“Where is Ryusei?!”
“Why isn’t that damn fool here when his own father-in-law’s lying dead inside?!”
My father's voice echoed in my head like a broken radio, the same words playing on loop, over and over, stabbing into my chest.
Even now, after everything that had happened — after I’d been reborn into this new form — the voice of my old man still had the power to make me freeze in place.
I stood at the edge of the garden, the cold night air clinging to my skin as though trying to weigh me down, rooting me to the ground. My heart pounded, and my throat tightened, unable to speak, unable to move. I hated this. I hated feeling like that same coward from years ago.
Then, a familiar hand grabbed mine — small, warm, and firm. It was Rin.
“Dad… what are you doing? Why are you just standing there?” she whispered, her voice sharp but her grip gentle.
I swallowed hard, not sure what to say. “I... I don’t know, Rin. I’m not your dad right now. Neither her husband. I... I don't have the right.”
She sighed in frustration and gave my hand a squeeze. “Stop being stupid. YOU are her husband. Whatever people think, whatever they say — mom needs you right now. Don’t run away again.”
That hit me like a slap.
Rin… she was right. Damn it, she was right.
I’d come here for Keiko. To be there for her. And now, I was standing around like a coward while she faced this alone?
I gave Rin a grateful look. “Thanks, Rin.”
She just gave me a small nod before letting go of my hand and walking off, leaving me no excuse.
I took a deep breath, gathering whatever courage I had left, and walked toward them. Toward my parents.
As I approached, my gaze landed on them. They looked… old. So much older than the last time I saw them. Their hair streaked with gray, faces lined with the years. It hit me harder than I expected.
“Excuse me... hi.” My voice cracked a little as I spoke, giving Keiko a small, awkward wave.
She blinked, surprised. “Oh, you came already.”
I forced a smile. “Yeah… couldn’t stay away.”
My father turned to me with a scowl. “Who’s she?” His eyes narrowed.
I froze, scrambling for a response. “I-I’m Keiko’s…”
Before I could finish, Keiko calmly cut in. “Husband.”
I blinked, heart stopping. “W-What? Keiko?!” I hissed under my breath, panic surging.
What was she doing? We’d agreed to keep this quiet for now. And yet here she was, saying it so easily in front of my parents.
Keiko looked at me, eyes steady, then turned back to them. “Mom, Dad… this is Ryusei. Your son.”
My mother’s mouth fell open, her face going pale. My father’s eyes widened in disbelief. “What…? Are you insane? What the hell do you mean?”
I cleared my throat, trembling. “It’s… a long story. An accident. I… I didn’t know how it happened either. But, well...”
My mother stepped closer, her voice shaking. “Are you serious? Since when, Ryusei?”
I sighed heavily. “Almost a year.”
My father’s face turned red. “A YEAR?! A year and you didn’t tell us? How could you hide this from your own family?!”
I clenched my jaw. “Why should I? It would’ve only made things worse. Beside we hadn’t even spoken in years!”
That shut him up.
I didn’t stop. “You're the one who kicked me out, remember? After Rin was born. You said you never wanted to see my face again.”
He was the kind of man with a strong, stubborn personality — never the type to back down or apologize. “Now you’re blaming me?” he snapped.
His pride wouldn’t let him admit he’d been wrong.
I sighed, “I didn’t mean it like that, it’s just… a response to your question, that’s all.” He fell silent, the weight of old wounds hanging heavy between us.
Keiko stepped in, her voice gentle but firm. “Dad, Mom… please. It’s not about the past anymore. We’re doing okay now. And we’re working things out, slowly.”
My dad seemed to calm down a little, and he grumbled, "You sure? This stupid son of mine’s doing great? He’s not just weighing you down again, is he?"
I opened my mouth, ready to snap back — but Keiko spoke first, giving a firm nod. "I'm sure," she said. "He’s doing great now. He’s changed."
My dad crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. “Is he treating you right? And Rin?”
I held my breath, terrified of what Keiko might say. Her face stayed unreadable for a moment, then she nodded. “He is.”
My father grunted. “Hmph. You’re damn lucky, Ryusei.”
I gave a crooked smile. “I know.”
He looked at me for a long time before finally speaking again, his voice softer this time. “Just… don’t screw up again. You hear me?”
“I won’t.”
And then, something I never expected — his shoulders sagged, and his tone cracked. “Come see us sometime. Bring Rin too. You’re still our son, whether you like it or not.”
My mother smiled quietly beside him, tears in her eyes. “We’ll be waiting. Okay?”
I swallowed hard, blinking fast. “Yeah… yeah, okay.”
Keiko gave me a tiny smile as my parents walked away.
“Thank you… Keiko.” My voice shook.
She looked up at me, eyes gentle. “You don’t need to thank me. They are your family. It’s time to stop hiding.”
"You should head home with Rin now," Keiko said gently. But I couldn’t shake the unease gnawing at me. I hesitated, then asked quietly, "Can I stay here tonight?"
She blinked in surprise. "Why?"
I took a breath, stepped closer, and met her eyes — those same eyes that had once looked at me with so much hurt, now softer. "Because I want to be by your side… especially at times like this."
Keiko gave a small, almost stubborn shrug. "You don’t have to."
But I reached out, gently taking her hand in mine. "I need to," I murmured. "You and Rin… you’re my priority now."
For the first time in what felt like forever, a faint flush colored her cheeks. She glanced away.
"And besides," I added with a small, crooked smile, "we still need to tell your mom about… well, me."
Keiko let out a quiet sigh of defeat, her lips curving into the faintest of smiles. "Right…"
I squeezed her hand gently.
As the night settled around us and the lanterns in the garden swayed in the breeze, a strange calm came over me.