068　Full-fledged man

It's almost been a year since Yugiri-kun was banned from Rokujo-in after last year's typhoon. He has progressed smoothly through the ranks and is now the councilor-Chujo. However, his grandmother passed away on March 20th, and he was in mourning for her. Miss Tamakazura's ceremony was in February, and I'm glad it was held while she was still alive. She is also Miss Tamakazura's grandmother, so she must be in mourning as well.

"I'm glad to see you again." 

Yugiri-kun came to my house for the first time in a long time and bowed to me. He appears to have grown even taller. Isn't he already as tall as Hikaru? He's such a splendid figure that it's no wonder Hikaru won't treat him like a child forever. He has sharp eyes and a calm demeanor, so I feel more scared of him than Hikaru. 

"It’s great to see you. How have you been?"

I greeted Yugiri-kun in the same manner I would treat an adult guest. I was praying in front of a Buddhist altar, so I will prepare a seat for him in that room. He was wearing gray clothes and looked dignified and pure. 

"Please accept my sincerest condolences on the loss of Mrs. Omiya."

"Thank you for your thoughtfulness."

We were having conversations like strangers, but strangely I didn't feel lonely. I was genuinely happy that he had grown into such a fine young man, and I was thinking of the late Lady Aoi. 

"I'd like to apologize to my father. Could you please come with me?" 

When I heard the word "father" from Yugiri-kun, my heart pounded. I was so happy that I can't express it in words. I don't think it's appropriate to react in a contrived way, so I respond to him naturally. 

"I would be happy to go with you. Did you have any kind of trigger?" 

Yugiri-kun was silent for a while, and then 

"It's for Kari."

he answered briefly. He may have started preparing for marriage. He is trying to apologize to his father in order to help one person. I realized that he had become an adult.

◇◇◇

On the day of my appointment with Yugiri-kun, I went to Rokujo-in before him and waited for him while having a casual conversation with Hikaru. Will he actually come? I thought it would be fine even if he couldn't come. Considering his complicated feelings towards Hikaru, I think it's no wonder he can't apologize to his father smoothly.

"His Excellency the councilor-Chujo has come."

When the lady serving as a guide said that, Hikaru looked a little nervous and glared ahead. Yugiri-kun walks into the room quietly. He bowed to me and sat directly in front of Hikaru, bowing so deeply that his forehead almost touched the floor. 

"I apologize for my actions." 

"What do you apologize for?" 

"It's about my insults towards Lady Murasaki." 

Yugiri-kun's eyes were sharper than usual, and if I hadn't heard his words, I wouldn't have realized he was apologizing. 

"You don't touch her, do you?" 

"It's true that I'm not interested in her."

He says that so firmly that Hikaru has a mixed feeling look on his face. 

"You're rude... But okay, I know you are honest."

Yugiri-kun raised his head and glared sternly at Hikaru again. There is a subtle tension between father and son. What's interesting about them is that that's not necessarily a bad thing. This is probably the perfect tension for these two. They don't show their weaknesses to each other, and I think they're good rivals who can have a serious fight. 

"Inform Tama-chan about the invitation from Reizei-san." 

Hikaru gave Yugiri-kun an important mission. Without a word, he stands up and heads towards the summer section. 

"What changed?... He's become more intimidating than before?" 

Hikaru said in a small voice while looking at his back.

"He looks more powerful than before, right? He was cuter when his words were bad." 

"He's grown up." 

I smiled bitterly as Hikaru seemed jealous of his grown son. 

"He has become a full-fledged man." 

Yugiri-kun is intelligent, dignified, and reliable. He is my proud nephew. I don't think everyone grows up like him. His mother passed away soon after he was born, and the grandparents who raised him were also gone. His hard life probably shaped his strong personality. 

"I think you can rely on him sometimes." 

"Are you sure?"

Hikaru looked a little disgusted, but seemed to be reluctantly considering my suggestion. I think the day will come when we will naturally rely on him. After all, he's the person who will become the Grand Minister of the state in the future.

While we were talking about this, Yugiri-kun came back looking a little dazed. He sat down in front of Hikaru as before, but he seemed uncomfortable somehow. He held a thoroughwort in his left hand. 

"Yugiri-kun, What is that flower?" 

I asked him casually, 

"Miss Tamakazura gave it to me."

he looked at me with a confused expression. 

"Did you tell her about the Principal Handmade?" 

"I told her, but..." 

He was always dignified and unwavering, so I thought it was cute to see him looking so troubled. 

"I'm surprised she would give this to you."

Hikaru smiled bitterly, took the thoroughwort from Yugiri-kun, and looked at it happily for a while.