Tall and elegant, Ren stood with a poised and almost ethereal presence on the balcony of a luxurious house, his figure bathed in the soft, silver glow of the moonlight. His striking, sharp features were enhanced by the cool night air that gently tousled his raven-black hair, which shimmered faintly, almost as if the moonlight itself caressed his locks. The young man, likely in his early twenties, had just emerged from a warm bath, his skin still bearing the traces of water droplets. His bare torso revealed a crescent-shaped scar, a reminder of some forgotten battle or past experience, a mark that only added to the mystery surrounding him. His golden eyes—celestial in their color—gleamed under the moon's light, shining with an intensity that seemed both otherworldly and human all at once. His gaze was focused, looking out into the distance, as if contemplating something far beyond the horizon.
Suddenly, a figure approached from inside, stepping into the room. It was a woman, beautiful yet mature, her features refined and graceful. She exuded an aura of understated elegance, her attire simple yet immaculate, suggesting a wealth that wasn't flaunted but rather carefully maintained. As she entered, her eyes softened when they fell upon her son, standing alone, deep in thought. "How are you, Ren, my dear?" she called out, her voice thick with love and affection. The warmth in her tone was unmistakable, and it was clear that this woman was none other than Ren's mother.
Ren turned at the sound of her voice, his expression softening as he met his mother's gaze. A smile, gentle yet filled with a touch of mischief, crossed his face as she approached him. He didn't hesitate to embrace her, pulling her close in a rare moment of tenderness. Kiyo, his mother, was a woman of grace and poise, yet in this moment, she seemed to relish the closeness of her son. Her playful nature soon made itself known. "Don't you have anything to tell me, Ren?" she teased, her voice carrying a slight chuckle.
Ren blinked, his face momentarily confused as he searched his mind for anything he might have forgotten to mention. His mother's teasing continued, growing more mischievous. "Don't you need to introduce me to your girlfriend?" she asked, her voice dripping with mock seriousness.
A flush of irritation crossed Ren's face, his golden eyes narrowing slightly. "I don't have a girlfriend," he replied, a little more curtly than he intended. "And if I ever do, you'll be the first to know, Mom."
Before Kiyo could comment further, Ren wrapped his arms around her once more, pulling her away from the playful banter. "I'm starving. I've been thinking about your homemade chicken curry all day. Come on, make it for me," he declared, his tone now more earnest, as though nothing mattered more than the comforting meal his mother prepared.
Kiyo smiled indulgently, shaking her head at her son's antics as he gently nudged her towards the kitchen. She loved these little moments of lightheartedness, where they could share laughter and warmth without the heavy burdens of the outside world.
[Ren stands by the wall, watching Kiyo prepare dinner. The scent of cooking fills the room, and there's a comfortable silence between them.]
Kiyo: [glancing over her shoulder as she stirs the pot]
"So, how are Otosan and Okaasan? Are they doing okay?"
Ren: [smiling softly, his tone light but warm]
"Jiji's still as strong as ever. He goes fishing every morning. That old man has more energy than most people my age."
Kiyo: [laughing lightly, she taps him on the head]
"Don't talk about your grandfather like that. You know he's your grandfather, not just a friend."
Ren: [grinning, teasing lightly]
"I've never thought of him as just a grandfather. He's been my friend forever. And he doesn't mind when I talk like this."
Kiyo: [turning to face him fully, smiling warmly]
"It's good to hear they're both well. You sound like you really enjoyed your time there."
Ren: [pauses for a moment, his tone softens]
"I did... but I'm glad to be back here with you, Mom."
Kiyo: [her heart softens as she places a hand on his arm]
"Ren, no matter where you go, you always have a home here. And I'll always be here for you."
Ren: [looking at her, voice quieter]
"I know, Mom. I really know."
Kiyo: [playfully, smiling]
"Does that mean you'll stay in the kitchen with me while I cook, or do I have to feed you by myself?"
Ren: [laughing, his tone light again]
"I'll stay. I'm not going anywhere."
The warm moment between mother and son was interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. A well-dressed, handsome man entered the room, his presence commanding attention. He looked at Kiyo and Ren with a smile. "Kiyo-chan," he said with warmth in his voice, before his gaze shifted to Ren. "Is my boy home?"
Ren looked up, a grin spreading across his face as he recognized his father. "Dad," he said, his voice full of affection as he stood to embrace him. It was clear that this man was Fujiwara Takeshi, Ren's father, a prominent business tycoon in Japan, known for his role in running a multimedia entertainment company based in Tokyo. Takeshi's company had branches scattered across the country, and he was a name that commanded respect. Despite his towering professional presence, in moments like this, he was simply Ren's father.
Takeshi returned the embrace with a deep, heartfelt warmth. "My boy, you're back! I'm happy to see you." His voice carried a sense of pride and love, and Ren couldn't help but feel a swell of affection for his father.
The father and son shared a long conversation, reminiscing about past memories and discussing matters that only they could understand.
Takeshi: [during dinner, after some conversation with Ren]
"So, Ren... about Nara. How are your grandparents? How are things there? I know you spent some time with them."
Ren: [his tone lightens as he talks about his time in Nara, a smile touching his lips]
"Ah, Nara... Jiji's still as tough as ever. You know, every morning he goes out fishing like it's a routine. That old man has no quit in him. He still says he's going to fish until he's 100."
Takeshi: [laughs softly, clearly fond of Ren's grandfather]
"Otosan is always been that way. Strong, determined. He never lets his age slow him down. And Okaasan? Is she doing well?"
Ren: [nodding, looking a bit more serious as he speaks of his grandmother]
"Obaachan's fine too. She's always been so caring, so gentle. It's comforting to be around her. Sometimes I think she worries too much, though... she's always concerned about how we're doing, even if we tell her everything's fine."
Takeshi: [glancing at Ren, his voice softer now]
"You must have missed them. You didn't talk much about your time there."
Ren: [sighing, his smile softens as he reminisces about his grandparents]
"I did miss them. It's quiet there... peaceful. It's different from Tokyo, but I needed the calm. It was a good time to reflect, think about where I want to go next."
Takeshi: [seriously, his voice lowering slightly]
"I see. I'm glad you were able to spend time with them. They've always been a stabilizing force for you. But Ren... do you think they're okay? Health-wise, I mean?"
Ren: [pauses for a moment, thinking about his grandparents, then answers thoughtfully]
"They're fine. Jiji's strong, like I said. And Obaachan, she's got her health, though she doesn't move around as much as she used to. But... I'll keep an eye on them. They're in good shape for now."
Takeshi: [nodding, a bit relieved but still concerned]
"I know they're tough, but they're getting older. If you ever need anything, we can help out more. I know they both like being independent, but don't forget we're here for—and them."
Ren: [nodding, his tone a little lighter now, reassuring his father]
"I know, Dad. I'll make sure everything's good with them. They're important to me, just like you and Mom. But I think... I think I need to focus on what's ahead for me. I'll always have time for family, but I need to figure out what I want for my future."
Takeshi: [pauses, then smiles, clearly proud of Ren's maturity]
"You're right. Family will always be here, no matter what. And I trust you'll figure things out, Ren.."