Chapter 217: Adorable Pet Concept! The Warm Oyama Family! A New Day Begins!
While Isshin Fujiwara was discussing the promotion of Kumamon with Ichiro Yamada, and how to advance this mascot image in the future.
Oyama Family Home in Kumamoto City.
Hiroshi Nohara had just put down his brush and was gently shaking his tired arms and shoulders, responding with a smile to the calls from downstairs from Mogae Oyama.
“I know, I know, I’ll be down for dinner right away.”
“Hurry up then! Dad bought a lot of fresh vegetables and beef today, we’re having the most delicious sukiyaki!!!” Mogae Oyama’s clear voice was like the chirping of sparrows, making one feel cheerful.
“Hiroshi, don’t dawdle like you do at home!” Misae’s familiar voice also came from below.
“Yes, yes, yes! Coming, coming!” Hiroshi pushed open the door to the studio specially prepared for him and then descended the narrow wooden stairs into the Japanese-style room.
At this moment, Mogae Oyama, like a little glutton, was pacing back and forth around the table on the tatami mat laden with ingredients, holding a porcelain bowl and chopsticks. Her cute little face was full of desire for delicious food, which made her mother, Takao Oyama, who was walking over with eggs, unable to help but scold, “Mogae! Girls should be dignified!”
After all, Hiroshi Nohara, her future son-in-law, was here.
“Oh my, oh my! Brother-in-law isn’t an outsider!” Mogae Oyama immediately took an egg from her mother, Takao Oyama, cracked it into her bowl, and quickly twirled her chopsticks to beat the egg. Her rosy little mouth pouted in dissatisfaction, “Besides, Brother-in-law Hiroshi is so good to me!”
“You should still be dignified!” At this moment, her father, Yoshiharu Oyama, who had come out of his precious storage room with a bottle of Juyondai Ryusen sake, put on a stern face.
He was also quite helpless with his youngest daughter, whom he doted on the most, and to an excessive degree.
At this point, he could only pretend to be serious and say, “Girls must be dignified! Otherwise, when you get married, if your in-laws have strict rules, you’ll suffer then!”
However, these words did not cause Mogae Oyama the slightest bit of fear. Instead, she pouted and said, “It’s not the old days anymore! Why should male chauvinism restrict girls of this new era?”
“You…!!!” Yoshiharu Oyama was instantly furious.
He was an absolute remnant of the old era.
After all, he was a conservative among conservatives, a dean of students among academics.
“It’s getting more and more lawless! The world is getting worse and worse! It’s all going wrong!” Yoshiharu Oyama heavily placed the sake on the tabletop. His face, already accustomed to seriousness, was now even more so.
However, this behavior was seen by Takao Oyama and Misae as a helpless move, unable to solve the problem with their younger sister, Mogae Oyama.
The two exchanged a smile, set the tableware, and chuckled softly.
At this moment, Hiroshi Nohara had just come down.
“Oh, Hiroshi, come quickly! Come quickly!” Yoshiharu Oyama finally saw him as a savior and invited Hiroshi over, also emphasizing some of his complaints.
“Huh?” Hiroshi Nohara sat down in a daze, listening to his future father-in-law’s complaints, and subconsciously looked at Mogae, who had a slight blush on her face.
“Ahem!” Mogae coughed twice, and the blush on her small face instantly spread from her cheeks to her earlobes, “Brother-in-law! Why are you looking at me!”
“…” Hiroshi Nohara had nothing to say.
Weren’t his future father-in-law’s complaints really directed at his cute little sister-in-law beside him?
He couldn’t deny it.
But thinking about it, he could understand that at this stage, after the bubble economy burst.
And those men lost their families, lost their money, and even lost their jobs.
The better ones became vagrants, sleeping on the streets.
The worse ones, unable to accept reality, would find a good tall building, or go deep into the woods, and play out the most spectacular “spirit abduction” that Japanese people do.
This was common in the era when the bubble economy burst in Japan.
However, Mogae didn’t care at all.
She brought over a white porcelain bowl with a golden raw egg in it, and the chopsticks made a “clatter” sound as she stirred.
A bit of egg liquid got on her nose tip, but she was oblivious. Her eyes were fixed on the neatly arranged ingredients on the table, like a little glutton waiting for dinner.
“Brother-in-law, look! Dad specifically went to that ‘Kuroge Wagyu Specialty Store’ in front of the station to buy today’s wagyu beef. Look at this marbling, how beautiful!” Mogae poked the red and white marbled beef on the plate with her chopsticks, her tone full of boastfulness. “And this garland chrysanthemum is what Mom picked at the morning market this morning, it’s so tender you could squeeze water out of it!”
Takao Oyama was arranging the washed mushrooms in a bamboo basket. Hearing this, she smiled and gently patted Mogae’s hand. “You’re just a glutton. Hiroshi hasn’t even sat down for long, and you’re already rushing.” As she spoke, she turned to look at Hiroshi Nohara, her eyes full of gentleness. “Hiroshi, you must be tired from drawing manga. You have some dark circles under your eyes. Eat more beef today to replenish your strength. I simmered the sukiyaki broth for two hours, it’s very fresh.”
Hiroshi Nohara was about to say thank you when he heard a “swish” of the sliding door at the entrance, followed by the voice of Masae Oyama, with a hint of fatigue from just getting off work, but still gentle, “Mom, I’m back.”
“Oh, Masae is back!” Takao Oyama immediately got up to greet her, took her daughter’s briefcase, and touched her forehead. “Were you not cold working overtime today? The wind outside is quite strong.”
Masae Oyama smiled and shook her head, hanging her jacket on the hook at the entrance. “No, I’m wearing the thick sweater you knitted, it’s very warm.”
She walked into the living room and greeted everyone after seeing them.
She was truly extremely virtuous and ladylike.
“Big sister is back!” Mogae waved her chopsticks and immediately looked at the sukiyaki on the table, stamping her feet impatiently. “Sit down quickly, sit down quickly! If we wait any longer, the beef will get cold!”
Yoshiharu Oyama had just unscrewed the cap of the Juyondai sake. Upon smelling the aroma, Mogae became even more antsy, her hands reaching out to grab the beef from the pot.
But before her chopsticks could touch the meat, Yoshiharu Oyama slapped her hand with his chopsticks.
“What’s the hurry!” Yoshiharu Oyama said with a stern face and a hint of reprimand in his tone. “The whole family isn’t seated yet, how can we start eating? Where did all the rules go?”
Mogae retracted her hand, pouting aggrievedly, her eyes tearing up a little. “I know… Dad is always so strict.”
As soon as she said this, a burst of soft laughter erupted in the living room.
Takao Oyama shook her head helplessly and handed Masae a pair of chopsticks. “Your father is like this, always so many old rules. Sit down quickly, and we’ll start eating once everyone is seated.”
Masae Oyama sat down next to Mogae, tidied up the stray hairs around her ear, and whispered comfortingly, “Dad is doing it for your own good. It’s never wrong for a girl to know the rules.”
Mogae snorted but didn’t argue further, her eyes still fixed on the beef in the pot. Her greedy look made Hiroshi Nohara chuckle.
Once everyone was seated, Yoshiharu Oyama nodded. “Alright, let’s eat.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Mogae’s chopsticks were like an arrow released from the bow. She quickly picked up a large piece of beef coated in egg, and stuffed it into her mouth.
The hot beef, coated in smooth egg, burst with juice as she chewed, so delicious that her eyes narrowed. “Wow—it’s delicious! Mom’s sukiyaki is truly the best in all of Kumamoto!”
Takao Oyama beamed at her daughter’s praise and gave Hiroshi Nohara and Masae a piece of beef each. “If it’s delicious, eat more. There’s still plenty in the pot. Hiroshi, don’t be shy, make yourself at home.”
Hiroshi Nohara picked up the beef, blew on it, and then put it in his mouth.
The fat of the wagyu melted in the pot, and after being coated in raw egg, the texture was as smooth and tender as pudding. The meat aroma had a hint of the savory sweetness of soy sauce, along with the fresh fragrance of garland chrysanthemum and mushrooms. It was indeed remarkably delicious.
He couldn’t help but nod. “Aunt, your cooking is truly excellent, even better than the sukiyaki served in those high-end restaurants in Tokyo.”
“Really?” Takao Oyama smiled even more happily and gave Misae a piece of fish and tofu. “Misae, you eat more too. You’ve been busy with the manga club and have lost weight.”
Misae’s cheeks flushed slightly. As she ate the fish and tofu, she looked at Hiroshi Nohara with a smile in her eyes.
Her “Future Manga Company” was able to get off the ground smoothly thanks to Hiroshi’s help in finding a venue, contacting printing companies, and even entrusting them with the coloring work for Doraemon and Late-night Diner. Now, the seven or eight manga artists in the company could earn a stable income, and she was full of gratitude towards Hiroshi.
The group chatted and ate, the atmosphere lively and warm.
Yoshiharu Oyama picked up a piece of enoki mushroom and, while chewing, suddenly sighed. “It would be great if Isshin were here today. If our whole family were together, it would be so lively.”
Mogae, who had just put a piece of radish into her mouth, said indistinctly, “That’s right. Without big brother-in-law here, it feels like someone is missing.”
“What big brother-in-law!” Masae Oyama’s face instantly turned as red as a ripe apple. She reached out and patted Mogae’s arm, her tone with a hint of playful scolding. “We’re not married yet, don’t just blurt things out.”
“I’m not blabbering!” Mogae swallowed the radish in her mouth and retorted indignantly, “Last time Brother-in-law came over, I called him Brother-in-law, and he didn’t object! Besides, you and Brother-in-law have been together for half a year, marriage is just a matter of time.”
“You’re still talking!” Masae Oyama’s face became even redder, even her ear tips were pink, wishing she could find a hole to hide in.
Hiroshi Nohara couldn’t help but smile watching the sisters bicker.
Misae also smiled and quietly tugged on Masae’s hand, whispering comfortingly, “Mogae just speaks without thinking, don’t take it to heart.”
Takao Oyama gently patted Mogae’s hand, her tone with a hint of reproach. “Mogae, how many times have I told you to be mindful of your address? Masae and Isshin are not yet engaged, don’t call him that randomly.”
Mogae pouted and mumbled a quiet “I know” before returning her attention to eating the beef.
Takao Oyama shook her head helplessly and turned to Masae, her eyes full of gentleness. “By the way, Masae, this afternoon, Isshin’s mother, Ms. Temari, called me.”
“Aunt Temari?” Masae Oyama was slightly taken aback. She put down her chopsticks and asked with a hint of confusion, “Did she want to talk about something?”
“What else could it be?” Mogae spoke before Takao could, her eyes sparkling. “She must be talking about the engagement! I said it long ago, your Brother-in-law’s family must be anxious. You’re already twenty-five, if you keep delaying, they’ll think you don’t want to get married.”
“Mogae!” Takao Oyama glared at Mogae, then turned to Masae and nodded with a smile. “Ms. Temari did indeed suggest finding a time for our two families to meet and discuss your matters with Isshin.”
“Really?” Masae Oyama’s heart instantly sped up. She nervously clenched the corners of her clothes, and the blush on her face deepened.
Isshin was steady and considerate, and he treated her very well. She had long considered Isshin someone she could entrust her life to, but she had never had the courage to tell her family.
“Of course it’s true.” Takao Oyama held Masae’s hand, her tone full of gratification. “Ms. Temari said that Isshin often mentions you to her, saying that you are gentle and thoughtful, that you can cook and understand history, and she likes you very much.”
Misae also smiled and said, “That’s great, big sister! I knew you and Isshin would end up together! We’ll be family from now on, how wonderful.” As she said this, she looked up at Hiroshi Nohara, her eyes full of happiness.
Hiroshi Nohara understood Misae’s gaze, gently patted her hand, and smiled at her.
Misae’s cheeks blushed even more, but the corners of her mouth couldn’t help but curve upwards. Her heart felt like it held a little rabbit, pounding rapidly.
Mogae looked at Masae’s shy expression, pouted, and picked up another piece of beef, stuffing it into her mouth. “What’s there to be shy about? Marriage is a good thing. But speaking of which, if big sister gets married, will there be a big wedding? I want to be a bridesmaid then, and wear a beautiful dress!”
“I know, I know, you’ll definitely be the bridesmaid,” Takao Oyama said with a smile, stroking Mogae’s hair, and then giving her a piece of potato. “Eat up, the potatoes are almost mushy, they’ll be gone if you don’t eat them soon.”
Mogae immediately forgot about the previous topic and focused on eating the potatoes.
The atmosphere in the living room became lively again. Yoshiharu Oyama watched his daughters happily, his heart also filled with joy. He picked up the Juyondai sake from the table and said to Hiroshi Nohara, “Hiroshi, come, have a drink with me. It’s a happy occasion today, we must drink to our heart’s content!”
Hiroshi Nohara quickly took the wine bottle, poured a full glass for Yoshiharu Oyama, and then poured himself half a glass. “Uncle, please drink a little less. Drinking too much is bad for your health.”
“Don’t worry, I know my limits.” Yoshiharu Oyama raised his glass, clinked it with Hiroshi Nohara, took a sip, and said with emotion, “Speaking of which, I really have to thank you young people. It’s Masae’s good fortune to meet Isshin, and Misae’s good fortune to meet you. I used to worry about them not getting married, but now it seems I worried too much.”
“Uncle, you’re too kind,” Hiroshi Nohara smiled and took a sip of wine.
The sake had a mellow taste with a hint of rice fragrance, it was indeed good sake.
Takao Oyama watched them drink and didn’t say much, just smiled and served them food. “Drink slowly, eat something to line your stomachs, don’t drink on an empty stomach.”
After a while, Yoshiharu Oyama suddenly remembered something and said to Masae, “Masae, is Isshin very busy lately? The last time I spoke to him on the phone, he said he had a lot of work at the prefectural office and often worked overtime.”
“Yes, he’s busy with Kumamoto’s promotion plan recently.” Masae Oyama nodded, then looked at Hiroshi Nohara with a hint of gratitude. “By the way, Hiroshi-kun, Isshin said he talked to you about Kumamon yesterday, and he was very happy, saying your ideas were excellent, and he even wanted to report them to the leaders at the prefectural office.”
“Kumamon?” Yoshiharu Oyama and Takao Oyama were both stunned and asked in unison, “Report to the leaders at the prefectural office?! That’s so high-level?”
“Of course, this is related to Kumamoto Prefecture’s promotion, so it’s very high-level,” Hiroshi Nohara explained with a smile. “After all, it can drive Kumamoto’s tourism and specialty product sales, and it’s a very important city simulation-like cartoon character.”
“Cartoon character?” Takao Oyama mused, “Like Mickey Mouse from Disney you mentioned yesterday?”
“Something like that,” Hiroshi Nohara nodded. “I think Kumamoto’s current promotion is too old-fashioned, young people don’t like it. If there was a cute cartoon character, perhaps more people would remember Kumamoto.”
“That’s a great idea!” Yoshiharu Oyama excitedly put down his wine glass. “My friend went to Akita last time and saw that their Akita dog plush toys sold very well, many tourists bought them. If Kumamoto had such an image, it would definitely become popular!”
“Yes, yes!” Mogae also chimed in, her eyes sparkling. “Brother-in-law, what does Kumamon look like? Is it fluffy? Does it have blush on its cheeks? Can I be the first to buy its plush toy?”
Hiroshi Nohara chuckled at Mogae’s expression. “It’s round and chubby, with blush on its cheeks, and very cute. Once the image is finalized, I’ll definitely let you see it first.”
“That’s great!” Mogae cheered, then lowered her head and continued eating beef.
Masae Oyama added, “Isshin said that tomorrow he will bring leaders from the prefectural office’s publicity department to visit you in Tokyo. They want to discuss Kumamon with you in detail and ask for your advice on promotional details.”
“Leaders from the prefectural office are inviting Hiroshi Nohara?” Yoshiharu Oyama and Takao Oyama widened their eyes in surprise and said in unison, “This is too amazing! Hiroshi, are you able to have leaders from the prefectural office consult you now?”
Misae also looked at Hiroshi Nohara with pride in her eyes, full of admiration.
She had known Hiroshi was very capable for a long time, but she hadn’t expected even the leaders at the prefectural office to value him so much.
Hiroshi Nohara smiled, his tone calm. “It’s nothing really, just giving Isshin some ideas. Since the leaders from the prefectural office want to talk, I’ll explain it to them properly and strive to get Kumamon launched as soon as possible. I also have detailed concepts for a ‘pet’ series, which might help Kumamoto attract more tourists.”
“Pet series?” Masae Oyama asked curiously, “Brother-in-law, are there other cartoon characters?”
“Yes,” Hiroshi Nohara nodded. “Besides Kumamon, we can design other pet characters based on the characteristics of different regions. For example, Osaka could have a takoyaki-shaped cartoon character, and Kyoto could have a little rabbit wearing a kimono. This way, it can promote local characteristics and form a series, attracting more attention.”
“This idea is fantastic!” Yoshiharu Oyama excitedly slapped the table. “Hiroshi, how is your brain so sharp? If this series can be successful, our tourism in Japan will surely become even more popular!”
Takao Oyama also nodded in agreement. “Yes, then Kumamoto will surely become the most popular place, and the fruit farmers’ citrus fruits can also be sold, and everyone’s lives will be better.”
Hiroshi Nohara looked at the excited family and felt warm inside. He had transmigrated to this world, from an ordinary office worker to the department head of Tokyo Television Station, with his own career and a family like Misae and the Oyama family. He felt very fortunate.
“Alright, alright, let’s stop talking about these things, the food will get cold,” Takao Oyama said with a smile, serving everyone food. “Eat up, and after we finish, I’ll make some red bean soup to cleanse your palate.”
“Yes, yes!” Mogae immediately cheered and picked up another piece of beef, stuffing it into her mouth.
The atmosphere in the living room remained lively, the aroma of sukiyaki mixed with the scent of sake permeating the air.
The night outside grew darker. The lights of Kumamoto City twinkled like scattered diamonds on black velvet.
Hiroshi Nohara looked at the harmonious scene before him and suddenly had an idea – perhaps this was the meaning of his transmigration to this world, to use his abilities to make the people around him happy.
He picked up his chopsticks, gave Misae a piece of her favorite pumpkin, and said softly, “Eat more, there’s red bean soup later.”
Misae looked up at him, her eyes curved into crescent moons, and whispered, “You eat more too, Hiroshi.”
Hiroshi Nohara nodded, looking at Misae’s smiling face, he felt a sense of peace.
He knew that the road ahead was still long, and there were many things to do, such as promoting Kumamon, the election in Tokyo City, and the impending economic crisis.
But as long as he had these people by his side and this love for life, he was confident that he could do everything well.
And at this moment, perhaps in some corner of Kumamoto, someone was already anticipating that the cute image called “Kumamon” would bring a different future to this city.
…
Morning light streamed through the wooden lattice windows, casting dappled light on the tatami mats. The faint sweet aroma of last night’s sukiyaki still lingered in the air.
When Hiroshi Nohara opened his eyes, Misae was sleeping soundly in his arms. Her long hair was spread on the pillow, and her nose twitched gently with her breathing, like a docile kitten.
Hiroshi leaned down and gently placed a kiss on her smooth forehead.
As his fingertips brushed her cheek, Misae’s eyelashes fluttered, but she didn’t wake up. She just snuggled closer into his embrace and mumbled in her sleep, “Hiroshi… beef…”
Hiroshi chuckled softly and gently brushed the stray hair from her forehead. This girl, even in her dreams, was thinking about last night’s sukiyaki.
He carefully moved Misae’s hand away and got up as lightly as a feather, afraid of waking her.
Walking into the corridor, he could already hear the soft clinking of bowls and chopsticks from downstairs. Without a doubt, it was his mother, Takao Oyama, preparing breakfast.
Hiroshi first turned into the studio that had been specially cleaned for him. Pushing open the door, he saw the storyboard draft for Yu Yu Hakusho, which he hadn’t finished drawing last night, spread out on the desk. His pencils and erasers were neatly arranged to the side.
He sat down at the low table, stretched his wrists, and picked up a pencil. The moment the tip touched the paper, his thoughts became clear.
He had promised Shueisha yesterday that he had to submit three chapters of Yu Yu Hakusho, two chapters of Doraemon, and also rush the new chapter of Late-night Diner this month. Even with his fast hands, he had to hurry.
The pencil rustled on the paper, and the fighting poses of Yusuke Urameshi gradually took shape.
The chirping of sparrows outside, the sizzling sound of Takao frying fish downstairs mixed with the aroma of soy sauce drifting up, and Mogae’s occasional playful voice with her sister, these fragmented sounds made the morning exceptionally peaceful.
After finishing one chapter’s storyboard for Yu Yu Hakusho, Hiroshi raised his hand and looked at his watch. It was exactly six o’clock.
He stretched, and just as he was about to switch to the manuscript for Doraemon, he heard soft footsteps behind him.
“Hiroshi… why are you up so early?” Misae stood at the door, rubbing her eyes. Her hair was still messy, and she was wearing her pajamas from last night, her cheeks flushed from just waking up.
Hiroshi turned around and beckoned with a smile. “Come sit.”
Misae walked over, leaned next to him to look at the drawing drafts on the desk, her eyes slowly widening. “Is this… the new plot for Yu Yu Hakusho?”
“Yes, it’s about to enter a new arc.” Hiroshi handed her the pencil. “Want to try it?”
Misae quickly waved her hands, her cheeks blushing even more. “I can’t, I’m not good at drawing.” She looked at the neatly stacked manuscripts on the desk, then at the faint dark circles under Hiroshi’s eyes, and suddenly felt a little guilty. “It’s my fault, I slept too soundly last night and didn’t help you at all. You’re more tired than I am, yet you got up so early to draw…”
Hiroshi put down his pen, pulled her into his arms, rested his chin on her head, and said in a very gentle voice, “Silly girl, why are you saying this to me? You’re already working hard managing the manga club for me. Drawing is my job, and it’s something I love to do, so I’m not tired.”
He lowered his head and pecked her on the corner of her lips. “Besides, with me here, how could I let you get tired? In the future, if you feel overwhelmed with household chores or manga club matters, just tell me, don’t carry it all by yourself.”
Misae leaned into his embrace, the tips of her ears turning completely red. She quietly murmured a “yes” and gently clutched the corner of his shirt.
Her heart was beating fast, but she felt warm inside, as if she held a little sun.
Just then, the sliding door “swished” open, and Mogae stood at the door holding a cushion, shouting, “Brother-in-law! Sister Misae! Mom is calling…”
Before she could finish, she saw them embracing. Her little face instantly turned red to her earlobes, and the cushion in her hand dropped to the floor with a “thud.”
As if scalded, she quickly turned around and closed the sliding door. Her flustered voice came from outside the door, “S-sorry! I didn’t see anything! Brother-in-law, why aren’t you sleeping in the studio! Why did you go to Sister Misae’s room!”
Hiroshi and Misae exchanged a glance and couldn’t help but smile. Misae buried her head in Hiroshi’s chest, too shy to look up.
Soon, Takao Oyama’s voice came from downstairs, with a hint of helplessness. “Mogae! You child, why are you running around! Is Sister Misae’s room a place you can enter casually? Come down quickly! Don’t cause trouble upstairs!”
“I know, Mom!” Mage’s voice grew distant, tinged with a slight grievance, “I just wanted to call them for dinner…”
Hiroshi patted Misae’s back and said with a smile, “Alright, let’s go down. If we don’t hurry, Aunt will be waiting impatiently.”
Misae nodded, got out of his embrace, reached up to adjust her hair, and then tidied his collar, saying softly, “Well… let’s go down quickly then.”
The two walked out of the room hand-in-hand. As soon as they reached the bottom of the stairs, they saw Mage sitting at the dining table, head buried low, ears still red.
Yoshiharu Oyama held his newspaper, pretending not to see, while Takao Oyama bustled between the kitchen and dining room with a knowing smile.
“You’re here? Sit down quickly.” Takao placed a bowl of miso soup in front of Hiroshi and handed Misae a pair of chopsticks. “Today I made the thick rolled omelet you both love, and grilled mackerel. It’s all just made, eat while it’s hot.”
Hiroshi looked at the dining table. In a glass dish lay golden yellow thick rolled omelet, with slightly charred edges; the grilled mackerel had crispy skin, sprinkled with seaweed flakes; next to it was a small dish of pickled radish, bright in color; white rice steamed, with a small bowl of natto beside it—a typical Japanese breakfast, yet it held the flavor of home.
“Wow, it looks so delicious!” Misae picked up her chopsticks, took a small piece of thick rolled omelet into her mouth, and her eyes immediately lit up. “Mom, your thick rolled omelet is getting better and better! It’s even more fragrant than the one from that ‘Old Shop Egg House’ in Tokyo!”
“Eat more if you like it.” Takao’s eyes narrowed into a smile as she gave Misae another piece of fish. “This fish was bought fresh from the market this morning, very fresh, and has few bones. Eat more to nourish yourself.”
Mage also picked up a piece of thick rolled omelet and said softly, “Mom’s thick rolled omelet is the best…” After saying that, she secretly glanced at Hiroshi and Misae, her cheeks still a little red.
Yoshiharu Oyama put down his newspaper, picked up his chopsticks, took a bite of natto mixed with rice, and said to Hiroshi, “Hiroshi, where are you planning to go today? If you have nothing else to do, want to go with me to the morning market? They have fresh winter bamboo shoots recently, we can buy some to stew for soup.”
Hiroshi took a sip of miso soup, the warmth sliding down his throat, and he sighed with comfort. He put down his bowl and said, “Uncle, I’m afraid I can’t today. I promised Isshin Fujiwara I’d talk about Kumamon with him yesterday, and I need to borrow your car.”
“Oh, right.” Yoshiharu Oyama blinked, then nodded. “Sure, you can take the car. It’s parked right at the doorway, that old Toyota.”
As he spoke, he scratched his head a little sheepishly. “It’s just that the car is a bit old, not comparable to your Toyota Crown. Please don’t mind it.”
Hiroshi smiled and put down his chopsticks. “What are you saying, Uncle? How could I mind? This car of yours is so well maintained, it looks newer than cars of the same age. Besides, cars are meant to be driven; comfort and safety are what matter, age doesn’t.”
“I’m glad you don’t mind,” Yoshiharu Oyama breathed a sigh of relief, then remembered something. “Right, we’re going to talk about that… Kumamon thing, weren’t we?”
“Yes,” Hiroshi nodded. “Isshin wants to submit the Kumamon plan to the prefectural office, hoping to promote Kumamoto through this image and boost tourism and specialty sales. I made an appointment with him for today to discuss it in detail and see if there are any adjustments needed for the plan.”
“That’s a good idea!” Takao Oyama chimed in. “Last time I went back to my parents’ house, the old lady next door said her grandson who works in Tokyo doesn’t dare tell his colleagues he’s from Kumamoto, for fear they’d say, ‘You only have volcanoes there.’ If there was a cute cartoon character, perhaps people’s impression of Kumamoto would change.”
“Exactly!” Mage also looked up, her eyes sparkling. “Brother-in-law, when will the Kumamon plush toys be ready? I want to be the first to buy one! I want to give them to my classmates at school so they know Kumamoto has such a cute image!”
Hiroshi smiled and said, “Soon. Once the plan is finalized, production will be arranged. You’ll definitely be the first to get one.”
“That’s great!” Mage cheered, and took another piece of thick rolled omelet, eating even more heartily.
Masae also put down her chopsticks at this moment. She was wearing a cream-colored dress today, her hair neatly styled, looking particularly elegant.
She wiped her mouth and said to everyone, “I need to go to school early today, I still have classes to prepare. I’ll be leaving now.”
“Be careful on your way.” Takao handed over two lunch boxes they had prepared beforehand, while also reminding her, “This is breakfast and lunch. Remember to eat, don’t get so busy that you forget.” It was clear she was accustomed to Masae’s busyness.
“I know, Mom.” Masae nodded, then looked at Hiroshi. “Hiroshi-kun, if there’s anything I can help with while you’re talking to Isshin, please tell me anytime.”
“Okay, thank you, Miss Masae.” Hiroshi nodded.
Mage suddenly took two large bites of rice, then put down her chopsticks and jumped up. “Big sister! I’ll go with you! I need to go to school early today too, to tell my classmates about Kumamon!”
She grabbed her school bag and was about to leave with Masae.
Takao quickly called out to her, “Mage! You haven’t finished your breakfast yet! Eat a couple more bites!”
“I’m not eating anymore, Mom! I’ll go with big sister. I’ll just buy a bread on the way!” Mage’s voice had already reached the doorway. “Brother-in-law! Sister Misae! I’m leaving!”
Masae smiled helplessly, waved goodbye to everyone, and left with Mage.
Yoshiharu Oyama watched Mage’s retreating figure and sighed helplessly. “This child, still so flighty. What will happen when she gets married later?”
Takao shot him a glare. “It’s too early to say that now. Mage is still young; when she gets older, she’ll be more sensible.” She then served Hiroshi another bowl of rice. “Hiroshi, eat more so you have energy for driving later. When you talk with Isshin, don’t rush; take your time.”
“Yes, I know.” Hiroshi took the rice bowl and picked up another piece of fish. “Aunt, you eat too, don’t just keep serving us food.”
Misae also helped Takao pick up a piece of thick rolled omelet. “Mom, you try some too. Today’s thick rolled omelet is really super delicious.”
“Okay,” Takao nodded with a smile, her eyes full of gratification.
Looking at the children before her, she felt that life was solid and happy.
After finishing breakfast, Hiroshi stood up to clear the bowls and chopsticks.
Takao quickly stopped him. “Hiroshi, you just sit there. I’ll clear them. You go get ready, don’t keep Isshin waiting.”
“Aunt, let me do it, you rest.” Hiroshi still took the bowls and chopsticks. “It’s not troublesome anyway, it’ll be quick.”
Misae also stood up. “I’ll help you clean up.”
The two went into the kitchen. Hiroshi washed the dishes, Misae wiped the table, their coordination exceptionally tacit.
Takao stood at the doorway watching and said to Yoshiharu Oyama with a smile, “Look at them, they’re so well-matched.”
Yoshiharu Oyama put down his tea cup and nodded. “Yes, Hiroshi is a steady child, responsible. I’m at ease with Misae with him.”
Soon, Hiroshi and Misae finished cleaning the kitchen. Hiroshi picked up his jacket and said to Mr. and Mrs. Oyama, “Uncle, Aunt, I’m leaving now. If I come back late for lunch, I won’t call.”
“Okay, be careful on your way,” Takao cautioned. “Drive slowly, and have a good trip.”
Misae walked him to the doorway, adjusted his jacket collar, and said softly, “When you talk with Isshin, don’t get too tired. If you need me to come over and help, send me a message on my pager.”
Hiroshi nodded and pinched her cheek. “I know. You also don’t be too idle at home. If there’s anything urgent at the manga club, handle it first, no need to wait for me.”
He lowered his head and kissed her on the forehead. “I’m leaving.”
“Mmm, be careful on your way.” Misae watched his retreating back until he started the car, then turned and went back home.
Hiroshi drove Yoshiharu Oyama’s old Toyota and slowly pulled out of the alley.
In the early morning Kumamoto City, there were not many pedestrians on the streets. Sunlight cast a warm glow on the asphalt road.
He turned on the radio. The sound of the morning news came from it, occasionally interspersed with light music.
Gripping the steering wheel, Hiroshi recalled the image of embracing Misae just now, the flustered look of Mage, the gentle smiles of Mr. and Mrs. Oyama, and couldn’t help but smile.
After transmigrating to this world for so long, he finally felt a sense of home. And from now on, he not only had to do his own job well but also help Isshin push through the Kumamon plan and make Kumamoto better—this was not just for Isshin, for the Oyama family, but also for himself, for this world where he had deeply rooted himself.
The car drove past cherry trees on the street corner, their branches already sprouting small buds. Hiroshi tightened his grip on the steering wheel, his gaze becoming resolute.
A new day had begun.
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