Not So Berry - Generation Grey - Episode 102 (Part 1)
The news about the death of Ash Berry's fiancée soon spread. They media even surrounded the team's training field, demanding to talk to Ash, but the coach sent them away asking them to show more empathy in that moment.
The restaurant L'Étoile Filante remained closed and with no news about its fate.
Ash and Ren started talking constantly on the phone and that really helped him deal with what he was feeling. They'd always take a few hours of their time to talk about how Ash's day had been or about which places in San Sequoia Ren and her family had visited.
And when it was time to talk about what happened to Rhiannen, Ren would listen in silence, giving him her full attention, and allowing him to share only as much as he wanted to. She could feel he was still holding on a little, maybe afraid of crying on the phone, but she never pressured him.
One of those days, Ash ended their chat by making an invitation.
Ash: Listen... what are you and your family's plans for Harvestfest?
Ren: None. We're from Mt. Komorebi and we don't celebrate Harvestfest there. Even when we used to live in Britechester when I was a kid we never did.
Ash: I see. Well, dad loves these holidays because he likes to cook. We won't have a big celebration... but he insists on at least having a Harvestfest dinner. He says food makes people feel better.
Ren: And he's right! I still remember all the delicious food I ate whenever we played at your house.
Ash: So, what do you think of coming here with your family to have dinner with us? My parents would love to see your mother again. And you could meet my kids.
Ren: Are you sure? I don't wanna be a bother... This is a family thing...
Ash: Ren, come on! You forgot you traveled to Henford with us on my parents' birthday? You're practically family too.
Ren smiled, unable to hide how happy those words made her feel.
Ren: Okay, I'll talk to my mom and my sister.
Harvestfest finally came, and Honey insisted on decorating the house, even if the mood wasn't the best amongst its residents. That was her way of trying to put some color in her son's world.
Ren arrived with her mother, Asuka Sakamoto, and Ash came to greet them at the door.
Ash: Welcome! It's nice to see you again, Mrs. Sakamoto.
Asuka: It's so nice to see you too, dear. Look at you! You're so big and handsome. You're not that skinny little boy who used to run at the park with my Ren anymore!
The three of them laughed.
Ren: Sorry my sister didn't come. Aya is missing home and prefered to stay and chat with her friends online.
Ash: Oh, it's okay. By the way, Ren... you look very pretty.
The comment came with no second intentions and an honest smile. Still, Ren felt her cheeks getting warmer as she smiled back.
Ash guided the two to the living room and Honey and Daxion came to greet them.
Daxion: Ren! You've grown so much, my dear!
Ren: It's been a long time, Mr. Daxion. You must be... 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘥 with how much I've changed.
Daxion: You became a beautiful young woman, that's true. But it's still you, Ren.
Those words made her feel a little emotional. He spoke as if he had always known how she felt. And that wasn't far from the truth. Daxion's powers allowed him to read and understand the feelings and thoughts of humans.
Honey: I'm glad you two could come, Asuka! It's great to see you. Ren looks beautiful and she seems really happy.
Asuka: Thank you, Honey. Yeah, I'm so proud of my daughter!
Ash came with the kids to introduce them.
Ash: These are my children. Iris, Mauve and Aster.
Although they were triplets, each child reacted in a different way. Iris seemed to raise walls around her. Mauve waved and smiled in a polite manner. Aster tried to shrink in his shyness.
Ren: It's a pleasure to meet you! I'm Ren, a friend of your dad's. This is my mother Asuka.
Asuka: You're all so adorable! It's my first time seeing triplets in person.
Mauve: Are you the friend who gave him his bracelet?
Ren: I am! And he gave me one too.
Asuka: I still remember the first days after they exchanged bracelets... Ren wouldn't take it off, not even to shower!
Honey: Oh, Ash did the same. The smell was...
It was then that Ren looked around and noticed a karaoke machine in the corner of the room, next to Ash's trophy stand.
Ren: You guys have a karaoke machine? That's so cool! I didn't know you liked singing, Ash.
Iris: Daddy and mommy used to sing a lot together... but now that she's not... here anymore... nobody uses that machine.
Ren: Oh, I... I'm so sorry, sweetie...
