The morning sun broke through the sky, warming Umra Nexus, and the Tanaka household felt its touch. Inside, the maids hurried through the long hallways, tending to the house's daily needs. Yuki, the maid from the previous night, stood before a large oak door, her heart beating fast. She had spent the night thinking over what she would say, and now the time had come. Behind the door sat Sang's father, the head of the Tanaka family, already buried in his work.
Yuki took a steadying breath, adjusting her apron. She was just about to knock when the door swung open abruptly. A maid hurried past, her head bowed, barely acknowledging her. For a moment, Yuki's eyes met Sang's father's, but the glance was brief before the door clicked shut behind the maid.
"Leave it open for Yuki," he said, his voice deep and firm, not looking up from his papers. The quiet authority in his words left little room for objection.
"Come in, Yuki. This better be quick. I have a busy day ahead," he added, as if she were just another part of his routine.
"Thank you, Master," Yuki murmured, stepping into the room. It was massive, with a large red and brown desk dominating the space. Sang's father sat behind it, a picture of professionalism. His white mustache and neatly styled hair matched the stern, businesslike tone of his light blue shirt and the leather straps of his vest. The pile of papers before him was his world.
Yuki didn't let herself be intimidated. She had a mission. She cleared her throat and, with all the courage she could muster, said, "Master, I suggest enrolling Sang in Umbra Nexus Junior School."
Sang's father stopped writing, his pen hovering in midair as if he hadn't expected her request. He didn't look up. "No," he said, his voice flat and dismissive.
Yuki's heart skipped a beat, but she couldn't back down now. "But, Master—" she began.
"What's the difference between the online school he's enrolled in now?" he cut her off, his voice growing colder with each word.
Yuki's shoulders tensed, but she pressed on. "He has no social skills. No friends. He's not experiencing the life that a child should." Her words came with a bit more courage now, but the weight of the moment was still heavy on her.
Sang's father dropped his pen with a soft click, finally meeting her gaze, his eyes sharp with impatience. He leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. "He doesn't need that life," he said, as if the matter was already settled.
"Master, please!" Yuki's voice wavered, her emotions creeping in. "Do it for your wife," she pleaded, her eyes welling with tears. She dropped to her knees, her forehead touching the cool floor. "He deserves better than this."
The room went still. The air was thick with tension. Then, Sang's father slammed his fist onto the desk, shaking the surface and sending a shock through Yuki's body.
"I said NO!" he barked, his voice booming. "Now get out."
Yuki stood up slowly, her head lowered in submission. "I'm sorry, Master," she whispered, her voice barely audible. She took one last glance at his desk before stepping out of the room, the door closing softly behind her.
As she walked down the hallway, a flicker of movement caught her eye. Sang's door was slightly ajar. She could feel his presence, even if she didn't see him. She knew he had overheard the argument.
Outside, the morning was in full bloom. The green of the garden stretched out before her like a sea of emerald. Yuki made her way toward the old man tending to the garden, his weathered face lighting up as he saw her approach.
"Good morning, old man," Yuki greeted him as she passed, her voice still tinged with the weight of the conversation she'd just had.
The old man smiled, then cut the lawnmower's engine, his gaze never leaving Yuki's face. "I'm guessing you're the reason Mr. Tanaka shouted," he remarked, his tone knowing. "You mentioned his wife again, didn't you?"
Yuki paused, a sigh escaping her lips. "What makes you say that?" she asked, not bothering to hide the hint of frustration.
The old man studied her, a knowing look in his eyes. "The dried tears in your eyes. You care about that boy more than you care about your job, don't you?" he asked softly.
Yuki lowered her gaze, the words hitting her harder than she expected. She sat on a small concrete bench near him, feeling the weight of everything pressing down on her. "I do care. It's just... young Master Sang. After what happened last night—when Master Tanaka beat him—his eyes... they were empty. Lifeless. As if he wanted to die. A child shouldn't feel like that. He shouldn't think that way." Her voice trembled, and she closed her eyes for a moment, gathering herself. "But when he came back from the forest, it was different. His eyes were full of life again. His hands were bruised, but they looked pure. He left me a badge from a school. He wants to go there. He wants to be normal."
The old man's expression softened, but he didn't say anything right away.
Yuki's gaze drifted toward Sang's room, now obscured by thick curtains. "But what's the point? What good will it do if Master Tanaka refuses?"
The old man puffed out a cloud of smoke from his cigarette, staring at the window. "Sometimes, you have to take matters into your own hands." He paused before speaking again, his voice quieter. "You know, I've worked for Mr. Tanaka for many years. Let me tell you something that might help with your... journey."
Yuki looked at him, curious. "What's that?" she asked.
The old man leaned in slightly, his voice low. "Sang doesn't exist in the way you think. He was a mistake. A terrible one. Tanaka nearly went bankrupt because of him. When his wife fell ill, Tanaka wanted to get rid of him, believed the boy brought nothing but bad luck. He even planned on killing Sang."
Yuki's breath hitched. "What...?"
The old man nodded, blowing out another puff of smoke. "He burned Sang's birth certificate, erased any trace of him. He wanted to get rid of him slowly. But then, he got caught up in a fraud scandal, and before he could finish what he'd planned, he was bailed out. I don't know what stopped him from going through with it. But sometimes I wonder... what will Sang tell his children when they ask about his childhood?"
Yuki's stomach churned at the revelation. She had suspected something was off, but hearing it laid out like this made her feel sick. She had to do something.
As the old man returned to his work, starting the lawnmower again, Yuki remained on the bench, her thoughts racing. The black car pulled into the driveway, the sound of the engine pulling her back to reality. Sang's father had arrived. Yuki stood up, her resolve firming. She turned to the old man, her voice steady now.
"I have to do this, no matter the cost," she said quietly, as she watched Tanaka in the distance.