Late Summer Serenade

It was a late night at the Kondo residence. Fuyuki had prepared a big dinner for Natsuki, so there was more than enough food for Masako as well. While Natsuki was gone, Fuyuki had faith that whatever she was doing, it was important to her and she would try her best to succeed.

And she did! Natsuki came home around 2 AM with a weary yet wide smile on her face. Fuyuki had been a little worried, so she stayed up until her sister made it back home safe and sound. When Natsuki arrived, Fuyuki leapt off the couch, only to see the Web Novel Club’s president there with her.

“Sorry for intruding,” Masako offered with a exhausted smile as she followed Natsuki inside. Fuyuki immediately ran a bath for Masako; by the time she finished, it was around 3 AM. But dinner hadn’t been eaten yet, so all three girls remained awake. Fuyuki cocked her head when she saw Natsuki and Masako eating like wolves - as if they hadn’t eaten a real meal in a week. Maybe that really was the case.

That took them to 4 AM. The big meal made Fuyuki crash - she wanted to stay up with these high schoolers, so cool and mature for their age, but the fight left her soon after the three sat down on the couch to watch the forgotten programming that aired in the wee hours of late night. Maybe it was early morning by that point.

Natsuki carried Fuyuki off to bed, then offered hers to Masako. Masako declined at first, but Natsuki reveled in her newfound ability to have a spine. And by that point, Masako was inclined to listen to her friend. From Natsuki’s point of view, it seemed like Masako fell asleep right as she hit her bed.

With that settled, Natsuki returned to the spot she had slept in for a week straight - the couch. In fact, outside of convenience store runs, Natsuki had spent the entire week on the couch, both while she was awake and asleep. It felt awful, but Natsuki felt so awful that it was just another dull pain in a vast sea of them. But, as 5 AM rolled around and the early-waking birds began their morning calls, Natsuki drifted off to her first peaceful sleep in a long time.

By 8 PM the next day - well, the same day, technically - Natsuki and Fuyuki gathered at their kitchen table, eating a meal cooked by Natsuki. They both glanced toward their shared room.

“I can’t believe she’s still asleep,” Fuyuki said. “It’s been fifteen hours now.”

Natsuki finished her plate. “Something tells me she hadn’t been sleeping right for a long time.”

Over Natsuki’s protests, Fuyuki grabbed both of their plates and washed them in the sink. “I’m proud of you, Natsuki. You saved a friend!”

Natsuki rubbed the back of her head, feeling heat rise in her face from being praised. “It was nothing. I didn’t really save her. I just sort of helped her out a little.”

Then she crossed her arms and went into big-sister mode. “And besides, I should be saying stuff like that to you. You’re the one who got me off that couch in the first place!"

Fuyuki had the same reaction appear on her face. Embarrassment over being praised ran in the family, apparently.

The two girls settled down to watch another Miyazawa Sparrows game. “I really think they have a chance!” Fuyuki exclaimed as the ballgame started. “I really think they can win the championship this year!”

“It’s been twenty-six years,” Natsuki reminded her. “But who knows? Never say never-"

Both girls stopped when they heard the sound of their door unlocking. Then they looked at each other. Shock flashed across their faces, but giddiness soon rose up, transforming into the biggest smiles possible.

Could it be? Could it really be?

Only two people besides Natsuki and Fuyuki knew the combination to their door.

The door flung open, and a tall man with gray hair barged inside. “NATSUKI! FUYUKI!” their father proclaimed at the top of his lungs, threatening to shake the apartment complex out of its foundations.

“Dad!” Fuyuki exclaimed. She vaulted over the couch and ran right into her father’s waiting arms. He scooped her up into the air, then spun, both of them laughing like a pair of madmen. In a fluid motion, he passed her off to her mother, a shorter woman who hid the gray in her hair with coloring. She did the same, spinning Fuyuki around, Fuyuki continuing to laugh while their mother smiled.

Mr. Kondo literally leapt over to Natuski, who had made her way around the couch. They hugged, relief washing over both of them, but then he grew serious. He placed a firm, fatherly hand on her shoulder.

“Natsuki,” he said neutrally, sinking to one knee to be at eye-level with her. “I-”

He paused; he wasn’t eye-level with her at all. He was looking at her neck. “You grew taller,” he observed in surprise.

Natsuki let out a giddy shrug. “It’s been a while.”

The last time he could go to one knee for a heart-to-heart had passed. Now, Mr. Kondo would stand at full height, since her daughter wasn’t exactly a kid anymore.

“Natsuki,” he began again. “Promise not to be angry with her, but Fuyuki texted us and said you had a girl over last night.”

Still hugging their mother, Fuyuki looked back at Natsuki guiltily.

Natsuki raised her hands. “I-it’s alright. It was the responsible thing to do. She wasn’t in the best shape.”

Mr. Kondo nodded. “I see. Now, as your father, I must say…”

Passion rose in his already booming voice. “I don’t care if your partner is a girl! But, boy or girl, you must treat her with the same amount of respect, you hear me! That girl has entrusted herself to you! Your mission in life should be to make her happy! Her smile should be the grandest sight in the world for you-”

“D-DAD!” Natsuki felt like her face was on fire, searing hot enough to burn the whole apartment down, her face redder than a ripe tomato ready to be plucked off the plant.

Mrs. Kondo gave their father a slight kick in the seat of the pants. “I told you, dear, it’s not like that. Natsuki was clearly looking out for a friend.”

Natsuki nodded vigorously.

The seriousness disappeared from Mr. Kondo’s face. “Oh, I see. And here I was, so excited to have a daughter-in-law.”

“It’s not like that!” Natsuki repeated, her face still a scarlet hue.

Mr. Kondo laughed and turned to face Fuyuki. “I heard you’ve been a real slugger recently.”

Fuyuki looked up at him with stars in her eyes. “We’re on a winning streak, Dad! I even got a triple the other day!”

Mr. Kondo ruffled her hair, then shared a brief, knowing glance with Mrs. Kondo. “Say, Fuyuki, your Dad’s about to go out and buy some dessert to celebrate our return home. Want to come along and tell me all about the season?”

Fuyuki had her fists balled into excited little fists. “Of course!”

She quickly began her recap of the entire season to him - beginning all the way back to her first practice that year - and the conversation carried them out the door and into the summer night.

That just left Natsuki and her mother. Fuyuki was the one who texted their parents about what was going on at home - Natsuki never did. She answered her parents’ texts when they came, but she never felt like initiating. Maybe that was childish of her to ignore them; maybe it was adult of her to realize parents shouldn’t just run off like that for months at a time.

Natsuki scratched her head; why did her mother look older now? More tired? Natsuki always had a grand picture of her mother, always waiting for this larger-than-life being to return home - but now, seeing her in the kitchen, Natsuki realized that she was human, too.

“Are you feeling alright?” Mrs. Kondo asked.

Natsuki looked away. “I’ve been alright.”

“Fuyuki told us you’ve been having some trouble recently.” To Natsuki’s surprise, Mrs. Kondo bowed. “We’re sorry for not being there for you.”

When her mother rose back to full height, another shock ran through Natsuki - since when had they been the same height?

“It’s alright,” Natsuki said. “I know your research is important to you.”

“You’re important to me,” Mrs. Kondo corrected. She slowly walked over and extended her arms to embrace Natsuki. For the first time in forever, Natsuki let herself collapse into those arms.

Except she didn’t. The last time for Natsuki to let everything wash away in the soft embrace of her mother’s love had come and gone, too. Natsuki was a different person now. Not bitter or anything. She would never reject her mother's love. But she didn’t need her mother to keep her standing up anymore. Natsuki had her own two feet now.

“Your father and I were in the wrong,” Mrs. Kondo began, her voice soft as she hugged Natsuki. “What were we thinking? Going off and doing what we wanted while leaving our own children alone. It was incredibly selfish of us. We should’ve been there for you.”

“It’s alright, Mom.”

“You know, we were supposed to be overseas for a few more months,” Mrs. Kondo explained, hugging her tighter. “But then we realized how badly we were failing as parents. You’ve been struggling this whole summer, yet I’m only here for you at the end of it.”

Mrs. Kondo ruffled her hair. “It’s alright now, Natsuki. You can let it all out. We want to help you however we can. I know you hate crying. But sometimes, you need to cry.”

Natsuki understood that lesson well now. When the moment comes, you just have to let it all out. But Natsuki had already let it all out. This wasn’t a moment where she was stopping herself from crying. She just felt no reason to.

“I’ve learned a lot this year,” Natsuki said in reflection. “Life’s not so tough once you get the hang of it.”

Mrs. Kondo smiled. “My little fighter. I’ve missed you so much.”

Natsuki closed her eyes and held her mother. “Me too, Mom. Welcome home.”

After a moment, the two let go, understanding each other a little better now. Her mother was more frail than Natsuki remembered; Natsuki had grown up and became a stronger person along the way.

As they began to talk about everything that had happened to them these past few months, the door to Natsuki’s room slowly opened. Masako emerged, rings below her eyes, her hair a complete mess, but she had pushed the loose strands off her forehead using a borrowed hairband.

“Sorry for interrupting,” Masako apologized in a sheepish tone. She pointed at her head. “And sorry for borrowing a hairband.”

Natsuki laughed. “I think it suits you. Oh, Mom, this is Masako. She’s the president of the club I’m in.”

Mrs. Kondo smiled at Masako. “It’s good to meet you. Thank you for taking care of my daughter this whole time.”

Masako ducked her head. “She’s been the one taking care of me.”

She gripped the side of her skirt. “I’m sorry for saying this in your own home, but…how the hell can you just go and run off like that? Natsuki and Fuyuki are your kids! And they’re some of the nicest people I’ve ever met, too. You should be there for them!”

Natsuki gasped and raised her hands, wanting to keep the peace, knowing Masako had a good point, but Mrs. Kondo lowered her head. “You’re right. It was irresponsible of us.”

She turned to Natsuki. “I’ve spoken with the university - your father and I will be reducing our hours. And no more research trips. We want to spend some time here with you two.”

Natsuki’s heart did a little dance inside her, hearing something like that, but still. “Mom, you don’t have to do that for us.”

Mrs. Kondo grinned. “I’m not doing it because I have to do it. This is something I want to do.”

Natsuki realized that lines like that must also run in the family.

And that’s when she got an idea.

“Say, Mom, I actually think we could use your help with something tomorrow…”