Chapter 5 – Goodbyes
Satoshi and a chauffeur picked him up when he landed. (Mitskuni went home with Yasuchika.)
"Where's Izumi, Taka?"
"She's back home." Satoshi didn't know what to say so he left it alone. He couldn't read the expression on his brother's face and refrained from prying as much as he wanted to.
As soon as he got home, he called Izumi to let her know that he arrived safely and that he loved and missed her. He went to sleep, knowing he would need all the rest he could get for tomorrow's meeting.
Takashi woke early in the morning and began his workout with Satoshi. Satoshi loved his older brother and utterly adored him. Every defeat he endured, he took with great pride as he always learned something. Takashi also took great joy in spending time with his younger brother, relishing it more after that brief period with the Williams. Family was so important and so fragile. Takashi hated what he was about to do, and couldn't tell his brother about it. Not until things were settled.
"Thanks for the great practice Taka."
"No need to thank me."
"Will you be home later today? I'm going to Yasuchika's soon."
"I should be."
"Is Mitskuni coming over?"
"Yes."
"Cool! See you, young!"
Takashi chuckled to himself. She needs to teach him something else to say.
There was a click of the door when Takashi heard a servant quietly call him, "Young Master, the Haninozuka's have arrived."
"Thank you."
"They have been taken to the meeting room. Tea will be brought." The servant bowed and waited for Takashi to walk by before walking away.
Takashi went to the meeting room...It was where they had the tea ceremony after Izumi had accepted his ring. It was redecorated for the ceremony and all the original furniture was back in place. Takashi saw his parents sitting on the sides, where he and Mitskuni normally sat.
"You called this meeting son, you will sit at the head."
Takashi sat opposite of Mitskuni. It was an odd feeling, for one day, they would both be sitting here as heads of their families. It was odd to be doing so now while so young.
A servant brought in tea and quickly walked back out.
"Thank you all for coming on such short notice. I am grateful to have such wonderful people around me -" he began when Mitskuni's father interrupted.
"Skip it son. We've known each other long enough now just say it already."
"Must you really be so barbaric all the time?" Takashi's father retorted. "They both will need to do this one day, let them stand on formality until it is their turn to lead."
"How about you both stop talking so Takashi can speak." Mitskuni's mother interjected.
"Takashi darling, there's no reason to be nervous. Please continue." His own mother encouraged.
Takashi looked at Mitskuni, who nodded, encouragingly.
"I know that Izumi and I have only been promised to each other. However, my time with her in America has opened my eyes to the true difficulty she has been facing. I am proud of her for overcoming such obstacles and becoming such a strong person. She has persevered through much darkness." he paused, allowing the opportunity for comments, but no one said anything. "I visited her parents' grave and paid my respects to them. While there I assured them that I would take care of her. In keeping with both my promise to them and to her..." he took a deep breath and looked his parents, "I would like to move out of the Morinozuka Estate."
Mitskuni was the only one that smiled.
"What?" the room chorused.
"Have you thought about the implications of your decision?"
"I have father. Which is why I wanted to discuss the decision with you before doing anything."
It was his mother's turn to smile, "That is wise my son."
"Why don't you tell us how you came to the decision first."
"Yes, Haninozuka-Sama." Takashi bowed. Takashi explained what had happened with the emancipation, the competition, her injury. He told them about the various options they came up with and, although Izumi protested the course Takashi picked, she promised she would agree to it if his parents did. He explained that he wanted to live on his own because being with the Summers and living in Boston, he realized there was so much he did not know how to do for himself. In the past year, he grew so much as a person. He continued to say that he does not think he can be a good leader if he does not understand what it is that other people must deal with. This opportunity wasn't just to help her, but him as well.
Mistkuni was the only one who seemed very happy with it all. Everyone else was solemn. Finally, Takshi's father spoke. "This all seems very rushed. You just came back yesterday. You just finished your first year in university. There's not much time before the 2nd Trimester starts. Do you think you'll have time for all of this? Have you thought this through?"
"I have father."
"If this is indeed the path that you choose, then you are no longer a child of the Morinozuka home. We must discuss the details of your departure."
"WHYYYYYY TAKA!" Satoshi looked on the verge of tears. "You didn't have to do it that way! I'll talk to mom and dad, you can stay!"
"If your brother wants to mess up his life over some girl, then let him d-" whack
"DON'T YOU DARE TALK ABOUT HIM LIKE THAT." The younger brothers turned towards each other, Satoshi ready to spring...
"Guys stop," Takashi ordered as he pulled his brother off of Chika. "It was my decision."
"Why did you have to drag Mistkuni into this?" Chika pouted as he rubbed his head.
"Tsk. Chika-chan, I wanted this as well."
"I thought the Morinozukas were supposed to protect and serve the Haninozukas, not the other way around." Whack. "What's the rush? It's not like you need this." Yasuchika side glanced at Takashi as he was still blocking Satoshi's last hit.
"Enough Chika-chan. I'm sorry your upset, but the decision has been made. I support Takashi."
"Fine, screw up your life!" and Yasuchika ran off, Satoshi chasing after him.
"As much as he calls you an alien, he really does love you." Takashi looked down at his cousin. "You don't have to do this."
"I know I don't, but I want to. I think it will be good for the both of us."
"Thank you Mitskuni."