Chapter 175: Wearing Down the Old Man
The kitchen was momentarily left with only flowing water and rhythmic chopping sounds.
Sasuko focused on rinsing leafy vegetables, attempting to use this to calm her embarrassment at Mother seeing through her thoughts.
Mikoto placed the cut radish chunks into the pot before suddenly saying softly:
"When we left so suddenly back then, you were what we worried about most. Fortunately Yu was there."
"He never says it, but Mother can tell." Mikoto dried her hands, turning to look at her daughter. "Those years, he took very good care of you."
Sasuko lowered her head to watch ripples spreading in the basin, voice very soft. "I know."
That's why she liked him so much—liked him to the point of not knowing what to do.
Mikoto walked to her daughter's side, taking the vegetable basket from her hands. "Go rest. Mother can handle things here."
"I can still help..."
"Go." Mikoto gently pushed her shoulder. "I can see your thoughts have long since flown to a certain someone. You can't even wash vegetables properly."
Sasuko's face reddened slightly as she slowly rose.
She dried her hands. When leaving the kitchen, she glanced back. Mother's figure standing before the stove remained elegant yet seemed thinner than memory.
She suddenly realized that even though her parents had returned, some things were ultimately different.
Yu sat in the living room reading scrolls. Hearing footsteps, he raised his head. Seeing Sasuko, he set down the scroll in his hands. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Sasuko sat beside him, naturally leaning against his shoulder. "Just wanted to sit beside you."
Yu adjusted his posture to let Sasuko lean more comfortably.
Sasuko raised her head to look at Yu's serious profile, asking, "Yu, why are you still reading these books? Haven't Mother and Father already returned?"
Yu smiled. "This is my only hobby."
Sasuko glanced at the scroll's contents—ordinary spirit-nourishing literature. She said nothing more.
Just then Fugaku returned from outside. Seeing the two leaning together, his footsteps paused.
Sasuko instinctively sat up straight.
"Adoptive Father." Yu greeted with unchanged expression.
Fugaku hummed, gaze pausing momentarily on both before finally only saying, "Is Mikoto cooking?"
"In the kitchen." Yu answered.
Fugaku nodded, walking toward the kitchen. Passing beside them, Sasuko nervously held her breath, yet Father said nothing.
Not until Fugaku's figure disappeared at the corridor's end did Sasuko sigh with relief.
At dinner time, the four sat around the table. Mikoto had prepared an abundant meal: teriyaki carp, stewed root vegetables, smooth chawanmushi, plus savory miso soup.
"I visited the Police Force today." Fugaku accepted the rice Mikoto served. "Lots of changes."
"Shisui has done very well." Yu placed a piece of fish in Sasuko's bowl. "The current Police Force has very harmonious relations with villagers."
Fugaku remained silent briefly, glancing at Yu. "Yes, you've also done very well." His eyes carried some guilt.
This acknowledgment came suddenly. Yu froze slightly before nodding. "Thank you, Father."
Fugaku said nothing more. Between them, too many words weren't necessary.
Dinner continued in warm atmosphere. Mikoto spoke of what she'd seen on the streets during the day. Fugaku occasionally added comments. Such ordinary daily life was happiness they'd waited too long for.
After dinner, Sasuko actively helped clear dishes. Yu was about to rise when Fugaku stopped him. "Play a game of go with me."
This was Fugaku's first time actively inviting him to play since awakening. Yu nodded, following toward the Japanese-style room.
The game lasted very long.
Sasuko watched the sky darken, stars gradually brightening, yet the two in the room still showed no signs of emerging. Only occasional crisp sounds of placing stones came through.
Her eagerly anticipated evening date was about to be "monopolized" by Father again, just like the day before yesterday.
Finally unable to contain herself, Sasuko carried a tea tray to the room's entrance, hearing the crisp sound of go stones falling inside. She gently slid open the door, seeing Yu and Fugaku sitting across from each other, the board's battle at its height.
"Time for refreshments." She placed the tea and snacks aside, kneeling beside Yu to observe.
Fugaku held black stones with fierce offense. Yu held white, defending flawlessly.
The situation was extremely tense.
Sasuko watched anxiously from the side—why wouldn't Father admit defeat? What was so interesting about this game? She couldn't help secretly pinching Yu's waist.
Yu glanced distractedly at Sasuko, only to see her making a bitter face, silently urging with her eyes.
Yu smiled slightly at Sasuko, his fingertips gently placing a white stone.
Over the next dozen moves, the game quietly transformed.
White stones gradually shifted from steady defense to exquisite offense, like weaving an invisible net, sealing black's escape routes one by one. Fine sweat began beading Fugaku's forehead—clearly holding advantage moments ago with victory in sight, yet suddenly trapped in dire straits.
As the final stone fell, black's vitality was completely severed. Fugaku gazed at the board for a long while before having to concede.
While counting points, Fugaku repeatedly replayed this game in his mind. The more he reviewed, the more he sensed its brilliance.
He raised his head, eyes carrying excitement at meeting a worthy opponent:
"Yu, one more game."
Sasuko anxiously clutched her hem—the promised date was about to evaporate again.
They'd finally finished one game with such difficulty, yet Father actually wanted another round. At this rate, tonight's date would definitely fall through.
She couldn't help calling out, "Father!"
Fugaku's enthusiasm was interrupted by this call. Looking up, he saw his younger daughter watching him with accusation.
His go stone suspended mid-air, he looked at Sasuko's puffed-up face, somewhat confused. "What's wrong?"
"You've kept Yu playing go for so long!" Sasuko couldn't help complaining. "He clearly promised to go shopping with me tonight..."
Fugaku watched his daughter rarely show such girlish attitude, immediately understanding.
"Ahem," Fugaku coughed lightly, setting down his stone. "Since you had prior plans, let's postpone this game."
Sasuko's eyes brightened as she immediately stood. "Thank you, Father!"
Watching his daughter's joyful appearance, Fugaku shook his head helplessly. "Go on, but don't return too late."
"I know!" Sasuko responded cheerfully, impatiently pulling Yu's hand toward the door.
Yu rose, bowing slightly. "Then Adoptive Father, we'll go ahead. We'll play again another day."
Fugaku nodded, watching their departing backs hand in hand, sighing inwardly—his precious little cabbage had ultimately been taken away.
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