anakiddwrites

Mika has a bonding moment with Shu's Grandfather and receives a surprise from hometown. Christmas is coming and so is his birthday!

The dinner started peacefully, considering the enthusiasm of the main guest. Thankfully the grandpa didn’t pester Shu and Mika too much, except for a casual comment about them taking their time to leave the bedroom. Fortunately, the entrance of the star of the party shifted everyone’s attention.

“Look at this beautiful piece of art! Shu, doesn’t that inspire you too? Thank you so much, my sweet daughter!” He applauded effusively as the Mom proudly placed the lamb in the center of the table before taking her seat.

“It’s a piece of a dead animal.” Shu huffed, deadpan, earning a kick under the tablecloth and a piercing gaze from his mom’s deep blue eyes. He fixed his posture very fast. “B-but of course, culinary is an art in itself. I’m aware of this. And Mom always excels at it.”

“Oshi-san, it’s smellin’ real good!” Mika giggled on the seat next to Shu, bowing his head to mom. “It’s amazin’ as always ye, ehe ~ ♪”

“And it’s not the only amazing one ~ ♪” Sara arrived right after, twirling before settling the takoyaki dish on the table too. “Praise me too, Kagehira-kun ~ ♪”

“Nnnah….!? I-it really smells like home… t-thank ya kindly, Onee-sama… ~” Mika smiled timidly, doing his best to not become too emotional. Shu’s hand discreetly squeezing his own under the table sure was helpful.

Little by little, they were learning to figure out the perfect timing to comfort each other.

“Ah, even my sweet Sara graced us with a special dish today ~ ♪ this old man couldn’t be more grateful…!” The grandfather wasn’t able to hide a hint of emotion behind his enthusiastic gestures, and Mika was actually fascinated with him right now. It was like he really had become ten years younger since the last time they met.

The perspective of reaching old age like that, surrounded by loved ones, enjoying his favorite food and mind free from heavy worries, never had been in Mika’s plans for the future. Well, any future was barely taken in consideration… until now, when the clear picture was unfolding before his eyes and intertwining between his fingers.

“Mika-kun, what are you staring at? Eat more, eat more! Sara’s tako is a unique blessing!”

Mika’s inner musings were disrupted by a full plate handed to him by the grandpa, followed by a quick wink and a smile like he knew the boy’s reasons to be spacing out. Looking to the side, he also met Shu gazing at him fondly, as if he was thinking the same way as well...

But that would be just the wishful thinking of a whipped boyfriend, right?

“It sure looks good.” Shu smiled, suddenly picking a tako from Mika’s plate and eating it himself. “Hm, you sure didn’t lose your touch, Onee-sama.”

“Anything and everything for my little brother ~ I’m talking about Kagehira-kun, of course ♪ Back off Shu, you had your time.”

“At least he had some time…” The older brother finally spoke up suddenly, adjusting his glasses. “Meanwhile I’m fated to be the middle brother forever…”

“Oh-oh. Do you think I forgot you, Onii-sama? Should I treat you as youngest and spoil you in your birthday?~ ♪” Sara giggled, winking at the quieter brother. “I’m fine with it, just tell me what you want!”

“I wouldn’t mind.” Shu looked to the side, pouty. “I’m not a child anymore, after all… now what is up with all these looks? Do you have anything to say? Kagehira, why are you grinning like a fool as well?”

“Nevermind, Oshi-sannnn ~ ♪ I was jus’ thinkin’ yer adorable as little brother, that’s all ~♪”

“A-ado…!? H-hunf!” Shu gasped, taken by surprise and focusing on his own plate to avoid the embarrassment. “Y-you're already on their side, huh?”

“Sorry, sorrey~ whehe…” Mika bounced a little, timid but grateful for managing to talk and laugh together with everyone naturally. The warm smile from the old man at the head of the table sure helped to make him feel welcome and part of the celebration.

Once the dinner came to an end, Shu and the Father were assigned to do the dishes. Mika would follow them to the kitchen, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him and he turned to meet the large smile of the grandfather again.

“Would you care to come with me for a minute, Kagehira-kun?”

He led Mika to a silent hallway in the back of the house where the boy had never been before, opening a rusty door to reveal a staircase towards a floor below them.

“Waahh?” Mika’s eyes widened, not of fear or hesitation but out of pure surprise. It finally clicked, he had heard about that place. “G-Grandfather, is that…?”

“Shu-kun and Mademoiselle-chan told you about this place?” He opened a satisfied smile, crossing hands behind his back. “I figured they would… ♪ That makes things easier, so just follow this old man!”

“A-ah, w-wait…??!” Before Mika could protest, he was being nudged downstairs without a second thought. “Is… i-is it really okie fer me to be here??”

“T-this is… yer basement, after all...”

“I like the tone in your voice, Kagehira-kun ♪ It shows you know how special this place is for me and for Shu too... So you’re more than welcome here as well. Truth is, I’m very relieved I could bring you here in person, so bear with this old man a bit more, please? ~♪”

The tone of his voice turned so kind that Mika found himself at loss of words, just nodding and following suit. Hopefully the dim lights would hide his eyes already tearing up - and little Mika knew that was the same for both.

“And here we are!” The grandpa turned the light on once they arrived at the basement, revealing a unique sight to Mika’s eyes. Even if Oshi-san and Madonee talked about the place, not even Shu’s speeches could describe it fully if you didn’t get to be there and feel the whimsical energy.

It was enough to make Mika forget the embarrassment and step further, driven to the colorful mess surrounding him like a butterfly fluttering to the light. Tapestries embroidered with intrincated patterns, wooden toys created one hundred years ago overflowing from treasure chests, a wall covered in clocks of all types and shapes, shelves full of curious and unknown objects and so much more. No matter where he looked, there was a wonder waiting to be found and a nostalgic scent in the air.

The grandpa just approached him discreetly, placing a hand on his shoulder and exchanging a silent look. He didn’t need to ask if Mika was enjoying the place, it was written all over his face. Gently, he pushed the boy forward to walk around further and see everything he wanted, without rush. It had been too long since any kid had been invited there, so the old man was enjoying every second of his discoveries too.

“... this… this is not japanese, ne…?” Mika finally released a whisper, as if loud voices would break the magic of the moment. He was staring in awe at a doll sitting on a frilly red pillow, wearing an adorable green dress embroidered with flowers and blue ribbons tying her long twin blonde braids. She was very different from Mademoiselle except for the size, but Mika felt they could be cousins.

“Yes, exactly. Little Antonina came all the way across the ocean from the idyllic landscapes of Eastern Europe. Even further than Shu’s endeavours, you see? ~ Ah, the memories from such days… ♪ ” He carefully picked up the doll and handed her to Mika, who accepted it like the most delicate treasure in the world.

“Grandfather travelled lots durin’ yer life, ne?” Mika embraced the doll gently, smiling to her and then looking around fascinated. “So lots of things here came from all parts of the world…?”

“Oh, yes… pretty much. I’ve been building this collection, let’s call it like this, for my entire life ♪ Some may say I have a hard time letting go of random stuff, but well… it’s my treasure, you see? ~”

“Nnnnha... I kinda get it… I think...”

“I’m sure you do, Kagehira-kun ♪ We have that in common, hm?”

“Wah? I-I mean, I just scavenge garbage, nothing fancy and important like this… I can’t even compare…!”

“Oh? Well, the difference between what is ‘garbage’ and what is ‘antique’ is nothing more than arbitrary criteria created by people, rather than any law of nature or gods.” He petted the doll’s hair on Mika’s arms, feeling nostalgic. “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”

“... hmhm… And trash can be treasure too… I-I mean…!”

“Kakaka! No need to be so embarrassed! You can speak your mind.” He laughed out loud, patting Mika’s shoulder. “You know what... I like your version better, Kagehira-kun. I’m really happy I showed you this place… ♪ ”

“Nnnhaa!! I’m the one thankful for bein’ invited! Thank ya so much! I mean it!” Mika bowed a few times until the old man told him to stop and beckoned him closer, as if he wanted to tell him a secret.

“I’m glad you liked the visit, but there’s more to it. It’s Christmas after all. So here’s my present to you. Choose anything from this place, anything at all, and it’s yours. How about it??”

“Nnnhhhhggggeee???” Mika couldn’t avoid a weird surprised noise at that proposal. “A-anything? F-from Grandfather’s basement? N-nnaah, I c-can’t, that’s…! Ah...”

Mika blinked, frozen in place by the man’s intense but lovingly gaze staring at him like Santa Claus himself. He didn’t even have to say anything to drive the boy to happy tears, and soon a tight hug was on the way to ease at least part of that overwhelming feeling.

“There’s a few days until Christmas’ Eve. You can come back more times and choose calmly, how about it?”

Mika nodded, buried in the grandpa’s arms and at loss of words. It felt too good to be true, but everyone else was telling him already… to get used to it. And the last he could do was accept the fact he wanted to get used to it as well.

“T-thank ya… kindly… I mean it...”

“I know you do, my child. ~ ♪ And thank you, too.”

The days until Christmas’ Eve passed so fast that when Shu knocked on Mika’s door claiming it was the morning of 24th, the boy almost tripped from bed with loud noises. At least that earned another dramatic entrance and Shu fussing over him early on, which wasn’t a problem at all.

“You’re smiling too much for someone who just screamed, Kage… Mika.” Shu raised eyebrows, still feeling his cheeks rosy while working on picking up a first name basis. But at least Mika was no different.

“Nnnhha, Osshh...ss-Shu… it’s jus’ nice ta see ya first thin’ in da mornin’, whwehe… It’s temptin’ ta doin’ it more ~”

“Now, don’t. I don’t wanna have a heart attack before 30… n-now get up, we have another busy day ahead us… I already took a shower, since I was awakened two hours ago by Wataru’s dove on the window… honestly, he’s just becoming more unhinged instead of calming down, so I fear for upcoming years.”

“Wehehe, it’s his style, ne? But a dove..?”

“She came to deliver our gifts. It’s under the tree now to be opened with others… there’s also a letter for you and I, since asking him to call like a regular person is too much.”

“Wehehe, I’m not surp… AH?!” Mika stood up suddenly, almost making Shu lose balance. “C-call! Call! What am I doing, waaaah??!!”

“Kagehira, what is it now? If you don’t stop fussing around, you’re the one who’s going to have a heart attack before 30!” Shu huffed, but held the boy’s hands and brought him close, kissing his forehead and earning a silly large grin as he instantly calmed down.

“Now. What about calls?”

“Wehe… ah!! Yes, call! I still didn’t call my siblings for Christmas! Nnnhaa, last year everythin’ was a mess but now I have no excuses…. I shouldn’t have forgotten…”

“Well, you just remembered and it’s still early, so call them before lunch, hm?” Shu slowly guided him out of the bedroom by hand, trying to sound reassuring. “You can use my tablet, the webcam and sound are better than your old phone.”

“Thank ya kindly ~ ♪ Wehe, Oshhh..Shu’s all tech savvy now, I’m so proud ~ ♪”

“Q-quit with the teasing…! I was just forced to use it regularly, so naturally I’d get better at it…” Shu blushed, but smiled and kissed Mika’s cheek without warning, earning more noises from him.

“After all, someone in Japan couldn’t last a single day without hearing my voice ~”

“Hhhhhhggggaaaaaa!! Oshi-san’s teasin’ so early in the mornin’ ! Unfair!!!”

“I’m getting better at it too, so praise me more… my Mika. ~ ♪”

After breakfast, Sara dragged Shu for a Christmas shopping emergency - as far as Mika listened, something related to her shoes for the night. That was an opportunity for some quality time between brother and sister too, so Mika was fine with staying at home and dealing with other things… After all, he still hasn't chosen his gift from the special basement.

“Today’s the last day… I gotta make a decision soon… get yerself together, Kagehira. Fer Grandfather.” Mika poked his own head and sighed, heading to the bedroom again. “But first, gotta call, call ~♪”

Mika couldn’t stop grinning while getting comfy on his bed and turning on the tablet, excited to talk to his family at hometown. As soon as he showed up online though, he was the one to receive a call from them and immediately picked up, of course.

“Nhha, it’s really everyone!!! Hello, hello! Maruo-chan, Koko-chan, Tama-chan, Lala-chan, Tamao-kun, Ana-chan, Ichiro-kun… everyone’s there! Wahh, yer all cramped in front of the camera… let’s shift places with the ones behind there later, hm? I wanna see everyone!”

“Excuse me, excuse me kids.. there we go. Mika-kun!” An adult voice came from the device, and soon an adult woman took place in the center of the screen, smiling largely.

“Ama-Onee-sama!” Mika bounced forward on bed, excited like he was a five year old too. “Yer lookin’ good! Merry Christmas! Nnhaa, thank ya fer callin’, I was about to!”

“You’re looking very happy too, Mika-kun! Great to see… ah, first of all let me thank you and Itsuki-kun for donating a new computer for the kids! They are thrilled as you can see ~”

“Nah, donatin’ is such a formal word, ne? We’re family, so it’s a gift. I’m more than happy to support y’all in any way… as myself and Valkyrie, too!” Mika’s eyes fired up with pride and determination, causing the caretaker’s voice to become more emotional too.

“Mika-kun…” She wiped a stubborn tear before the other kids realized. “You’re really an angel… and seeing you happy is…”

“Onee-samaaaa!” The kids interrupted the moment, jumping around restless. “We gotta do that! We gotta, we’re ready!!!”

“I know, I know! Stay quiet for a moment, hm? The thing is, Mika-kun… the kids are all fired up because they have a surprise awaiting. Since we couldn’t spend this year’s holidays together, they worked their best to convey their love for you and show how they miss you… So are you ready for both Christmas and birthday presents?”

“S-surprise…? What’s happenin’…?”

“Mika-nii!!” One of the older kids took the lead at center, followed by the others around him. “We been trainin’ lots ta show ya somethin’ real good! We’re not real idols... yet, but! The Music Ward is doin’ their bestest! And it’s all thanks ta ya!!”

Helped by the caretaker, the kids managed to show up organized in front of the screen like some kind of choir formation, under Mika’s curious eyes. Suddenly they pulled blue and white capes on themselves in quite good sync, throwing hands in the air and declaming in one voice.

“The Music Ward presents today!! Our very first performance!! Wings fer Mika-nii!”

Mika’s jaw dropped and he pulled the screen closer to his eyes in awe and surprise, watching the careful and energetic dancing and singing the kids had prepared just for him. A christmas song about “the birthday of the best older brother in the world”, that moved him to tears from start to end.

“Y’all.. y’all… nnnaaahhh….. yer got me t-there fer g-good...” He tried to get it together, but the tears didn’t stop flowing. Once again he found himself crying a lot in the holidays, but now for the best possible reasons.

“Mika-nii, yer cryin’ ! Ahhh, did it suck?? It’s not as cool as Valkyrie, but…-”

“Of course it didn’t suck, my little one!” Mika laughed amidst tears, placing the tablet on the support to applaud it properly. “Yer make Mika-nii so, so proud! I’m cryin’ ‘cause I’m overwhelmed with feelin’s, exactly what a performance shoulda’do! And yer did that fer me… Ah, I love y’all so much… I’m so full of happiness...”

Mika scratched his hair, laughing at himself. They were getting better and better at showing him how much he was loved every single time. Such powerful kids that could make any insistent thorn disappear or at least hide in embarrassment.

“Ama-Onee-sama, did ya record it? I wanna show off ta Oshi-san! He’s out with his sister now…”

“Hmhm, of course I did ~ ♪ We want to show off to him too. Is it all good with you two?~ ♪” Her tone and smirk made obvious she wasn’t talking about work or idol activities, making Mika blush a little and hold gently the key necklace, answering with a soft hum.

“Better than ever… ~ ♪”

They still talked for a whole hour after the performance, Mika almost losing track of time. There was a lot to catch up, but he was grateful they could stay in touch easily now - and slowly becoming one big family, knowing Shu was getting closer to them too. Perhaps even Grandfather could visit his hometown sometime… Mika would keep this idea in storage for the near future, the perspective already warming his heart in anticipation.

After the call, he felt refreshed and free of most worries and burdens left. Judging it was the perfect timing to finally make the choice Grandfather entrusted him, Mika marched to the basement again with renewed determination.

… that’s reserved for the Christmas party in a few hours, though ~ ♪