Chapter 54

Feeling full and satisfied after the meal....

Forehead, I didn't drink any alcohol....

After dinner, the three of them sat in the living room, watching TV and chatting idly. When Mother Natsuko opened the gift, she was delighted to see the bright and beautiful scarf, tying it on while discussing what clothes to match it with Tsuruko. Naoki Eshima could only smile along.

Somehow, the conversation suddenly turned back to Naoki Eshima.

"Why did you suddenly think of coming home, Ni-kun? It's not a holiday or anything," the straightforward Tsuruko asked without hesitation.

Previously, Mother Natsuko was also very concerned but was afraid that her son had encountered something in Tokyo that might hurt his self-esteem, so she didn't ask.

"There's nothing special, just passing by my hometown on a road trip, so I thought I'd drop by and visit," Naoki Eshima replied without much thought.

Naoki Eshima hadn't considered how others might perceive his sudden return to his hometown.

"Road trip? Traveling?"

Tsuruko seemed a bit confused about the concept of a road trip, which was still relatively new at the time.

"Hey, it's just driving yourself for a trip, usually planning your own route and destinations, going wherever you want..."

As Naoki Eshima was explaining the benefits of a road trip, he noticed Tsuruko getting very excited.

"So, the convertible sports car outside is yours, Ni-kun?"

"Um, yes, it's mine."

Since he had owned it for some time, Naoki Eshima was a bit used to people's surprise at his car purchase.

"Ah~~ Dad! Did you know Ni-kun bought a convertible sports car?" Tsuruko turned to her mother.

"This, I didn't know...?"

When Naoki Eshima entered, he was carrying things, and then they were busy with dinner, so his mother hadn't seen it.

....

Then Tsuruko pulled her mother to the front to see the car.

The summer night came late, the sky outside was filled with red twilight, and the whole town was bathed in a faint rosy glow.

In Japanese traditional culture, this is called "Gomakujiki,"

At this time, walking alone on the road can lead to losing one's soul and becoming lost.

Some families with strong traditional beliefs don't even allow children to play outside at this time.

Naoki Eshima thought it was probably something adults made up to get children to come home for dinner....

The black convertible was parked next to the Eshima house, blending into the shadow of the house. If not observed carefully, it could easily be overlooked.

But upon closer inspection, its understated luxury became apparent.

Opening the door, he let Tsuruko, who was excitedly pulling her mother around, sit inside,

Watching her fiddle with everything inside, Naoki Eshima obligingly raised and lowered the convertible top....

Natsuko watched the car from the side, a bit worried,

"Naoki, this car must be very expensive... How long will it take to pay off the loan?"

"Mom, don't worry, Ni-kun is now a super rich person," Tsuruko, still sitting in the car, poked her head out to explain.

"Hey, although not as exaggerated as Tsuruko says, I do have some extra money now," Naoki Eshima said, trying to downplay it.

"Even if you say that... but such a car is too conspicuous."

For a housewife in a small town, such a luxury car was too extravagant, and in her mind, only someone like her father-in-law, a yakuza boss, would flaunt a luxury car.

"Don't worry, such a car is just a mid-range car in Tokyo, just with a more novel design."

Indeed, it was at most a mid-to-high-end sedan, just less common.

Top-end sedans require not only money but also fame and power to purchase.

After Tsuruko had her fill, the three of them finally returned home.

Finally, they could watch TV and rest in peace~

Mother Natsuko suddenly thought of something: "Naoki, you're leaving tomorrow, right? Do you need to prepare a bento?"

"Mom, no need," Naoki Eshima replied,

"Tomorrow, I'll be driving along the coast to Nagoya, and we'll eat there for lunch."

Tsuruko immediately perked up: "Are you going further south? Will you keep driving south on your road trip?"

"Um, after Nagoya, I plan to head back, but I'll go through the mountains, passing through Nagano and then along Koshigaya to return to Tokyo."

"Hey~~" Tsuruko blinked her big eyes, "Can I go with you, Ni-kun~"

Before Naoki Eshima could respond, Natsuko said, "What are you thinking! You still have school!"

"Can't I just take a day off, Mom~"

"Even if you beg, it's no use. You just had spring break, and summer vacation is coming soon! If you take a day off now, what about your studies this year!"

Natsuko, entering strict mother mode, was terrifying....

"But..."

"No buts, you focus on your studies! When you start working, you can travel as much as you want!"

And so, Tsuruko's hopes were squashed.

Seeing the pitiful look on Tsuruko's face, Naoki Eshima had to promise to take the whole family skiing in Hokkaido in the winter.

Most Japanese families have a strict father and a gentle mother, but Naoki Eshima's father was a bit soft and submissive to his wife.

But perhaps Ken Eshima enjoyed it~

Around 10 PM, Father and the eldest brother, who had been busy all day, finally returned. Naoki Eshima greeted them and presented his gifts,

During the casual chat, Tsuruko naturally mentioned Naoki Eshima's new convertible sports car and his house in Tokyo.

"Naoki, you've truly become an adult who can support yourself!" Ken Eshima said.

After his younger brother had been in Tokyo for a year and a half, he had already secured a stable life, which made the eldest son both happy and a bit envious, as he was still working in the family izakaya and might never be able to afford a luxury car....

"It's just good fortune of the times." Naoki Eshima had considered whether to help the family start a business or provide financial support,

But the family wasn't poor. In the 1980s, as long as one worked hard, things would gradually improve.

Moreover, treating money as charity would be like treating family as beggars, wouldn't it?

....

Throughout history, many family and friendships have been destroyed by money and interests,

Especially when Naoki Eshima's future wealth was almost certain, he had to be cautious about financial relationships.

Giving a fish is not as good as teaching how to fish. Guiding the family on how to make money, helping them improve, and elevating the whole family, is the way to maintain long-term family ties.

With 30 years of advanced knowledge, helping the family become ordinary rich people was more than enough. The simplest way, for example, was to buy property now~

"Actually, the real estate market has been doing well recently. If Father and the eldest brother have some extra money, you might consider buying a property," Naoki Eshima said,

"The house in Tokyo, I checked the recent prices, and it has already increased by nearly 5%."

"Really?" Ken Eshima was a bit surprised,

"But our house has also increased in value since it was built, almost doubling."

"Did you check the house prices, dear?" Natsuko asked casually.

"Um, I was curious, so I asked around," Ken Eshima seemed unaware of anything unusual.

"Are you thinking of selling the house?" Natsuko's face remained calm,

"Selling the house we built and lived in for over 20 years?!"

"Um? No, it's just that Naoki mentioned it just now."

Ken Eshima realized that he had never discussed this with his wife, leading her to misunderstand that he wanted to sell the house.

The older generation has a deep attachment to their first home, as it might be where they spend their entire lives.

Especially a house they built themselves and lived in for decades, filled with memories of life's major events.

If one party suddenly inquires about house prices without discussing it, it's not just about the price anymore!

"Father, Mother, we're going to rest now~" x3

The three children clearly sensed that the old couple needed to resolve some issues and quickly found an excuse to go back to their rooms.

....

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