He stood there
The same dull eyes
One of his hands
Buried in a coat pocket
The other
Cradling a cigarette
Between two fingers.
Scent of tobacco
As the smoke
Wafted in the cold air.
But
How strange
A smile?
Startling
Even surprising
Before him
Though his eyes
Tired
The cynic could see
Glimpse
Behind the tattered mask
Who he was
Before he became
A cynic.
"I know you heard us."
"Pardon me. I did."
Shaking his head lightly
Brush off his little eavesdropping
Take a drag
Wisps of smoke
And the ash
From the tip
Floating down
Like powdery snow.
"You've seen her before, haven't you? At that reception."
"Yes, I did."
The man looked at him
But not a trace
Of vexation.
"I've been trying to keep away Miura-sama for a long time now. And now, you show up and bring her here."
He chuckled a bit
At the humor
Of this predicament.
How ironic.
Imagine
The boy
Your daughter
Spoke so highly of
Was the one
To stir
The proverbial dust
And pit him
Once more
Against the bane
To his existence.
"I... apologize."
"No. It was bound to happen. One way or another."
But now
It seemed
The climax
Unfinished conflicts
Like a plunged knife
Either pulled out
Or thrust
Deeper.
And way down
He was sunk
Increasingly
Treacherous affairs
Those he wished not
Involve himself in.
But now
Deal with it.
Strength
Fortitude
It was not just about him
After all
There was still
A certain fire queen
On the line.
"She says that she loves Yumiko. But that is not true."
The cynic was silent
But inwardly
He pondered
Carefully.
"She disowned me. Us."
"Disown?"
"Four years ago. Miura-sama couldn't get what she wanted. I would not allow it."
He took another draw
The grey smoke
Dancing
In the soft breeze.
"Because of business."
"Damn right."
"Miyako-sama told me that this family used to rival the Yukinoshita and the Hayama."
"Just how far is your relationship with my mother?"
He laughed
In mirth
And see
Before a recluse
Just another
Optimist.
The doctor
Whose medicine
Was laughter.
Alas
Long gone
Were those days.
"I haven't heard those names in a long time."
He sighed.
"I'll be honest with you kid. You don't look like the the kind of guy Yumi-chan would be into. But I guess it's better than that blonde son of a bitch."
The man chuckled once more
And the cynic
Tentatively let out a cough
To excuse himself.
He would not know
But she
The fire queen
Had similar attitudes
A side he rarely saw
With her father.
"I told Ma, that I wasn't going to marry my little girl to a Hayama, just so she can finally overpower another goddamn aristocrat."
The man smiled wryly
And turned to him
Sharp dark eyes
Penetrating.
"I just hope that you wouldn't fuck her over. God forgive me, what I'll do to you if she gets hurt."
The cynic stepped backwards
Raising his hands a bit
Humble gesture
He meant no harm.
Indeed
It was certain
If that blonde woman
Had a mother hen complex
Expect no less
From this
Alpha wolf.
"I know. You would not approve of a relationship between me and her."
He shook his head.
"No, no. You don't get it, do you?"
"I know. That's what fathers do. What you do."
"You don't know shit about me."
The man in the white coat
Let out a dry laugh
Rubbing a shoe
On the tiled porch.
"You have a good ear for listening, son. But you think too much."
Think too much?
"I would say, you and I are alike. But only because you are coming down the wrong road, as I have."
Listen.
Here is another tale
Of a man
A father
The origins
Of a cynic.
