Yet in the next moment, Ken leaned forward and wrapped his arms around his father tightly. Instantly, Yuki's hand moved up to her mouth as tears began to well up in her eyes.
Chris was full of shock as he felt his son's strong arms wrap around him. He stood up and hugged him back, feeling his emotions bubbling to the surface.
He just wanted to be a good father to his kids and a good husband to his wife.
"It's okay to ask for help Dad… We all look out for each other okay?" Ken said, patting his father on the back.
Hearing these words from his son seemed to spark something within Chris, causing him to get choked up. He was embarrassed, but he was also filled with pride for the son that he had raised.
"Mmm."
***
"Morning…" Yuki said, seeing him come down the stairs.
She was clutching her coffee with both hands and taking sips, part of her morning ritual. They often met like this in the mornings before Ken's workout.
Ken let out a long yawn, before responding with a few grunts.
Ever since this whole situation happened, he'd been having a hard time falling asleep at night. This in addition to not having Mika's sleep protocol made everything even worse.
'Just 5 more months…' He thought, heading towards the door.
"Run…" Ken mumbled, receiving an acknowledgment from his mother.
He returned over an hour later, dripping with sweat, yet he felt invigorated. Ken had continued to push his new limits, trying to make a breakthrough once again, though he knew it would take more than just a few days to complete.
His mother was already in the kitchen, returning to her chirpy self.
"How was your run Kenny?" She chimed, flashing him a smile.
"Good thanks. I'm gonna go shower." He replied, heading towards the bathroom.
Yuki scrunched her nose as Ken walked past, smelling the scent of his hard work.
Ken returned to the kitchen after getting ready, only to see his mother pointing back up the stairs.
"Put some deodorant on…" She ordered.
"But I already did."
However, she wouldn't take such an answer, forcing him back upstairs.
It wasn't that Ken smelled bad, just that he would sweat a lot. Things were a little better in winter, but it was currently the start of Autumn, meaning the heat had yet to fully dissipate.
"Where's Dad?" Ken asked, looking around the place.
"He's still sleeping. It seems like the last few days have really taken a toll on him."
His mother's face showed a trace of worry, but she quickly snapped out of it and sent him a soft smile.
"Have some breakfast and don't forget your lunch." She stated, gesturing towards the dining table full of food.
"Thanks Mom."
After a filling meal, Ken sat back in his chair and massaged his stomach. He hoped they would still be able to afford to feed him with the amount of calories he needed to consume with all the extra training.
He quickly threw the thought out of his mind and grabbed the lunch his Mom handed him before heading out the door.
"I'm off."
"Take care."
With that, Ken made his way to the train station on his way to school. His thoughts were preoccupied with last night's discussion.
It truly was an emotional night for all of them, but he felt that they were stronger as a family because of it. Sometimes there needs to be discourse in order for everyone to come closer together.
The only thing that he was still unhappy with was keeping everything a secret from Daichi. Part of him understood what his father was saying, but it just didn't sit right.
Ken let out a sigh, "I guess we'll see what Grandpa says…" He muttered.
Around an hour later, Chris woke up from his sleep in and tottered into the dining room. Last night was the longest sleep he'd had in many years, making his body quite stiff and sore.
"Hi honey, how are you feeling?"
Yuki's expression brightened as she saw her husband walk into the room. She walked forward and planted a kiss on his cheek.
"Mmm, I'm good." He responded before seeing the breakfast on the table.
He walked over and took a seat, only for Yuki to place a fresh coffee on the table in front of him.
"Thank you dear."
For a fraction of a moment, Chris felt like he could get used to this treatment staying at home everyday. However, he quickly let out a self deprecating laugh and shook his head.
If he didn't go out and work, they wouldn't be able to afford to live like this anyway.
Yuki joined her husband at the table and they ate together in silence for a while, enjoying each others company.
While they were in a bad predicament, there was a part of her that was looking forward to spending more time with her husband. For so many years Chris would work and travel, yet now she had him all to herself.
"Dad will be at the airport tonight." Chris said in the midst of eating.
"Mmm. Are you okay about it?" Yuki asked, her voice filled with concern.
Unlike Ken, she had more insight into her husband's reasons for not wanting to burden his father. Since they had been married for almost 16 years, it made sense that she would know such things.
"Heh…"
Chris couldn't help but let out a chuckle in response, his face turning up into a smile.
"He's really grown huh? Did you see him stand up to me last night?" He asked.
Yuki tilted her head in question, not expecting this kind of reaction from her husband. Usually men would not take such things lightly, yet Chris was able to do so and even accept his own flaws.
This was one of the many reasons that she fell in love with this man.
"Mmm. He's really turning into a great man… Just like his father." Yuki said with a bright smile.
Chris turned to his wife and couldn't help but grin.