"I'm home."
Ken stated after opening the door. As he was taking off his shoes, he saw a large pair causing his face to light up.
'Dad's here!'
In his excitement, he didn't realize that there was no response welcoming him home. After entering the house, his eyes were drawn to both his father and mother sitting at the table.
"Dad! Welcome home." He said with a smile, however after seeing the expression on his fathers face, it was quickly wiped off.
"Sit down Kenny." Chris said, pointing towards the chair on the opposite side.
Ken's mind raced, wondering what could have possibly happened while he was gone. Seeing the grave look on his fathers face, it couldn't be good.
His heart instantly felt tight as he thought of the worst.
"What is it? Is Daichi okay!?" Before he could even process what was going on, Ken jumped to conclusions, clutching his chest.
Chris and Yuki looked at each other and blinked a few times. Their faces softening a little after seeing how much concern Ken had for his brother.
"Daichi is fine. It's you who is in trouble." Chris responded, gesturing for him to take a seat once more.
'I'm in trouble?' Ken's face faltered for a moment, but he also let out a sigh of relief. Since he was an adult mentally, he would take responsibility for whatever he had done wrong.
Ken sat down at the table and looked at his parents, waiting for them to speak first.
His father tapped on the table a few times, something that used to bring him fear in his previous life. However, Ken could now understand that he was likely choosing the right words to say first.
After a few moments, Chris began to speak.
"I received an update on Daichi. He's doing well and will start at second base this season until he learns enough to switch to the catcher position."
"Wow that's great!" Ken exclaimed, pumping his fist.
Yuki who was next to her husband couldn't help but let out a muffled laugh, failing to keep the serious mask on her face. She of course was also happy for Daichi's success, but Ken's reaction even after being told he was in trouble was just too comical.
"Ahem." Chris cleared his throat, a warning to both his wife and Ken to remain on topic.
"Ah, sorry." Ken replied, straightening his back and keeping eye contact with his father.
"As I was saying. Naoki called me and told me some interesting information after telling me about Daichi… Is there anything you want to tell us Ken?" Chris asked, his face a perfect poker face.
Ken frowned for a moment. 'Naoki… Why does that name sound familiar?'
'Crap! That scout that offered me the scholarship.'
Ken felt his face heat up after being caught. He had forgotten that the scout knew his father personally and they would likely talk about Daichi.
There was no point in withholding anything now, so he decided to explain everything.
"I was offered a scholarship at Osaka Toin." He said simply. Since his parents already knew, they didn't have much reaction.
"So why did you lie?" Yuki asked, her previous stern expression reforming on her face.
'Technically I didn't lie. You just assumed that I had failed.' Ken thought inwardly, however by not correcting her it was just as bad as lying.
Before he could answer, Chris spoke up.
"I saw you when you came back home after tryouts, there was no way you were faking your disappointment. I've never seen you that crushed before." He said, his expression softening slightly.
A sullen expression formed on Ken's face, he was in a much worse state in his previous life after getting injured. However, it was because he knew what losing his ability to pitch felt like that he reacted in such a way.
"I was offered a scholarship on the condition that I give up on pitching."
"What!?" Chris stood up in shock.
Yuki too looked shocked. Ever since her son had started playing baseball in elementary school he had been obsessed with pitching.
Suddenly everything seemed to make sense.
"I tried to think about it on the train ride home, but the thought of giving up pitching was just too much. When you assumed that I had failed the tryouts, it just seemed easier to not correct you." Ken admitted, looking regretful.
"I was worried that if I told you all, you might try to convince me to take the scholarship anyway."
Chris looked at his son who had his head lowered and couldn't help but let out a sigh. He had thought of many possible reasons as to why Ken lied, but this was not what he was expecting.
After a few moments he sat back down and leaned forward, getting Ken's attention.
"I don't think you're wrong for declining the scholarship."
Ken's face morphed from surprise into happiness. Since he was distant from his father in his previous life, he was a little shocked at how supportive he was being. Of course it was only after he experienced being an adult that he could now relate to how his father acted.
"But… Even if you did not tell a lie, you purposefully hid the circumstances which is just as bad. Did you think that we would not support your decision?" Chris gazed at his son, their eyes making contact.
"Ken. You are a child, you're allowed to make mistakes. You're allowed to ask for help and rely on us as a family." As he said these words, he felt his throat tighten a little.
As a father he felt as if he had failed his son. He wanted to provide a safe space where both his kids were free to strive towards their dreams, where they can act like kids. A place to lick their wounds when they were hurt, and a place to celebrate their achievements.
"Perhaps I've been a little too preoccupied at work." Chris stated, a painful smile appearing on his face.
Yuki felt the pain in her husbands words and placed her hand upon his shoulder. She knew how hard he worked to ensure that they all could flourish.