29th July, 2023.
Gin and Shuu had just separated from the reception of his brother, Kei's wedding.
Rin's father still had some remnants of surprise from being pulled by who he now calls a son. All of a sudden, Gin had declared that the two of them would leave for a short while without his knowledge at was spurred at the very last minute.
"I have something to talk about one-on-one with you later, Uncle."
Hearing those words, however, he believed that it was something that Gin has been planning from the start, and so he let himself get dragged along and got in the car.
Gin had remained eerily silent on the entirety of the drive, which gave Shuu a hint of anxiety as every discreet glance he makes, he only sees a serious look over on Gin's face every time it is illuminated by the lights outside. In the 25-minute drive, not a word has been uttered, but they arrived at a bar which Gin seemed to have known even without navigation.
The bar had ample space to serve the high volume of customers that are there currently. The lights were warm and dim, but bright enough where they can still see clearly. The noise was also proportionate to the number of customers, but the tranquil bossa nova that was playing all around the bar could still be clearly savored. They then decided to sit on the open seats right at the bar counter.
"Two pints, please.
Anything you want to add, Uncle?"
"A side of the bar's recommendation."
The two glasses of beer quickly arrived at the counter, with which Gin clutched on it immediately and took a cursory sip beyond the foam.
"There's something you want to talk about with me… right?" Shuu asked, as though he still does not have a rough idea of what it could possibly be. But considering where they came from, his heart pounded with a vivid guess of what may come next from Gin's words.
He only looked away for a moment to get out a sigh and drank from his glass to take away from the worry he is feeling, but the moment he looked back, Gin has already been pushing aside an empty glass, and gesturing a refill with his finger.
At that moment, Shuu realized that the glass on his hand would be the first and last drink he would have for this short session.
"Will you be mad if I were to say it straight to you?" Gin asked back, full of conviction.
"Just… Just go ahead."
"This time, there will be no frills… Uncle. I'm planning on proposing to your daughter soon."
Shuu was right in his suspicions, but however much he steeled himself to hear those words from Gin, the feeling still felt extremely heavy, even more so than when his now son-in-law, Hiroomi, declared to him.
He felt incredibly conflicted. Even after many years, Shuu could not rid himself of the guilt of being at fault as to what Gin had become. Ultimately, he and Sumi are still the reason why Gin was a part, or some would say a victim of the Medical Children Program in exchange for their daughter's life and safety.
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And by some twist of fate, they met once more with the child they had thought to be dead, and even hand in hand with their daughter. Shuu was sincere on how he acted high-spirited with his family and this certain child. He saw him grow as a person, matured, and even saw how much he would risk his life for his daughter.
He felt undeserving to such a man, who despite knowing the cause of his agony, had forgiven them for the sake of his lover's happiness.
At that moment, he thought to himself… what would have happened to them if not for the deeper connection that Rin had forged with Gin? He refused to imagine what it may entail and instead focused on the reality that they have now.
"So it's finally came to this, I see."
Shuu finally snapped from his deep thought and found Gin returning another glass.
"You've already gone through two already…?"
"That was my third one, Uncle."
"Your third one?! Where did the second one even come from?!"
"Whiskey, on the rocks, please?"
"You're still going…?"
"Actually… can I just have the bottle?"
"Excuse me?!"
A whirlpool of emotions had struck Shuu, but despite the astonishment, Gin seemed to be completely unfazed and of sound mind.
※ This is a gentle reminder to please drink in moderation.
"I've been thinking about this for a few months… but I think I just can't help it anymore. I want to be with Rin for as long as I'm alive. I want my feelings to be properly conveyed to her, and I almost regretted that I couldn't when she almost left us.
But I'm not saying that I want to marry her immediately, Uncle. I want to take our time, and beyond conveying my feelings, I'm still not in a place where I can have a family. I still need to work hard for that.
And even if she were to say yes, you won't be expecting a grandchild anytime soon, anyway."
Suddenly all the seriousness that Gin had were expelled by one sentence.
"But I just want to hear your thoughts, Uncle."
"You didn't even need me to ask for a reason since you already laid it out…
If it's with you, I have no problems with allowing Ringo to marry, and you even said that it would probably take a while. But my only request is you postpone it until she is finished with her studies."
"I suppose that makes sense. I don't want to burden her with any other thing that could distract her."
"As long as you understand…"
"I'm not saying this is what I'll do, but you wouldn't mind if I do it right after she graduates?"
※ He did it, anyway.
Shuu could not even argue back and only sighed. Technically, the moment she receives her diploma, she would be done with her academics completely.
"For goodness' sake, don't just make her into a housewife…"
"If anything, I might become the househusband.
I rely on my skills too much, but Rin can rely on her skills and her brain. I feel like her coming to college cemented that she's way smarter than me. She grasps theory and practice so much that the tables have turned where I learn from her instead of her learning from me like in the past.
I'm confident that she can go places with her abilities, and I don't want to take away that passion from her. But I won't lose to her on that. What I have is accumulated six years of experience and trust, and counting. I will make sure that Rin will be in good hands."
"You better," Shuu raised his glass towards Gin, in which he clinked his glass onto.
"You're still not done with that pint, Uncle?" Gin asked, in the most tepid way he could muster.
"Sometimes, you can really get on my nerves, Gin…"
This time Shuu had counted how many pours Gin had done with the whiskey, which was already four.
"But for all this time, and to more that comes, thank you for always supporting my daughter through thick and thin. I'm hoping that we can rely on you in the future."
"What I learned is that such a declaration has much heft to it as it involves both mine and Rin's life. I am not perfect, but I will cherish her, Uncle."
Gin bent a reassuring smile, but it was as though the seriousness was downplayed by how red his face has turned, presumably from the alcohol. If he is still sober, Shuu wondered.
"I'll go get the receipt."
"I…
Give me the keys. I'm going to drive us home."
"Oh," petrified, Gin chuckled sheepishly.
Shuu realized once more that his next son-in-law is an idiot.
…
Gin would then proceed to bring home half a bottle of whiskey, which he had not touched again even in the present day.