After embracing Hiro for a while, Takashi cracked a joke about Hiro’s miraculous growth, “May be the time when I’ll have to raise my head to look at your face will come a lot sooner than my expectations.”
Infact Hiro had indeed grown up by more than 5 inches in less than a year. And it was all because of the body enhancing elixir and talents which he acquired via system.
Currently Hiro was almost 160 cm tall which even though wasn’t as ridiculously tall as compared to kids of Netherlands or some other countries with tall genes, it was still considered tall according to Japanese standard, considering he was only thirteen years of age.
Letting out a subtle smile, Hiro answered while releasing his father from his embrace, “May be in two or three years”
After that the two of them headed towards the taxi where the taxi driver was waiting for them.
While on their way, taxi driver questioned Hiro, “I heard from your father that you’re a football player. And I also heard that you play football for Kawasaki Frontale’s youth club. Don’t you find it difficult to stay away from your parents at such a young age?” 𝙡𝓲𝒃𝙖.𝙘𝓸𝒎
Without any hesitation, Hiro politely answered, “At first it was a little hard. But then again there are so many kids in the club who’s situation is similar to mine.”
Making such idle talks, they continued their journey back home.
**** ****
Finally after sometime, the taxi stopped infront of his house. Looking at his house through the window, Hiro’s face brightened as he softly murmured to himself, “Home sweet home.”
After that he stepped out of the car and stood straight infront of his house while staring at his house. His face solemn and his eyes brimming with happiness, he was very glad to be back.
Just then while he was staring at his house, his father called out to him after unloading his luggage from the car, “Why are you standing there staring at your own house like you’ve come to a foreign place? Head inside, your mother’s probably waiting for you.”
Even though his mother was aware about his arrival, neither Hiro nor his father had told her about their arrival time. In order to surprise her, his father had devised that plan.
Nodding his head, Hiro then slowly walked towards his house.
Ding!! Dong!!
As soon as the door bell rang, his mother immediately opened the door. As if she was eagerly waiting for his arrival infront of the door, she excitedly opened the door as soon as she heard the door bell.
Her eyes brimming with joy, her cheeks flushed, she was so happy to see Hiro that she immediately covered her mouths to prevent herself from screaming out of excitement.
Lifting the corner of his mouth, Hiro revealed a sweet smile as he cheerfully mumbled, “I’m back, mom”
Whenever he used to video call her during his stay at the hostel, she always used to nagg at him about things like- Are you eating well? Are you resting well? You shouldn’t train like a maniac and many other stuffs.
And although he didn’t mind her nagging since he knew that she was only worried about him, he still wished that she would talk about other stuffs rather than ask him such questions everytime he called her.
But now that he was facing her face to face after almost about a year, he could very well see the joy in her eyes and how much she had longed to see him.
Thus before she started crying, he immediately threw him up on her arms as he wrapped his arms around her back and embraced her.
Even while embracing him, the first thing she said was, “Did you eat?”
“Uh-huh” shaking his head, Hiro answered.
She then unwrapped her arms as she spoke, “Go freshen yourself. I’ve prepared your favourite dish chicken curry”
Hiro nodded his head as he released her from his embrace. At that moment, his father who had done paying the cab fare walked towards him and spoke, “Let’s head to your room first.”
After that his mother headed towards the kitchen while he and his father directly headed towards his room.
Posters of several players pasted in the walls, neatly folded blankets and thoroughly cleaned room, he could tell that his mother was taking good care of his room even during his absence.
Not even a spec of dust had accumulated in his wardrobe and tables. Even his room’s window was as clear as stream water.
The medals and trophies which he had accumulated during his elementary school years were neatly placed at the top of his cupboard.
Going through his stuffs, he smiled as he softly whispered, “The room is exactly the same as when I left for Kawasaki.”
Just when he was staring at the picture he had taken with his teammates when they had won the nationals trophy, he heard his mother’s voice.
“Hirooooo!! Come down quick. I’ve set the tables.”
Hearing her voice, he yelled back,”Coming mom”
After that he headed downstairs. And before heading towards the kitchen, he first went to bathroom to wash his face and hands.
“Come have a seat.” Spoke his father while sitting in one of the chair.
Hiro quietly walked towards the seat where he used to sit before he left for Kawasaki. And as he sat down, his mother served him food.
“You should eat a lot. Look how skinny you’ve got. Don’t they feed you well in hostel?” Speaking such, she served him a bowl full of rice, even more than what he used to eat previously.
Looking at the quantity of food served, he recalled Tatsuki’s words “Don’t come back looking like a pig”
And as he recalled Tatsuki’s words, a smile formed on his face, subconsciously.
Seeing him smiling without any reason, his mother squinted his eyes as she asked, “What’s so funny?”
As he heard her question, he helplessly looked at his father.
“Let him eat first.” His father spoke.
And as he spoke such, his mother rolled her pupils towards his father. Giving him side eyes, she looked at him coldly which immediately made him to shut his mouth.