[Tenka expected that answer and he might've just been asking the question as a lead-up but.... but he can't say it right away. He can't say "I know who killed them" or "I was betrayed before I even knew it" or anything of the sort. Rather.... his expression crumples for a moment as he puts down his tea cup and there's a sad smile on his face. Not one that's forced, but a smile that's genuinely tinged with bittersweet feelings.]
.... I thought I grew out of wanting their praise. [When he was young he would ask for it at any little thing. Look Mom, I ate all my veggies before Sousei! Look Dad, I mastered the sword trick you taught me!] It's been so long.
[Just about as long as Sousei's been out of his life but the difference is that Sousei is back with him now. He's sitting across the table, living and breathing.
A hand makes its way up to Tenka's face as he covers one side of it, a grin pulling at his lips.]
It's been rough without them, you know? Raising their kids and knowing they could do a better job but - what choice did I have? They always told me that it was the eldest's job to pass down the love from the parents to the younger siblings....
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.... I thought I grew out of wanting their praise. [When he was young he would ask for it at any little thing. Look Mom, I ate all my veggies before Sousei! Look Dad, I mastered the sword trick you taught me!] It's been so long.
[Just about as long as Sousei's been out of his life but the difference is that Sousei is back with him now. He's sitting across the table, living and breathing.
A hand makes its way up to Tenka's face as he covers one side of it, a grin pulling at his lips.]
It's been rough without them, you know? Raising their kids and knowing they could do a better job but - what choice did I have? They always told me that it was the eldest's job to pass down the love from the parents to the younger siblings....
[But could one heart really love enough for two?]