Inside a room in the Noguchi residence, a person was throwing a tantrum.
"" Damn it, that bastard escaped again! To embarrass a Noguchi in such a manner is unforgivable! I will not let you get away with this Satoshi!""
The room was relatively clean due to the hard-working maids cleaning the room. Even so, Noguchi knows that breaking something inside the house is taboo since his brother made rules for both of them inside the house.
Being someone who relies on the power of the Noguchi family. Noguchi Aku follows anything his brother says ever since the day his brother took upon himself to lead the Noguchi family following after the death of both their parents on a business trip.
With what happened between him and Satoshi he plans to tell his brother about it so he can exact revenge on the person named Satoshi Leon.
Just then a knock on the door was heard and an old voice spoke on the other side.
"" Young master Aku, you have a meeting to attend with your brother in a while please get yourself ready.""
"" Yes, I know that I am already done with my preparations. Did my brother call me?""
Replying to the voice, Noguchi Aku made a respectful reply which wasn't like him but the other person was someone who worked for the Noguchi family for many years so he puts respect to him.
"" Master Riku says that he will wait for you in the car so please go there when you are done, young master.""
"" Alright, I'll be going now...""
Arriving at the front of the house, an expensive-looking car is parked. Inside the car was a person or rather the current head of the Noguchi family.
"" You've finally shown yourself Aku if you want to waste time don't. The person we are about to meet is someone important I don't want to leave you to leave him a bad impression, so you better behave yourself.""
"" I know brother I tried to come a little early, but I thought about something unpleasant.""
"" We will discuss that later Aku. Driver, please take us to the Sakura Abode.""
The Sakura Abode is one of the places owned by the Hitogi clan which was famous for its connections with the police force in Japan. The Hitogi clan has funded the police with many things, and to which became the reason why the country is relatively safe from many threats such as kidnappings and bomb threats.
Meeting someone connected to the Hitogi family was important as they can become a very powerful intermediary for business transactions. The Hitogi family is also well versed in business and politics as they have produced many great leaders and businesses.
Both the Noguchi brothers were about to meet someone like that. Although Noguchi Tomoki has already met the said person many times in the past. Noguchi Aku will be meeting the person for the first time, so he had to leave a good impression.
They went inside the building which was decorated with Sakura trees on the sides which became the reason for it to be called the Sakura Abode. There were Sakura trees everywhere in the residence which makes it beautiful when spring comes.
The brothers were led inside to the reception area where they met someone familiar.
"" Thank you for coming here Shinubo-san I am really sorry for being late in my greetings I hope the person I sent to you managed to deliver my letter.""
Tomoki recognizing the person, speaks up to greet her.
"" It would have been better if you made contact earlier, but it is fine I got to meet someone interesting after all.""
"" Is that so? Well, I was busy, so I asked my benefactor to help out with that since he was free, I hope he did not cause trouble.""
"" Oh, he didn't cause any trouble in any case trouble came to find him.""
Shinubo says that as she takes a glance at Noguchi Aku.
"" I heard from him that there was a little intervention we will also talk about it with him later.""
Hearing the conversation between his brother and Shinubo, Noguchi Aku was curious about the mystery benefactor.
"" Brother, who is this benefactor we are about to meet? I am curious about the said person.""
"" Oh, I think you will be surprised when you see him Aku. You already have met him before when you were in the karaoke place you know?""
Noguchi Aku flinched hearing the words karaoke place and met him. There were many possible people but there was one who he doesn't want him to be at all costs.
"" Brother about the karaoke place what did you hear about it?""
"" About the karaoke incident? Well, you will know later also, you've been spending quite a lot of money Aku we will also talk about it inside you better listen to our benefactor as well since you've caused quite a lot of trouble for him.""
The way Noguchi Tomoki says it made Aku freeze on the spot...
"" There's no way...""
The door opens revealing a familiar face that Noguchi Aku knew since he met the person yesterday.
"" Looks like everyone is here, let's start the meeting then.""
"" Why are you here Satoshi!""
Sitting on the chair, Satoshi Leon had a calm face but today something was different from his usual demeanor. The eyes of the person named Satoshi Leon were emotionless to the point where it can be called an abyss. He wore a formal attire than what he was used to, his hair was still covering a good part of his face, but it was cleaner than usual.
The younger Noguchi screamed at Leon demanding an explanation but was stopped by the older Noguchi.
"" Aku! Don't be rude to our benefactor because of the deal we made with him we managed to keep most of our family's influence!""
"" Brother, why does it have to be him of all people! There should be someone better for us to rely on than this person!""
"" Could you just shut your mouth Aku whatever grudge you have with Leon-san here doesn't mean you can just reject his help!""
"" But...""
"" All the money the Noguchi family has right now was thanks to the Hitogi family and the person who gave us that chance to preserve our influence is Leon-san here. Drop your superior attitude towards him and listen to what he has to say.""
Aku has kept his words to himself hearing his brother's statement towards the person named Satoshi Leon.
"" First things first, since this is the first-time meeting others here in this persona I should probably introduce myself.""
Putting the conversation back to course, Satoshi Leon spoke in a fluent and calm manner standing up from his seat.
"" I am Satoshi Leon and I'm currently your helper and connection in the Hitogi as I am one of the adopted children of the current head of the Hitogi family. You may think that I am too young to handle your situation, but rest assured I am capable of many things even while I am still at this age.""
Satoshi Leon gave a fluent and perfect introduction; his posture was straight and dignified which would make people question if the person named Satoshi Leon is really called the Delinquent. The way he puts himself in front of Noguchi Aku gave him a shock as Satoshi gave a powerful and authoritative aura.
"" Aku-san, before we move on with your problem with me will you listen to the meeting first? It is important that you should hear this as it will affect the future of the Noguchi family.""
Aku kept quiet since he knew that the person in front of him is important to the Noguchi family from what he heard from his brother. All he could do was to be obedient and listen in to what they are going to talk about.
The meeting started with Satoshi bringing up the renovation of the Nitro Karaoke as a main business venture of the Noguchi family. Shinubo handed documents where she stated it to be the land of her late friend, but Aku knew that Shinubo was a lover of his father's brother.
"" He utilized that weakness to take control of the Nitro Karaoke for his own selfishness, but he didn't really push the place to the point where it is unable to be fully operational.''
The person named Satoshi Leon seemed to know that as well to which he stated that with the current funding of the Hitogi family to the Noguchi family they will be able to create small yet effective businesses that can stabilize the state of the Noguchi family's monetary situation.
Tomoki presented ideas on what to do but was completely rejected by Leon explaining that if this goes on it would take too much time and it will make his brother's main plan fail.
Hearing about his brother's main plan, Aku was, of course, curious on what it is since he never knew about it ever since his brother became the head of the Noguchi family.
Satoshi suggested an all-in gamble with pointing at specific areas which were owned by Shinubo with the supporting documents. He stated that it is fine and shows reasons inside a document that shows the current state of the lands he pointed out.
Tomoki was surprised to see a detailed representation of the quality of land which was perfect for farming and raising poultry animals.
"" So that is why you asked me about all the documents pertaining to the land owned by the previous head of the Noguchi family including the relatives.""
Tomoki realized what Satoshi Leon asked for in their last meetings was to get information about the state of the land owned by the previous generation of the Noguchi family.
"" Hoh? So, you're meaning to say that most of the land my lover had was perfect for farming? Wow, I never thought that he would listen to my dreams of slow and peaceful life.""
"" That is right Shinubo-san you are not suited for running the Karaoke place since you took an agricultural course in college after all.""
"" Leon-san if then that means the high-risk statement you said will be nullified if we choose these specific types of land here right?""
"" That's correct Tomoki-san, with the state of the country today, cheap and quality goods right now is a must. With this land, I stated you will be able to stabilize the Noguchi family faster which would enable you to give the title of head of the family to Aku-san here.""
Hearing the words of Leon, Aku was surprised to hear that his brother will be giving the title head to him in the future.
"" Shinubo-san will you work together with Tomoki in order for you to secure that place your late lover created by having the Noguchi family take care of it which will ease your burden.""
"" I will work with him if it means to keep that place standing.""
Shinubo agreed to the conditions which end the present agenda.
"" Now then let's move on to Aku-san here, you can take your leave Shinobu-san thank you for your time today.""
Leon turned to Aku as Shinubo takes a bow and leaves the room with a smile on her face.
"" How should I start this Aku-san? Before we talk about what to do with you let me give you, my thoughts.""
Aku could only stare at Leon in silence. The demeanor of the person in front of him was clearly different from the person he met in school.
"" You have the talent in manipulating situations, but you have quite a personality Aku-san. If you could only control your emotions especially that pride of yours, you would be able to lead the Noguchi family at this age.""
"" What do you mean by that Satoshi?""
Not understanding what Leon says he questioned him.
"" Aku, can you be more respectful to him?""
"" It is fine Tomoki-san, I can understand your brother to a certain extent with how I saw him in school.""
"" Tch...."
Aku clicked his tongue which earned a glare from his brother saying You better behave yourself.
"" Aku-san as you heard, your brother wants to give you the title of head of the family in the future. Apparently, he has his own plans in life, and hearing your story from him you wanted to lead the Noguchi family in the future.""
"" Brother, how can you share this kind of information with this guy? Also, it is true that I want to lead the family, but you are currently the head and is restoring power.""
"" Aku, I know that, but I never had any intentions of becoming the head, I am doing this for you to keep the family bloodline alive. If I give you the title of head of the family the branch families will use that opportunity to gain power with me who already has a name in the family, is doing this to protect your place when you take up the role as head.""
"" Aku-san you probably don't know this but your brother has been trying to secure your future and yet you made a problem by attacking me a member of the Hitogi family. If this comes out, you won't even have a chance to take the position as head since you will be looked upon as a fool who made the Hitogi family into an enemy of the Noguchi.""
"" That's just.....""
"" Don't worry about that for now since I haven't reported it yet but based on what you did to me it was enough for the current head to mark you as an enemy.""
Hearing that Aku was frozen in place and couldn't talk back. With the person, he hated in front and also the person who is helping the Noguchi family saying this to him he had mixed feelings about it.
"" Aku-san I am going to give you a chance to learn the insides of the Hitogi family but there are certain conditions you will need to accept.""
Aku could only listen to the words of his enemy yet ally of the Noguchi family. He looked at his brother, but he only urged him to listen to the person named Satoshi Leon.
"" I know it is hard losing someone important to you, I also have felt the pain of losing someone. If Your parents, see that the children they left behind suffered like this they would be able to rest right? Do you want them to feel that, or do you want to show them that you are fine? If they are alive seeing you like this, don't you think they will be disappointed?""
"" Shut up...""
Aku could only mutter in a small voice.
"" Tell me Aku-san what would their faces look like when you, the son they had painstakingly taught ended up as a failure?""
"" I said SHUT THE HELL UP!!!!""
Aku pushed Leon to the ground grabbing the collar of his clothes raising his fist but couldn't bring himself to hit him.
"" What do you know about me! Don't think that you had a much worse experience than me! You were adopted by the Hitogi family and are living a much better life now what else could you know about me!""
With tears in his eyes, Noguchi Aku broke down crying. His brother only sat there staring at the scene.
"" You're lucky to have parents like that Aku-san. Before I was adopted you never know what my biological father made me experience.""
Aku who was still in tears let Leon go.
"" If you don't want to make your parents disappointed in you then go to this place right now. I will provide you with the transportation and please get along with the person picking you up she is also had the same experience as me.""
Leon handed Aku a piece of paper filled with instructions as he stood up.
"" You will be training yourself to become a better person until tomorrow. if you want to continue your training then apologize to me on Monday and we will prepare to transfer you to a school near that place. You can take your leave now Aku-san also, be aware that you are going to meet special people of the Hitogi family be respectful to them.""
Aku stands up looking dejected, his brother smiled at him saying.
"" Aku please do your absolute best to learn there, I will be hearing your thoughts when you get back. Please take good care of yourself brother.""
"" Aku could only stay silent hearing his brother's words. He turns to Leon with his eyes full of determination.""
"" Satoshi, I don't know what you have planned for me but, I'll make sure I will not let myself fail again. Monday is the deadline, right? Then you better be in your classroom because I will come there even if I won't apologize to you.""
"" That's fine Aku-san, think about this carefully now. The future of the Noguchi family is in your hands I will not selfishly extend any more help than this.""
"" With that, Aku leaves the building and is directed into the car owned by the Hitogi family...""
Inside the room, the only people left were Satoshi Leon and Noguchi Tomoki. Leon sat down on his chair looking at the files in a calculative manner.
"" Leon-san how long have you been planning this?""
Tomoki asked Leon who had emotionless eyes. Looking at the person who asked Leon responded.
"" I planned to contact your brother a little bit later but there were some coincidences that led me to meet him earlier than I planned.""
"" Is that so? You truly are a monster for being able to break him like that.""
"" It was a necessary step to take, to be able to see his mistakes I cornered him to the point of no hope then I'll give him a chance.""
"" Haaah, I couldn't even think about how you dealt with him yesterday and the research you did, how much time do you have in your life?""
If I say enough to get 8 hours of sleep, will you believe me?
"" Seriously? Are you some kind of genius?""
"" I'm just a normal person who suffered and learned, it is called adapting.""
"" I only heard a vague report about the incident but what happened between the two of you that led to that incident?""
"" I don't know how or when I managed to intercept one of his plans, but I could guess it was the time when I met a girl named Himari Hayami in the park.""
"" So, you two fought over a girl? Now that I think about it Sebastian had reported to me about Aku having his eyes on someone one time. I thought of it as a trivial matter since he is going through puberty after all.""
"" Aku did push her too far but, what happens to Himari wouldn't matter to me even if I am friends with her.""
"" Wow, that's cold of you Leon, shouldn't you care about your friends? I heard you didn't make a single friend because of your title as the Delinquent but, that girl became your friend.""
"" I was useful to her that's all, she would become my friend if she knew my background although it is close to impossible for it to be exposed. She used me as a shield for the confessions she had to deal with.""
"" Then Aku was just unlucky since he forced you to make your move. I know that you are the type that creates situations to your advantage, but did you plan the incident yesterday?""
"" Yes, I did, although it was a secondary objective making Aku-san an enemy then surprising him today as part of my plan yesterday. I wanted to contact him later, but I killed two birds with one stone leading to our meeting today.""
"" I was right, you are a very cruel person Leon-san but you are also kind to those people to who you opened your heart to.""
"" Why would you say that I am kind?""
Leon looked into the eyes of Tomoki, the emotionless eyes made the atmosphere in the room cold and heavy.
"" You and I are in a special relationship right now; you took very good care of me when the Noguchi family was in decline last year. I've also met the other 3 children with connections to the Hitogi family. You clearly care about them a lot since that was also the first time, I saw you work hard for them.""
"" Those three were the same as me but, unlike me, they didn't have someone to save them I am only helping them out of responsibility.""
"" You say that but, you are always happy spending time with them. I think they are also the same since you all looked like a family going through struggles.""
Leon couldn't utter a word, his mind wandered around looking for a response, but Tomoki only sighed.
"" Man seeing you break my brother; I have mixed feelings about it but that was a brutal way to make him realize.""
"" People are held down by their fears, you gave me quite a bit of information about him so breaking him was easier. To think that your brother changed after the death of your parents.""
"" Hearing you say that makes me feel like you are accustomed to death. What happened to you in the past?""
"" My answer is always the same Tomoki-san...""
Leon looked outside with his back facing Tomoki. The eyes he had reflected a figure of a man sincerely smiling at him with a gun pointed at his head. The mouth of the man moved as if to say something to the person he was facing.
"" Please keep on living Leon-san, I am sorry for breaking our promise...""
That's right it hasn't changed since then...
In the past...
I went through hell...
I won't let anyone go through that hell again...