Chapter 3 – Decision

Hikaru was just about to enter his house yard when he realized a white car stopped right on the other side of that black fence. Without thinking, he immediately reopened the fence he had just closed to usher in that milky-white car. The driver opened his car window, poked his head, then greeted Hikaru.

"Wow, I was just about to come down and open the fence and also hasn't honked the horn. How do you know?" asked his dad in amazement.

"I just happened to come back too." Hikaru replied briefly.

Hikaru then walked to the edge so that his parents car could enter. After the car was parked completely and the car's engine had finished shutting down, Hikaru immediately opened the front passenger seat door to help his mom.

"Oh, there's no need. My son is so cute and polite." His mom is touched by what he did to her.

"Aren't I more romantic than dad?" Hikaru laughed as he glanced at his dad who laughed at Hikaru's joke.

"I was also romantic. If not, how could your mom be crazy about me and want to settle down in Japan?" Now his dad stroked his hair with the intention of boasting.

“You guys never change. It is fortunate that I have a husband and son like you. My life will always be filled with laughter." Mom took Hikaru's left arm, then the three of them walked together into their house.

That house was cheerful again when all the family members arrive at the same time. After sitting for a while on the sofa to stretch their legs, the three of them then parted ways to carry out their respective activities. Hikaru and his dad intend to immediately clean up. Meanwhile, his mom chooses to prepare the food ingredients that she will use for dinner.

***

That father and son pair together stroked each other's stomachs, which now looked bulging, a sign that their stomachs were full of their mother's delicious dinner. Even though Hikaru's dad is a professional chef, he doesn't want to do cooking in his own house as much as possible. For him, who was heavily influenced by Eastern culture, cooking and household chores should be done by a wife.

Even so, it doesn’t mean that his dad is completely independent of household chores. Now and then, he who seems always relaxed helps his beloved wife who is getting overwhelmed with doing this and that. He didn’t hesitate to help his mother wash clothes or help cut some groceries. The only thing he avoided the most was cooking. Because for him, home is a place to rest where he doesn’t have to deal with a stove.

As usual, after dinner Hikaru was in charge of helping his mom to tidy up the dirty tableware. After helping to put used cutlery into the sink, Hikaru would then clean the table while his mother was washing the furniture. When his grandma was still there, usually Hikaru would accompany his dad to sit together and watch television.

However, this habit has now changed. Hikaru knows his mother needs help without his grandma. Even though clearing the dining table was identically with girls' work, Hikaru felt that he must help his mother.

"So, it will be discussed tonight, right?" His mom seems to still remember the problem of Hikaru's anxiety yesterday.

"Yeah, after we finish all of this mess." Hikaru was still wiping the table which was slightly dirty from the soy sauce splash.

“When you're done, please peel some apples. Your dad really likes it, right? The atmosphere will probably be much better to talk later." Mom suggested.

"Oh, of course." Hikaru who had finished wiping the table then washed his hands, took a fruit knife to peel the apples and a flat plate to serve the apple slices.

Hikaru peels the apples with the technique his grandmother taught him. This is the Japanese art of peeling apples, where with one circular motion of the hand, the skin of the apple is peeled off in a circular and elongated pattern. This skill of peeling apples will be said to be good if the peeled apple skin does not break until the apple flesh is completely exposed. Hikaru doesn’t have the talent to cook like his mom and dad. However, when it comes to peeling apples with a technique like this, everyone could say Hikaru much better than his parents.

He successfully peeled 3 large apples to perfection. He didn’t peel too deeply, so that not much of the apples was wasted. Because of its size, Hikaru cut 1 apple into 8 pieces. To make it look attractive, Hikaru even styled it in such a way. If it's messy, it's certain that his father will grumble like a head chef scolding his kitchen assistant.

"Hah! Finally! How about you, mom?" His mom who had just finished washing the pile of used tableware then turned around to see the results of the apple slices which Hikaru had done.

"I'm done too." Hikaru made a clapping motion while staring at the apple slices he had compiled. He was very proud of his work like an artist who had just finished his masterpiece.

"So beautiful. Hikaru had grandma's talent for peeling apples." His mom looks proud. “Come on! Take it to your father. "

Hikaru who was carrying a plate of apples complete with 3 fruit forks, walked behind his mom. As usual, his dad was sitting casually watching his favorite TV show in the living room. Hikaru then put a large plate of apple slices and the fork on the coffee table.

"Wow, apples!" His dad who had been sitting leaned back then straightened his back after seeing the apple that Hikaru brought. “It must be Hikaru who peels it, right? It can't be mom." Without warning, he immediately enjoyed the apple slice with gusto.

"Of course it’s not me." His mom laughed without feeling offended at all.

"So, can I get started?" Hikaru wanted to immediately talk about his idea yesterday. Hikaru thought, he should get his point across quickly. He didn't want to put his parents to sleep too late just for taking too long to talk about what he wanted to say.

"Of course. Actually, your dad was so curious that this morning he asked me. He thought, you will tell me first." His mom told him about his dad's behavior, who was very impatient.

"Is it true? I didn't know dad was so caring about me." Hikaru laughed before returning with a serious attitude. "Actually, I thought maybe now is the right time for me to continue my studies at university." Hearing this, his dad who was busy chewing an apple was almost choked.

For a moment, his parents didn't respond. They just exchanged glances as if they couldn't believe what they had just heard. In their hearts, they wanted Hikaru to continue his education immediately. But of course, they didn't want to impose their personal will.

"Have you thought it carefully?" His mom reopened the conversation which had been interrupted.

"Hmm, what should I do? Actually I want to hear mom and dad’s opinion first. That's why I want to talk about it seriously." Hikaru showed his determination.

His dad cleared his throat for a moment then said, “We want to always support you. There's no need to worry. So, what is it? Journalism?"

Hikaru shook his head vigorously before explaining. "Instead of journalism, I might choose business major."

Again, his parents exchanged glances with their eyes wide open. Hikaru's decision to continue his education alone was enough to shock both of them. But, the study major Hikaru was about to pursue was even more surprising.

"Why business? Doesn't you like journalism?” Now, it is his dad who breaks the silence.

"I have no idea. Suddenly, I thought about taking business class. With that, I can help dad to manage the restaurant in the future. Right?" Hikaru paused for a moment, observing the e of his parents before continuing. “I don't think this business should just stop when dad is getting older. What do you think?"

"How about you, dad? Hikaru thought this for you." Mom asked her husband's opinion.

His dad then folded his arms across his chest and put on a serious face. Hikaru can see a very rare facial expression from him who has always been relaxed and a little humorous.

“Honestly, I'm glad Hikaru thought that. But, if you do this only for dad's sake, maybe dad will be against you. Dad doesn't want you to do what you don't really want to do. Do you understand?"

Before answering, Hikaru nodded several times. His dad's response was no different from his two friends. They opposed it not because they didn't agree, but they were worried that Hikaru would do this because he had to. Hikaru understood that very well.

"No, dad, really. I want to do it too. I wanted to be in business and I thought running a culinary business with dad would be nice. And I can still do freelance writing activities at the same time." Hikaru seemed to sparkle about his wish, showing that he really wanted to do this.

Seeing their son who was very excited about his decision, His parents finally agreed to Hikaru's decision. The serious faces of the three of them slackened further and the conversation now dropped its tension becoming more relaxed.

"But, it seems I need time to prepare myself before taking the new student admission exam. Maybe next year we can take the entrance exam." Hikaru said while chewing on an apple.

"Of course, be prepared well. At any university, the entrance exam will be just as difficult." Mom tried to encourage Hikaru. "Hmm … but which university do you want to go to?”

“Hmm, my target is of course Keio or Waseda University. But, to be honest I also want to try to enter university in mom’s home country, England. Isn't that cool?" Hikaru smiled at the thought of himself going abroad to continue his education.

"What?" His parent said that word at the same time. It seemed that Hikaru had great success in making his parents feel so shock today.

***

[to be continued]