***
Later that day, Chris walked through the door of his home with a look of disbelief plastered on his face.
"Welcome home."
Yuki's smiling face greeted him at the entrance, though her expression changed a moment later after noticing her husbands weird actions.
"What is it honey? Did it not go well?"
A look of worry appeared in her eyes as she surveyed him.
It was almost 5pm now so she had assumed everything had gone well at the office, otherwise he would have called her. Yet it didn't seem like it.
"Dad? What's wrong?"
Before he had a chance to answer, both Ken and Daichi peaked their heads around the corner and asked together.
Seeing his family's concerned expression, Chris quickly snapped out of his mood and took his shoes off.
"I'm okay, we'll chat about it tonight after dinner."
His words were firm, using the tone he usually reserved for serious moments. The others looked at each other briefly with questions in their eyes.
Yet Chris didn't elaborate. Simply giving his wife a kiss and entering the hearth.
"I'm gonna go shower."
He then walked up the stairs and left his wife and kids to guess what the heck was going on.
After a painstaking 1 hour wait, Chris finally returned to the dining room just in time for dinner to be served.
He acted like normal throughout dinner, asking the boys how their day was and talking about anything and everything that didn't involve his own day.
Even Yuki who was asking a few leading questions was stonewalled.
Eventually, the 3 gave up in their pursuits for answers and just focused on their delicious meal. Chris had said that they would discuss it after dinner, so they decided to wait for him to bring it up on his own.
Only after everyone had finished eating and the dishes had been put away did Chris finally address his family.
"Everyone, please take a seat. It's time we talk about what happened today."
Chris's words were serious, prompting everyone to sit in silence, waiting for him to continue.
"Firstly, I'll confirm that I did resign from the position of Foreign Adviser effective immediately."
His words cause Ken to let out a small sigh of relief. He was worried that his father might have been coerced into keeping his job for whatever reason.
However, it seemed like there was more to the story.
"But… I've been given another opportunity elsewhere. Unfortunately it means I'll have to leave for America in around 2 weeks time."
"What?"
Ken felt a hint of frustration. Didn't his father leave the Foreign Adviser position because it forced him to go overseas all the time? What was the point in resigning if his next job would do the same.
It wasn't just Ken who had a look of disapproval on his face, both Daichi and Yuki looked as if they had swallowed a fly.
Chris moved his gaze around the 3 and couldn't help but let out a peeling laughter.
However, he was quickly forced to stop when he saw Yuki's expression darken.
"Did you just play a prank on us?" Daichi said, his eyes drooping in annoyance.
Chris shook his head, "No, I'm serious. I'll still be going to America."
Now everyone was just confused. Was it really such a laughing matter that he needed to go overseas once again?
"But… You'll all have the opportunity to come with me." He said, grinning ear to ear.
"Huh?"
"Say what?"
Even Yuki tilted her head in question.
Chris once again chuckled in amusement, as though he was the only one who got the joke.
"I met with an older fellow today just after my meeting with the commissioner. He is a bit eccentric, but he's a genius no doubt."
"You might have heard of him… Hajime Takashi."
Ken's eyes widened in recognition, almost not believing his ears. However, both Yuki and Daichi looked like lost lambs, having no idea of who Chris was referring to.
"T-The Hajime Takashi? The Head Coach for the National Team?" Ken asked, feeling his body heat up in excitement.
Daichi's ears perked up when he heard the words National Team. Suddenly Ken's exaggerated reaction made sense.
Chris shook his head.
"He's now the Under 18 National Team coach since he wanted to focus on training the younger prospects. He told me that he finds it difficult to train those who have played professionally already."
The gears in Ken's mind began to turn, putting the pieces of the puzzle together.
If he wasn't so shocked at the name drop, he would have likely figured it out long before with his improved mental capacity. It seemed that the gradings weren't so infallible after all.
"So what does meeting this Hajime Takashi guy have to do with you going to America?"
While Ken was deep in thought, his mother spoke up. She was getting tired of the back and forth and just wanted to know what was going on.
It seemed that Chris understood where she was coming from because he quickly cleared his throat and got to the point.
He corrected his posture briefly before letting out a grin.
"You're looking at the new Assistant Coach and scout for the U18 Japanese National team."
"EH!?"
Ken's eyes went wide and his jaw slackened as he stared at his father. Even Daichi with his limited amount of knowledge outside of High School baseball knew how impressive being a National team coach was.
Yuki frowned, "Is that a full time job? Isn't the National team only active a few times a year?"
Chris nodded, though he seemed a little disappointed about her reaction.
"Coach Takashi said that he'll be able to set me up with another coaching gig when the National Team isn't active."
"But Dad. What did you mean when you said we would have the opportunity to come to America with you?" Daichi asked, still confused on how the two things were related.
"Hehe. You've both been invited to the National Team tryouts in a few days time."
Chris's face was full of pride as he said these words. He would have felt awkward if he'd mentioned it to Coach Takashi, but that guy was the first one to bring up both of his sons.
"National Team tryouts…"
Ken felt his whole body jolt with excitement.
'I can't wait…'
Volume 2 - End