I hated being in this place. Every time I enter this shithole, I feel like I have returned to the clan. The Watanabe clan loved to control and authorize. They loved having power. But that was also the reason why I hated being part of this clan.
As I entered the room, I could see my so-called "father" walking around impatiently around his office desk, waiting for me to join in his room.
He spoke. "Hachiro, it's been way too long since I've last seen you."
It has been a while ever since I rejected everything from the Watanabe clan and turned into the Tanaka clan for protection, where I served my one and only lady. I had the highest respect for those in the Tanaka clan, but not a single consideration could ever escape me towards the Watanabe clan.
This clan was truly filthy.
"My son, I heard that you've been under the protection of the Tanaka clan. Am I correct…?"
I quietly nodded in response.
I looked around the room, and everything was the same as I remembered back when I a child. His office was just a bare office with sofa chairs around a glass table in the middle; he had all the portraits of the past Watanabe leaders framed and hanged on the wall. Its austere architecture reminded me of memories I never wanted to remind myself ever again.
Amid my thoughts, the man began once again. "Hachiro, I know that you were upset about Akira ten years ago, but you got to let it go and come back to us. The Watanabe clan."
As soon as he muttered her name with his filthy mouth, rage sparked within me. My blood began to boil, and the sight of that half-righteous bastard reddened my cheeks with anger.
"—on't speak of her name with your mouth."
"Hachiro, repeat what you just said."
"I said," my rage was sufficient enough to kill this man right here and now, but for the sake of the Tanaka clan, I refrained myself from raining hellfire and continued, "Don't speak of her name with your filthy mouth, father."
His expression showed no changes. The bastard's face never seemed to shift even one bit. He was an emotionless bastard.
"You've grown, Hachiro, for you to talk like that to me," he began walking towards me and finished, "But it seems like the Tanaka clan hasn't taught you discipline."
"Tch…"
"Hachiro, I'm warning you because you are my son. Return to the Watanabe clan immediately. The Tanaka clan is just trying to manipulate you into telling them the Watanabe clan's secrets."
"You don't know anything about them."
The man turned around, his back facing towards me, and walked back to his desk.
"Minato Tanaka came to me a few days ago."
Minato-Sama visited him? But for what possible reason…? Did he perhaps learn of the secret of the Watanabe clan?
"Minato Tanaka informed me of that you act as a butler or servant under the prodigy of the Tanaka clan," he continued, "the girl who was involved in the incident nine years ago, isn't that right?"
He knew about my association with the lady.
"I indeed serve as the lady's bodyguard, so what of it?!"
The way that the man played with his words irritated me. The way he tried manipulating me enraged me. Although I hated this man with all my passion, there was something about this man that struck fear into me. Although it's been more than ten years, I still feared him.
"Hachiro," he called my name so coldly that it sent chills down my spine.
"Since you love your lady so much, let me make you a deal."
"A… deal…?"
"I know you have been a good son and kept the secret so far, but just to make sure that the influence of the Tanaka clan hasn't tainted you," he paused to stare at me directly in the eyes with those cold, filthy eyes, "If you were ever to expose the secret of the Watanabe clan to anyone, just know that it's your responsibility to protect your lady from any oncoming danger, and I guarantee you that the Tanaka clan won't be able to lift even a finger to help you."
I couldn't move a muscle. His dominance was so overwhelming that I couldn't make any retorts. He planned to get the lady involved in the Watanabe's business?! He was a heartless scum. "I see that you're same as always ever since mother has passed away, father."
I looked at him directly. "But if you ever think about laying a hand on the lady, I won't hesitate to end your life."
"With what power, my son?"
Ever since I've left the Watanabe household, I swear that I would end this clan with my own hands one day. This clan has already taken all my beloved ones, so I had no means of losing anymore.
"I—" As I was about to reply, I felt a ringing in my pocket. I reached out and grabbed my phone to that a message was delivered, so I glimpsed over the text.
"It seems that the lady is calling for me; therefore, I will be taking my leave, father." I walked out of the door, and as the door was about to close, the man spoke.
"Hachiro, we WILL meet again."
The door shut close as I fixed my uniform. Although the conversation with that man has shook me, I couldn't be bothered because I had a job to do—to serve Akane.