War and Fortune 2.237

Tatsumi (brother of Viggo and Tsubaki on Mikoto's side) had come to visit Tsubaki at her home in the blacksmith district. However, when the boy with dark, short hair and slanted eyes showed up at the gate overlooking the street and opened the fence, he saw his sister dressed in a light brown kimono and a ribbon around her shoulders that held the sleeves of her kimono. Tatsumi who wore a blue kimono and a black hakama in conjunction with wooden sandals equal to those of his sister, made the superposition of the image of his sister with that of his mother, found very few differences. Even his sister did not emit that informal and friendly air of always. It was as if she had matured by blow and now had a character very similar to her mother's. An example of this was that she did not smile mockingly as she always would. But she bowed slightly and looked at him calmly —hisashiburi, Tatsumi— she said with a tone of voice polite.

—Hisashiburi, aneue— Tatsumi said, surprised by the attitude and bowed awkwardly.

—Come, come in— said Tsubaki —I'm preparing dinner for danna-sama—

—No, well— Tatsumi said with some discomfort.

—Come on, if Viggo knows you left without eating, he'll be angry— Tsubaki added.

—Ojamashimasu— Tatsumi replied and passed by Tsubaki. He was still very puzzled by his sister's serious and calm attitude. Usually, Tsubaki complained about Mikoto because she always asked her things like "When was you going to get married?" And after she joined Viggo, when was she going to give her grandchildren? Well, Tsubaki was no different from her mother and asked Tatsumi the same questions.

Upon entering the house, Tatsumi saw the rectangular table with four seats. Viggo didn't look, but knowing his father, Viggo would be doing the same as Kain. Tucked into the kitchen, taking care that things don't burn and helping.

Tsubaki moved forward and finding Viggo in the kitchen, she grabs him from behind from the elbows and bring him to the table. Viggo followed the game with a smile. When Tsubaki let go, he turned around with a smile, but she looked at him reproachfully.

—I was just helping, there's nothing wrong— Viggo said without taking it too seriously. A week ago, after Tsubaki told everyone that she had become a master blacksmith, for some reason, she became totally in a traditional wife. Very courteous, very serious, demure and stop in part, to be herself. Viggo wanted to believe that she was forcing herself and that it would soon pass it, but it seemed that it was something that would stay in time. Viggo just hoped that this change would not be completely. He was like his father, watching Kain as a child do things that most men didn't do. He saw nothing wrong with helping or cooking for others. He saw nothing wrong with walking at the same speed as his wife.

—Danna-sama must go to the table and wait— Tsubaki said in a serious tone of voice.

—Okay, okay, I'll go to the table——

—Tatsumi came to visit us, please keep him company—

—Ok, I'll keep him company— Viggo said, sighed and saw Tsubaki walking into the kitchen. Then he turned around and saw Tatsumi with dark hair, blue kimono and black hakama, looking at him with some concern.

—Oooh, Tatsu, come sit with me at the table, how did it go?— said Viggo in a good mood, walking to the head of the table and waiting for Tatsumi to approach the chair on the right.

—I'm fine, nii-sama— Tatsumi said as he moved the chair back and sat down —I've done well, it's just that I came to see aneue to ask for her advice—

—Oooh, I remember what you asked me a long time ago, do you still have doubts?— asked Viggo, sitting down at the same time as Tatsumi.

—Yes, nii-sama, sumimasen— Tatsumi said with an apologetic expression on his face.

—You have nothing to apologize for— said Viggo, taking a bottle of estus from his ring and placing it on the table. Then he went for two glasses to the kitchen, where Tsubaki's warning was heard. Viggo gave a playful chuck and walked out as quickly as possible. Once he returned to the table he put the glasses, served estus and offered one to his brother.

—Kampai?— said Viggo doubtfully as he raised his glass.

—Yes, kampai— Tatsumi said, taking his glass with both hands and showing it to Viggo. Both drank the estus in one gulp. It was more of a single-tasting drink than something recreational. After all, it not only recomposed the body, but also healed the soul.

—Danna-sama— Tsubaki said, leaving with some plates in her hands in the direction of the table, —I think oto-sama gave you that for special occasions, when you really needed it. Not for use in a simple meal—

—No problem, Tsubaki, no problem— Viggo replied with a big smile —this is just one of the old man's failures in trying to produce this. It's not the real one—

—I hope so, I would feel bad for oto-sama if you occupy it in frivolities— Tsubaki added, leaving the dishes on the table. It was all traditional Far Eastern food. Then she went back to the kitchen for more dishes.

Tatsumi came to Viggo's side and whispered —What happened? I had never seen aneue so serious. It's like she's okaa-sama—

Viggo let out a sigh and replied simply —let's say she's in her serious mode. It will pass—

—Do you think?—

—Yes, Tsubaki has been her whole life in one way. It's just being forced. I'm just worried that she will become stubborn about this behavior and keep pressuring herself—

—Well, she's the daughter of okaa-sama—

Tsubaki came back from the kitchen with more dishes, put them on the table, and went back to the kitchen to bring the last set of food. She sat on Viggo's left side, facing Tatsumi. Viggo stared at her, she gave him a meaningful look, and he understood.

—Oooh, mmm, itadakimasu— Viggo said uncomfortably, Tsubaki and Tatsumi also said the same thing, and began to eat.

This situation was stressing Viggo out and since he was a Dragonroad accustomed to chatting at the table with his siblings, aunts, and parents, he asked Tatsumi —Tell me what's bothering you?—

Tatsumi took his eyes off the food, looked at red-haired Viggo, and then at Tsubaki, sitting in front. She kept eating, something strange, because if it was another time, she would scold them. Even Tatsumi stressed just seeing her as serious in her traditional wife mode.

Tatsumi let out a sigh, put down his bowl with rice aside, the chopsticks resting on a stand and replied —the truth, I have continued going to the dungeon, I continue training with my katana, but I have no idea for me to do it anymore. I have the idea of traveling, but I am worried about the status of okaa-sama. I don't know how she's going to take it—

—Aaaaah— Viggo said with an exhalation —the same problem as the other time, I thought we had already broken that barrier?— Tatsumi looked down and felt embarrassed. Viggo also let out a sigh at his weak attitude. He looked at Tsubaki to see what she had to say, but the latter was eating as if the conversation had nothing to do with her. Viggo shook his head and asked her directly —Tsubaki, do you have any advice for Tatsumi?—

Tsubaki looked away from her bowl of rice, looked at Viggo, and then looked at Tatsumi. She wanted to yell a million things at him for being so weak and hopelessly dependent. All this happened because Flora had disappeared from Orario. Tatsumi felt helpless and so he didn't know what to do. Before it was the same, he didn't have a goal or a goal to follow, but because there was Flora, felt the motivation to be adventurous. Seriously, if she weren't polishing herself as a wife, she would have given him the lesson of his life.

—I, I think Tatsumi should talk to danna-sama and make a determination on his own— Tsubaki said with a sharp look and an expression that said she was holding back so as not to hit him. Both had been born of the same woman, why should he have such a weak attitude?

—Well— Viggo said, shifting the focus and smiling to ease the tension in the air. He was sure that if Tsubaki had a katana in his hands, she would chase Tatsumi all over Orario until he changed his attitude —put that way, I think you should try diving into the dungeon with a family. Right now, you have Mom's blessing, right?

—Yes, from Hephaestus-oba-san— Tatsumi replied fearfully, looking at Viggo and trying to ignore his sister who was looking at him with a grudge.

—Ok, you're going to talk to mom and ask her to take it away. Tell her that I ask, so no one will ask you more than necessary. After that you go to Bishamon, the goddess who lives in the house next door to my mansion. Tell her that you are on my side and that you are my brother. She will accept you without question. Once you get Bishamon's blessing, immerse yourself for a few months with Siegfried, his sister, Sakura, and Ana. Maybe the company of other adventurers will serve you. If not, well, you will have to leave the family and travel, as you proposed—

—I, is that a good idea? And okaa-sama?—

—Ii kagen ni shiro!— shouted Tsubaki, already at the limit of her patience and rising from her seat, —Why do you come to ask for advice that you question? Solve things for yourself if you don't want to listen to others How can you be so indecisive? Stop bothering Tatsumi, all I see is that you use okaa-sama as an excuse to stay in the same place as always. You are my brother, show determination. Otherwise, you'll never get anywhere—

—I'm sorry— Tatsumi said, bowing his head.

Tsubaki punched the table hard and broke it, causing all things to fall to the floor—don't apologize, show me with actions. Be a real man—

—Enough— Viggo said in keeping calm.

—Danna-sama— Tsubaki said with teary eyes, sad that her brother has transformed into this.

—Enough, Tsubaki— said Viggo —you're just under stress. You can go to rest; I will say goodbye to Tatsumi—

Tsubaki looked at her brother, who was still sitting without protest or defending himself, in a helpless position. She shed tears and replied quietly —yes—

Once Tsubaki went to her room and closed the door. Viggo got up from his seat, got behind Tatsumi and hugged him —it´s okay, Tatsu, she's just angry. You know how Tsubaki gets when she doesn't like something. She just wants the best for you, but she's bad at words—

Tatsumi nodded while sobbing silently. Viggo let go after a minute, sat in his chair, to Tatsumi's left and waited until he felt better. Once Tatsumi got up from his chair, Viggo walked him to the door and opened the gate for him.

—Tatsu— Viggo said, watching Tatsumi pass through the entrance and stop on the sidewalk. Tatsumi turned around, looked at him with a sad expression, and Viggo continued —for now, do what I told you. The important thing is not to stay in the same point, not to stay idle. People think stupid things when they don't do anything. So, for now, do what I told you. I support you whatever you choose, I'll be there for you—

—Yes, nii-sama—

—Come here— Viggo said and gave him one last hug —don't worry, this is just a stage of life. You will overcome it; you will become stronger and braver. Then you will laugh at this moment—

The two separated, Tatsumi stared at Viggo and asked —Was nii-sama the same?—

—Yes— said Viggo with a smile on his lips —although, I am still ashamed that I was playing hero in the region of Dedalus. Now I'm thinking of a good excuse to explain to Uriel and Bell. I'm sure someone tells them, and they laugh at me, hahahaha. I was confused, brother. Everyone may be confused, don't take it seriously—

—I— said Tatsumi —I'll try—