Ken, Chris and Yuki sat around the dining table in silence, their minds still reeling from the scandal they had just uncovered. Never in their wildest dreams would they have thought Daichi's past was so crazy.
Not even Daichi was aware of his circumstances, yet all 3 of them knew.
"What do we do now?" Yuki asked, breaking the silence.
"We should tell Daichi." Ken said. He wasn't sure how how his brother would react, but he didn't want to hide anything from him, not anymore.
Chris's expression changed a few times, as if he didn't agree with the idea.
"If we tell your brother what has happened, what do you think he'll do?" Chris asked seriously.
If Daichi found out that Chris had lost his job because he'd adopted him, there's no way he wouldn't feel responsible. It could also lead to him reaching out to Tetsuhiro and trying to sacrifice himself to save his family.
That's just the kind of person Daichi was.
Ken knew exactly what his father was insinuating and instinctively understood that he was right. Although it left a bad taste in his mouth, he could only agree right now.
"This is only temporary though. Daichi deserves to know what's happened, he's as much a part of this family as all of us." Ken stated, putting his foot down.
Both Chris and Yuki nodded, while the former felt a sense of pride welling from within. His son had truly matured and turned into an amazing big brother.
However, his expression changed once more as he let out a sigh.
"I'm going to have to work on my resume. I doubt I'll be able to get a job at a decent company, let alone a baseball club with the CEO of Suzuki Corporation breathing down my neck." Chris stated.
"It's okay honey, we'll work it out. I can pick up some work as well and share the load." Yuki said, placing her hand on his shoulder, comforting him.
Chris looked at her with slight sadness in his eyes. Since he'd been on a good wage for so many years, Yuki had not had to work once she'd had Ken. Her having to go back into the workforce made it feel like he'd failed his family.
Seeing his father's expression, Ken felt a lump in his throat.
"Ah, I forgot to mention…" Ken said, breaking up the atmosphere.
…
"EH!? Your Grandpa is coming here?" Chris shouted, not believing his ears.
"Umm, yeah. I called him last night after I found out about Tatsuhiro. I was going to tell you this afternoon, but I got too caught up and forgot." Ken admitted, feeling a little embarrassed.
Chris massaged his temples, feeling a little helpless.
It wasn't that he didn't want to see his father, just that he didn't want the man to see him in such a state. Ever since his mother died, he had seen the light fade from his dad's eyes.
It was at that point that he vowed to never make trouble for him. That's why he would never accept any hand outs from his father, no matter what kind of state he was in at the time.
"You really shouldn't have done that." Chris muttered, feeling his emotions in turmoil.
These words made Ken frown in response.
Ken was about to speak up, however his mother placed her hand across the table onto his own, trying to calm him down.
He looked at his mother and shook his head. While he was fine with holding his tongue at other times, he wouldn't do it tonight.
"Dad… You're being a hypocrite." Ken said, his voice firm.
Yet upon seeing his father slowly raise his head and look at him sternly, Ken felt a shudder. But he quickly puffed out his chest and found his backbone.
"What did you just say?" The repressed rage in Chris's voice spoke volumes of how much self control he had.
"Honey, he didn't mea—"
"I said you're being a hypocrite." Ken said, interrupting his mother.
Yuki sent him a look of shock, not expecting him to double down. Before she could calm her husband, Ken had once again disrespected his father.
"Oho? Why don't you enlighten me."
The deep tone and menacing expression on Chris's face was enough to make anyone feel a sense of danger, yet Ken had already thrown the first stone.
"You chastise me for holding secrets, saying that I should rely on you when it all gets too much to handle. You preach and preach, but when you're in trouble you won't reach out to your own father."
His voice was calm and his tone even, lacking the usual respect that he would show his father. As his words washed over the room, it was met with silence.
Until…
SMACK!
"THAT'S BECAUSE YOU ARE A CHILD! You are MY responsibility." Chris yelled, slamming the table and getting to his feet.
Ken managed to stay composed at the outburst. This was the first time that he'd heard his father raise his voice, displaying his anger for all to see.
But he didn't back down.
"So are you saying that I shouldn't reach out to you when I'm an adult? As soon as I turn 18 will you no longer support me?" Ken asked, his volume remaining the same.
The red hot anger that erupted from Chris quickly receded. He looked at his son who was calmly responding to him without an iota of fear in his expression.
He suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion wash over him, forcing him to slowly sit back down into his chair.
"You're right… I am a hypocrite." Chris admitted, his earlier anger nowhere to be seen. All that was left was helplessness.
At this point, Ken felt that his victory was not important. Without a word, he got up from his chair and walked over to his father, standing in front of him.
Yuki watched on nervously, not knowing what was about to happen.