Golden Festival Day 14
The morning sun filtered through the curtains of Odd Jobs, pale gold drifting across the living room floor like quietly spilled warmth. By the time everyone woke up, the smell of coffee lingered in the air, Diego had brewed a pot before starting his morning training, claiming caffeine kept his swagger sharp. Chifuyu stretched his arms and slipped his jacket on. Golden Festival or not, their routines never changed.
Today was Chifuyu's weekly visit home. He looked over and saw Ariel dangling from the sofa with her hair upside down, slowly kicking her feet like a bored cat. Iris sat beside her on the floor, sipping tea while watching an early morning variety show with an expression halfway between interested and terrified.
Chifuyu: "Alright," he said, tying his shoes. "Ariel, Iris, ready?"
Ariel popped upright instantly, her hair flopping back into place with supernatural grace.
Ariel: "I was born ready," she declared, puffing her chest with pride.
Chifuyu: "Don't raid the pantry this time."
Iris stood up, clutching her bag: "I-I'm ready… I think… I hope… maybe…"
Chifuyu gave a small smile. Iris tried her best, and he respected that more than she knew.
Iris was about to follow him to the door when she asked quietly: "Um… Do you really think they'll like me?"
Chifuyu answered without hesitation: "Of course. My parents have been wanting to meet you."
Ariel flicked Iris's forehead lightly: "They'll love you. Trust me. I'm like… ninety percent sure."
Chifuyu: "Ninety? Why not one hundred?"
Ariel: "Ninety leaves room for excitement."
Iris blinked: "…I don't think that's how excitement works."
Outside, a cool morning breeze rolled through. Since it was Golden Festival, there wasn't one moment when it wasn't busy, families were out early, kids chased one another down the sidewalks, and the whole neighborhood carried a calm holiday glow.
Chifuyu cracked his neck: "Alright then," he said. "Let's jog. It's not that far."
Iris: "It's great that your parents don't live too far."
Chifuyu: "Yeah. Forty minutes if we walk. Fifteen if we jog."
Ariel stretched her arms: "Ahhh~ I love morning runs. It wakes up me up the best."
They started jogging together, Chifuyu at a crazy fast pace, Iris matched his, and Ariel was doing casual flips over obstacles just because she could.
People stared. But this was their neighborhood, they were used to it. Odd things happened daily.
Chifuyu glanced back at Iris, noticing she didn't even look winded: "Iris, you're doing good."
Iris: "Huh? Oh! Uh… thanks."
Ariel jogged backward for fun: "She's a natural prodigy, remember?"
Chifuyu: "I remember when we first met, and you took off like a professional runner."
Iris immediately tripped over nothing.
Chifuyu caught her by the hood.
Iris: "Hehe. And you caught up to me with ease."
They continued their jog through the residential area until a modern two-story home with a brick gate came into view.
It was Chifuyu's parents new home since they moved to District 4 with him.
Chifuyu slowed to a walk: "Alright," he exhaled. "We're here."
Ariel: "Time for some perfect daps."
The front door swung open the second Chifuyu stepped foot on the path.
His father, Bryan Kyotani stood there, muscular, wearing an apron that said "WORLD'S OKAYEST CHEF."
Bryan: "Yo, Chifuyu!"
Chifuyu: "Sup."
They performed a crisp, perfect dap. The kind that echoed.
Then Chifuyu's dad extended a hand to Ariel. She cracked her neck like she was preparing for combat, then met his hand with an even louder clap. Their palms smacked together like thunder with impact frames that had Chifuyu and Iris in awe.
Ariel: "PERFECT!"
Bryan: "You've been practicing." Then he looked at Iris. "You must be Iris."
Iris stood stiffly at attention like she had accidentally enlisted in a military unit: "Y-Yes, I'm Iris Sakata."
His dad blinked, then smiled warmly: "At ease, soldier. Come on in."
Iris blushed so intensely from embarrassment that she nearly fainted.
In the living room, Chifuyu's mom, Chisa sat working on her laptop. When she saw them, her eyes lit up: "Chifuyu! You're here!"
He leaned down and hugged her. Her warm, comforting presence washed over him like always.
Chisa: "This lovely girl must be Iris."
Iris: "Y-yes, it's nice to meet you," she stammered again, voice cracking.
Chifuyu's mom clasped her hands in delight: "Oh my goodness, she's adorable!"
Iris nearly died. From embarrassment again.
Ariel smirked: "Iris got hit by 2 critical attacks, let's finish her off."
Chifuyu: "Don't you start."
The table was soon filled with cooking ingredients, his parents insisted on making a full brunch. As they chopped vegetables, mixed batter, and prepared side dishes, the atmosphere grew warm, lively, and comfortable. Ariel and Chifuyu's dad debated whether donut burgers counted as a crime. Chifuyu's mom teased Ariel about snacking too much. Iris nearly caught a pancake with her face. Chifuyu watched it all quietly, realizing how rare and precious moments like this were. They finally settled into the living room for movies. Ariel sprawled across half the couch like a spoiled cat. Iris sat quietly with her hands folded, trying her best to look normal. Popcorn sat in a massive bowl between Chifuyu and Iris, Chisa sat elegantly with a blanket over her legs, while Bryan was stretched out on the floor.
The opening scene boomed with dramatic music.
Bryan: "Wait, wait, WAIT. Is this the one with the explosions or the one with the tragic romance?"
Chifuyu: "It has both."
Bryan: "Both? This should be interesting."
Chifuyu: "There's a horror aspect too."
Iris clutched her pillow nervously: "I—I don't do well with jump scares…"
Chifuyu's mom smiled gently: "It's okay, dear. Just grab onto Chifuyu when you get scared."
Iris immediately malfunctioned: "G-G-G-G-GRAB—?!"
Chifuyu nearly choked on popcorn.
Ariel popped a kernel into her mouth: "If she faints, does that mean I get her share?"
Chifuyu: "No," he said flatly.
The movie reached its first dramatic confrontation—thunder cracked, a shadow loomed, and a monster leapt out of the darkness. Iris shrieked and latched onto Chifuyu's sleeve like her life depended on it.
Ariel screamed louder than Iris: "WHY IS IT MOVING LIKE THAT?!"
His dad laughed so hard he slapped the floor: "This movie is hilarious."
Chifuyu's mom sipped her tea: "Dear, that wasn't a comedic scene."
Towards the end, the villain gave a dramatic speech on screen.
Chifuyu's dad crossed his arms: "Yeah yeah, tragic backstory, blah blah, get to the fight already."
Chifuyu: "Wait, Dad. You have to let it cook. A good backstory adds more depth to a fight."
When the fight finally erupted, explosions filled the screen.
Ariel leaned forward intensely: "Oh, this is the good part!"
His dad leaned forward too: "That's a terrible guard. He's gonna get—yep. Called it."
By the end, the protagonist won and they moved on to the next movie. The final scenes were disappointing, which Bryan called.
The next movie started, a comedy this time. Within five minutes, Bryan was wheezing, Iris was giggling into her pillow, and Ariel laughed so hard she fell off the couch.
Chisa leaned over to Iris: "Would you like more popcorn, sweetie?"
Iris: "Yes please!"
Ariel intercepted the bowl mid-air: "Tax."
Iris: "Hey, that's supposed to be mine..."
Chifuyu's dad pointed dramatically: "Ariel commits theft in my house yet again!"
Chifuyu's mom sighed: "We've talked about this."
Ariel munched proudly: "Mwuhahahaha. You can't stop me."
Chifuyu smacked her upside the head: "Give it back."
Ariel: "Sorry."
Eventually, the laughter softened. The room grew quieter. Iris dozed off with her head tilted against the couch cushion. Chifuyu slumped back, comfortable.
Bryan: "Bring over all your new friends next time."
Chifuyu: "Haha. The house would be packed."
Chifuyu's mom smiled warmly: "That would be just fine."
Hours passed, filled with chatter, laughter, and movies both terrible and great. The sun moved across the sky. Evening light became warm and golden.
Eventually, Chifuyu stood and stretched: "It's getting late. Thanks, Mom, Dad. We'll head back."
His dad gave him a thumbs-up. His mom hugged Iris again and told her she was welcome anytime. Ariel received a Tupperware of homemade food. They started the walk back, no jogging this time. Too full from dinner. Ariel walked ahead humming some dramatic tune from one of the movies.
Iris followed quietly, occasionally glancing at Chifuyu: "You have good parents," she said softly.
Chifuyu: "Yeah, I do."
Iris: "Thanks for inviting me."
Chifuyu: "It was long overdue."
Iris smiled. Even though they were walking, the road home felt shorter this time.