A/N: Unless translated otherwise, all dialogues are in English.
Chapter 5: Brothers
England 6:39 p.m.—April 13 (2 weeks prior)
Takumi strolled leisurely into an extravagant but sterile room. Without a word, he sat casually in the plush chair positioned beside an occupied luxurious hospital bed. His half-closed emerald green eyes stared boringly into a pair of strikingly similar eyes.
In a strained voice, the occupant of the bed looked over at the blonde middle-age business dressed gentlemen who stood stoically by the door. "You may leave us now, Cedric."
After the man obediently bowed and left the room, the bed's occupier turned his attention back to greet Takumi, "Good evening, Takumi. I appreciate that you've agreed to speak with me."
Takumi turned to lazily gaze at the splendid floral arrangement that was placed on top of a table near the window. Sarcasm dripped from his voice as he spoke. "It's very rare occasion to receive a formal request for an audience from you. I decided to come satisfy my curiosity even though it was against my better judgment since the last time we've spoke, you had compared me to a dog running away that needed its bones crushed into pieces."
Running his fingers through his ink black hair, the bedridden young man looked quite contrite as he responded weakly, "I must give you my sincere apologies for my sharp tongue during that time. My malicious words were spoken out as a defensive reaction to circumstances, of which you had no involvement with, that placed me in an uncontrollable situation."
Takumi's only response was to shift to a more reclining position in his seat as his expression remained emotionlessly unchanged.
Unsure how to convey to Takumi of his transformed disposition from their last encounter, he stuttered, "Of…course…that does not excuse my offensive behavior, but I hope that you will forgive me. I will admit that the last time we met I acted like a pompous jerk."
"Also arrogant, conceited, cocky…"
"Alright…"
"And may I add egotistical, overbearing and presumptuous."
Annoyed, the young man interrupted, "Ok, I think you've made your point! I was all that and more…but keep in mind…that people do change."
Feeling the pressure of the uncomfortably heavy atmosphere, the apologetic man tried to redirect the conversation as he quickly began, "I'll come right to the point. I have been requested by Grandfather—."
Takumi snidely interjected, "Gerard, you of all people should know that he never requests anything. Shouldn't you have said 'commanded' instead?"
Gerard waved his hand dismissively. "That is neither here nor there. Since you have been intentionally disregarding his mandates, Grandfather decided that I would be the best candidate in discussing the gravity of our family's current state of affairs with you."
Takumi sarcastically replied, "Did you draw the short end of the stick?" He sighed in disdain as he continued. "I have already been made aware of your recent visits to the hospital. Did he really think to get my consent by using you as the sympathy card? Let me save you time and breath at explaining the family's state of affairs. Even in Japan, I can read the British tabloids. I have been following the London stock markets and noticed the declining prices of the Walker's shares. Although it is beyond your control, I must say that it is poor business practice to allow rumors of your weakened health condition to spread within the corporate community as it does not inspire confidence that the CEO can properly manage the leading British company's day-to-day enterprise."
Gerard just shook his head in amazement. "I should not be surprised by your impeccable observation. It was never our intention that my condition to be uncovered as we took multiple precautions to conceal it, but we are continuing to investigate on how this information was leaked to the public."
"Well, even knowing this situation, I just want to make this perfectly clear. If this meeting is to inform me of my responsibilities, let me go ahead and give you my answer. I will not become the scapegoat to quell these rumors for this family, so don't even ask me to consider his proposal to name me as the secondary heir."
Exasperated, Gerard pointed out, "Whether you like it or not, we are your family. Do not ignore the Walker blood that is coursing through your veins, Takumi."
"Maria had reminded me of this fact before, but it is no fault of my own that I was born to this so called family. Tolerantly, I have allowed my existence to be disregarded as inconsequential and continued to allow my life be guided by the prejudice of this family…but it has gone far enough. I will no longer be made accountable for the sins of my father and mother."
Wearily, Gerard remarked, "Nonetheless, Grandfather is willing to absolve those sins to welcome you as a legitimate member of this family, Brother."
Takumi laughed bitterly, "Isn't this generous offer to pardon my birth too late? This intention for reconciliation will not erase all the past transgressions. Besides, do you even know the meaning of the word brother? You were just as bad if not worse than him with your acts of indifference toward me. Where were you, Brother, when I was left alone most of my life?" His voice was filled with contempt.
Gerard pleaded hoarsely, "Please, understand. That is in the past. You have no idea what is at stake now, what kind of loss—."
He could not continue as he began to cough frantically. As he covered his mouth with a fine linen handkerchief, he motioned with his other hand toward the glass decanter of water that was placed on the other side of his bed. Understanding, Takumi quickly got up to retrieve the silently requested glass of water. While he passed by, he noticed the chart record hanging on the end of the bed. The words acute biphenotypic leukaemia and probable remission less than 20% caught his attention.
As Gerard tried to discreetly conceal his handkerchief from his inquisitive gaze, Takumi's keen eyes did not miss the faint tint of red that stained the cloth. Acting nonchalantly as if noticing nothing, he poured the clear liquid into an empty glass tumbler and handed it to him. After Gerard took several sips that finally calmed his harsh coughs, Takumi stared piercingly as he asked, "So when were you planning on informing me of the severity of your illness, and how much time have the doctors given you?"
Letting out a surprised cough, Gerard choked out, "I see that no detail gets past your perceptive eyes." He paused as he pondered at how much information he should disclose but decided to just be blunt. "To be frank, they have all given the same prognosis. As I have relapsed to a quite rare form of cancer, I am limited in my options for treatment. In my current deteriorating condition, I may have about 6 months or if I am lucky, a year."
Takumi studied this man lying in the hospital bed before him. He doesn't understand how someone could be so calm after discussing casually about his remaining lifespan. It seemed as though he had already accepted his fate. Takumi loathed admitting it, but he could not read this person that he shared similar genes with. He then realized that this person is such a stranger to him…but strangers still deserve to be shown human compassion. Takumi simply needed more time to reflect on this recent factor before he gave any response. He turned his gaze out the window to watch the setting sun transform the color of England's smog-filled skies from dingy grey to misty pink.
Gerard watched Takumi carefully to gauge his reaction to the news that he had just presented to him. Although, initially he felt a pang of jealousy when he was advised of the announcement of publicly recognizing Takumi as an heir, Gerard did not fault his resistance since he understood all too well the weight of the responsibility that is being forced upon Takumi. That is why he did not intend for Takumi to find out about his life threatening condition as he did not want the burden of sympathy to coerce him into an agreement. In a way, he admired the inner strength that he saw in Takumi. He only wished that he had more time to mend their broken relationship, but admitted to himself that they had no previous relationship to mend. He agreed with Takumi that he had no right to call him brother. He continued to gaze at Takumi's broad shoulders as he contemplated on what lies ahead for this family.
Silently, Cedric appeared in the room and laid an elegant serving tray of tea down on a nearby table. Unbeknownst to both of the young men as each was lost deep in their own thoughts, a slender figure quietly entered the room and sat gracefully in the seat that Takumi had previously vacated. Their attentions were then turned to Cedric when he approached the new visitor to humbly bow as he served the first tea.
"Arigatou (Thank you), Cedric-san."
As Cedric meticulously prepared tea for the two young men, both men stared in disbelief at the sudden appearance of the woman before them. After he served the last cup of tea to Takumi, Cedric then bowed to the group and disappeared as silently as he came in.
"Konbanwa (Good evening), Gerard-san…Takumi-san."
As her greeting roused them from their surprised stupor, Gerard graciously bowed his head while Takumi stood stiffly as he gave a formal bow. They both greeted her, "Konbanwa, Obaa-san (Good evening, Grandmother)."
A/N: Continue to pray and support the victims in Japan.
OMG, please don't cast stones at me about this chapter as I felt this story needed a flashback side chapter to explain Takumi's reason for leaving. I didn't want you to continue to crucify Takumi as some of my readers expressed some resentment, but I will unveil the truth in the next chapter. I do apologize that I had to end this chapter so soon because I felt I may overwhelm my readers with too much information. But do not fret, I will hopefully wrap this flashback in the next chapter and continue the actual story in chapter 7. Some of my avid readers voiced their curiosity about why I brought in Shintani aka Sanshita-kun. As I explained to them, all will be revealed to those who wait...so please be patient. Please continue expressing your support by reading and reviewing. I deeply enjoy finding out what my readers like and dislike about my story. :)
On a somber note, I would like to send my thoughts and prayers to the victims and families of those who have been touched by cancer. I do not use it in my story to trivialize the severity of the illness. As cancer is one of leading cause of deaths in many parts of the world, I strongly advocate heightened cancer awareness.
To Andrea: As promised but hopefully not too late, I present to you your reward, this chapter. I hope that you have successfully completed all of your required assignments.
Completion Date: 03/18/2011