I might just entitle this story 'Poor isogai'. Thanks for the reviews people, wouldn't of got this chapter out without them
Looking after Gakushuu was exhausting. Isogai felt more like a chaperon than a child-minder. He was consonantly ferrying the kid from place to place; School, Karate lessons, cram school, swimming lessons, sports clubs, maths clubs, music lessons, more cram school- It was like a never ending stream!
Even after a week, Gakushuu refused to warm to Isogai, despite the teen's best efforts. The kid remained prickly and haughty. If Isogai made the effort to be nice to him, Gakushuu would hiss at him to 'Stop being so patronizing'. Whenever The brunette tried to be firm with him, the child would all but ignore him.
It didn't take long for Isogai to realize that Gakushuu treated everyone either one of two ways; With utmost respect and civility if he deemed them worthy, (He was a little angel for most of his tutors) Or like dirt if he decided the person wasn't worth his time. The kid would do everything he could to manipulate and control people. He was usually pretty good at it. The teen could easily tell what category he belonged to in Gakushuu's eyes.
The child's insane scheduled meant Isogai was hardly at home any more- he'd even had to sleep over one night in the spare room. His younger siblings put on a brave face, but thinking of them all alone in the dark apartment made the brunette's heart break (Although they often went to his best friend Maehara's house) He kept telling himself it was only temporary. He would have the money soon, his mother would get the help she needed, and things would go back to how they were.
That was the plan, at least.
"Asano, I've told you so many times that it's wrong to be rude to people. Don't you care about their feelings at all?" Isogai said, exasperated. Gakushuu's new science tutor had just left nearly in tears. She was young and just graduated from college, admittedly she had made a lot of mistakes, but the kid had completely torn her apart.
"No." the miniature tyrant said, not looking up from his work-sheet, his amethyst eyes impassive. Isogai resisted the urge to sigh; How could he make the kid understand? The child was so talented in so many things, if only he had a little more compassion he'd be able to help a lot of people.
"Well you should do, Asano, that lady was really upset."
"It's her own fault for being so weak and useless." Gakushuu said, with harsh conviction, as if he had no doubt what he was saying was fact. "If you're weak enough to be walked all over, you deserve to be. She was so incompetent, she had no use to me, so I don't care how she feels."
Isogai was still getting used to talking to a seven year old who argued like a corrupt politician. "You shouldn't treat people like dirt just because you can't use them."
"That's how the world works, you only bother with people if you need them for something." Asano said, looking up from his work to glare at Isogai. "Like the only reason my tutors like me is because I get the grades and win competitions, the only reason you're civil to me, even though you hate me, is because you're paid to be."
"Gakushuu- I don't hate you!" the Brunette said, taken-aback. The blond's behavior frustrated him, but it wasn't in Isogai's nature to hate. The kid looked at him for a moment, as if he had something he wanted to say, but instead, he just shook his head and looked away.
"Didn't I tell you to call me Asano? Anyway. Go away. You're distracting me." Gakushuu snapped. Isogai lingered for a moment, before leaving the room to start cooking dinner.
"I really don't hate you, Asano, not at all." Isogai said a final time before walking out the door. He didn't wait to see the kid's reaction.
Later that evening, was Isogai's weekly meeting with the Chairman. The Brunette felt a ripple of nerves just thinking about it; He still couldn't figure the man out. He was grateful to the man for giving him such a well-paid job, but at the same time, something about the way the man looked at him made him feel uneasy.
When the clock chimed 8, just after he had finished washing up the dishes, the teen made his way upstairs to the now familiar study room, and knocked on the door. Despite being in the same house as him for most of the week, Isogai hardly ever saw the Gakuhou Asano. His scheduled must be even more jam-packed than his son's. The only time he ever really spoke to his son was for an hour Thursday evening for tutoring.
"Come in." The Chairman's deep baritone voice called out. Isogai straightened his composure and walked in.
"Good evening, sir." He said politely, trying not to let any of his nerves seep into his voice. He clasped his hands together behind his back. The Brunette was a usually confident person, but even he felt insignificant in front of the chairman.
"Let's not waste time on formalities. Tell me. How is my son doing?" Gakuhou said, lacing his hands together and resting his chin on them, eyeing Isogai as if he were his prey. The Brunette took a deep breath. It wasn't easy, but there was a lot he wanted to say on that matter- For Gakushuu's sake as well as his own.
"Well, Gakushuu is a really talented kid. But there have been a few.. problems." Isogai started, forcing himself to smile.
"Oh dear." The Chairman said, cutting him off before he could continue. "Do tell me; Could it be my son didn't score the highest in his grade for a test?"
"No it's- "
"Or did he mess up during one of his music recitals?"
"He hasn't but- "
"Has he lost at one of his sport's matches?"
"No, that's not it."
"Then I fail to see a problem." The Chairman said, with an icy smile. "Do enlighten me on what Asano's problem could be if he's meeting all my expectations."
"Gakushuu might be very talented, but I'm really worried about his attitude! He only see's people in terms of how he can use them. He has no problem hurting other's feelings. The only time he's nice to people is when he has something to gain from it." Isogai said, exasperated. "He works too hard for a kid his age. The only thing he seems to care about is winning and meeting goals."
"And..?" Gakuhou said, not even flinching at the revelations about his son. He still stared at Isogai, looking vaguely amused at the teens exasperation.
"And he doesn't seem happy. He's always tired, and even though he's popular, I don't think he has any real friends. It's not healthy." Isogai cried- He hadn't planned on taking his argument this far, he knew he could loose his job if he pissed the man off, but the words he'd been thinking all week came spilling out. Isogai was a naturally protective person, especially when it came to kids. He thought the Chairman would take his concerns more seriously though.
"Gakushuu doesn't need to be happy to succeed. His previous accomplishments prove that." The Chairman said in an almost flippant way, although there was a sense of finality in his voice. The Teenager could only stare at his employer. What kind of parent didn't care about their kid's happiness? He remembered his own father, before the accident, smiling down at him when he was studying for a test.
Doing well is important, Isogai, but don't let exams take over your life either- live a little. I want you to be happy that's the most important thing.
"All the studying, and all the work. I think he does it to make you happy. You could pay him a little more attention." The Brunette said under his breath, almost a whisper. But sure enough Gakuhou picked up on it. The words spilled out before Isogai could stop them. He knew this was way out of line, something that could get him fired. Gakushuu had never explicitly stated he worked so hard to impress his father, but Isogai had picked up on subtle details.
The Chairman's expression darkened, the amusement from moment's earlier dissipating, even his stepford smile melting away into a frown. He pulled himself up from the chair, and Isogai felt himself being rooted to the spot, a deep terror passing through him.
" A foreign doctor called A. E. Fisher conducted an experiment on puppies once- have you heard of him?" Gakuhou started to say, as he began walking around his desk towards Isogai. The teen could only shake his head no his eyes wide and confused.
"His team separated puppies into three groups; Members of the first group were treated kindly at all times. Members of the second group were punished for approaching the researchers. And puppies in the third group were randomly treated kindly or punished. The third group grew up never knowing what to expect. Their world was not a world of kindness or punishment but rather one of uncertainty."
When he finished speaking, Gakuhou was right in front of Isogai, his large form towering over him, making the teen feel about two inches tall. Every instinct urged him to run, but instead he stayed, forcing himself to meet the Chairman's eyes that seemed to have even more red in them than usual.
"Do you know which of the three groups had the strongest attachment to the researchers?" Gakuhou asked. Without waiting for Isogai's response, he continued. "The third group. The mental stress of uncertainty is an ingredient in attachment, and the manifestation of hatred can enhance love. It's called the polarity principle. Everything I do is rational. Including how I raise my son."
At his chilling words, Isogai took a step back on instinct, only to have his wrist grabbed by impossibly strong hands. Before he knew what was happening, he was spun around and pushed forwards into the wall, the Chairman's bruising grip still on his wrists, the man's body pressing into him.
"S- Sir what are you- "
"Shut up." The Chairman snarled, his voice right in Isogai's ear, sending shiver's down the boy's spine. "Tell me- who pays you."
"...You do." The Brunette whispered, scared, staring at the wall inches from his face, feebly attempting to free his wrists.
"That's right. Not my son- me. I pay you." Gakuhou said, his teeth grazing the shell of Isogai's ear as he spoke. "I'm the one paying for your mother's cancer treatment. I'm the only one keeping her alive."
Isogai took in a sharp gasp- The Chairman knew about that?
"Oh- you didn't think I knew about that? I did some very thorough research before employing you. I don't take on just anybody." The Man said, letting go of one of Isogai's wrists. His hand trailed down underneath the boy's shirt and rested on his bare stomach making him gasp again. "You're a high school drop out. Your father died two years ago in a car crash. Your best friend's name is Hiroto Maehara- " The man paused and pressed his hand down hard on Isogai's stomach. "You have a scar here from having your appendix removed when you were eight. Your father had to work two jobs for months in order to pay for the hospital bills that caused."
The teen had no words. He felt as if the Chairman had pried open his rib cage and stared into the depths of his heart. He felt exposed, vulnerable. Who knew what else other private information this man had scraped up on him. The next thing Isogai knew, he was being spun around so he faced the Chairman, strong hands on his shoulders.
Gakuhou grabbed the teen's chin and forced his head up so their eyes would meet. The Chairman was smiling again, Isogai didn't know what expression to pull.
"I like your eyes." The Chairman said, as he loomed over the boy. "They're honest. It leaves you vulnerable. It will make it easier for me to control you."
"If your trying to control me, should you really be telling me that?" The Brunette said weakly, his heart still racing in his chest. He was sure the Chairman must of felt his pulse through his wrist earlier.
"It doesn't matter either way, Isogai." Gakuhou said, drawing out the teen's name as he spoke it. "I'm the one who holds your mother's life in the balance. Don't forget that."
The Chairman finally let go of Isogai's chin, and the brunette couldn't help but letting out a small sigh of relief.
"I wont." The teen said, in a small voice. Because everything Gakuhou was saying was true. He couldn't afford to loose this job.
"You are dismissed." Gakuhou said, with a crisp professional voice as if he hadn't just physically restrained Isogai. The teen nodded quickly and hurried out, the realization that the Chairman had the power to do anything to him dawned on Isogai. tears sprung to his eyes but he blinked them away quickly, shoving all his fear and helplessness in the back of his mind.
He had no time to be thinking such unnecessary things.
As soon as Isogai left the office, Gakushuu was waiting outside, sat on the landing, a small sullen figure with a Rubiks cube in hand. The child gave his minder a nasty grin as soon as he saw him.
"Let me guess. You were badmouthing me to my father? About how much you hate me?" He accused, as he twisted the small puzzle in his hands. There was no way the blond had heard what had happened, the Chairman's office was completely sound proof.
"I already said I don't hate you." The Brunette said, still forcing himself to block out unpleasant thoughts from the confrontation moment's earlier. A small, sad smile formed on his face as he sat next to the child.
"So? What did the Chairman say about me?" Gakushuu asked, turning towards Isogai. He was trying to appear flippant, but the brunette could see the eagerness and nervousness dancing beneath his amethyst eyes. He was clearly fighting for his father's approval. Isogai's head filled with Gakuhou's words;
Puppies in the third group were randomly treated kindly or punished. The third group grew up never knowing what to expect. Their world was not a world of kindness or punishment but rather one of uncertainty.
The mental stress of uncertainty is an ingredient in attachment, and the manifestation of hatred can enhance love. It's called the polarity principle.
Gakushuu was one of the puppies in the third group, knowing that affection from their master is possible but not a certainty, so working tirelessly trying to be worthy of that kindness, the attachment growing ever stronger, like chains around your heart.
"He said he's pleased you're meeting his expectations." Isogai told him, and even though it was the truth, it felt like a lie.
The Chairman stared at his hands the feeling of Isogai's skin against his still imprinted in his memory. His palm seemed to burn, and despite his cold demeanor, there was a fiery beast raging inside his chest.
He had thought that Isogai would just be another pretty little distraction, someone to take out his frustrations out on for a while, then throw away. But the brunette had exceeded his expectations. He didn't just look good, he was good.
Naively defending Gakushuu even though he could get himself into trouble; Who knew such a pure principled person driven by morals and not greed could come under the Asano family roof.
Isogai was naive, pure, idealistic, innocent, kind; All the the things the Chairman loved to corrupt until they blended in with his own twisted world view.
So things are starting to get even worse for Isogai, since he's enticed Gakuhou even more, and he still can't handle Gakushuu, his mother's sick, he doesn't see his family and friends so much, he has to work all the time- basically I'm a horrible human for writing this.
The puppy thing is a real experiment btw, look it up!
Please leave reviews to tell me what you thought/any ideas you have/ if I should continue
bye!