Chapter 8

The Lineage of Disaster

I stared in shock at the man before me. He was dressed in a grey suit and tie and carried an umbrella. I finally managed to speak over the cacophony of thunder.

"What are you doing here? Don't you realize what time it is?"

My father kept that same stupid smile plastered on his wizened face.

"I just came to see if you're alright. You've been so depressed lately," he said.

I glowered down at him. Who did he think he was?

"Leave!" I demanded. Of course, he ignored me.

"Aren't you going to invite me inside?" he asked. He had no intention of honouring my request. I growled and stepped aside. He entered and I unceremoniously shut the door. I followed him to the kitchen, where he set out a packet of instant coffee and two mugs.

"I'll make some coffee," he said. "It's rather cold, don't you think?" He smiled. I remained silent, still glowering darkly.

He emptied the packets into the mugs, followed by hot water. He sat, motioning for me to join him. I did so, albeit grudgingly, although i stared at the table.

"Now, the reason for my visit."

I continued to scowl at the table.

"It's been five years, Tomoya. Don't you think it's time to move on?"

I gasped and glared at him.

"Shut up!" I whispered in fury. Like always, he totally ignored me.

"Tomoya, you don't visit Ushio at all! She's growing up without a father!"

"Shut up!" I hissed, clenching my fists in my lap. I was seeing red. My father stood up.

"Tomoya, don't you see? You're making the same mistakes I did!" he shouted. I gasped, eyes widening in shock. I felt my heart skip a beat. I finally looked at my father. He was once again seated, looking at the table.

"How dare you?" I whispered. How dare he compare me to himself? He sighed deeply.

"Tomoya, don't you know how much suffering you're putting Ushio through? She's growing up without knowing her father, her own flesh and blood, -you're fleshand blood!"

He looked up and I started. Tears were in his eyes.

"Man up!"

I was surprised by the authority in his voice.

"You have no right to put your daughter through this! Just because Nagisa is gone does not mean you can shirk your responsibilities!"

"SHUT UP!" I roared, jumping out of my chair. "JUST SHUT UP!"

"I'm only telling you this because I don't want you going down the same path I did! By the time I realized how much pain I had caused you it was too late. You had grown up by yourself."

"Get out," I growled.

He suddenly dropped to his knees, bowing before me.

"Please, don't do this! Be a father for Ushio! I'm not asking this as a man, but as a father, myself!" he pleaded.

I stumbled back, disgusted.

"Stop! Just stop!" I shouted, clenching my head. "What kind of useless father lowers his head before his son?!"

My father picked himself up and sighed. He grabbed his jacket and umbrella and left the apartment. At the exit, he paused.

"Tomoya?" he said. I grunted a response.

"Ah, uh, it doesn't look like the rain will be letting up soon. Don't catch a cold," he said, and left. I slammed the door shut and went yo my room. I sat by the window and watched my father walk down the street as the rain created translucent shadows on the wall. I pounded the glass in rage.

"Is this some kind of a joke?!" I screamed. "Pretending to be a father all of a sudden?!"

I pounded the window again. I laughed maniacally, sobbing. I pounded the glass once more, and slid to the floor.

"Is this some kind of a joke?!" I screamed.

It wasn't very funny.