"Welcome Home."

        1 month later, Iwai and Anna’s, Niigata
  “Welcome to Iwai and Anna’s how can I help you?” Yumiko smiles at her next customer, taking their order. She blinks at how large the order was, “Repeat that?” “I’ll have two number 9’s, a number 9 large, a number 6 with extra dip, a number 7, two number 45s, one with cheese and a large soda.” Yumiko stares at them with a confused glance, “You’re trolling me, right?” “Nuh-uh!” “Get out of my restaurant.” Yumiko continued her work until she noticed someone reserved the entire restaurant. “Oh great, who’s immature **s decided to rent an entire restaurant.” She sighs and sets up the tables. “Hm.” People start filtering in; the first of which being Naito, who is escorted by Paul. “What do you think that mysterious invitation was, Paul?” “God knows. I heard in the news some weird submarine-ship thing washed up recently. Maybe something to do with that? Some rich prick trying to reign in some new deals?” She kisses his cheek, “I don’t really mind, near free food, after all.” Paul shines brightly as Honshu, Quita, and their daughter walk in, Honshu speaking loudly, “God I hope those Austrian Bratwursts are being served.” “Honey, shut your **s up.” “Mom! Dad! Stop cursing!” Paul laughs in second-hand shame. Another person and her husband come in, “Excuse me, a lady with a baby coming through!” Fujitana steps into the room and sighs, resting in a chair as Joshuyo watches over her protectively. After a few minutes of meet and greet, Yumiko speaks up, “Who here reserved the entire restaurant for 8 people?” At that moment the door swings open and a wheelchair rolls into the room. “‘Scuse me, old, rich **shole coming through.” An old man enters the room with a noticeably younger woman pushing his wheelchair. Yumiko recognizes him instantly, “Atlas?” The room goes quiet. “As fleshy and bloody as these old bones can be.” Naito stands up, “Atlas, you actually alive?” She pokes Atlas a little. “I’ll try to look the sort for you, Akane.” He smiles awkwardly. She smiles, “Meet my boyfriend, Paul Blöhmer.” He stares in disbelief. “Didn’t expect that to happen in the history of time and space.” “He gave me a Blahaj as a first gift, I was smitten instantly!” “Falling danger of sounding my age: The youth of today…” Quita smiles at Atlas, “Hey, guess what Atlas, you get to meet my child!” “Glad to see the bunny survived.” He smiles at Quita. “Here I was thinking my boys messed up again, wherever they are now.” Quita chuckles and shows Mia to Atlas, “Look at this bean.” Mia sighs and introduces herself, “Hi, Great-Uncle Atlas.” A tear of happiness streams down Atlas’ left cheek, knowing he has finally achieved the title of Grunkle. “It was Sino’s idea, not mine.” Honshu chuckles, “Can’t say I was against it.” “I already met Miss Oka’s child earlier this year. She springs right after her mother’s journalistic roots.” Honshu starts laughing more, “Child singular? Oka has four children.” “That poor woman.” “I don’t know how strong Keni is, she’s a single mother with 4 kids, I can hardly handle one.” “Well, I can’t say I’ve had to handle either so far… Nevermind that, Fujitana, come over here.” Fujitana stretches and stands up, “Yeah?” Atlas hands her a couple of pills. Fujitana laughs. “Got anything for morning sickness?” “No, but considering how your stomach tossed the last time I really saw you, I felt you might need a few new ones. Air sickness is still your arch-nemesis, yes?” “Yes.” “I’ve missed you.” “Hah, unfortunately, I thought you died, so I mourned you for a couple of years.” “I’d have sent you an invitation but we left in a haste. I’m terribly sorry.” “I don’t think I’d survive being on a submarine for what 7? Years.” “You don’t know true trauma until you have to reuse a tea-bag 5 times.” Atlas cries and Fujitana shudders, “Oh god.” “On the upside, I got to read through the entire library until my eyes started giving in to the pressure. Now I’m going blind too.” “Not if this nation has any try against it.” Atlas chuckles. “Now there’s just one last guest to greet.” Honshu raises his eyebrows, “And who is that.” Atlas clears his throat and inhales deeply: “Kinoshita, please call Iwai for me. I’d rather not have another heart attack.” Iwai walks up, hearing, “So you’re the one that rented my entire restaurant?” She chuckles, “I found running this place much more fun than politics.” “And here I was thinking you enjoyed driving around in Limousines with dead Emperors in the trunk. How much I misjudged you.” Atlas gives a fake frown. “Hey, politics give me a lot of stress.” “Now, now. We don’t have to worry about that anymore. I myself decided to leave that hell called politics myself. Selling the submarine to a military contractor gave me quite the income boost and if I ever need any more money, I have more than enough personal property to sell back in Lucraias. Besides, I should still own my factories back home. I should definitely check my bank account soon.” “Jesus.” Mia is walking around the room, fiddling with a fork, hungry. Iwai notice, “I think I need to feed people before they all waste away, we have 3 men including you, a teenager, and a pregnant woman here, not to mention the others.” “I want you two to make yourself something too. I’ll pay for it, of course.” “Mm? I can make Angel fruit cake.” “Whatever you want to eat. Feel free to select anything. You too, Kinoshita. You’re not leaving this place without having eaten.” Kinoshita digs into a plate of Sushi, obviously hungry. “I wonder how you can still eat Sushi after 5 years of eating nothing but.” “It’s crab sushi, not fish. I haven’t eaten crab in almost 5 years.” “Fair enough.” After a few hours, everyone’s eaten and Quita is slightly drunk. “Dangit, I almost forgot!” Atlas shouts out of the blue. “What happened while we were playing Hunt for Red October?” Mia’s interest shoots up, “Mom! Dad! Can I do this!” Honshu nods and Mia explains what’s happened over the last few years. After about 15 minutes of non stop talking and Atlas asking Mia several times to please take a break to breathe, Mia finishes her explanation. “Hm. Interesting. All I have left to say are two things. First; why did nobody help the remnants? We had secured all of Malta.” Yumiko sighed, “I think it was because JI was starting to fracture and I think JI was also in an isolationary period.” “Shame, truly. No use in hunting the past though. To my last thing; Quita. Honshu.” Quita tilts her head, confused while Honshu chuckles, “Yes?” “I can officially say your child far exceeds both of your cognitive capabilities, from friend to friend.” Quita looks up, mock upset, “How dare you, I’m just trying to relax.” Honshu meanwhile, chuckles, “I hope so!” Atlas ruffles Mia’s hair. “You’d make a fine politician if you were dumb enough to become one.” Mia cringes, “I might just follow my parents into SpecOps.” “Just don’t follow your parents to the letter. I’ve seen both in action.” Mia raises her eyebrows, “Let me guess, Mom was over-aggressive and Dad was stupid enough to get shot multiple times.” “Your mother flew next to Helicopter rotor blades and your father decided that cover is for the weak and stood in an open line of fire.” Mia sighs, “So like I guessed?” “Not exactly but you get the gist.” “Mom once jump scared me by making herself look like a bear from 2000s entertainment.” Atlas stares at Quita having memories of old, thrown out consoles flashing his head. “Monster.” Mia nods, “I got her back by killing her flowers” Quita sighs and nods. “Some day you’ll laugh about it while remembering Honshu’s most embarrassing parental moments.” Quita scoffs, “Like when he tried to feed Baby Mia a battery?” “HEY- I didn’t know it was a battery, it was disguised!” Atlas chuckles. Exactly what I’m talking about. Well, I should make my way back to the hospital. Can’t keep the doctors waiting forever.” “Bye Atlas!” The others agree, with Mia hugging him goodbye. “You’ll have the money by tomorrow Iwai. If not, take this as my personal allowance to break my legs.” he smiles. “Have a nice evening everyone.”