four year without any news, words or know-about with their youngest. "What's wrong darling?" Kuu went to comfort his wife after she checked what was sent to her phone.
"It's him!" Kuu's eyes grew wide and rushed to his wife's side to see. Gently he pulled her to sit on their sofa.
It was a short clip of their son singing with three other boys in their living room flat. Kuu noticed that their son grew thin and pale, his shirt was a bit smaller than the usual he would wear, his neck long hair is now shaved to a comb over pompadour-fade.
"Who sent it?" Kuu wiping a little stray tear from his eyes.
"His best friend did." Julie felt relieved that their son was fine, but the fact his complexion and weight was terrible, they were worried. "John even said, Koudi is taking Business Administration with double major." Julie informed her husband who felt proud.
Koudi's friends gave the couple an insight of what their son does in his dormitory and school life, his friends sent a little collection videos they made years back.
Kuu watching his son wake-up on his own, make his breakfast without eating any cereals as an easy route. He kept a part time job at a cafe that supports his allowance and supplies for a month. Kuu also found out that the allowance they transfer to his account wasn't used, not a penny had been withdrawn. Koudi also had been a scholar and played as a chess varsity for his school to be able to study without paying a single dime.
Kuu wanted to tell how proud he is to his son, but he never did. His son thinks Kuu is disappointed with him and better off without him as a dead weight.
"I could've at least told him some good things." Kuu breathed shakily holding his tears, "I never knew he was a good kid. I assumed he was just in his rebellious phrase. I know I was upset whenever we get home without any greeting from him and he would be up lazing around and sleeping."
"But instead he's just tired from his part time..." Julie was guilty she scolded him for it.
Later that evening, the couple still felt the numb emptiness in their home after their eldest son ended the daily calls and their missing youngest son.
"Honey!" Julie shook her husband having a nightmare. Kuu sat on his side of the bed and heavily breathed collecting himself.
"It still hunts me, darling." biting his lip, "I never felt like this with Kuon since I know he'll a;ways come back." he turned to his wife.
"Kuodi, he was hurt because of me, he left because he hates me. What if we lose him for good?" Julie finally embraced him crying.
"He'll come home. We need to give him time." Julie burst in tears.
"Sofia told me he just need space to breathe. He is a sweet boy, all we need to do when he comes back is apologize, make up for the years we missed around him.
The next morning having their breakfast, they shared silence after last night's nightmare. Kuu dropped Julie to her work and headed to his own.
Kuu pulled down visor and stared for a moment the cute picture of his two sons when they were kids, Kuu holding the youngest securely while a toddler Kuon peeked at his baby bother. "I'm sorry." he sighed and drove to his outdoor taping location.
Weekend, the couple were relaxing in their backyard lounge and browsing social media checking on later news about their eldest son and his girlfriend after they announced their engagement.
Kuu's phone started blaring and he answered, "Really!" he suddenly stood from the news, "When?!"
"Tomorrow! Are you sure?" dumbfounded but excited he turned to his wife. "Thank you, John, you're a blessing. We'll be there." he burst in a wide smile looking at his wife ending his call.
"What's going on?" Julie asked.
"Koudi, he's coming home tomorrow!" he announced and Julie dropped her phone covering her mouth. They shared an embrace and prepared everything, starting with their son's room.
Calling the house keeper to clean up the dust and have fresh bed covers for their child's bed. The spouses realized they never entered the said room after everything in it reminds them of their missing son and what they've done.
Julie smiled seeing the framed medals and certificates that decorated their walls. She couldn't be more proud since her eldest is an acting prodigy and award-winning actor, while her youngest is a genius, skipping grades and year in his study and being invited into one of the prestigious University in the world.
Though, still sad that she and her husband stained their relationship with the youngest. With the change given, she will do everything in her power to make everything right for their son.
The next day, "Honey, are you ready?" Kuu anxiously asked his wife who is equally feeling the same.
"Yes. Have you called Paul?" she inquired.
"I did, he'll handle the aftermath." Kuu had to bite his tongue in fear of what's going to happen.
It was long agonizing drive despite it only took them twenty minutes to reach the airport. Kuu and Julie created chaos after fans saw them, but they made it to the designated area where they met with their son's best friends.
Kuu and Julie gave the boys a hug and thanked them for the four years they had been helping the couple.
"He's here!" Julie jumped covering her mouth in anticipation.
"I'm scared I'm going to screw this up." Kuu admitted and the boys patted the older man with a reassuring smile.
"I think you gave him plenty of time to heal. But, please don't immediately smother him. Julian is sensitive and hates coddling, its better to go slowly." one advised.
"Understood." Kuu nodded.
Half a minute later, people from the arrival started to come out, and when Koudi appeared, he was tackled by his best friends and shared a tight hug with tears.
When Koudi saw his parents he sighed anxiously and stood there. Julie started to slowly walk her way to him and gently held him.
Kuu followed along, this time they weren't pushed but their son remained silent never returning the embrace.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know." was Kuu's words tightly hugging his son.
"Of course you wouldn't" yes, Kuu is guilty being clueless of his son's life and feelings after his attention went to his absentee eldest son.
"Let's take you home." Julie cupped Koudi's cheek and smothered him with hugs again. Bystanders and fans were having a field day recording and taking pictures of the powerhouse couple.
The ride home was silent and heavy, no words were exchanged, Julie felt relieved that her son wasn't the same what she saw in the video, he looked better, except he was whiter than she remember, it wasn't because of his anemic complexion, but rather his skin was clearer.
Well dressed in his black button-down shirt, khaki slim fit pants and brown casual lace up-oxford shoes. However the his aviator framed glasses had a thick prescription lenses.
Julie interested to know who happened to the four years he had been away, worried that he had been sick.
Arriving home, they brought him to his old room, "You should've changed this to a storage or something, I can afford my own place now." Implying they should've completely forget about him.
Kuu knew he failed his son as a father and now Koudi feels he was the outcast and unwanted child.
"I know I fucked being a father and treating you, but don't ever think that we disliked you."
"Tell that to the comparison you've done." he said and picked up his bag and storming out the house. Kuu knew he screwed up again.
Julie chased him and so did Kuu, "Please..." pleaded by Kuu, "I know I messed up and neglected you, unaware of how good of a kid you are."
"Stop sugar coating your words, I'm twenty-one, I'm supposed to thrown out anyways." Koudi flatly said.
"Not in this house." Kuu shook his head. "We missed have of your life and focused on Kuon, I thought if we have you we dont have to worry about anything. But after being away how you struggled and never asked for anything from us and remained supportive we know we owe you ten folds, we owe being mom and dad to you." Kuu held him tighter.
"I'm so sorry, son. I... I don't know how to deal with this, or how I can make it up to you." he admitted. "Apology isn't enough." Koudi remained silent.
Dinner was quiet as well, but the house felt a little less empty now that he was there with them. Julie however despite being told not to coddle her son, she had been too clingy and smothered him all at once which made the young man recessive.
"Darling." Kuu scolded her, "Give him a little space to breathe." Kuu gave her a sad smile and Julie understood.
"So tell me what have you been up to for the past four years?" Kuu broke the silence.
"Enrolled as Business Admenistration, both majors of Marketing and Financial management." he explained.
Julie gasped, "You want to have a business too?" she excitedly asked.
"I already have." he flatly said which surprised his mother.
"Is it in the fashion line too!" she squealed.
"Outdoor and Tactical." another short reply. Kuu was glad he was answering even though it was plain, cold reply.
"Aw... and here I thought you'd like to be the same as mommy."
"Kids grew up and decide what they like." taking a bite from his stake. Julie felt dejected after her son straight up refused her.
"So what do plan now?" his dad asked him.
"Masters degree."
"Where?" Julie anticipated.
"California State University." Julie and Kuu lit up that he wasn't leaving to another country to pursue his studies.
"That's great!" Julie's tears fell with the happiness she was feeling.
With dinner done, they retired to their respective rooms, Kuu still had those little episodes of nightmares, "Here here now." Julie reminded, "It'll take more time, but he's with us now." kissing his shoulder.
"I think its time for me to visit a therapist huh?" Kuu suggested.
"Would that help?" she asked.
"I don't honestly know, but I would want to fix myself for our family."
"Then you should, I would support you."
"Thank you, darling." Kuu kissed her.
Two weeks later, "Koun! Kyoko!" the spouses were surprised by their favorite couple.
"Where's Koudi?" Kuon immediately searched for his brother.
"He's at the garden, I dont know what he's doing with his computer everyday buy he's there." Kuu informed and Kuon rushed to see his sibling.
Finding his brother in plain black shirt and jogger shorts with a pair of flip-flops, he was typing away on his computer, Kuon tackled him to a tight embrace, apologizing.
Similar to their parents, he was ignored but worse Kuon was pushed away and darted with a glare.
"Kuon." Kuu scolded him.
"I'm sorry, I missed him for the whole nine years, the last time four years ago, I only saw him leaving and want able to apologize and bond with him."
"For now that's impossible." sighed by Kuu, "We're trying to mend the family. In honest truth, we're like stepping on a forest with lots of fragile twigs and sticks." Kuu admitted.
"I can see that." Kuon turned to his brother.
While Kuu and Julie left for work that afternoon, "Hi?" Kyoko smiled greeting him from the balcony lounge.
Koudi only looked up and never replied and continued to type in his computer, "You know, I was rejected by my mother on national television." she started, "I was an unplanned and unwanted child that reminds my mother of her failure."
Koudi paid no mind, "But you know, I confronted her and she told me everything, I let go of the past making-up to her. Despite how she treated me, all she wanted for me is to be successful and avoid failures. Unable to physically raise me on her own, she still sends support to those people who cared for me which I appreciate. Still it hurts being rejected." she sighed.
"Sucks to be us then." Koudi shortly replied.
"Indeed. But then I met your big brother again and things were okay." she hummed. "Maybe, one day you'll find happiness and have a room to forgive mom and dad-san."
"Then what am I doing here?" Koudi coldly retorted.
"I guess, but it seems you're still carrying the weight."
"Let us get things straight." he stopped what he was working, "I am not like you." and slammed closs his computer and left. Kyoko sighed.
"You're leaving?" Kuon asked confused seeing his brother upset and storming out the house.
"Yes, away from you and your girlfriend." Ren was taken aback.
After he left, "What happened?" Kuon asked Kyoko.
"I might have upset him." she sighed and told their conversation.
"You both are different, you have been a strong willed girl raised strict yet loving Ryokan, while Kuodi, dspite our parents being around, he was neglected, he felt different from you since there was no attention, and you had some thanks to the Fuwa and the Darumaya couple."
"I guess. Koudi had to endure watching your parents fret over you wale they watch you from afar."
"That's why we're here." he smiled, "We need to make him feel wanted, I know me and my parents messed up and its too late, but we're no going to die without doing our best."
"And I'll be here to help you three." Kuon hugged his girlfriend.
"Thank you."
Dinner, "Where's Koudi?" asked by Kuon.
"He spent dinner at his friend's house." Kuu looked down. "John called me earlier that Koudi was there and was upset."
"It might have to do with me." Kyoko guilty, "I'm sorry."
"It wasn't your fault." Kuon assured, "You did your best though." and the younger couple explained what happened.
"What w did was worse, so you don't have to blame yourself." Julie comforted.
The next morning when Koudi came home, he was informed by Kuu that they will have few guests over in their home in the afternoon for a home interview, "Don't worry, I wont be a disgrace. I'll just throw myself away somewhere."
Kuu and Julie had to bite the inside of their check hearing their son kicking himself low and thought of himself as a disgrace. Yes Kuu might have said something about it in the past and now it was biting him back.
Koudi left shortly. After the crew arrived they covered every corner of the mansion and complimented the awards their children had made in years. Including the recent diploma, special awards and other certificates their youngest son had accomplished after his University friends shipped the items to his home. Julie in insistence add it to the wall where his torn, crumpled and damaged certificates were placed.
The host of the show noticed the damage made and Kuu explained the past which put him in a bad seat as an awful father missing special events in his younger son's life.
Before the crew left, "Good afternoon." greeted by a man which Kuu was unfamiliar with, "Does Koudi Hizuri live here?" he asked.
"Yes and why?" Kuu confused.
"He inquired for our services." He explained.
"I told you to meet me in a cafe." Koudi appeared and few of the female crew blushed. He was a younger version of his father with his mother's bright blonde hair and blaring emerald eyes.
"I'm sorry, sir. But I failed to ask what cafe in our call so it was better to get you in your home."
"I see, then can you show me the available places."
"What available places?" asked by Kuu in confusion.
"None of your business." Koudi coldly replied and left dragging the middle aged man.
In the evening Kuu sat in his home office in fear, "Koudi is moving out." it sank in.
However in the morning the family were delighted that Koudi was moving in next door instead. The youngest however hated the idea, but he had no choice, at least he was out of his parents' roof and in is own.
"West Coast Tactical plus?" Blinked by Paul, Kuu's manager.
"Why? is there something wrong with my son's business?" Kuu was concerned.
"No... nothing... That company however is the rising tactical enterprise that popular security contractor businesses had been signing contracts!" Paul explained, "Holy shit, Kuu! Your son is a multi billionaire!" he gasped and Kuu is dumbfounded at the information.
"Where is he by the way?"
"He's at his home next to ours." Kuu felt relieved that his son is just next door and decided to stay.
"Kuon?" Paul asked again.
"At home as well, with Kyoko."
"They might be physically home, but the other is still cold huh?" Paul patted his charge.
"He'll come around, I'm trying my best. But its scary because we're always stepping in landmines every day." he sighed.
"We cant blame him. His mind was washed with the thought of being the hated child. You were strict and cold to him."
"I know and I fucked up as a father." Kuu sighed again.
After another week, "Darling, is everything ready?" asked by Julie to her husband.
"Yes. caterers are in the reception." he confirmed however he sat in their bed staring at his phone with pained look sniffling holding his tears.
"What's wrong, darling?" Julie went to him and see what he was reading.
"I should've died at nineteen, but the rugrats I called my brothers helped me survive." attached is a picture of his three three friends in their University; the four of them donned an all-black, tailored-slim-fit tuxedo, behind them is the famous castle like building. Kuu was proud seeing his dashing son winning life despite the depression.
"We're proud of him." Julie smiled and kissed her husband's cheek.
Kuu saved the picture in his phone and uploaded his own greeting his son in his twenty-second birthday.
Family, friends and colleagues attended the backyard party, the wide garden accommodated the guests that came.
Pictures that flashed on the projector was courtesy of their son's best friends, pictures from Koudi's infant days to adulthood flashed to a slideshow accompanied with the song 'Photograph' young girls that was invited by Julie were attracted to one picture.
It was a recent one taken by one of his best friends from University; dressed in his black mandarin collar button-down-shirt and tailored white trousers, showing his forearm with is tattoos.
Bible verses, green ribbon with semi-colon, and similar words written in different fonts and languages all over his fore arm.
"You look perfect." Julie complimented her youngest as she lovingly place her palm on each of her child's cheeks.
Kuon, Kuu and Koudi matched after Julie insisted they wore her brand; the older boys worn a matching white mandarin collar dress shirt under their waistcoat and coat, however Julie found her youngest to fit black better. With all-black dress shirt and waistcoat to match.
Koudi however preferred to leave the coat-off and fold his sleeves back to show off his tattoos on his left fore-arm.
"Happy birthday." Julie greeted, but her son doesn't appreciate it and just gave a flat hum.
With the party in order, Paul sighed and comforted his friend and charge with a pat on the shoulder, "Like I said give it time, you can wait four years without any word, what more that he's here with you."
"You're right." Kuu agreed.
~END~
A/N: Part 3 is in order. I'll try to make it less sad.