Chapter 10 - The Truth
"Well, that settles it," said Seiryo as he closed the file, "We should have the details ironed out on Monday." Kaede nodded and placed the file away. "Shall we go home early and have dinner with Tsubaki?" he asked. His wife hesitated. "It's been quite some time since we've seen Tsubaki and it would be good to catch up on the happenings," Seiryo cajoled. "Sure," replied Kaede softly. "Very well then," he said as he got up, "I'll go and pack up. See you in 10 minutes at the lobby."
Kaede watched her husband head towards the door. "Seiryo..." she called quietly. He stopped and turned to face his wife questioningly. Kaede took a deep breath and said, "Can we talk after dinner?" Her husband smiled and nodded. Kaede gave a weak smile as Seiryo exited the room. "She'll see the light soon," thought Seiryo as he walked down the corridor to his room.
Doumyoji Seiryo was the only son of the late Doumyoji Ichiro, a millionaire who had made his fortune from trading. Like Tsukasa, Doumyoji Seiryo was given the best of everything and had everything on a silver platter. He was very much like Tsukasa in his younger days - carefree and spoilt. He never did have to beg for when he wanted something, it would be given to him. Like Tsukasa, he fell madly in love with one girl - Nikaido Kaede, whom he met in his varsity days.
Kaede's parents were of the middle class and had worked hard to send their only daughter to the university. Fortunately, Kaede was a bright student and managed to win a scholarship, relieving her parents of the financial burden. Sparks did not fly when the two met in school as Doumyoji Seiryo despised the poor. It was Kaede who made him see that life isn't about money and fine things. It was her who made him the man he is today.
Seiryo thought about his past as he waited at the lobby and recalled the incidents that marked changes in his life. He was grateful to the heavens for giving him a chance in life and he prayed silently that his wife would be enlightened soon. "Shall we go now?" asked Kaede, breaking into her husband's thoughts. Seiryo nodded. They walked out of the lobby to the waiting limousine.
************
Sojiro sat by his window and wondered if everyday was going to be so boring and lifeless. The F4 is no longer together with Rui in France and Tsukasa in Boston. He sighed quietly and picked up his mobile. "Let's call Akira and check on him," he muttered. The phone on the other side rang and it was on the third ring that Akira picked up. "Sojiro, what's up?" he asked. "Where are you now?" questioned Sojiro, "Can we meet up?"
"Sure. I was about to call you myself," replied Akira, "Let's meet at our usual place." Akira got his jacket and left his home for the café of the F4. A familiar figure stood by his driveway as he stepped out of his house. "Rui?" said an uncertain Akira. Hanazawa Rui smiled. "Yo! I thought that you'll be back next week," exclaimed an excited Akira. "I wanted to come back earlier to settle some stuff before Shizuka returns," replied Rui, "Meeting Sojiro?" Akira nodded and took out his mobile. "Let me call Sojiro," said Akira, punching the numbers. "No, let's just meet him," replied Rui. "Ya, let's just do that," agreed Akira as both got into the car.
Sojiro sat at the café and looked out for Akira. "He's late as usual," grumbled Sojiro softly, "I bet he's going to say that his place is much further than mine again." Just then the bell on the door sounded as two lanky guys walked in. Sojiro turned and he beamed. "Rui!" he exclaimed, "How come you're back?" Rui chuckled at Sojiro's excitement before commenting, "It must be really boring without us, huh?!"
"You bet!" replied Sojiro as the duo took their seats. "What would you like to have?" asked the waiter, pouring a glass of water for the two who had just arrived. "Coffee for me," replied Akira. "This would do fine," replied Rui. "I thought that you'll be back next week," said Sojiro. "Suppose to," replied Rui as he took a sip of water, "I wanted to make sure that things are all right in Boston." Sojiro and Akira gave him a puzzled look.
"The both of you really think that they are safe in Boston?" questioned Rui. Both nodded and then, shook their heads. "What can we do?" asked Akira. "Ya, what can we do?" agreed Sojiro, "We have to count on Oneesan to do the rest." Rui sighed and realised that he, too would not be able to do anything at that moment. "I guess you're right," he replied. The trio sighed loudly.
************
With piano lessons over, Shigeru took to the streets for a walk. The afternoon sun shone brightly but the air was cool as autumn falls. She looked into a window display of one of the departmental store and wondered what would make a good gift for her parents' wedding anniversary. "What should I buy?" she wondered. "Need my help?" a male voice asked. Shigeru looked into the reflection of the window display and there stood Minami Tomoya. She grasped as she spun around.
"What...what are you doing here?" stammered Shigeru. "I was shopping," replied Tomoya, "When I saw someone familiar, staring into my parents' window display." Shigeru blinked and took a step back. "Your parents' window display?" she repeated. Tomoya nodded. "They do window displays for departmental stores," he explained. Shigeru took a second look at it. The display was uniquely done and it brought out the brilliance of the products displayed. "Beautiful, huh?" said Tomoya. Shigeru nodded.
Tomoya watched as the girl admired the display. He had never met someone like her. "You want to take a look inside?" he asked. Shigeru nodded fervently and before Tomoya could lead the way, Shigeru had already grabbed hold of his arm and dragged him in. "Any recommendations?" she asked excitedly as they entered the departmental store. "Recommendations for what?" he asked amusingly.
"For a wedding anniversary," Shigeru replied as her head looked right and left for something interesting. Tomoya chuckled at her childlike excitement. "I'm sure we'll find something exciting and interesting," he replied. Shigeru had already gone ahead of him as her eye caught a beautiful silver plate with rose-craved border. Tomoya observed the girl as she asked the saleslady to show her the item.
"Unusual for a girl of her status to be so common-like," muttered Tomoya as he approached them. "What do you think of this?" Shigeru asked as she held out the silver plate. "Not something useful but I think it should be a nice gift," replied Tomoya. Shigeru agreed and instructed the saleslady to wrap it up. "Don't you want to get it engraved with the couple's name and some greeting?" asked Tomoya. "Good idea," exclaimed Shigeru, stopping the saleslady, "Could you arrange for it to be engraved with this?" She scribbled the names of her parents and a short greeting before handing it to the lady. The saleslady smiled and nodded.
"Thanks for the help," Shigeru said as the duo exited the departmental store. "I didn't do very much though, but don't mention it," Tomoya replied, waving his hand, "However..." Shigeru gave him a questioning look. "You could always buy me a drink," finished Tomoya. Shigeru hesitated. "If you don't want to," said Tomoya, "It's all right." He turned and walked off. "Wait up!" called Shigeru. Tomoya stopped in his tracks. Shigeru caught up with him. "I'll buy you the drink," she said, panting. Tomoya smiled.
************
Tsubaki returned to her room immediately after dinner. She could not bring herself to hold a conversation with her parents, to say the least, her mother. Standing by her window, she looked up to the sky as she recalled the conversation she had with her father:
"Tsukushi sounds very much like your mother in her younger days," said her father when she had finished the story about Tsukushi and Tsukasa, "I bet your mother has taken a liking to this girl." Tsubaki stared at her father in disbelief. "How could Mother take a liking to her after all that she's done to that poor girl?" she exclaimed. Her father smiled, took a sip of his coffee and said, "Let me tell you our story."
Tsubaki has never been told of her parents' love life but she was more fortunate than Tsukasa because she knew her parents or rather, she thought she knew them. Tsubaki had the privilege of growing up with her parents around unlike Tsukasa and it did hurt her very much when her mother became the tyrant as the Doumyoji Corporation grew. She had always wondered about her parents' relationship and had suspected it was more of a business dealing than love.
"Your mother was my junior in school," said her father as he laid back into the couch and recalled the good old days, "I was very much like Tsukasa, maybe even worse." He chuckled. Tsubaki looked at her father and she realised for the first time how much he had aged. "That is, until I met your mother," he continued, "She was a plain Jane to many boys in school but to me, she was a beauty."
"It can't be just beauty that caught your eyes, right?" asked Tsubaki. "You're right," replied Seiryo, "It was not love at first sight kind of thing - it was more like hate at first sight!" He smiled as he looked at a surprised Tsubaki. "We were always at each other's neck," he continued, "I was the great Doumyoji Seiryo and had never had anyone challenged me." There was a pause as Seiryo stood up and walked over to the window. "Your mother did," he said simply.
Turning around to face Tsubaki, he asked amusingly, "Isn't Tsukushi like that?" Tsubaki nodded. "I'm sure you would have noticed a change in Tsukasa," he said. Tsubaki nodded again. "Of course," said her father, "A true love's path never did run smooth. Ours was met with strong objections from your grandparents." This was the first time Tsubaki realised that her parents had their fair share of woes. "Tsukushi has it easier," he said, grinning, "She need only to deal with your mother."
"You mean to say..." said Tsubaki. Seiryo nodded before replying, "I don't object to Tsukasa's relationship. I understand what it's like to be in love." Looking at Tsubaki, his eyes sadden. "I'm sorry you had to be the sacrificial lamb," he said apologetically, "If I had known you were in love, I would never had agreed to that arranged marriage." Tsubaki shook her head. "It's all right, Father," she assured, "I'm happy with Hiroshi. He's a good man and a good husband."
"Your mother will see the light soon," assured her father, "Give her some more time. She'll accept it soon." Tsubaki gave her father a disbelievingly look and asked uncertainly, "You think so?" Seiryo nodded. "If she doesn't, get Tsukasa to do what we did," grinned Seiryo, "Get married without her approval and have a baby." Tsubaki stared at her father in awe, as she was not expecting him to suggest something absurd.
"You had me immediately after your marriage?" asked Tsubaki. Seiryo shook his head. "We had you before our marriage," he corrected. Tsubaki looked at her father in amazement as he continued, "In those days, it was a taboo to have a child before marriage and us having you was actually a blessing in disguise, your grandparents had no choice but to accept your mother into the household."
He sighed and looked at Tsubaki. "Your mother did not have a easy time in my family," he said, "She worked really hard to prove herself. The big change came when Doumyoji Corporation faced a possible bankruptcy. She was the one who make the Corporation what it is today." Tsubaki was surprised. "She might have changed during that process," continued Seiryo, "But I'm sure she's still the girl I met and fell in love with in varsity. So, don't worry too much about your brother. He'll make it."
"Will he, Father?" she asked apprehensively. Seiryo nodded as he took his seat at the table. "Call him and tell him to stay put in Boston," he said, "Assure him and Tsukushi that everything will be fine." Tsubaki gave a weak smile and nodded.
The conversation was a turning point in Tsubaki's view of her mother. She could not believe that her mother had previously been just a girl next door who fell in love with a man and gave him children. Tsubaki sighed and stepped away from the window. She placed the air ticket on her side table and got ready for bed.
"Well, that settles it," said Seiryo as he closed the file, "We should have the details ironed out on Monday." Kaede nodded and placed the file away. "Shall we go home early and have dinner with Tsubaki?" he asked. His wife hesitated. "It's been quite some time since we've seen Tsubaki and it would be good to catch up on the happenings," Seiryo cajoled. "Sure," replied Kaede softly. "Very well then," he said as he got up, "I'll go and pack up. See you in 10 minutes at the lobby."
Kaede watched her husband head towards the door. "Seiryo..." she called quietly. He stopped and turned to face his wife questioningly. Kaede took a deep breath and said, "Can we talk after dinner?" Her husband smiled and nodded. Kaede gave a weak smile as Seiryo exited the room. "She'll see the light soon," thought Seiryo as he walked down the corridor to his room.
Doumyoji Seiryo was the only son of the late Doumyoji Ichiro, a millionaire who had made his fortune from trading. Like Tsukasa, Doumyoji Seiryo was given the best of everything and had everything on a silver platter. He was very much like Tsukasa in his younger days - carefree and spoilt. He never did have to beg for when he wanted something, it would be given to him. Like Tsukasa, he fell madly in love with one girl - Nikaido Kaede, whom he met in his varsity days.
Kaede's parents were of the middle class and had worked hard to send their only daughter to the university. Fortunately, Kaede was a bright student and managed to win a scholarship, relieving her parents of the financial burden. Sparks did not fly when the two met in school as Doumyoji Seiryo despised the poor. It was Kaede who made him see that life isn't about money and fine things. It was her who made him the man he is today.
Seiryo thought about his past as he waited at the lobby and recalled the incidents that marked changes in his life. He was grateful to the heavens for giving him a chance in life and he prayed silently that his wife would be enlightened soon. "Shall we go now?" asked Kaede, breaking into her husband's thoughts. Seiryo nodded. They walked out of the lobby to the waiting limousine.
************
Sojiro sat by his window and wondered if everyday was going to be so boring and lifeless. The F4 is no longer together with Rui in France and Tsukasa in Boston. He sighed quietly and picked up his mobile. "Let's call Akira and check on him," he muttered. The phone on the other side rang and it was on the third ring that Akira picked up. "Sojiro, what's up?" he asked. "Where are you now?" questioned Sojiro, "Can we meet up?"
"Sure. I was about to call you myself," replied Akira, "Let's meet at our usual place." Akira got his jacket and left his home for the café of the F4. A familiar figure stood by his driveway as he stepped out of his house. "Rui?" said an uncertain Akira. Hanazawa Rui smiled. "Yo! I thought that you'll be back next week," exclaimed an excited Akira. "I wanted to come back earlier to settle some stuff before Shizuka returns," replied Rui, "Meeting Sojiro?" Akira nodded and took out his mobile. "Let me call Sojiro," said Akira, punching the numbers. "No, let's just meet him," replied Rui. "Ya, let's just do that," agreed Akira as both got into the car.
Sojiro sat at the café and looked out for Akira. "He's late as usual," grumbled Sojiro softly, "I bet he's going to say that his place is much further than mine again." Just then the bell on the door sounded as two lanky guys walked in. Sojiro turned and he beamed. "Rui!" he exclaimed, "How come you're back?" Rui chuckled at Sojiro's excitement before commenting, "It must be really boring without us, huh?!"
"You bet!" replied Sojiro as the duo took their seats. "What would you like to have?" asked the waiter, pouring a glass of water for the two who had just arrived. "Coffee for me," replied Akira. "This would do fine," replied Rui. "I thought that you'll be back next week," said Sojiro. "Suppose to," replied Rui as he took a sip of water, "I wanted to make sure that things are all right in Boston." Sojiro and Akira gave him a puzzled look.
"The both of you really think that they are safe in Boston?" questioned Rui. Both nodded and then, shook their heads. "What can we do?" asked Akira. "Ya, what can we do?" agreed Sojiro, "We have to count on Oneesan to do the rest." Rui sighed and realised that he, too would not be able to do anything at that moment. "I guess you're right," he replied. The trio sighed loudly.
************
With piano lessons over, Shigeru took to the streets for a walk. The afternoon sun shone brightly but the air was cool as autumn falls. She looked into a window display of one of the departmental store and wondered what would make a good gift for her parents' wedding anniversary. "What should I buy?" she wondered. "Need my help?" a male voice asked. Shigeru looked into the reflection of the window display and there stood Minami Tomoya. She grasped as she spun around.
"What...what are you doing here?" stammered Shigeru. "I was shopping," replied Tomoya, "When I saw someone familiar, staring into my parents' window display." Shigeru blinked and took a step back. "Your parents' window display?" she repeated. Tomoya nodded. "They do window displays for departmental stores," he explained. Shigeru took a second look at it. The display was uniquely done and it brought out the brilliance of the products displayed. "Beautiful, huh?" said Tomoya. Shigeru nodded.
Tomoya watched as the girl admired the display. He had never met someone like her. "You want to take a look inside?" he asked. Shigeru nodded fervently and before Tomoya could lead the way, Shigeru had already grabbed hold of his arm and dragged him in. "Any recommendations?" she asked excitedly as they entered the departmental store. "Recommendations for what?" he asked amusingly.
"For a wedding anniversary," Shigeru replied as her head looked right and left for something interesting. Tomoya chuckled at her childlike excitement. "I'm sure we'll find something exciting and interesting," he replied. Shigeru had already gone ahead of him as her eye caught a beautiful silver plate with rose-craved border. Tomoya observed the girl as she asked the saleslady to show her the item.
"Unusual for a girl of her status to be so common-like," muttered Tomoya as he approached them. "What do you think of this?" Shigeru asked as she held out the silver plate. "Not something useful but I think it should be a nice gift," replied Tomoya. Shigeru agreed and instructed the saleslady to wrap it up. "Don't you want to get it engraved with the couple's name and some greeting?" asked Tomoya. "Good idea," exclaimed Shigeru, stopping the saleslady, "Could you arrange for it to be engraved with this?" She scribbled the names of her parents and a short greeting before handing it to the lady. The saleslady smiled and nodded.
"Thanks for the help," Shigeru said as the duo exited the departmental store. "I didn't do very much though, but don't mention it," Tomoya replied, waving his hand, "However..." Shigeru gave him a questioning look. "You could always buy me a drink," finished Tomoya. Shigeru hesitated. "If you don't want to," said Tomoya, "It's all right." He turned and walked off. "Wait up!" called Shigeru. Tomoya stopped in his tracks. Shigeru caught up with him. "I'll buy you the drink," she said, panting. Tomoya smiled.
************
Tsubaki returned to her room immediately after dinner. She could not bring herself to hold a conversation with her parents, to say the least, her mother. Standing by her window, she looked up to the sky as she recalled the conversation she had with her father:
"Tsukushi sounds very much like your mother in her younger days," said her father when she had finished the story about Tsukushi and Tsukasa, "I bet your mother has taken a liking to this girl." Tsubaki stared at her father in disbelief. "How could Mother take a liking to her after all that she's done to that poor girl?" she exclaimed. Her father smiled, took a sip of his coffee and said, "Let me tell you our story."
Tsubaki has never been told of her parents' love life but she was more fortunate than Tsukasa because she knew her parents or rather, she thought she knew them. Tsubaki had the privilege of growing up with her parents around unlike Tsukasa and it did hurt her very much when her mother became the tyrant as the Doumyoji Corporation grew. She had always wondered about her parents' relationship and had suspected it was more of a business dealing than love.
"Your mother was my junior in school," said her father as he laid back into the couch and recalled the good old days, "I was very much like Tsukasa, maybe even worse." He chuckled. Tsubaki looked at her father and she realised for the first time how much he had aged. "That is, until I met your mother," he continued, "She was a plain Jane to many boys in school but to me, she was a beauty."
"It can't be just beauty that caught your eyes, right?" asked Tsubaki. "You're right," replied Seiryo, "It was not love at first sight kind of thing - it was more like hate at first sight!" He smiled as he looked at a surprised Tsubaki. "We were always at each other's neck," he continued, "I was the great Doumyoji Seiryo and had never had anyone challenged me." There was a pause as Seiryo stood up and walked over to the window. "Your mother did," he said simply.
Turning around to face Tsubaki, he asked amusingly, "Isn't Tsukushi like that?" Tsubaki nodded. "I'm sure you would have noticed a change in Tsukasa," he said. Tsubaki nodded again. "Of course," said her father, "A true love's path never did run smooth. Ours was met with strong objections from your grandparents." This was the first time Tsubaki realised that her parents had their fair share of woes. "Tsukushi has it easier," he said, grinning, "She need only to deal with your mother."
"You mean to say..." said Tsubaki. Seiryo nodded before replying, "I don't object to Tsukasa's relationship. I understand what it's like to be in love." Looking at Tsubaki, his eyes sadden. "I'm sorry you had to be the sacrificial lamb," he said apologetically, "If I had known you were in love, I would never had agreed to that arranged marriage." Tsubaki shook her head. "It's all right, Father," she assured, "I'm happy with Hiroshi. He's a good man and a good husband."
"Your mother will see the light soon," assured her father, "Give her some more time. She'll accept it soon." Tsubaki gave her father a disbelievingly look and asked uncertainly, "You think so?" Seiryo nodded. "If she doesn't, get Tsukasa to do what we did," grinned Seiryo, "Get married without her approval and have a baby." Tsubaki stared at her father in awe, as she was not expecting him to suggest something absurd.
"You had me immediately after your marriage?" asked Tsubaki. Seiryo shook his head. "We had you before our marriage," he corrected. Tsubaki looked at her father in amazement as he continued, "In those days, it was a taboo to have a child before marriage and us having you was actually a blessing in disguise, your grandparents had no choice but to accept your mother into the household."
He sighed and looked at Tsubaki. "Your mother did not have a easy time in my family," he said, "She worked really hard to prove herself. The big change came when Doumyoji Corporation faced a possible bankruptcy. She was the one who make the Corporation what it is today." Tsubaki was surprised. "She might have changed during that process," continued Seiryo, "But I'm sure she's still the girl I met and fell in love with in varsity. So, don't worry too much about your brother. He'll make it."
"Will he, Father?" she asked apprehensively. Seiryo nodded as he took his seat at the table. "Call him and tell him to stay put in Boston," he said, "Assure him and Tsukushi that everything will be fine." Tsubaki gave a weak smile and nodded.
The conversation was a turning point in Tsubaki's view of her mother. She could not believe that her mother had previously been just a girl next door who fell in love with a man and gave him children. Tsubaki sighed and stepped away from the window. She placed the air ticket on her side table and got ready for bed.