A Chance To Rewrite It All - Chapter 16- Not approved?

Inside the car, the atmosphere was a little tense.

Although it couldn’t be said that Masaru was looking at Ryuuske with contempt, the ex-blond could tell that the man had yet to completely accept Ryuuske as his daughter’s boyfriend.

“Ryuuske,” He finally began, “…despite how open-minded I seem, I still don’t approve of two teenagers dating at such a crucial phase of their lives.”

Ryuuske remained silent, wanting to hear the man until the end before he could say anything.

Taking a slow turn at the corner of the street the bespectacled man added, “Although I have allowed Yuna to take her life decision, this decision of dating might affect her future negatively. And the same could be said about you.”

Taking a pause, he took a moment to glance at the younger one and found Ryuuske intently listening to him.

Masaru added, “You have the responsibility of your family….your mother. You stand at that spot where you cannot afford to fail. You have to maintain your focus on your goal, and even if the person in question is my daughter, I know her presence would hinder you.”

Ryuuske finally opened his mouth and first exhaled a long sigh, “I understand your concern, sir, and I am quite happy that someone who met me for the first time today, is worried about me.”

Looking at the man, Ryuuske added, “But trust me, sir, when I say this, Yuna isn’t a hindrance for me and never will be. Yuna is the inspiration that keeps me motivated to do my best so our future can be secure and healthy.”

With his eyes turning towards the front and warmth appearing in them, the teenager added, “To do my best for the sake of my love for my girlfriend and mother is the biggest reason that urges me to do my best each day. To sculpt a future where only laughter and happiness await.”

At a glance, Masaru could tell how serious this boy was about his future, and every word he spoke was well thought out.

Again, he was surprised that the person beside him was just a seventeen-year-old boy.

“You have thought about a distant future with Yuna. A bit premature?”

Ryuuske chuckled, “I can be wrong about anything but my decision to be with Yuna. And I believe in our bond enough to confidently say, we are going to be together forever.”

Masaru raised a brow, “You got quite the nerve to say that in front of me.”

Ryuuske was flustered as he realized that he confessed his intention to marry Yuna in front of her father.

After that, they didn’t talk much but the silence wasn’t as uncomfortable as before.

As the car came to a halt before the house where Ryuuske lives, Masaru finally spoke those words that he didn’t think he would say to the boy he just met today,

“It might be premature on my part, too…but take care of Yuna. I have seen in her eyes how much she loves….don’t break her trust.” He rested his hand and gave his shoulder a light squeeze.

Ryuuske firmly nodded and assured the man, “I won’t. Don’t worry.”

******

When Ryuuske entered the house, he found his mother walking to and fro in the gallery, and upon hearing the click of the door, she hurriedly turned around.

“Ryuu….welcome back.” Her eyes brightened seeing her son smiling, as she asked, “How did it go?”

Ryuuske slowly approached the lady and told her, “Better than what I could have ever thought. They somehow accepted me when I followed your words and told them everything.”

Himiko smiled in relief, “That’s a relie-”

“By the way, Mom,” Suddenly, her son halted before her, and after holding her hand, he asked, “Since when you are roaming around like this, Mom?”

A bead of sweat appeared on her forehead as she stole her eyes away and said, “J-Just a few m-”

“Truth, Mom. It’s bad to lie, you taught me.”

Himiko sighed, “Okay, for two hours now. But I did take a rest at some point!” She hurriedly added to make herself look…a little less guilty.

Ryuuske heaved a weary sigh, “Mom, I told you to take it easy and rest. And not only did you clean the house, you were also walking around, waiting for me.”

He could tell that the floor was mopped, and the shoe shelves was rearranged…signifying that she indeed, had utilized her time unwisely.

Himiko whined, “I am used to working seven to eight hours, how am I supposed to suddenly take it easy?”

Ryuuske told her, “I am not telling you to get bedridden for life, but until you don’t recover, can’t you be a little lazy?” Thinking a little, he added, “Okay, tomorrow I will buy you something to make you lazy.”

His mother was quite fond of dramas, and their old TV didn’t offer much. As such, he was thinking of buying a laptop soon to make her fall in love with her bed.

Himiko didn’t know what was going through her son’s mind but she didn’t ask about it and said, “Did you have dinner?”

Ryuuske shyly smiled, “I…ate a little less than normal…y’know….”

Himiko laughed, “I know that feeling. Eating less at your girlfriend’s place for no reason. Come on, I will serve some katsudon for you.”

“You made Katsudon?” Ryuuske exclaimed, feeling his stomach rumbling in hunger now. It has been years since he had homemade katsudon. And the one he used to make in the past used to be quite…incomplete.

The duo sat on the table as the lady served a hefty portion of meat and rice for her son and some for herself as well.

“Did your mother-in-law approve you?” Ryuuske, while munching, replied,

“50-50.”

“And what about the Shirakawa patriarch?”

Ryuuske paused, thinking back on the conversation they had in the car before he responded slowly, “I think he accepted me.”

Himiko grinned, “Good to hear that.”

After that, the duo continued to eat dinner in silence, when suddenly, Himiko said,

“By the way, Ryuu…” Ryuuske looked up and hummed, before he heard his mother nonchalantly saying,

“I haven’t approved Yuna until now, just you know.”

Ryuuske paused, “For real?”

The lady smile with her eyes turning crescent as she said, “For real.

Ryuuske decided that he has to let the two ladies meet as soon as possible.

******

A/N:- Drop a comment.