Keisuke sat quietly on the hard, institutional chair. He tried to keep from fidgeting, but it was difficult not to under the circumstances. He didn't want to be there, but since he couldn't think of anywhere else he'd rather be, he decided he might as well stick it out. A month ago, his father had been arrested for assaulting someone in a bar. Being a somewhat habitual offender, he had been sentenced to three months in jail in the hopes that it would straighten him out. Keisuke, of course, hadn't found out until later. When his father hadn't come home that night, he hadn't concerned himself. The next day, he'd worried a little. And on the third day, child services had come for him.
So here he was, sitting, waiting, and hoping. A month in the home was enough to convince him that getting placed was definitely the way to go. He didn't want to spend any more time there than he absolutely had to. His caseworker had warned him, however. People didn't like to take in boys his age, and anyway there was a strong likelihood that he could return to live with his father once the three month sentence was up. He didn't relish the thought of living in the home for another two months, nor did he particularly want to live with his father again. So, this was his chance. He'd been told that a wealthy man was looking for a boy to adopt, a companion for his son who would be close to him in age. He was to be taken for a trial period, at the end of which he could be sent back if he proved unsuitable. He was also told that this was very likely the only chance he would get, so he had better behave himself (this with a knowing look).
Without warning, the heavy door flung open and the caseworker burst into the room, followed by a man. Keisuke jumped out of his seat and stood awkwardly before the tall, smartly dressed man, who regarded him with the most intense scrutiny.
"Hello, young man. I've heard a lot about you. My name is Takahashi Hayato. I'm glad that we can finally meet," the man said, bowing slightly. His voice was deep, his tone pleasant. He was taller than Keisuke had expected, and his presence was intimidating, to say the least. Keisuke's tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth and his whole body felt as if it were filled with lead weights. Eventually, the caseworker gave him a meaningful look from the behind the man and motioned for him to say something.
"Kobayashi Keisuke. Nice to meet you," he said finally. He gave the man a stiff bow that he was sure looked as stupid as he felt.
"Well," the caseworker said, rushing into the uncomfortable silence that followed, "Would you like more time to interview him, or will this be satisfactory?"
Mr. Takahashi eyed him, and seemed to consider for just a fraction of a second too long. Keisuke felt his heart drop into his shoes. He wasn't good enough, after all. He stared at the floor, and waited to be taken back to his room. Suddenly, he felt a heavy hand on his shoulder.
"Don't pout, young man. You should be grateful for this opportunity. Now come, we have much to discuss."
Keisuke sat in the car and stared straight ahead at the open road. In his lap, he tugged and twisted the bottom of his t-shirt till it was wrinkled and wet with the sweat from his hands.
"Keisuke, it's unseemly to fidget with your clothing. A man always waits with dignity and calm assurance."
Keisuke scowled at the reprimand. Prickles of irritation traveled up his spine. He hated being told what to do, and this man was no exception.
Catching the look on his face from the corner of his eye, Takahashi said, "Let's get this all out in the open, shall we? I know about the issues you had at your school, the fighting, and the problems with your teachers. I know that your father was not much of one, and you had very little in the way of discipline. But that was the past, and this is your future. You are going to attend the same school that my son attends, and I won't have you causing problems there. From now on, you are going to be a model citizen, a shining example of what a young man should be. You're to be polite, well groomed, obedient, and respectful. The way I see it, you have two choices. You can either comply and have a bright and promising future as a part of my family, or you can choose to ignore me and return to your old life. The decision is yours."
Keisuke tried to push past the waves of resentment that welled up in response to being spoken to in such a condescending manner. He knew that despite the pomposity of it, he was being given a very real chance here. Perhaps this was what it was like to take control of your life. It wasn't an easy decision to make, but at least he got to choose his fate, rather than having it thrust upon him. With deliberate care, he let go of his shirt and smoothed it down over his lap. Then he clasped his hands together and willed himself to stop twitching.
Mr. Takahashi chuckled.
"I think you and my son are going to get on like a house on fire."
