Time to meet the Blumenfeld Parents

Jehoichin Blumenfeld, the stern, silent father who spoke more with actions than words, a man with a very muscular body toned from bodybuilding workouts and the antithesis of what one would expect from a stereotypical office worker. Grey-streaked hair combed backwards and gelled into a neat mop, his black spectacles complemented his blue eyes and white skin. As the German half, he was the more liberal-minded of the couple, preferring to let his children find their own way in life.

Ahel Blumenfeld, as the Ethiopian half, preferred that the children be mentored strictly and made to study hard so they could succeed in life. A very slender and curvaceous woman, she was similarly toned from diligent exercise, her black curly hair extending past her shoulders and her brown eyes radiating motherly compassion. As the dutiful housewife, she handled housework while her husband was away on work.

Most youngsters of the millennial generation preferred that both man and woman equally contribute as breadwinners, instead of the traditional working husband-housewife combo, but for Jehoichin and Ahel, they had no qualms. In fact, with eighteen children to raise, one of them had to sacrifice a career for a lifetime of housework, and Ahel willingly made that sacrifice just after graduating from High School.

Having checked into their hotel, they were on their way to Abirit's house in a taxi.

"It's been a while since we last saw Abirit, hasn't it, dear?" Asked Ahel.

"About a year, actually," Said Jehoichin, "She's really matured as a mother, hasn't she?"

"I can't ever forget seeing our granddaughter's cute little face," Said Ahel, "Aw, she looked like a cute little hamster!"

Jehoichin merely sighed at his wife's gushing affection.

"I still find it hard to believe she married a man twice her age, though," Said Jehoichin.

"Well, love conquers all, so they say," Said Ahel, "And sometimes it takes a lot of strange turns."

They soon arrived at the Arashiro household, a nondescript house of middling size capable of housing a family of six to seven. Ringing the doorbell, they anxiously awaited.

And the door opened to reveal Abirit holding her baby girl Chasidah, and Ahel immediately swooped in and planted her lips on her daughter's and granddaughter's foreheads.

"I'm so happy to see you again, my girl!" Said Ahel, "And my darling granddaughter, she's so cute!"

Abirit smiled radiantly and hugged her mom and dad, saying, "It's good to see you again."

"So how's Shusaku's and his son treating you? Everything good?" Asked Jehoichin.

"Shusaku's always busy, but he always finds time for us," Said Abirit, "And Takeru's been helping me with a lot of housework and nursing the baby."

Jehoichin smiled slightly at that.

"Come inside, I'll get you tea," Said Abirit.

"We'd love that," Said Ahel.

It had been a long time since you met Abirit's parents, ever since they travelled to Japan to meet with your dad the moment they heard of her proposal to him. You vaguely remembered being extremely nervous to the point of trembling before them, the Blumenfeld parents easily radiating the aura of overprotective parent lions watching their prey with bloodshot eyes.

Now, that aura was gone, and they welcomed you and your dad like lifelong family.

With Abirit having to suddenly breastfeed Chasidah and pat him to sleep, and with your dad busy at work, you were alone with her parents in the living room.

"Thanks for the tea, young man," Said Jehoichin.

"My pleasure," You said, "Isn't it exhausting though, travelling to meet with us just as soon as you touched down and checked into your hotel?"

"Oh please, we wouldn't miss this for the world!" Said Ahel brightly, "And besides, which loving parent wouldn't like to welcome one of their grandchildren into the world?"

"I lost the number of times you said that for every single grandchild our eldest children had," Said Jehoichin, who then smiled, "So how has school been treating you, Takeru?"

"Very good, thanks," You said, "Been thinking of applying to college for a degree in video editing."

"Oh? Are you planning to join a media company, perhaps?" Asked Jehoichin.

"Yes, more specifically, one that does documentaries and TV dramas," You said, "I've always loved TV since young."

"Huh, I thought you'd want to be an anime animator, truthfully," Said Jehoichin.

The Blumenfeld parents were always more blunt and to-the-point, compared to the Japanese tradition of always 'reading the mood' and using more implied consonants than direct words. But for you, you find it a great breath of fresh air, and one you never tired of.

"Well, I do like watching anime, I'm just not a very big otaku or something," You said, "At best, it's more for casual enjoyment than anything."

"I see," Said Jehoichin.

"It's always easy to have a dream, Takeru, but actual work is a lot harder than most people think," Said Ahel, "When I first started working as a real estate agent, I felt like a fish floundering in the sun. Had to deal with my fair share of difficult customers who were sometimes very arrogant, hot-tempered or overall impatient."

"I admit I also had to deal with such people when working part-time jobs," You said, "I remember when I once worked at a nearby McDonalds joint."

"I see," Said Ahel, "What about Abirit, though? Does she have any career aspirations?"

"...Honestly, I don't think she's mentioned any such thing yet," You said.

"As in, she has not decided yet, or...?" Asked Jehoichin.

"I really don't know," You said, "I'll have to ask her later."

Ahel and Jehoichin exchanged a look, and you notice a tinge of worry in the mother's eyes.

"Takeru... what do you think, honestly?" Asked Ahel.

"...I don't know anything for sure," You said, "But, I think she might be planning to enroll in a college course soon enough. I just happened to catch a glimpse of her browsing college courses on her computer."

That brought relief to Ahel's eyes.

"I see, thank you," Said Ahel.

"Ahel, if she doesn't want to take a college course, why should we overly worry about her being a housewife?" Said Jehoichin.

"I know, I just..."

"Pardon me for asking, but are you hoping for Abirit to pursue a career of her own?" You asked.