June 29th

[saypassion]

As I'm sure everyone saw because An has already mentioned something earlier, but I thought that I would also throw another reminder out there. We are celebrating her birthday at the beach tomorrow and would love for all of you to be there. Just as we had hoped, the weather has held strong - it should be a beautiful day.

We had a lovely day celebrating with our family. Gran, as always, is concerned that I'm not actively contributing to society. I could be the most successful man in the nation and she would still think this of me. It's rather heartwarming that she still believes me to be the rebel thirteen year old I once was.

Ah, is it July already? Hmm. The month has flown by. It's rather troublesome.

[ My gift to An was a trip down home later in the summer and I was wondering if you would like to join us. We would love to have you come along. We don't have solid plans yet other than going to Kumamoto, but I was thinking that it might be nice to spend a day or two in Fukuoka by the beach, as well. How does that sound to you? ]

Best of luck to those who are playing at Wimbledon. We will be cheering you on every step of the way.

Comments

[avant_goya]

For the sake of the general population I certainly hope the similarities don't run too deep. I may admire the woman greatly, but Hirakoba-kun's grandmother can be... difficult to be around.

[legally_blond]

My grandmother disagrees with you. I'm on the phone to her right now and had to explain why I was laughing.

[avant_goya]

I wasn’t under the impression your grandmother particularly wanted to be an easy person to be around?

[legally_blond]

It depends on who you are and how much she likes you. She's getting more fond of you, you know.

[saypassion]

Without meeting her, it's difficult to say, but I would venture to guess that they are likely around the same age and thus have many of the same viewpoints. My grandmother can be difficult to be around as well, but it's likely not for the reasons that you're imagining.

[avant_goya]

I don't think meeting her would enlighten you much to her life views, but I somehow doubt they're as alike as you seem to think.

I'm honestly not sure what to imagine when you speak of your grandmother other than to hope she's not as similar to Hirakoba-kun's as you say.

[saypassion]

Perhaps do something nice for her - brighten her day. Maybe that's her way of showing affection. I don't know, it is difficult to gauge.

My grandmother is a bit of a yankee before the term was even a term.

[avant_goya]

That's quite alright, Tachibana-kun. I do not need you to run interference in my relationship with Hirakoba-kun's grandmother.

Well. I can now with certainty say she is likely nothing like Hirakoba's grandmother, at least.

[saypassion]

Ha. You're onto me. I will butt out now.

Ah, I see. I'm sure it would be a pleasure to meet her at least once.

[avant_goya]

It would be... an experience, I'm sure.

[legally_blond]

Please don't mind Eishirou, Tachibana-kun. He's just eternally bitter that my grandmother doesn't like him. I'm sure yours is very spirited and lovely, if her grandchildren are anything to go by.

[saypassion]

That's rather unfortunate. Maybe they just need to spend more time with one another.

And thank you. She is very much so, even if she does have selective hearing until it comes to catching when I'm doing something she disapproves of.

[legally_blond]

That is definitely not a good idea. She's made it very clear she dislikes him and has continued to do so since junior high. It's quite funny.

Ah yes. That's pretty normal though. Is she more forgiving of you than your parents, though?

[saypassion]

Interesting. Was there a particular incident that caused it or was it just a decision that she made and has stuck with ever since?

Never. They are incredibly lax by comparison. Gran would let An get away with murder, however.

[legally_blond]

Him just existing in her periphery was probably the incident. And him continuing to exist in her periphery has just made it worse.

How interesting. Well, it's always good to have your grandparents on your side at least.

[saypassion]

Ah, I see. In that case, then no, there likely isn't anything to be done. That's rather unfortunate, he is lovely.

It is. She is the heart and soul of our family, I think.

[legally_blond]

Well, maybe if he is just extremely successful one day, she might find him acceptable. And I'm glad you like him, Tachibana-kun, Eishirou needs more friends.

Do you also cook for her?

[saypassion]

Does she base such things on success? In that case, I'm surprised that she doesn't love him. Eishirou has been very successful in his ventures. Ah, is that so? Would he say the same thing?

I do. I learned many of my cooking techniques from her, in fact. As she is quite old it's not so easy for her anymore, so I cook for her any chance I can get.

[legally_blond]

She bases her initial assessment on people's pedigree. And then it's based on success if you want later approval.

And... you'd have to ask him if he thinks he needs more friends. But if you want to become one, I recommend just ploughing in and just doing it, don't even bother asking him. He'll get shy and say no.

Oh you're such a good filial grandson.

[saypassion]

That's an interesting way to experience the world. She must meet some incredible people.

Of course. I'm not the sort of person to do such things, anyway, so it truly does work out. There is a we-as-former-captains bond there.

I do my best.

[legally_blond]

I suppose so, yes. She has some very interesting connections through people she's found acceptable throughout the years.

I guess I've just always seen Eishirou more as part of the team and my friend, rather than our captain. Maybe that's why he complains sometimes about a lack of respect.

[saypassion]

I can only imagine. She truly does sound like a fascinating human being.

That may be so. Perhaps that's testament to how you became a team in the first place. Try as I may, I have yet to be successful in encouraging my former teammates to call me by my name rather than the honorific. That is how I view them, as well.