Thank you for all the reviews! This chapters a little short but I thought I'd do a quick update rather than write a longer chapter. It's almost like an extension of the last chapter!
When Gakushuu arrived home that evening, it was already dark and nearing nine o'clock. It turned out he'd somehow managed to run quite a few miles away from his house, and it took a while finding his way back. Still. The exercise had made him feel better, he felt comfortably exhausted, his frustration and fear from earlier worked off.
He crept through the door, preferring not to draw attention to himself, especially when he was in such a sorry state; Uniform unkempt, hair wind-swept, and of course, who could forget the now-dried blood staining the sleeve of his uniform.
But as luck would have it, his mother had clearly been awaiting his arrival.
She hurried around the corner as soon as she heard him arrive, and quickly pulled him into a hug.
"Shu, honey. You're back so late for a school night. I know you text and said you were at busy, but I was worried." Mother said, fussing around him like she always did. "You should be careful walking around by yourself in the dark."
"I'm fine, Mum, I'm fourteen, not four." Gakushuu retorted, embarrassment leaking into his voice, because really- She was far too over protective! And she was always babying him.
But still, he hugged her back. Because although he would never say it out loud it was nice having someone care about him.
He knew his mother loved him at least.
"So you've return home. You've finally finished having your tantrum I see." The Chairman said, staring down at Gakushuu from the top of the stairs. He wasn't even bothering with a smile this time. "I know it's customary for teenagers to get hormonal, storm out and slam doors, but I think breaking mine down was a little excessive."
Gakushuu felt his cheeks burn, he resented the way that the Chairman made him seem like a spoilt brat in front of his mother. His eyes honed in on his father's hands. They were both covered in bandages. Just how many of his own nails had the Chairman removed?
"Gakushuu.. you broke a door?" His mother said, sounding appalled, stepping away from him slightly, shaking her head. "What's come over you?"
He glared at his father, the man smirked back at him, almost as if daring him to say something. Gakushuu felt a sudden spike of rage, and on impulse said.
"Well, Mum, father was punishing me using a knife, and I decided that was a little excessive, so I left." Gakushuu said defiantly, indicating to himself. For the first time his mother noticed the bandaids on his fingers and the blood on his shirt.
She gave a shrill cry and stepped back, her eyes widening. She looked to her husband. His expression didn't change- He showed no guilt nor remorse at having been found out, that grin still etched into his face. Then she looked back at Gakushuu a horrified expression on her face.
She took in a few deep breaths, seemingly calming herself down before speaking.
"Your father might be strict, but he wants what is best for you, Shuu. Try to understand." Mother said, although she looked almost pained saying those words.
Yes, Gakushuu knew his mother loved him. But he also knew that she loved her husband more. It had been the same ever since he was little- No matter what the Chairman did, Mother would always take his side. She was hopelessly devoted to him.
Mother would do anything to keep her husband happy. Even turn a blind eye to abuse.
"Yes, Mother." Gakushuu said under his breath. He don't know why he expected any different a response.
"Excuse me- " Mother choked out, before quickly turning and running away, her hand over her mouth and tears in her eyes. Gakushuu suddenly felt a tidal wave of guilt- He'd upset his mother. He'd made her cry. If only he'd grown up and kept quiet about what had happened she would still be happy.
"Pleased with yourself?" The Chairman asked, exuding smugness as he walked down the stairs, approaching his son. "You should apologise for bringing something up that made her so upset."
Gakushuu gritted his teeth, not moving from the spot, even as the Chairman was right in front of him. He hated this man, and hated that he still craved his approval.
With surprising gentleness, the Chairman took Gakushuu's injured hand and lifted it up, inspecting it.
"You have done a shoddy job of treating this." His father mused in a detached tone, as if he wasn't the one who caused the injury. Gakushuu looked at the man's bandaged-smothered hand.
"Do you even have any nails left?" Gakushuu said. "You know, if you told a doctor about how you mutilate yourself, it would be solid grounds to get you sectioned on a psyche ward."
In response to that comment, Gakuhou squeezed Gakushuu's injured fingers just tight enough to hurt, smirking when he winced. "It's called having self-discipline, Asano, it's a skill you yourself should hone." The Chairman said, peering down at his son. "I'm sure you resent me for all the times I've had to punish you, but consider this- if you didn't fail in the first place, I wouldn't have to hurt you. Everything I've done to you is justified punishment. I've never lashed out at you for no reason. If you want me to stop punishing you, then all you have to do is never fail. Simple."
After the Chairman said the last part, he dropped Gakushuu's hand and walked away, leaving his son glaring silently after him, unable to come up with a response.
Father is impossible! Asano thought. But he has a point.. If I don't make any mistakes ever he'll never punish me again. I just have to work harder.
Ta Daa! End of chapter. Since I've started this story, I wondered what I should do about Asano's mother, at first I thought 'let's make her dead' but that felt a little lazy. I think her being a loving yet useless mother makes an interesting dynamic to write.
anyway, let me know what you think! What would you like to see in future chapters?