"You rascal, this isn't right," Zephyr said, voice low and gravelly.
They sat on the steps in the courtyard, cigars glowing in the crisp autumn air. Maple leaves drifted down around them, their crimson a quiet blaze. Zephyr watched them fall and shook his head.
"You should name your own child."
Darren chuckled, unbothered. "Back home, it's tradition for respected elders to name the younger generation. Besides, I don't have any good ideas. This way I profit—if you name my child, you'll spoil him even more when he's born, won't you?"
He knew why Zephyr-sensei doted on Toki and the unborn baby. Once, the old man had given everything to duty and neglected his own family. Seeing Darren's home whole and happy stirred something in him; he looked at Toki like a daughter-in-law—perhaps even a daughter.
And Darren truly had no name in mind. The culture of this world was different enough that, after much thought, he'd come up empty. He couldn't very well name the child "Renzhizhu," could he?
"To be favored by a former Marine Admiral from birth… most people can only dream of that," he said with a wry smile.
Zephyr fell quiet.
"Young Darren," he said at last, eyes on the flame-red maple, "do you know why I keep pushing you to go home?"
He didn't wait for an answer.
"I don't want you to have regrets." He drew hard on the cigar. "Fame and glory are fine things. Whatever your motives, your missions—hunting pirates, running down scum—do protect the sea's peace and countless families."
"I used to think the same," Zephyr went on. "But I didn't realize that while I was out protecting other people's families, playing the hero and basking in honor… it was their families who lived in fear."
Darren heard the faint tremor on those words.
"Toki… she must have been frightened too," Zephyr said, smoke thinning his hoarse voice.
Darren's own tone dropped to match the weight between them. Up close, the purple at Zephyr's temples had gone gray.
"So… do you regret it, Zephyr-sensei?"
Zephyr licked his dry lips and let out a small, indifferent chuckle. "I have no regrets."
Silence stretched.
If he has no regrets, why say it? If he has no regrets, why try to dissuade me?
Zephyr forced a taut smile. "Some things… someone has to do them."
Darren paused. "That incident back then… it really was the pirates, wasn't it?"
"That's irrelevant," Zephyr cut in. He turned, gaze firm. "Does it matter now?"
"…I understand," Darren murmured, nodding.
"Young Darren," Zephyr said more softly, "cherish your family. Your happiness. Your life."
His easy smile returned as he clapped Darren's shoulder. "As for the name—"
"We would be honored," Toki said quietly.
They turned to find her standing behind them, kimono sleeves gathered, a gentle but steady smile on her lips.
"If Zephyr-san—no, Zephyr-sensei—would name our child, we would be overjoyed." She tilted her head toward Darren. "Wouldn't we, Husband?"
Darren blinked, caught for a heartbeat. In Toki's tender gaze he saw the same thing he'd been circling all night: the years of guilt burning under Zephyr's stern exterior.
"Yes, please, Zephyr-sensei," he said, smiling. "We'd be grateful."
Zephyr glanced between them. For the first time in a long while, his rock-steady hands trembled.
"Are you sure… this is all right?"
Their smiles steadied him. He drew a breath, eyes glistening, and pressed his lips together, hopeful as a novice.
"Then… what do you think of Ron?"
"Ron…?" Darren turned the name over.
Toki's smile deepened. "It's wonderful, Zephyr-sensei. If I remember right, it carries the meaning of victory, integrity, gentleness, sincerity, steadiness—an upright, capable leader. Doesn't it?"
Zephyr's eyes lit. He nodded, pleased. "Exactly. This child will inherit the best of both of you—though I'd say it leans more toward your virtues, Toki."
Darren: …
Hey, what about me? None of those fit?
He couldn't argue. Integrity, gentleness, sincerity, steadfastness… those weren't exactly his trademarks.
Who needs them when you can be the Marines' biggest scoundrel?
"Husband, I love this name. What do you think?" Toki asked, fingers twining with his.
"Me too. It's perfect," Darren said, smiling.
Toki's eyes curved with delight. "Our child… he'll grow into a truly upright, dependable man."
---
Zephyr had left.
Watching the old man's burly, slightly hunched figure recede, Darren felt a weight settle in his chest.
Maple leaves spun in the air and fell without a sound.
"Ron… so my child will be named Ron?" he murmured, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Clearly, the stubborn old man despised his reputation as a "Marine disgrace," already pinning hopes on the next generation to be upright and gentle.
"Ron… Ron…" Darren repeated, eyes lifting to the flutter of leaves, mind drifting.
"It's a good name indeed…"
To be continued...