Chapter Six - Fatherly Advice

After spending my day with Miu, getting a little drunk with her, and revealing things to each other, I come back home and I'm greeted by my father. I hope he can't tell that I've been drinking. He'd be pissed.

"Good evening, Tsubasa. You're home late. How was your day?"

"G-Greetings, father. Papa. Dad." God he's going to be able to tell that I've been drinking. I should have never fallen into peer pressure.

"'Greetings'? I've never heard you say that before. What's with the formality? And stuck to just father. I don't even know why you said the other two."

"M-My most dearest apologies!" I'm going to get caught. Why can't I relax?

"Hmm. You're acting rather odd today. Do you have anything you want to get off of your chest?"

Of course not; I plan on keeping Miu's secret for as long as I live.

"Actually father, there is something I want to talk to you about." What am I saying? "It's about a friend of mine. Can I tell you about her?" Why am I revealing such information to my father? Am I still a little drunk?

"Sure kiddo, you can tell me anything. Let me guess. You've developed feelings for her, haven't you?"

"Well, I am attracted to her, but I don't think I have any genuine feelings for her if I'm being honest. We've kissed once, which made me feel good, but I feel like kissing anyone would make me feel the same type of "good" our kiss made me feel." What? This isn't what I want to talk to my dad about. I want to talk about her abuse. Wait… I don't want to tell my dad anything. Yet… I am. I'm sorry Miu. I am a liar.

"Well, Tsubasa, there's a difference between romantic attraction and sexual attraction. Perhaps you only feel the ladder towards her."

"No! I love Miu. She's the only person that gets me. Anyway, that isn't what I wanted to talk about! I want to talk about something else."

"What is it, son? Remember, you can tell me anything. I may not be able to give out the best advice or solve your problem, but I can always lend you an ear. So go on with it, kiddo."

"My friend, Miu, is being abused by her mother. When I saw her today, I saw her arms and they were covered in bruises. She told me not to tell anyone about it, and if I did she would consider me a liar. But I just had to tell someone. I don't want her to hurt anymore. Father… Am I a liar?"

"You did the right thing telling me, Tsubasa. Now we just need to think about what to—."

"Am I a liar?"

"Tsuabsa… You did the right thing—."

"Am I a liar!? I promised her I wouldn't tell anyone, but I just did. She trusted me to keep her secret, but I didn't. I'm scum. I can't even keep one measly secret. How can anyone trust me with anything? Father… Am I a liar?"

"It doesn't matter, Tsubasa! You don't want to allow her to continue experiencing her abuse. You want that to stop, right? You want her to be safe, right? You want her to be happy, right? Who cares if telling me makes you a liar? Sometimes in life, we have to be selfish; we have to break promises. She's too afraid to speak out herself. But she allowed you to see her wounds. She was that open with you. Do you think she showed you her wounds just so you can see them and that's it? She wants help, Tsuabsa. You did the right thing. Don't ever think anywise."

"I… Did the right thing?" I did the right thing.

"I wouldn't say so if it wasn't true."

"Thank you, father. I'm truly, absolutely, definitely, honestly, genuinely thankful." Jesus, I can't for the life of me keep my mouth shut. I promise myself I will never drink a drop of liquor again.

"I think you should go to bed, Tsubasa. It seems you're not feeling well. A good night's sleep will make you feel better."

"Okay, father. Goodnight. Thanks again for letting me talk to you."

I head towards my bedroom and just before I enter my dad stops me.

"By the way, Tsubasa, try not to come home drunk or tipsy in your case."

He knew? Of course he knew.

"Oh, and one last thing. Your mother and I are getting a divorce. I guess neither of us truly loves the person we care about. I'm sorry."

Oh. My parents are getting a divorce. My father doesn't love my mother. I guess we're both liars.