Not a husband

Courage

I am standing outside of my wife’s office. Hello, I am the main character of this story.

I will introduce myself later. Let’s begin the story.

I was thrown out. I was abandoned. And yet, here I am.

After all these years, I am back. Although I am not back for any particular reason.

I am here to check things out. Thinking this, I take the first step into the building.

But call it a stroke of bad luck or coincidence, I got a leg cramp.

I fall down right there. At the very door of the building, I fall down due to a leg cramp.

It hurts. My muscles feel like they are tearing apart.

I can’t move my leg. But even after seeing me like that, no one came to help. I guess nothing has changed.

I am still the failure I was. At least to them. I would like to say that I have improved or more like, I wasn’t incompetent to begin with.

That was just an act. But even so, they treated me way too harshly.

I move to the side to recover. The pain subsided and after five minutes, I could stand again.

“Let’s do it this time.” I get back on track and step into the building.

Who should I visit? I came here without a plan. The only one who treated me normally would be my father-in-law.

He chose me as a marriage candidate for his daughter and in the end, I ended up marrying her.

But neither she nor anyone else in her family except her father acknowledged me.

I was thrown out after a few months. I think all this while asking the receptionist.

“I have an appointment.” I say.

“Your name?” The girl asked me.

“Akito. I had an appointment with Mr. Kusanagi.” I say to the girl.

She was giving me an appraising look. Trying to figure out if I have the right to meet him or not.

But I am dressed pretty normally.

She reluctantly picked up the phone to inform father.

Her reluctance could be seen as clear as day. At least, try to flash a fake smile.

The women related to this family are always like this. Whether the family members or the employees, they are all the same.

She finished her call and gave me a weird look.

“You are good to go. I’ll take you to the lift.”

She said that but her surprised look was very amusing.

What the hell did he say?

I go to the lift and enter. She pressed the button and took me to father’s office.

Isn’t it being too nice or did he specifically tell her that?

After showing me the door she went back in that same lift.

*Knock knock* I knock on the door.

“Enter.” I heard a very familiar and heavy voice.

I open the door. I see him. Gray hair with a face that is dignified. He is wearing a black suit that gave him a regal aura.

Even after all these years, he hasn’t changed.

“Hello father.” I say as I enter and close the door behind.

“Take a seat.” He said.

I sit on the sofa in the middle. He got up from his chair and took a seat in front of me.

“How are you?” He asked me.

“Fine, I guess. But I didn’t come here for that.”

“True. Why did you come here?”

He has no idea why I came. Well, even I don’t know why.

“I was in the neighborhood so I thought why not visit you.”

I laugh at that. In the neighborhood my ass!

I was just running away from some people and I am here for a temporary shelter.

“Anyway, it’s nice to see you. You are doing well even after all of that.” He gave a bitter smile.

I know why he is bitter. After all, all of this started from there.

“How is she?” I ask him.

“The same as always.” (Father)

“Did she get married?”(Son)

“No. She says that she won’t get married again. Marriage is useless— that’s what she said.” (Father)

“I guess to her it is. No man could be worthy of her.” I say that.

We chat for about an hour before I get up.

“I’m leaving now. I don’t know when I will see you again. But take care. You are getting old.”

“Why not take the mantle from me then? If it is you then I can rest easy.” (Father)

Is he kidding? Why would he ask me that when he has an heir?

“No. I cannot handle something like this. Besides, she is already in charge. You are just keeping the seat warm until she takes it.” (Akito)

“That’s harsh. I didn’t say it before but you sure did change your looks.” (Father)

“A bit. But you still recognized me. So that means, it’s not too drastic.” (Akito)

“No. You said that you came. That’s why I knew it was you. If you hadn’t then I wouldn’t have known it’s you.” (Father)

He is probably exaggerating it. I only buffed up a little and dyed my hair.

“So I am leaving.”

I start to leave.

“Take care. And know that I am always here.”

He gave me those words. I don’t know why but I feel that I will be coming back here sooner than later.