Tsunayoshi

five

❝ CONFLICT BEGINS WITH CONSCIOUSNESS ❞

...

"Papa's coming home!"

The declaration was so sudden and abrupt that it nearly made Tsunayoshi trip his way down the stairs. Last-minute, he managed to grab the side and balanced himself before dropping onto his feet neatly at the last step. Then, he looked at his mother with a bit of doubt.

"For real?" Tsunayoshi questioned, walking over.

His mother smiled, "He promised this time! He even said he was coming back with his boss, to introduce our family, and there's a chance a family friend will be coming too."

"Family friend?" Tsunayoshi frowned. "Kaa-chan, all our family friends live in Namimori."

Which wasn't saying much since the only family friends they had was Hibari-sensei — who didn't speak unless absolutely necessary and only meet up whenever Tsunayoshi or his mother needed a checkup — and Tsubaki-sama three blocks down who was a rich old woman that doted on his mother.

"Well, I suppose it's better to say it's your Papa's family friend," His mother hummed in thought. "Apparently they knew each other for quite some time, their families."

"Is that so," Tsunayoshi murmured.

For the first time, Tsunayoshi might actually remember meeting the man. According to his mother, the last time they met was when Tsunayoshi was four months old (not that he was even capable of remembering, it had been nothing but a blurry haze then).

"Aren't you excited, Tsu-kun?" His mother asked.

Tsunayoshi frowned at her, "Yes?"

Because in truth, he didn't know what he should feel. His father hasn't come home in five years and suddenly, he'll show up with two guests? That man probably only came back home as a last resort.

No, no, he couldn't think this way.

Tsunayoshi shook such thoughts away, regardless of anything, the absent man was still his father. His father was still someone his mother loved dearly.

"I'm looking forward to Papa's return," Tsunayoshi told his mother.

And yet, he couldn't shake off the feeling that he didn't seem to mean anything in that sentence he had spoken.

Tsunayoshi turned back to his homework, easily completing them while his mind wandered away. It was still odd, to think that a stranger who was his birth father would finally be coming back after all this time.

"Tsu-kun."

Warm hands cupped his cheeks, startling Tsunayoshi out of the internal turmoil he had placed himself into. He found himself looking into the warm gaze his mother, a beautiful lady he had inherited his eyes from. His mother was looking down at him with a worried expression, crouching to make sure they are at eye level.

"Tsu-kun, are you not happy that Papa's coming home?" His mother asked.

Tsunayoshi instantly froze, then he shook his head frantically. No, he wasn't unhappy that his father was coming home. It can't be, what kind of person would be sad to see their father once more? Especially when their father was absent for most of their life?

"No, Kaa-chan, I'm happy!" Tsunayoshi told her. "I promise, I'm happy. I'm glad Papa's coming home."

Because the confirmed news of his father coming home made his mother happier than Tsunayoshi had ever seen her become. He reached out and hugged his mother tightly, burying his head into her abdomen.

No matter what kind of treacherous thoughts hidden in the depths of his mind, Tsunayoshi knew he was happy to welcome his father home.

Because if he wasn't, didn't that make him a bad person?

...

"Tsu-kun set the table for me, please," His mother requested, tone as kind and warm as ever.

Tsunayoshi switched off the television dutifully before walking towards the table. He pulled out the plates for the cabinets and bowls. Placing them on the table, Tsunayoshi saw his mother smiling at him.

"We'll be having dinner with more than just the two of us today, Tsu-kun."

Tsunayoshi froze, "Tsubaki-sama is coming over for dinner?"

"Of course not," His mother laughed. "Did you forget? Papa's coming home today!"

"Oh," Tsunayoshi blinked, "Oh. So that's three extra guests, right?"

"That's right," His mother hummed. "So prepare the table to accommodate five people."

"Yes, Kaa-chan," Tsunayoshi reached for more plates and stacked up together.

Dutifully, he prepared the table before heading back to the television after a quick word to his mother. Just as he was about to switch the television back on, the doorbell rang.

Tsunayoshi froze before turning to the door with a sceptical look. Something in his mind was telling him that, without a doubt, the person on the other side of the door would be his father and his two guests.

Hesitantly, Tsunayoshi got off the couch and walked over to the door. He reached up to twist open the doorknob before peering out from the small crack of the door.

It was a blond man with tanned skin and- It was his father.

Tsunayoshi stood there, door opening slightly more before staring up at the man with a conflicted look. A normal child should feel some sort of longing or fear when coming into contact with a stranger who fits all the description of his father, right?

Yet, why does he not feel a thing?

"Papa?" Tsunayoshi guessed despite being sure, somehow.

"Tuna-fish!" The blond man beamed. "You recognise Papa, I'm so happy!"

Tsunayoshi crinkled his nose at the disgusting nickname before allowing himself to be picked up. He was carried and squished around, feeling uncomfortable but then his eyes drifted backwards.

Behind them stood an elderly man along with a child who was dressed in a suit. Both of them wore a harmless expression, one smiling while the other nonchalant but filled with child-like curiosity.

Fake. Tsunayoshi wasn't sure why but he knew those facades were fake and that these two people in front of him were nothing but pure danger. The alarms in his head were blaring, yelling and screeching for him to take his mother and run yet at the same time, they were telling him that everyone was going to be alright.

With such conflicting thoughts, all Tsunayoshi could do was to play pretend as well. He smiled at them and waved, looking every bit like a child his age. Then, he turned to his father and gave another smile, one filled with anything but happiness.

"Welcome home, Papa."

I can't wait for you to leave, Tsunayoshi thought.

Edited - 20/08/2023