When Saionji got home the next day, he was surprised to find Touga sitting across from two men in finely-tailored, charcoal-grey suits. It was a facade, he knew, the way Touga looked almost normal, almost the way he had before. Saionji bristled at the thought of the two men forcing Touga into putting on the act. When the three of them turned to look at him, he scowled.
"I'm home." The words came out forced.
"Welcome back."
Saionji scrutinized Touga closely as the latter greeted him, but he found no clue as to what his friend was really thinking or feeling. Touga was more accustomed to deceit than to let on just because someone he wouldn't have bothered deceiving walked into the room.
"These two are lawyers from my family's estate," Touga explained, gesturing towards the two strange men. "They've come about my father's will."
Saionji left his shoes and bag by the door and joined them, sitting beside Touga.
One of the lawyers cleared his throat, glancing at Saionji with a hint of apprehension, and spoke. "We do not intend any disrespect, and we hope you will appreciate the reason for our concern."
"Concern over what?" Saionji demanded.
The other lawyer replied, evasively, "It is a matter of the family's image."
Saionji glared at the two of them, but they looked back with detached calm. It was Touga who spoke next.
"I'm being disowned."
"How dare they?" Saionji snarled.
"It has not been left to our discretion. This decision has been issued from the highest level."
"Meaning my father," Touga interjected.
"Why?" Saionji asked.
"As the heir of such a prominent family, one must conduct oneself in a manner that holds up to the scrutiny of the public," one of the lawyers intoned.
Touga explained, once more. "They know about the appointment yesterday."
"Please," one of the lawyers said, "imagine how the family company would be viewed, if it became known that the heir was facing psychiatric difficulty. Such news would completely undermine the trust which is placed in our stability."
"And that is not the only way in which Mr. Kiryuu's behavior has not been in accordance with the proper standard for one of his standing," the other added. "There is the matter of... accommodations."
"It would be better, by far," the first one took up the thread, and continued, "if the Kiryuu's heir were to return to the sort of living situation befitting one of his status."
Saionji glanced over at Touga, who was sitting very still, looking straight ahead. The latter had made no response to this last comment, bordering on an accusation. But Saionji could not be so placid. If Touga wasn't going to stand up for himself, Saionji was determined to stand up for him, even if he looked like an idiot doing it.
"And all this, it's for the good of the family?" he demanded.
The lawyers smiled in a cold mockery of courtesy. "But you must understand the correctness of the issues which we have brought forth," one said.
"For an individual to honor their family through certain acts of discretion," the other continued, "this is not an unreasonable request."
Saionji rose, unceremoniously, and as the only one on his feet, he stood high over the others in the room. "Touga's not leaving. He's not going back to pretending to be the perfect heir, just because it suits your whims," he insisted.
The lawyers failed spectacularly to be intimidated. "We do not speak only for our own interests," said one.
"And neither do you," the other continued. "Or isn't Mr. Kiryuu allowed to speak for himself?"
Saionji was taken aback, for a moment, by the sting of this retort. But only for a moment.
"Get out!" he demanded. "This is my apartment, and you are not welcome here."
The lawyers were still unfazed. They collected their papers, stowing them in fine leather briefcases, and got deliberately to their feet. They bowed formally, and Saionji responded stiffly in kind, beholden to the ritual.
"We regret that you cannot acknowledge the truth in what we say," said one of the lawyers.
"But if Mr. Kiryuu is unable to behave in a manner appropriate to an heir of a company of this standing, then he will not be one," the other continued.
The two of them proceeded to the door with a dignified air, and Saionji followed them. He didn't know what he could be expecting, but he didn't want to turn his back on them until they were truly gone. He waited as the door closed behind them, and listened to their footsteps retreating on the other side.
When he turned back, Touga was nowhere in sight. That was better, he thought. He didn't really want to face Touga after Touga had sat and watched while Saionji made a fool of himself in front of the lawyers. After Touga had put him in the position of doing that, because Touga couldn't be bothered to stand up for himself.