45 Chapter 45

"Grandmother I'm going" Ken said

"Yeah" Atsuko said

Ken go to his mother and little brother's grave. He clean the grave. After washing and purifying his hands, he collect water in a pail and head to the grave. After joining his hands in prayer, he pour the water onto the tombstone a little bit at a time and carefully wash the tombstone. After cleaning the grave, he offer foods and fruits. He places the flowers at the grave. After lighting a candle and offering incenses, he quietly join his hands in prayer. After that he stayed for a while and thinking so deep.

"Let's go walk around." Minako said

"Okay mom" Ken and Ryuu said

They walked together

Eating together, chatting, and laughing

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Ken and Ryuu fell asleep and Minako put a blanket on them. Ken suddenly wakes up.

"Ah sorry did I awake you" Minako said

"No mom it's okay" Ken said

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They are walking together, the three of them are holding hands.

"One, two three!" Minako and Yoshirou said

"Yay" Ken shouted

Minako and Yoshirou giggled

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His tear suddenly fall. After a few minutes his grandmother arrived.

"Do you hate your father?" Atsuko said

Ken didn't reply

"You really hate him." Atsuko said

"Why?" Ken said

"Hmm?" Atsuko said

"Why did he become like that after mother and Ryuu died?" Ken said

"Of course he lose the person who are very important to him. The left important is you only." Atsuko said

"I see" Ken said

"When Minako and Yoshirou has become lovers. They was in high school they really loved each other. Minako's parent are not agree that Yoshirou is her lover but Yoshirou study well and prove that he can give a proper life to Minako. After that they graduate they live in a small apartment and they looks like they are having a happy life. He is living to protect the one he loved. That's all to make him happy. After a few years Minako become pregnant with you and you were born and treasured everything. But the happiness didn't last long. Minako and Ryuu died in a car accident. To him, it was an event too sad and hard to recover but he couldn't let himself fall to depths of despair." Atsuko said

Ken suddenly look at her

"He still have you to care for. He said he will raise you to be a man. After a few days that they died he work so much for your sake he was fired in so many jobs and went in one place to another. Even then, he worked with you in his care. He would buy you toys with little money he had give you snacks. He sacrificed his luck and chances for success. It's all to raise you properly. He is having a hard life. To relieved from the pain in work he indulged in alcohol. Sometimes he went out of control even so he choose to live with you. And by the time you have grown up and could choose your own path, he had lose everything work, faith, friends and everything. I want to let you know everything." Atsuko said

Ken didn't reply and he stayed quiet.

"I know you still didn't understand it because you are still young. When you grow older you will understand your father." Atsuko said

"I see.." Ken said in his mind

After that Atsuko leaved and go back to the house. Ken left alone in the grave.

"I finally understand dad's feeling" Ken said in his mind

He leave and go to the house.

The next day

"Then, I will go home" Ken said

"Take care Ken" Atsuko said

Ken bowed and he leave.

In the train

Ken is thinking so deep.

"Father suffered too much." Ken said in his mind

He look outside

While they are walking together Ken is playing the toy Yoshirou bought. Yoshirou is smiling

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"Here" Yoshirou said

Ken smiled at him and he play the ball

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They are going to sleep Yoshirou is singing lullaby to Ken

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"Dad" Ken said while crying

He suddenly cover his face with his hands

"I'm sorry I didn't know about that" Ken said while sobbing