(After the initial introductions ended, the apartment began to fill with movement and laughter. Everyone was speaking almost at the same time, while Ahmed tried to move between Arabic and Japanese to translate everything.)
But after a short while…
Ahmed began to look around at the small room.
His parents…
His five brothers…
His little sister…
Misaki…
Honoka…
Yoshika…
Then he looked at the limited space of the apartment.
Ahmed (laughing): "I think my apartment has become the smallest apartment in Tokyo!"
(Everyone bursts into laughter, while his mother realizes what he means.)
After everyone settled in temporarily, Ahmed put on his coat and prepared to go out.
Misaki: "Where are you going now?"
Ahmed: "If we stay like this, no one will find a place to sleep tonight."
(He smiles with confidence.)
"I will come back with a solution."
Ahmed heads to one of the large stores near the neighborhood. He spends a long time choosing the supplies his family needs. He buys several extra mattresses, blankets, and pillows enough for everyone. He also buys a fan and a small portable air conditioner to make the apartment more comfortable for his family, who are still adjusting to life in Japan.
Although the amount was large for him…
He did not hesitate.
For just having his family near him was worth everything.
With the sunset…
Ahmed returns loaded with bags and boxes. His brothers rush to help him carry the items, while his mother begins to tidy up the place. Within a short time, the small apartment transforms into a warm home full of life.
Ahmed looks around.
He sees his father smiling.
His brothers laughing.
Yoshika helping arrange the pillows with enthusiasm.
And Misaki and Honoka joining his mother in preparing the place.
At that moment, he feels a great sense of relief.
It was as if the small apartment had become much larger than it was before.
In the evening…
After the bustle died down a little, the family gathered around the dinner table.
Everyone was talking and exchanging stories and laughter.
And during that…
Ahmed's father noticed the visible fatigue on his son's face, and remembered that he had been working and shouldering all these responsibilities alone.
He looked at him quietly, as if he had made an important decision.