Chapter 252 - Kazehaya Patriarch

"The Makura?"

If he had a camera right now, Kazehaya Gin would have loved to take a photo of his father's face. Kazehaya Kirio looked like his soul had just left his body the way he stared frozen at his son after he spoke.

On the other hand, even if there was no hint of disapproval on his father's voice, Gin prepared himself for the coming protest if there was any – not that his father could tell him who or not to marry. He had no power over that. Even if he was not the clan's second-in-command, Kirio couldn't really stop the cursed child to marry anyone as long as he wouldn't have children.

After all, his cursed existence was already very short for him to follow strict rules in matrimony. In reality, the way Gin's parents had raised him was already a sin. They were not supposed to cage him like a bird at all. For a cursed child's depression could lead to early deterioration of his mental state, making it easy for the elemental parasite to take over.

Most especially, Aello.

Aello was one of the legendary three harpy sisters, the strongest among their kind. Also, the red harpy was the strongest and most volatile one. This showed how strong Gin's mental state was, being able to reach twenty-seven without accident – except of course that one time when he nearly died.

Aello had unleashed her wrath because she almost lost her host. Gin could go crazy but not die. She wouldn't be able to have fun if his body perished.

"Yes, the Makura,"Gin acknowledged as he turned back to his plate, poking his fish with his chopsticks before taking a piece to his mouth.

The grilled fish tasted heavenly, and Gin ate it with gusto, not caring that his father still looked at him. With what expression, he couldn't see until the old man spoke again, and he had to look at him.

"I see. But is it okay?" Kazehaya Kirio asked worriedly suddenly, making his son look at him in question.

Which was okay?  

His confusion must have shown on his face as the old man cleared his throat before elaborating.

"I mean… You used to hate them…"

Oh. That.

"Oh, I thought you're asking if it's okay with the Homura House," Gin commented with a laugh, and the older man nodded.

"Well, that too."

It was after all, unheard of for the Makura of the Homura House to suddenly belong to someone else.

"Did the Koutaishidenka ask you to do it?" the old man asked.

Gin didn't take offense with it as it was only logical. The practices of the Homura House and the Kazehaya House were archaic, and it was not unheard of for the master to ask his second-in-command to take care of his mistress in case the wife was a jealous one.

Cringe-worthy as it might sound, but it was the truth, at least in feudal systems.

"No. I chose to marry her myself," Gin told his father who just nodded.

Curious, Gin couldn't help but answer the old man's other inquiry. "As for your earlier question, I still hate them," he said.

"Then…" The old man looked worried again.

"But I don't hate Emi," Gin continued, making the older man quiet and relaxed. "In fact, Ryuu and her, they were never lovers."

"HA?"

Gin almost laughed at his father's face again. Well, he probably looked the same when he found out from Ryuu that they never had a physical relationship too. It was really that shocking. Nine whole years with a person whose life was given to him, but the Koutaishidenka never once considered her romantically.

"I…see…"

Kazehaya Kirio bobbed his head but still looked thoughtful. It was as if he hadn't absorbed everything that was said yet.

Kazehaya Gin, on the other hand, was wondering what prompted these twenty-questions. His father had never really talked to him before – no, wait…

Actually, he tried.

When his mother died, Gin was transferred back immediately to the Cedar Palace via Mavara so Aello's bloodlust would cease and she had followed obediently. The Kazehaya patriarch had tried to contact him dozens of times, but the incident was still new, and Gin was not yet ready to face any of the Kazehayas saved for Fuji and Aoi.

As for his father…

The last image of Kazehaya Kirio Gin had on his mind was when his father arrived at the scene and found his mother's remains of the ground, his face horrified. Gin was only a few meters away, but he had thought that his father didn't care. Or did he?

For years Gin acted like he didn't care. Well, he didn't.

So?

"Are you happy?"

The sudden question made Gin snap out of his thoughts and look at his father again in surprise.

"It doesn't matter who you'll marry. What matters is that you are the one who chose her and that you are satisfied," the man said, making something buried deep within Gin's heart climb out of its confines, making him feel something he'd never felt before.

He had thought he had discarded all his feelings towards his parents. But it seemed he was wrong.

"Is this the legendary Kazehaya Patriarch's blessing?" he teased as he was not prepared to acknowledge the feelings he thought he didn't need.

"You can call it that if it will be better." Kazehaya Kirio smiled then, the action  removing years off his face as he did. "But just so you know, it's a father's wish to his son."

Huh?

Kazehaya Gin couldn't help but inhale sharply then just as he unconsciously stood up from his seat, his face looking bewildered. All his life, he was never treated as a son. Why now?

"I… I think I should leave," he apologized hastily as he started to move, but before he could go, Kirio held his hand and Gin frowned.

But the man wouldn't let go.

"Gin, what happened to your mother… it was never your fault. It was mine."

Huh?

Gin looked at his father's face, searching for any indication that he was lying. He was not. Kazehaya Kirio was telling him the truth.

"Also, you were caged not because you were condemned for being a cursed child," Kirio added solemnly, his voice cracking as he confessed. "You were caged to be safe."

HUH?

"Gin, your mother's a host to a shadow lurker. Even if Aello did not kill her, I would have done it later…"