As the massive iron gate creaked open, the car rolled forward, revealing a sprawling estate that seemed straight out of a fairytale. Towering spires and intricate carvings adorned the grand castle-like mansion, its elegance and majesty unmatched. The shimmering stone walls glistened under the sunlight, framed by perfectly manicured gardens that stretched as far as the eye could see. It was a sight that left one breathless, a palace that seemed to hold secrets of a bygone era.
As the car came to a smooth stop, the driver swiftly stepped out and opened the door for Minato. With measured steps, he walked toward the grand mansion, the servants lined up on either side bowing respectfully as he passed. Entering the expansive hall, Minato's sharp gaze swept across the empty space.
"Is my brother here?" he asked a nearby servant.
The servant nodded politely. "Yes, sir."
"And father? Is he here as well?" Minato's tone was calm but carried a subtle edge.
The servant hesitated, a flicker of nervousness in his eyes. "I'm sorry, sir. I don't know. Please wait a moment; I'll check."
"It's fine," Minato replied, his voice steady. "Just call the butler."
The butler hurried over, his face lighting up as he saw Miyano. "Young Master Miyano-sama, you're back! It's so good to see you," he greeted warmly, a hint of relief in his voice as he bowed respectfully.
" Nice to see you too Mr takyo, Is my father here?"
"Yes, young master, he is. He was in the study room. I'll go and inform him about your arrival."
"Okay," Miyano said.
He saw his brother running down the stairs and rushed toward him, giving him a tight hug.
"You've become so thin! Why? Aren't you eating properly?"
"I'm eating, brother. It's just that it's a bit difficult to take care of everything by myself," Miyano replied.
"Hm. Come, let's sit and talk." Miyano's brother led him to sit down.
"So, how's your studies going at the new university?" his brother asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
"I'm loving it," Miyano replied with a smile.
"Hm? Loving it?" His brother's expression softened, but there was a hint of confusion in his eyes. "So, you really like it? I don't understand why you suddenly decided to change universities and come back to Japan from England."
His brother looked at him with a mix of concern trying to understand the reasons behind Miyano's decision
His voice carrying a hint of excitement "Yeah, I kinda felt like coming back to Japan. I want to experience..."
"Young Master Miyano, Master Haruto, please come with me," the butler said, bowing slightly. "The Master is calling both of you to the office."
Miyano's father sat comfortably in the leather chair behind the polished oak desk, exuding an air of authority despite his age. His sharp, distinguished features gave him an almost ageless quality—The silver in his hair gave him a look of wisdom, but his brown eyes normally warm and inviting were clouded with disappointment. He wore a tailored suit, his demeanor formal and distant, as if the disagreement with Miyano had put a barrier between them. Though he loved his son deeply, the tension in the room was palpable, and the faint smile that usually greeted Miyano had been replaced by a hard, unyielding expression.
"You came?" His father's voice was calm, but there was an underlying tension in it. He looked up, his eyes scanning the two of them
"Come and sit, both of you."
Miyano hesitated for a moment before sitting down across from his father. His heart raced, and he couldn't shake the uneasy feeling in his chest.
"Dad, why did you call me here?" Miyano asked, his voice betraying the uncertainty that had been building up.
"Did you change your decision?" His father's gaze was steady but held a sharp edge, searching for some sign of compromise.
Miyano's throat tightened. "Sorry, Dad… I told you already. I've made up my mind."
Made up your mind, huh?" His father's voice grew colder, the disappointment clear in every word. "So, you want me to be ashamed in front of everyone?" His father's words cut through the room. His once warm brown eyes now looked like distant storm clouds, filled with hurt.
Miyano's brother, Haruto, who had beenstanding quietly beside them, stepped forward, his face softening with concern. "Dad, please… give him some time. He'll change his mind," he said, his voice pleading but firm.
Miyano shook his head, looking at his father with determination. "No, I won't change my mind," he said quietly, but the firmness in his tone couldn't hide the sting in his heart.
His father's face tightened, a mixture of frustration and sadness in his eyes. He took a deep breath, as if trying to find a way to steady himself. "If you won't change your mind, then you'll have to accept the consequences," he said, his voice low and cold, each word heavy with the weight of his disappointment. "Think carefully, Miyano. If you choose this path, you might not have a place in this family anymore."
The words hung in the air, a silent challenge that cut through the tension. Miyano's chest tightened, the love he had always felt from his father now feeling like something distant, something strained. The silence that followed was suffocating, and for the first time, he wondered if his decision was truly worth the price he might have to pay.