Volume 5 Chapter 6 Damn Old Man
My damn old man was a total loser.
During the day, he would drink and sleep all the time. At night, he would stumble out and not come back until the next morning. There was one time he came back with a woman, so I figured he was just out partying at night.
All the household chores were left to me, and if there was any dissatisfaction, he would kick, punch, or yell at me. That was our way of communicating as father and son.
'This scrawny dog!'
My damn old man was a mess. He would change his mind constantly. He often said random and incoherent things, as if he was on drugs or something.
'Clean properly. Do it properly. Yeah... you idiot! If you keep doing it slowly like that, the day will be over! Cleaning is annoying!'
I didn't understand what he meant. So, I still called him my damn old man and innocently asked, "What should I do?"
His response was a beating that almost killed me and neglecting me until I was almost starving to death.
He broke my arm and ribs, and I was left unable to move for several days. After beating me, my old man didn't come back for a few days. Unable to move, unable to call for help, and not given any food, I thought I was going to die like that.
Then, when I passed out and woke up, I saw my damn old man crying and using magic to heal me. I remember him saying, "Who would do such a thing? I'll kill them. It's my only son."
That's when I decided. I wouldn't trust a single word my old man said. I would cut ties with this crazy damn parent as soon as possible.
"He's insane. He's not normal. I don't want anything to do with him. I won't let a damn old man like him control me anymore, but..."
Unable to form any further words, I bit my lower lip and just shook my head. Then, Toxy hugged me with a face that seemed on the verge of tears.
"Toxy..."
"It must have been tough for you. I thought I understood you, Wade. But I didn't understand at all. I heard about your family situation being bad before, but I never knew it was this bad."
Finally able to let out the painful memories that I couldn't express for so long, I hugged Toxy back with trembling hands and cried a little.
Toxy hugged me tightly and said,
"It's okay, Wade. We, I, will protect you. ... We became stronger for this. It's not just you protecting us. We can stand side by side and protect you sometimes too."
"...Yeah."
I hugged Toxy tightly, trying to endure the flashbacks of my trauma. I was trembling, unable to speak or stop my tears. Toxy didn't say anything more, just becoming my support.
We spent the next ten minutes or so hugging each other until I calmed down.
Finally, my tears subsided, and I patted Toxy's back in a small, raspy voice, "It's okay. Thank you."
"Hmm. ...Are you sure you're okay?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. ...You saved me."
Somehow, I felt a little relieved. It was like I had dropped the burden I had been carrying for so long. Or maybe Toxy had taken it for me. The heavy burden of my parents' curse.
"Okay. That's good."
Toxy smiled at me briefly. I felt embarrassed under her warm gaze and scratched the back of my head, saying, "Uh..."
"I showed you my embarrassing side."
"What would you say about me when I was being chased down for a debt? I was crying pathetically, and you comforted me. ...I'm just returning the favor. There are countless things I've received from you. I'm just slowly returning them."
Toxy leaned her head against my chest, this time with a hint of coquetry. I was happy about it and gently hugged her closer.
Just then, Toxy let out a soft "ah." "What's wrong?" I asked, and Toxy looked up at me.
"...We stopped cleaning the bathroom in the middle."
"...Oh, right."
Toxy slipped out of my arms. I tried to follow her, but she gently refused, saying, "Oh, I can do it myself. Just rest, Wade! You just went through all that."
So, since I was also lonely being alone in the living room, I went back to my room.
"..."
Back in my room, all sorts of emotions hit me. I feel embarrassed that I clung to Toxy so much, and that the good mood was ruined.
Overcoming that damn old man is still difficult.
"If he were an enemy..."
I spread out the stack of papers on my desk and look at the documents that summarize my analysis of my enemies and whether I have defeated them.
If that damn old man was an enemy, it would be easier. I could just kill him and then analyze it mercilessly to see how I could have fought better.
But that damn old man was just a damn old man. He was a jerk, and I could have hated him all I wanted, but he was still my blood-related father.
"...At least, I hope he never shows up again."
I clench my fists tightly, and then I collapse onto the bed and let out a long breath.
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