Chapter 6 - Reconciliation
An hour had passed since Uncle and I engaged in that intense argument, and the silence between us had grown palpable. Neither of us spoke, and we avoided each other's gaze. It was clear that we both bore the weight of our disagreement and that neither of us was willing to break the silence.
I was in the kitchen, preparing a fragrant curry, my heart heavy with remorse. I couldn't help but notice that Uncle hadn't eaten since we arrived at the mountain peak, and the thought of his hunger tugged at my heartstrings. I had poured my heart and soul into this curry, hoping it would convey my feelings and my wish for reconciliation.
The words I'd spoken earlier, calling Uncle "Dad," were not a slip of the tongue. I had harbored that desire for years, but each time I had attempted to express it, Uncle had corrected me, insisting on being called "Uncle." Deep down, I yearned for him to be my true father, especially when my thoughts drifted to my biological dad – a drunkard who had brought only misery into my life. The mere thought of that man was enough to make me want to vomit.
Uncle, on the other hand, was the rock in my life. I couldn't bear the idea of losing him. He was everything to me, and the thought of his departure filled me with dread. "I don't want to be alone," I said, unable to hold back my tears. The promise of my carefully prepared curry was the only thing keeping me from falling apart.
"I promise this curry will be delicious," I reassured myself, finding strength in my words. I knew I had to be supportive of Uncle's decision, even though it was tearing me apart. But I had to stop being selfish and put his wishes before my own, even if the future seemed uncertain.
The internal struggle waged on, my emotions in turmoil. Uncle wanted closure by avenging his family, and I had to respect his decision. But I couldn't ignore the fear for his safety, especially considering his age. My thoughts spiraled, threatening to burn the curry I was preparing.
As I finished cooking, I set two plates on the table and began to search for Uncle. He was nowhere to be found, and I suddenly recalled that he had mentioned burying the animals he had hunted today.
Outside, the darkness was impenetrable, with the dense forest only adding to my confusion. I grabbed a flashlight and ventured into the night, guided by my memory of where Uncle had killed the animals earlier. My journey led me to the spot where the lone fox had met its end, and my heart ached with regret. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Fox," I whispered, paying my respects.
But it was then that I realized I was hopelessly lost. The forest had enveloped me in its labyrinth, and panic set in. Before my anxiety grew, I heard the rustling of leaves, drawing closer and closer. "Grrrrgghh!" The growl sent shivers down my spine, and I quickly pointed my flashlight in its direction.
Before me stood another fox, its eyes filled with anger as it stared directly into my own. I couldn't help but wonder if I was standing over its friend. The fox moved closer and tugged gently at my pants, its eyes still locked on mine. "What?" I stammered, confused and frightened. The fox seemed to beckon me to follow.
I watched as the fox led me through the dark forest. Clutching the lifeless fox in my hand, a decision I would later regret, I blindly followed this unexpected guide. The sight that met me was gruesome, as insects swarmed over the dead fox, and the stench was unbearable. Yet, something within me insisted that this was the right path, and I pressed on.
To my relief, the fox led me to an open grassy plain a few kilometers from the forest. There, I found Uncle Reo diligently at work, digging a deep hole. He noticed me instantly but his attention was quickly drawn to the lifeless fox in my hand. "You know we don't have running water up here, right? You're not going to enjoy your bath tonight," he remarked, his humor returning.
"Oh, that just occurred to me. Sorry," I apologized, feeling somewhat foolish. Uncle, responded, "Hmm, it's fine. Thank you for bringing the fox here. I had sent this fella here to bring him over, but I guess he used you to do it." The fox responded with a cheerful howl. "Hehehe, you sly fox. You didn't want to get dirty, eh?" Uncle chuckled, rubbing the fox's head.
Together, we buried the fox and the other animals. The tension that had weighed between us seemed to lift, and Uncle Reo appeared more like himself. As we made our way back, his stomach growled. "Let's go home quickly; I'm starving," he said.
I agreed, "Let's. I had already made us dinner, though it's probably cold by now." Reo responded, "That's very thoughtful. I'll eat it regardless of the temperature." We walked side by side, a curious fox following along behind us.
"Oh, the little guy behind us has a name, it's Rea since it's a girl," Reo remarked. The fox howled in delight. As we continued in silence, I remained determined to apologize, but the right words eluded me. I feared even mentioning the mission, as I was well aware of the irritation it had caused.
Uncle Reo suddenly turned to me and asked, "Hey, Maki, your birthday is a month from now, isn't it?" I confirmed it with a smile, recalling that our birthdays were close, mine on July 12, his on July 13. It had become a tradition for us to celebrate our birthdays together.
He continued, "If you pass your final exams this year, we'll go on a cruise trip, okay?" I couldn't help but be skeptical. "You're joking?" I said, wondering if this was another one of his jests.
"No joke," Uncle Reo replied. He revealed that Gaia Agency already knew our location, and there was no point in hiding in his estate any longer. My excitement bubbled over. "This is the best! I'm going to ace every final. We'd better reserve our spots," I said with enthusiasm.
He smiled warmly at me but then seemed to sense that I wanted to discuss something important. "I'm so sorry about this evening," I began. "I was out of line, and I promise I won't be so inconsiderate again. It never dawned on me how you felt. I only cared about myself. I promise to stop that this instant, so please, come back to me in one piece," I said, bowing my head in apology.
Uncle Reo patted my head and sighed, "I can't believe I lashed out at you for calling me 'father.' I deserve a thousand needles for that. I am sorry too, Maki. I promise you we'll go on that cruise next month and have the best time of our lives," he said, a warm smile on his face. He then added, "You could do with a haircut, you know."
"Maybe," I replied, considering his suggestion. With our relationship restored, I felt a renewed sense of purpose and determination to stand by Uncle Reo. I knew he was strong, intelligent, swift, and experienced. He could accomplish anything he set his mind to, regardless of his age.
"You got this!" I cheered him on once more. Uncle Reo, in good spirits, replied with humor, "That's the spirit. I'll bring back one of Xavier's fingers as a souvenir."
The day ended with us enjoying my love-filled curry, and we slept in the same room, his futon next to my bed. It had been a rollercoaster day, from the lengthy trek to the mountain top, observing animals, participating in the exercise of hunting, our heated argument, and finally, our resolution. The day had been both physically and emotionally exhausting, and I hoped that the following day would bring fewer challenges and more peace.The following day, I woke up a bit later than usual, the previous day's activities having left me exhausted. After freshening up, I headed outside and found Uncle Reo engaged in conversation with two visitors. One was Ace, the agent who had initially contacted him about the mission, and the other was a man named Sou, who appeared to be in high spirits, laughing, and carrying a medical kit and an E-Pistol.
As I approached, I couldn't help but wonder why Ace was here. "Ace, what's that agent doing here?" I whispered to myself. The interaction between Sou and Uncle Reo seemed unusual, given the gravity of our mission.
Uncle Reo noticed me and greeted me with a warm smile. "Maki, you sure woke up late today. Exhausted?" he asked, his tone comforting. "I guess so," I admitted. He then introduced the two visitors: Ace, the agent who had suggested the mission to him, and Sou, who seemed to be quite an enigma.
Sou leaned in closer to me, looking into my eyes. "How old are you, miss?" he asked. "Sixteen," I replied cautiously.
"Well, that's old enough. Want to get marr—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Uncle Reo, Ace, and I all reacted swiftly and with force. I aimed for his crotch, Ace went for his head, and Uncle elbowed his side. The pain from our combined strikes sent Sou howling. "OUCH!" he shouted in pain.