Chapter 12: Inundation

In a deserted hut facing the open sea in the middle of the afternoon, a sorrowful yet infuriated man tells a tale of suffering. Through the years, he has been carrying his heavy burden as he watches his greatest archenemy being pampered in luxury. His anger was built out of it and eventually evolved in a more drastic form: revenge. The winds blew harder than before and leaves rained down on the little hut by the seaside. His first desire was to be heard out by his guest—his wish came true. He didn't know where to start but he was a good persuader on top of that. He could convince his guest through his story depending on how well he told the tale or how gravely affected his guest's heart was just by hearing him out. Unfortunately, he only had one chance to do this. In the event that he failed to convince his guest, the second attempt would be five times harder than the first. He sat down on a chair that rocked back and forth depending on his movement and took a deep breath before telling the tale.

My name is Hajime Sano. In the family, I'm one of the twin sons of the president of a multinational gaming company in which its name is famous throughout the globe. In school, I'm just an ordinary high school boy with ambitions to run my own company. Thanks to a change of mind made by my foolish father, the crown of succession in the company and the wealth of the family now reside in the hands of my other twin brother: Hajime Takashi. This made me very furious and forced me to take up arms and fight for the right of succession by running away along with my share of the family wealth and getting proper education to fulfill my dream of having my very own gaming company that will come in equal terms with the family's company. Then, when the time is right, I will have them regret that they chose him over me.

My story starts when I came for a visit at the Takara residence a year ago. I wanted to see how much my cousin Miyuki had grown. Although it was legal to marry my first cousin, I just laughed it away because it didn't feel right for me. Even if they forced me to, I wouldn't comply because it was an act of deprivation of my right. Anyway, during dinner, Miyuki told me about her school life with her wonderful friends. I was glad to see her smiling more frequently than my last visit when I was still at middle school. I asked her what her friends looked like. But she only had one picture of them, wallet size. She had twin purple pigtails and smiling while flashing a peace sign under the shade of the tree. Upon looking at the photo, I dropped my spoon into the soup. The splash stained my good clothing but I cared less because an emanating beauty mesmerized me, as my eyes had perceived. As I looked at the photo longer, Miyuki took the time of introducing her to me.

"Her name is HiiragiKagami. She's very smart and also a class representative; just like me. I'm sorry if I only have her to introduce to you. I'll show you my other friends in the future."

I thought I was dreaming at first because I had never seen a girl like her. It's like a dream come true. In fact, it was too good and too real to be a dream. I desired to meet this girl in person and have her know that I was blessed to have known her.

"Miyuki, can I keep the photo?" I requested.

"Um…sure…" She answered with a little bit of hesitation.

"Don't worry; I'll take care of this picture as if it was my own son."

With that being said, I left the Takara home because my dad had something important to say to me. During that time, we recently discussed my succession to the family's wealth and his company. My dad was pretty old and his arthritis made it worse and more of an excuse for his inability to work efficiently. He planned on giving me the keys to the building his hard work built while my twin brother Takashi would inherit the computer company also owned by our family. We had no violent reactions about that. We were happy in our state of being. Adding my first meeting with the most beautiful girl in the face of the planet, life is very wonderful. Along the way in my blue SUV, I stopped to buy today's paper. Of course, since I would soon own a multinational company, I looked at the business section of the broadsheet. In the front page of the business section it said that both of the family's companies, the gaming and the computer company, have already merged into one huge company. I was overjoyed by the news because I would be managing a bigger company than the usual. Then again at the same time, I was worried because Takashi wouldn't have anything to manage from now on thanks to the sudden merging. This must be the important announcement of my father for me. I went home immediately after the sudden news, rejoicing and worrying at the same time.

My father welcomed me upon arriving at home. He told me to follow him to the gazebo. We sat down under the roof of the gazebo while a cool breeze whipped up while having a cup of coffee. It was then I realized that the merging of the two companies was only part of his important announcement to me. His lips flapped and I heard…words that were too terrible for me to hear.

"You're moving the crown of succession to him?" I said exclaiming.

"Your brother proved to be more efficient at work. For the sake of our family and the company, I wish you'd understand."

"No, don't give me that! I too am working hard to become just like you. Then you're going to give it to someone who even barely passed the high school exams?"

"Your brother showed top class management in all aspects. He can run the company better."

"Are you implying that I can't run the company efficiently?"

"I said no such thing. But please try to understand that this is for our sake. I know that you strive hard to become a successful businessman but none of us want to lose everything we've worked hard for."

"I can't believe this! It's like you're saying that Takashi is your favorite—the better twin!"

"Sano, listen to me—"

"No, you listen to me and you listen well! Don't think that I'm incapable of running a multinational company efficiently. I can be as better as—no, even better than him! Just you see!"

I stood up with anger written all over my face and marched inside the mansion. I ignored everything and everyone around me. The only thing that was on my mind was to have a personal talk with my twin brother who had just been promoted; or about to be promoted to CEO. I barged into his room and saw him relaxing in his air-conditioned room and watching a movie he rented.

"You got some explaining to do, Takashi!"

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb with me! You obviously persuaded dad to move the crown of succession to you."

"Don't go making false accusations. Dad just approached me and said to me that I would be taking his place once he dies."

"You had the choice to say 'no'! I was next in line, not you!"

"I can't help it. It was Dad talking, not some employee."

"I can't think of anyone to blame but you. You always had everything: high grades, heart of gold, and not to mention being favored by most of our relatives. You seem to not have a weakness! That sickens me."

Eventually, the mansion security separated the both of us before I could even give him the one-two. My father saw me burning in fury and uncontrollable anger and did the inevitable on me—he slapped me with his arthritic hands.

"Listen Sano, if you're going to show an attitude like that towards your brother, then you have no right to administer my company! Reflect on your actions and cool down."

After thinking about my actions, I decided that this family doesn't deserve me more than I deserve them. I quickly packed my things and silently tiptoed across the silent mansion to the door. I told the guards who were on duty that night that I was going out for some exercise since it was 4:30 in the morning. I left with my blue SUV, my things, and my share of the family's wealth. I swore to myself that I would erect my own company from scratch and I would run it more efficiently than them. That way, they would regret having moved the crown of succession to someone like Takashi. On top of everything else, I needed a place to stay. I turned my attention to my grandfather who solely ran a kendo dojo in Kanagawa. Hours on the road and I've reached my grandfather's dojo where he accepted me in exchange of training with him in the ways of the samurai. From that day on, nobody in the family called me in Kanagawa. My only chance of happiness was at the mercy of one person—Hiiragi Kagami.

After another visit to Miyuki's house and a talk with her mother, I got the information I needed. I quickly drove to the town of Kasukabe where I pulled over at Ryouou High School. I parked nearby and monitored the campus entrance from the comforts of my car. That time, it was dark and cloudy—rainfall seemed totally imminent. Hours of waiting later, I saw a freshman girl with twin purple pigtails. There was no mistake—it was her. She was waiting for somebody just outside the campus building. I quickly went out of my car and crossed the street. I hid behind the wall to build up my courage. Then when the time was perfect, I saw a horrible and unbelievable sight: my brother. He approached and talked with her. I couldn't reveal myself otherwise I would be found by the last person I wanted to be with. I stood my ground and surveyed the two. I could hear their talk since the surroundings were as quiet as a library.

Then, I realized that I had enough. My last chance of happiness was lost to the man I considered my greatest enemy aside from myself. My hopes for a good future have been shattered by his proposal to you. The only way to settle things was by breaking the rules of life. This is now where my story ends.

"Now you know." Sano said.

"I…didn't know that you cared as much as him." Kagami replied subtly. "But…the fact that I haven't answered his request…"

"There's still time. You can make the right choice by denial."

"But…"

"If you can't answer such a question, then we'll fight for your heart. Takashi and me will duel blood for blood, life for life, and by such way determine who has the right."

"Wait, it doesn't have to be this way!"

"I didn't mean spilling blood literally. I meant a kendo match right here. I'll show my brother how tough I can be."

"Like I said, nobody's depriving you of your abilities. You have the wrong idea."

"No! I have been mocked for too long by those who raised me from birth. This is how they will treat me in return to all the hardship I have endured over the past years? The time for talk is over."

TO BE CONTINUED