Prompt 16:
The Grinch
“I’m not doing this anymore.”
Katsumi had expected the words before Jun spoke them. He brought the cup of tea to his lips, taking a long sip before placing it back on the saucer gently. Folding his hands back on his lap, he was silently grateful he hadn’t taken his coat off; this wouldn’t take long. “I understand.”
Jun’s brow narrowed in annoyance. “That’s it? You understand?”
“I do.” Katsumi sighed regretfully. “If you’ve decided that this is not for you, then I am in no place to convince you otherwise.”
There was a pause as Jun looked away, his shoulders hunched as he leaned onto the table. He turned over the Jadeite stone that Mamoru had given him in his hands, not completely willing to give it over to Katsumi as he had planned. It was as if he was uncomfortable with how simple the conversation turned out to be. As Katsumi thought, the blonde man did not keep quiet for long.
“No,” Jun started. “I think you don’t think it’s worth it, either. There’s no way of convincing me in something you don’t believe in, is there?”
“Watch yourself, Jun. I am here because I do believe, not to recruit you to a live you don’t want. Besides, I thought you always liked a challenge.”
Jun flustered at Katsumi’s constant calm. He leaned back and looked out the window at the falling snow. It was peaceful, a complete contrast from the turmoil of his indecision. Even the people who walked past the small tea shop seemed happy and content. The sight made him feel even more out of place than he already did. With a furious sigh, he ran a hand through his hair.
“Look, I don’t mean to be such a Grinch. There’s just so much history that has hurt everyone. I don’t even remember it, but I can see how awful we were by the way they all look at us. I just can’t feel okay with going back when I clearly don’t deserve it. I tried to face my mistakes, but I just don’t know how to make amends.”
Katsumi took another sip of tea as a moment to form his response. “Perhaps there will never be a way to make amends for what we’ve done, Jun. You only have two choices, as I see it. Move past it by claiming your place in the present and show them that they all must do the same, or accept your failures and walk away.”
Jun’s eyes remained locked on the green stone in his grip. He didn’t look up as Katsumi threw money on the table and rose. Even when Katsumi offered his farewell, Jun just stared at the stone.
“I will not beg you to stay with us, but know that you are always welcome among us. They will come around, Jun. She will come around. Remember, even the Grinch got to share Christmas with those he wronged.”
