Chapter 41:
Chapter 41 — Troubles & Training
My New Home
◽Three days later in JJ's backyard◽(Saturday, 23 July 2050)
JJ watched the girls train on the lawn with Yukio. 「So, Yukio, what do you think about them? They good?」Yukio {former Japanese Woman's National Team all-rounder} sighed patiently. 「For the tenth time, JJ, they're doing fine.」「Good. We need them to destroy the competition this autumn.」Yukio looked at him, perplexed. 「This is little Sunday league. What’s wrong with you?」
JJ grinned, a flash of malice in his eyes.
Yukio looked away dismissively. 「Forget I asked.」JJ chuckled. 「Don't worry, I'm just goofing around.」「Somehow I don't believe you.」 Yukio scoffed, though she softened when she looked at Shizuko on the field. 「Hey, JJ, be honest: are you turning your daughter into an all-rounder?」JJ stopped laughing and became serious. 「Yeah. I mean, she came out the womb built like me, so I’m sure Shizu can play any position on the soccer field.」 He looked pointedly at Yukio. 「Like someone else I know...」Yukio clenched her fists, bad memories flickering in her eyes. 「Are you sure you want to do that? It could hurt her...」JJ side-hugged her and patted her shoulder. 「Don't worry, Yukio. All of them are going through the same training, and...」 A touch of sadness entered his voice. 「I'm sorry for not saving you when you got hurt two years ago.」Yukio chuckled, surprised by the sentiment. 「Never thought the kid my friend works for would comfort me right now.」JJ chuckled back. 「Well, I never thought Haruka’s friend was the ace of Japan’s National team.」Haruka appeared behind them, clearing her throat pointedly. 「Good to see the coach and assist coach are so close!」JJ and Yukio were startled and quickly separated.JJ was momentarily nervous. 「Err... Haruka.」 He turned to face her. 「It's good to see you.」 He noticed the tray she was carrying. 「Oh, snacks!」Haruka was serious. 「Since all you’re doing now is using oxygen and carbon dioxide, make yourself useful!」JJ gave a nervous chuckle. 「I'll get to that.」 He went into the house.Haruka put the tray on one of the tables. As she and Yukio started setting the tables, she asked, 「So, Yukio, what happened two years ago?」「It's not something I like to talk about.」Haruka sounded concerned. 「I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be insensitive.」「It's okay. But just know if it weren't for JJ, then I wouldn't be here.」Haruka felt sad for her. 「Were you really going to take your own life?」Yukio looked confused. 「What? No! I mean I wouldn't be here as in coaching!」「Oh!」 Haruka giggled. 「Sorry about that, but you did sound like you were going to die!」 Both women started laughing.Jasmine walked up, joining their laughter. 「So what are we laughing about?」Yukio and Haruka instantly backed away from the tables. 「W-who are you?!」Jasmine giggled. 「Oh, me? I'm just someone JJ would rather not see on a bad day.」JJ came back out with four trays of food. 「Aunt Jasmine?」Jasmine turned to face him. 「Ah, Nephew!」 She giggled. 「Let Aunt Jasmine help you with those.」 She took the two trays from JJ’s left arm.「Thanks.」 They put the trays down and continued setting the table. 「You should've called, I would've picked you guys up.」「And lose the element of surprise?」 Jasmine chuckled. 「Yeah, I don't think so.」Haruka cleared her throat again. 「Um... JJ, is the lady who just randomly appeared really your Aunt?」「Oh, yeah, Aunt Jasmine does that a lot. But Haruka, Yukio, this is my mother's older sister, Jasmine Samuels-Adams, who’s married to Anthony Adams.」「It's nice to meet you, ladies.」 She looked at Haruka and giggled. 「Seems like his taste in women hasn't changed.」Haruka instantly turned red as a beet. 「What?!」JJ was nervous. 「Yeah, Aunt Jasmine, what do you mean by that?」「Don't you remember what you said when you were ten: 'When I grow up I'm going to date a married woman!'」 She burst out laughing. 「It was so adorable when you were little, but now you're just a problem!」JJ blushed out of sheer embarrassment. 「Mm.」 He moved away from the table.「It's good to see the kid hasn't changed a lot over the years.」Yukio: 「Was he always like that?」「Yeah, but the only difference is he was way more busier than he is now.」Haruka had calmed down. 「So, JJ... he...」 She looked at Jasmine, a little nervous. 「He didn't have a childhood—is that what you are saying?」Jasmine sighed. 「Yes. Even though my sister told me to raise her kids to be kids, I feel like I failed them—all of them...」 She looked at JJ walking back to the table with the girls. 「So it's good to see him relax, even if it's for a short time, because no child should see people they love die continuously...」Yukio: 【So that's what he meant that day when he said he's always tired.】「Hey, I'm back. Oh, everyone, take your seats.」 He noticed some of the girls whispering about Jasmine.Sora looked at JJ. 「Papa, who's that lady?」Jasmine: 「'Papa'? When did this happen?!」「Well, um... I got her mom.」 JJ looked at Jasmine, feeling embarrassed. 「Hey, Aunt Jas, you know I can see you trying to cover up that grin you're hiding.」Jasmine was snickering. 「I'm sorry, it's just, wow. Mother will have a field day with you when you're back in Militia.」「Can you please not tell Grandmother? Last thing is another lesson of moderation from Aurora Samuels...」Shizuko: 「Isn't that a good thing?」「Huh?」 Jasmine was trying not to burst out laughing in the background.Shizuko: 「I mean, it must be, right? Since you're the example of the greed they talk about in the Bible, Papa.」JJ was surprised. 「Wow.」Jasmine was laughing along with Yukio and Haruka.JJ pouted. 「Good to see that's funny to you guys!」Jasmine, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes, replied, 「I mean... she's not wrong!」「...」
◽Later at night◽
Miyeon spoke warmly across the large dining table. 「I'm so glad you could join us for dinner.」Jasmine giggled politely. 「Don't worry, the pleasure's mine, since I've always been curious about the harem Mary chose for JJ.」Anthony, sitting next to his wife, gently interjected. 「Honey, there's no need for serious talks at the table. There's a time for everything, okay?」 He winked at her.Jasmine blushed slightly. 「Alright, fine. I'll speak to them about it on another day.」Anthony caressed her cheek for a few seconds. 「Thanks.」Jiyeon was a bit shocked by the earlier comment. 「Say, JJ?」「Yes? We are sure. Which is unfortunate because I'm more like Uncle AJ than JD...」Eve {JJ's 12-year-old cousin} asked her father. 「So, Dad, what's that about?」Anthony chuckled. 「Well, there was a time your cousin was convinced that I'm his biological dad, which was funny, I'm not going to lie.」JJ chuckled. 「Well, I couldn't help it! I was so much like you, to the point where it's suspicious even now! Right, Aunt Jas?」 He noticed Jasmine was distracted. 「Um... Aunt Jas, you okay?」Jasmine, focused on something else, replied. 「Huh? Did you say something?」「Yeah, but it's not normal for you to be so distracted. If it's the food, then I can get you something else—」 Jasmine politely cut him off.Jasmine smiled at JJ. 「Nephew, remember what I told you.」「Oh, yeah, sorry.」 JJ inhaled and exhaled deeply. 「Don't jump to unnecessary conclusions.」 He clapped his hands once. 「So, Aunt Jasmine, what's the matter?」「Much better! Well, Nephew, it's nothing. I'm just thinking about your brothers and sisters who went back to Militia, that's all.」「Yeah, so how's the battle back home going?」Jasmine: 「Even though it took a while, we got the North-West and Free State provinces under our complete control. All those colonaaiers ha—」 Anthony loudly cleared his throat. 「Oh, sorry, I forgot there are kids here.」JJ chuckled. 「Don't worry, you can tell me after dinner.」Anthony smoothly changed the subject. 「Anyway, Zhang Mei, right?」Mei caught off guard by the sudden attention.「Yes, Mr. Anthony.」「You said earlier you’re working on a new song, and Michael is helping you, right?」「Yes, and honestly, he's been a great help.」「That's good to hear. Usually, a person would have to force them to do something...」Mei giggled, turning to look at JJ. 「Wait, is that true?」JJ chuckled. 「Yeah, there was a time that we were very hardheaded...」
Their night went on with laughter and the warmth of a family at peace and enjoying life. Their night passed joyously. Then, the next day came, and something particular was happening on America's East Coast.
JJ watched the girls train on the lawn with Yukio. 「So, Yukio, what do you think about them? They good?」Yukio {former Japanese Woman's National Team all-rounder} sighed patiently. 「For the tenth time, JJ, they're doing fine.」「Good. We need them to destroy the competition this autumn.」Yukio looked at him, perplexed. 「This is little Sunday league. What’s wrong with you?」
JJ grinned, a flash of malice in his eyes.
Yukio looked away dismissively. 「Forget I asked.」JJ chuckled. 「Don't worry, I'm just goofing around.」「Somehow I don't believe you.」 Yukio scoffed, though she softened when she looked at Shizuko on the field. 「Hey, JJ, be honest: are you turning your daughter into an all-rounder?」JJ stopped laughing and became serious. 「Yeah. I mean, she came out the womb built like me, so I’m sure Shizu can play any position on the soccer field.」 He looked pointedly at Yukio. 「Like someone else I know...」Yukio clenched her fists, bad memories flickering in her eyes. 「Are you sure you want to do that? It could hurt her...」JJ side-hugged her and patted her shoulder. 「Don't worry, Yukio. All of them are going through the same training, and...」 A touch of sadness entered his voice. 「I'm sorry for not saving you when you got hurt two years ago.」Yukio chuckled, surprised by the sentiment. 「Never thought the kid my friend works for would comfort me right now.」JJ chuckled back. 「Well, I never thought Haruka’s friend was the ace of Japan’s National team.」Haruka appeared behind them, clearing her throat pointedly. 「Good to see the coach and assist coach are so close!」JJ and Yukio were startled and quickly separated.JJ was momentarily nervous. 「Err... Haruka.」 He turned to face her. 「It's good to see you.」 He noticed the tray she was carrying. 「Oh, snacks!」Haruka was serious. 「Since all you’re doing now is using oxygen and carbon dioxide, make yourself useful!」JJ gave a nervous chuckle. 「I'll get to that.」 He went into the house.Haruka put the tray on one of the tables. As she and Yukio started setting the tables, she asked, 「So, Yukio, what happened two years ago?」「It's not something I like to talk about.」Haruka sounded concerned. 「I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be insensitive.」「It's okay. But just know if it weren't for JJ, then I wouldn't be here.」Haruka felt sad for her. 「Were you really going to take your own life?」Yukio looked confused. 「What? No! I mean I wouldn't be here as in coaching!」「Oh!」 Haruka giggled. 「Sorry about that, but you did sound like you were going to die!」 Both women started laughing.Jasmine walked up, joining their laughter. 「So what are we laughing about?」Yukio and Haruka instantly backed away from the tables. 「W-who are you?!」Jasmine giggled. 「Oh, me? I'm just someone JJ would rather not see on a bad day.」JJ came back out with four trays of food. 「Aunt Jasmine?」Jasmine turned to face him. 「Ah, Nephew!」 She giggled. 「Let Aunt Jasmine help you with those.」 She took the two trays from JJ’s left arm.「Thanks.」 They put the trays down and continued setting the table. 「You should've called, I would've picked you guys up.」「And lose the element of surprise?」 Jasmine chuckled. 「Yeah, I don't think so.」Haruka cleared her throat again. 「Um... JJ, is the lady who just randomly appeared really your Aunt?」「Oh, yeah, Aunt Jasmine does that a lot. But Haruka, Yukio, this is my mother's older sister, Jasmine Samuels-Adams, who’s married to Anthony Adams.」「It's nice to meet you, ladies.」 She looked at Haruka and giggled. 「Seems like his taste in women hasn't changed.」Haruka instantly turned red as a beet. 「What?!」JJ was nervous. 「Yeah, Aunt Jasmine, what do you mean by that?」「Don't you remember what you said when you were ten: 'When I grow up I'm going to date a married woman!'」 She burst out laughing. 「It was so adorable when you were little, but now you're just a problem!」JJ blushed out of sheer embarrassment. 「Mm.」 He moved away from the table.「It's good to see the kid hasn't changed a lot over the years.」Yukio: 「Was he always like that?」「Yeah, but the only difference is he was way more busier than he is now.」Haruka had calmed down. 「So, JJ... he...」 She looked at Jasmine, a little nervous. 「He didn't have a childhood—is that what you are saying?」Jasmine sighed. 「Yes. Even though my sister told me to raise her kids to be kids, I feel like I failed them—all of them...」 She looked at JJ walking back to the table with the girls. 「So it's good to see him relax, even if it's for a short time, because no child should see people they love die continuously...」Yukio: 【So that's what he meant that day when he said he's always tired.】「Hey, I'm back. Oh, everyone, take your seats.」 He noticed some of the girls whispering about Jasmine.Sora looked at JJ. 「Papa, who's that lady?」Jasmine: 「'Papa'? When did this happen?!」「Well, um... I got her mom.」 JJ looked at Jasmine, feeling embarrassed. 「Hey, Aunt Jas, you know I can see you trying to cover up that grin you're hiding.」Jasmine was snickering. 「I'm sorry, it's just, wow. Mother will have a field day with you when you're back in Militia.」「Can you please not tell Grandmother? Last thing is another lesson of moderation from Aurora Samuels...」Shizuko: 「Isn't that a good thing?」「Huh?」 Jasmine was trying not to burst out laughing in the background.Shizuko: 「I mean, it must be, right? Since you're the example of the greed they talk about in the Bible, Papa.」JJ was surprised. 「Wow.」Jasmine was laughing along with Yukio and Haruka.JJ pouted. 「Good to see that's funny to you guys!」Jasmine, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes, replied, 「I mean... she's not wrong!」「...」
◽Later at night◽
Miyeon spoke warmly across the large dining table. 「I'm so glad you could join us for dinner.」Jasmine giggled politely. 「Don't worry, the pleasure's mine, since I've always been curious about the harem Mary chose for JJ.」Anthony, sitting next to his wife, gently interjected. 「Honey, there's no need for serious talks at the table. There's a time for everything, okay?」 He winked at her.Jasmine blushed slightly. 「Alright, fine. I'll speak to them about it on another day.」Anthony caressed her cheek for a few seconds. 「Thanks.」Jiyeon was a bit shocked by the earlier comment. 「Say, JJ?」「Yes? We are sure. Which is unfortunate because I'm more like Uncle AJ than JD...」Eve {JJ's 12-year-old cousin} asked her father. 「So, Dad, what's that about?」Anthony chuckled. 「Well, there was a time your cousin was convinced that I'm his biological dad, which was funny, I'm not going to lie.」JJ chuckled. 「Well, I couldn't help it! I was so much like you, to the point where it's suspicious even now! Right, Aunt Jas?」 He noticed Jasmine was distracted. 「Um... Aunt Jas, you okay?」Jasmine, focused on something else, replied. 「Huh? Did you say something?」「Yeah, but it's not normal for you to be so distracted. If it's the food, then I can get you something else—」 Jasmine politely cut him off.Jasmine smiled at JJ. 「Nephew, remember what I told you.」「Oh, yeah, sorry.」 JJ inhaled and exhaled deeply. 「Don't jump to unnecessary conclusions.」 He clapped his hands once. 「So, Aunt Jasmine, what's the matter?」「Much better! Well, Nephew, it's nothing. I'm just thinking about your brothers and sisters who went back to Militia, that's all.」「Yeah, so how's the battle back home going?」Jasmine: 「Even though it took a while, we got the North-West and Free State provinces under our complete control. All those colonaaiers ha—」 Anthony loudly cleared his throat. 「Oh, sorry, I forgot there are kids here.」JJ chuckled. 「Don't worry, you can tell me after dinner.」Anthony smoothly changed the subject. 「Anyway, Zhang Mei, right?」Mei caught off guard by the sudden attention.「Yes, Mr. Anthony.」「You said earlier you’re working on a new song, and Michael is helping you, right?」「Yes, and honestly, he's been a great help.」「That's good to hear. Usually, a person would have to force them to do something...」Mei giggled, turning to look at JJ. 「Wait, is that true?」JJ chuckled. 「Yeah, there was a time that we were very hardheaded...」
Their night went on with laughter and the warmth of a family at peace and enjoying life. Their night passed joyously. Then, the next day came, and something particular was happening on America's East Coast.
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