Persona BLEACHED 5: Chapter 12

Persona BLEACHED 5
Chapter 12: Sunrise, Sunlight
September 5, 2036
Sendai, on the northeastern coast of Japan. Built by the legendary 'One-Eyed Dragon', Date Masamune, as a stronghold for his clan, it was a mixture of pristine architecture and well-maintained nature, with most of the main streets flanked by the same zelkova trees that line the roads in Omotesandō.
"*Yaaaaaaawn*"
In his apartment in the central Aoba ward, Sahir was in a state between waking up and falling back asleep. His room was disorganized, with clothes strewn about the floor and his notes scattered on a desk. On the wall was a framed, green soccer jersey with his name on the back.
"Sahir-kun...Sahir-kun!"
He snorted, and groggily woke up. "Ungh...is it exam day already?"
Staring at him from the foot of his bed was Sakuya, already dressed for the day. "It isn't exam day. But you overslept. Get dressed. Your family's flight will arrive within the hour."
"Aw, right, that's today, ain't it..." Sahir got up. "...how long were you standing there? I wasn't talking in my sleep, was I?"
"....." Sakuya hid her mouth with her sleeve. "Wait until tomorrow for my maid costume, Sahir-kun."
"Ugggggh..." Sahir groaned, as a pleased Sakuya exited the room.
This was setting up to be a hectic weekend for the young medical student. His family--his parents and all five of his siblings--were flying in this morning, with his birthday being tomorrow. Coupled with his Tokyo and Kyoto-based friends coming in as well, his normally-quiet apartment was about to get very loud.
Now fully dressed, he stepped out to the kitchen. "Mm-mm-mm, something smells delicious."
"Is that another flirtation?" Sakuya asked.
"I said smells, not looks, but that's a true statement, too."
She flicked his ear. "I'm reheating the pastries Natty-chan gave me. You can wash it down with this." She put a bottle on the table, which was filled with a reddish-purple drink.
"Hold up, is this..." Sahir took a sip, and his eyes widened. "It iiiiiis! This is zobo, isn't it? Where'd you get this from?"
"I made it myself."
"You...made it yourself."
"I found a Nigerian-owned bar in Tokyo, and they were generous enough to teach me how to make it and where to get the hibiscus leaves. It was...quite an involved process, but I made enough bottles for your family to hopefully last the weekend. Did it turn out alright?"
"Saku, if you hadn't told me you made it, I would've guessed my Ma sent it to you herself. It felt like I was back home for a second there."
"Good, I'm glad. I know how difficult it must be to be away from home for so long. So I added some recipes to my repertoire that should help with that, just a little bit."
"I'd say it's way more than a little bit. Nabil and Farooq are gonna clean us out by themselves. They can't get enough of the stuff. Not even mentioning my old man..."
Sahir suddenly went quiet.
"Still worried about how your father is going to behave?"
"Yeah. Something like that."
Sahir had reason to be concerned. There had been tensions within the family for years now. His oldest brother, Salim, was kicked out of the house by their father after he came out as gay. The two were rarely in the same place after that, but both would be in-town for this weekend. It was for that same reason that it had taken years for Sahir to disclose the truth about Sakuya--a decision reaffirmed by his father's negative reaction.
That was two years ago. His mother had assured him that his father was 'getting better', but he would not know for sure how much better until they all arrived. 
"Him and your brother haven't spoken much over the years, have they?" Sakuya asked.
"Nope. Once Salim moved in with Uncle Joe in London, he mostly kept to himself. Ma promised me that my old man was gonna be on his best behavior around him...and you. But I'll believe it when I see it. Man, was he angry when I told him about you."
"I was prepared for it. And I've heard worse. I understand it's a matter of upbringing. The most I can do is be courteous and polite. People don't change their core beliefs overnight. And I'm encouraged that your mother and siblings have all been accepting of me. If your father says anything out of line, I'm sure she'll be quick to chastise him...if my mother doesn't beat her to it."
"Ooohohohoo, there's a scary thought. Ya don't see Ms. Lily bare her fangs all that often. Hoping we don't see that today or tomorrow."
"She usually reserves it for when I've been personally offended...or when a high schooler is giving her an attitude." The thought made Sakuya sigh. "Well, best to have our breakfast. No better omen for a good day than a Natty-chan meal."
The couple finished their breakfast shortly after, then made their way over to the nearby Sendai Station. With Sendai Airport taking in very few foreign flights, it was easier for Sahir's family to fly into Tokyo before taking a train over. His oldest brother would be arriving first, the rest of the clan following about an hour after.
As they waited, Sahir stood around, hands in his pockets, whistling. Sakuya walked up next to him, eating from a bag of plantain chips. "Want some?" 
"Don't mind if I do." Sahir helped himself. "Y'know, funny thing about plantains. You know how Prof has this encyclopedic know-how about plants, right? She told me how the scientific name for plantains just happens to be 'Musa'."
"Oh, goodness."
"Yep. So in a way, you can say that I'm a Musa currently eating Musa!" Sahir playfully nudged Sakuya with his elbow. "Eh, eh? Good one, right?"
"I would strongly advise against a future in stand-up comedy, Sahir-kun. Your prospects are much better in medicine."
His posture dropped. "...why do you gotta hit me like that?"
The subway train soon pulled up. The doors opened, and multitudes of people disembarked as others entered. 
"Spot him yet?" Sahir asked.
"Not yet. I wouldn't worry about losing him in a crowd. Your brother does make the effort to stand out." Sakuya replied.
Exiting the train was a dark-skinned man with short, black hair and a goatee, his eyes covered by designer shades, a transparent stud in either ear. He wore a dark jacket with the logo of English football club Arsenal F.C. on the front, along with black leather pants and sneakers. "You'd think it was a bloody matchday with how crowded it is. Mercy."
"There's some familiar complaining." Sahir approached.
"Hello, Salim-dono." Sakuya greeted.
"Oh, good, my chauffeurs--WHAT IS THIS?!" Salim exclaimed, poking Sahir on the head and brushing Sakuya's hair. "What is going on here?! Did you two lose a bet and have to cut it all off? Gambling isn't worth it, little brother..."
"Calm yourself, bro, I didn't lose any bet! I had to cut all this off cuz it would get in the way during classes." Sahir replied.
"I had to shorten my hair because it's less that the seals can nibble on." Sakuya explained.
"You and your sea creatures, I swear..." Salim gave her a hug. "You're still fabulous, darling. At least I have one brother with good taste."
"Thanks, I think?" Sahir responded.
"It was a compliment, little brother. Are those plantains?"
"Help yourself. You must be starving after such a long journey." Sakuya offered.
"Positively famished." Salim took a handful. "You know I heard once that the scientific name for these is 'Musa'? The irony in me eating this is astonishing."
"Right?!" Sahir exclaimed.
"....." Sakuya could do naught but sigh.
The trio went over to a nearby lounge to wait for the rest of the clan.
"...so the lads are looking good this year. Couple of them look set to make the first team, can't disclose who. You know, contracts and all that fluff." Salim related.
"That's the thing I don't miss about the game. All that paperwork." Sahir replied.
"Your solution to which was...becoming a medical professional." Sakuya pointed out.
"She's got a point, little brother. But if I'm being perfectly honest, that hippo might've done you a favor, messing your leg up like that. Surgery gives you more security, and there's less risk of getting the old ACL ripped to shreds all over again." Salim said.
"Could've done without the months of rehab and years of therapy..." Sahir replied.
"Plus, you got this delightful magnolia out of it, so I'd consider it a win."
"With that degree of charm, I can't imagine how you're still unmarried." Sakuya drank her tea.
"Trust me, darling, it's not for lack of trying."
"I'm sorry, when did I become the third wheel here?" Sahir questioned.
"Only paying your other half her due compliments, don't worry. Honestly, an imminent major career and a level-headed partner are more than most people get. It's more than what our brothers can say, anyway."
"Surely they can't be that bad, can they?" Sakuya asked.
"Oh, she doesn't know, does she?" Salim rubbed his eyes. "It's truly horrific. More than what anyone should be forced to witness."
"Are they guilty of actual crimes?"
"Worse." Sahir answered. "They're stand-up comedians. Really bad ones."
"I had the misfortune of being at their last 'performance' a week ago. I thought they were going to be run out of the building. That was one of the most uncomfortable sits I've ever had, and I've had to sit through a James Corden speech." Salim related.
"They...aren't going to be performing for Sahir-kun's birthday, are they?" Sakuya asked.
"I warned them not to, but they'll probably try anyway. Just...give them a pity laugh. Don't crush them too deeply."
"She hardly ever laughs to begin with. They'll know it's fake." Sahir said.
"Well, onto less...dire topics..." Sakuya tried changing the subject. "Are Clea-chan and Crea-chan at least doing well in college?"
"Oh, phenomenal. Their season is about to start, and it looks like they'll actually be getting some playing time. Truth be told, I sort of glazed over once they started talking about this nonsense involving a 'portal' of some kind that a bunch of last year's players left through? Collegiate athletics in the States is way too complicated for what it's supposed to be." Salim explained.
"Well at least they won't be on the bench the whole year. Crazy that they might be the ones out of all of us who end up playing professionally, and it ain't even soccer!" Sahir replied.
"I'd slow down on that train of thinking until they've played a full year. But they're good enough hoopers that a college is giving them a free ride, so who knows. And we all know how much the old man loves not spending any money."
"Yeah, he, uh...does love pinching his pennies. Hehe..."
"Sahir."
"Uh...yeah?"
"Let me make this totally clear. I'm here for the two of you and Mum and the rest of our siblings. As far as Dad is concerned, there is no bridge to mend. He kicked me out of the house and said I was dead to him simply because of my sexual preferences. If you've managed to convince him to accept Sakuya for who she is, then congratulations. You've done what I couldn't."
"I understand your frustrations. But if your father were to offer an apology--" Sakuya began.
"Then it's my decision on whether or not to accept it. Forgiveness shouldn't be handed out like cookies."
"Bro--" Sahir replied.
Salim put his hands up to quiet him. "I will be on my best behavior. I won't be the one to spoil your birthday. But if he says anything out of line, I won't be a ghost."
"And I won't let him. I wouldn't have even asked him to come if I thought things might go nuclear. Saku is my Number One. And you've been my hero since Day One. I won't let either one of you be uncomfortable on my watch. I'll be the first one to speak up if Ma or Saku's mom don't beat me to it. It's gonna be all good."
"For your continued sanity, I hope you're right." Salim got up. "I should get to the hotel. The suitcase isn't going to unpack itself. Try to make sure Nabil and Farooq get all of their, ahem, 'jokes' out of their system before dinner."
"It can't possibly be that bad, can it?" Sakuya questioned.
"Consider yourselves warned. Practice your fake laughter in the meanwhile." Salim departed.
Sahir groaned. "Guess this is how Kitty Kat felt when we went to her house back then, huh?"
"I would hope that there's less...excitement this time around." Sakuya replied.
"Maybe we should take his advice and practice faking a laugh. There a corner we could do it without anyone judging?"
"This weekend may be over before it even begins."