"I should check on how my mom is doing now." Akira let go of the group hug. "And maybe bring her some lunch if she hasn't had anything to eat. Kenta, Auntie Shiori is in charge of the finishing touch on your yakimeshi, right? Is there anything in it my mom can't eat?"

"I mostly use plant-based ingredients, except for the egg yolk. The egg isn't mixed in with the rice, though, so you can just serve the yakimeshi without the omelet." Kenta said. "I feel bad that Auntie Chiharu has a lot of foods she can't enjoy. I admire how she has never complained despite everything. If I were her, I don't think I can resist complaining every five minutes."

"I hope this question isn't too personal, Akira, but why can't your mom eat egg yolk?" Ezekiel asked while preventing Miyuki from biting Sebby's swishing tail. "Hey, Miyuki, leave him alone. Are you jealous of his bushy tail? Hm, maybe we ought to give you some fake tail."

"I don't know if cats can get jealous!" Akira giggled before picking Miyuki up and putting her on Kenta's lap, away from Sebby. "Oh, and about my mom's diet. Egg yolk contains high level of phosphorus, which in healthy people help build stronger bones together with calcium. In someone with kidney problem like my mom, however, extra phosphorus can build up since the kidney isn't capable of removing the excess anymore. Too much phosphorus can lead to complications like heart attack, stroke, and decreased lung functions. She does have a medicine called phosphate binder to control her phosphorus level, but still it's good to avoid egg yolk."

"Wow, Akira, I think you can become a dietician if you ever want to!" Ezekiel stared at his girlfriend in amazement. "That's a very thorough break down on the effects of egg yolk."

"Oh, I don't know about being a dietician, but I'll put that on the list of my possible future majors. Say, Ezie, aren't there chefs who specialize in making foods for sick people? Like, chefs who work in a hospital? Do you think you would ever be interested in training to be one?"

"Well, our future is not set in stone, so yeah, why not?" Ezekiel nodded. "Besides, I do believe that good chefs care about the health of those who eat their cooking and I wanna be a good chef."

"I wonder if there are chefs who cook foods for sick animals," Johan wondered aloud. "If us humans can be put on a diet to improve our health, surely the same principle applies to animals, am I right? I wouldn't mind working alongside that kind of chef, but as my siblings could attest my cooking skill is unfortunately inexistent. Mom is patiently helping me get better, though."

"Aw, I could give you some pointers, Johan." Kenta gave him a reassuring smile. "I don't know much about foods that aren't Japanese, but I think the basic of cooking is the same regardless of culture. There's frying, boiling, steaming, sautéing, baking, grilling, and I think that's all?"

"Pretty much." Ezekiel nodded. "Don't worry, Johan, cooking isn't that hard. You'll improve."

"What kind of foods do you like to cook?" Nardho suddenly jumped down from Kenta's bed and demanded a hug from Ezekiel. The older boy complied and Nardho snuggled up in his arms.

"I like cooking with tofu. People think tofu is tasteless but that's exactly why I like it. With a blank canvass like that, I can be creative and experiment with a lot of different seasonings and sauces. Hey kid, have you ever had Sacha tofu? It's very spicy but flavorful. The oil is infused with shallot and copious amount of chilies. Maybe I can make some for you someday."

"Ooh, tofu with spices!" Nardhia said, drooling. "I bet the tofu would be yummy with broccoli."

"You like broccoli?" Kenta asked with a hint of disbelief in his voice. "That's great, Dhia."

"Broccoli is good with lemon and butter!" the little girl's legs were now kicking the air as she rolled on her stomach and hugged one of Kenta's pillows. "I don't get why people dislike it."

"Broccoli is bitter without butter, though." Nardho said to his sister. "I tried it that way once."

"Keep on eating your veggies, kids, and grow up strong!" Akira winked at the twins. "Anyway, great discussion, but we got carried away. I'm going to my mom's room. I'll be back real soon."

---

Chiharu was listening to Lee reading her a chapter from a book called The Land of Eight Million Gods when her daughter came in with a plate of yakimeshi. Smiling gratefully, the woman took the plate from Akira and gestured for the young girl to sit on the bed between her and Lee.

"Akira, I'm sorry that I ruined your birthday party. I shouldn't have stayed up late last night but I really wanted to finish sewing your dress." Chiharu sighed and ruffled Akira's hair. "I promise to be more careful from now on so that I wouldn't collapse from exhaustion. Again, sorry, dear."

"I love the dress, Oka-san, but not if it comes at the price of your health!" Akira gave Chiharu a peck on the cheek before taking her hand and giving it a gentle rub. "Don't spoil me too much."

"I'm not spoiling you, I was just making sure you get a nice present!" Chiharu retorted. "By the way, your father and I talked a bit more about the idea of kidney transplant. Given how bad my disease has gotten, I have to agree with him that I can no longer stall the procedure. Kidney transplant, however, isn't something to be taken lightly because there's always a chance of the kidney receiver rejecting the new kidney. Don't get your hopes up, Akira, understand?"

"I understand. But this is great news, Oka-san. You're finally on the kidney recipient registry!"

"Yep, she is now, thankfully." Lee said with a tender expression on his face. "Also, the doctor said I'm in good shape so I can donate one of my kidneys to your mother, evaluation pending."

"Akira, there's something you need to know," Chiharu said almost inaudibly. "I've made peace with the possibility of the kidney transplant not working and your father helped me come up with a sort of a last wish in case I will die on the operating table. Guess what my last wish is, dear."

"Hmm..." Akira looked around the room before her gazed landed on Chiharu's book. "Is it something to do with taking a trip to a shrine? I mean, why else would you read about the gods?"

"Smart, our daughter is!" Chiharu grinned toward Lee's direction. "That's correct. I've been thinking of visiting Tsubaki Island, the very same island on which your Grandpa Shigeru was buried. There is also a shrine on that island dedicated to the god of healing and medicine."

"The god of medicine? Are you talking of Okuninushi-sama? I've been praying to him!" Akira almost squealed in excitement. "Of course, it would be even more awesome to visit his shrine. I wonder if he prefers being prayed to at the shrine. I do want him to finally listen to my wishes."

"Yep, Okuninushi-sama!" Lee answered with gleaming eyes. "I don't think it matters where you pray as long as your prayers are sincere, but it certainly doesn't hurt to pay a visit to the shrine. Besides, Tsubaki Island is gorgeous and it is home to many different plant species. I'm sure you and Kenta would have a lot of fun there, maybe you could even take notes for the botany club."

"Yeah, Kenta would go nuts over a plant sanctuary!" Akira chuckled before her expression turned serious. "There is someone else I'm thinking of bringing with us. A significant other."

"Oh? My, my, our daughter has found someone she likes!" Chiharu clapped her hands. "Who is it, dear? Is it that green-haired boy from the deaf boarding school? Bastian Arakida, wasn't it?"

"Argh, why does everybody automatically think I fancied Baz? No, Oka-san, it is Ezekiel!"

"Aiden's step-brother? Wow, so unexpected!" Lee laughed. "Hope he's better than the brother."

"He's a lot kinder and he's good at comforting people." Akira said as a hue of red traveled up her cheeks. "And I'm impressed that he's already thinking so deeply about choices for his future. He inspires me to start thinking about mine too. I want to start by deciding on a college to go to."

"Ezekiel seems like a good influence on you. I approve." Lee nodded and glanced at Chiharu, who also nodded. "Yeah, your mother agrees, see? Of course your boyfriend can come with us."

"Arigatou!" Akira pulled her parents into an embrace. "I was worried about admitting that I'm now in a relationship, but I'm so glad I broke the news to you. You're truly the best of the best!"

"You're growing up, Akira." Lee patted his daughter's head. "Having a boyfriend is like a rite of passage. As long as your relationship is based on mutual respect and admiration for each other, I believe it's a very healthy thing to have a special someone at your age. Have fun and be happy."

---

"EZZIIIEE!" Akira shouted as she re-entered Kenta's room, causing everyone to look at her with a stunned expression. "Oh Ezie, my parents absolutely love you. In fact, they gave me their permission to bring you along for some quality family time next Saturday. Nice, isn't it?"

"Slow down, please, I didn't catch that." Ezekiel scratched his head but broke into a smile nonetheless. "Did you say parents and family and next Saturday? Is it about your poor mom's health? Is she gonna get hospitalized? Oh dear, I hope I'm hearing you all wrong. Am I?"

"Family trip. You're coming with us." Akira repeated herself, slower this time. "You wanna?"

"Hm, let me check my calendar." Ezekiel pulled up the planner App on his phone. "I might have to reschedule a job interview but I think if I'm being convincing my potential future employer might agree on rescheduling. From what little I've heard of him, he's a totally chill person."

"What job interview?" Akira knitted her eyebrows. "Are you struggling to pay your school fee?"

"Baz told me of a new restaurant in midtown Mizunotori in need of an apprentice sous chef. The restaurant's name is Hidamari Kaiseki and its founder, Ahimsatya Takumi, used to be a Zen Buddhist monk before he left his monastery to pursue his passion in vegetarian cooking."

"That's awesome!" Kenta chimed in and gave Ezekiel a thumbs up. "I take it that the restaurant serves shojin ryori style of cuisine? This apprenticeship sounds like it's meant for you."

"Well, Takumi-san doesn't want to limit the menu to just one type of culinary tradition." Ezekiel elaborated while showing his friends the restaurant's well-maintained website. "See this section on appetizers alone? They have seasonal items ranging from roasted cauliflowers and butternut squash to things like mustard greens topped with scallions, grated ginger, and sesame seeds."

"The menu sure is extensive!" Johan said with a tone of pure astonishment. "I hope my family could eat there before we have to go back to Black Elm the day after tomorrow. Ah man, I can't believe our vacation is ending soon. I will miss you guys and Silver Pine so much, definitely."

"I can't believe you're leaving so soon either!" Akira replied while Nardho and Nardhia hang onto her sleeves, their eyes glistening with tears that threatened to fall any minute. "But keep in touch, okay? Send us e-mails every day and perhaps plan some interplanetary video calls."

"Johan, I'd like to give you something." Kenta got up from the edge of his bed and lifted the lid of a jewelry box sitting on top of his bookshelf. "I originally made this rainbow necklace for myself back when I was still questioning who I am and who I like, but I'd like you to have it. I hope that it gives you some sense of serenity just like it did for me in my time of confusion."

"Whoa, so pretty!" Nardhia observed the necklace with sparkling eyes. "The beads are like gemstones. You made it all on your own, Onii-chan? Ah, I wish I could have one like that too."

"It's very easy to make if you know how to string beads together," Kenta smiled with affection at the wide-eyed little girl eyeing the necklace admiringly. "I have a book on necklace making if you're interested in learning more. Here," he pulled it out of the shelf. "Take this home, Dhia."

"You're the kindest, Kenta." Johan gingerly brushed the beads on the necklace. "I shall treasure this wonderful present. Dad has been invading my privacy by randomly going through my stuff but I'm gonna keep this in my locker at school where it's gonna be safe. Oh hey, there is a hook attached to the necklace. Is that intentional? Were you thinking of attaching a small pendant?"

"Yeah, that was the plan but I never found a suitable pendant." Kenta grinned. "I was inspired by a rosary my favorite teacher at school wears wrapped around his wrist. While I have no idea how to use a rosary to pray, I do think it looks beautiful and I couldn't resist trying to craft one."

"Thank you for giving me something so meaningful." Johan bowed deeply. "Huh, I don't have anything to give you in return but maybe..." he smiled mischievously. "Maybe I can give you a nickname, something I might call you by if fate ever dictates that we meet again. Kenta, has anyone ever told you that you're like a powerfully luminescent ray of hope in a dark and raging sea? That was how I felt today when you let me confide in you about my parents' fight."

"A nickname!" Akira elbowed Kenta and winked. "Wow, not even Ezie and I have one."

"How do you say something shiny in Japanese?" Johan opened a dictionary App. "Hikari?"

"Yeah, hikari!" Akira nodded. "That's a good nickname for my cousin. He's your hikari."

"What's with that coy look?" Kenta frowned upon noticing Akira winking at him. "Quit it."

"Oh, nothing, just thinking of incredible adorableness!" she laughed. "I'm so happy today."

"Happiness is worth holding on to." Ezekiel nodded. "And I'm sure there'll be more to come."

---

Just like Ezekiel had predicted, his future boss rescheduled the interview. Equipped with the knowledge that he didn't have to choose between joining the Kinoyas and focusing on getting a lucrative job, he showed up on Saturday with the brightest smile Akira had ever seen on anyone.

"Ezie, I'm so glad you made it!" Akira threw herself onto her boyfriend's open arm. "My parents, uncle, aunt, and Kenta are in the garage packing some bags onto the car trunk. By the way, I hope Baz isn't pouting about me taking his very best friend away for a weekend. How is he, by the way? I assume he passed the music audition? I swear I'll be rioting if he didn't, Ezie."

"Baz understands, although he's been teasing me ceaselessly. And yes, the nerve-wrecking audition was a success. He told me it originally comprised of three parts: sight reading music notes, playing a pre-selected song from memory, and re-playing a song the recruiter played purely by relying on auditory prowess. Thankfully, Baz got an exemption not to do the last one."

"Aww, big congratulations to Baz. So, his place at the conservatory is pretty much secured?"

"He's got a conditional offer," Ezekiel said as he and Akira walked hand in hand toward the driveway. "Baz would get in on the condition that he writes a good essay based on one of the three prompts the conservatory put out. Apparently musicians have to be able to write well too. I'm not worried about that—Baz has decent writing skills, far better than mine for sure."

"Better than yours? Oh, you mean because you're still learning academic English?"

"Exactly!" Ezekiel nodded. "I grew up mostly signing, so writing doesn't come naturally to me."

"That's okay. Remember the book Johan gave me? I can lend it to you. No, actually, I think you should sit down with Kenta and I to practice essay writing. Perhaps we can do it in a quiet café."

"Oh? Writing in a quiet café? That sounds like a date, with your cousin third-wheeling."

"I won't call him a third-wheeler," Akira chuckled lightly and tightened her hold on Ezekiel's hand. "More like he's gonna be making sure no one disturbs us while we're essaying. Wait, is essaying even a verb? I think I remember essayer being the French word for trying or to try."

"Huh, I didn't know you're interested in etymology. You interests are so eclectic, Akira."

----

Tsubaki Island was a three-and-half hour drive from the heart of Hinotori. Aikawa was the one driving and his wife Shiori was in charge of dispensing snacks to the teenagers in the backseat. She had prepared karinto, deep-fried cylinders of rice flour doughs covered in brown sugar and filled with peanuts. While everyone enjoyed the karinto, Chiharu entertained them with a Shinto myth of how Okuninushi-sama once had an encounter with a hare on a province called Inaba.

"Once upon a time, there was a tiny hare who wanted to cross from an island to another. As he was standing on the coastline with his family, the hare saw a clan of sharks swimming by," Chiharu narrated in her silky voice. "The trickster hare decided to get into some mischief."

"I bet it's not gonna end well for the hare." Ezekiel whispered to Akira. "Challenging sharks?"

"Since the hare needs a bridge to cross to the next island, he proposed a challenge to see which clan could make the longest bridge, the hare clan or the shark clan." Chiharu continued as the teenagers listened, mesmerized by her voice. "The shark clan went first, making a row that stretched from coast to coast. Suddenly, the hare and his family hopped over the row of sharks."

"Uh oh, that's one smart hare but also very cunning!" Kenta snickered. "What happened next?"

"The oldest shark in the clan wasn't happy about the hare just using the sharks for his own need, so this elderly shark asked the hare to apologize but he refused. Tragedy ensued." Chiharu turned her head to the backseat, grinning, and abruptly paused her narration for a dramatic suspense.

"The hare got eaten, didn't he?" Ezekiel gasped. "I knew it! Never try to trick an old shark."

"Well, Okuninushi-sama came to his aid. At that time, the God of Medicine was traveling to Inaba to meet a goddess. Upon seeing the foolish hare dying from getting bitten by the shark, Okuninushi-sama brought him to the mouth of a river, where the hare could take a bath, and then rested on a bed of cattails. Apparently cattails had medicinal property and they healed the hare."

"Aww, I'm so glad the God of Medicine was benevolent!" Ezekiel clapped. "Great story!"

"I believe it's not just a story but something that actually happened a long time ago," Chiharu promptly responded with a kind smile. "It was a testament to Okuninushi-sama's benevolence."

"We're here!" Aikawa pointed at a sign that said Welcome to Tsubaki Island, the Home of Giant Shark and Hare Statues. "Wow, I'm tired from driving but I know the scenery would make the long drive worth it. C'mon, Kenta, help me unload the bags and find ourselves a picnic table."

While Kenta, his dad, and Shiori carried the bags to a picnic table under the shade of a gigantic silver pine, Lee and Chiharu showed Akira and Ezekiel a map of the whole island. The island had many different shrines scattered about, as well as some lakes and meadows, but what Lee wanted the teenagers to focus on was a burial site hidden behind a lust woodland full of cedars.

"My dad Shigeru, so Kenta's and Akira's grandpa, was buried right there. Well, not buried as in his body rotting underneath the soil, but buried as in he was cremated and his ash is stored in a grave. Aikawa and I haven't visited his grave ever since you guys graduated from middle school, so this trip is long overdue." Lee explained as he opened a cooler box and gestured for his daughter to come take a look at the freshly cut flowers. "Which one should we give your grandpa today, Akira? There are white chrysanthemums but also jasmines and red spider lilies."

"Jasmines? Those are Oka-san's favorite flowers, right? Was it her idea to have some here?"

"Yeah." Lee nodded while picking up a handful of jasmines. "She and Shiori were especially close to your grandpa and would spend hours listening to him recite his poems. One of the poems he recited most often was called An Ode to Purity and mentioned jasmines in its stanzas."

"How did the poem go, Mr. Kinoya?" Ezekiel asked while holding a chrysanthemum. "I would like to listen to it, if you don't mind. The title itself sounds very sentimental and melancholic."

"I haven't memorized all the 117 lines of the long poem, but I do remember the first five or so lines." Lee closed his eyes in concentration before reciting the ode in his baritone voice. "Thou art lovelier than jasmines that grow on the river bank, oh the fairest autumn maiden! Looking at thine eyes, my heart is with unspeakable joy overladen. Thou art more hypnotizing than the perfume of jasmines, oh the capturer of my soul! Is it a sin to wish that thou could one day cast thine gaze upon this creature so foul? Prettier than jasmines, could thou ever be mine?"

"Aww, sounds like Grandpa Shigeru was having a serious case of insecurity about winning a woman's heart!" Akira clapped once her dad finished reciting the poem. "He wrote it for my grandma, didn't he? If I were grandma, I would certainly melt from reading his poem."

"Yeah, your grandpa was a hopeless romantic." Lee winked. "We all could learn from him."