Chapter 3: Overheard
Otaru peeked out from under his blankets, a scowl on his face. He'd been roused
from sleep by the nemisis of all people who enjoyed sleeping in. He had to go to
the bathroom. It was impossibly early in the morning, and the air outside of his
blankets looked really cold. However, the pressure in his bladder was not to be
ignored.
Grumbling, Otaru gave in to the inevitable and stumbled out of bed. Fortunately,
he'd been shown the bathroom yesterday and wouldn't have to wander around in
search of it. It took only a short walk down the hallway and he couldn't help a
small sigh while he drained his previously complaining bladder. Firmly, Otaru
told his body to be nice and let him go back to sleep once he returned to his
room.
However, the thought vanished from his mind when he walked out of the bathroom
to see Hanagata vanishing around the corner of the hall. Otaru couldn't help but
be curious. As far as he knew, Hanagata never got up early unless it was
absolutely necessary, and even then he usually had to drag himself around for a
few hours before waking completely. What could the youth possibly be running
around so quickly for?
With a longing look toward his bedroom, Otaru sighed and made his way after the
blond. He turned the corner just in time to see Hanagata vanish into a room.
Uncertain, Otaru hesitated for a moment before his curiousity got the better of
him once again and he made his way toward the opened doorway. He paused when he
heard the conversation inside, not wanting to interrupt.
"I told you six in the morning, Hanagata," a stern voice stated.
"I know Daddy, I'm sorry. I didn't realize what time it was and no servant came
to wake me," he heard Hanagata reply.
There was a few moments of silence, broken only by the wrustle of cloth. Then
Hanagata's father spoke again. "This will be the only time I will tolerate such
a thing. You were arrogant enough to envite your friends without my permission,
I will not allow any other snubs against my authority, is that clear?"
"Of course!"
"Now then, there is much that has to be done today. You do recal why I had you
come here in the first place, right?"
"Yes, Daddy. You wanted to discuss the upcoming festival."
Otaru had to think about what festival they were talking about, then rolled his
eyes at his own stupidity. Of course, the annual White Rose festival. Otaru
didn't know what it honored, but it was always a spectacular celebration headed
by the Mitsuragi family. The two day celebration was in three months, and he had
no doubts that it would take that long to plan such a festivity.
"As incompetant as you are, I'm expecting your help this year. You are eighteen,
Hanagata, and should know far more than you do about what goes on in our family
business."
"I've been busy," Hanagata said. Any defiance that Otaru would of expected in
the words was completely absent. Instead, it sounded as though Hanagata were
grovelling. It was not pleasant to hear.
The older man snorted. "I know exactly what you've been busy with. Mooning over
that peasant child. You've shamed your name, Hanagata."
"Otaru isn't a peasant!" Hanagata exclaimed.
News to him. Otaru could remember every occasion where Hanagata had pointed out
his lack of title in comparison to himself. He could remember every one of
Hanagata's 'peasant' taunts that had occured when they were children. Still,
Otaru had to admit that there were now rare moments when Hanagata would flaunt
his title in front of Otaru. Perhaps Hanagata had changed his mind about the
importance of money and the like.
It took Otaru a few moments to realize that there was now silence in the room. A
deep, heavy silence that he could feel the tension pouring from even in the
hallway. He found himself holding his breath, waiting for some kind of sound.
The sound that came caused him to wince, his stomach clenching. The crack of
flesh against flesh and the sound of someone falling to the ground. "Remember
your place, Hanagata. I am the head of this family, and I will not tolerate
being back talked. This peasant is no good for you if you have forgotten the
fundimentals of being nobility. Our family is powerful in this town, in this
country. I will not allow such defiance from my own son!"
The seconds seemed to tick by for long moments before Hanagata spoke. "I'm
sorry, Daddy," he finally mumbled.
His voice was so quiet, so lacking in its usual arrogance and assurance that
Otaru almost felt sick to his stomach. He could never imagine Hanagata bending
to the will of another. He was too stubborn, too determined to get his own way
all the time.
Unable to listen to more, Otaru turned and made his way back toward his room.
His mind felt strangely blank, as though not wanting to accept what he had
heard. In fact, it wasn't until he climbed into his bed that Otaru felt sudden
tears sting in his eyes.
"Hanagata... why do you put up with it?"
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Otaru peeked out from under his blankets, a scowl on his face. He'd been roused
from sleep by the nemisis of all people who enjoyed sleeping in. He had to go to
the bathroom. It was impossibly early in the morning, and the air outside of his
blankets looked really cold. However, the pressure in his bladder was not to be
ignored.
Grumbling, Otaru gave in to the inevitable and stumbled out of bed. Fortunately,
he'd been shown the bathroom yesterday and wouldn't have to wander around in
search of it. It took only a short walk down the hallway and he couldn't help a
small sigh while he drained his previously complaining bladder. Firmly, Otaru
told his body to be nice and let him go back to sleep once he returned to his
room.
However, the thought vanished from his mind when he walked out of the bathroom
to see Hanagata vanishing around the corner of the hall. Otaru couldn't help but
be curious. As far as he knew, Hanagata never got up early unless it was
absolutely necessary, and even then he usually had to drag himself around for a
few hours before waking completely. What could the youth possibly be running
around so quickly for?
With a longing look toward his bedroom, Otaru sighed and made his way after the
blond. He turned the corner just in time to see Hanagata vanish into a room.
Uncertain, Otaru hesitated for a moment before his curiousity got the better of
him once again and he made his way toward the opened doorway. He paused when he
heard the conversation inside, not wanting to interrupt.
"I told you six in the morning, Hanagata," a stern voice stated.
"I know Daddy, I'm sorry. I didn't realize what time it was and no servant came
to wake me," he heard Hanagata reply.
There was a few moments of silence, broken only by the wrustle of cloth. Then
Hanagata's father spoke again. "This will be the only time I will tolerate such
a thing. You were arrogant enough to envite your friends without my permission,
I will not allow any other snubs against my authority, is that clear?"
"Of course!"
"Now then, there is much that has to be done today. You do recal why I had you
come here in the first place, right?"
"Yes, Daddy. You wanted to discuss the upcoming festival."
Otaru had to think about what festival they were talking about, then rolled his
eyes at his own stupidity. Of course, the annual White Rose festival. Otaru
didn't know what it honored, but it was always a spectacular celebration headed
by the Mitsuragi family. The two day celebration was in three months, and he had
no doubts that it would take that long to plan such a festivity.
"As incompetant as you are, I'm expecting your help this year. You are eighteen,
Hanagata, and should know far more than you do about what goes on in our family
business."
"I've been busy," Hanagata said. Any defiance that Otaru would of expected in
the words was completely absent. Instead, it sounded as though Hanagata were
grovelling. It was not pleasant to hear.
The older man snorted. "I know exactly what you've been busy with. Mooning over
that peasant child. You've shamed your name, Hanagata."
"Otaru isn't a peasant!" Hanagata exclaimed.
News to him. Otaru could remember every occasion where Hanagata had pointed out
his lack of title in comparison to himself. He could remember every one of
Hanagata's 'peasant' taunts that had occured when they were children. Still,
Otaru had to admit that there were now rare moments when Hanagata would flaunt
his title in front of Otaru. Perhaps Hanagata had changed his mind about the
importance of money and the like.
It took Otaru a few moments to realize that there was now silence in the room. A
deep, heavy silence that he could feel the tension pouring from even in the
hallway. He found himself holding his breath, waiting for some kind of sound.
The sound that came caused him to wince, his stomach clenching. The crack of
flesh against flesh and the sound of someone falling to the ground. "Remember
your place, Hanagata. I am the head of this family, and I will not tolerate
being back talked. This peasant is no good for you if you have forgotten the
fundimentals of being nobility. Our family is powerful in this town, in this
country. I will not allow such defiance from my own son!"
The seconds seemed to tick by for long moments before Hanagata spoke. "I'm
sorry, Daddy," he finally mumbled.
His voice was so quiet, so lacking in its usual arrogance and assurance that
Otaru almost felt sick to his stomach. He could never imagine Hanagata bending
to the will of another. He was too stubborn, too determined to get his own way
all the time.
Unable to listen to more, Otaru turned and made his way back toward his room.
His mind felt strangely blank, as though not wanting to accept what he had
heard. In fact, it wasn't until he climbed into his bed that Otaru felt sudden
tears sting in his eyes.
"Hanagata... why do you put up with it?"
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