Chapter 32: I love this family

[Host has gained 2x Duplication tokens]

[Host has gained Advanced Western-Orientated Cuisine Proficiency (0/500)]

[Host has gained a packet of coffee bean]

[Host has gained 1500 proficiency points (can be used on any level and any skill)]

Four notifications rang out in my head after a few seconds.

Seeing that some weird items were included inside, I just yawned and asked the system to explain each of them again. At this point, it's already 10 pm.

I'm tired after discussing and planning for the competitions two weeks later.

[Duplication tokens do precisely what their names imply. It can duplicate any skill proficiency that is currently in your arsenal. However, it's unable to combine, so all you will have is just two of the same proficiency.]

Eh? Doesn't that mean that it's just plain useless? Whatever, it seems like my luck finally ran out. I can't get lucky forever, can I?

[Advanced Western-Orientated Cuisine Proficiency is as it is. You cook western dishes well.]

Wow, thanks a lot. As if I didn't know that already.

[System has detected two advanced cooking-related proficiency along with proficiency points. Does Host wish to combine them into one together with some proficiency points?]

What do you mean? So I combine the Japanese orientated, and Western orientated cooking into one?

[Affirmative.]

So how do proficiency points even come to this?

[The more proficiency points you spend, the higher the grade of the combined proficiency. 100 proficiency points will be beginner, 300 will be intermediate, and so on until 2000, where it will automatically be promoted to grandmaster proficiency.]

I see. Since I don't know what to do with those 1.5 thousand proficiency points, let's spend 500 proficiency points on the combination.

[500 proficiency points deducted. Combining proficiencies...]

[Combination success! Advanced Cooking Proficiency (0/500)]

I felt my head tingling a bit. A stream of all the information about cooking, in general, entered my mind. It didn't hurt as badly as the few times I did this before. However, the duration for this tingling sensation was also way longer than just the sudden jolt of pain.

Did something change?

[Affirmative. To let the user have an enjoyable experience, we have decided to use the less painful way to deliver information, though it would take longer.]

Well, I like the new method. Please do this every time new information enters my head.

[No problem, Host.]

[Following the explanations, a packet of coffee beans contains...coffee beans. I'm not sure what do you hope to achieve by knowing this, Host...]

Just confirming. In case it contained anything other than...coffee beans. You know what? It's just stupid. Alright, let's move on.

[Proficiency points allow you to allocate your proficiency points into any skill you would like.]

I see. Pretty useful in case I don't ever want to do anything to increase my proficiency. Although I know this world is biased towards the younger boys since they're a rarity now, I still want to have some way to protect myself and my family if anything was to happen.

[System, put 680 points into Taekwondo.]

[Intermediate taekwondo proficiency (120/300) --> Master Taekwondo Proficiency (0/1,000)]

Once again, the tingling sensation pricked in my brain as another rush of information gently entered my mind.

It wasn't painful; it more annoying than anything.

After a few minutes, the process was finally done. Now, hardly anyone untrained could beat me, even those much bigger than me and stronger than me. In fact, as long as they weren't some prodigy or some old monster, my pure skills would utterly decimate them. Of course, pro boxers or pro sumo wrestlers would still overwhelm me, but dealing against random thugs?

There would be no problem.

As for the other 320 proficiency points, I'll save them for later in case I ever need it. For now, there was no need to rush anything. Let's continue my slow and happy life.

There was one problem, though. Although this house seemed big and spacious, it actually wasn't. Although this house seemed new and well-done, it actually wasn't.

With my parents directly below Shouko's and my room, we could easily hear whatever they were doing.

I just flipped my pillow over my ears in an attempt to cover the sounds being made below.

I don't really want to find out more about my parent's love life. It was good that they were healthy and all, but somethings should be left unsaid.

*****************

The next morning, I woke up late. And by 'late,' it was very late to the point that Shouko had to wake me up.

I can't help it. It was summer vacation, so why do I have to wake up early? It's not like I have anything else to do.

"Morning, mum!" I greet my mother, who was preparing lunch now.

"Morning, my head. It's already 11 am."

"Yeah, but that is still morning, isn't it?"

"You little brat." My mother's lip twitched at my comment, "Why can't you be like Shouko? She sleeps early and wakes up early in the morning to go do her radio exercises. That is what you call a healthy life."

'Yeah, like you're one to talk. Who was the one who slept even later than me mating with my father?'

Of course, I'm not going to say that out loud.

"Cause Shou-chan is a good child. Besides, where is dad?"

I slumped down on the sofa and turned on the television to watch some shows that were currently broadcasting.

"Your father went out early to work. One of his customers wanted him to take some wedding photos for them. Shou-chan and Yuzu-chan went along with him since Yuzu-chan wanted to learn more."

"Raiha?"

"Following Yuzu-chan. Those two are inseparable."

"I see..."

The conversation paused here as I continued watching the television. Hearing that everybody was doing something outdoors, I suddenly feel like a shut-in neet.

I'm not, am I?

"Are you going anywhere today, Fuu-chan?" My mother's voice suddenly rang from the kitchen.

"No, why?"

"Then what do you plan to do today?"

"Accompany my sweet mother at home," I spoke with such seriousness one would have thought that what I have just said was of utmost importance.

The sound of the sizzling meat stopped, and just as I wondered what was going on, I felt my ear getting pulled.

"Ahh!! Hey, hey! Okay! What do you want from me?" I yell in pain as my ears were getting pulled harder and harder, "Any more, and I will turn into an elf!"

"Pft..." My mother snickered as she stopped pulling my ears, "If you want to accompany your sweet mother at home, why don't you help me prepare some food instead of lazing around in the living room?"

"Fine..."

I turned off the television before moving towards the kitchen.

Now that I think about it, it has been a few days since I last stepped into the kitchen to cook. Ever since the summer vacation started, I think I've been lazing around too much.

"Mum? Do you have a suit for me?" While chopping some cloves of garlic and onions, I ask.

"I don't think so. We never had the need to attend any formal parties before, so you wouldn't need one. Do you need it now?" My mother thought for a while before replying.

"Yea. I'm playing in the competitions at Towa Hall in two weeks. Do we even have the money to get a formal attire for me?"

"I think so...your father has been working and getting a lot of requests locally, so we should be able to manage these days."

"Eh? Do photographers actually earn a lot of money?"

I never knew that...I thought he earns so little, and that was why I can hear my parent's nightlife.

"Not all of them. Your father is one of the top photographers, but his personality is too carefree, so most important clients don't usually call him for their most essential parties; only for their informal parties..."

Now that's new. Seems like my previous judgment for photographers were wrong. But then again, my father is anything but ordinary, so I can't use usual standards to judge him.

"Oh...then thank you for the formal attire."

"No need. Just smash that competition for us and earn back some money..."

Hearing my mother's words, my lips twitched. What a realist...not caring about the fame and glory, but more of the prize money. Can't say I hate it, though.

"By the way, do you know some of dad's clients?"

"Hm? You sure are awfully interested in your father's job today. What's the motive?"

"Why are you suspecting your own son...? Do I look like I'm that sort of person who only asks if there was something to gain from it?"

"Yes."

"..."

This family is cruel.

"But if you really want to know, there is the Shinomiya family, one of the biggest conglomerates in the city; Mr. Spencer, the British-born diplomat; the Shūei Clan, the Yakuza group that you already met and some others."

My mouth was wide open. I never genuinely expect that my father is acquainted with such people...he must have worked so hard for us...I'm touched.

"But most of his clients were his high-school friends, so it wasn't that hard to get the connections."

Nevermind. I take my sentiments back. All his friends opened some of the largest corporates, and here my father is working as a photographer.

But I don't hate it. The rich have the rich's problems, while the poor have the poor's issues. There wouldn't be any political war internally, and my father can come to spend more time with us if he chooses to work locally full time.

I think I read too many novels, and maybe not all affluent families were like that, but even so, I wouldn't trade my current family for anything else in this world.

"Love you, mum."

I gave her a kiss on her cheeks, and she looked surprised by my actions.

Raising an eyebrow, she asked, "So what's the deal now?"

This is getting old. Must every single action I take mean something more profound?

Seeing my annoyed face, my mother just smiled and gave me a kiss on the forehead.

"I love you too."

I really do love this family.

"Even if you're a brat."

Even if my patience was tested every other day, I still do love this family.

*****************

A/N: Schedule? I upload every Sunday Night, GMT +8. And rejoice! For today is a long chapter for you! Next chapter...time skip? Maybe...