Chapter 86: Getting a Job

Kai

I washed the dishes and stared at the clock. Mom still wasn't home from work yet.

My eyes shifted to the papers she had failed to push away in her rush to go to work. They were bills for Rena's treatments. She had fallen behind on a few. Mom probably wanted to work a bit more to help speed up paying for them. Maybe I should get a job. I was old enough and able bodied enough to get one.

The door creaked open. Mom must've been back home.

"Welcome back Mom," I said as I went to greet her at the door.

"Hey Kai," she said as she wobbled. 

I rushed over to help her stand. She smelled of alcohol and smoke. "Mom, were you drinking?"

She laughed. "D-don't worry, Kai. Some customers offered me some drinks. I couldn't just say no. Part of being a hostess is keeping the customers entertained." She hiccupped.

My eyes widened. A hostess? Mom never did say what her job was. Although, I did get a feeling it was something in the 'adult' industry, given how often she came in smelling like a bar.

"Mom, lay down," I said, walking her to the sofa. "I'll help you take off your heels."

She smiled before hiccupping again. "You're such a nice kid, Kai. I was half expecting you to get mad at me."

"Mad? Why?" I asked, glancing up at her.

She sighed as she turned her head away. "Well, my job isn't exactly... 'respectable'."

I looked at her red shoes. "True, but I won't castigate you for it. Its kept Rena alive this long."

Mom sighed again. "True." Her head shifted to the kitchen. She was probably thinking of the bills.

"There we go," I said, removing her shoes.

She smiled. "Thanks, Kai."

"No need to thank me. Now, let's get you to bed."

I helped her stand up and she leaned on me, still a bit unsteady. We slowly walked to her room. I could feel her weight on me, and it wasn't just because of the drinks. The stress, the worry, the constant work - it was all taking a toll on her.

As I helped her into bed, she mumbled a quiet, "You're a good son, Kai."

I gave her a small smile. "And you're a good mom."

She didn't respond, already drifting off to sleep. I pulled the blanket over her and quietly left the room. Even though she was asleep, I could still see the lines of worry etched on her face.

Back in the kitchen, the bills were still there, a stark reminder of our situation. I looked at them for a moment, then made up my mind. Tomorrow, I would definitely start looking for a job. It wasn't going to be easy, but Mom needed all the help she could get.

As I finished cleaning up and turned off the lights, I felt a strange mix of emotions. Anxiety about the future, but also a bit of... Joy? I wasn't sure how to describe it. It wasn't joy for our situation, that much I knew. Maybe hope was the right word.

———

[The Next Day]

I awoke early to get started on breakfast. One think I hadn't thought about when making up my mind to get a job was that my siblings still needed someone to watch out for them when Mom was at work. Rena could only handle so much. Her legs prevented her from doing certain stuff.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. Finding a job and taking care of my siblings was going to be a challenge. But it was one I was ready to face.

I started on breakfast, making scrambled eggs and toast. It was a simple meal, but one I knew my siblings enjoyed. As the smell of cooking filled the house, Rena slowly made her way into the kitchen.

"Morning, Kai," she mumbled, rubbing her eyes. Mother pushed her chair.

"Morning, Rena, Mom," I replied, setting a pair of plates in front of them. "Eat up."

She gave me a small smile before starting on her breakfast. I watched her for a moment before turning my attention back to the stove. I still had to make breakfast for the rest of the kids.

By the time we finished eating, the kitchen was a mess of dirty dishes and leftover food. But seeing my siblings happily eating made it worth it. I quickly cleaned up before sitting down to have my own breakfast.

"So, Kai. Any plans for today?" Mom asked, grinning.

My face warmed up. Did she think I was going to go out with Sayuri or something? Whatever gave her that idea? Wait, had she eavesdropped on us before heading to work?

I took a deep breath. "I am just going to go do something. I am not sure when I'll be back."

She nodded. "Alright, I trust ya. You're a responsible young man."

I smiled. "Thanks Mom."

"Just be sure to be back before I leave. Today, I will be going to work a tad earlier than usual."

Rena frowned as she glanced at her. "Mom, you've been working a lot these past few days."

"Well, I do have to make up for the time off I took when we went out with your father and your friends."

"Mom, that was your weekend..." Rena and I said in unison.

Mom cleared her throat. 

"Well, sometimes, sacrifices have to be made," she said, a forced smile on her face. "But you don't need to worry about me. I'm tougher than I look."

I exchanged a glance with Rena. We both knew that Mom was pushing herself too hard, but it was difficult to argue with her when she was so determined.

"Anyway," Mom continued, changing the subject. "I've got to get some rest before work. You kids behave yourselves, okay? Look after the little ones."

Rena and I nodded, both of us quiet as Mom left the room. Once she was gone, Rena turned to me, her face serious.

"Kai, we need to do something," she whispered. "Mom can't keep going like this."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I know, Rena. I know."

And I did know. I understood better than anyone how much Mom was struggling.

"I think... I'm going to look for a job," I said.

Rena looked at me, her eyes wide. "Really?"

I nodded. "Yeah. I think it's time I stepped up and helped out."

Rena was silent for a moment, then she smiled at me. "I think that's a great idea, Kai."

"You sure?"

She nodded and patted our sisters' heads. "Yeah, I am better now. So I can watch over the kids." Her pale cheeks turned pink. "Besides, it'll be good practice for when I have kids of my own."

I smiled slightly at my twin sister. Hopefully, the day would come when Rena would be a mother, running after her wild little children.

I ruffled her hair. "Then, it's settled. I'm going to find a job."

"Good luck, Kai," Rena said, her voice filled with pride. "You can do it."