Peviously:
"Well I already called you Masaki-jisan, so from now on your are my uncle, is that ok with you?"
He pulled out a handkerchief and started wiping his face. "Yes, Yes! you are my nephew....NO! you are my son!. Everything I have, I have it because of your father. And now, everything I have is yours as well."
'Ok that is too much. But hey, he looks like a nice guy. I wouldn't mind having him as a father figure. If ever, I actually needed him as well.'
‐-----‐------
" I appreciate that you are saying that to me. But I don't believe you owe me anything Masaki-jisan. You and my dad were close friends. So I don't think he will like you to give me what you have. That feels like I am doing robbery. Hahahha" I laughed, trying to calm him down and rationalize things. "Besides, I think your family needs it too. Especially your children."
"Well, I don't have kids of my own. So really my money is just useless at this point." He answered quickly.
'Okay now I feel like an asshole for being insensitive.'
Maybe noticing my silence, he continued. "You don't have to feel bad about me. I am not affected by it anymore. I came to terms on my own many years ago. So, really, I would be happy if you accept me in your life as your guardian, and I will do my best to help you with whatever it is you needed help."
I have no words to say but " Yes, Masaki-jisan."
"Great, we have a lot of catching up to do, but I would like it if we can do that later. I will introduce you to your Auntie. For now, tell me what help you need."
" I need some help with managing my money. Dad did leave me some but it's not enough to last a lifetime and I have many things I want to pursue that will need financing. So I am thinking of getting my hands on investments. What do you think uncle?" Before coming here I've already have a plan in mind but I can not start it without knowing where I stand. Especially I am a minor and an orphan. I am not sure if there is a way for me to be legally and financially independent without the government and social welfare knocking on my door. I am not from Japan in my last life. Not to mention I heard Japan is really different from a lot of countries in terms of rules and laws.
"Well you came to the right place. But before that, why investments? You may not know this but trading and stocks is a really complicated field. You can do other things. Heck, you can just spend your life and enjoy your youth and when you grow up, you can have everything from me, like this company I have. Just study well and when you're ready, I can teach you everything I know." I notice, there is a hint of testing in his voice.
"Well, investing is just going to be a means for me to achieve what I really like. I want to play basketball professionally, uncle. And to do that I need money so I can focus on that dream. Money will make it easier to get all the training and resources I need to be better at it. Nutrition and equipments will cost a lot. And in the future, I need more money to find my way to the NBA. Going to the states will definitely be costly." There, I laid it out in the open. Of course there are other things I want to do too but what I just said are pretty much the gist of it.
"NBA? Well that is a really high dream." He scan me for a bit. "Honestly, you do have a good physical quality that makes you ahead of others. You are tall and you don't look like a lanky kid. I will not ask if you can play because that would sound stupid."
He took a deep breath and look me in the eyes. "So what's your plan?"
"Well I plan to invest in science and technology. Maybe communications as well. I need to know first how I can get started with that."
" First you need to be independent. But, you can't do that here in our country. Maybe in the west you can get emancipated but your Japanese. If you want to start, we have to have a legal guardian you can trust to handle it for you while you're still a minor. Someone who won't take your money. If you would like... I can ..you know?" He said hesitantly.
" Yes that would be great. Obviously, Masaki-jisan will be my guardian. If you are ok with it."
" hehehhehe I want it. I will have the papers be processed as soon as possible. Do you have your papers with you?"
" Nah, It's all back home. I didn't think I would need it so soon.*chuckle*"
He stood up while smiling at me. "Let's go to your house and pick up all the necessary documents. And then we'll meet your Aunt right after."
I also stood up. I can't help but be excited by the prospect that my plans can enter it's intial state as soon as possible. I haven't been in this world for more than a day yet. I don't like jinxing myself but, hopefully, fingers crossed that everything will be fine.
And so the drive was quiet one- albeit- with a sense of excitement for the both of us. Masaki-jisan, excited with the idea of being my legal guardian. And I guess he wants to have kids deep down but just learned to accept it within himself that he can't. Me, obviously for the fact that everything's going well so far.
When we got to my house, I hurriedly took all the documents needed, with Uncle already telling me which ones I will be needing. While he stays downstairs looking around the house. It didn't take me that much time since everything was organized in a folder that my dad usually kept. I went down, seeing him just standing there.
Maybe he noticed me going down " You know your dad was really happy when he learned he can afford this place. I heard from him before that the land this house is built used to be the place he grew up in." His eyes shines with a touch of nostalgia.
" I never really thought of it before but learning things he did from you, I guess there are a lot of things he echieved when he was still here."
He chuckles at that" Oh yes he did. You'll be surprise. Anyways, enough about that, do you have everything with you?"
"Yes, here it is." Handling him the folder. He opened it and check the content inside.
"Very well. These are enough, if I forgot something or one is missing, I'll let you know. Now let's go home first and have lunch. I hope my wife already cook something, coz I'm famish." As he walked out the door.
I barely held a laugh at his face with his expression. And so I followed him outside to his car as we headed to his house this time.
Time moves as he drove thru the city, soon we reach a fairly quiet neighborhood. The houses look expensive, but not that expensive to be called luxurious. I guess it's like being called comfortable. We passed by some basketball court along the way. 'Some have a lot of people, some are quiet. Well I like this place already.'
Not long after, we reach a white house with blue roof. The house has two floors, with a decent size lawn and a garage for maybe 2-3 cars. The gates are manual tho, so I have to get down and open it so the car can get in. Not a big deal for me, honestly.
I followed uncle to the door as he opened it and led me in. The interior looks simple but feels very well thought of. Everything looks like it was made for the place specifically. I am impressed whoever designed this interior." Your house looks amazing uncle. It feels alive and welcoming."
"fufu Thanks I guess. I designed it myself." An age but no doubt a beautiful voice answered me instead. I looked to the side to see a lady, who looks like someone who aged well with time. The wrinkles didn't make her less pleasant to look at. Instead, I am more impressed. If she looks like this now, I can't imagine what she looked like when she was young.
I turned to uncle Masaki " You are one lucky bastard."
"HAHAHAHAHA" Maybe they got what I mean because they laughed at the same time. " Oh sweetie I will take that as a compliment fufu. Did you hear that, old man? You're lucky I even noticed you." She faced uncle playfully.
"Yes yes dear. Definitely! I am the luckiest man alive to have you." As he hug her in his arms lightly. " Hanamichi, this is my wonderful wife, Yaeko. This young man here is Hanamichi, Kenji's son."
"Hello dear, it's nice to finally see you again. Just call me Auntie Yaeko." she offered.
"Nice to meet you as well Auntie Yaeko. I must say, your interior looks amazing. Such amazing taste for decors." I praised completely honest with it as well.
"Thank you. It means a lot to be praise by young people like you. I thought my taste in designing is outdated as my age." happily smiling again for the compliment. " Anyways, have you guys had lunch yet?"
"Dear, I am starving. What do we have for lunch?" Oh I am starving too. I guess I need more food as a growing teenager. Especially with my physique right now. I need it more to grow taller and stronger. 'I guess I have to plan my meals as well to make sure I am getting proper nutrition and everything.'
" Oh my. good thing I cooked more today. Hanamichi, feel free to eat as much as you like. A growing boy needs to eat more to grow big and strong" as the couple led me to their dining room, I can't help but feel the warmth inside my chest. I didn't know I needed it until now. But, I am happy that I have this couple with me right now. It's been a while since I felt being taken care off. And it just feels nice.
Obviously, in my last life, I was well taken care of. What I mean is in this life. Since I was reborn instead of just transmigrated, I still have all his emotions and experiences. Before my father passed away, I never really listened to him or appreciate him fully. I loved him as my father. Especially he's the one that stayed with a piece of shit like me before I remembered my last life. But I never got the chance to enjoy life with him. Maybe that is my, the Sakuragi Hanamichi version 1's karma. That is why when he died, I really craved for love and care. That is also why, I kept confessing to random girls.
Like, really, think of it this way, 50 girls in less than 3 years. That's almost like 20 girls in 1 year. It's just wasn't normal. And since I am an orphan. No one would really know. My 4 friends woundn't know about it too. Their too young to know.
Anyways, I had a hearty meal with this lovable couple. One of the best meals I ever had. Maybe auntie will be willing to pass on the recipe.? Now we are sitting on the couch in the living room. Ironing our plans. At least the step 1's.
After more than half an hour of short talk, I bid myself goodbye. " Thanks for having me. That was really one of the best meals I've ever had. "
"You sure you don't want me to drive you home? It's more convenient that way." He does have a point. IF I am going home.
"I still want to buy something on the way."
"You want me to bring you to city center then?" He offered again. This time I did not refuse.
"Yes please" I beamed at them in a playful manner I can muster.
And so here I am now standing in the middle of the shopping street. I have to buy a basketball so I can develop my basic skills first. I don't need shoes just yet...I will need to practice my dribbling maybe just get a feel with the ball first. And more important is to know where good basketball shoes are sold. Obviously I know just the place. I will go there maybe tomorrow. Because first of all, I have to figure out where it is in real life.
I know what store it is, but I can't just go around like a headless chicken trying to find it. So for now, the basketball is my priority. If ever I see it while walking around to a sports shop then even better.
It didn't take that long for me too find a sports center. I go in right away to the basketball area. And pick 1 ball for each brand. MIKASA, SPALDING, MOLTEN and TACHIKARA. These are the common balls in Japan. Mikasa and Molten are common in Japanese school clubs and official tournaments. Spalding are a bit common, and Tachikara is known for durability.
Now, maybe you're wondering why I bought four. It's because in my previous life, I have an issue with balls. (Not that one you pervert) I mean when I tried playing basketball when I was young, different brand of balls gave me different feeling especially when dribbling and shooting, affecting my overall performance. I don't know if I have the same issue right now. I was thinking that maybe I have because in the anime even though Hanamichi ver.1(I will call the anime/manga and Hanamichi before I got my memories back this way from now on.) can grab the ball easily, the ball looks uncomfortable with him.
Maybe it's just him not being good with basketball. But I woundn't gamble. I'll buy all of it so that I can practice ball handling, dribbling and shooting with all of them and get accustomed to it. So that it woundn't be an issue when the time comes.
I approached the store clerk " Hi, can you pack me 1 ball of each brand here please?"
The store clerk blinked a few times " You mean like 4 basketball balls, 1 for each brand? Right?"
" Yeah that's right." I smiled at her.
She smiled back brightly not because I charmed her with my smile or anything. But because I am paying 4 balls. Which I guess is a good sale. " Right away sir!"
++++timekip...just an hour later++++
Now an hour later, here I am at home. With everything getting started on the financial part of my plan. I have to start with the basketball part now. So I went to the garage and started basic dribbling.
'I'll do 30 minutes each hand for each ball. That's four hours. I have to take a break in between to cook a decent meal.
Hang on. Are there any food in the fridge??
I ran in and checked the fridge
FUCK. THERE is nothing here just a bottle of coke. Haisst guess I have to go get some grocery.. Better do it now then.
And so I made my way to the grocery still excited to get started with this life.
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Hey, My son was sick last night so I wasn't able to finish the chapter ..But here I am now. Using my phone while on the toilet. Now go read and let me know what you think.