Ryousuke sat quietly at his desk, as he had been taught. Actually, he was so full of nervous energy that he would rather have been running around, but a man waits with dignity. Only a child would show his anxiety. With that in mind, he sat up straighter. He was supposed to be reading his lessons, but all he could do was stare out the window. In a park just visible through the trees, children ran about, no doubt playing soccer, or maybe even kickball. Ryousuke envied them, more than even he realized. When they went outside to play, he had to stay inside and study. He had to act like a responsible adult, while other kids got to behave like total babies. Knowing that he made his parents proud made it more bearable, but sometimes, deep down, he felt like he could trade all the respect and dignity in the world for just a fraction of the sheer happiness that other children seemed to enjoy.
He sighed. All his life he'd been told that he would one day succeed his father as head of the family. He would have to manage the family's wealth, oversee its affairs, and ensure their continued prosperity. His father had begun assigning him responsibilities, one every year since he was 10, and he'd learned that it was not something to anticipate with pleasure. This year, Ryousuke turned 14. A few days ago, after the last of the leftover birthday cake had been eaten, his father had sat him down in his study and explained his new responsibility.
"Son, I know you haven't been looking forward to this. You've been a bit more pensive than usual these last couple months." Ryousuke opened his mouth to protest, but his father put a hand on his shoulder to stop him. "You can't hide it from me. I know what it's like, remember? I was once your age. I know it's hard, and the pressure can get overwhelming at times. But there is hope. You don't have to bear it alone." His father smiled, and his eyes lit with a mischievous gleam that made Ryousuke sit up with interest. "This year, I'm going to give you something that I think you will love. You know your uncle Tatsuya?"
Ryousuke nodded.
"You know he's not actually your uncle?"
Ryousuke hesitated.
"He is not technically related to us by blood. When I was a boy, he came to live with our family. He was like a brother to me, and we grew very close. Over the years, he has been my friend, my confidant, my right hand in all matters business and personal. I know that I can count on him in any situation. What he has meant to me, and to our family, it cannot be measured."
Ryousuke was surprised when his father paused to collect himself. It was unlike his father to show much in the way of emotion, so it was slightly unnerving to see him so deeply moved by a conversation.
"I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'm going to bring a boy to live with us. He is going to be there for you, the way Tatsuya was, and still is, for me. A man with a lot to lose needs someone to watch his back, Ryousuke. Remember that."
Ryousuke stared at his father in utter shock. His mind buzzed with questions, which came pouring out of him when he'd finally recovered enough to speak.
"Have you picked someone already? Who is he? Where does he come from? What does he look like? How old is he? What's his name?"
"Whoa, slow down," his father said with a chuckle. "I have in fact chosen a boy from the children's home. According to the caseworker, he has only lived there for a month. Before that, he lived with his father in the Myougi area. His name is Keisuke. He's 12, so he won't be in your class, I'm afraid."
Ryousuke tried, but failed to keep his expression from faltering. Keisuke would make friends with the other kids in his class first. It was unlikely Ryousuke would even get a word in before someone told Keisuke what a weirdo he was. Then Keisuke would never want to be his friend. So much for his father's brilliant plan.
"Ryousuke, don't pout," his father commanded. "I tried very hard to find the right person for you. There were a lot of factors to consider, not just his age. This was as close as I could get, and you should be grateful."
Ryousuke forced a smile.
"I am grateful. I'm really excited to meet him, and I know that we'll be the best of friends, like you and Uncle Tatsuya."
His father grinned.
"That's the spirit. Now go wash up; it's time for dinner."
Despite his best efforts to remain calm, Ryousuke's hands wrung themselves in his lap of their own accord. Any minute now his father would arrive with the new boy, and the rejection could begin. Eventually, his father would see that it wasn't working, and then he would know what a failure his son was.
Downstairs, he heard the front door open and his father's hollow footsteps tapped a death knell upon the marble foyer floor.