Ryuken repeats the words, displaying his understanding then returns to the self imposed task of table laying. Items are removed from their resting places in the cabinet and arranged in a way that feels distantly familair to him; a remenant from a time when entertaining at home had seemed like a good idea and way to further his career.Â
He straightens up with a grunt, eyeing his handiwork and noticing Uryuu still standing there, resigned to this fate and going nowhere. Ryuken wacthes back, folding his arms and not saying a word. Heâs rolled up his shirt sleeves, lost the tie and jacket; a concious attempt to look less intimidating considering how their first unoffical, meeting went. Itâs a concious effort to keep the evening atmosphere free and put their guest at ease. None of it, however, is for Uryuuâs benefit.Â
His attetion stays on Uryuu, the silence between them beginning to fester the longer the remian silent. Not, Ryuken thinks, thatâs thereâs ever been any such thing as a comofrtable silence between him and this boy. He opens his mouth, searching for something to fill the void and coming up blank. A part of him thinks he should be telling his son not to be nervous or offering an anecdote or two to assure him these first meetings are no big deal. He has no such words however. Heâs not even sure itâd be the truth if he knew what to say. He has no comparrative experience after all; how could he when the woman heâd married had served his parents for years?Â
He swallows har then looks towards the kitchen, suffocating in the silence and his inability to fill it, when he hears a knock on the door. Just like that heâs back to himself; sharp, efficient, confident. A man who knows what needs to be done. He turns his head towards the sound then looks to Uryuu.Â
âWell,â he says, his voice holding an edge of impatience âare you going to greet your guest?â
Uryuu is sensitive to the tone in Ryukenâs voice, asking if heâll greet his guest.
âGladly,â he says with a dry voice. Â
Truly, heâs overjoyed that Orihime has arrived. As awkward as some parts might be, he knows that he feels so much better with her by his side. Â And maybe, just this once, heâll be comfortable in his fatherâs presence, for the first time in years, with the woman that he loves seated at his side.
He walks to the door while keeping his cool. He doesnât want to appear as overly eager to see Orihime as he feels, but truly heâs so relieved that sheâs here. Opening the door, trying to appear rather nonchalant, he sees her there, holding a box, which he can only assume is some kind of sweet given his girlfriendâs tastes. Â Her hair is a bit damp, and he doesnât want her to feel cold so he quickly stands out of the way to let her in.
âCome in, please,â he says with a smile. Â âWould you like a towel? Â I didnât know that it would be so wet today. Â I can lend you an umbrella for getting back home if you like.â He looks at Ryuken. Â âOr perhaps we can give you a ride home if its dark when you wish to go.â
He accepts the box from her and shuts the door behind them. Â Right now, he wants nothing more than to hug her with how much better he feels with the sunshine of her presence, but he holds back. Â After all, Ryuken is nearby, and heâs not exactly sure just how he feels about how much affection to show, given what his father walked in on earlier. But he balances the box in one hand, and takes Orihimeâs hand in the other, drawing strength from it, and then approaches his father, stopping a few feet away.
He looks at Ryuken, eyes level. Â âIâd like you to meet my girlfriend, Orihime Inoue,â he says. Â His eyes are softer as he looks back to Orihime. Â âAnd this is my father, Ryuken Ishida.â
A little bit of stiffness creeps back into his posture. Â âWeâre honored to have you this evening,â he says. Â Eying the box he tries to guess the contents. Â âYou didnât have to bring us anything, but I know that you donât like to go anywhere emptyhanded. Â What did you bring?â he asks.