"Son, is there no woman who has caught your eye?"
"Excuse me?"
He placed his spoon down, staring at his father in confusion.
"You're eighteen already. Unlike your sister, you don't attend school, nor have I heard of you meeting anyone. Surely... you're not inclined toward men, are you? Such a sin would surely bring down divine punishment!"
"Father! What kind of misunderstanding is this? My preferences are perfectly clear!"
"At your age, I was already married."
Indeed, his father had wed his mother when he was eighteen, and she just fifteen, but he had no desire to replicate that path.
"Why are you suddenly bringing this up?"
"While you were in America for that month, the thought struck me. You're reckless, taking on dangerous ventures without hesitation.
Perhaps a family would make you more grounded."
"Hah..."
Though he knew voyages in this era were seen as perilous, he hadn't expected his father's concerns to manifest in this way.
