Entrance exam season flew by in a blink, leaving the little quartet stunned by the realization that graduation was just around the corner.
The sudden awareness triggered a jumble of emotions among the third-year students. Anxious minds wrestled with the uncertainty of acceptance into their desired schools, while others embraced the prospect of adulthood with equal parts excitement and nervousness about what high school would bring.
But for now, they could all exhale and find solace in the present moment.
*
Ambling alone toward the subway, Haruki couldn't contain the mischievous grin that danced upon his lips. No matter how hard he tried to appear serious, his mouth betrayed him, curving upward in an irrepressible display of joy.
Where was this bubbling excitement coming from?
Was it because he'd be taking a well-deserved break from textbooks? Or perhaps the fact that he'd be graduating from junior high in just a few days?
Indeed, he mused self-assuredly, this was the next step on his path to success.
Even before the exam results were out, Haruki had a strong sense of having passed. He had envisioned himself as a high school freshman from day one, and the indescribable feeling of certainty swelled within him.
A sudden vibration in his pocket snapped him back to reality. Retrieving his phone, he checked the sender of the message.
[What's taking you so long? You said it would only take thirty minutes.]
Who else but Kentaro Nomura?
Haruki swiftly replied: [I got held up by your 'Auntie' after my medical scan. She wanted me to skip school again, but don't worry. Dr. Uehara said my rehab is finally over!]
The young doctor had summoned him for a final scan, declaring him fit and ready to be released from the rehabilitation program. However, Dr. Uehara advised regular check-ups in case of any unexpected changes, ensuring prompt medical attention if needed.
As Haruki was about to put his phone away, it buzzed again.
[Where are you?]
That kid.
Haruki was about to share his location, but his attention was diverted by an approaching white sedan. It inched perilously close to the sidewalk, causing him to instinctively shift away.
Tsk, drivers these days; he shook his head disapprovingly, before refocusing on his phone. Little did he know that the car would slow down as it neared him, eventually parking just a few feet ahead.
Unfazed, Haruki carried on, a faint unease settling within him. The unfamiliar license plate suggested the car belonged to no regular local. Why had it come to a halt? Was it waiting for someone?
Of all times, the neighborhood had to turn so deserted...
Just as he was about to pass by, the window behind the passenger's seat rolled down, and a deep yet calm voice called out to him.
"Young man, would you kindly join us?"
Oh, hell no! So straightforward and creepy!
Haruki deftly placed his phone against his ear, pretending to be on a call.
The man in the backseat chuckled softly. "If not for your sake, do it for Kentaro Nomura's?"
Haruki's blood ran cold, causing him to halt in his tracks.
Lowering his cellphone, he composed himself, meeting the stranger's gaze with a controlled expression. He complied with the request, firmly shutting the door behind him once he was seated in the car. Afterwards, the vehicle veered off the side of the road, executing a U-turn back in the direction it had come from.
Haruki sat stiffly, scrutinizing the unfamiliar faces sharing the car with him.
There were three men in total: two burly figures clad in black suits occupying the front seats, and a statuesque man in a white tux seated beside him, one slender leg elegantly crossed over the other.
They all shared one common trait—their dark shades.
Haruki paid little attention to the men in front, surmising that the man in white beside him held the key to the situation. He kept his gaze lowered, his clenched hands slightly trembling, contemplating his next move.
In broad daylight, was this a kidnapping?
"No need to be so uptight with worry," the man in white interjected, his tone casual as if engaged in a friendly chat. "You were headed to Ichihara Middle, right? I'm just giving you a ride there."
The teenager forced a stiff smile.
"Haruki Fukuda, if I recall correctly?"
"And how should I address this kind stranger?" Haru countered, eyeing him cautiously.
"Apologies for my rudeness. I should have introduced myself first," the man raised a hand to remove his shades, revealing a striking pair of gray eyes that complemented his dark brown hair.
If he donned spectacles and dyed his hair ginger, he could pass as an older version of Kentaro Nomura, uncanny resemblance and all.
"I am Satoshi Harada," the man revealed, confirming the teenager's suspicions. He then arched an eyebrow, noting Haruki's stunned expression. "Perhaps you've heard of me?"
Damn it, he'd made it too obvious. Haruki hadn't anticipated the man's sudden appearance. Then again, Kentaro had mentioned his father's 'visit' once, but that was months ago!
From Satoshi Harada's overly 'friendly' demeanor, it seemed as if he had been eager to meet the teen for some time. But Haruki remained on guard throughout. After all, this was Kentaro's infamous father. It wasn't easy to trust him, especially given everything Ginger had said about the man.
"No way!" the boy suddenly exclaimed, startling Satoshi. "You're really him? 'The' Chairman Harada?"
"So you've heard of me?"
"Anyone who plays video games has definitely heard of you! You're like... one of the big bosses in the mobile entertainment industry. Interactive Entertainment Ltd is no joke!" Haruki portrayed the image of an enthusiastic fan who had just met his idol.
Satoshi let out a chuckle. "You may be right."
Of course I'm right. I know more than you think.
"So, is this some kind of secret meeting or something?" Haruki feigned more excitement, rummaging through the car and pulling out a stack of magazines from beneath the passenger seat. "All these are about video games too. Are you releasing a new game? You must have really done your research to know I'm a huge fan..."
He continued babbling, hoping to annoy the man to no end.
"Enough. Just... listen," Satoshi finally interjected, clearly exhausted by Haruki's nonsensical prattle. He still forced a smile, though. "This isn't your typical meet-and-greet. And yes, you're right, I may have done a little research, but it has nothing to do with video games."
Haruki pretended to be confused. "Then what is this about? Is this really a kidnapping?!"
"No—" Satoshi began.
"You mentioned Kentaro earlier," Haru interrupted, eyeing him suspiciously. "How do you know him? Did you take him too?"
Of course, Haruki was just playing along, not wanting to reveal his act. He already knew that Ken was waiting for him at school.
Satoshi smiled and responded, "You see, I am Kentaro's father."
He... confessed? The teenager's jaw almost dropped.
"Why do you look so surprised? Could it be that he never told you who he really was?" Satoshi inquired.
Haruki continued feigning ignorance. "You're... huh? W-Wait..."
"Are you perhaps disappointed that you were lied to?" the man sympathetically asked, propping his head with one hand.
"There's no need to feel so dejected. That's just the way Kentaro is. He lies to everyone around him."
Haruki tensed at those words but kept his head down, speaking softly, "Why do you say that?"
"He refuses to accept his place in the family," Satoshi sighed sadly. "To the point where I keep trying to convince him to return where he truly belongs. Honestly, don't you think that's a bit childish and even selfish of him?"
"Oh?" Haruki clenched his fists at his sides.
However, the man in white carried on, oblivious to Haruki's reaction. "But now I think I understand why he refuses to leave."
The teenager simply listened, waiting for the probable nonsense that was about to come.
Satoshi mulled over the situation, his voice dripping with cynicism. "Isn't it all because of those so-called 'friends' he deludes himself into having? The very same friends he refuses to confide in. From where I stand, it's just his stubbornness, a phase that teenagers often go through, isn't it?"
Haruki sought clarification, wanting to understand the core of Satoshi's argument. "So, you're saying he's staying away from home because of his friends, is that what you mean?"
Satoshi made it seem like he wasn't placing blame solely on Haruki. "Don't misunderstand me. I'm not saying it's entirely your fault, though you might bear some responsibility. But after such a shocking revelation, do you truly believe that boy deserves friends like you? I can see your honesty, and it's better for you to associate with an honest crowd."
Haruki inwardly sighed, regretting his past defense of this man. His mind raced, contemplating his response. I really hoped Ken was wrong about him, but listening to him now, I want to kick my past-self hard in the nuts for defending this trash.
Finally, he raised his gaze, meeting Satoshi's eyes, and nodded in apparent understanding. "Alright, I hear you. Then what do you propose?"
Satoshi wore a self-satisfied smile, already envisioning his imminent victory. "How about this? I'll give you five hundred thousand to completely sever ties with Kentaro Nomura."
Typical. Haruki knew the man was crazy, but... Wait, f-five hundred thousand???
Clearing his throat, the teen barely managing to utter, "Five... Five hundred thousand... what?"
"United States dollars, of course," Satoshi snapped his fingers, and the man in the passenger seat abruptly handed over an open briefcase, revealing stacks of cash, neatly organized and amounting to tens of thousands.
Haruki was rendered speechless. He had never come face to face with so much hard cash in his life!
Satoshi's smile widened. Money had a way of easily swaying people. Another reason why he despised the lower class.
Haruki took a single stack and began flipping through the bills, as if to confirm their authenticity.
"I assure you, every single note is genuine."
"And I can have all this if I cut ties with Nomura?"
"You can have it right now," Satoshi assured him.
Haruki nodded, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. "But you know what? How about you keep it..." He placed the stack back in its rightful place, snapping the briefcase shut with a resounding 'PA!' "And shove it up your privileged ass."
Satoshi's smile wavered, caught off guard by Haruki's unexpected response.
Even the two men in the front seats couldn't help but steal a glance at the teenager, their ears perking up at his audacity.
The man in the white suit seemed perplexed, unable to fully comprehend Haruki's words. "Pardon?"
Haruki enunciated each word, his tone firm. "I said, shove it."
Satoshi: "???"
"Thanks, but no thanks. I don't need your money. There's no way I'm abandoning my best friend just because you said so. Since you have so much money to waste, why not donate it instead of bribing teenagers? Aren't you ashamed at all?" Haruki shot him a disgusted look.
The man in white gazed at him, his bewilderment palpable. Never did he anticipate such a resounding rejection.
Him? Chairman Harada? Feeling ashamed???
Yet, in no time at all, he collected himself, his composure restored.
With an incredulous scoff, the man cautiously inquired of the young teen, "Do you even know who you're addressing, little boy?"
"The despicable man who shattered an innocent child's life, that's who."
Upon hearing those words, Satoshi fell into contemplation.
Under the weight of that unrelenting stare, Haruki almost began to think that the man would remain silent. Until, suddenly, he erupted into laughter—a genuine reaction, yet it only served to deepen Haruki's unease.
"I must commend you," Satoshi stated, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye. "Your performance is truly praiseworthy."
"I'd prefer if you didn't wear such a superficial grin, sir," Haruki responded with seriousness.
"I apologize. I have grown accustomed to donning a facade for the public eye. But this time," he propped his head up with his hand, a trace of amusement in his voice, "This time, I am genuinely impressed. I never anticipated being outplayed by someone so much younger than myself."
"I am flattered," Haruki replied, unable to reciprocate the smile. "And I apologize for failing to spot any differences."
"So, Kentaro actually shared the family secrets with you? How intriguing."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing at all," Chairman Harada mused, gazing contemplatively out of the window. "Well, this changes everything. What to do now?"
~~~~~~