บท 100: An Unexpected Guest

Akiko and Gengyo were able to eat together regularly now that there was no need to hide their relationship. Though, those mealtimes felt short. He seemed to always be in her father's study, doing something or other. And when she came in to talk to him, it was like she wasn't there at all.

She hid her dissatisfaction, for she understood his behaviour – mostly. There was odd eccentricities that she found hard to deal with, such as how he had come home, two days in a row, in completely sodden clothing.

But in the few days hence, he seemed to have calmed down a little, as there were no other instances like that. In fact, he rarely went outside at all.

"What are you thinking?"

She asked him, as he picked at his food quietly, a faraway look in his eye.

"Ah, sorry…"

He said guilty, only just realizing what he was doing.

"It's fine, but if you tell me the problem, then I can try and help solve it, you know?"