Author's note: Thank you so much for everyone who is giving me the pleasure of reading this little tale of mine for so many chapters already.
The Red Threads Crossing chapters are about the bonds between Tezuka and Saya, the reasons they got so close and his decision of being Sakuno's danna. Sakuno will show again on chapter 4.
I hope Scarlet continues to amuse you from now on. Thank you so much for reading it and for the reviews :)
CHAPTER XX
Nanjirouh stopped and smile, at seeing his son training with Oishi. Ryoma was already 12. He was thin and still short for his age, but really skilled with the swords. He watched how concentrated his golden eyes were as striking his uncle and making him back away, with beautiful and correct moves.
- Very good, Ryoma! – Shuichirou said, with a proud smile.
- Thank you, Sensei. – the boy answered back, putting the sweaty bangs away from his eyes.
- So, Shuichirou, do you think Oishi—san would be proud? – his voice surprised them. He was away from home on the last two weeks, working.
- For sure! He is even better than I was at his age!
- Sensei, is that all? – he asked, not even greeting his father.
- Yes, Ryoma, go take a bath before dinner. We meet at the table.
- Excuse me. – he went past Nanjirouh and left the dojo area.
- I'm sorry. – his brother-in-law looked at him, disappointed. – I don't know what else I can do so he treats you differently.
- Its not your fault. – smiling sadly, he looked at the boy going to the main house. – You cannot have a good relationship with someone who is always away.
The three men sat together to have dinner after Oishi and Ryoma took a bath. While his uncle and father talked about daily things, he was eating quietly, looking only at his bow. When Nanjirouh was not at the house, he would at least exchange some sentences with his uncle. But the presence of his father always annoyed him.
- So, Nanjirouh-san, did you visited that old friend of yours that sent you a letter this month?
- I did. – he ate some vegetables, before continuing. – He wanted to introduce me his daughter.
- What?! – Shuichirou looked at him extremely surprised. – Omiai?!
- Isn't that silly? – he laughed. – The girl is about your age. If I was going to get married again, at least it would be with someone that wouldn't make me feel older than I am!
The sound of Ryoma's bow and chopsticks being put on the table in a rude way made them look at him.
- Thank you for the meal. – he stood up and started to walk away from the dining area.
- Ryoma! – Oishi tried to stand up and go after him, but Nanjirouh stopped him with a hand gesture. It was about time he would talk to his son.
The boy's steps here fast and angry, the black bangs hiding his eyes. He was in the middle of the hallway when he heard his father's voice:
- Ryoma. – he ignored his father, and distanced himself a little more, before Nanjirouh serious tone reached him. – Ryoma!
His son finally stopped. Nnajirouh took a deep breath before standing in front of him. The golden eyes were filled with annoyance.
- You look so much like your mom. – he smiled. – Even your mad face. It's scary sometimes, the resemblance.
He didn't say anything, just averting his eyes.
- Ryoma, I know I'm not your favorite person. And I don't blame you for it. But this silence treatment has to stop. It is not good for us, not for your uncle who is in the middle of this. And… I'm your father. You own me some respect. You cannot storm out like that. Shuichirou taught you better than this.
- You shouldn't talk about those things. – his voice was low but full of resentment.
- About marrying again?
- If you bring another woman to my mother's house, I will leave. – his firsts were closed. - You will never see me again.
Nanjirouh laugh echoed on the hallway. It took a while before he was able to stop and looked at his son, making him surprise, touching his shoulders with both hands.
- I will never marry again, Ryoma. – even though he was smiling, there was a hit of sadness in his eyes. – Rinko was the one. Even thought I am nothing but a fool, she chose me. We created a family together. I know how difficult it is for you not having her around. But, remember that you lost your mom and I also lost my wife. I lost the mother of my child. You are free to not liking me, but at least you have to know that.
Ryoma's chest felt tight at his father's words. He had been so selfish all along, never realizing he was not the only one who suffered. Nanjirouh was absent and hardly took things seriously, but he was by no means a bad person.
His uncle always tried to make him understand that, but it was totally different seeing such a vulnerable side of his dad. Shuichirou told him how he had loved his mother very much. It was not his fault. And Ryoma felt ashamed for the way he had being treating him, but before he could find the words to say it, his father distance himself a little:
- I'm glad you shared your thoughts with me, even the angry ones. I understand you have a really quiet nature, but I want you to know that you can always talk to me about anything.
- Hm. – his head was down and he was a little shy. – I'm sorry for storming out during dinner.
- Apology accepted! – he messed up his black hair. – Lets go! Your uncle must be worried.
When they came back, Ryoma apologized to his uncle as well. Oishi smiled and accepted it, wondering on the words they shared. Something had change on the atmosphere between Nanjirouh and the teenager, even if it was very subtle. He knew that their relationship was like walking on thin ice, since father and son had such different personalities, but he had hopes things would improve with time.