Silver, accompanied by an old, thin and rather tall woman, stepped out of a limousine. She wore an old red suit dress and blazer as well as red flats. She was Silver's paternal grandmother, Maria Sakaki.
"I am surprised that you picked me up. Why didn't you go home directly to meet Satoshi?", asked Silver his grandmother.
"Oh, I wanted to, but your father said I would just overwhelm Satoshi.", she replied, "As if meeting us two at the same time won't be overwhelming. Giovanni is such an idiot sometimes. Now, didn't you met Satoshi yesterday?"
"No, he was just sleeping. He fell asleep on the way here, he was still asleep this morning.", explained Silver. "Dad said he is a bit sickly."
"No wonder he banned me from smoking while I am here...", she said annoyed.
Ariana and Giovanni stood at the door, waiting for the two.
"Silver, get changed. Now.", he said, remembering yesterday. His son agreed without a fuzz, knowing full well 'no' isn't an option. "And hello Mother."
"Hello Maria, it is nice to see you. How was the travel?", said Ariana, "And thank you for picking Silver up."
"It is nice to see you, too, Ariana.", replied Maria to her daughter in law. "Now, where is my new grandson?"
"I don't know, I think he's exploring the estate.", said Giovanni.
Ariana rolled her eyes. Does her husband even bother? Not pushing, not pushing, Giovanni just wants to do nothing. "I will look for Ash then.", she said before walking in and going to the garden.
"Ash?", asked Maria.
"He wants to be called that.", explained Ariana. "He does not like to be called Satoshi. Considering my few interactions with him so far, I think it is because we choose the name."
Silver then walked into the villa and up the stairs into his room. On the way, he saw Ash exiting his own room. He had a Pikachu on his shoulder, an annoyed one from the looks of it. He walked to his brother and introduced himself, "Hello! I'm Silver, your brother."
Ash was jumped by Silver talking to him and nearly dropped his Pikachu. "Uh, hello... I'm Satoshi, but please call me Ash. Why are you talking to me?", he replied.
Ash turned around and wanted to walk back into his room, but Silver won't let him. Silver asked, "Is that Pikachu your starter?"
"Yes, Pikachu is my starter from my old school... um, I was told it was your idea that I attend your school.", said Ash unsure. "Is that true? Won't you be bothered by that?"
"Not at all! I won't have asked otherwise.", said Silver. "Now, lets go down. Grandma Maria wants to meet you." Silver took Ash's hand and pulled him along the way. He knew his brother would try to go back into his room otherwise. At the stairs, they found their father.
"Ah, Ash, there you are. How do you like your room?", asked Giovanni.
"Better than the basement or the shed.", was all Ash said.
Silver was confused by that, "The heck do you mean?"
"Mom's rules. I wasn't allowed in her husbands house until a few months ago. He said he didn't want to pay for my living, so I was in the garden shed until few months ago.", explained Ash. "Then I moved into the basement."
"Oh, there he is!", said Maria, walking into the corridor. "So, you're Ash? You caused quite a bit of headache for your father. Now come here and give me a hug." She pulled Ash to herself who then tried to free himself from her.
"Don't touch me, old hag!", he said after weaseling away from her. He then left to his room.
"Ash!", said Silver shocked.
Maria looked to Giovanni, "He's pretty boney, why is he so thin? Oh, why do I ask you. You rarely know anything."
"I check on Ash. Silver, do your homework – I know for a fact you have at least in three subjects something to do, don't argue it - Mother, Ariana started to cook, would you help her?"
"Of course!", agreed Maria.
Giovanni and Silver walked upstairs. Silver vanished in his room and Giovanni walked into Ash's. His second son wasn't in there, just his Pikachu resting in the middle of the bed. The pet vermin noted him and jumped off the bed, before tapping at the bathroom door. Then Pikachu returned to the bed.
Giovanni approached the door. He won't open it, of course, not after he heard soft crying from the other side. He knocked on the door and said, unsure what to do about Ash's crying, "Mm, Ash? Come down in half an hour for dinner. You have to come, I know you hadn't eaten in a day and my mother wants to talk to you."
Knowing a no won't be an option. "Okay..."
Silver was too hungry to focus on his homework, so he opted to check what his mother is making. He only knows it is something special to celebrate that Ash is finally with them. And that Grandma Maria is visiting, of course. Walking into the normally pristine kitchen, he was met with chaos and many pots. He smelled meat, asparagus and bread being baked.
"Mom, what are you cooking?", he asked.
"Steaks, Asparagus with brown butter, potatoes, sauce and baguettes with herb butter.", explained Ariana while mixing something in a bowl.
"Many side dishes, don't you think?", said Maria, keeping an eye on the asparagus.
"Why are you cooking that?", asked Silver. Didn't they wanted to make something special for Ash? While they don't make this often, at least not that many side stuff, this isn't exactly something Silver would consider as special.
His father walked in and said, "This is Ash's favorite. We want that he feels at home, so we make this."
"Mm, Ash didn't strike me as someone who likes this from what I heard about his life with his mom.", said Silver.
"I know, but this is what his mother said he likes.", admitted Giovanni.
"You said they kept him in the basement, why do you believe her?", chimed his mother in. "For all we know she just pulled something out her ass because she doesn't know what Ash likes either."
"Grandma has a point, dad. I fetch Ash, then.", said Silver.
He walked back up and straight to Ash's room. His brother was looking out of the window. "Ash! Food's done, get down."
"Oh, okay?"
Ash followed Silver down the stairs and to the dining room. A long table, but all were seated near the door. Silver tried to sit down besides Maria, but she said she wanted to sit besides Ash. Silver then moved to his mom's side. She then told Ash to sit down.
"Do I have to?". He asked unsure, remembering Alex' rules.
Giovanni sighed said, "Yes, you have to. Just because your step father had the rule that you couldn't sit and eat with them, doesn't mean that we have a similar rule. Sit down and eat, Satoshi."
Ash flinched. Giovanni used his full name. Second day and he is already in trouble like that. He sat down besides Maria and saw that Ariana gave his Pikachu, Giovanni's Persian, an Espeon and a Houndoom some food as well. While Pikachu wasn't skeptical of the food, he kept his distance from the other Pokemon.
They started eating. At first it was an awkward silence, but then Ariana noted Ash was only eating the herb baguette and potatoes.
"Ash, why are you only eating baguette and potatoes?", she asked. "I made this all extra for you, because I was told this is your favorite."
"Whoever told you that is an idiot, I don't even eat meat and dislike asparagus.", explained Ash, "This is Riko's favorite. Even here I can't flee from her control."
"But I asked Delia what you like.", said Giovanni.
"Oh. That explains. Like I said, I lived in the garden shed just a few months ago. Delia doesn't care what I like.", explained Ash. "She isn't even aware what I like."
"In that case, I make something for you real quick.", said Ariana, standing up from the table.
"No need for that, Ariana. I'll just eat pieces I don't dislike.", said Ash. "It is rare that I don't eat something. Just meats and asparagus, really."
"Then for the next time, what do you like?", asked Ariana.
"Uh, I don't have a favorite. I just don't like asparagus and don't eat meat.", answered Ash. "Don't bother."
"Finally someone else who dislikes asparagus.", muttered Silver while eating his steak.
"I guess you could say I like noodles?", said Ash, but it was more of a guessing.
Maria than asked, "That Pikachu is yours, I assume?"
"Yes, he is my starter.", answered Ash.
"For how long do you have Pikachu?", asked Giovanni. "I've noted he is quite protective over you."
"He is?", said Ash in disbelief. "I only had him for a few months. So far he was just quite rude to me."
"Months? But you're supposed to have gotten your starter over a year ago?", said Giovanni shocked.
"Oh, that. My school ran out of starters, so I had to wait a year to receive one.", lied Ash. They don't need to know the real reason. "Can I go back to my room now?"
"Not yet, Ash. After the dessert.", said Ariana.
Ash asked annoyed, "Let me guess, Angel's food cake?"
"How did you know?", asked Maria.
"You cooked Riko's favorite, so I just guessed Delia told you her favorite dessert as well.", explained Ash deadpanning. "Riko could eat her weight in that cake. I personally think it is a very bland cake."
"I shouldn't have asked Delia.", muttered Giovanni.
"Even if you do something, you screw up.", said his mother annoyed.
"Ash, you can go. Remember, tomorrow we will get your materials, besides the books.", said Giovanni, "Rise earlier than today, please."
"Mm, I sat an alarm.", he said. His Pikachu stayed in the dining room, continuing to eat. Ash isn't mad about it, Pikachu can't go without food as much as he can. Back in his room, Ash laid on his bed. But he didn't sleep.
He doesn't get it. Why are the Sakaki's so nice to him? Is this just a facade for the first day? Let's see how tomorrow will go. With that, he fell asleep.
The next morning, his phone rang, announcing the new day. Pikachu was on his bed, he saw the door was open. He checked the note he left on his alarm. Today is shopping day, if Giovanni keeps his word. He then saw clothes on his desk. Well, that explains how Pikachu came in. Someone was in his room, let Pikachu in and placed clothes there, ready to be worn for today.
He showered quickly and got dressed, before walking down. Pikachu followed him down stairs. There he found Giovanni on his way to the kitchen.
"Ah, Ash! You're awake, good. Besides school supplies, we will buy some stuff for your room. You probably noted it was quite bland?", explained Giovanni. "We'll go, when Silver returns. Luckily, Friday's are his short days."
"Will my days also be so short when I attend the school?", asked Ash.
"No, no, unless you join multiple clubs and have tons of electives like Silver.", said Giovanni. "If you just choose the required minimum, it shouldn't be much longer than your old school days."
"In that case, I stay in my room until Silver comes."
"No, until Lunch is. Silver should arrive a bit after.", said Giovanni. "But now, you eat breakfast."
"Fine."
A few hours later was lunch time. While Ash wanted to avoid his legal guardian and his wife, his room is boring and Pikachu wanted his me-time, so his starter is just limited entertainment.
Eating pasta and baguettes (Ariana wanted to make sure he eats something, so she made some baguettes, considering he ate them yesterday), Ariana asked, "You're only sitting in your room, not really doing anything. Isn't that boring?"
"It is, but what else could I do?", countered Ash.
"You could use our home cinema or read something in our private library.", offered Ariana. "Now that you live here, you have free access to these rooms. Albeit Silver uses the cinema a lot."
"Eh, no. I'm not a reader and not a movie person.", said Ash annoyed.
"Okay, but if you change your mind..."
A while after that, Silver arrived. After he got changed, the four Sakaki's and Ash were on the road, driving to a shopping center.
Arriving there, Ash asks, "Could I just go with Giovanni?"
Maria asked, "But why?"
"Well, we're mainly here for me. But I am only Giovanni's responsibility, so I see no reason why you come with us."
Giovanni said frustrated, "Mother, Ari, Silver, you make yourself a good time without us. I'll message you when and where we meet." Giovanni, Giovanni, Giovanni. Not dad, papa, not even father. Ash only calls him by his name. At least not Mr. Sakaki or something. At least he doesn't call him a cunt again.
"Fine.", agreed Ariana disappointed and annoyed. "Come, Silver."
Giovanni then guided Ash to the center. Walking though so many stores, Ash got a feeling everything here is expensive by default. Even when Delia took him shopping, she didn't bring him to these types of stores, second hand at most. Hence why he still doesn't believe Giovanni paid anything. The first store on their list was for school supplies. Ash didn't knew a pencil can cost that much. He tried to find cheap stuff, but besides that Giovanni ignored his input, he didn't find something he considers cheap to begin with.
But when they were shopping for clothes, Giovanni did consider Ash's input. After all, he is the one to wear the stuff. Ash didn't like anything, at least that is what he told Giovanni.
"Can't we just pick solid colored pieces? At least pants? Pants with patterns look stupid.", he argued with his father.
"Don't you want some variety?", asked Giovanni.
"Since when it is important what I want?", countered Ash. "If that would be the case, I won't life with you to begin with."
"Just pick something."
"Solid colors.", said Ash. "That's what I pick."
After that, it was planned they get décor for Ash's room. But Ash wasn't picking anything even more.
"Why even bother? Even if you don't ship me off – which I am not convinced off that you won't – I'll leave as soon as I can anyway.", he argued. Giovanni is really drained by his stubbornness. "So why bother with that room?"
Well, there was one thing they got. Pikachu really wanted a Pokemon bed.
After that, the three were bit hungry, so they searched for a place to eat. Again, Ash was shocked by the prices.
"Ash, stop caring about how much everything costs.", said Giovanni, "I am the one paying."
Ash just picked pasta, he had a hunch eating nothing won't work. After that, they messaged Ariana they were done. Meeting at the car, Ariana and Silver were shocked by how little they bought. Maria and Ariana had more stuff for Silver, and he wasn't even the reason why they are here.
"Is that seriously all?", asked Maria inn disbelief. "Not a good picture here, Giovanni."
Not a good picture. It looks like as if he favors Silver. The implications. Good thing that Nanu isn't seeing this. He would poison Ash against them even more if he would see the difference in stuff. But Nanu is in Alola and hopefully this continues this Christmas. Like each other year. But he did send Nanu an E-mail that he has Ash now. Knowing Nanu he probably didn't read it and just deleted the E-mail as soon as he got it when he saw from who it was. Unless the header of 'I got custody over Satoshi!' caught Nanu's attention enough to actually read an E-mail of his.
Arriving at home, they stored the hand full stuff they got for Ash. Only Pikachu's bed was really effort. After that, Ash was bored. Again, Ariana noted that.
"Ash, if you want, you can join our movie night.", she offered him. "It is a weekly tradition we have."
"Eh, thanks but no. I don't want to intrude on your family time.", he told her at dinner.
"But you're part of our family now, too.", said Silver.
"No.", answered Ash.
An hour later, when Ash was looking for Pikachu, Ash found Silver alone in the home cinema. He fed Pikachu some popcorn.
"There you are, Pikachu!", said Ash, walking in, "Where are the others? Didn't you have a movie night?"
"Mom canned it for this week. She didn't want to exclude you.", explained Silver.
"Oh, I am sorry for ruining it."
"You didn't. Under us, I don't think I can watch another part of her favorite series again.", replied Silver. "This week's was mom's turn. Dad was dreading it, too."
Ash and Pikachu then left and walked into Ash's room. Time to sleep, to end this weird day. Pikachu jumped into his own bed and was fast asleep. Ash on the other hand couldn't. After minutes of moving around, he stood up and left the room. Silver was still watching movies, judging by then sounds of a movie – he hopes it was just a movie – and he was looking for Ariana.
Downstairs was just Maria.
"Ah, Satoshi! Still awake?", she said, sitting on a couch.
"I'm looking for Ariana. And please, call me Ash, I hate being called Satoshi,", he replied.
"Ariana is in Giovanni's study, Ash.", she replied. "Why do you hate being called by your name?"
"It sounds so pretentious. Enough that I got bullied over it in school. Why Delia choose that of all names...", he explained. He then shook his head. "Why do I even tel you that. It isn't your business."
Maria sighed. "Delia didn't choose that name. Giovanni and Ariana did."
"Still a shit name.", he answered. Then he asked, "Ariana? Why would she influence what my name is?" He then left Maria alone.
Going upstairs again, he walked to Giovanni's study. Getting closer the the open door, he heard him and Ariana talking.
"He always calls me Giovanni. Not papa, not dad, not even father like Nanu called our old man.", he heard Giovanni say. Is he really bothered by this? And who is this Nanu guy? Some uncle judging by the 'our old man' comment?
"I haven't you called such the last twelve years, so why start now?", chimed Ash in. "Silver told me you canned the movie night because of me. Like I said, I didn't want to intrude on your family stuff, but I didn't mean that either."
"Ash, I just didn't want to exclude you.", said Ariana, surprised to see her step son here.
"Jokes on you, I don't want to be included to begin with.", argued Ash and then left. "Night."
Started: 8th August 2023
Edited: 26th August 2023\
Finished: 9th August 2023
Uploaded:
AN: I know this Hanahaki story doesn't contain much Hanahaki yet. But I won't rush things. Flowers need a bit to bloom.
Ciao for now,
ABSOL_ute