The Zen room
The old man was sitting on his usual mat facing his favorite garden. His grandson was sitting next to him, but there was a tiny tea table between them.
"You're calling me, grandfather?"
"Drink this, I heard you haven't rested well."
"Drink tea this late. I surely don't sleep tonight."
"It helps."
He drank the tea, as the old man said.
"You didn't call me here this late for tea, did you?"
"How's work?"
"Only Hendric's left...He's quite close to Charon."
"Hmm...He's so deep in his immoral needs...might be tough work for you."
"..Yes, but I can handle it."
He answered and drank the tea again.
"Are you sure? With all the other stuff, too?"
"If you mean Miss Zephyra's business, the first step is almost done."
"I'm glad to hear that...and she will too."
"I heard you took her to the association today."
"Yes..."
"Did she...like it?"
He tried hiding his curiosity about her but decided to ask and drank the tea again.
"Apparently, I think so."
"..."
"Thank you for considering her, grandfather."
"I must thank you. You, Kai...for letting me know her...she's quite a joy...pure light...it's been a long time since this house had a little sunlight.. too much red...and too much blood."
"..."
"You have a great eye, haha. She's surely a unique one."
The old man explained his thoughts about a young lady in this house and glanced at his grandson, who was smiling.
"But how are things between you two? Am I going to have a tiny little toe?"
"What?"
He almost choked the tea.
"No, I don't know, sir...we haven't talked much..."
"Hmm, do you really want to marry her? If not, I'll find the great, suitable man for her instead of you."
"What are you talking about? I'm your grandson."
"So? She's quite a catch, and people can easily fall in love with her if they know her true self."
"Are you teasing me or something?"
"No, I tell the truth. There's one man in the association.."
"!!"
"He has something...how can I put it into words...A spark? Yeah, he has a spark when they talk, and she seemed to be herself and goofy around him.."
"...What are you trying to say?"
"Step up, child; the good ones or the perfect ones can be found widely, but only the one who really suits you is hard to have...and once you have, hold on preciously."
"..."
"Because you'll never know when she slips away."
"..."
"They're quite close...he's her sensei, but it's not a problem because Furan is very mature and calm."
"I am still her fiancé…"
"Then act like one. Not just behind the gestures...time is very precious."
"I know, grandfather."
"You're not a teenager anymore. I don't want to teach some romance stuff, right?...you're almost 30 now."
"Yes, sir."
"Well…the tea time is over...you drink it all?"
"...It's very soothing."
"Zephyra must be pleased if she could hear that."
"!?"
"Now get out. I want to sleep, too."
".. Alright, sir."
-extra ended-