Gengyo turned around as the scent of a woman filled his nostrils. His gaze was curious and calculating.
A pretty young woman stood before him. She was blessed with big eyes that hid a certain mischievousness and innocence. Her long black hair was held in a bun under her straw hat, and her full lips and small nose were well proportioned.
'A family member perhaps?'
"Ehhh… how could you look at your sweet little sister with those mistrustful eyes? What have I ever done but look out for my Nii-chan?"
There was an innocent smile on her lips. The type of smile that Gengyo had learned to mistrust long ago. She'd definitely done something, perhaps a prank of some sort.
Moments later he began to feel an itchy sensation on his lower back, as though something was crawling down there. The sensation travelled upwards until it reached near his right shoulder. He resisted the almost unbearable urge to scratch, after coming to a conclusion as to the source of such discomfort.
"A bug, eh? This sensation… Mmm a house centipede?"
He reached back into his kimono, grabbing the critter with his finger and a thumb before holding it towards her with a hint of triumph, he asserted his victory.
"Wha? Aren't you scared of bugs?"
She seemed a little impressed, but there was a stronger sense of dissatisfaction there. It seemed she had very much wanted to see her brother roll around in discomfort.
Much to her dismay, Gengyo did not fear that which he had knowledge of. And insects were a hobby of his as a child.
When Gengyo was 12 years old, he wrote a paper on jumping spiders and submitted it to the curator of a museum. The curator had sent a letter back, stating how impressed he was by the paper, and expressing his desire to meet with Gengyo. His parents had intervened upon receiving that letter, explaining that Gengyo was but 12 years old.
As you can imagine, with all this knowledge, his expression was extremely nonchalant. The house centipede wiggled madly in his grip, its legs flailing creepily.
"Why would I be? Even if they're poisonous, it's easy to isolate the poison and get rid of it. It is they who should fear humans."
His new sister leaned in close, and carefully checking his face for any abnormalities, before putting a hand to his forehead.
"I'm not sick."
"Mmm… but Nii-chan you're so strange today. You're even talking differently."
Her hand cupped the side of his head half-jokingly as she felt around for any bumps.
"Wah… what's this?"
She'd found the bloody gash caused by the stone from earlier.
"Those two again..? They're hurting you more and more lately... You need to stand up for yourself Tadakata!"
Gengyo could not help but smile at her concern. Despite her playfulness, she seemed like a rather caring little sister. It must have been tough for her having an older brother like Tadakata.
'Don't worry, they'll get their due.'
He chose that moment to change the conversation and marched ahead.
"Come on. Let's head home."
"Uhmm Nii-chan you're going the wrong way…"
Gengyo flinched and turned back, slightly embarrassed.
"Uhh, I think my memory is a little messed up from that stone earlier. Please lead the way."
At this, his sister's worry only heightened. Gengyo felt a little bad but it was the only fitting excuse for his lack of Tadakata's memories, so using it was unavoidable.
His sister – whom he did not yet know the name of – walked over to him, gazing into his eyes worriedly as she ruffled his hair.
It was as though she was the older sibling.
"A stone? Those horrible dogs! Grrr… Really Tadakata, I'm not joking – they need to stop. It's too dangerous. One day they're really going to hurt you."
At this Gengyo simply nodded, and followed by her side as they walked down the muddy path, into a forest and towards their small home.
…
…
The scene as they opened the door was not pleasant. A middle-aged man – seemingly drunk – was squaring up to a taller man who was a good deal younger. It appeared to be his son.
"The fuck? You think you're a big man now that you've grown a little? Eh? Too good to pour your old man a drink."
A middle-aged woman floated around the corner of the room, desperately looking as though she wanted to intervene, but couldn't find the right opportunity.
"Uhm… dear I think—"
"No mother. He is right. I was being disrespectful. Please forgive my impudence father."
The older man squinted up at him in his drunken stupor, trying to detect the sarcasm in his words.
"Heh, whatever. I'll pour my own drink this time."
He swaggered back to the low table, sitting down with his legs crossed before reaching over to grab himself another glass of sake.
Masaatsu retreated through a sliding door that lead outside. A short time later the sound of an axe splitting wood could be heard.
'That was rather nicely done, young man.'
Gengyo praised in his head. It was rare to see a youth capable of controlling his emotions so well.
The middle-aged man brought the drink to his mouth before smacking his lips together in satisfaction.
"Mmm! Delicious."
It was only then that he noticed Gengyo and the young girl standing to his side.
"Ehh, Rin… and the one who's even more useless than Masaatsu… Why didn't you let us know that you were home?"
There was an edge to his voice, as though he was daring them to provoke him further – seemingly encouraged by his victory over Masaatsu.
Rin responded on both their behalves, as she dragged Gengyo into the room towards their mother by his hand.
"We're home…"
"Heh. Good."
"Welcome home, Rin-chan!"
Their young mother welcomed them sweetly, evidently happy to see them.
"You too Tadakata-chan! Was work difficult sweetie? Your mother is very proud that you're able to keep up with everyone else!"
Gengyo had to accept the praise with a false smile, not exactly thrilled to be treated as a toddler.
"Ha? Proud? The boy's a dunce Fuku!"
The man's voice was venomous as he voiced his complaints. He clearly detested Tadakata.
Fuku was a timid woman, and would normally seek to avoid conflict. But even she could not stand slander of her own children, and so chose to defend her youngest son.
"Morohira… Please don't say such things. He's a good boy. Aren't you dear?"
Gengyo did not reply. It wasn't a question that warranted a response.
"Ha? Good boy? He's a dullard! Boy's weaker than anyone else his age, and he walks around like frightened mouse. The other men make fun of me, you know? I'm getting shit off them because of my own bloody son! Aren't sons meant to make their fathers proud? Or even just be normal? But no, instead that little shit's got to be the worst piece of trash in the province. Do you think that's fair, eh? EH?!"
Morohira stood up, walking towards Fuku who flinched and shrunk back. Only when she noticed that Gengyo was in front of her did her protective instincts overcome her, and she stood in front of him.
"ANSWER ME WOMAN!"
"Please Morohira… He tries…"
She was all but weeping at this point, as the red face of her drunkard husband pressed closer to hers.
Even the mischievous Rin was nervous, feeling the tension in the room rising, her eyes darting here and there looking for an opportunity to escape.
"Tries? TRIES? What's that word supposed to mean? How do I use that in a sentence? 'Haha fellas, my boy is trash, but he tries'. You think they're going to suddenly stop their joking and go, 'ah, well! At least he tries.' EH!?"
Fuku frantically attempted to calm him, not realizing that he would pounce on every single word she says.
"I know… but—"
'Oh god. Woman do you not see how drunk he is? It's foolish to reason with a drunk. If anything, you're making matters worse.'
"But…? You have the nerve to contradict your husband? FOUL WOMAN!"
"No! Dad, stop it!"
Rin screamed, not wanting to see them fight any longer.
Fuku's eyes filled with tears. Morohira was not a bad man, but with the alcohol in his system, he grew into something he was not.
"Father. This son apologies profusely for his inadequacies. He will work to keep from disappointing you in future."
Gengyo spoke, attempting to defuse the argument. He nailed him with the full force of his 40-year-old-stare.
Morohira could only stare in response, his mouth wide open. Never in his wildest dreams did he think it would be Tadakata who stood up to him.
"Mother, please continue preparing the food. I'm hungry. Rin, you needed the toilet right? Better get going."
Gengyo organised escape routes for the two of them before the beet red man in front of him could regain his baring.
Even Rina and Fuku could not help but look toward Gengyo in surprise. The ordinarily timid boy had actually stood up for his mother?
'Nii-san actually saved me instead this time…'
Rin thought to herself as she shot Gengyo a happy smile and disappeared out of the sliding door.
"Ah, dear, would you like some more sake with your food?"
Fuku asked as though nothing had happened, edging toward the kitchen area where her ingredients were waiting.
Morohira was stilling staring at Gengyo and he only half heard his wife's words.
"Yes… if you would…"
'Now it's my turn to leave. There will only be more trouble should I stay.'
"Father. I'm going to help brother with the wood. See you at dinner."
"What...? Oh. Alright, yes."
Gengyo swiftly crossed the room and pulled the sliding door open and crossed the threshold before his father could change his mind.
Masaatsu greeted him with a light nod as he stepped outside, before continuing to wield his axe and split the wood.
Deciding that it was not yet appropriate to speak, Gengyo leaned against a tree idly as he watched his brother work.
'He looks pretty strong. And handsome too. I wonder why the old man was still disappointed in him?'
Masaatsu shot him another glance, as he continued his work before speaking.
"I heard. Seems like father was fighting with you guys too… Sorry you had to deal with that."
Gengyo tilted his head, questioning the need for an apology, but asked something else instead.
"This happens pretty often, huh."
A question disguised as a statement, in order to hide his lack of information.
"Sure does. Mother has it the worst… but father has it pretty tough too."
Gengyo raised an eyebrow at that.
"Father? Is he not the cause of all this?"
Masaatsu shook his head, wiping the sweat from his brow with the sleeve of his kimono.
"Nah, you shouldn't think too badly of him. The old man's got it tough. We're struggling for money, as you know, and he's getting pressures and stresses from all kinds of places. If the sake helps him get through – even if it means we have to suffer a bit – we just need to put up with it, buddy."
'Hoo… He's a mature kid. Probably better than that alcoholic deserves. But still, he has a point. It'd be better if we could tame this father of mine, rather than get rid of him. A normal family should have a grandfather after all.'