Chapter 33 : A Little Celebration

Furihata is in a good mood. His team won the first game without any problem, and his mom would be at home today.

"I am home!" He greeted loudly right when he arrived home. And right after his greeting, he could hear his mom's voice coming from the kitchen.

"Welcome home, Kou-chan! Here!" His smile brightened at her voice. He runs quickly to the kitchen, but to his surprise, he not only found his mother there. No, Hana and Saya are also there, helping his mom prepare the food.

"Welcome back, Kouki-san!" Saya, the ever-cheerful girl, greeted him enthusiastically. Seeing his confused expression, Saya explained immediately.

"Anzaki Obaa-san told us about your first game today and invited us to celebrate it together. You don't mind us, don't you, Kouki-san?"

She gives him a mischievous smile, giving her sister a glance while wiggling her eyebrows every few seconds. Hana, her ever-timid big sister, could only look down in embarrassment, her face flustered red.

When he turned around to his mom, he could see his mom also has the same expression as Saya, full of mischievousness and a victorious grin.

"Oh, God.." He groaned inwardly at his mom's expression.

He could read his mom's intentions like an open book. Hana is the first girl friend that he has ever introduced to her. Note that it is girl friend, not a girlfriend. The space between the words is what separated the meaning of those two.

However, just like every evil-scheming mom for a teenage boy like him, his mom is getting excited about the prospect of a girlfriend. So, she sets up this kind of celebration party for him to get to know her better and vice versa. It doesn't help when the sister of the girl is also having a good time scheming against her big sister.

He couldn't do anything, as both Hana and Saya are already there. It would be rude to chase them away right now.

"It's not like I have a choice, isn't it?" He asked dejectedly. His question only makes his mom's grin widen.

"Nope!" His mom replied with a cheerful tone. "When I arrived home without my son greeting me back, I felt a bit lonely, you know? So, I decided to invite them both. Great decision, right?"

Furihata rolled his eyes at her. He wanted to throw a sarcastic remark to arrive home without anyone greeted back, but he doesn't want to sound like an insensitive jerk, especially in front of guests.

"So, how is your game?" His mom asked again, but now with eyes full of attention on him.

"Well, what do you expect? You throw a celebration party even without knowing I would win or lose, of course, I cannot lose. It would be embarrassing to celebrate a losing game."

His mother slapped his shoulder playfully after hearing his answer.

"Is that a sarcastic remark that I hear? My baby boy is growing up now he even dares to do that to his mom. I am so proud." Furihata rolled his eyes once again at his ever-dramatic mom.

"Whatever. I will take a shower first." He tried to walk away from the kitchen. However, he was stopped by his mom's question.

"Did you have fun with your team?"

His face softened a bit before he nodded slightly.

"Yeah, we had a lot of fun today."

And he left the room, leaving his mom with both Saya and Hana together in there.

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A half-hour later, Furihata found himself sitting in the dining room, having a quite chatty lunch with his mom, Hana, and Saya in his home. Hana still didn't talk to him at all since he arrived home, yet whenever they had eye contact, the girl blushed slightly while turning her face around, making a wild guess form in his head.

'Is she really having a crush on me? I don't want to act oblivious and ignore it, but I don't want to address it either. If I am wrong, it would be awkward between us.'

Not knowing what to do about her, he decided to ignore it for now, not realizing that his mom is looking at them both with creepy eyes.

"So, Kou-chan, how was your game? Any difficult opponent yet?" His mom asked casually, just throwing any topics to talk about.

"Hmm.." Furihata pondered for a moment, his mouth is still chewing the beef from his Sukiyaki. "The opponent was not that good. But they have one foreign player who is 205 cm. We had a difficult start against him, but we managed. Overall, they were just so-so."

His mom nodded at his answer as if nothing was wrong with his answer. However, both Saya and Hana widened their eyes in surprise, and the little sister decided to throw a quick question,

"205 cm? A foreigner? Is that allowed?"

"Well, as long as he is still a high schooler registered in the school, of course, he is allowed to play. And yeah, he is 205 cm. It seems a bit unfair, but that is basketball for you. The tall would have the advantage." He shrugged at the last part.

"Wow, I didn't know that there are foreigners studying in Japan," Saya murmured in astonishment.

"What was the school you play against, Kouki-san?" Hana asked, opening her mouth for the first time in front of him. While the expression is not the same, Furihata could see the same curiosity shown in her eyes.

"It is Shinkyo Academy." He replied shortly. He didn't expect Hana would nod in understanding after hearing the school's name.

"So it is like that.. I guess that makes sense." The girl murmured under her breath, making her sister look at her with a curious face.

"What is it, Onee-chan? Is there anything interesting with Shinkyo Academy?" Saya asked impatiently. Furihata also leaned forward unconsciously, interested a bit about what Hana would say.

"Well.. I only heard it from my friends who went there, so I don't know if it is true or not." She replied hesitantly. "Shinkyo Academy is rumored to have a class full of international students. That class comes from a scholarship program from their founder who believes that students in Japan need to interact more with international students, to compare themselves to the world. I guess there will always be a truth that lies beneath the rumor."

"Hmm.." Furihata nodded his head at the explanation. "Fascinating. I have never heard of that rumor. But Shinkyo is not a famous school to start with, so I guess it is understandable."

Hana nodded at him. "Yeah, I only know about it because of my friends too."

"By the way, Saya-chan, why are you interested in foreigners?" Furihata asked curiously. This conversation grows from basketball to foreigner due to Saya's curiosity, so he couldn't help but ask about it.

"Well, I've always wanted to see a foreigner since I was a child." She exclaimed; her eyes shine brightly. "I mean, you grow up in Japan, always meet Japanese people, always see the same culture, isn't that boring? It would be interesting to see the rest of the world with your eyes!"

Furihata was stunned for a bit before he let out a small chuckle, and it changed into a burst of laughter in a second.

"That's a good dream, Saya-chan! Your road will be tough, and you will face a lot of difficulties in the future, but it would be worth it. A good dream, indeed. I will support you, Saya-chan!"

"Really?!" The light in Saya's eyes is getting brighter in every second, as her excitement grows astronomically. However, the one who answers her question is his mom.

"Yup! We will be rooting for you, Saya-chan!" His mom nodded with a single smile plastered on her face. "Hearing your dream really reminds me of my younger self. And look at me now! I have already been to 34 countries and met a lot of people there. Just like Kou-chan said, the journey will be difficult, but it would be worth your efforts."

"Thank you, Obaa-san!" Her eyes gleamed with the encouragement from the pair of mother and son.

"How about you, Hana-chan? What do you want to be in the future?" His mom shifted her attention to the big sister who suddenly looked around awkwardly.

"I don't know about it, Obaa-san.." She replied hesitantly. However, Saya rolled her eyes and decided to answer the question for her sister.

"Onee-chan wanted to go to Tokyo University of the Arts for the opera music program."

"S-Sacchan!"

Hana is trying to shut her sister's mouth, but it was futile as Furihata and his mom have already heard what Saya said.

"Opera music? That's a big dream, Hana-chan!"

"R-really?" The blush on her face gets bolder every second, but her eyes couldn't hide the happiness of having someone recognize her dream.

"Yup, really! We will be rooting on you too." Her mom replied with a bright smile which mirrored immediately to everyone in the room.

"I guess that makes sense." Furihata suddenly spoke, gaining everyone's attention. "I mean, you joined the choir team, right? You must be good at it."

"N-No! I-I am s-still learning and nowhere near the word good, K-Kouki-san." Replied Hana with a shaking voice. However, Saya disagrees with her sister.

"Nonsense, Onee-chan! You are really good at it! I even hear you training once in your room. Your voice is gorgeous!"

Hana could only lower her head in embarrassment. Furihata didn't know what to say to dissolve this awkward situation. However, just like always, his mom seems to know the worst way to break the silence.

"I know!" She clapped her hand happily, making Furihata look at her warily. "Kou-chan, why don't we play together with Hana-chan? We can see if she is as good as Saya-chan said or not, right?"

"Of course, she is good! She is amazing! And what do you mean by playing together?" Saya interrupted, defending her sister while asking a question with a curious tone. Poor Hana, she looks like she is about to pass out. However, Furihata didn't see it. Instead, he replied to Saya's question in a nonchalant manner.

"It is just a hobby that we developed in our free time. Mom would sing a song and I would accompany her with my guitar."

"You play guitar, Kouki-san?!"

"Yeah. I learned it when I was in middle school." He shrugged, not seeing it as a big deal. However, his mom didn't let this matter go easily. No, she uses it as another teasing material.

"Ooh.. I remember the first time you learned to play it! You said it was a good way to pick a girl, right?" Furihata groaned.

"Oh, come on, mom! Do you have to expose all of my dark secrets like that? I was a teenager back then!"

"And you are not a teenager now? Who told me that he is still a growing-up boy?" She keeps teasing him while poking his cheeks lightly. However, they both were ignored by the sibling sisters who whispered to each other furiously.

"Onee-chan, why don't you do it? Your crush is offering you a chance to sing together with him and his mom, isn't that good for you?"

"S-Sacchan! I don't have a c-crush on him!"

"Come on, Onee-chan! It would be your chance to impress Kouki-san!" At this point, Hana could feel an imaginary steam coming off the top of her head. She bits her own lips, didn't know what to do right now. She wants to do it, yet she is afraid that Furihata wouldn't like it.

Fortunately, Furihata resolved her dilemma with his idea.

"How about this? I will play with my mom, and when you are comfortable enough, you can join us in the middle of the song." Saya has her eyes shining at the suggestion.

"Ooh! That's a good idea! Can you do it, Nee-chan? For meee?" Facing Saya's puppy dog eyes, Hana couldn't do anything as she finally resigned to her fate, and nodded at Furihata while still trying to avoid any eye contact.

"Good. Let me pick my guitar first."

Five minutes later, Furihata is ready with his guitar, looking at his mom with a questioning gaze.

"What do you want to play, mom?"

"Hmm.." His mom pondered for a second before giving him an answer, "Maybe something popular? Something that Hana-chan and Saya-chan know would be better. Wht do you think, Saya-chan? Do you have any requests?"

The one mentioned has her eyes shine again and replied quickly,

"Oh, can you play any anime songs?"

Furihata had to think of something from anime that his mom knows. After a few seconds passed, he let out a small smile before he started plucking the string slowly, creating a familiar melody in everyone's ears.

"How about this song?" His mom has the same smile as him, recognizing the melody of the song.

"That's a good one, Kou-chan! Let's do it!"

After playing the intro for a bit, his mom started singing,

Yondeiru Mune no Dokoka Oku de

Itsumo Kokoro Odoru Yume wo Mitai

Kanashimi wa Kazoekirenai kedo

Sono Mukou de Kitto Anata ni Aeru

That was the ending song of the anime 'Spirited Away'. This song had a special place in his heart. it was the first song his mom sang for him, and it would always be his lullaby whenever he had a bad dream. He could see his mom smiling softly, her eyes gazing far away, no doubt reminiscing the past just like him. Hana and Saya have their mouth gaped wide, mesmerized by the beautiful melodies they produced together.

Kurikaesu Ayamachi no Sonotabi Hito wa

Tada Aoi Sora no Aosa wo Shiru

Hateshinaku Michi wa Tsuzuite Mieru keredo

Kono Ryoute wa Hikari wo Dakeru

Then, his mom smiles at Hana, encouraging her to sing along with her. Hana looks hesitant, but the push from her sister forced her to sing along to the next phrase.

Sayonara no Toki no Shizukana Mune

Zero ni Naru Karada ga Mimi wo Sumaseru

Then, his mom chimed in, harmonizing together with Hana for the last part.

Ikiteiru Fushigi Sinde Iku Fusigi

Hana mo Kaze mo Machi mo Minna Onaji

They only play the first verse of the song, yet they all have satisfied smiles on their face. Suddenly,

*Clap* *Clap* *Clap* *Clap*

They all heard Saya clapping from her seat, her eyes beaming with joy.

"That was amazing!" She exclaimed. "Obaa-san, your voice is very pretty!" His mom gives the girl a smile and replied,

"Thank you, Saya-chan. It is not as pretty as your sister, though." Furihata also nodded at that.

He had to admit that Hana's voice is angelic. Her voice is sweet and mellifluous, and it created a beautiful harmony with his mom's voice. And while his mom is not that bad, she is not well-trained like Hana. She only sings when Furihata asked her to or when she was in a shower, so comparing both is like comparing earth and sky. It was way too different.

They both exchanged conversation for a while, mainly about music and something like that. And after fifteen minutes, Hana and Saya finally went back to their home.

"They are really sweet girls, right?" His mom asked while her gaze was still on both girls.

"Yeah," Furihata nodded. Then, his mom turned around with a serious expression and suddenly asked,

"Are you sure Hana-chan doesn't have any crush on you?" Furihata could only sigh, doesn't really know the answer.

"At first, I thought so. But after today, I don't know anymore." He gives an honest answer. His mom nodded but still has a concerned expression on her face.

"I thought so too. With how she sneaks a glance at you every five seconds, people would misunderstand her as a creep or a stalker."

"What do you think I should do?" He asked helplessly. He didn't have any experience with this kind of situation, and he really needs good advice now. Fortunately, his mom is here, fulfilling her role as a mother.

"Just don't do anything rush." She spoke, "If you are still unsure about your feeling and she doesn't make any move toward you, just let it be. Be a good friend to her. God knows she needs it. And if in the future something blooms between you two, just be honest with each other, and you will be alright."

"Is that so?" Furihata murmured under his breath. "You seem to care about her a lot, Mom. Any reason for that?" He raised his eyebrows slightly. However, his mom just swatted his shoulder playfully and didn't give any answer.

"Don't worry about it. Why don't you take a rest? You must be tired from your game, right?"

And after hearing what his mom said, all of the tiredness that accumulated from the beginning of the day finally resurfaced, resulting in a big yawn coming from him.

"See, you are tired already. Go to sleep. I will wake you up when the dinner is ready."

He could only nod as his eyes are getting heavier. However, before he leaves his mom, he stopped himself and said,

"Thanks, mom, for everything." A soft smile appeared on her face before she replied,

"Any time, sweetheart."

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Author note:

Another slice of life to chill my mind. I hope you don't mind. Thank you! :)

If you want to support me more, you can visit my Patreon page on patreon(.)com/ZetaFaes

You can also read this fanfiction up to chapter 53 on that page. Thank you! :)