Chapter 9
After Katashi went downstairs, Saira quickly went to her room and closed the door. Saira walked towards the bed and immersed her face into the pillow. Saira's face was beet red. Saira couldn't believe what is happening. She felt excited and amused. Saira pinched herself to check if it was a dream. When she felt the pain of her pinch she immersed her face into the pillow once again. Then, Usagi knocked on the door. Saira quickly looked at herself in the mirror, adjusted herself, and then opened the door. Usagi told Saira to dress up and make herself beautiful and not to come out of her room until she calls her.
Saira then remembered that Tadame has told her that they will throw a welcome party for her. Saira nodded her head and thanked Usagi. Usagi smiled brightly and quickly headed down to the living room downstairs.
Saira closed the door, after that she started to get prepared for her bath. Saira took a quick bath. She was worried that they would call for her while she is still in the bath, unprepared. Saira came out from her bath and started to dress up herself. Saira wondered what should she wear, and to what extent should she doll up herself.
Saira was worried that she would dress up so simple or so extravagant. At last, she decided to go with a simple and elegant Chanel black mini dress, French braided her hair, put on a cute pure white pearl hairpin, simple and elegant pearl earrings, and put on some makeup and perfume.
After she finished, Saira's phone rang. Tadame called Saira to come down to the living room. When Saira came out from her room everything was dark there were only small lights on the floor which lead her to the living room. Saira followed the lights and then when she arrived the lights switched on and
▫️Everyone: "Welcome Home~"
Yoshinori who Saira thought was going out was there and Taiyo Kobayashi, Tadame's husband, and Yoshinori, Katashi, and Usagi's father were there.
Though Saira knew that there will be a welcoming party, Saira was surprised. She felt heartfelt and was about to cry but held her tears back. She felt warm by this welcome party and gathering.
Taiyo walked closer to Saira and took a close look then nodded his head and gave her a welcoming present.
▫️Taiyo: " Welcome home, Saira-Chan, hope you can make yourself at home and make lots of beautiful memories with us my dear." Said with a fatherly loving smile. "Here, a welcome present for you, hope you like it."
Saira recognized Taiyo right away because she saw him in magazines. He is recognized as the king of Jewels and the owner of the top-selling jewels company. Saira was flustered not because he was famous but because he was Katashi's father. He looked like the future grown-up Katashi.
Saira calmed herself and controlled her mind and bowed politely.
▫️Saira: " Thank you and nice to meet you, I'm Saira Aoki."
Taiyo smiled warmly and nodded his head.
▫️Taiyo: " Yes my dear. It's an honor to meet you. (wink)"
"...does he know?" wondered Saira in her inner self.
▫️Saira: " No, the honor is mine." and bowed.
Taiyo smiled like a proud father and put his hand on Saira's shoulder.
▫️Taiyo: " You have grown up well my dear. If you need anything please depend on us from now on. We are all ready to help you."
Saira blushed lightly and thanked Taiyo.
▫️Usagi: " Dad that's enough it's our turn. Please move~mom dad is cheating on you!" said jokingly. Usagi started to complain about her father taking a long time to give Saira a present.
▫️Taiyo: " (Chuckled) Alright alright I'll move."
Everyone gave their present in turn with a welcoming heart. Saira bowed politely and thanked them once again.
▫️Tadame: "Ok, then let's all have dinner first, and then, Saira-Chan, would you like to open your presents with us or open them later by yourself?"
▫️Saira: " I'll open it with everyone."
▫️Tadame: " Then let's do that my dear."
Usagi asked Saira to sit beside her, so Saira did. Saira sat between Taiyo and Usagi and in front of Tadame.
Taiyo sat at the head of the table, on his right sat Tadame, Yoshinori, and Katashi. On his left sat Saira and Usagi.
▫️Taiyo: " I'm so happy to be surrounded by beautiful ladies today. For some reason I feel like our family is complete now." said with a bright smile.
▫️Tadame: "I feel the same. It's all thanks to Saira-Chan."
▫️Taiyo: "Yes, Thank you Saira-Chan for giving us this feeling."
▫️Saira: " (Blush) No not at all."
▫️Usagi: " Then Saira-Chan can just be with us forever, right! Kata-Oniichan?" said while smiling at Katashi.
▫️Katashi: " Why are you asking me that? It has nothing to do with me."
▫️Usagi: " Oniichan, you are stupid."
When Usagi said that, Saira's face became so red. The dinner passed with chatting and lots of laughs. Tadame and Taiyo told Saira to call them Aunt (Obasan) and uncle(Ojisan)
After the dinner, the whole family including Saira helped in tidying up the table. Tadame prepared some fruits, cupcakes, and tea before Saira opens their presents. She set the fruits, cupcakes, and tea on the table in front of the sofa where Saira was sitting, surrounded by everyone.
▫️Tadame: " Now, Saira-Chan, shall we start!"
▫️Usagi: " (chuckle) it feels like Christmas presents I'm so excited."
Saira started with Taiyo's present which was the latest model of the C brand digital camera. Saira was surprised she couldn't accept such an expensive present. She turned to Taiyo. Taiyo knew what she was about to say so he told Saira that she doesn't have to think so much about it and that he bought it while thinking of her and because he wants her to make lots of memories and take lots of pictures with them, therefore, she should accept it. Saira couldn't say anything but to thank Taiyo.
▫️Tadame: "Ok~ next is my present. Open it up Saira-Chan."
Saira opened Tadame's present which was a photo album and a diary.
▫️Usagi: " You are really a couple who complete each other." said with amazement.
Saira chuckled and thanked Tadame for her thoughtful present.
▫️Usagi: " Ok me next, me next!"
▫️Tadame: " Usagi-Chan, let's take it in order, it's Yo-Oniichan's turn."
▫️Saira: " Then how about Usagi-chan help me open Yo-san's present and I'll open Usagi's present, is that ok, Yo-San?"
▫️Yoshinori: " As long as you are ok with it, Saira-Chan."
Usagi and Saira opened the presents.
Usagi bought for Saira a sports sun hat and a hair now.
▫️Saira: " That's so cute, Usagi-Chan. Thank you so much. I like it."
▫️Usagi: " I did not know what to give you and I did not know who is coming so... I bought what I thought was cute. Glad you like it. And sorry if it was so cheap, my salary is not like Onii-Chan so..."
▫️Saira: " Not at all. I like it so much, it's cute, and the price is not important because it is from you Usagi-Chan."
Usagi blushed and hugged Saira. " I love you Saira-Chan!" said Usagi
Yoshinori bought the latest edition wristwatch from B brand.
Saira was surprised because it was so expensive.
▫️Yoshinori: " I did not know what to buy and just bought what I thought you might use. Please don't think about the price and except my sincere present."
Saira looked hesitant Yoshinori noticed Saira's hesitation so he told her that she can do him a favor whenever he needs Saira, this way she can repay him. At this Saira agreed and thanked Yoshinori. Finally, it's Katashi's turn. His whole family was curious and looking forward to what he prepared.
Saira opened Katashi's present and it was a cute seashells keychain. Once Usagi saw that she told her father to just exchange her salary with Katashi's salary.
▫️Usagi: " Dad, just give me Kata-Oniichan's salary. If I knew he would buy this I would have exchanged my salary with him to buy something better."
▫️Taiyo: " Well, I think it's romantic. If you give a keychain that means you share a special bond with that person."
▫️Katashi: " It's not like that, I did not even know who she was. I just thought she needs it for our house key...." the family kept teasing Katashi.
The truth is, Saira was alright with anything Katashi gives her. Suddenly, Saira's phone rang. It was her mother. Saira excused herself and picked up the call and walked to the glass garden room.
▫️Saira: "Mom? Have you arrived?"
▫️SM: " Umm... How are you doing? Is everything alright?"
▫️Saira: " Yes I'm good and everything is alright."
▫️SM: " That's good. Saira-Chan... Are you happy?"
▫️Saira: "... Mom, what's wrong? Why your voice sounds so tired? Are you alright?"
▫️SM: " Is that so? Maybe because of the long flight. Anyway, Take care and be good."
▫️Saira: " Yes, I know, you too, don't overwork yourself."
▫️SM: "umm... Sara-Chan... No never mind. I'll call you later. Bye-bye."
Saira's mother closed the line right away. Saira looked at her phone screen. She feels like her mother is hiding something from her because she acted weird just now. Usually, she would be so talkative, and so energetic. However, she thought maybe she is overthinking. Maybe it's because of the long flight as her mother said. " But still... What's this uncomfortable weird feeling..." Sara said in her inner thought.