Mixed Series: The Life and Times of Gray [4]

It's been almost two weeks now. I haven't talked to my father since that night. Tension has been filling the atmosphere of our home for quite some time now. I don't even look him in the eye. I don't dare to not right after shouting back at him. Although, I don't blame myself alone, I can't stand hearing someone contempt my dear Yonekura-san. Never. I care for her too much.

It's a saturday afternoon, I'm locked up in my room, concentrating on my books and handwritten lectures. I'm focused on these now more than ever since I've already stood by my decision in taking up a culinary course. All I have to do now is to top all my subjects and make an impression to whoever college professor that will interview me. I've applied already in a prestigious school in Tokyo. I know we may not afford it but with the state of my grades, I'm confident that I can apply for a full scholarship. One problem though, my parents have no idea that I'll be moving away for college. I plan to tell them at one point.

"HAIRO. I'M GOING OUT TO SHOP! TAKE CARE OF THE HOUSE WHILE I'M GONE" my mom called out from downstairs and closed the door without waiting for my reply
"Okay mom"

I went down to lock up the kitchen and back door but through my way downstairs, I happen to hear a faint sound of music coming from the closed door of my brother's room. It's quite unusual to me. I don't know of any specific kind of genre of music my brother was into. I don't even know my brother was into music at all.

I briskly walk to that door and turned that door knob "It's open...", as I slowly peaked through that door. My eyes fanned out, I gasped but immediately covered my mouth hoping to not be heard but I guess it failed anyway.

Haki turned around in shock as he saw me there in front of the door witnessing him...

"Sing" I patted his head, "I never thought you were so good at it"
He turned his away in shyness, I guess he didn't want anyone to hear him.
"That's why I always kept my door locked"
"Well, too bad you forgot" I smiled
"Don't smile! I-it's embarrassing!!"
"Hey, you should never feel bad about your talent. It's a gift and you should use it wisely"

My brother just gave me a small nod but he didn't want to look at me. He was still a bit tensed. I bent down in eye level with him.
"So, tell me about this talent of yours?"
"Huh?"
"When did you start singing?"
My little brother bit his lower lip, kind of hesitated to answer.
"What's wrong?" I asked gently
"I'm afraid that you're not interested...just like Oto-san..."

I blinked in confusion, I didn't know that he was opening up to my dad about this. "Did dad ever hear you sing?"
"No...but I used to tell him how I liked those singers in tv so much. He wouldn't listen" my brother explained in a soft tone
"Oh" I paused as my soul almost felt crushed with my brother's setback. He looked so sad that he could almost burst into tears. He wanted someone to listen to him, no wonder he dislikes talking in public so much...an inferiority, eh?

I continued with a smile as I patted his head and like the ideal big brother that I am, "Don't worry. Oniichan will listen to you. Tell me everything"

My brother's face brightened up and a wide smile crossed his face, he certainly wanted someone to listen to him.

The whole afternoon went by and I was there sitting beside my dear brother as he talks about everything about his passion for singing. It turns out that he developed such voice when he was five and self-taught himself with all those singing contests he watched on tv. He still even has tons of recorded singing contests on CDs. It never occurred to me that our family had someone who was musically incline. I'm not fond of music myself, I'd rather lie down in bed, study, or be in the kitchen making up food.

And when I thought he'd finish talking, he suddenly says
"I wanna go to Tokyo, Oniichan! I want to meet ALL the amazing singers there!"
This surprised me. That at a very young age my brother already knew what he wanted, that he'd follow his dreams no matter where they took him. Just like me... ahahaha!

"That's wonderful" I chuckled, "Say, your oniichan's going to Tokyo once I graduate from Highschool and by that time, you'll be in middleschool as well"
"Yeah" he nodded
"After I apply and get my scholarship in Tokyo, would you want to go with me?"
I know that it was quite a difficult choice for a little boy...
"OKAY!" Haki exclaimed in all delight, throwing his panda stuffed toy to the side with excitement

...or atleast I thought it was.

Will I really take advantage of my brother's dream and use it as a reason to go to away to Tokyo? As an educated young man of society...yes. Yes I will. It doesn't sound as bad as it seems. It will benefit the both of us.

[to be continued]