Life Will Change

Chapter 58: Day Out with the Sakuras

Begin!

~Normal POV

8/31 - Wednesday

The shop was strangely closed when Akira went downstairs this morning. Despite Sojiro and Futaba already being there. Sojiro seemed to be in a strangely good mood. Even more unusually so, since yesterday he had to suffer through a whole gang of teenagers basically taking over his shop for the day while they did last minute studying and homework. (Minus Futaba, who merely watched and bragged that she did online school. Making Ryuji quite jealous.)

"Hey, you're up." Sojiro greeted, "You don't have any plans today, do you?"

Akira cocked his head in confusion. "Uh, not yet... why?"

"We're going out for sushi, and you're coming too!" Futaba answered, eagerly.

Sojiro chuckled. "Yeah, what she said. It'll be my treat."

Akira stared at the two in shock. Never once had Sojiro ever offered to take him anywhere. In fact, for the first few months of him staying here, he almost insisted that Akira be seen as few times as possible in his company. This sudden request had to have been Futaba's doing.

"...You want me to come?" Akira asked, unsurely.

"Is that a problem," Sojiro replied.

"We're not taking no for an answer!" Futaba added, grinning.

It was at this point when Akira felt Morgana prop himself up on his shoulder from his bag. "Sushi?!" The cat shouted excitedly. "Take me with you! I didn't get to eat the take out sushi last time!"

"That cat of yours never stops meowing, does it?" Sojiro commented.

"Heh, yeah..." Akira said, his mind still reeling from being invited out with them, "He's demanding sushi."

"Tell him to bring me along!"

"He wants to come too," Sojiro said, quizzically.

"I think that's what it sounds like," Akira replied, vaguely.

"Hm, well we can't bring him with us, but I don't mind bringing home some sushi for him..."

Morgana gasped. "He knows me so well!"

"I think he's saying thank you."

~...

Having lunch with Futaba and Sojiro was strangely relaxing. Even though Akira was still shocked to be doing it at all. It almost felt like having a meal with family again... Almost. He didn't want to get his hopes too high for Sojiro's change in opinion. For now, it was better to accept that he at least saw him as a friend of the family. Nothing more. Yeah, that would be good enough... just a family friend... The two didn't seem to notice how content he was to be here. Futaba was too busy nearly choking on her sushi from eating too fast. After a while she had to run to the bathroom from her mistake.

"She's very energetic," Akira commented, once she was gone.

Sojiro sighed. "Tell me about it. She's a busy girl. I hope she didn't give you guys too much trouble at the beach."

"Not at all, she had a great time. But you should invest in some swimming lessons for her so she can go in the water next time."

"I should, yeah... I'll get around to it once she's more settled..."

Akira had a feeling he was pushing his luck by asking but it came out anyway. "Why did you bring me along today?"

"It was Futaba's idea. She insisted it'd be more fun."

"And I called it... Oh, well, I'm not complaining."

Sojiro stared off thoughtfully. "Back in the day, she, Wakaba, and I used to go out to eat often... This brings back memories... Hell, I'd completely forgotten about it too..."

Futaba came back over to them at this point. "Ugh, that was close... I thought I was gonna die!"

"And this is why I told you not to wolf down your food," Sojiro said.

"I'm ok now! But I am full..."

Akira smirked. "For someone so small, you sure do eat a lot."

"Do you see me complaining," Futaba replied.

Sojiro smiled to himself. The kids were getting along just fine. Thank goodness, too. It'd be quite a problem if they couldn't. They wouldn't have been able to avoid each other. And the other kids in Akira's little group had welcomed her with open arms... It was such a relief to see his daughter find so many good friends in such a short time. Even before losing Wakaba, she never mentioned being close with any of her peers... Still... There was something odd here. Futaba's interest in going outside again... Going to the beach... It was all so sudden... Maybe it was just him being paranoid but he couldn't help wondering about it. The old man shrugged it off and headed to the bathroom.

"I haven't had sushi in a while..." Futaba admitted.

"I kinda figured that out by how much you enjoyed it," Akira said.

Futaba laughed. "Yeah... When I got into middle school, my mom and Sojiro took me out to eat sushi to celebrate. I remember that sushi was so good..."

"It might have tasted better because you worked hard for it."

"Maybe. But today's was pretty good too," Futaba said, smiling. "I hope the three of us can come again some time."

"Me too..." Akira said, softly. "...Thanks for convincing Sojiro to bring me..."

"What are you talking about? It was his idea! I would have asked if he hadn't suggested it though. You are living with us after all!"

So, Sojiro didn't want to admit to wanting him around yet? Well, he should have seen that coming. Still, he was here and the gesture was welcome regardless of whose idea it was.

"...I wish she could have had today's sushi too..." Futaba said, quietly.

Akira gave her a small smile. "I think she's probably happy just getting to watch you have a good time..."

"...Maybe... I won't forgive the guy who triggered her mental shutdown..."

"I'm sure they won't be asking forgiveness. We will find the son of a bitch, and when we do, we'll make them regret it."

"Thank you, Akira..." Futaba replied, smiling gratefully.

The conversation was then interrupted by the sound of Sojiro complaining about the expensive bill. Akira would have to make it up to Morgana later; it didn't sound like they were able to take any sushi home this time. Surely, he'd understand.

~End of Chapter