"Welcome back home."
The words echoed through the room, falling on Kentaro's ears like a hollow greeting. His impassive expression remained unyielding as he stared silently at the man seated at the expansive desk. Inside his mind, a torrent of curses raged, a release for the frustrations he couldn't vocalize.
Undeterred by the silent treatment, Satoshi Harada pressed on, his voice carrying a hint of concern. "Did you enjoy your stay in Ichihara? Surely you must have."
The ginger-haired teenager maintained his silence, refusing to give his father the satisfaction of a response.
Satoshi set aside the documents he had been perusing, his gaze fixed solely on his son. His voice dripped with feigned worry as he inquired, "What seems to be the matter? Did you not enjoy your flight? Are you perhaps tired?"
Kentaro couldn't help but feel a surge of disbelief at the pretense. Giving the man a smile which lacked any genuine warmth, he finally spoke. "You didn't summon me just to ask about my well-being, did you? That would be very unlike you, father."
A chuckle escaped Satoshi's lips, attempting to brush off the remark. "That's a very hurtful thing to say, you know? Nonetheless, I'll let it slide since I'm so happy to see you."
Kentaro's almost-snort revealed his true feelings about his father's words.
"Now then," Satoshi maintained his smile, but his tone grew serious. "Did you bring your cellphone with you?"
Kentaro's suspicions were confirmed, and he frowned. "Why, did you need something from it?"
"It seems you already knew I was going to ask for it. What do you hope to gain from stowing away those meager chats anyway?" Satoshi's inquiry carried a tinge of suspicion. "Did you plan on using them as evidence against me? Say that I coerced you into returning home by threatening the people you 'care' about?"
Silence hung heavy in the air, as Kentaro contemplated his response.
"You should know by now that there's nothing that family can do for you. They're but mere bugs I can squash if they try to meddle," came Satoshi's assertion.
In that moment, a smug smile tugged at Kentaro's lips. "Since you're so confident, there's no need to worry about anything then. Could it be you're actually afraid they'll be able to do something with that 'meager evidence' after all?"
The smile on Chairman Harada's face vanished, his gaze intense as he locked eyes with his son. Kentaro refused to back down, his own gaze unwavering. The uneasy tension between them remained, a reminder of their irreconcilable differences.
"I see," Satoshi leaned back in his seat, exhaling a heavy sigh that broke the uncomfortable silence. "Now that your true colors have been exposed, you don't feel the need to pretend around me anymore. Your displeasure towards me is quite evident now."
"I'm relieved you could tell," Kentaro responded, his voice laced with sarcasm.
Tapping his desk lightly, Satoshi continued, his smile replaced by a calculating expression. "That place sure has been teaching you all kinds of things. Was it that interesting friend of yours who taught you how to stand up for yourself?"
At the mention of Haruki, Kentaro's body tensed involuntarily.
Satoshi noticed the reaction and his satisfaction returned. "I wasn't sure in the beginning, but your reaction just now confirms my suspicions."
"What suspicions?"
"Only that whenever that Fukuda boy is concerned, you become very agitated," Satoshi raised an intrigued eyebrow. "It's a very interesting reaction coming from you."
Kentaro's hands clenched slightly by his sides, his calm façade threatened.
"Would you like to know what he told me that day?" Satoshi's sudden question piqued Kentaro's interest. Folding his hands together, the man leaned forward and continued. "He said he'd find a way to save both you and your mother, as if you needed any saving."
Surprise washed over Kentaro at the revelation. Haruki had actually made that promise to his father, even daring to speak such words directly to Chairman Harada's face. It was a blatant declaration of war.
"Admittedly, I was impressed by his determination. Not everyone can easily sprout something so ludicrous," Satoshi shrugged indifferently. "Nonetheless, to say something so irresponsible with such confidence—"
"It's not," Kentaro interrupted, earning a piercing gaze from his father. "If that's what he told you, then he really plans on doing it."
"Is that so?" The man behind the desk smiled with a mix of delight and anticipation. "I guess we'll just see how well that goes, won't we?"
*
Walking out of the chairman's study, Kentaro stormed down the halls, his fists clenched with an overwhelming surge of frustration. The weight of his father's impending retaliation weighed heavily on his mind, causing a flicker of anxiety to creep in, even though he had previously exuded confidence. He couldn't bear to dwell on the reckless actions his impulsive friend might take. If he were honest with himself, Kentaro hoped that Haruki would exercise restraint and avoid putting himself in harm's way.
It didn't matter if Haruki couldn't fulfill his promise. In truth, Kentaro wished it was merely an impassioned declaration, a fleeting moment of happiness. He found solace in the knowledge that the person he admired reciprocated his feelings.
As he reached the end of the corridor, his bitter mood intensified upon spotting Izuki Harada, standing with arms folded across his chest. The sight of his troublesome brother threatened to push Kentaro back towards his father's study. The animosity between them was mutual and palpable.
"Stop right there," Izuki barked.
As if Kentaro would heed his brother's command. He brushed past Izuki without uttering a word of greeting.
"Heard you're back for good this time," Izuki remarked. "Is it true?"
"If you already know, why bother asking?" Kentaro retorted. Sensing Izuki's footsteps trailing behind him, he added with a touch of sarcasm, "You rushed here as soon as I arrived. Were you that eager to see me?"
"You..." Izuki's frustration boiled over as he grabbed his brother's shoulder and forcefully yanked him back. "...should show some respect when your elders are talking to you! I told you to stop, didn't I?"
Kentaro responded with a tight, insincere smile and maintained his silence. It was just one problem after another today.
"You must think you're something special, don't you?" Izuki spat. "Are you even aware of the mess you've created? Don't you feel any remorse?"
"Whatever do you mean, brother?"
"Everyone already knows what you did, so stop pretending!"
"Considering I've been occupied and have accomplished various things during my absence, naturally, I wouldn't be aware of the specifics," Kentaro tilted his head slightly, exuding an air of conceit. "Please enlighten me."
The more Kentaro's audacious attitude escalated, the angrier Izuki became. He felt a deep sense of condescension, yearning to wipe that arrogant smirk off his younger brother's face.
Was this arrogant prick really the cause of yesterday's chaos?
After learning about Kentaro's actions in Ichihara and the potential trouble they had stirred, the chairman had called for a family meeting to address the matter. Although everyone else viewed it as a grave situation, Izuki still couldn't help but feel that his father's reaction was a bit too excessive, driven by rash decisions.
Weren't they merely dealing with insignificant individuals? While Izuki possessed limited knowledge of his family's business connections, he knew that most of their partners posed no threat to a powerful entity like the Haradas.
Hence, Izuki struggled to comprehend his father's sudden course of action during the previous day's meeting.
~
"I've decided to officially recognize Kentaro and Yumiko Nomura as legal members of the Harada family."
The meeting had barely commenced when Satoshi Harada dropped a bombshell that reverberated through the room, leaving everyone in stunned silence.
Within moments, chaos erupted as a barrage of questions was hurled at Satoshi from all directions.
Suguru Harada, Satoshi's father, was the first to break the silence, his voice laced with disbelief. "Do you comprehend the gravity of what you're saying? What could possibly justify such extreme measures?"
Nanako, Satoshi's mother, expressed her concern, her voice filled with worry. "Why resort to such drastic actions? Is it truly necessary?"
Satoshi, his expression serious, responded, "I had intended to do this when the boy was older, but circumstances dictate that I act now to avoid future complications. You may not see it yet, but Kentaro possesses remarkable intellect. We cannot predict what he might do if left unguided. Moreover, it would be advantageous to train and educate him from a young age."
Izuki, seated next to his sister Suzuki, furrowed his brow upon hearing these words. What made his younger brother so special? He was merely a child born out of wedlock, forever destined to be looked down upon. Such was the fate of individuals like him.
"What?! I refuse to accept this, Satoshi," Kohana Ishihara, Izuki's mother, voiced her displeasure. She had always known that Satoshi favored the illegitimate child more than his own legitimate children, but now he intended to bestow legal recognition upon Kentaro as well? It was utter madness!
Satoshi offered her a smile that failed to reach his eyes. "I'm not seeking your acceptance, dear. I'm informing you. Your opinion matters very little to me."
Kohana was rendered speechless. Everyone was well aware that her marriage to Satoshi was far from perfect or affectionate, established solely for the benefit of her family's business. As long as each family's respective enterprises flourished, personal feelings could be disregarded.
Turning to the rest of the family, Satoshi asserted, "Whether you approve or not, my decision has been made. Kentaro rightfully deserves his place as an heir. Despite being three years younger than Izuki, he has demonstrated more potential to lead the company after my retirement."
"Absurd!" Suguru interjected, his voice filled with objection.
"Please, son, think about the repercussions this will have on the other branches," Nanako pleaded, aligning herself against Satoshi's proposition.
The smaller branches, consisting of uncles, aunts, and the younger generations bearing the Harada name, operated smaller corporations throughout Japan. It was an unwritten rule that each family would refrain from interfering in another's affairs. However, if news of this decision were to spread, the main branch would be reduced to a laughingstock like the rest.
Among Suguru's three sons and two daughters, Satoshi had proven to be the most reliable, despite being the third-born. His only flaw in life was impregnating the housemaid, and until now, no one knew the truth of that night. Unsurprisingly, blame was conveniently placed on Yumiko Nomura, who had allegedly "seduced" the chairman due to her assigned cleaning duties in Satoshi's office.
"Father, Mother, do you believe that I would disregard a potential asset based on personal sentiments?" Satoshi's words bewildered his parents. "How narrow-minded of you."
"Satoshi!" Suguru's anger was evident. "Mind your tone. We're still your parents."
"Precisely why I expect you to be more understanding in this matter, especially you, Father. Can't you see it? Your grandson's potential. I know you've witnessed his abilities and deep down, you must recognize the impact he will have on the family business," Satoshi stood up from his seat and approached his father, placing a firm hand on the elderly man's shoulder. "You've seen Kentaro in action during our expeditions, haven't you? Despite his lack of experience in the business world, he manages to offer valuable insights on successful corporate operations. His ideas and perspectives are not to be taken lightly. And in case you haven't noticed, not a single client has complained about his advice after consulting with him."
Despite his annoyance, Suguru carefully considered his son's words. Indeed, he recognized Kentaro's potential and acknowledged his exceptional intellectual prowess. The child would undoubtedly grow to become an unstoppable force.
Yet, Kentaro's status presented a significant hurdle for the elderly man to accept Satoshi's proposal wholeheartedly.
"Very well, I understand your point, but the fact remains that he is the child of a woman with an unknown background," Suguru stated. "What will the other branches think of such an insult? They will ridicule us for years to come."
Knowing he had finally convinced his father, who had been the primary obstacle to his plans, Satoshi felt a wave of relief wash over him. He turned to face the rest of the family, his expression determined.
"You're really letting him go through with it?" Nanako nudged her husband, who just crossed his arms in silence.
The former chairman Harada was on board, thus the rest of the family was forced to accept it as well.
"I understand your concerns, mother, but I assure you that I have thought this through thoroughly," Satoshi's attention shifted to Nanako. "Kentaro's recognition as a member of the Harada family will not diminish the status of our main branch or bring shame upon us. On the contrary, it will elevate our family name and secure our future success. Kentaro will be given the necessary training and education to ensure his capabilities align with the expectations of a Harada heir."
Izuki Harada wanted to express his thoughts, but a swift kick from his sister beneath the table silenced him. With a subtle shake of her head, Suzuki conveyed a clear message: he should refrain from interfering. It was as if she possessed an uncanny premonition that whatever her brother intended to say would only serve to ignite their father's wrath. Dodging that treacherous path seemed the wiser choice.
Satoshi, nonchalantly, addressed their father's concerns about Yumiko Nomura's predicament. "As for Father's worries," he explained, shrugging indifferently, "we can easily resolve Yumiko's situation by fabricating a counterfeit identity for her. Our abundant resources and the expertise of skilled professionals will ensure flawless results, leaving even the most persistent reporters empty-handed in their quest to unveil her true identity."
Years ago, they had meticulously erased all traces of Yumiko Nomura's existence after the scandal, taking no chances. Surprisingly, no one had even come searching for her, as if the world had willingly accepted her vanishing act. Yumiko Nomura had indeed been solitary prior to the birth of her son.
Such circumstances made the task of fashioning a new identity for her considerably more manageable. Once accomplished, Satoshi would gradually unveil her to the world. Undoubtedly, the revelation of the mother-son pairing's existence would cause a stir, but if Satoshi played his cards right, his plans could proceed seamlessly.
"Now, the final matter I wish to discuss with all of you also pertains to Yumiko Nomura," the Chairman declared, clasping his hands before his face, his penetrating gaze scrutinizing every countenance in the room. "In order to ensure everything falls into place, I have decided to take her as my second wife."
~~~~~~