After returning home, Guo Yu happily shared the bread he bought with everyone. The slightly sweet bread was eaten as a pre-dinner dessert by the family.
Everyone unsurprisingly praised Guo Yu’s taste, complimenting his thoughtfulness and maturity.
After a harmonious family dinner, Tezuka Kunimitsu suddenly suggested that Guo Yu should have a little cat.
“On the way home today, Guo Yu met a little cat and really liked it, so he wants to have one at home.”
“I checked, and having a pet can also help boost Guo Yu’s immunity, which is good for him.”
“Grandfather, Father, Mother, what do you think?”
Tezuka Kunimitsu spoke clearly and concisely, explaining the situation and the benefits of having a cat in just a few sentences. He thought that given the family’s habit of spoiling Guo Yu, they would surely agree to let him have a cat.
However, to his surprise, after hearing his words, the adults in the family all looked troubled. Tezuka Guoyi and Tezuka Guoqing exchanged a glance with Ayana, who was sitting to the side, hesitating to speak.
While Tezuka Kunimitsu was still pondering why the elders had such expressions, he heard his mother say to Guo Yu, “I’m sorry, Guo Yu, but I’m allergic to cat fur. If we have a cat at home, I’ll have to go to the hospital.”
Huh? His mother is allergic to cats?
Tezuka Kunimitsu was shocked; he had no idea about this. The elders had hidden this fact too well!
If he had known his mother was allergic to cat fur, he wouldn’t have suggested Guo Yu have a cat at home.
“So, Grandfather, Father, and Mother might not be able to agree to you having a cat at home,” Ayana continued.
She knew her husband and father-in-law were in a difficult position, but her allergy was severe, making it impossible for her to be near a cat. So Ayana had to be the bad guy and directly refused Guo Yu’s request after explaining her situation.
However, she didn’t want her child to be unhappy, so she suggested making a stuffed animal for Guo Yu.
“If you really want a pet, how about I take you to the pet store tomorrow to choose another pet, or I can make you a little cat plushie?”
“If Mom is allergic, then I won’t have a cat,” Guo Yu said sensibly. Upon hearing that having a cat would send his mom to the hospital, he immediately gave up the idea.
He didn’t want his family to end up in the hospital because of him. To him, the hospital was a scary place.
“Mom, don’t get sick.” Don’t go to the hospital!
“As long as I don’t get too close to a cat, I won’t get sick,” Ayana reassured him, patting his head. “Don’t worry about Mom~ I won’t go to the hospital.”
“Okay.” With his mom’s promise, Guo Yu felt relieved.
Then he planned to contact his friend Echizen Ryoma. If he couldn’t have a cat at home, he could help Ryoma take care of Karupin! Ryoma surely wouldn’t refuse him, hehe!
And Ryoma, upon receiving the message, readily agreed. He was just looking for an excuse to spend more time with Guo Yu, and now Guo Yu had reached out to him. With Karupin’s help, he would surely become more important in Guo Yu’s heart.
Meanwhile, back at the Tezuka household, Guo Yu, who had returned to his room, was unaware that the rest of the family was seriously discussing his friendships.
“Today, Guo Yu met a friend from abroad at school, named Echizen Ryoma,” Tezuka Kunimitsu said. “Mom, do you know this person?”
“Echizen Ryoma?” The name sounded familiar.
Ayana thought for a moment and vaguely remembered. When Guo Yu went abroad for treatment, he made a good friend named Ryoma. But since they returned home quickly due to better doctors in the country, she never met this Ryoma.
“Why did you suddenly mention him, Kunimitsu?”
“No reason, just that he took Guo Yu to the convenience store for lunch today and bought him bread.”
“The bread Guo Yu brought home to share with us was bought by him at lunch. Guo Yu liked it, so he dragged me to the convenience store to buy more…”
“And Guo Yu plans to invite him over to play,” Tezuka Kunimitsu explained. “It’s Guo Yu’s first day at school, and I’m worried he might be deceived…” So he wanted to confirm with the family.
After this explanation, Tezuka Guoqing understood his son’s unspoken concern but felt it was unnecessary. “Kunimitsu, Guo Yu is growing up, and he should learn to be independent.”
“While we can protect him from external harm, we shouldn’t interfere with his freedom to communicate with the outside world.”
“I understand you’re worried, but our Tezuka children aren’t that fragile.”
“You need to learn to let go!”
His father’s words struck Tezuka Kunimitsu like a bolt of lightning. He wanted to argue but knew he was indeed overly concerned about Guo Yu, which wasn’t right.
But his brother was so adorable, how could he not worry?
“Ah—” Tezuka Kunimitsu’s words reminded Ayana that she forgot to give Guo Yu pocket money today, which is why his friend bought him bread.
Guo Yu usually stayed with the family and didn’t need to spend money, so she never thought about giving him pocket money, which was a mistake.
Ayana reflected on herself, “How much pocket money should I give Guo Yu?”
“2000?”
“3000?”
“5000?”
The three men suggested different amounts, each higher than the last. Ayana was speechless hearing these amounts.
They always said she spoiled Guo Yu too much, but when it came to giving pocket money, weren’t they even more indulgent?
“Guo Yu is so young, he doesn’t need that much money.”
“Then let’s give him 3000!” They didn’t want Guo Yu to be too tight on money, thinking that with more pocket money, Guo Yu could buy whatever he wanted!
They didn’t want their precious grandson and son to be in an awkward situation without money, “Let’s start with 3000, and if it’s not enough, we’ll increase it!”
“Alright, 3000 it is,” Ayana agreed, thinking it was a suitable amount, and decided on Guo Yu’s pocket money.
Meanwhile, Tezuka Kunimitsu, who suggested the lowest amount, felt a bit helpless. They said he was overprotective of Guo Yu, but wasn’t the rest of the family the same?
2000 was already much higher than most students’ pocket money, which was usually around 1000-1500 a month. Yet, his father and grandfather wanted to give Guo Yu even more.
While he understood their intentions, Tezuka Kunimitsu still felt it wasn’t good for his brother to have too much pocket money, so he gently suggested, “Isn’t 3000 a bit much to give Guo Yu all at once? He’s still young, and if he loses it, he’ll be upset.”
“Kunimitsu has a point,” Ayana nodded. “So I’ve decided to give Guo Yu 800 yen each week, splitting the pocket money into four parts.”
“This way, Guo Yu will have pocket money every week, and if it’s not enough, I can give him more!”
“That’s a good idea!”
“Let’s do it that way!”
And so, the Tezuka family happily agreed on Guo Yu’s pocket money amount.
Tezuka Kunimitsu also realized that the elders were determined to give Guo Yu more pocket money. After suggesting, not only did he not reduce the amount, but it also increased from 3000 to 3200, so he decided to go along with the family’s wishes.
After all, Guo Yu wasn’t someone who spent money recklessly. His mother giving him so much pocket money would likely just lead to him saving it up.
Speaking of which, Tezuka Kunimitsu suddenly remembered his brother’s desire to join the tennis club, so he told the family, “Mom, we need to give Guo Yu some extra pocket money this week. He wants to join the tennis club.”
“I’ll take him to get a custom tennis racket and buy some sports essentials over the weekend.”
With this, Ayana had no objections and nodded, estimating the cost of a tennis racket and sports gear. She silently increased Guo Yu’s pocket money again.
Sports require a lot of money, so it’s better to prepare more pocket money for Guo Yu!
Then she remembered her younger son’s frail body and reminded Tezuka Kunimitsu, “When Guo Yu exercises, make sure to keep an eye on him and don’t let him get too tired.”
“Yes, I understand.” He would definitely take good care of his brother and ensure his health wasn’t compromised.