Alte Liebe Rostet Nicht

Tension

It all piles up, one thing after the other. And it was almost making him sick. Just when Izumi thought that things finally made sense again, when he thought that he had figured out what life truly was, it was not so simple any longer. Mama appeared, without a warning, and was making a mess on her own. Was it intentional? He didn't know. All he knew was that her words hit hard, to say the least, very hard in fact. Usually he would not question it. Actually, when still little he never questioned any of her words. She is his mother, she has to be right. Mama knows best. Not listening to your mother was a foreign concept to Izumi. At least for a very long time. Outside of one time really he never dared defying his parents, his mother in particular. If it had not been for her he wouldn't be here right now after all. She has done so much for him! It was her guidance which brought him to this place! So her words had to be true!

"We know what's best for you."
Who would know him better than the people who had raised him since he was a baby, right!? It was only logical! Mama had to be right! This was the truth! She knows better! She had to know better!

And yet... Something made him doubt these words and he did not really know what exactly it was. Izumi's judgment was clouded, he could tell. Things had never been the same after all. Ever since he and Patch reconnected, things were different. The change crept up, subtly, yet before he knew it he was enjoying himself and living a life he thought he never had.He didn't just reconnect with Patch but also that little girl he met back then, who to his surprise turned out to be Ann. He didn't need to repeat it, a lot happened. He was aware of that, he wasn't stupid. Things changed and he changed alongside them. Wasn't that how things went? Yeah, it would be foolish to not accept this change. But even then, this change shouldn't contradict Mama's words. She wasn't wrong. She can't be wrong!

She was always so sweet, though harsh, and that has never changed. But even then, he couldn't shake something off, this weird feeling that something was amiss. Mama seems so different. It made him question more than he probably should question. Doubting her words... What type of son was he to even think that!? It bothered him to no end!

Actually, Mama was bothering him too to some extent! Her words were uncalled for! Alright, sure, Ann was not perfect. Izumi would never go that far, he knows how much of a pain she can be. Sometimes it's like looking out for a little kid who needs cuddles every five seconds. And true, the choice of clothes was... Something else. It was about how Mama had phrased things, how she was describing the young girl. If his mother doesn't like his girlfriend, she could just say so! But even then, something told Izumi that there was more behind those words than mere dislike. He couldn't help it... Was it some type of false alert? Or was there something behind this? He couldn't say and thinking about it made his head hurt. What was going on now? Why was Mama more unsettling than usual, no matter what she was doing or saying? It didn't make any sense to him. And he hated it. The confusion started all over again...

And the tension building up from it was building up once more. Can't he catch a break!? Who was putting him through all of this!? Ugh, he hated it.... How does all of this keep happening? But there was no changing it now... Today things had been... Something else, to say the least.

And not even Ann was hiding her mood change. Ever since coming home she had been awfully quiet yet again, not a good sign as far as he could tell. Well, she had been silent before but this time it was paired with a more tired gaze which was not a result from work. She was even quiet when saying 'I'm home '... Or rather, she was mumbling it. The first sign that things went south at this very moment, or at least that something wasn't quite right. On top of that there was yet another dinner in silence, or at least for some time. Izumi was almost afraid to speak, not sure what Ann's reaction would even be at this point. Was it because of work or this morning? He couldn't tell her, not too clearly, but if it was work she would probably complain to no end already. However, he would get his answer before knowing it as she asked the following all of a sudden: "So, how did it go?"

How did it go? What could she mean by it? He was thinking for a second, though it was obvious all the same. She was talking about the lunch date with his mother. Just thinking back on it sent a shiver down his spine. Mama can change her attitude so quickly sometimes. First being cheerfully sweet, next seeming like a heartless doll, then back to cheerfully sweet. But he couldn't exactly mention that. He didn't want to think about it. Besides, if he gave away the details, Ann might not react too kindly. He has experienced it, she can be stubborn if she wants to be. So who knows what she might do once hearing how Mama talked about her. It might cause an unnecessary fight. But not telling— No, no, no!

Ugh, he wasn't good at handling stuff like this. What was he supposed to do here!?

"I... It went well, yeah. Very well actually!" Izumi decided to answer in the end, bringing himself to say something at the very least.

This was met with a slight nod shortly after. Though she followed up with a question shortly after. "Did you do stuff?"

"Ah— Yeah. We talked."

She was looking at him, her expression unchanging however. She didn't say anything for a little while, it was almost unbearable, yet it became even more so when she was asking: "About what?"

He felt as if he was put on the spot, nearly shaking from that alone. However, he had to keep calm. He couldn't fumble. One wrong move and she might suspect something here. "D... Don't you think that's personal?" He said, being overly defensive before knowing it. This was met with a grumble, of course it was! This was a reflex! One he wished he didn't at this point. But he has to roll with it now...

"What did she say?" Ann kept going however, or was trying to. She even nearly leaned right across the table and kicked off whatever was on it, her face almost too close to his. Izumi nearly reeled backwards, not too sure how to respond. She was persistent, to say the least, and it would throw anyone off. He didn't know what to say at this point and he was thinking about it. What would he say? What should he say!? He kept thinking and thinking though perhaps stalling was the answer.

Because after a longer amount of silence she backed off, being seated properly and sighing, shaking her head. "Nevermind, sorry."

And that was that conversation, awfully short. Things became more tense yet again... Why? He needs to figure it out, doesn't he? Or else things could become ugly yet again...