Cheer
"Should we surprise your mom and get the tree up?" This piques the six year old's interest and turns on the couch, abandoning the television in favor of draping himself over the back cushion and watching the top of the tree pop through the doorway. "What do you think?" The medium sized imitation-evergreen is maneuvered into the small living room; his father shifts it into the corner, dodging dusty boxes of ornaments. Taiki nods enthusiastically, sliding off the seat. He weaves around Kano's legs and drops down beside a cluster of tangled lights. "No, no. I'll get those. Here, can you put the other decorations on? ...Remember to be careful because some of them are glass."
This task seems much more interesting and Taiki immediately pulls open the folded cardboard box. Inside, newspaper wrapped ornaments are packed together. Taiki selects the top one and carefully peels the paper off, mindful of his father's warning. The first is a ceramic flower and he takes a moment to marvel as it spins on its string. Standing, Taiki wanders around the side of the tree before determining it should reside on a high branch. Up on his toes, he slides the gold tie over the green limb. Perfect. Back to the box for the next one.
Fifteen minutes of this and Taiki has the first box emptied. Just as he delves into the next container, his father lets out a triumphant cry; Taiki looks up and stares while the man shakes the last tangle from the Christmas lights.
"What do you think? Pretty good, huh?" Kayashima Kano grins widely and begins to carefully wind the lights back up. He returns his son's mute nod with a wink before stepping around him. "Not a job too big or too small for your dad. Right?" Taiki nods again and returns to his task, sitting cross-legged beside the next box. "See, this is where you're supposed to cheer for you dad! Because he accomplished the impossible by getting them all untangled!" He encourages cheerfully.
Dutifully, the boy raises his arms straight up over his head and loudly states, "Banzai!". Two large black eyes blink, waiting for approval. A deep sigh and Kano ruffles his son's hair. Taiki drops his arms and stares up at the man, pleased.
This task seems much more interesting and Taiki immediately pulls open the folded cardboard box. Inside, newspaper wrapped ornaments are packed together. Taiki selects the top one and carefully peels the paper off, mindful of his father's warning. The first is a ceramic flower and he takes a moment to marvel as it spins on its string. Standing, Taiki wanders around the side of the tree before determining it should reside on a high branch. Up on his toes, he slides the gold tie over the green limb. Perfect. Back to the box for the next one.
Fifteen minutes of this and Taiki has the first box emptied. Just as he delves into the next container, his father lets out a triumphant cry; Taiki looks up and stares while the man shakes the last tangle from the Christmas lights.
"What do you think? Pretty good, huh?" Kayashima Kano grins widely and begins to carefully wind the lights back up. He returns his son's mute nod with a wink before stepping around him. "Not a job too big or too small for your dad. Right?" Taiki nods again and returns to his task, sitting cross-legged beside the next box. "See, this is where you're supposed to cheer for you dad! Because he accomplished the impossible by getting them all untangled!" He encourages cheerfully.
Dutifully, the boy raises his arms straight up over his head and loudly states, "Banzai!". Two large black eyes blink, waiting for approval. A deep sigh and Kano ruffles his son's hair. Taiki drops his arms and stares up at the man, pleased.