TW: None
Mini-Chapter/Drabble II - Wrestling
Ren sat at the bleachers with his duffel bag, watching the more experienced wrestlers slam and throw each other onto the mat. He was disappointed, but had a smidge of relief. The coach told him to sign-in and take a seat, explaining to him since he was a newbie, he wouldn't have to try-out. The first two weeks would be dedicated to getting in shape before the actual team practice.
He rummaged through his bag and pulled out his bento filled with Ginger Pork Onigirazu and bit into one. His Okaa-Sama made his sandwiches. He was so surprised to see her in the kitchen, wrapping the seaweed around the sticky rice, she hasn't cooked him anything since Onii-Sama's banishment.
Ren remembers her slightly low laugh, taking notice of his shock. She told him she just felt like cooking for him. Then she asked about Kazuma.
"How's he?" questioned Okaa-Sama.
"Umm," Ren licked his lips. He didn't know how to respond. "H-he's doing alright."
She nodded with a forlorn stare. "That's good." She left the kitchen.
He has no idea why his mother would ask about Kazuma. Just like Otou-Sama, she hasn't uttered his name in years. Whenever he tried to talk about him, he was hushed into silence.
Nobody within the family has said Kazuma's name until he came back to Japan. It was as if the Kannagi's suddenly remembered his existence.
Ren's heart ached as he ate another sandwich. Before he was kidnapped by the Fuuga's, his brother promised him that he would take him home in the morning, not that he would reconcile with the family. Ren then believed with some effort, Kazuma would be accepted back into the family, but he never did.
Kazuma wouldn't be happy if he did.
With a heavy sickness in the pit of his stomach, Ren can still picture the disdained looks on the Branch Family Heads at the dinner last month. When he left, their faces were filled with relief. Ren didn't speak to anyone from any of their families.
Finishing his Onigirazu, Ren wiped away his oncoming tears. Hopefully being on the wrestling team will help him stop crying. The coach came over and handed him a scheduled list of the first two weeks.
He hopes his body will become stronger.
Happy belated New Year! This is a relatively short chapter, but I quite like it.