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"Mom, Dad, stop shifting around. Do not touch those blindfolds yet," I instructed, trying to keep my voice steady.
I stood on the freshly cut grass, the afternoon sun warming my back. Beside me, my manager, Evans, was practically vibrating with excitement.
"Michael, I feel ridiculous," Dad complained, adjusting his footing. "The neighbors are going to think we've lost our minds. Why are we blindfolded in the middle of the day?"
"And I'm wearing my good shoes on the lawn," Mom added."Can we please take these off now, sweetie? You know I don't like being kept in the dark."
I glanced over at Evans. He was holding a brightly colored cardboard tube in his hands, grinning from ear to ear.
I held a matching one in my own grip. My cheeks actually ached from smiling so hard.
"Just trust me," I said, taking a deep breath. "Okay. You can take them off now."
Mom and Dad eagerly pulled off the silk blindfolds, blinking against the sudden sunlight.
BANG! BANG!
Evans and I twisted the party poppers at the exact same time. A massive shower of gold and silver confetti exploded into the air, raining down all over my parents.
They jumped slightly at the noise, brushing the shiny paper off their shoulders as they looked straight ahead at the beautiful, two-story brick house with a large front porch.
Then, Dad turned his head to the left, tracing the property line. His eyes widened in shock as he realized exactly where we were standing. We were just on the other side of his own garden fence. We were right next door to the house I grew up in.
"Surprise," I said softly, stepping forward. "I bought it. We're neighbors now."
Mom dropped her blindfold onto the grass. She stared at the red "SOLD" sign planted in the yard, then looked at the big bay windows, and finally, she looked at me. Her hands flew up to cover her mouth.
"Michael..." Janet whispered. Her voice instantly broke. "You... you bought the house next door? Why?"
"I wanted to be close to you guys," I said.
Tears spilled over Mom's eyelashes, and before I could say another word, she rushed forward and threw her arms around my body. I closed my eyes and hugged her back tightly, resting my chin on top of her head.
I looked over Mom's shoulder at Terry.
He was grinning like a innocent child. Truly a like a innocent child bear.
He walked over slowly.
"I am so proud of you, son!!!" Dad said, his voice thick and wavering with emotion. "You did good. You did really good."
Squeezing Mom and me with his big black guns.
Evans clapped quietly from the sidelines, brushing a piece of silver confetti off his sharp business suit.
I pulled my parents closer and asked Evans to take a picture.
Click! click!
After taking the picture we all went inside the house.
The house had 4 bedrooms, an open kitchen, and a lovely interior.
"Four bedrooms?" Terry asked.
"Yes, one is my study and one is my man cave. You know all about anime, figurines, trophies,manga..." I said.
"Oh hell yes! You know I wanted to watch this new anime that has been released. We will watch it together, what was its name...Frieren...yes Frieren," said Terry, excited.
"Yes!! We will also rewatch some anime too...I have bought everything and also set everything up. The only thing is for me to take my stuff from that house to this house. Simple," I said.
"I will help!" said Terry, showing his muscles.
"Nah, it's fine. I have called movers and they will help us," I said when a burly man came into the house.
"Mr. Owen? We're here to help you move," the man said.
"Ah! Yes, please come" I said.
It took them only 2 hours to shift my things from my parents' home. Having money is such a luxury. Heheheh.
After that, it was already getting dark, so Evans took off to his own home.
It is already 2023. The movie *Grave of the Fireflies* is set to be released at the end of this year, and the script for *A Good Girl's Guide to Murder* is already finished. They are holding auditions for some roles. Since it is only January, they are taking it slow and auditioning only the side characters.
Despite having power, I couldn't write anything new... maybe because I am feeling burned out? But I just copy the stories...
"We are going to have dinner here today. You guys are staying for the night, and we are watching some anime!!!" I said, excited.
I already ordered my mom and dad's favorite food.
"Fine, but not anime," Mom said.
"Awww," Dad and I said, feeling sad.
After eating, we all went to man cave.