They ate in an uncomfortable silence, the kind that made even breathing feel too loud. Every bite felt heavy, like chewing glass instead of curry.
The room was so quiet that the only sound was the muted crunch of food being eaten.
"Next time, don't put carrots in the curry. I don't like them," Akihito said suddenly, his voice breaking the uneasy peace.
Haruto clenched his jaw but said nothing. His mind was already full of problems, the first was Daiki, the second was Asuka who never answered his message, and now this…
'Damn, this asshole is really getting on my nerves.'
Akihito clicked his tongue in frustration. "How many times do I have to say it? I hate carrots! Are you that slow? Use your brain next time!"
Chiyo, sitting quietly, murmured, "I'm sorry…"
But seeing his Mother keep getting in trouble, he couldn't stand still.
'Or maybe, this is the perfect opportunity to get rid of him.'
"You don't need to apologize," Haruto interrupted, his voice calm but firm. "I'm the one who put the carrots in."
Akihito's eyes narrowed as he glared at his son. "Stop acting like you're some kind of martyr. Nobody wants to eat this crap."
Without warning, he tossed his spoon into the curry, splattering it across the table.
That was enough.
He slammed his hand on the table, the force rattling the plates and cutlery, sending a shockwave through the room.
The room fell into an eerie silence, save for the heavy breathing of both men.
Akihito stood up, rage boiling over. "You wanna fight me now, huh?!"
Haruto slowly rose to his feet, towering over his father, his muscles tense beneath his shirt. But it wasn't just his size that made Akihito step back slightly—it was the cold, commanding look in Haruto's eyes.
"You think I'm scared of you?" Akihito blustered, puffing out his chest to cover his nerves.
"I raised you! I'm the head of this family, and you need to show me respect!"
Haruto scoffed, a smirk curling on his lips. "Head of the family? You can't be serious."
He stepped around the table, closing the distance between them until he grabbed Akihito's collar, yanking him close.
"I'm the one paying for this house. I'm the one handling everything while you sit here doing nothing. You still think you're in charge?"
Akihito's face paled, but he forced out a growl. "You little—" He swung his fist, but Haruto was faster, catching his father's hand and twisting it until a sickening crack filled the air.
Akihito screamed. "Let go! You ungrateful bastard!"
His free hand lashed out toward Haruto's stomach, but Haruto easily blocked it, twisting his father's other arm until he was helpless.
"You still don't get it, do you?" Haruto's voice was low, dangerous. "I run things now. You want to keep testing me, or should I break something else?"
Haruto's voice increased, he was already at a breakpoint and really wanted to punch this man to a pulp.
'Why hesitate? I could make him my punch bag.' he thought, considering it.
But the voices of Haruka and Chiyo stopped him in his tracks. Haruto's grip loosened, though the tension still gripped the room.
"Stop it, brother!" Haruka's voice trembled, her fear palpable.
Memories of Akihito hitting her flooded back, and while she feared for herself, she was even more terrified something might happen to Haruto now.
"Haruka's right, please just stop!"
Chiyo chimed in. She didn't want the situation to spiral out of control over something as simple as dinner.
Haruto glared at his father, the hatred in his eyes clear. He took a deep breath, the anger simmering just beneath the surface.
"Fine," he muttered. "I'll stop. But only if this bastard leaves the house."
Silence settled over the room like a heavy blanket. Haruka glanced at her brother, unsure of what to say, while Chiyo seemed caught off guard by his demand.
"No, he can't!" Chiyo spoke firmly, surprising Haruto. "Please, Haruto, just let him go," she pleaded, her eyes wide with worry.
Haruto's eyes twitched as he turned to look at Chiyo. Her words confused him. 'What the hell, isn't she the one who would get the most benefit if this trash was gone?'
'Don't tell me…'
His mind raced. It didn't make sense. Chiyo had every reason to want Akihito gone, and yet here she was, pleading for him to stay.
A bitter thought crossed his mind, thinking about it was enough to make him annoyed.
But it made sense, what kind of person would want to be by his drunkard father's side if she didn't love him?
'Ck, even though I am better,' he thought.
He'd heard before that people trapped in toxic relationships often found it hard to break free. Maybe that was the case here.
However, he wasn't a free therapist, so he didn't want to be a saint to give Chiyo a piece of his mind. Just let her suffer in this relationship until she gets enough.
Reluctantly, Haruto released his father's arm and shoved him to the ground. His eyes blazed with resentment, but he walked away, heading toward his room without another word.
But still, he was annoyed.
He didn't realize that Chiyo had followed him until he felt her hand on his arm in the hallway.
"Wait, Haruto," she called softly.
He stopped but didn't turn to face her, his voice cold. "What is it?"
Chiyo hesitated, guilt flickering in her eyes. "You didn't need to defend me like that… I didn't want to make things worse between you and your father."
Her words only irritated him more. After all, he'd done for her, standing up to his father, and she couldn't even say thank you?
"I just don't want to see your relationship with him get worse," she continued, her voice quieter now.
"In the past, I and your mother didn't have a father. But you still have one, even if it's not perfect."
Haruto's eyes widened slightly. Relief washed over him as he realized her reasoning wasn't because she liked Akihito. But her words still didn't sit right with him.
"Chiyo, you know having a father means nothing to me, right?" His tone softened, but the frustration was still there.
"The only thing I care about is keeping Haruka safe, and that won't happen as long as he's still here."
Chiyo sighed, her shoulders slumping. "You need to understand… he's like this because he never moved on from your mother."
Haruto stood silent for a moment. "My father died the night my mom died. So don't worry about it." He paused, narrowing his eyes. "Or… do you care about him that much?"
Her eyes widened in panic. "No! It's not like that at all!"
He stepped closer, his voice low but firm. "Mother, between me and him, who do you like more?"