One day, when Piston Hondo came home from the arena, he found Grandma and Natsumi sitting side by side on the couch, talking about something. Natsumi looked fearful, while Grandma was gentle and soothing.
Piston Hondo was curious, but went to his room to change first. Once he had pulled his shirt back on, Grandma came knocking at his door. "リキ、 ダーリン、 居間に来てくれませんか? 私たちはあなたに伝えるべき重要なことを持っています." (Riki, darling, could you come to the living room? We have something important to tell you.)
Piston Hondo looked up, and followed his grandmother to the couch. He sat down. "それはなんですか?" (What is it?)
Natsumi looked up at her brother. "...あなたはおじです." (...You're an uncle.)
Piston Hondo's eyes went wide. An uncle? Natsumi was pregnant?! Were they being serious?!
Natsumi and Grandma watched for his reaction with bated breath. But Piston Hondo simply excused himself and went to his room.
A lot was going through his head. Pride; his sister was entering motherhood. Disappointment; she was so reckless, sleeping with someone she barely knew. Fear; what if she moved out? Togetherness; there was going to be a new member of the Kobayashi family. Really, there was too much going on in his head to nail down a precise response.
He jumped a bit when the door creaked open. "リキ、あなたはそのニュースに興奮するだろうと思いました." (Riki, I thought you would be excited about the news.)
Piston Hondo turned around to face his grandmother. "私はこれについて多くの複雑な感情を持っています." (I have a lot of mixed feelings about this.)
The two sat down on the bed for him to explain. "姪や甥がいて嬉しいですが、パーティーでしか見られない人と寝るのは、なつみにはまだ少し無謀でした." (I'm happy to have a nibling, but it was still a bit reckless of Natsumi to sleep with someone she's only met at parties.)
Grandma pursed her lips. "彼女は自分の保護が失敗したと私に言った." (She told me that her protection failed.)
Okay. That was good to know. "それでも、私は本当にお勧めしません." (Still, I really don't recommend that.)
They were both quiet for a bit, before Grandma continued. "明美がここにいたらよかったのに.'' (I just wish Akemi could have been here.)
Piston Hondo sighed. He wished their mother could have been around to meet her first grandchild too.
The door creaked again. Piston Hondo looked up, and saw Natsumi watching from the doorway. Piston Hondo sighed again, and gestured for her to come in and sit with them. "ほら、私はそれがどのように起こったかについてあまり熱心ではありませんが、あなたはまだ私の妹であり、その赤ちゃんはまだ私の姪または甥です." (Look, I'm not very keen on how it happened, but you're still my sister, and that baby is still my nibling.)
Natsumi scrunched up her face, before snapping. "私のためにこの赤ちゃんを運んでくれたらいいのに!" (I wish you could carry this baby for me!)
Her family was quite taken aback. They certainly hadn't expected her to say that. "なつみちゃん、本当ですか?" (Natsumi, do you really mean that?)
Natsumi was quiet for a moment. "...いいえ." (...no.) She leaned on her brother's shoulder. "私はこの赤ちゃんがとてもひどく欲しいです。 私は未来が怖いだけです." (I want this baby so badly. I'm just scared of the future.)
Grandma took Natsumi's hand. "私たちはあなたのそばにいるでしょう、私の愛." (We'll be right by your side, my love.) The three hugged each other.
The next morning, Piston Hondo went to the lounge first-thing rather than the locker room. "おはようございます," he said to the other boxers, "ニュースがあります." (Good morning, I have news.)
The other boxers looked up. "What's your news?" Katrina asked.
Piston Hondo gave a small smile. "私は姪か甥を持っているつもりです." (I'm going to have a nibling.)
"Ah, félicitations!" (Oh, congratulations!)
"Hey, good fer you, hoser!"
Great Tiger hugged his best friend. "ओह, रिकी, यह बहुत अच्छी खबर है!" (Oh, Riki, that's wonderful news!)
Piston Hondo hugged him back. "私は自分の睡眠スケジュールのためにしか祈ることができません." (I can only pray for my sleep schedule.)
