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Isogai really didn't expect to ever hear from Chairman Asano again. His cheeks burned just thinking about how badly he messed up in the interview- he didn't stand a chance against all those experienced professionals.
For now, all he could do to support his mother's stay in hospital and raise funds was to work full time at the little restaurant that used to be a part-time job, and re-mortgage the apartment Even his little brother and sister had been pitching in; Mowing lawns, getting a paper round, doing anything they could. But still it wasn't enough to pay for more than one round of chemo.
So when he got a call of the Chairman himself, he was in shock.
"Congratulations. You've passed the interview." Gakuho said when Isogai picked up the phone.
"Wait- What- "
"I'm disappointed. Don't tell me you've forgot about the job you applied for already." The Chairman said, sounding faintly amused. Isogai's golden eyes widened, he felt shocked and then ecstatic.
"No! Of course not! So. Does this mean- does this mean I've got the job?" The Brunette said- this must be some sort of joke! no way he'd actually got it.
"You start tomorrow." Gakuho said curtly.
"Thank you so much, sir!" Isogai gushed. "I promise I'll make sure you wont regret this!"
Isogai arrived at the Asano residence bright and early the next morning, feeling truly hopeful for the first time in weeks. He knocked on the door, excited to start his new job- Working here, it wouldn't take long for him to save enough money to pay for the rest of his mother's treatment (Although, he and his siblings would have to try and survive of foodbanks and go without hot water and electricity for a while).
The Chairman opened the door. He still had that intimidating aura about him, the look in his eyes was still vaguely threatening. But he had given Isogai the job, so he must actually be a nice guy, right?
"Thank you for giving me this opportunity, sir." The teen said, with his ikeman smile. The Chairman didn't respond for a moment, he simply raked his eyes over Isogai, seemingly inspecting him. His red-violet eyes were piercing.
"I just hope you wont disappoint me." Gakuho said, with an icy smile that made Isogai's blood run cold. "Come in."
"Right."
The Brunette stepped in, feeling a little nervous- the house was as grand as he remembered, it made him feel out of place. The Chairman stepped behind him, closing the door and locking it.
"Well, go on then." Gakuho said, his voice so close behind Isogai, he could feel his breath against his ear it sent an involuntary shiver down the boy's spine. He forced himself to keep his smile in place.
"Yes." The Brunette nodded, starting up the stairs towards the office, the Chairman right behind him. He could feel the man's shadow looming over him, as he reached the last few steps at the top of the stairs, he suddenly felt a strong hand wrapped around his forearm, pulling him backwards. Before he knew what had happened, he lost his balance and fell into the Chairman's chest.
"Careful." Gakuho said, his tone taunting- like he was daring Isogai to point out what he had just done. He held the boy precariously against him for a few moments, his vice-like grip was the only thing stopping Isogai from falling down the stairs. The boy's face flushed at the sudden proximity.
"R- Right, sorry." He replied, shaken. He had to pretend the Chairman wasn't the one who had just nearly pulled him down the stairs. He had to act like everything was normal. Gakuhou pushed him forward, and let go of his arm. Then, like nothing odd had happened, the two of them walked into his office.
They spend the next twenty minutes or so negotiating Isogai's hours and pay. Well, 'Negotiating' basically came down to the teen agreeing to all the Chairman's demands. He'd be working a lot of hours, for a good hourly pay.
For the entire meeting, Isogai could feel sharp red-Violet eyes scrutinizing him, boring into him. He felt like the Chairman was trying to possess him. Every now and then, he gave the boy a thinly veiled insult that made the teen feel two inches tall. Things like; 'Even a commoner like you should understand this'. Isogai got the distinct feeling Gakuhou didn't like him- but then, why did he employ him? Just to mess with him?
"So, with business out the way, it's time for you to meet my son." Gakuhou said, leaning back into his leather chair. Isogai gave a genuine smile- He was excited to meet the kid. He wondered what Gakushuu would be like? He'd always been good with children, since he had two little siblings of his own. They were always so honest, and innocent and sweet.
The Chairman picked up a metal whistle from his drawer and blew it. Isogai stared at him, completely bewildered as to what he was doing. Then he heard the sound of small feet pattering along the wooden floorboards outside, and the door to the office swung open, revealing a small boy with strawberry blond hair, and the same violet eyes as the Chairman.
He was a cute kid.
"You called, Sir?" Gakushuu said, walking further inside. Isogai could only stare in disbelief- Gakuhou Asano called his kid over with a whistle!?
"Asano. This is your new child-minder." The Chairman said to the boy, with such formality that a stranger would never guess they were related.
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Gakushu said, with a false smile. He extended his arm to shake Isogai's hand like a mini business man. The teen was a little taken aback by the whole situation. This family was so strange.
"It's great to meet you too, Gakushu." Isogai said, giving him a warm smile. "I'm sure we're going to have lots of fun together."
"Yes, me too." The seven year old said. Isogai was relieved. His father may be a little strange, but Gakushu seemed like a nice kid, at least.
"Well, I have business to attend to." The Chairman said, stepping up out of his chair. He handed Isogai a thick wad of paper, his fingers lingered on the teen's for a moment. "This is Asano's scheduled for the week. Keep to it or there will be consequences." he said, as he walked out, not sparring his son a second glance.
Two seconds after they left the room, the smile dropped from Gakushu's face, and he turned to glare at Isogai, his violet eyes sharp, harsher than you would expect from a child.
"Don't get the wrong idea here, Isogai." The Kid spat, saying the teen's name like it was dirt. "You might be my 'childminder' but your really more like my servant. I'm the one who's in charge here."
"Gakushu this'll be better for both of us if we try to get along together." Isogai said firmly- He was a nice guy, but he wasn't a pushover.
"Don't call me by my given name. That's Asano to you, commoner." The kid hissed- he was fairly intimidating for somebody who couldn't be more than 4ft. "And don't forget- I'm the one with the power. You need this job, I'm guessing, but to me, your just an easily replaceable servant."
The Ikeman was at a loss for words. Was he seriously being accosted by a seven year old?
"Now. What does my scheduled say?" Gakushu said, crossing his arms. Isogai looked at it, his golden eyes widened.
"This must be a misprint?" He cried. "There's way too many hours of studying, and music lessons, and sport- "
"Give it here." Gakushu said, snatching the paper from the teen. He rolled his eyes. "This isn't a misprint, idiot. I'm meant to be practicing piano for an hour, then my maths teacher will arrive. You make me some lunch. I want rice balls."
With that, the little tyrant walked away down the hall, leaving Isogai stood there at loss of what to do. He forced himself to smile- Maybe the kid just took a while to warm up to people, they'd probably be getting along with each other in no time, right?
The Chairman pulled open his laptop, grinning to himself as he did. he'd left the webcam on for the entirety of his meeting with Isogai. He opened the saved video, his wolfish grin widening as the boy came on screen; He really was radiant. His bright smiles and golden eyes were warm and welcoming.
He had an innocent good nature despite all his hardships, he was naturally nice. The opposite of Gakuhou, a man who often felt there was a darkness inside him. He wanted Isogai. Getting him would be like bringing a lamb to slaughter.
I think this chapter was pretty chill until the last part were the Chairman brought the creepyness levels up to a solid ten. Anyway please review if you want to know what happens to Isogai, since he's dealing with two Asano's.