CHAPTER 3

  A Night of Cooking and Reunion

As I stepped into the living room, my eyes landed on a huge basket of fruits sitting on the table. But more than the basket, it was the person beside it that caught my attention.

A huge smile spread across my face, my heart instantly feeling lighter.

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6:30 PM – A Battle with Onions

Tears streamed down both Kei and Yoshi's cheeks—not out of sadness, but thanks to the merciless onions they were chopping.

"Why the hell do we cry while chopping onions?" Kei sniffled, blinking rapidly.

"How the hell would I know?" Yoshi replied, his voice equally strained as he wiped his watery eyes.

Their dramatic moment was interrupted by Rina's teasing voice.

"If onions could laugh, they'd be rolling on the floor right now watching you two suffer," she said, smirking.

Kei turned to glare at her, holding up his knife. "Hey, monkey! Don't even think about disturbing us, or I—"

"Or what?" Rina crossed her arms. "I actually came here to help, but if you two are just going to bicker with me—" she pouted.

"Kei, shut up already. Rinu~ help me with these," Yoshi cut in, clearly done with the nonsense.

At that moment, Kerin, who had been standing there the entire time, finally spoke. "Kei babe… need some help?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Kei flashed her a smile. "Yeah, can you pass me the salt?"

Kei and Yoshi both loved cooking, unlike Kerin and Rina, who could barely manage coffee and omelets.

Curious, Kerin glanced at Kei. "By the way, why are you both cooking today?"

Kei paused for a moment before replying.

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Flashback – An Unexpected Gift

Kei's eyes widened in delight as he stared at the basket of fruits. "Oh my god! Are these for me? Thank you so much, Aunt Haru! I love you so much!"

Yoshi's mother, Haru Morikawa, smiled warmly. "Of course, they're for my one and only Kei."

"So, what do you want for dinner tonight? We're having a party," she asked.

Kei shook his head. "No, tonight's dinner is on me!"

"You don't have to, baby. Just relax and have fun," Haru replied.

"It's been a long time since I've cooked something special. Please, Aunt?" Kei pleaded.

Seeing the determination in his eyes, Haru sighed. "Alright, but if you need help—"

"I'll help him, Mom," Yoshi quickly interrupted.

Haru chuckled. "Fine, do whatever you want, but it should be ready by 7."

"MOM, that's not fair!" Yoshi complained.

"Why not? Uncle Raiden will be here by 6:30. You have until 7," Haru said with an expression that clearly meant 'I can't do anything about it.'

Kei gave her a thumbs-up. "I'll do my best. Dad will love it for sure!"

---

Back to the Present

Once dinner was ready, everyone gathered in the garden connected to the balconies of both their house and Kei's uncle's house.

Just as they settled down, a deep voice spoke up.

"Wow… this smells amazing."

Kei turned to see his father, Raiden Matasuo, stepping into the garden after freshening up.

Before Kei could react, Raiden walked up to him, cupped both of his cheeks in his hands, and pressed a gentle kiss on his forehead.

"Many more happy returns, my baby," he said softly.

Kei's eyes widened in surprise. His heart clenched—not in pain, but in warmth. It had been two years since his father last showed this kind of emotion towards him.

Their relationship had never been smooth.

In the past, Kei always felt like his father didn't love him. After all, Raiden had sent him away to live with his grandparents when he was only three and a half years old. Kei only returned to his parents when he was seven—after his grandparents and uncle tragically passed away in an accident. Kei was the only survivor. He had spent months in the hospital, yet he had never once dared to talk to his father.

For years, they avoided each other.

It wasn't until Kei decided to attend Kyoto University that they started speaking properly again.

And now, here he was, feeling something he had never expected to feel from his father.

Love.

For the first time in years, Kei felt like a son.