~~~ • ~~~

We finished eating.

The plates had been cleared away.

The atmosphere grew more relaxed.

Yuna sat beside me.

Silent.

Her eyes occasionally darted toward me.

I raised my cup.

Took a sip of coffee.

Warm.

Bitter. _

"Papa..."

Her voice was soft.

I turned my head slightly.

"Can I have a little?"

I handed her the cup in my hand.

"Here."

She took it with both hands.

Took a tiny sip.

Then immediately set it back down.

As if she just wanted a taste.

I pulled out a cigarette.

Slipped it between my lips.

Lit it.

A small flame.

Then—

smoke rose slowly.

"Haa..."

I leaned back.

My eyes sweeping the room. _

"This place..."

"...is still the same as ever."

"Still the same?"

The teenage boy turned his head.

Smirking slightly.

"You just haven’t been here during the rainy season."

I glanced at him.

"Why is that?"

"The roof leaks."

He held up a hand.

"A lot."

"Maybe five of them."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Whoa."

_

The little girl from earlier stood up.

Approached Yuna.

Sat down beside her.

"Yuna."

"Yes, Auntie?"

She instantly froze.

"Auntie?? Me??"

Silence—

then—

"Hahaha!"

Everyone immediately burst into laughter.

The teenage boy even slapped his knee.

"You really do look old." "Go look in a mirror."

The girl shot him a sharp glare.

Gave a small huff.

"Don’t call me Auntie."

She looked at Yuna.

"Call me big sis."

Yuna looked thoughtful.

"But... you’re Papa’s little sister..."

"Which means you’re still an Auntie."

"Hahaha!!"

Laughter erupted again.

"See!" "You really are old!"

The girl immediately turned to Mother.

"Mom..."

Her tone was sulky.

Mother just smiled.

Chuckled softly.

Offering no defense.

_

The girl turned back to Yuna.

"Whatever."

"I have some dolls."

"Wanna see?"

Yuna tilted her head up slightly.

"What kind of dolls?"

"Come on, follow me."

She stood up.

Pulling Yuna by the hand.

Yuna looked back at me for a moment.

I just gave a small nod.

They left.

_

The teenage boy lay back down.

Playing on his phone.

Mother shifted a little closer.

Looking at me.

"How is your work over there?"

"It’s going well."

"What do you usually eat?"

"Eggs."

"Do you have a girlfriend yet?"

"No."

"What is your apartment like?"

"Like a normal apartment."

My answers were short.

One by one.

Offering nothing extra.

Mother still wanted to ask more—

but—

"That’s enough, honey."

The man in the chair spoke up.

His voice remaining calm.

"Let Itsuki rest."

He looked at me.

Straight on.

"If you want to ask something..."

He paused for a moment.

"...just this will do."

Silence.

"Itsuki."

"Are you doing well over there?"

I looked at him.

For a few seconds.

"I’m fine."

"No complaints."

He gave a small nod.

That was enough.

_

Footsteps sounded once again.

Yuna returned.

Her expression was blank.

I turned to her.

"How was it, Yuna?"

She was quiet for a moment.

"I..."

I cut in.

"You’re not interested in dolls, are you?"

She gave a small nod.

"Mhm."

_

"What do you like, Yuna?"

Mother asked again.

Yuna stared straight ahead.

"Anime."

She answered softly.

The teenage boy immediately sat up.

"Anime??"

His eyes sparkled.

"Do you like serious adventure anime?"

Yuna nodded immediately.

"I do!"

He quickly grabbed the TV remote.

"Perfect timing."

"It’s broadcasting right now."

The TV turned on.

Channels flipped.

Found it.

The opening was just starting.

The light from the screen illuminated their faces.

"Yuna."

"Yeah?"

"Which character is your favorite?"

Yuna sat closer to the TV.

"The mage."

"Ooh... good choice."

"I like the samurai."

They immediately fell silent.

Focused.

_

"Yuna."

"Yes, Papa?"

She didn’t turn her head.

Her eyes remained glued to the screen.

"Don’t forget your homework."

"Don’t worry, Papa..."

"...there’s still plenty of time."

I didn’t reply.

_

Time passed.

The episode finished.

The sky outside had grown dark.

The house lights were fully on.

Mother returned.

Carrying a futon.

"Itsuki..."

"You’ll be sleeping on the floor, alright?"

"This is for Yuna."

"Umm..."

Yuna turned her head.

"I can just sleep with Papa, Grandma."

Mother paused.

"Oh..."

She smiled.

"That’s fine, then."

_

One by one—

they started to leave.

Retreating to their respective rooms.

The teenager yawned.

Left.

The little girl from earlier followed suit.

The youngest child—

was moved to a bedroom.

Carried off.

The TV was turned off.

The house slowly fell silent.

_

Leaving—

me.

Yuna.

And—

that man.

"Itsuki."

"Yuna."

"It’s time to rest."

His voice was calm.

"Go to sleep."

I turned to Yuna.

"Yuna."

"Go on ahead to sleep."

"Okay, Papa..."

She stood up.

Then walked away.

Her footsteps soft.

Disappearing out of the room.

_

Now—

it was just me and him.

In a room that had fallen quiet.

__

Silence.

Only the sound—

tick... tick... tick...

The hands of the clock moved slowly.

I sat.

Staring at the table.

Cigarette smoke rose.

Thin.

Disappearing into the ceiling.

"Father..."

My voice was low.

Brief.

"Yes..."

He answered.

His eyes were still closed.

His body remained in the chair.

As if he hadn’t moved since earlier.

_

I stayed silent for a moment.

Searching for words.

"How did you..."

"...manage to provide for this family?"

There was no immediate answer.

...

"Hm..."

"Don’t you already know?"

I raised my head slightly. Looking at him.

"From what I know..."

I began slowly.

"You don’t work."

"You stay at home."

"Sometimes you go to the garden."

"To the fields."

"Fixing the roof."

"The motorcycle."

"The car."

I paused for a moment.

"Sometimes..."

"...doing nothing at all."

Silence.

"Hm."

He gave a small nod.

"True."

I continued.

"And sometimes..."

"...people would come by."

"Buying land."

"And sometimes..."

"...you’re the one buying."

I looked at him.

"You trade land."

"Yes."

His answer was short.

Flat.

"I do."

He opened his eyes.

Slightly.

Staring straight ahead.

"So?"

"What else do you want to ask?"

_

I fell silent.

It was true.

I already knew the answer.

I had for a long time.

"Family."

"Responsibility."

I spoke quietly.

As if rearranging my own thoughts.

"You trade land..."

"...to meet our financial needs."

"You don’t work..."

"...to meet the need for your presence."

Silence.

"Yes."

He answered.

Briefly.

"So?"

_

I looked down.

Staring at the floor.

The old wood.

"I..."

The word felt heavy.

"I have Yuna now."

I paused for a moment.

Taking a breath.

"...and I’m struggling."

He didn’t answer immediately.

He simply looked at me.

"Struggling with what?"

I gave a small laugh.

Soundlessly.

"What part of it isn’t..."

He didn’t smile.

Didn’t react.

Just waited.

I finally answered.

"Finances."

He moved immediately.

Picked up his coffee cup.

Took a sip.

Then set it back down.

Slowly.

Then—

a cigarette.

Lit it.

A small flame ignited.

Smoke rose.

"Your salary isn’t enough."

It wasn’t a question.

A statement.

"Yes."

I nodded.

"Just so you know..."

He leaned back slightly.

"The problem is simple."

I turned to him.

"Simple?"

"Yes."

He took a drag from his cigarette.

Deeply.

Then exhaled.

"Do you want money..."

"...or time?"

I remained silent.

He continued.

"If you want money—"

"work more."

"Work a steady job."

"Work every day."

"If you want time—"

"accept having less."

"Accept a constrained life." _

I reached for my cup.

Took a sip of coffee.

Bitter.

It tasted stronger than earlier.

"So?"

He asked.

"What do you choose?"

I stared at the coffee in my hands.

"I can’t possibly..."

My voice was quiet.

"...work every day."

I gave a small shake of my head.

"I don’t want to live like that."

I set the cup down.

Clink.

A small sound against the table.

Silence returned.

__

__

"So?"

Father’s voice cut through the silence.

"What is it that you want?"

I raised my head.

He was already looking at me.

Sharp.

Focused.

Unblinking.

As if waiting for something more honest than mere words.

"I..."

I took a short breath.

"I want advice."

"For independent work."

His cigarette smoke rose slowly.

He didn’t answer immediately.

"Hm..."

"Shouldn’t you already know the answer?"

I frowned.

"What answer?"

He lifted his chin slightly.

Staring deeper into me.

"Open your eyes."

"Wider."

Silence.

"Look at yourself."

His tone was flat.

But heavy.

"You now..."

"...are not the same as before."

I remained silent.

"Itsuki."

He called my name.

Softly.

But firm.

"You are Itsuki."

"My son."

_

I raised my head fully.

Meeting his gaze.

We stared at each other.

Neither of us looking away.

"Itsuki..."

He continued.

"If you truly look at yourself—"

"...the answer is already there."

_

I didn’t answer immediately.

I leaned back.

Tilting my head up slightly.

Eyes closed.

Taking a deep breath.

Exhaling slowly.

Me.

Itsuki.

Who I was.

Who I am now.

The sound of the clock—

tick... tick... tick...

Grew louder.

_

Father never really handed out answers.

Not even back then.

He only—

made me find them myself.

_

I opened my eyes.

Staring straight ahead.

"I’m going to open a workshop."

Silence.

Father heard it.

Unsurprised.

As if he already knew.

"In that case..."

He leaned back slightly.

"You’ll need a place."

"I’ll give you a piece of my land."

I shook my head slowly.

"There’s no need."

He turned his head.

"No?"

"I won’t settle in one place."

I looked down at my own hands.

"I don’t have a name out there yet."

"It’s better..."

"...if I go to the work."

He remained silent.

Listening.

"A mobile technician."

I paused for a moment.

"Benriya."

He repeated softly.

"Benriya..."

_

I continued.

"I’m not sure it’s enough to just be a technician."

"So, I’ll do it all."

"Whatever others refuse to do."

_

Father took a drag from his cigarette.

Deeply.

Then—

exhaled slowly.

"Oh..."

"In that case—"

"just use my tools."

I turned to him.

"But..."

"What if you need them?"

He gave a small smile.

Faint.

"If that happens..."

"I’ll just hire your services."

_

I gave a small laugh.

Brief.

"So?"

He asked again.

"Starting tomorrow?"

"Yes."

I answered simply.

_

"In that case..."

He shifted his posture slightly.

"Tomorrow morning."

"Wake up earlier."

"I’ll give you your first job."

I immediately turned to him.

"You’re hiring me?"

He looked at me.

A little longer than usual.

"Hey, Itsuki."

I stayed silent.

"Look at me."

His tone remained calm.

But this time—

it carried more depth.

"I’m getting old."

"I can’t do everything the way I used to."

I didn’t answer right away.

"Hm..."

Finally, I nodded.

"Alright."

_

Silence returned.

Lighter than before.

_

"Now..."

He closed his eyes again.

"Go to sleep."

"It’s late."

I stood up slowly.

"Yeah."

I put out my cigarette.

My steps were slow.

Crossing the wooden floor.

Heading out of the room.

_

Before leaving completely—

I paused for a moment.

Glancing back.

Father was still there.

Sitting.

Calm.

As always.

_

I resumed my steps.

Leaving him there.

__

I reached my room.

My old room. Back when I used to live here.

_

The room was...

clean.

Too clean.

Almost empty.

No desk.

No chair.

Not a single trace of my old life remained.

Only—

a wardrobe in the corner.

And on top of it...

a few of my old books.

Lined up.

Covered in a thin layer of dust.

_

In the middle of the room—

a futon.

Yuna was already there.

Asleep.

Her blanket had shifted slightly.

One foot poking out.

_

I stepped inside.

Slowly.

Making no sound.

Stopping beside her.

Looking down.

Watching her face.

Peaceful.

Unburdened.

As if the world was always meant to be this way.

_

My hand moved.

Gently pulling her blanket.

Covering her foot again.

Smoothing it out.

_

"Hm..."

_

I stood there for a moment.

Staring at the futon.

Then—

looked away.

_

After all...

there was no way I could sleep there.

With her.

_

I took a step.

One.

Two.

Three.

Stopped.

Then sat down.

_

Slowly—

I lay down.

On the floor.

_

Cold.

Hard.

Felt instantly against my back.

_

I turned my head to the side.

Yuna was there.

On the futon.

Warm.

_

Her bag was nearby.

I reached for it.

Opened it slightly.

Took out two pieces of clothing.

Folded them.

Turned them into a makeshift pillow.

Placed them under my head.

_

Finally—

I closed my eyes.

_

Silence.

Quieter than the city.

No sound of vehicles.

No voices.

_

Only—

Yuna’s breathing. Soft. Steady.

_

And—

tick... tick... tick...

The ticking of a clock in the distance.

_

Occasionally—

the sound of a night bird.

Passing by.

_

Thump.

A small sound.

I opened my eyes slightly.

Yuna shifted onto her side.

Her blanket moved.

_

"Papa..."

Her voice was quiet. Half-asleep.

_

"Yes."

I answered.

Almost a whisper.

_

A small smile appeared.

Unconsciously.

_

I closed my eyes again.

Letting the night pass.

Slowly.

And my consciousness.

Slowly faded away.

~~~ • • • ~~~