[Fanfiction] - Like Fathers Like Sons... Sometimes Chapter 2a
CHAPTER 2 - PERMISSION
At first glance, one would not think that 13 year old Hiro is a fan of the world’s most popular heavy metal band. Hiro is a happy child. Energetic, naive, curious and so full of life. Any one who knows him would never associate this gangly 13 year old with this kind of music and genre. But here he is inside his room listening to the ear shattering sound of his favorite heavy metal band as he jumps on top of his bed singing along with the music.
The room, in contrast to the music he was listening to, is very bright. A small cage sits by the window where his pet hamster is sleeping. On one side of the wall is a huge collage of pictures. His family, friends and classmates. On a chair beside his dresser sits his huge black dog plushie, Ku-chan. A gift that his 4 best friends gave him for his 5th birthday.
Hiro was too engrossed with head banging to Hell’s Angels newest single that he did not notice his mom standing by the door.
“Hiro... Hiro... Hiro... HIRO!!!” his mom screamed as she stood by the foot of Hiro’s bed.
“Mom! What are you doing here?” he asked surprised as he yanked the earphones out of his ears.
“ What are you doing? I’ve been calling you for the last 2 minutes. What are you listening to anyway?” She asked back.
“ Nothing. Is there anything you want from me mom?”
“ Dinner’s ready. You’re dad’s waiting downstairs.”
“Ok... I’ll right down.” Hiro said as he was gently pushing his mom out of his room.
The moment his mom was out of his room, Hiro heaved a sigh of relief.
“ I got to be careful. Mom might freak out when she hears what I’ve been listening to. Yosh! this is it. I have to ask permission now. I hope dad’s in a good mood.”
When Hiro got to the dining room, his dad was already seated and was stealthily trying to grab a piece of karage.
"Ah Hiro, good you're here . We can start eating." His dad said as he motioned him to take his seat.
"Dad? Are you in a good mood?" Hiro asked softly after saying grace.
"Why?" his dad asked back as he began to stuff his mouth with karage
"Well are you?" Hiro asked again.
" My son... I'm always in a good mood! Why wouldn't I be? I have a job that I love, I have a beautiful wife who understands me, I have a handsome son who's just like me..." His dad began enumerating as he winked at his mom.
" Dad, dad... I get it. So you're in a good mood, that's going to make it easier."
"Make what easier son?" his mom asked.
"Dad, my favorite band is coming to Japan and they're having a one night concert. Can I go watch? Please say yes! I promise to help out in the shop even longer, not just 2 two hours a day. I promise to feed and walk Sabre everyday for the rest of the year. I promise to bathe the Slimy Twins for the rest of the year too. I promise to pass out flyers after school. I'll even pass them out in school. I promise to brush Psuedocrocs teeth. Mom I'll even help out in the clinic. I'll clean the counters, do the inventory, stroke and hug every dog, cat, hamster, bird, chicken, snake and what ever scary animal that comes in. Just please let me go and watch. Please Dad say yes... Please..." Hiro explained, promised and begged in record breaking time of 30 seconds.
Hiro was surprised to be suddenly enveloped into a bear hug. He looked up and saw his dad teary eyed.
"Hiro... You're finally coming around eh? I'm so happy that you're finally taking interest in the family business. You're finally becoming an Aiba!" His dad said as he hugged him even tighter.
"Yes dad and I'm FINALLY losing air!" Hiro replied as he pushed his dad away to catch his breath.
Masaki let him go without wiping the grin off of his face. " Oh sorry son. I'm just so happy!"
"Who are you going with son? Don't tell me you're going alone?" his mom asked.
"No mom, the guys are coming too. But there's a problem dad..."
"What? What? What's the problem son?" Masaki asked in panic.
"The ticket's kind of expensive. I would have paid for it but my savings isn't enough."
" That's not a problem. How much is the ticket?"
"25000 yen" Hiro replied softly.
" Hiro! That is too expensive." His mom reacted.
" Mika honey that's all right. Anything for my Hiroyuki." Masaki told his wife.
"Whatever. Just don't take it out of the family coffer. Take it from the pet shop collection and don't you dare touch the clinic's profit." Mika said in resignation.
" Dad, thanks. You just don't know how happy I am. Ohhh I can't wait for the concert. It's going to be a riot." Hiro said as he was finishing his meal.
"Riot?" His mom asked.
" I mean, it's going to be a blast, a great concert just like the ones dad used to do. Right dad?"
Great save. Hiro thought.
"Right son. You see when we used to do concerts it was always a blast. We always had fireworking BLASTING off over us as we danced. And then there were the..." Masaki said as he began to reminisce.
Here we go again. The litany of how big Arashi was back then. Oh well, it's a small price to pay just to watch my angels... My Hell's Angels. Hiro thought while grinning from ear to ear as his dad ,continued to enumerate the wonderful and amazing concerts they used to do.
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Aki was sitting on his bedroom floor crossed legs, his tongue sticking out at the side of his mouth while staring intently at the tv monitor as his fingers moved swiftly over the buttons of the game controller. The video game music was so loud that it masked the repeated banging on his door.
He was nearing the end of the level and is barely hanging on as his HP was on the edge of the bar when suddenly the screen went blank.
"Ehhhh? What happened?" Aki said as he checked the monitor, checked the connection of the game console to the monitor. Everything seems connected.
"Wait, there can't be a black out. I can hear the neighbors singing karaoke." He said as he hurried downstairs.
"Mom, Dad, did we forget to pay the electric bill?" He asked as he entered the dining room.
Aki knew it was a stupid question as his parents are very particular with paying the bills on time to avoid additional charges.
"At last you decided to come down from your tower to grace us with your presence. Sit down. We're going to have dinner together. And no we did not forget to pay the bill. I cut off the power to the sockets since that seems to be the only way to get you to come down." his mom replied as she placed a bowl of rice in front of his dad.
"WHAT? But mom I was on the final stage. I was about to battle the boss. Why?" Aki asked in disbelief.
"Because I want us to have a nice dinner as a family. As a COMPLETE family. Now sit down. We're saying grace." His mom motioned him to take his seat right in front of his dad.
" I'll eat later. I'm going back go my room." He said and did an about face.
"Akito Carter Ninomiya you come back here this instant or I'm going to throw all of your game consoles out of the window." His mom threatened him.
Aki stopped dead on his tracks. It wasn't the thought of his game consoles being thrown out that irked him. He hated being called his complete name. He did not mind if his mom sometimes calls his Carter, it was his second name and it sounded masculine not to mention it was his mom's way of reminding him that he's part American.
"Mom stop calling me Akito. I hate it! I don't understand why you had to name me Akito. My classmates tease me about it. They say that it's not a name for a boy. They say it can be for both girls and boys, that maybe I am both a girl and a boy that's why you named me that. Why can't I have a more boy sounding name like Nii-chan." He ranted.
"How many times do I have to tell you? I named you after my favorite character from Fruits Basket." his mom replied.
"Mom that character was a confused character. Born a girl and raised as a boy. See? No wonder my classmates tease me." Aki said not letting the topic go.
"He was not confused he was just misunderstood. And let me remind you again that if not for that manga I wouldn't have met your dad let alone learn enough Japanese to understand him. If that had happened, you wouldn't be here today. So you have to be thankful I got interested in that character." His mom said.
"I thought you met dad because Kenji-nii was failing English class?"
" Oh and that too. That's beside the point. Now sit down and have dinner."
Aki sensing his losing battle turned to his brother who was amusingly watching his verbal banter with his mom.
"Nii-chan can I just eat upstairs? I need to start from the beginning since I was not able to save it. Please Nii-chan." Aki begged as he looked at his brother.
" Kenji... Don't you dare give in... Kazunari don't just sit there. Do something." his mom threatened his brother before turning to his dad.
" Sarah... Let him be. If we force him to eat with us he's just gonna mumble and play with his food all through out." Nino told his wife while suppressing his laughter.
" I don't know why you two always let him have his way. Before we know it he'll have us dancing at the palm of his hands." his mom said giving up.
" It's ok mom, let him go. I need to talk to you and dad anyway." Kenji said.
"Talk about what?" Aki asked as he was about to go back to his room.
"It nothing Aki. Just go to your room I'll bring you some food later then we'll go and have ice cream." Kenji told him.
"Ok. And before I forget, Nii-chan I'm going to watch a concert with the guys. Will you buy my ticket? It's 25000 yen."
"25000 yen for a concert ticket? That's impossible. Aki you are too much." His mom almost screamed.
"It's ok Mom I got it. Ok Aki just tell me when you need it." Kenji said.
"But Kenji... It's too expensive. Oh what the heck, no matter what I say you'd still give it to him anyway. You're doing the dishes tonight and you, you're sleeping on the couch." His mom said before turning to his dad.
Aki skipped happily back to his room smiling like a little devil.
Aki - 1, Mom - 0. He thought sheepishly.
Aki is the youngest, and the saying that the youngest always gets what he wants is an understament in his case.
In his case, there is no need to throw a tantrum to get what he wants. All he needs to do is ask his brother.
Kenji-nii is 9 years older than Aki. He adores Aki so much and hates it when when little brother cries or gets upset. He tries to please him all the time, giving in to what his brat of a little brother wants.
"I want him to feel loved." Is what he'll always say when people ask him why he gives in to Aki.
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A knock on Jirou's door woke him up. He didn't realize he had fallen asleep. He looked at his watch.
7 p.m.
That must be mom calling me for dinner. He thought.
And sure is, after a few seconds he heard his mom's voice.
"Jirou, dinner's ready."
"Ok Mom I'll be right down." he replied as he began to fix his desk.
He looked at the words and sentences scribbled on one of the sheets of paper.
ASK PERMISSION TONIGHT!
This sentence was encircled and underlined a couple of times. Along with a few phrases that he could possibly use as reasons or examples.
What are the odds that Dad might not allow me to go and see the concert? Maybe 1 in 100? Well if worse comes to worst I can always ask grandma. He thought as walked down the stairs going to the dining room.
When he entered the dining room, his parents were already seated. His dad was busy reading the evening paper.
At a glance, Jirou's family seemed to be the typical Japanese family. Parents had an arranged marriage, Dad works, Mom stays in the house , son goes to school, etc. But don't be fooled. His family is a little far from typical. For one, both his parents are working. Not to mention colleagues.
And to top it off, his Dad is a runaway groom. His father was supposed to marry the granddaughter of a shipping magnate. Their marriage had been signed and sealed since the day they were born. But his dad fell in love. And so he ditched his bride on his wedding day and eloped with his mom.
It took 2 years and a "cute" and bouncy baby boy for his grandparents to forgive his dad and accept his mom.
Long story short, he now has a happy family and loving grandparents who dote upon him.
Downside? They dote upon him too much and treat him as if he was 5. He had to argue his way with his grandfather just so he could go to the same school as his bestfriends. It's not that he did not want to go to his dad's old school, he just wants to steer clear of the cliche`.
To appease his dad, he signed up and got accepted at his school's varsity soccer team. He knew it made his dad proud seeing him in his soccer uniform.
"So when's the next game?" Sho asked his son after they said grace.
No matter how busy his schedule is, he makes it a point to have dinner with his family at least 2 times a week. He wanted to show his son he was making an effort of reaching out to him. It was his way of compromising for not being able to attend some of his son's school functions.
" We're still on vacation dad so it's mostly practice right now." Jirou answered.
" I see... So aside from that what are doing? You and the rest of the Secongen still use the tree house we built you?"
"Secongen? Who's that?" Jirou asked his dad confused.
"That's what your dad calls you and the 4 other boys. Secongen. Second Generation." his mom replied.
"Dad, please don't call us that." Jirou begged not believing what his dad has come up with.
"But that's what you boys are. Our second generation." his dad insisted.
" Dad no... I beg you... It's embarrassing."
"Well would you rather want to be called Arashi Junior?"
" Sons is fine..."
" Sho stop teasing him. Don't worry baby, your dad's not going to call you that in public" his mom said.
"Mom stop calling me baby. I'm turning 14 in a few months."
"But Jirou, you will always be my baby." his mom reasoned.
" Why don't you and dad just start making another baby so you have a new one to call baby." Jirou replied suddenly and then quickly realized what he had said and clasped his hand over his mouth.
"Jirou..." his mom did not know what to say.
"It's not that easy son. Especially with a schedule like ours. It's hard to find the time to..."
"SHO SAKURAI WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?" his mom was now screaming while brandishing the wooden spoon in front of his dad's face.
"Ah! Gomenasai! Shojirou Sakurai where did you learn about making babies????" Sho shifted the focus onto his son.
"Dad we have health class in school." Jirou answered calmly.
" They teach that now?" he asked.
"Dad, they don't teach us the step by step on how exactly babies are made, but they teach us that it takes a mom and a dad to make one... Yabai... This conversation is getting too awkward. Can we change the topic dad?"
"Yes we better or else you mother is going to have a heart attack."
Jirou nodded seeing the color drain from his mom's face.
" Ummm dad... Can I ask a favor?" Jirou said after all the hype has died down.
Ok this is it.it's now or never. He thought.
"You know how you went 'crazy' over Luna Sea and X Japan before? Have you ever gone to one of their concerts?" He began.
"Of course I have. It was one of the best concerts I have been to. Not counting our concerts of course.
"Well a really good band is coming to Japan for a one night only concert and the guys and I have decided we wanted to go and watch."
" Oh that's fine. What ever gave you the idea that I'm not going to allow you?" Sho asked.
"Well maybe the part where the tickets costs. 25000 yen?" Jirou replied softly.
"WHAT? Concert tickets cost that much now? During the time when we were doing concerts they were only 6000 yen." Sho asked shocked.
"Dad that was ages ago... Dad please I really want to go. I would have paid for it from my savings and christmas money from last year, but I just bought 5 books and 4 magazines."
"Jirou that is a lot of money... I'm not sure if it's worth it."
"But dad it's a sort of birthday celebration for Hiro. It's Hiro's favorite band and we really want to support him by watching the concert with him. Please dad... Mom, help me out please..."
"Sho, why don't we let him go and watch? It can be our early birthday present for him."
" Well we could do that, not to mention we would have the house to ourselves." Sho said winking at his wife.
" Sho stop it. Your son can hear you."
" Yeah Dad I can hear you and it's going to give me nightmares thinking about what you just said." Jirou replied rolling his eyes.
"It's natural to talk about these things with your wife, son. Someday you'll understand when you have a wife of your own."
" I think I'll wait for that someday. But right now you're giving me goosebumbs. Can we go back to the topic please? Dad please let me go." Jirou begged.
"What if we don't say yes?" Sho teased his son.
"Then I'll roll out plan B." Jirou replied.
"And what is plan B may I ask?"
" I'll go and ask grandma and tell her that you did not want me to go, thus hurting my feelings and not giving me the chance to have fun with my friends. I'll tell her that you, her son did not want me, her grandson and heir to enjoy life like you had before." Jirou said seriously while looking straight into his dad's eyes.
"You wouldn't..."
"Yes dad I would! So please dad... Please let me go and watch."
"Hahaha... Your son is learning fast Sho." His wife said laughing.
" Ok.ok. I'd rather shell out 25000 yen than have my mother breathe down my neck the entire day." Sho replied in resignation.
"Thank you dad. You're the best!" Jirou said as he hugged his dad.
" I don't remember blackmailing my dad at this age. Nor do I remember my grandparents saying yes to my every whim. I think his right. We need to make another one. I don't want Jirou turning into a spoiled brat like Nino's son." Sho told his wife as they watched their son's back disappear into his room.
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continued...
CHAPTER 2b