In life
Perhaps
We are condemned
To be free.
To live.
"Your mother and father have an obligation to fulfill. That is, being a parent to you and your siblings. They must work and toil hard, and what is the wage?"
He simply looked at her
For the moment
He was a listener
A student
To a teacher.
All the elderly people are teachers.
The young will learn wisdom even from the most foolish of them.
"It is not so much about money, nor is it for self-sustenance. It was never about them, it was for their children. To see their sons and daughters live a good life is worth all the gold in the world."
She looked out to the distance once more.
"Obligation made them slaves. In life, freedom is an ideal. We can only choose what will we be slaves to."
"Miyako-sama, is this how it really is?"
"Young man, tell me otherwise."
As much as he hated to concede
Bitter was the truth
Indeed
This old woman
Perhaps all the elderly
Are cynics to heart.
"But I love her, Yumi-chan. I love my son, and I love my husband. So much that it is imperative for me to leave in order to keep the family together. Ironic isn't it?"
The cynic simply smiled.
"Cruel kindness."
"Indeed."
"But why leave?"
"It's a cliché. Money and greed override love for the self and family. You know how it goes. Of course, if I had not been cursed with such fortune, then I would grow old in the company of my dear family."
"And this is exactly why I hate the rich."
He did not hesitate
To let loose his honesty
But the sage merely giggled.
"In truth, I was not born rich. My husband was simply another office hand. Hard times back then, and I raised a family of six."
"That's a surprise. Yumiko never mentioned any uncles nor aunts."
"She never got to meet them. I sent five of them abroad to study, and Saito-kun was still an infant at the time."
"They never returned, did they?"
"That's a story for another day. But wherever they are, I trust that they have succeeded in life. That is enough, for me."
"Miyako-sama. Is it really enough?"
She stood up and brushed herself off.
"Can I ask for any more, than to know that I raised them to be survivors?"
He stood up.
"The ends justify the means."
"Touché."
With a small bow
The two parted
But not without a farewell.
"Miyako-sama. Have a good afternoon."
"And to you too, child. Take care."
They say
A wise man can learn
More from a foolish answer
Than a fool can learn
From a wise answer.
Pessimistic as he is
The cold facts of life
Still a difficult pill
To swallow.
Food for thought
He was stuffed.
Hours go by
The sun and moon
Chase each other
Across the sky
Blue and orange
Rain or shine
Now
In the presence
Of a certain fire queen.
"Yumiko, do you miss Miyako-sama?"
"Eh? What's with this question all of a sudden?"
She warily glanced at him
As if inspecting
Sinister intentions.
Her gaze shifted
On a steaming cup of tea
In contemplation.
"Now you've mentioned it, I guess."
"You guess?"
"I mean like, she is nice and all, but she's a bit... cold?"
"You don't sound so sure."
"Oh, I'm not. I see her in the park on some occasions, but that's about it."
"Do you want to come with me?"
"What?"
She crossed her arms in suspicion.
"I talked with her this afternoon. Maybe she'll be there next day or so. Might be a good chance to get in touch with your grandma."
"Er... but you and me... does not bother you?"
Her cheeks reddened a bit
Eyes wandering to other directions
But him.
"Oh? You think she will assume that we're together?"
"That's... yeah. I-I got no problem with that- I mean, no... uh..."
He giggled much to her frustration.
"Hachi, screw you. Think this is funny?"
"You look cute when you are confused."
"Oh shut up."
She shook her head
Frowning at him
Attempt to check him
With a death glare
To no avail.
"Miyako-sama will definitely assume that. Get used to it. It's not true after all."
"Not... true..."
She mulled over the words
With a troubled look
In her eyes.
"But if you do not want to, it's alright."
"No. It's no problem."
There is a problem.
He was well aware
Of the presumtous fog
Accumulations.
