Chapter 27
Dealing with real life
Naoki stood in the office, static, processing what Kotoko had done; she was putting the welfare of others before her own happiness and…
She was a person like no other. She just had left to make it clear that she would step aside if he accepted the proposal of Sato-san, which could serve to help Pandai.
Nevertheless…
"Naoki." By force of habit, he looked at Sato-san, who put a mobile before his eyes, in which he barely saw the screen; it was a young woman next to an old man. "She's Oizumi Sahoko."
"I want to be alone," he requested in a voice devoid of emotion, the secretary of his father.
"The girl that just left, is the girlfriend that Irie-sama said?"
He shook his head in affirmation, mechanically.
"Sato-san…" he whispered.
"You can see it as a duty to your family, Naoki; she seems to understand it."
"I want to be alone," he repeated, and this time he looked straight into the eyes of Sato-san, who nodded, leaving the place.
Naoki heard the click of the door closing, as if a simple sound broke the silence in the middle of a desolate place; but he was the one disturbed.
He lowered his head and rested his hands on the edge of the desk, until he felt the blood wasn't circulating through them and put his knuckles white. His jaw ached so much for gritting his teeth.
Tension burned his shoulders and he jerked away from the desk, which he surrounded. He put his hands in his hair, stroking it in despair, while the world around him fell, and collapsed, and a wave of fury burned him from the bottom of his chest.
Having to marry that girl. Oizumi Sahoko.
He could not deal with so much, it was too much, he wanted to scream and destroy everything around him, tell problems to go hell and finish any trace with his own hands, he wanted to end all and take off the horrible load that damaged his shoulders; a weight that he imposed on himself.
But he just could not close his eyes and pretend everything was going to disappear at his desire.
Only someone had done it on her free will.
Naoki gritted his teeth, ranting his bad luck, and glared at the desk with the compelling evidence of his problems.
He rubbed his face in frustration and walked in circles around the office, which was getting smaller, as the chances he had.
He found the trash bin in his way and kicked with all his strength, making it hit the glass that separated the wide view of the city, the window resounded with a dry sound without showing any change.
He collapsed his body in the chair and positioned his head on his open palms, not knowing what to do.
"If that will help oji-san… I… I think you should…"
His felt a lump in his throat and, with cloudy eyes, full of anger and helplessness, he stared into the void.
[…]
Naoki answered the phone when he felt it vibrate for the third time, having penetrated the cloudiness of his mind, after hours of walking senseless in the cold streets. He was now outside the hospital, to where he came somehow to think.
He could not get a solution and the way he struggled inside was exhausting, always rejecting the possibility of marrying that woman…
"Onii-chan, can you come to the hospital?"
He frowned at his mother's words. "What's going on?" he asked, approaching the crosswalk to go to the building, with his heart racing because something could be happening with his father.
"I went out to the cafeteria and when I came back I found that there are some businessmen in the room with Dad…"
"I'm in the first floor," he cut. "I'll be there in a few moments."
In quickly steps, he walked to the entrance area of hospitalizations and therein he took the first elevator that opened its doors, where he pressed the right floor. This took—to his opinion—its time to go up; when he arrived he came out as a bullet to his father's room, his mother was waiting outside.
He nodded to her when she said they didn't listen to her and opened the door, taking a deep breath before doing so.
The four men in suits around his father, and him, turned to the door.
"Gentlemen, I must ask you to leave the room," he said in a harsh tone, earning an astonished look from his father, whose face reddened slightly. "Any issue you have to deal with Pandai will be resolved by me," he added before anyone could speak. "In this moment my father is sick and dealing with company matters affects his health."
"Naoki," mouthed his father seriously.
He did not intimidate, approaching him.
"It's for your health," he said to his father in a respectful tone.
One of the men, Mr. Hamasaki, wiser among all, nodded, and he indicated them to wait outside.
"I ask you to allow me a few moments," he requested, bowing his head.
Others nodded quietly.
"Naoki," spoke his father, once they were in private. "I have to take care of my business."
"I know what is happening," he explained, earning a sigh of his father. "I'll help you, father, it's my decision."
"But you're not responsible for it," his father replied.
He took a deep breath.
"I wish to do it… let me do it…" he almost begged, swallowing, making a decision. "I want you to recover, father." Before anything else… I don't want to lose you, he thought, but his father seemed to understand, because he nodded quietly, in a wordless exchange.
He turned to face his father's partners, but he stopped him by calling him when he put his hand on the door handle. "Until I recover," he said in a firm voice. "So you'll focus on your dream of becoming a doctor. And… do not take hasty decisions."
Squeezing the metal in his hand—aware of what he intended to do—, he nodded.
[…]
Sitting on the first step of the stairs, Naoki waited for the arrival of Kotoko; Yuuki had told him that, after giving him dinner, she excused herself and went out with a strange look. The information gnawed on his head, focused on the clock that showed a late hour of the night, without her coming back.
It was snowing outside.
It would be useless going out to search for her, as she could be somewhere, but he felt anxious sitting there, not knowing her whereabouts and her thoughts after the last time he saw her that day.
Did she not realize he could not marry Oizumi Sahoko?
That young woman could be the most virtuous and have many talents, but she wasn't Kotoko, to whom he had in high esteem.
Two years ago, he would have taken into account Sahoko-san, thinking that the best was to have someone proper by his side, as Oizumi seemed to brag; back then, he would have accepted that kind of girl, who would give a good image as was expected of him.
Now he owed to himself and he had a girlfriend, but he also owed his family, as Sato-san had said.
Nevertheless, he also saw Kotoko and Shigeo-san as his family.
All of them were his priority; they were even ahead of being a doctor. For them he would take the risk and present the best business plan that could be made, and thereby convince Oizumi-sama without failing his family.
In addition, the prospect of Kotoko aside, for someone much better and more suitable for him, seemed unpleasant. She had brought more excitement to his life and he cared for her, he valued her in his life. She was his girlfriend, he was not going to dispose of her as a rag to opt for a woman he didn't know and for whom he had not consideration.
It was just ridiculous that Kotoko might think that he would choose the other before her.
Also it was that he, for a moment, considered the idea.
He had made the mistake that the situation overwhelmed him, but it shouldn't be. The calm was always his best mate. He had to get it back.
Naoki sighed; at that time, he didn't have it, less with Kotoko outside and with their last meeting in his mind, where she suggested following the proposal of Mr. Sato.
He understood her, because he had fallen into the same.
"Stop chewing on it," he reprimanded himself loudly, rubbing his eyes.
He heard a key in the lock on the door and stood. When the door opened, he saw Kotoko entering, taking off her gloves and a wool hat covered in snow, before doing the same with her boots and the wet coat, which she held on her forearm.
In the dimly lit, she wasn't aware that he was watching her, noticing her movements slow and dull.
"Kotoko," he whispered, and she raised her face, with open eyes. Her orbs seemed red as he closed the distance between them.
He held her elbow directing her to the living room, where he turned on the light and invited her to sit on the couch; she did not raise her face or complaint.
That wasn't Kotoko, he thought containing a sound of reprobation.
"I'm not going to marry Oizumi-san," said finally, making her look at him, shocked. "Nor I want you to mention this nonsense again."
"But…" He looked away, opposed to discussing his most personal reasons. He didn't level with people.
"No, I have no interest in the arrangement," he announced in his discomfort, staring at the table, where the sketchbook of his brother was open. He reached for it, opening it and going through the pictures, thinking that Yuuki strokes had improved exponentially in the last year.
They were very good and had potential, if an expert rescued the ideas and exploited to its maximum level. There they had other options, another future, and another route. There was too much to present Oizumi, who must accept it or would be foolish; but if he rejected the alliance, there would be other, or a bank loan, which could be paid with benefits from the new ideas.
He had to talk to Yuuki to bring the notebook to Pandai.
Although, the first thing to do was the issue with the manga and anime club, taking advantage of the fame that their work had at the time and the novelty of their topic. "Naoki-kun?"
He blinked, returning his gaze to her, she saw him with radiant eyes. "You won't marry her?"
He denied, sighing.
"I do not want to be selfish… but… that makes me very happy," she said, standing up, to go to him and surround him with her arms, while he remained motionless beside her. Only his right hand moved almost imperceptibly to her waist.
It was impossible for her to be selfish, he pondered to himself, before closing his eyes for a moment, allowing that, slowly, the tension of the last few hours left him. Somehow, he could relax in that position, although he felt disliked thinking that she had that kind of power in him, which he could not understand. At that moment, it didn't mattered a lot, he just felt grateful that his overwhelmed mind lightened slightly, for the days to come.
Kotoko moved away and he raised his eyelids, to see her smiling shyly.
"Can I do something to help the company?"
He frowned. "University," he pronounced softly, because for her, addressing the two issues at once would be complicated. With him, it was different, and he wanted to see the results in the company to decide on his career.
"I'll have a lot of time," she replied, with great determination in her eyes. "And… I'll be very happy to help oji-san with what I can, as he did with my dad and me. You have supported us a lot. Can I, Naoki-kun?"
He shrugged; he would not refuse, since she had been helpful the days she was there. Also, he admitted to himself, having her beside him in the company would provide him with a good source of inspiration and… calmness.
He put his forefinger on her forehead. "Not bad notes in college," he warned and then left the room, Yuuki's notebook in hand.
[…]
After lunch and a walk on the street outside the building where his father's offices were, Naoki reentered the establishment of polished floors and elegant furnishings, to meet with Mr. Oizumi. They had a couple of days perfecting the plan to introduce, in which he put his hopes.
He walked to the elevators and, far away, recognized Kotoko. She entered the cabin, loaded with folders in her arms. He had heard she wasn't very good there, but she pushed herself so much that the opinions of others did not matter… and the others didn't know that ideas that could be the salvation of the company had her influence.
He quickened his steps to reach the nearly empty elevator, which didn't close yet, but someone beat him, demanding to stop them.
Kotoko opened her eyes and nodded; she pressed a button on the panel when the young woman of casual clothes—out of place there—was about to enter… but the doors began to close.
He rolled his eyes and placed his briefcase between the gates, so they didn't close on her—the sensor should not function properly.
"I'm sorry! It was the wrong button," Kotoko said, bowing her head repeatedly.
"Be careful with what you do," he muttered, stepping into the elevator, the last thing they needed was some complaining for an accident.
His gaze when to the woman and he tightened, recognizing her face from the photograph shown by Sato-san. Oizumi Sahoko. What was she doing there?
"Are you all right, miss?" he asked formally, without showing that her presence there caused him displeasure. Not that she was ugly or something like that; on the contrary, she was a young good-looking woman, but she had a meaning he didn't want to accept.
She nodded, and he noticed that her eyes followed him, bothering him. What would happen if she insisted on his grandfather after that incident?
"What floor?" Kotoko asked, and Sahoko, still looking at him, whispered a number two floors below the two of them would go.
He looked at his girlfriend, who expected his answer. "Naoki-kun?"
"I'm going to the same floor as you," he said, after seeing the number illuminated on the panel.
She smiled and he was relieved for a moment that she was unaware of the identity of their companion, who walked out slowly in the ground she asked, looking over her shoulder as the doors closed.
Then they came to their floor.
"Today is your meeting with Oizumi-sama, right?" He nodded, sighing. "I know you can get it. Naoki-kun is very good."
He contained a smile for her great confidence in him, thanking her in his mind, hoping that her words were true and the meeting had the result he wanted.
Kotoko watched him for several seconds.
"Don't you have to deliver those documents?" he asked with a hint of joke, pointing the folders pressed against her chest.
She opened wide her eyes and jumped, running toward the workspaces, in the middle of complaints from people who crossed her path.
Naoki let out a short laugh, which served to boost his spirits and decide he was ready for the meeting to take place half an hour later.
He walked to the small room prepared to receive Oizumi-sama and therein he sat on the couch between the two sofas of brown suede, carefully watching the folders on the low table, waiting for the time to pass until the announcement of the arrival of the old man—with him, because he suspected Oizumi was already in the building.
He only hoped that his granddaughter didn't attend the meeting; it would be a very clear nonverbal message.
If the meeting were a failure, he'd not sit idly by and would go to different executives or banks, to ensure the survival of the work of his father's life, in which future generations of his family could be, if they wanted. It was a company to be proud of, and, if his interest wasn't another, he would be there too; he already saw the real importance of Pandai, one that shouldn't be disdained. He had a different perspective now that he had been involved in its affairs.
If it had been his path, had he not found a career that really attracted him, he might have found something there, if he had entered a few months as an intern.
Nevertheless, now everything was different. He had his medical studies, which he really didn't want to leave; it was just that his main priority were the efforts of his father and then his dream of being a doctor. He owed it to his family; first, he would secure Pandai, and then be faithful to his aspiration.
It should be possible; if not, there was a figure more important than that.
He opened his eyes, surprised by that brief thought, but then someone knocked on the door and he kept his composure, standing when he checked the clock marking the exact time of the meeting.
Oizumi-sama was an elderly man with a cane; fortunately, he arrived alone.
Naoki rejected the presence of Mr. Sato in the meeting. During this, Oizumi-sama devoted himself to read the proposal, and only listened to him when he introduced himself and asked whether he wanted tea, which the man postponed for forty-five minutes later.
Oizumi-sama gave the appearance of being a serious person, but not like Naoki, because his face, worn by the ravages of old age and sorrows of life, slightly changed its expressions, while reading.
Silence did not bother Naoki, though he just could not deny the thundering heartbeat in his chest, waiting for the first review to the plan done by Mr. Sato and him, along with the contribution of different workers in the company—those of good skills that his father had proposed to delegate responsibilities.
Finally, Oizumi-sama came to the last page, just when someone knocked on the door of the room. He had not met someone as punctual as himself, but he guessed that the great power of the businessman was for something.
"Go ahead," he said, as the old man remained silent, watching the door that opened carefully.
Kotoko appeared there, dressed in pants and dress shirt, black and pink, respectively; she held neatly a tea tray until she placed it at the table, smiling in the genuine way that won the sympathy of many.
"Good evening," she said before serving herbal tea in the two white cups, gently asking the preference of his guest, to whom she handed his drink before him.
Her presence in the company was something that suited him, it allowed him to stay in touch with the well-known and it was comforting the way she supported him.
"Do you know well this young man, young lady?" Spoke Oizumi-sama, addressing Kotoko, who winced, but nodded, looking at him briefly.
"Naoki-kun is the best, Oizumi-sama; he is very smart and always gets what he wants to do, he highly values his family and helping others," Kotoko said, making him feel ashamed inside, as well as a different feeling. She gained confidence and sat in front of the old man while moving her hands. "He's very committed. He studies medicine and is concerned in the welfare of others; he has great capabilities, and although he looks very serious, I think he can be very kind…"
"Kotoko," he interrupted, wondering where that last impression came. He also cut her because he didn't want her to speak more to the elder man, disturbing him.
Oizumi-sama, yet, pleasantly laughed and shook his head, his dark eyes staring his girlfriend's face.
"I like you, young lady." Yeah, no big surprise, Naoki recognized, holding her hand as she tilted her head to the old man.
"Don't you have another activity to do?" he murmured, inviting her to stand with him and head for the door.
She stared at him wide-opened before nodding.
"A pleasure to meet you, Oizumi-sama," she pronounced with a respectful bow.
The other smiled. "The pleasure is mine, young lady," he replied, nodding when Kotoko closed behind her and he returned to his seat.
"I apologize for her," he said seriously.
"Oh, no, young Irie, there's no reason. Now, let us talk about the business proposal. I find it interesting what you project. I must consult with my lawyers first."
"Of course," he replied, feeling his heart in his throat.
"However, I can assure you from this moment, that my corporation and Pandai will have a good relationship in the future." Naoki swallowed his sigh of relief; it was a step forward. He could have shouted with happiness. "You're talented, young Irie, is a pity that your future is another… With what I know of you, Irie-sama would have a good successor in his eldest son, but it will be a profit for the health field."
He nodded in appreciation.
"Though this made me think that I'd like someone like you close to my family," continued the man and he, for a moment, cold sweated. "I have a granddaughter of your age, very nice."
The old man watched him for a few seconds. He tried to keep his face impassive, but he gripped doubt that he broke off the business.
"Would you like to meet her? It is an independent matter, personal, not business-like," assured the other, sipping his tea. "I know the gossip running, but they are wrong, I would not put my granddaughter in a hurry with a person just because I want to see her well established before I die. However, she, surprisingly, has told me that she would try."
He cleared his throat, imagining that she had given her approval moments before. "Oizumi-sama, with all due respect," he whispered, softly, taking care of his words, "I must decline your invitation. I think your granddaughter must be lovely, but…"
"Yes?"
He sighed, smiling briefly, almost imperceptibly. "The young lady is my girlfriend…" he said in very confident voice. "And I won't change her."
Oizumi-sama looked at him for a moment and shrugged, smiling afterward.
"It's a pity," declared the other, "but a good choice. I'm glad you're sincere."
He nodded, considering that she was an appropriate choice.
His thought of moments ago came back to his mind. The figure.
He cared of Kotoko more than he let admit to himself.
Until then.
[…]
The silence accompanied Naoki until the day before his father was discharged, when the assistant of Mr. Oizumi sent the signed documents that made official the business relationship between the two parties; the appropriate corrections were made, accepted by both, reaching an agreement that benefited the companies.
It caused deep satisfaction to know that he could properly direct the company, although the launch of the latest video game hadn't occurred yet. That work was keeping the team busy—as well as him, occupied in the last minute details—because it was being made in fewer days. It was necessary to monitor everything properly… so it was perfect and obtained a clear success, with no failure for the rush.
However, after lunch, he decided to take some minutes to teach employees the presentation he had prepared a few days before, anticipating the conclusion of the agreement with the Oizumi Corporation.
Thus, he found himself in front of them in the boardroom, projecting specific parts of the work that would keep them busy at least twelve months, or slightly more, depending on what they developed. There was potential in the young people to employ their skills further with all these ideas, especially after the talk he had about risks and the changing world… of giving better opportunities for young people and gather their ideas with the experience of the elderly, in order to obtain much better results. He had highlighted the recent social networks and their possible future, and the companies that failed for turning their backs to the latest technology. With that talk, he convinced them and they accepted the changes.
Many liked his oratory; it was good that he occupied it in something important.
"And I left for the end, what will be the upcoming release of this summer," he announced when askance he saw Kotoko with a coffee pot, approaching to serve those who were sitting at the table.
He started talking, intermittently directing his gaze to her, the inspiration, before focusing on the work that they would begin to do with the creators of Kotorin and A Racquet Warrior.
"What's wrong with you?!" Cried a man's voice. He looked for the owner. "Don't be useless as always!"
He frowned at the man, rather young, who stood and pushed Kotoko, mumbling complaints against her. Naoki noted that then she ended her reverie with the presentation to realize that she had spilled the coffee of the employee, to whom she repeatedly asked for forgiveness.
Criticism to her started and he gritted his teeth in anger when he saw the red face of his girlfriend; she seemed to want to disappear.
They had no right to mock her.
And much less to insult her.
AN: I think Naoki's reason to make her his girlfriend is worse that an engagement thing.