His POV
My name is Hiromi Lee, I'm a nineteen year old college student majoring in Culinary Arts. All I've ever wanted, for as long as I can remember was to be a chef. I don't know why, I suppose i was just drawn to cuisine.
My father, hated that I wanted to be a chef. He would rather I studied management, so I could help my older brother in running the family business one day. To him, I was nothing more than a disappointment and a failure. My whole life, I felt constricted by his will. Because of that, I made some bad choices in the past. Choices I still regret, even today.
If there was one thing I disliked most about my father, it would have to be his favorite phrase; "My house, my rules!" He was always quick to remind me, that I was nothing more than a dependent. And as much as I hate to admit it, he was right. I had nothing to my name, all I had, he gave me.
I lost all hopes of ever finding my own path in life, until six months ago, when my brother offered me a way out.
***
"What?! You mean we have an uncle living in Japan?!" I exclaimed, shocked by his sudden revelation.
"Shush! You're being too loud Hiro, do you want him to hear us?" Shoyo replied cautiously.
"How come I've never heard about him before shoyo?" I asked.
Before then, the only family I knew of, was that of my paternal side. Not once, had I met any of my mother's relatives.
"You know father dislikes talking about anything that concerns mother's side of the family right?" Shoyo replied, as he said; "I've been talking to him since mother's disappearance, I hired a PI to track him down."
"You hired a private investigator?! When did you start doing crazy stuff like that?!" I asked in disbelief.
Shoyo, had always been the type who had his goals set straight, even at a young age. He always knew exactly what he needed, and how to get it. But this seemed a little too crazy, even for him. I dreaded what father would do, if he found out.
"Aren't you wondering where mother has been all this time? Or why she left without a word?" Shoyo asked, with a stern look in his eye.
Suddenly, the memories of five years ago flashed through my mind again. Was I regretting my choice? No. I couldn't be, right?
"Hiro…Hey Hiro, are you listening to me?"
"Oh, sorry about that Shoyo…I was lost in thought. What did you say?" I asked, with an awkward smile.
"Never mind that…I have something for you." He replied, as he moved his head back and forth; to see if anyone was eavesdropping on us. "I got you a one way plane ticket to Tokyo for tonight."
"What?! A ticket to Tokyo?!" I exclaimed.
"Yes. Lower your voice, who knows what will happen if he notices what's going on…"
"But why Tokyo?" I asked him, lowering my voice as best I could.
Being half Japanese, adjusting to life in Tokyo, probably wouldn't be too hard. My brother and I were quite fluent in the Japanese language thanks to our mother. What was bothering me the most, was the fact that neither Shoyo nor I, had ever been to Japan before. It was something father strictly forbade. It seemed he, and my mother's family had not been on good terms for years.
"Look Hiro, I'm your older brother…I know you're not interested in studying management right?" Shoyo asked, patting my shoulder, as he said; "Mother would not be happy to see you this way Hiro. So, go to Tokyo, and study culinary arts."
I couldn't believe the words my brother was saying. Just like father, he never forgot to remind me of how impractical my dream was. This sudden change in behavior was odd and unlike him. Why was he presenting me with such an opportunity? I couldn't help but feel uneasy about it all.
"I get that, but why Tokyo? Can't I study culinary arts here in Seoul?" I asked him, knowing what his answer would be.
"Do you really think father would let you study culinary arts here? In a place where he has you in the palm of his hand?"
Shoyo was right. There was no escape from the great Lee Guk-jong. A real estate mogul, who made his fortunes in the late eighties. He was a tough CEO who enjoyed taking out his competition with hostile takeovers, enabling him to build a multinational Conglomerate. Attempting to defy him, was like brining a knife to a gun fight.
"I suppose you're right about that…" I said hesitantly.
"Besides uncle Takashi is a chef himself. I hear he has a chain of restaurants spread across the Greater Tokyo Area." Shoyo replied, as he said alluringly; "I figured, you and him would get along quite nicely."
That was it, the final push I needed to take his offer. He had me, hook, line and sinker. If my uncle was a chef, imagine all the things I could learn from him. And his chain of restaurants didn't sound too bad either, I could get all the first-hand experience I needed.
"Very well Shoyo. I'll take your offer."
"Good. I assure you, this is a decision that marks the beginning of your new life. A life you will live to either regret or enjoy." He replied.
I found his choice of words odd and a bit eerie. However, the prospects of moving to Japan and living out my dreams, were far too exhilarating, to worry about that.
"It's a first class flight, so try to relax as much as possible while you're at it." Shoyo said, as he continued; "Uncle Takashi will be waiting for you once you land at Haneda."
"Thank you Shoyo!" I replied, as I accepted the ticket.
***
I quickly packed my belongings, and took a cab to Incheon. Using one of the family vehicles would have attracted father's attention. Nothing ever happened before he permitted it. But at that time, I didn't even care about what father would think anymore. All that mattered to me, was that I left, and found my own path.
As I sat in the departure lounge waiting for my flight to be called, I wondered if what I was about to do, was worth it. I was leaving behind everything I knew in Seoul; my friends, my family and more importantly, life as I knew it entirely. But maybe, that was what I needed—to finally let go of the past, and forget Hyun-ji.
***
Shoyo's POV
"Yes father, he's on his way to Tokyo as we speak."
"Are you sure he did not catch on?" Father asked.
"I assure you father, he did not suspect a thing. If he did, I doubt he would have taken the offer."
"Good. It is about time Hiromi learnt life is not as easy as he thinks it is. Especially when I am not there to back him up." Father said, in a most condescending way.
I wondered what father had in store for Hiromi. Whatever it was, it couldn't be good.