Five years had passed. A bright red Kia Telluride sat silently in the parking lot, its polished surface reflecting the afternoon sun, as if celebrating the return of the father and son who had grown closer than ever.
"Ryu, don't lag behind." Ryoma called out, glancing back to see his five-year-old son trailing slightly. The boy's brown hair caught the breeze, framing a face lit with the same determination embodied in his father's striking eyes.
"Okay, Dad!" Ryu responded, a broad smile splitting his small face as he picked up his pace to match his father's strides.
As they entered the court, Steve waved enthusiastically from the benches. Kevin stood beside him. "I thought you wouldn't come today. Isn't today the day Ryu go to kindergarten?" he said.
"He just got back," Ryoma replied, his tone light, yet the undercurrent of urgency flickering behind his calm demeanor. "And, I need to talk to Steve."
While the adults talked, Ryu's attention drifted towards Kevin, who was holding a basket overflowing with bright neon tennis balls. "There are so many tennis balls." Ryu's voice was a melody of innocence and excitement.
"Come here Ryu, let's play with the balls." Kevin grinned, leading Ryu off to the side, allowing the two adults to settle onto one of the benches.
As Ryoma handed Steve a folded piece of paper, the latter put on his glasses, scanning the letter with growing intrigue. "What is this? You've been offered the vice-coach position for the U17 World Cup in Japan?"
"Yeah," Ryoma nodded.
Steve's expression morphed into a mixture of pride and worry. "Impressive. Who's the head coach?" His eyes widened as he read the name. "Hoo Byodoin? He is good, I heard a lot about him. So, you're really going back to Japan?"
Ryoma exhaled slowly, nodding. "My wife's exchange teacher program is nearing its end, and she's pregnant now. I can't miss the second labor."
Shocked, Steve chuckled softly, "Your wife is pregnant? Look at you, you sure have become a family man." He sighed, his gaze landing on Ryu, who was giggling uncontrollably as Kevin pretended to juggle tennis balls. "Time flies; your son is already five."
"Planning to turn him into a pro tennis player like you?" Steve teased, arching an eyebrow.
Ryoma smirked, a familiar spark igniting in his eyes. "Only if he's eager."
Just then, Ryu sprinted back towards his father, excitement bubbling over. "Dad! Are we coming here again tomorrow?" His little hands clenched tightly around a tennis ball.
"Kevin says he wants to coach me!" Ryu exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with the thrill of a new adventure.
Kevin chuckled, following closely behind. "Yeah! I'll turn him into a champion."
Ryoma looked at Kevin. "Sorry, Kevin. We're heading back to Japan soon."
Kevin's playful attitude dropped. "What? Japan? That means I won't get to see Ryu again?" He crouched down to Ryu's level, throwing his arms around the boy. "Why are you taking him away when I've already gotten so attached to him?"
Ryoma gave him a bored look. "He's my kid. Go make your own and coach him as much as you want."
Ryu looked between the two men, confusion etched on his face.
Steve watched from the bench, a bittersweet smile gracing his lips. "Well, I guess this is your last day here, isn't it?"
With a deep breath, Ryoma extended his hand towards Steve. "Yeah. Thanks for everything, Steve."
Steve struggled to hold back tears, but they overflowed at the edges of his eyes. "Oh, this is the first time you've said thanks to me," he chuckled through a lump in his throat, shaking Ryoma's hand eagerly.
"Really?" Ryoma asked, raising an eyebrow in jest.
Kevin knelt beside Ryu, gently patting his head. "It's too bad. But I'll come to Japan whenever I can."
Ryu nodded vigorously, his grin unyielding.
As Ryoma turned to address his son, he said gently, "Ryu, let's go. Time to say goodbye."
Ryu bowed deeply, imitating the manners his mother had taught him. "Goodbye, Kevin! Goodbye, Mr. Steve!" he shouted cheerily, holding onto one of his father's hands while waving with the other.
Kevin and Steve waved back, a mix of sadness and hope swirling within them. "Until we meet again, Ryoma," Kevin offered, trying to mask his disappointment.
"Yeah," Ryoma echoed, his heart torn between his past and a burgeoning future. "Until we meet again."
As father and son walked towards the car, Ryoma felt a weight shift in his chest, a new chapter unfolding, filled with family, love, and the promise of the unknown. Ryu's small hand wrapped around his. Together, they stepped forward into what lay ahead.
Steve watched their retreating figures, a newfound sense of purpose blooming within him. "Maybe I should make a kid too," he mused aloud.
"You should," Steve chuckled, wiping away a tear, a smile forming at the corners of his lips. "Want me to introduce you to some girls?"
Laughter echoed from the tennis center, beneath the sun-drenched sky,
Ryu sat securely in the backseat of his father's car. He played with the seatbelt, the newly mastered skill bringing him a peculiar sense of independence.
"Dad," Ryu piped up, his voice sweet and innocent, breaking through the comfortable silence, "when are we going to Japan?"
"Maybe another two weeks," Ryoma replied, glancing in the rearview mirror, his heart swelling with both excitement and anxiety. They were going to their home country, and immerse themselves in the culture Ryoma had longed to introduce to his son.
Ryu's face scrunched in thought. "Is it far?"
"Yeah, really far," Ryoma responded, trying to gauge Ryu's understanding of the concept of distance.
"Then we won't come back here again?" Ryu asked, his eyes widening with concern.
"Yeah, maybe not for a while," Ryoma admitted. The thought of leaving behind the familiar stirred a pang of regret within him. Ryu, however, seemed more affected by something else.
"Eh? Then I can't meet Natalie again?" Ryu's little voice carried an unexpected weight.
"Who is Natalie?" Ryoma asked, feigning boredom but subtly intrigued.
"She's my classmate. She's nice. She always gave me some of her food," Ryu explained earnestly, flashing a bright smile that made Ryoma's heart flutter with warmth.
"Ah really?" Ryoma said, keeping his tone light.
"It's fine; Mommy said I can send her a postcard." Ryu said.
"Do you even know her address? You can't send her a postcard without knowing the address," Ryoma said gently, remembering Ryu often struggled with his own address.
"Eh? Need to know her address?" Ryu furrowed his brow, clearly considering the implications.
"Yeah," Ryoma nodded, feeling amused and slightly exasperated. "Is she the only friend you have?"
"Oh," Ryu said, his small voice filled with realization before he brightened again. "Not only her. There's Amy, Penny, Sara, and Violet."
A pause hung in the air as Ryoma wrestled with his curiosity. "Why are there only girls' names?" he asked, tilting his head.
Ryu's answer came with the wisdom only a child could muster. "Grandpa said a guy needs to be kind to all girls."
Ryoma was momentarily speechless, "this oyaji, this is why I didn't want to let him take care of my kid," he murmured softly. He wasn't sure if he should be proud or slightly horrified at the idea of his father's way of teaching his son. But since Sakuno always said Ryu needs to be close to his grandparents, he just let it. Just then, Ryu looked up at him, breaking the tension.
"Dad, are you going to play tennis with me later?" he asked, brightening again.
"We can if you'd like. Do you like playing it?" Ryoma smiled, glancing back at the boy in the rearview mirror.
"I like it. It's fun. If I play more, can I beat you one day?" Ryu beamed with enthusiasm, his imagination already dancing with dreams of athletic victories.
Ryoma chuckled softly, "You want to beat me? Mada mada dane. You have to beat your mom first."
The banter elicited a bout of laughter from Ryu, a sound so infectious it made Ryoma's heart swell. He reached back, ruffling Ryu's hair, feeling a bittersweet mix of joy and melancholy. That laughter reminded him how fleeting these moments could be, especially with an impending move.
Later, Ryoma and Ryu arrived home. The front door of their cozy apartment creaked open, revealing a sanctuary filled with the comforting scent of home-cooked goodness wafting from the kitchen.
"Welcome back." chimed Sakuno, her voice light and melodic, as she peeked around the corner carrying a wooden spoon adorned with remnants of her culinary creations.
Ryu's face lit up like the twilight sky. "Mommy!" he exclaimed, darting toward her with all the exuberance of a five-year-old who had just discovered a treasure chest.
Sakuno crouched down, her smile radiating warmth. "Did you have a good day today?" she inquired, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
"Yes! We said goodbye to Kevin and Mr. Steve." Ryu's eyes sparkled with excitement as he recounted his day.
"That's good to hear." Sakuno beamed, straightening to reveal a steaming plate of her special omurice resting on the counter. "I cooked your favorite omurice today."
"Yay, omurice!" Ryu squealed with delight. He rushed over, hugging her tightly. "Thank you, Mommy! Your omurice is the best!"
With laughter dancing in her eyes, Sakuno responded, "Change your clothes first, then wash your hands before we eat, okay?"
"Okay!" Ryu scampered off to his room, his little feet pattering against the wooden floor.
As the child disappeared into his sanctuary, Ryoma closed the door behind them. He approached Sakuno, concern flickering in his hazel eyes. "Are you okay today? No nausea?" he asked softly, wrapping his arms around her waist.
Sakuno shook her head gently, relief washing over her. "It's better than when I was pregnant with Ryu. Maybe it's because this is my second pregnancy; I don't feel much nausea."
Ryoma smiled, his expression brightening as he pulled her close. "That's good then," he murmured, inhaling her familiar scent, an intoxicating mixture of flower and something uniquely her own.
Just then, Ryu emerged from his room, dressed in fresh clothes, and spotted his parents wrapped in a warm embrace. "Mommy, Daddy, I want hug too!" His voice broke the intimacy of the moment, bursting forth with innocence.
Sakuno giggled softly and opened her arms wide. "Of course."
Ryu rushed into their embrace, forming a cocoon of love that enveloped them all. In that fleeting moment, time stood still; the world outside faded, leaving only the warmth of family and unspoken promises.
As they settled at the table, the omurice placed enticingly before them, Sakuno looked at Ryu, who savored the first bite. "Is it good?" she asked, her heart swelling with pride.
Ryu's eyes sparkled, his mouth full of rice and love. "Yes!" he exclaimed, grinning like a small sun.
Sakuno felt a wave of happiness wash over her while observing Ryu. His features were so much like Ryoma's, especially those sharp hazel eyes, filled with mischief and curiosity. It was moments like these that reminded her of the beautiful family they were creating together.
"I just remember," Sakuno began, her excitement bubbling to the surface. "Tomo-chan sent me her wedding card."
"Horio gave me one too," Ryoma replied, reaching for a piece of omurice.
"Ookami-kun and Ai-chan are in the news today too," Sakuno added. A slight blush crept onto her cheeks as she spoke about their friends. "Ookami-kun revealed on the media that he's been dating someone."
"Good for them, right?" Sakuno said, remembering their high school days together.
"Yeah." Ryoma smiled, somehow remembering their past times too.
--
Today was the day of departures, as Ryoma, Sakuno and Ryu prepared for a new chapter in Japan, leaving behind the comforts and familiarity of the small home.
The morning sun peeked through the curtains when Ryoga broke the comfortable silence, his curiosity piqued. "So, what are you going to do with this apartment?" he asked, glancing around at the vibrant chaos of toys scattered about and the family photos lining the walls.
"We're putting it up for rent," Ryoma replied, his tone matter-of-fact yet tinged with nostalgia. He felt a gentle tug at his heart, knowing each corner held whispers of laughter and moments shared.
Ryoga nodded thoughtfully, "I see. What about your car?"
"I sold it," Ryoma said, shrugging lightly. The pain of parting was softened by the excitement of the journey ahead.
"You really have good planning," Ryoga complimented, admiration evident in his tone.
At that moment, Rinko chimed in with a huge smile. "Ryoma is going to be a father again." Her eyes sparkled with joy as she remembered the news she heard from Sakuno.
"What about you, Ryoga?" Rinko continued, her curiosity piqued.
Ryoga hesitated, a sly grin spreading across his face. "I'm seeing someone," he revealed casually, but the effect was electric. Gasps of astonishment erupted from Rinko and Nanjiro, their expressions reflecting disbelief mixed with excitement.
"What?" Ryoga echoed, raising an eyebrow, looking at the shocked gaze from his family.
Before Ryoga could explain further, little Ryu, his curious eyes wide, approached his uncle and hugged him tightly from behind. "Uncle, aren't you going to Japan too?" His innocent voice cut through the tension like a warm knife through butter.
Ryoga chuckled, ruffling Ryu's hair affectionately. "No. I still have things to do here. Then after that, maybe I'm off to Spain."
"Spain?" Ryoma echoed incredulously.
"Yeah, I want to travel," Ryoga replied with a twinkle in his eye.
"But then, won't I get to see you again?" Ryu questioned, his little brows furrowing with concern.
"We will. You can call me anytime," Ryoga assured the boy, who hugged him tighter with a sad face. "I'm going to miss you a lot, uncle."
Sakuno and Rinko shared a warm glance, they smiled at the tender moment between Ryoga and Ryu.
Nanjiro, ever the jokester, decided it was time to lighten the mood. "Won't you miss your grandpa too? I teached you many things." he teased, leaning over with a grin.
Ryu pulled back slightly, pondering the question before replying, "I will, but Dad said never trust your words, grandpa."
Nanjiro shocked, "what? Why?"
Ryoma looked at his father. "You always teach him nonsense things, oyaji," he said. The laughter that followed filled the room, breaking the bittersweet tension and lifting spirits.
--
With the sun casting golden rays through the window, it was time for Ryoma, Sakuno, and Ryu to depart. They gathered their luggage, the weight of anticipation heavy in the air. Ryu clung to his father's hand, looking back one last time. The apartment, filled with echoes of laughter and memories, felt like a warm embrace bidding them farewell.
At the airport, the vibrant sounds of travelers mixed with the metallic clinks of rolling suitcases as the family navigated through the bustling terminal. Ryu skipped ahead, his little legs eager with excitement for the trip. Sakuno held Ryoma's hand tightly, their connection stronger than any distance that lay ahead.
As they reached the check-in desk, Ryu turned around, waving enthusiastically at Nanjiro, Rinko, and Ryoga, who stood a bit farther away, watching with proud smiles. Each goodbye felt like an unwritten promise, one that would carry their love across the miles.
As the moment settled, Rinko sighed contentedly, watching the scene unfold. "It's good to see Ryoma like this," she mused, her heart swelling with pride and love. "Looks like sending him back to Japan during high school was a good decision after all."
"Yeah," Nanjiro agreed, a nostalgic smile creeping onto his face. "Rinko, what if we go to Japan too?"
Rinko met his gaze, her eyes sparkling with the glow of possibilities. "Yes, we should," she affirmed, her voice filled with hope for future reunions.