Chapter 2: Denial
'Are you insane? Have you lost your mind somehow beneath those damn paper works?' Hajime asked angrily. It was quite obvious that she disliked Owaru had done to Nokoru. Even though her relationship with Nokoru was not closed enough (- in this family, who has a close relationship anyway? - ), but what her elder brother just did was beyond any sense.
'Hajime-san! Mind your words, please!' Owaru glared to her.
'Well. instead of minding my own words, why didn't you mind your doing to Nokoru-san just now? He's not a little child anymore, and neither you are. Both of you are intellectual people, so is it true you cannot find any other way solving whatever problems you might have between you guys?'
'For God's sake, Hajime-san! I've tried to talk to him, and everything went just well before...' Owaru stopped. He didn't finished his words.
'
'Before?' This time, Hajime's pretty face fell in curiosity. Her thin elegant eyebrows sunk under her wavy hair, waiting for the next answer of her elder brother.
Owaru sighed. 'You've heard it yourself. He said that. He REALLY said that.'
Both of them were covered with silence. Hajime turned her look on the closed door of Nokoru's bedroom. 'I wonder how he feels right now.' She touched the artistic carved door, and thought it might be a good idea to knock it, and ask Nokoru's permission to enter the room.
Seemed to understand his sister's intention, Owaru shook his head. 'No. I guess you won't be able to come in there. You know Nokoru, he's stubborn enough if he gets moody.'
'And you know him well also, am I right, Owaru-san?' Hajime gave her charming smile. There was a winning sense in her smile - well, that's what Owaru felt at least.
Owaru felt his face blushed. He coughed a little to distract Hajime's attention from him.
Hajime smiled at her brother's reaction. /It's not Nokoru only, you are a stubborn person as well as far I've known you./ 'But then again. if you're the one to come inside to say sorry, I guess Nokoru will be very happy.'
'Why should I say sorry? It's ridiculous!' Owaru protested.
'So, I supposed you assume that it is his fault, not yours, isn't it? Anyhow, why did he make you angry then?'
'He DENIED he is an Imonoyama!'
'So?' Hajime expressed as if there was no big deal with that.
Owaru disbelieved his sister's respond. Shouldn't she felt angry the same way like he did? 'So...? So, that means he's being ungrateful for everything he received from Imonoyamas after all these times. The wealth, the pleasure, the facilities, and... And...' Owaru lost his words.
'And US?' Hajime added.
Owaru was stunned. He didn't expect the answer, but then again, might be it was the perfect answer he could get, since. It was right. Owaru remained silent. /Yes, US. But why?/
'Tell me, Owaru-san. But please be honest with your words. Have you never regretted to be an Imonoyama? Is it true in your whole lifetime you've never had a wish - even just ONCE- to be able to deny yourself as an Imonoyama? Just once - you were someone else.... Someone less ordinary...'
Hajime paused for an answer.. An answer - which she knew she wouldn't get. An answer - which she believed would be buried in time.
'
'
Denial - that's all it is.
'
To be continued -