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.