STEPBROTHER (HAIKYUU X KUROKO NO BASKETBALL SUMMER CAMP)
22

Right in front of the elongated round dining table, Akashi was busy eating his dinner. He is also not too interested in writing the story of his stepmother who is telling about their experience during their honeymoon, his intention is to get closer to Akashi. But unfortunately, Akashi who has not felt the affection and warmth of a mother for a long time will never know how she should behave to the middle-aged woman.

"I'm done eating, tomorrow I have an important match so I'm allowed to leave first." Akashi got up from his chair, but when he saw his father's displeased gaze, he dropped his intention and sat there again.

"Well, why don't you practice, son?" ask Mrs Ushijima.

"It's okay, I'll just wait for you. After all, it would be rude of me to leave the dinner table first." Akashi tidied up his sitting position and pretended to smile kindly, although it seemed a little clumsy.

Meanwhile, Mr. Masaomi again ate his meal which was then equipped with fried chicken. Obviously he was actually a little confused, because for him Fried Chicken is a side dish that is too simple to eat with family like tonight. Moreover, he just came home from not honey, so it would be better to get a slightly heavy welcome food with a variety of menu options.

"The chef!" call Mr. Akashi Masaomi to Chef Tsubasa who happens to be brewing hot tea to Madame Ushijima.

"Yes, Sir."

"I don't want to complain, I'm just surprised. Why do you make simple food like this? And the tumben also the menu of the side dish tonight is only one, instead of usually you always make various kinds of side dishes every Dinner huh?" ask Mr. Akashi Masaomi.

Chef Tsubasa took a quick glance at Ushijima to claim responsibility, fortunately Ushijima was immediately sensitized and hurriedly took over.

"I'm the one who actually asked to make Fried Chicken for dinner, Pa."

"Why, son? It's not that you don't like fried chicken too much" said Mrs Ushijima.

"I just wanted to find out if there are differences between Fried Chicken made by famous Chef such as Chef Tsubasa, although the menu is simple but it feels very luxurious when it has been formulated by the magical hand of Chef Tsubasa. I think everyone who works in this house is really a great choice, just like Papa who is great at everything." Ushijima was forced to swallow his own saliva in order to bring out all the words of praise to Mr. Masaomi, for him this was the first time that a Ushijima had publicly praised another person just for hiding a truth that felt shameful to convey.

"Your praise really makes Papa happy, but that does not mean your punishment can be lost. You still have to serve the punishment for injuring your sister," said Akashi Masaomi firmly, Ushijima just can nod. After all, he also did not expect his sentence to be reduced at all, because the real reason he asked for Fried Chicken was also because of the desire of Akashi who dreamed of Fried Chicken yesterday.

"Listen that said your father, you also take care of the attitude next time and do not repeat the fatal action." Madam Ushijima also advised her only child, then she turned to Akashi who was across the table.

"How are you doing, Akashi?" asked Madam Ushijima who made Ushijima smile spontaneously because she was amused by her mother's attitude. More precisely, he still did not accept having to live with his mother after almost a few years Ushujima banished to the father. Although Madam Ushijima had apologized several times, but the sincere feeling was still not able to be given Ushijima against the fate that befell him, deep down he was angry at the mother who had divorced her father at the time.

"Is there anything funny, son?" ask Mrs Ushijima.

"I'm sorry about the kid, Mom. Let me advise her again to be disciplined and courteous" Ushijima told her husband, but before she could get up from the chair Akashi suddenly intercepted her.

"Let Akashi advise Ushijima-San" said Akashi, who needed a reason to leave. And as soon as he saw the nod of agreement from his father, Akashi immediately left the dining table.

He seemed relieved to be separated from the family chain that was very restrictive, especially every time he saw the lives of his friends often cause feelings of envy in him.

"I didn't expect your relationship with your mother to be so bad" Akashi said as he chased Ushijima, who was in the Volleyball field, in the back yard of the house.

"It's none of your business" said Ushijima, who was still busy running around the field. Akashi tried to follow his steps.

"You should be grateful that you still have a mother, you know losing a mother figure is like a disaster for some kids like me."

"What do you know about my life, until you tell me to be grateful?" asked Ushijima who stopped her footsteps. And had to make Akashi stop too.

"What kind of mother would leave her child alone when her little one still needs the warmth of a mother? And what kind of mother is so selfish as to decide to separate from her husband, without thinking about her own child's feelings?" asked Ushijima who was speaking calmly, but behind his calmness contained a million unforgivable resentments.

"And what's so much funnier, what kind of mother doesn't know her own child's talents at all? Just so you know, the person who first realized the privilege of my left hand was not my mother but my own father. So, stop acting like I deserve to be judged by people like you!" Ushijima.

"You shouldn't be fighting fate with me, Ushijima-San. You don't even know what it's like to have a personality disorder that almost makes you lose a lot of things, including the loss of friends that you care so much about. So, stop acting like I'm judging you." Akashi smiled in his slacking style.

"You also have never felt life without freedom like me, I am jealous of your life or my friends. And now, I must be underestimated by my teammates for what you did that cost me my eyes." Akashi now faces each other at a considerable distance in front of Ushijima.

"Don't complain much and hold a grudge, Ushijima-San. You should be grateful to be nurtured by your father, so you can be a player as great as this. Like a Sports game, you have to stop looking at things from your point of view and try to read the point of view of your opponents to be able to find their weak points. You also have to learn to read your mother's point of view, so you know why she chose to give you care as a child and how valuable you are in her life." Akashi silenced Ushijima's mouth, stunned by all the words Akashi had said just now.

"I hope you understand what I'm saying, Ushijima-San. And if you understand, I'm sure this family will be a more lively family. Maybe you can learn to forgive your mother, just like I'll learn to forgive you and accept my situation now." Akashi smiled and walked away from there, he actually lectured Ushijima full of sincerity. It looks like this ability he obtained after watching Naruto Anime which became his favorite anime since long ago.

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Whoa-wah, how do you think guys about Ushijima's mother? Can the family be as harmonious as Akashi expected? And what about tomorrow's match .