Mixed Series: The Life and Times of Gray [3]

"ONIICHAN! WELCOME HOME~!!"

An endearing little greeting met up with me as I entered our home. I patted Haki's head and continued walking inside. I fixed my bag on the couch and unbuttoned my collar. The whole house smelled of my mom's cooking. My stomach grumbled as I sniffed the air. "Mom?" I called out while peaking into the kitchen.

"Ah, Hairo you're home!" she greeted while laying the plates on the table.
"I'll help you out mom!"
"Why, thank you."
"Where's dad?"
"Oh, he'll be home in a bit"

Moments after, just as we were setting the dinner table with food, the door unlocked and my father stepped in

"OTO-SAAAN!" my little brother ran to him excitedly and hugged his leg. My brother was awfully short for someone who's about to be in middleschool. Good thing nothing went wrong with my genes.

I went out of the kitchen to greet my dad "Welcome home dad!"
"Ah good to see you, son"
"You're just in time. Dinner's ready" I smiled and guided him to the dinner table. He greeted my mom with a peck on her cheek. It was pretty sweet if you'd ask me. You barely witness a couple in their late adulthood to remain a really close relationship. I'd take advice from my parents on how to cherish a relationship any day.

Many claim that I'm pretty smooth with girls but I actually fail in that part of my life. So much for perfection. It really disappoints me.

We ate dinner as a family. It was like a tradition to us. We always stay bonded.

"So Hairo, any plans after you graduate?" my father inquired
I took a bite of my dinner before answering, "Hm, yeah. I plan to get a part time job and pursue on university"
"My~ That's very diligent of you" my mom fluttered with delight
My dad chuckled and claimed as usual that he was very proud of me, "Son, if you would give in to my favor"
"What is it dad?" I followed a question while taking another bite from my dinner
"I would like you to get a medical related course"
I coughed. I know that my father worked very hard to provide everything for us. I respected him for that and never disobeyed him. EVER.

But I think that would change tonight, here infront of everyone. I never wanted anything that would have to do with a hospital. I don't why. I just hated it. I guess it wasn't my passion to care for others.

I paused in silence as I played with my spoon. Being a good son, my parents were expecting to accept my father's request. I coughed a bit,

"Dad, I'm afraid that this time I can't." I claimed in a grim tone.
"Why not?"
"Because I don't want to. I want to pursue on a culinary degree" I declared
"What?"

There was a daunting tone that came from my dad. He looked serious and his face was painted with disappointment. A simple and quiet family dinner ended up being quite a commotion until yelling filled our home that night.

"WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO THROW AWAY YOUR FUTURE?!"
"I'm not dad. I'm just following what I feel is right"
"YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IS RIGHT! DON'T WASTE YOUR INTELLIGENCE WITH A DEGREE THAT WILL LIKELY TAKE YOU NOWHERE!"
I tried to respect my dad no matter and tried to remain calm and not to answer back rudely. I was thinking of my brother too I always tried to be a good role model to him.
"IS THAT GIRL POISONING YOUR MIND AGAIN?"
My eyes widened and I clenched my fists. I was pretty sure that he was talking about Yonekura-san. My dad believed that she was just a mere distraction and that I'm too good for her. The reason for his abrupt assumption is because I'm on top of my class and she comes in the fifth place after me. My father always wants perfection and I try my best to give it to him but when it comes to the things that matter to me, that I would give my whole heart into, I couldn't stand and hear her being mocked.

I jolted from my seat and faced my dad,
"DON'T DRAG HER INTO THIS. YONEKURA-SAN IS A GOOD PERSON. SHE'S SMART AND VERY ATTRACTIVE AND SHE IS NOT POISONING MY MIND! I'VE DECIDED FOR MYSELF AND BY MYSELF! SO I SEE NO REASON FOR YOU TO INTERFERE WITH MY OWN DECISIONS AND RELATIONSHIP. I HAVE A LIFE TOO, DAD"

I banged the table and stomped out the kitchen. My mom immediately embraced my brother who was trembling in fear and crying. After all, he was too young to understand what was going on.

[to be continued]