Chapter 25: Melting point of ice.
Setting off from the hotel , tatsuya and ichika took their car and went towards their home.
For most of the time , the journey consisting of tatsuya and ichika are quiet but that quietness was comfortable.
That can't be said for today.
The quietness is rather uncomfortable than anything. The two of them didn't look into each other's eyes.
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They reached their home. Ichika went inside first and tatsuya stayed behind to park his car in the garage.
The house was a normal japanese one , made out of wood giving it a simple yet majestic look.
While staying inside ichika prepared tea for the two of them.
After finishing parking his car in the garage , he went inside the house , greeted by ichika who was waiting for him at the door.
He went inside and greeted her as well. Then the two had tea and went to take a bath.
After which they sat at the food table.
"..Today was a stressful day.." tatsuya started a conversation.
"..Yes it was." ichika nodded her head.
"Do you want to talk about what happened today..? You know conversation is the key for a relationship."
"....."
"What?" tatsuya raised an eyebrow,"Did I say something wrong?"
"..No it's just unusual for you to say something like this...." she admitted while heating up the leftovers from yesterday,"That's it...I am glad you are showing such care..."
"I had to. That's my duty."
"Pardon?" This time she is the one who raised her eyebrows.
"Nothing!" He shook his head.
"...." she smiled and kept silent.
"You felt proud of Koji-kun , right?"
"Huh?" he looks at her for asking such a question,"What do you mean?"
"Don't act tough," she brings the food on the table,"I have been living with you for 50 years now so please know that i can kind of read your mind in a way." she told him with a sly grin.
"*Sigh!* So am I that easy?"
"No you aren't." she took a plate and served food for tatsuya , "It's just me. I don't think anyone has noticed it," she gave it to tatsuya ,"If Rukia-san was in her normal state then she would have but she wasn't so it's just me."
"I see." He said , a smile blooming on his face.
"Let's eat. We need to sleep and go check on Nino-chan." she playfully hurried him , while tatsuya just smiled and lets out a huff.
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The two were on their bed , sitting together , a silence between them.
"..What I did...?" ichika looks at tatsuya who was talking to her ,"...was it right? Being so strict....?" He wasn't saying but rather questioning it to himself.
He was questioning whether being cold was a good thing. He wanted to make sure everyone in the family , especially his son , Koji was in his right mind. He didn't want his son to go and announce a fight that he can't win. He didn't want the family to crumble, so even after the fact that he saw his son standing firmly , not losing his composure , he was sure that his son got it but then he noticed something.
He noticed that his son was hiding sadness inside himself , so he took it upon himself to act as a glue and make sure to stick the family together.
Although he didn't expect Rukia to act like that , he decided to stay behind , to let Rukia--no a mother let her grief , anger and sadness out. He also noticed that the boy , Tarazune didn't do anything because he made himself a punching bag for Rukia. So that she could relive her stress.
"...Yes...what you did..it was right...it was perfectly done..."ichika assured him.
"I really..wanted to let it out.."
"Then you should...do it. I have already done... it.."
"You haven't cried the whole day.."
"I am surprised you noticed it."
"Well who do you think I am?"
"I had something to do. As the mother of the family..I raised them so it's not appropriate for me to shed tears in front of them. It will only break them more."
"All these years huh. We were not saved a lot of time."
"Yes ,really."
"Good work for many years."
"No it's nothing. We are a family."
"Now you know. It's alright." He looks at her , getting a look from ichika , "You can let it out. I will stand here . Helping you stick together again after you have broken down. So let it out. Everyone needs a time when they can cry. Now it's your time , let it out."
Ichikas shoulder started to shake.
*Sob.*
*Sob.*
The sound of the sob was heard in the quiet , dark room where only two humans were sitting.
*Drop!*
*Drop!*
The sound of a type of liquid falling on the ground was clearly heard.
Ichika , letting all the emotion out , started to let the pilled up emotion flow away , letting herself be free by letting out the emotion.
Tatsuya hugged her , massaging her back and then her hair. Continuing the process while also silently shedding tears as if he was seen like this by ichika she will be more mentally broken. So he decided to cry but not in front of anyone but himself.
In the quiet room , the two of them were alone. With only having each other. It was a beautiful moment.
Emotion's are a complex concept. Especially human emotion. Some of them don't want their emotion to be seen others and there are some who want their emotion to be others.
And there is love. A emotion that can make humans do something they couldn't even think of doing.