Sanada Junko

[Yaoquizque]

Kiyomori entered in the lounge and headed to his usual table.
One of his acquaintance was sat there, busy savoring a renowned tea.

By a quick glance, Yoshida Ryutaro understood his friend wasn't in particularly good mood on this fine morning...
He bowed his head in casual deference, waiting for Kiyomori to sit down before engaging in conversation.

Yet, Kiyomori didn't give him time to formally start, point-blankly stating :
"Well, i need sake. Will you drink with me?"

Kiyomori wasn't known to drink a lot. Especially on the morning.
Raising an eyebrow, Ryutaro finally replied with some uncertainty "Hai. If you want."

Reluctantly, he hailed a waitperson to order some sake, bemusedly wondering what was getting on his friend's nerves.

They raised their bowl, Kiyomori emptying his in one breath, while Ryutaro was merely dipping his lips on his.
Kiyomori reached out his bowl to get served again and swiftly emptied it once again.

Perplexed, Ryutaro finally asked
"Is there something bothering you..?"
"..Just some conjugal bothers."

Ryutaro mumbled a "Ah" with embarrassment, unsure of what to say at this point.
It just looked like the sake already did its part when Kiyomori made a vague sign with his hand, ignoring his friend's confusion.

"My wife is dressing like a man. And she just told me that if i wanted her to give birth, i'd have to raise the child myself."
Ryutaro laughed at this, taking a sip of sake to make his embarrassment go away.
"That's unfortunate. Do you plan to do it, however?"

A glare from Kiyomori followed his question.
"It is women's duty to take care of family home, children and of our well being."
"Hm." mumbled Ryutaro, not committing himself much with such a reply.
"You, you're lucky. You have a well educated wife, aware of her place."
"Hm." replied again Ryutaro scratching the top of his head.
"But i... Sometimes i have the feeling i married a an insane spoiled child. And pretending to be smarter than i!"

Ryutaro wasn't appreciating much when his friends were agitated. Such an agitation was contagious and he started to feel annoyed himself already.
"Well. Then i believe you have to do her education..." he finally stated, emptying his bowl and coming back to his tea in a bored fashion.

Gazing at Kiyomori, who seemed to be perplexed by his affirmation, he then said
"Teach her who is the master in your house and show her what it would cost her to brave you? It is for her own good, after all. You do know not everyone is as lenient as you are. If she keeps acting like this, something terrible might happen to her sooner or later."

"Hm." mumbled Kiyomori in uncertainty while rubbing his forehead.
Ryutaro was saddened to see his friend that disorientated. After a quick sip of tea, he attempted again to make him see reason.
"Consider women as animals, Kitagaki-san. If you let them too much freedom, you can be sure they will do the worst they can. Only by subduing them will you succeed to train them, turning their useless and untidy behaviour into something useful for you and for the society."

"However it sounds so..."
Ryutaro chuckled, pouring himself more tea.
"Rude? Trust me, you will do her more harm by not disciplining her. She has to hold to her social position and i doubt you can afford to show weakness just because of a woman."
"Maybe you are right. It cannot continue like this anyway." meditated Kiyomori, appearing to agree with his friend point of view concerning this.

Ryutaro finally concluded by asserting :
"If your wife only respects force, then you have to show her you don't lack of any."
He gave his friend a concerned look, hoping he would do what was right to save his family home.

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