Chapter 07

Shiromiya sat at the back door, his eyes clouded by tears and the pain he still felt, the result of everything that had passed through Ryo Satoshi's hands.

He couldn't believe the merchant's audacity! How dare you tell Miya that he was her father? What did he want? Take Miya from him? Shiro would never allow it, he had all the documents and Ryo could not prove that the girl was not his daughter.

However, he panicked. What if Satoshi had a plan? Well, I knew that the rich used to get what they wanted through their power. He tightened his arms around himself, trying to protect himself from those pessimistic thoughts. Why would a poor little girl be in the interest of someone so futile like Ryo? He had learned from the past: Ryo only loved and cared about status and money.

" You hit my dad!" heard the accusation behind him and turned to the girl. He saw her trembling, swallowing her tears, in a firm but angry attitude. " He came back to us and you sent him away!"

Shiro tried to remain calm. Although the eccentric way gives him the impression that he lived with an adult, the truth is that Miya was eight years old. She was a child, with the childhood fantasies created by the mind.

"He's not your father, Miya," he said. " I'm your father! I was the one who raised you, who bathed you as a child, who took care of you when you were sick. I know what time you sleep, what time you have lunch, dinner, make poop! I know who hates cabbage and chayote. Ryo-san has no idea of ​​his personality, he met you yesterday! So..."

"He's my father, yes!" She objected, interrupting him. "And he wanted to stay here, with us. We would all be a happy family, but you sent him away," she shouted.

After that, she shot into the room, closing the door.

Shiro remained standing in the same place, staring at the cold wood. Then he turned his body forward, feeling the tears fall from his eyes. In less than twenty-four hours, Ryo Satoshi turned his life upside down, pitting his daughter against him. Shiro had never argued with her before, even in the face of a genius and a difficult personality.

The most complicated part was seeing her declaring Ryo her father so naturally. It hurt absurdly because the ex-lover had done nothing to deserve this treatment. He knew it was jealousy, but even though it was a childish attitude, he forgave himself. Since he adopted her more than five years ago, he was the only one in her life. Satoshi couldn't just show up and steal his post without any effort.

He hid his face in his hands, exhausted. If Shiro could, he would lie there and only get up when Ryo's presence had already dissipated. However, he understood that he did not need that, when he felt the small arms circling him, in a gentle embrace.

Miya laid her head on the back of her neck and whispered, softly:

" Gomenasai[10], Otousan ...

He smiled at the beautiful attitude. He turned his body back and picked her up, hugging her tightly, joining her nose to the little girl's.

" I will work to the three hours" warned, burying immediately that fight. Now, didn't being a father mean loving unconditionally? " Then, let's go to the seamstress."

" Today?"

"Yes," he said. " I found Aoki-san, and she told me that the dresses I had commissioned are ready. So I asked if she could see us today and we made an appointment."

He wanted to give the girl both dresses at the beginning of the year so that she could go to school in new clothes. However, he also knew that she needed new clothes and shoes, as hers were already worn out. So he decided to anticipate the present.

" Then, shall we eat cake? " she tried, wanting to make the most of that paternal break.

"Of course," he said. "Chocolate," he added. "Your favorite."

Ryo Satoshi was briefly forgotten, as soon as he felt the kiss on the cheek.

***

Obviously, despite what Shiromiya believed, Ryo-san did not move his foot from the vicinity of the small wooden house. Hidden among the trees and bushes, he huddled in his coat, chasing away the cold, staring in the direction where Shiro and Miya lived.

Ryo saw him leaving in the early afternoon with an ax in his hands and a determined look. He admired him once more. Shiro was a warrior, brave, sure to support his little family. However, he couldn't help being amazed that Shiromiya didn't even have a break. From what he noticed, he spent all the time at work, without resting. However, he did not invest what he earned in the house or property.

He raised his eyebrows.

It was strange. Shiromiya seemed to be selling eggs and corn to the community. He had more than one job and did not appear to have large expenses. And yet, both he and Miya wore frighteningly old clothes.

Why?

Restlessness washed over him, even though he knew he shouldn't force anything. In due time, after regaining the trust of the other, he would take them with him to where they would have all the best, in a large, well-equipped house, and the best quality food.

Yes ... When Shiro goes back to him, he would never again allow him to undermine his strength by cutting teas or planting corn. he would never wash dishes or clothes again. He would never sleep little again, nor use rags.

The thoughts were interrupted by the little girl, who came out the door carrying a small cauldron. It looked heavy, but she used both hands to carry the container and, in short steps, went stiffly in the opposite direction to her father.

Where was Miya going?

Ryo didn't blink and followed her. He knew from the suspicious look with which sshe was avoiding being seen by the nearest neighboring house as if she feared being caught in the act, that she was up to something. However, there was courage similar to Shiro's in the way she walked, towards the closed forest.

He took space away, not wanting her to know she was being followed. Shortly afterward, he heard barking, and fearful that the little girl would be attacked, he picked up his pace, soon finding her.

Miya was startled when she noticed him, but nothing resembled him when he noticed her surrounded by dogs. All deformed, ugly and hungry. Then he saw that the casserole had food and that she distributed the food in small pots.

" What...?" he wanted to ask but was soon interrupted.

" You can't tell anyone what you saw! "

"But ..." He searched for the words. " Whose dogs are these?"

The girl looked down, ashamed.

" No one. They say that the owners died in the war. Adults are very bad, you can't tell anyone that I saved them, because people will kill them if they know they're in the woods."

" Will they kill them?"

"They eat chickens when hunger strikes," she explained. "So, I try to ease it, keeping them here, near the river, where there is water to drink. Every day, when Otousan goes out to work, I bring food." One of the dogs approached, and she stroked his face. "People don't like what's ugly. They are enchanted with the puppies, but when they grow and age, they expel them. They regard animals as sick, unclean, failing to notice that the filth is in them."

Ryo was amazed. It is impossible not to be surprised by that firm stance as if she were an adult defending a cause.

In silence, he let her work finish. Then he accompanied her back.

" Does your father know? "He asked.

" He can't know!" was resolute, making it clear that it was a secret between them.

" But why?"

" I can't walk much, especially alone."

Without understanding, Ryo stopped.

" Why?"

The girl shrugged.

"I can't be late, I need to take a shower because Otousan will take me to the seamstress in the afternoon. So, bye daddy" she waved at him and ran towards the hovel that was a short distance away.

That reference made him smile like an idiot, as he watched her disappear into the house.

***

Shiromiya looked back. Mrs. Aoki's studio had its windows open, and outsiders could see what was going on inside. However, there was no one in sight.

However, after feeling the weight of Ryo's eyes on him, Shiromiya could almost claim that the other was there, lurking. Containing his revolt over the lack of privacy, he faced the old lady, who showed him the brown dresses.

"The fabric is of good quality," she said. " And Miya will be cute on them."

Shiromiya looked at the girl. She, in turn, seemed enchanted by a floral dress, placed on a mannequin by the window. He called to her, and the girl disguised it, approaching the outfit with artificially excited eyes.

" Do you want to try it?" He asked her.

"They fit me, Otousan," she said.

Shiromiya nodded, pulling out the notes and holding them out to the seamstress. Shortly after, they went out the door, holding hands.

"One day we will buy a beautiful dress," he promised.

"I don't care about dresses," she retorted. " But I care about cakes."

Kazue laughed as he headed for the bakery.

***

" That son of a bitch!" Shin grunted while signing the paperwork. "He assured me he would take care of business! That's the only reason I accepted this society!"

Tadao did not object, not least because he knew the Emperor's nephew well, to replying to him was never a good way out. However, it did not hide the annoyance. Shin Sakamoto was signing the hotel chain management papers that Ryo and he acquired after the war. Never had to 'put your hands dirty", enjoying only the percentage invested in together to deal with that friend. So, why so much complaint?

" And where did that 'dick in the ass' go?"

" I have no idea. Ryo-san seemed too nervous to be able to express himself, but I understood that it could be something related to Shiromiya-san."

" But Shiro didn't die? Why the hell with every rumor that comes up, he abandons everything and goes after him?"

" Wouldn't you do the same for your great love?"

The other grunted under his breath, avoiding an answer. For Mamoru, he would swim from Tokyo to Okinawa without even stopping to rest.

" That retard!" swore a little more, just to not lose the habit. " I bet you'll be whining like an imbecile ..."

He finished signing and handed the paperwork to Tadao, who held it, bowing respectfully, before leaving in silence.

Shin barely had time to breathe when the dull entrance of a servant made him grumble under his breath.

" More visits?"

The woman nodded.

" Tell to enter."

All he wanted to do was get rid of the inconvenience. He leaned back in the leather chair, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. He had been in a crisis of patience for a few days, barely containing the disgusted to live with humans.

He heard the sound of footsteps. He opened his eyes, facing those who arrived. There were two men, but it was only one that he paid attention to.

"Jiro?" He whispered, imagining it was a hallucination.

But the sergeant who served him smiled in such euphoria that Shin realized that the image was real.

He got up quickly and ran towards her. Shin held him in his arms, breathing in his perfume, trying to capture his essence. Finally, he released him slightly, and held his face, studying his features.

"Are you here?" He asked, incredulous.

" Do you want proof?"

Suddenly, he felt the gentle kiss on the lips and knew that, after so many years, Saito was again his.

However, he returned an unexpected force. Daniel, the foreign soldier, opened his eyes wide at the punch the big man gave his lover. He held Jiro, to keep him from falling to the ground. Daniel felt his face skyrocket and almost went on top of the other, but was stopped by Jiro.

" What a nice reception" Saito joked, wiping blood on his nose.

" I waited for you for years, you bastard!" He muttered, taking it by the collar. "You promised you would be back!"

" And I came back!"

" Five years later?"

" I'm here, aren't I?��

"I thought you died ..." he whispered. " I thought you stole Shiromiya and both died on the roads ..."

"Well, it is true that we have escaped death ..." He suddenly realized the words. " How do you know I was with Shiro?"

Shin dropped it.

" It is not obvious? You went to see him, and then he disappeared."

Then he turned her back on Jiro and went back to the table. However, he didn't actually sit down, being prevented by Saito's strong arms, which surrounded him from behind.

" You have no idea how much I missed you ..."

" Not much, since you didn't even write me a letter."

"I couldn't," he said. " … Shiro."

" And what has changed?"

" The time? The possibility that Ryo Satoshi forgot his obsession."

Shin was silent.

" Where have you been? You and him?"

" Close to Kyoto."

Suddenly, Shin realized that if he told Jiro that Ryo was traveling inland because of a rumor about Shiromiya, he could lose Saito again. So he was silent.

"Ryo got married and is very happy" lied, shamelessly.

"I imagined that," Jiro smiled, rotating his body. Both were face to face, in love. "And with that, I can stay with you."

A clearing of the throat made them loosen. Only then did Shin seem to realize the gaijin[11] standing in his office.

" Who is it?" He asked, already snorting.

" My lover."

That direct response made Shin very unnerved.

"At least, you could have had the decency not to bring you into my home."

Saito threw his head back, laughing.

" As if you had been celibate all these years."

Shin's unnerved countenance made it clear that Saito had hit the bulls-eye.

" What?" He asked in amazement. " And Aiko?"

When Shin shrugged, he knew they would both have a lot to talk about.