Efflorescence

Chapter Nine: Change of Topic

by Autumn Win-Dow

(AoGA House Cup. Words: 500)


"Father," He spoke up in the middle of dinner as he commenced in cutting up a potato into small pieces, "Were you ever associated with a geisha?"

His mother's head perked up upon hearing his question, and a crease appeared between her eyebrows. "Why are you asking this, Natsume? Has he?"

She sent a skeptical look towards her confused husband, who immediately defended himself.

"What? Of course not, honey. I've never attended an ochaya ever since I was twenty. But it was only because I was dragged there for my friend's bachelor outing... Why do you ask?"

"Oh. It's because my companions-"

"You don't have to lie, Natsume," His father sighed, and for a moment Natsume thought that he was in fact exactly aware why.

Ioran opened his mouth to prove him wrong. "You're at that age, my boy. You don't have to hide the fact that you're gaining an attraction for the opposite gender. Ha!"

Kaoru eventually joined in the conversation with equal enthusiasm. "Oh, my son is growing up! And I'd thought it'd never happen!"

Natsume couldn't help but feel irritated about his mother's words in regards to him.

"I'm right here, mother."

However, his mother's expression gradually became concerned and worried about something, as she exhaled and fiddled with the food on her plate with her fork.

"Honey? Are you feeling ill?" Ioran called out to her, also seeing her facial expression.

"Oh, yes," Kaoru reassured, as she turned to her son, "It's just that... Natsume, you're twenty four years old now, and I think that now you have these feelings, and your father's health is becoming worse every day... I think it's time."

He didn't have a good feeling about what his mother was getting to.

"Time to find a wife, before you take over ownership of the academy."

I knew it, Natsume bitterly though to himself as he replaced his utensils on his plate, My mother wants to pair me up with some whiny, rich girl with an intelligence as expansive as a chestnut...

His sudden though about the word chestnut was enough to distract him from his bitter complaints in his mind.

I know none of them would have the same dignity as a geisha.

However, he still had a heart - Natsume turned to look at his father, of whom was evidently suffering due to the degradation of his health, and he had always known that Ioran's greatest wish was to attend his wedding.

Even if the woman he stood with durig the ceremony wasn't the one he was in love with.

But since he wasn't in love with anyone, he didn't predict the possible consequences of his decision.

His father was his main priority at that moment.

"...Alright. I understand, Mother.

Natsume's mother smiled and nodded in understanding before popping a boiled broccoli in her mouth.

In the meantime, Natsume could only think of the evaded geisha topic. However, for the sake of his parents, he remained silent for the rest of dinner.