Mixed Series: The Life and Times of Gray [5]

I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling of my room as I contemplate on what my little brother's decision to go to Tokyo with me. I know that he may be too young to fully understand the consequences of his decisions but then I guess it will be good for him in a way somehow.

"Dinner's ready! Get out of your rooms now!" my mother calls out from downstairs. I'm kind of worried, I don't want to see my father right now not after what happened last night but then this might even be a good time to tell them that I'll be going away for college. 

"Nii-chan! Let's go!" my little brother calls me out as he rushes out his room, "I'm coming" I reply, getting up from bed. "Sigh"

I continue downstairs and into the kitchen, my eyes met with my father's but then he looked away into his newspaper. I bowed in respect and greeted him, "Kombanwa, Oto-san" 

"Good evening" he replies in a cold voice, hurry up and sit down, the food is getting cold.

"Yes father" as I pulled out my chair.

The atmosphere around the dinner table was a bit tensed. My dad still has hard feelings considering that I shouted back at him, he might not even expected that coming from his eldest son who always obeyed every word he said but I guess this time is different, I'm considered an adult now I can very much take care of myself, and make decisions for myself as well.

"I'm going away for college" I said in a cold tone. My father slammed his utensils onto the table, "You start disobeying me, and now you're leaving us?!" 

 I already expected that kind of reply from him. My mother was very understanding though

"Are you sure, Hairo? Is this what you want?"

"Yes mother"

"I can't believe you are tolerating this disgraceful attitude of your son! No wonder he is so stubborn!" my dad's voice started to flair up

"This is what he wants, our son is an adult now" my mom took defense of me

"Adult?!" my dad's voice raised, "He couldn't even make a living for himself!  He has no right to call himself an adult!"

I clenched my fist but held my voice back, "Father, I've already decided. After graduation, I'll be leaving...and I'm taking my little brother with me"

My parents eyes fanned out, I guess they never expected that from me.

"Why are you taking Haki with you?"

"He wants to go to Tokyo with me, mother"

"What are you saying?! You're brother is not going anywhere!" my dad once again slammed the table and stood from his chair, "If you want to ruin your life then fine but don't involve your brother!"

Ruin? Did he just say "ruin"? How in the hell am I going to ruin my life? And that's where I draw the line, I stand up and face my father, "Father, I don't see how I'm going to ruin my life! I have a dream and Haki as well. We're going to pursue our dreams, and by being confined here I don't think we will be able to achieve that!"

"What in the world makes you think that you're 8 year old brother knows what HE wants?!"

"I'm not surprised you wouldn't know father."
"Onii-san!" Haki exclaimed with worry and hesitation in his tone

"He's been telling you about his passion for singing, how he would want to meet and be one of the singers he sees on television, but you're too busy to listen. In fact, you wouldn't want to listen because you plan to ignore him and force what YOU want!" 

I saw my father's teeth grit, he grabbed my collar and right then and there, he punched me in the face. I fell on the floor as my lower lip started bleeding. My brother started crying, my mom pushed my dad and away in an attempt to try not to hurt me any further

"YOU ARE A DISGRACE! I NEVER THOUGHT YOU WOULD GROW UP THIS WAY! IF THAT'S WHAT YOU INSIST ON. FINE, BUT NEVER EVER COME BACK HERE IF YOU NEED HELP BECAUSE I WILL NOT ACCEPT YOU!" my father left the dinner table in rage. 

"Hairo, are you okay?" 

"I-I am mother..."

"Let me treat your wound"

Haki looked at me from his chair with his tear-filled eyes, I guess he never expected to see that kind of scene. I think I'm too blame too. I wasn't able to control my words, I do regret saying those words but it doesn't mean I'm giving up my dream.

[to be continued]