It was Saturday in the middle of the day, the sun shining through the windows of that humble home. A large room was decorated with some celebrations of various colors that hung from the ceiling and adorned the furniture. The room was spacious, with a comfortable blue double sofa, two single sofas of the same color on the other side and a table in the center. The room was completely illuminated by the rays of the sun that passed through the huge window that covered almost the entire front wall, the curtains were tied to the sides and the windows were open, allowing the refreshing wind of the Exterior. Through the window you could see a beautiful view, many buildings in the distance and you could even see a beautiful bridge that represented the entrance or exit of that beautiful city. People walking on the streets looked like little ants and the vehicles were barely audible in the distance. That cozy little apartment was the perfect place to live if you were looking for silence and tranquility, located away from the big crowds and main avenues.
At the center table was a little blond boy with shoulder-length hair and completely tousled, playing with some festive decorations that were left over from the decoration, while he was carefully watched by his mother who was a little further down preparing snacks in the kitchen that was completely open and connected to the living room.
-Mommy! - The little boy exclaims enthusiastically - Look! I removed the colors that I did not like!
The boy stands in the direction of the kitchen with both arms extended one on each side while holding a long rope-shaped ornament with tied flowers. You could tell that some of the decorative flowers were missing, but it was still a beautiful celebration ornament.
- But, my love - Says Mr. Shiroi from the kitchen watching the little boy - You have only left the blue flowers.
- Blue is the only color I like! –Expresses the child.
- It's true - Shiroi answers - And that's why almost all your clothes, your things, your room and even some furniture in this room are blue haha.
The doorbell rings at that moment, interrupting the amusing conversation of that mother and his little boy. Shiroi leaves his activities in the kitchen and heads towards the front door at the same time that the little boy runs at full speed to the entrance totally excited. So Shiroi opens the door.
-Uncle Takato! - Shouts the little without even having seen exactly who it was.
- Rem! - Shouts back Norio, who had rang the doorbell and was waiting at the door.
Norio quickly gives Shiroi a couple of bags full of all kinds of things and quickly runs in the direction of the little boy, bends down and gives him a big hug.
- Hgn! You won't let me breathe - Little Rem barely manages to say while trying to free himself from that suffocating hug.
- What was that "Uncle Takato" just now? - Norio says, moving away from the child while looking at him sadly - Am I not your uncle Norio too?
- You are not my uncle - Rem says with a cold look
Norio's expression turned dark and painful at the same time that the cracking of his heart was heard being destroyed. Shiroi only looked to one side of them, that typical conversation that used to happen when that pair were face to face.
- Let's go inside - Shiroi says trying to end that scene while closing the door.
- Mommy, can I hang my ornament on the table with the others? - Rem asks while everyone was walking down the hall towards the living room.
- Of course my love - Shiroi answers.
- Ah! I will help you! - Says Norio.
- I don't need help - Expresses little Rem as he goes to the table in the center of the room.
- Jum! Why is he so cold with me? - Norio says with a sad expression on his face and his tears about to come out.
- He is not - Says Shiroi - He is just a very smart and independent boy. If you treat him like a child, you will dislike him. So is he.
Norio and Shiroi finally make it to the kitchen while little Rem was entertaining himself placing his ornament on the center table. One of the shopping bags Norio had brought contained all kinds of sweets and the other a large variety of cooking ingredients.
- Perfect, you have brought everything I needed - Shiroi said while inspecting the contents of the bags - Thank you Norio.
- Don't thank me, Mr. Shiroi - Norio answers with a big smile - I should be the one to thank you for allowing me to come here this day.
- Of course I would allow you to come - Shiroi clarifies with his typical smile full of tenderness - You and Takato are Rem's best friends. How could I not invite you?
A sudden silence continued after those words from Mr. Shiroi. Norio's cheery smile had been replaced by a blank but slightly flushed face. The little boy lowered his gaze and placed both hands on the counter. Shiroi smiles and continues to pull things out of the shopping bags.
- So ... - Norio says with a soft tone of voice, his lowered gaze and his flushed face - Will Takato come too?
- That's right - Shiroi answers, while he kept some things inside the fridge behind them.
- Of course he will come - Continuous Norio - He is the uncle of little Rem after all.
Another silence took over the conversation. Mr. Shiroi continued to order things, while Norio played with his hands on the counter. Little Rem had already placed his ornament on one side of the table and had started to make another one; he took one of the leftover decorations on the table and began to remove all the colored flowers, leaving only the blue flowers.
- Takato apologized to you appropriately? - Shiroi asks, breaking that awkward silence.
Norio opens his eyes completely and his hands stop that restless playfulness. His cheeks seemed to have turned even redder, so much so that they were now as red as the tomatoes in the bowl to his left.
- Yes - Norio finally answers - He did. Yesterday, when I was in my rest time. He came in and said, “I'm so sorry for yelling at you and pushing you. It was not my intention to hurt or scare you. Please forgive me. ”And then he quickly left the place.
- That's good - Shiroi says - Takato probably must have armed himself with a lot of courage to tell you that. You know, he's a pretty quiet and reserved boy.
- I know - Norio continued - That was exactly what I thought. So on that occasion I ... I was really happy.
- When are you going to tell him? - Shiroi asks.
Shiroi was preparing various dishes with different types of appetizers to place on the table in the room that little Rem continued to decorate with his blue flowers. Norio was silent, perhaps because he had not fully understood the question or simply because he did not know how to answer it.
- I mean - Mr. Shiroi clarifies - When will you tell Takato that you will leave tomorrow?
- That ... - Norio says, looking at Shiroi - How do you know that?
- A long time ago, when you told me that you had been accepted at that prestigious University in London, the acceptance papers that you showed me, said the date within a week, so I just assumed that you would leave a week before to have time to settle down and get to know the place before classes begin.
- So that's why - Norio muttered.
- Didn't you plan to say goodbye?
- Sorry - Norio looks down - I'm not very good with farewells.
- I understand - Shiroi is serious.
The plates with the appetizers had already been finished and were ready to be placed on the living room table. Shiroi washed his hands in the sink on his left and dried them with his apron. A small moan was heard, Mr. Shiroi looked to his right and Norio was still looking down, his red and wavy hair did not allow him to see clearly that face obscured by the leftovers of his long bangs. Shiroi could feel a couple of drops fall on the tightly closed hands that Norio stuffed on the counter. Then Mr. Shiroi approached him and stroked his hair gently. Norio looked up at Shiroi, rebelling that tear-reddened face.
-Everyone, we are going to miss you very much - said Shiroi, as he continued stroking the little boy's hair.
He, Norio began to cry inconsolably as he clung tightly to Shiroi's body. Attempts to words could be heard from the little crybaby, but they were impossible to understand, since these were mixed with the sound of his crying. Norio just cried and cried, while Shiroi held him wrapped in his arms. The moving scene was interrupted by the ringing of the bell.
- That must be Takato - Says Shiroi, while wiping Norio's tears - Go to the bathroom and wash your face. Today is a day to laugh and celebrate as a family.
- Yes, you're right - Norio says, heading towards the bathroom.
Shiroi quickly heads for the door upon hearing the third ringing. Little Rem was already standing right in front of the door, waiting impatiently for his mother to open the door. When opening the door, Rem jumps without warning until he is grabbed by the neck of that visitor.
- Uncle Takato! - Shouted the little boy.
- Takato, welcome - Shiroi says.
- Mr. Shiroi - Takato says, holding Rem in his arms.
This time it was the guest Rem was eagerly awaiting. Shiroi gestures with his hand as he moves to the side inviting him to pass. Takato heads to the center of the room and leaves Rem on a sofa while Shiroi held two large plates, one in each hand. Takato immediately went to him and took one of the dishes that Mr. Shiroi brought, so they placed them on the table.
- I also want to help! - exclaims little Rem.
-Of course my love. Go and bring some napkins to the table - Shiroi answers.
Rem quickly runs to the kitchen, nimbly dodging Takato who came with one more plate in his hands. All the snacks and drinks were finally on the table, the napkins, glasses and cutlery had also been put in, and in the center, a huge blue cake with a large 3-shaped candle on it. Everything was ready to start the celebration; only Norio was missing, who was taking longer than normal in the bathroom.
- I'll go see if Norio is fine - Shiroi says as he gets up and goes to the bathroom.
- No ... Norio? - Says Takato in a soft voice.
- Uncle Takato! Norio says he is my uncle Norio! - Says Rem sitting next to Takato - But that's not true right? Since Takato is my mom's only brother.
Finally Shiroi brings Norio from the bathroom, everything seemed to be in order. It was inevitable that Norio and Takato's eyes met, but Takato just looked away while Norio tried to do the same while frowning.
- Come here, my love - Shiroi says, extending his arms towards Rem.
The little boy quickly rises from the seat next to Takato goes to his mother's arms.
- Time to cut the cake. Do you have any wish to ask?
- YES! - Rem says excitedly.
- Very good - Shiroi lights the big candle in the shape of 3 on the cake - close your eyes, think about your wish and then blow out the candles.
Then, little Rem closed his eyes, thought his wish and put out that beautiful candle. Everyone quickly started clapping while saying "Happy Birthday!"
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Volume I .End
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