6: Advantage
"An organization's ability to learn, and translate that learning into action rapidly, is the ultimate competitive advantage." -Jack Welch.
9:04am 25th December
I got up so early this morning!
I'd made it my policy to not be up until later in the morning. Otherwise I'm tired throughout the day. Plus, since the stress-related illnesses of my maids were apparently caused by my being tired, Okaa-sama decided it was A Good Idea to just let me sleep in. But today, as it's Christmas, I was Up Bright And Early, so I could open all of my presents and check that I have received everything that was on my list.
I need them to implement (more Sophisticated Vocabulary) My Good Idea.
Unfortunately, it was not off to A Good Start. This was because my family mistakenly believed I was up late rather than early, despite the fact this is the earliest I've got up in over a week. I ask you. How my family get these notions is beyond even my extensive brain.
What's more, due to my apparent "lateness", my family had for some reason decided that getting Nii-san's maids to open my presents for me was A Good Idea.
As I've said before in my birthday entry, the only one allowed to touch my presents is me.
When I approached the maids (an unexpectedly difficult task as they seemed to be making it their priority to keep their distance), I asked them why they were opening my presents.
The only reply I got was: "We didn't mean to, Young Master! We just thought they were… eh… your brother's presents! Yes, that's it! So we were opening them for him!"
Another maid whispered in a voice she didn't want me to hear: "He's not going to buy that!"
She was right. They're not Convincing Liars like me. Since they looked so scared by this point, I decided not to Intimidate them; just to tell them to get back to work and get the whole mansion clean by the end of the day unless they wanted their jobs lost. I know I was being way too lenient (another example of Sophisticated Vocabulary) but hey, it's their Christmas too.
So I went and I found my already opened presents and examined them to see if everything that was on my list was there. I found the laptop from Okaa-sama, the deeds to some land from Akito Nii-san, and Otou-sama had given me a bank account and three new servants. He told me not to send them to hospital this time. I tried to point out that I hadn't sent them there- they went on their own accord because they were stressed, but Otou-sama wasn't listening again.
Yuuichi Nii-san was the last. He told me distractedly over the lid of his phone that the aquarium that I had asked for would be set up before too long and left the house soon after on A Business Venture. "How do you like that…" was Nee-san's rather sad comment.
"What do you mean?" I asked her, confused.
"He didn't even say goodbye."
Yuuichi Nii-san has always left the house like this whenever he is busy, so I don't understand why Nee-san is upset now. "Should he have done?"
But she never answered me.
It was around this point that I decided that it was pointless trying to get anyone to listen to me and I took my laptop and went to my room so I could brood on My Idea. Be in peace.
9:21am
I wasn't in peace. A strange man entered my room and started Taking in The Surroundings. I was displeased; what if a Deadly Rival sent him to spy and Gather Information?
When the man saw me, he knelt down and gave me this easy, friendly smile. "Hello there! You must be the young master Kyoya-sama!" From the Unnecessarily (another example of Sophisticated Vocabulary) bright tone he was using, there was obviously a gross misjudgement of my age.
"How old do you think I am?" I asked, as politely as possible.
He looked confused. "I was told you were five." So he didn't misjudge my age.
It was my turn to be confused, and a little annoyed. I don't like it when strangers know Personal Information about me. "Who are you and why are you here?"
The man straightened his tie. "My name is Tachibana. I'm starting out today as your bodyguard along with Hotta and Aijima."
Bodyguard? That, I believe, is a kind of staff that does not do servant work. What use have I for that? I heard loud footsteps past my room and called out: "Nii-san. I wanted servants for Christmas."
"You got them," Akito Nii-san snapped. "How'd you know it was me, anyway?"
"You're the only one who stomps like that," I replied. "And this is a bodyguard, not a servant for tidying my room like I wanted. We'll have to remove him. Speaking of things I wanted-"
"Be happy with what you've got!" yelled Nii-san's voice. "You're lucky to get any servants at all after you sent the last two to hospital! They were in critical condition because of you!" With that, he left.
Thinking about it, Otou-sama was the one who arranged for these new servants. If I want them gone, I'd have to take it up with him. And I'd rather not.
Turning back to Tachibana, I said: "I forgot to introduce myself politely. My name is Kyoya Ootori, and you are apparently my bodyguard, which I don't think I need. Then again, there's always those annoying Deadly Rivals to Get Rid Of."
Curiously, he looked much less confident than he did before. "Err- c-ch- charmed," he said uneasily.
Deciding I might as well put him to Good Use as he was Being Cooperative, I picked up my notebook. "I'd like you to help me out," I told him, flipping the pages to my Christmas list. My intention was to read it to him- show him My Idea.
"C-certainly, sir," he replied. Hmm. Sir. I've never before been spoken to with such deference (more Sophisticated Vocabulary). I like this man.
So I walked up to him and actually showed him the page. "Look at this carefully." I ordered. "This is an important list of items I must accumulate soon. My Reputation relies on it." (Look- I can not only write Sophisticated Vocabulary, but I can employ it effectively in speech).
He peered at it. "They're presents you want for Christmas, sir."
"Yes…" I said, annoyed because he was missing the point. "…and no. This is stuff I need for My Business Venture."
"Business Venture?!"
"Yes." Time to tell him My Idea. "I wish to extend the Ootori Empire, but I need everything on this list to do it. Except the aquarium- I wanted one of those for recreation." (As well as using Sophisticated Vocabulary, I can correctly distinguish things that are Necessary from things that aren't. Nee-san would do well to learn this, I think).
Tachibana did a look. The look he did was astonishment. "But you're only-!" Whatever he was about to say was apparently forgotten, so he just asked: "Without telling your family?"
I nodded. "It's a surprise. It serves not only as my Christmas present to them, but it's also an opportunity for me to Gain Experience, and to put me in a Favourable Light with them. Because if Yuuichi Nii-san is doing Business Ventures, I should too, or he'd Gain More Advantage." I then Made Eye Contact. "Will you help me?"
Still stunned, he nodded back. "O… okay."
"Good. Wait here." I ran back downstairs and got the land deeds that Akito Nii-san had given me and quickly returned to my room and showed them to Tachibana. "First, I want your advice," I said. "Is this land good for building on?"
"Err…" he muttered uncertainly. "It, um, all seems to have already been built on, sir."
I shrugged. "I'll take that as a yes. Though I'd have to persuade the people already there to move. Do you think I could do that?"
"I think you could persuade anyone to do anything, sir."
Now that's respect. "You're very honest," I complimented. "I like that."
This made him laugh, albeit uneasily. "Good to be of service sir, but… how are you going to get them to move? You can't just ask someone to move an entire set of structures-"
"I only want them moved a little; I'm not being unreasonable." I scowled. "Besides, it's important. It is for My Idea. I didn't get the luxury spa resort hotel I wanted, which I'll have to get myself, apparently- that's annoying. Once it is procured, I want it built on the land I have now and when it gets really successful I will make a Large Profit and I will get Powerful and Wealthy Business Partners and I will join it with the Ootori Medical Corp because some illness comes from stress, the best cure for which is a holiday get-away. Resort hotels seem to be Popular Among the Public for that."
While thinking about the stress-related illnesses that those two maids were diagnosed (I can use medical terminology in my speech- not just Sophisticated Vocabulary) with, I realised: what they need is a cure. Which is them stopping being stressed, right? I'm so smart.
Tachibana did another astonished look. "So, basically… you asked for all of these presents so you could revolutionise the way your family's business works?"
"Pretty much. Yes."
By this point, Tachibana could no longer stand. He fell on his knees to the floor with a bump. Not exactly professional of him, but I am a nice person, so I Forgave The Error. "Are you okay? If you're stressed, feel free to come to my resort once it's set up." I offered. "The prices will probably be affordable."
He looked up at me. "You're serious about this." That bright, happy tone he was using earlier was gone. I think Tachibana is starting to understand me.
"Of course."
"Then... you should tell Ootori-sama about it."
Otou-sama. I forgot about him.
If I'm to do any of this, I need his Permission. Which I might not get. Which will ruin everything. I must've looked uncomfortable, because suddenly Tachibana was kneeling down in front of me doing a different look: concern. "Hey now, what's wrong? You were so sure of yourself earlier!"
"It's nothing."
"It's something. For you to react that way just at the mention of your father..." That understanding showed in his eyes again. He trailed off, and tried A New Approach. "You want to go forward, right? The only way you can is with his support. But this could help you get it. Because I really think it'll make him proud. And if he doesn't expect it from you... will you let that stop you?"
Well. I've already promised myself I wouldn't let anything stop me. Much less being The Third Son. There's only one answer. And I gave it. "No".
"So what will you do?"
He was right. This is my Opportunity to Gain Advantage. I took a deep breath. "Can you come with me? You are my bodyguard, after all."
He started to look like he was regretting his advice. I wonder why. "Y-yes, sir," he stuttered.
2:10pm
At this time of day, Otou-sama tends to be in A Good Mood.
So I'm right now standing outside his office. Waiting for him to be free. In Tachibana's pocket is a list with the preparations for My Idea written on it.
Eventually the door opened and I looked inside. Otou-sama was there. At his desk, as usual. "I was told you wanted to see me, Kyoya." Which is his way of greeting me whenever I'm not summoned. "I've already told your sister. I have no time to spend Christmas with you. I'm far too busy."
"I didn't come for that, Otou-sama," I replied with a bow. Tachibana, who was now doing a conflicted look (he should really practise Concealing Emotion), gave me the list. I took it. "I came to show you My Idea for a Business Venture."
Otou-sama raised a brow. He said nothing.
"I believe it will enable us to generate A Large Profit," I added eventually. Perhaps using Sophisticated Vocabulary in front of him will Impress Him.
A moment passed. Otou-sama's head moved behind his computer screen. "One moment," he told me. "Then we'll talk."
That moment is up now. I cannot keep him waiting.
(A/N) Yay for Tachibana. For anyone who does not know him/did not read the manga, he's not an OC; he's an Ouran character.
This chapter actually turned out much longer than expected. Hope that makes up for the time it took me to upload it. Another massive thanks to everyone who reviewed the previous one.
~TheResultOfMyBoredom
