Later that night, Ken and Daichi went out for a run together. He had also been shocked that Ai's parents had suddenly moved in and vowed to find a place to live as soon as humanly possible.
"You don't have to do that bro." Ken told him.
Now that they had been promoted to the Major League, they were both on the minimum salary of $700k USD per year. However, Daichi did not receive much of a signing bonus since they used the posting system.
Much of the bonus the Ligers paid was sent directly to the Hanshin Tigers who held Daichi's contract.
"If you want a decent house, let me know and I can help buy it outright. Just pay me back whenever you can." Ken added. He didn't want his brother to suffer at any point if he was in the position to help.
"Thank you for the offer bro. I'll let you know if I need it." Daichi said giving him an appreciative smile.
"Good. If I hear you took out a mortgage for a house I'll kick your ass myself." Ken said, patting him on the back. "Come, let's go use my new sauna."
One of the biggest selling points for this house was the built in sauna and steam room. Ken had been looking forward to using it ever since he bought the house. Up until now, he hadn't gotten a chance.
As they walked into the house, Ken grabbed a couple of towels and handed one to Daichi before heading towards the Sauna. He had turned it on before leaving for his run, so it should be hot by now.
The two dressed down to their underwear and wrapped a towel around their waist before walking in.
"Hey it's the two boys! Come in, come in."
Ken's expression faltered. He saw Tetsu with his bare ass on the wooden bench inside the sauna with a dish towel covering his privates. The guy was gesturing for them to sit down, but Ken only felt a surge of anger.
As if sensing that he was going to explode, Daichi quickly stepped forward and handed Tetsu his own towel.
"Tetsu, you need to wear a towel around your waist in the sauna. It's common courtesy."
"Alright alright." Tetsu grumbled, taking the towel. He stood up, exposing his hairless and somewhat muscular body before wrapping the towel around his waist and sitting back down.
"Well? Are ya gonna sit down or what?" He asked Ken.
Ken breathed out deeply and tried to calm himself down.
'Bear with it… It will get better once we set ground rules…' He thought.
Not uttering a word, Ken walked over to the other side and sat down. He was a little annoyed that Tetsu used his sauna first, not to mention he was wearing nothing but his birthday suit.
Daichi returned after sourcing another towel. He took the seat between Tetsu and Ken, as if to be an intermediary in case things went south.
"Ken… I just wanted ta say thank you fer being so accommodating." Tetsu spoke after a few moments silence. His tone sounded genuine.
At his words, Ken was taken aback.
"Ta be honest, I thought ya would've been mad. I might be shameless, but I know what it's like ta be the head of a family. Havin' the in-laws crash at yer house isn't something ya want as a newlywed." Tetsu continued.
"But I had no choice. Naomi… She was starting ta become heartsick. All that time apart was affecting her health." He admitted.
Ken's eyes widened briefly, but he did not interrupt the man.
"So forgive me fer doing this to you, Kenny. Until we can find our own place around here, will ya let us stay?"
The question lingered in the sauna for a few moments while Ken pondered his words.
He had no idea that Naomi was being affected by Ai moving away. Though she still visited Japan every year, Ken could understand that it was not the same.
And what would happen if Ai were to get pregnant? She would no longer be able to travel to Japan, at least for a couple of years. A wave of guilt swept through him as he thought about this.
He had worked so hard to keep his family together when he was in High School. His dad would work away for months at a time, leaving his mother heartsick and alone. He had moved Heaven and Earth to convince his father to leave that job so he could work close to home.
If he were to reject Ai's parents, that would make him no better than a hypocrite. It would be like saying that only his own family mattered to him.
Ken let out a sigh. "It's fine. You guys are also my family, I could never turn you away."
He looked towards Tetsu who now wore a grin.
"I knew you'd understand Kenny boy."
Before he could react, the guy got up from the bench and threw himself at Ken, his sweat-soaked body pressing up against his own.
"O—OI! Get off me!"
Ken's nostrils were filled with musky sweat as he tried to fight off the grown ass man attached to him. After some struggle, he was able to pry himself away from the vice-like grip of the older man.
However, upon pushing him away, he realized that the guys towel had already dropped to the floor, revealing far more than Ken wanted to see.
"Damn it Tetsu! Put your towel on."
However, Tetsu puffed out his chest. "We're all men here, don't be ashamed of what God gave you boys."
"I'm leaving." Ken said, sitting up from the bench and making his way out of the sauna.
As he turned his back, Ken already knew what was going to happen next. He quickly dodged to the left, only for Tetsu to lunge forward, running into the door as he missed Ken. The guy knocked his head with a loud thud against the wooden door before falling to the ground.
The guy sprawled on the floor, his bare ass facing the sky as he was laid on his stomach.
"Is he okay?" Daichi asked with concern.
"He should be fine. Help me drag him into shower…" Ken replied with a sigh.