There used to be an announcement here about the continuation of this fic (after 5 years). Now it's become a semi-chapter.


Karma temporarily blocks his mother's phone number. The exams are stressful enough, he doesn't need another reason to feel on edge. He intends to unblock it once he's done, but at some point he forgets, too comfortable with the silence.

He doesn't hate her. At least not right here, right now, not actively. If he's physically tired enough to not feel the dread, he answers her texts. If he prepares himself mentally enough, he can even answer her calls - though usually, it's a chance of about one in every thirty. Karma can maintain a certain amount of contact to get her off his back, but he can't call her mom coz she isn't one, can't stand seeing her name pop out on his screen. Even 'I.' pushes it.

It's almost tragic.

He used to miss her.

Then, at some point, he realized she probably didn't miss him back.

He used to admire his father too.

Before he turned into a cruel monster and before he completely messed Gakushuu up, he actually loved his father.

Karma used to run to his strong arms asking to be picked up, he used to imitate the man by stealing his books to 'read' them, hoping to get praised. It had once been a delight to be acknowledged and patted on the head by his dad. But that person only lives in his memories now, memories that Karma wishes he'd forget.

He doesn't truly hate them.

Not anymore. He's not five and stupid anymore, he's not nine and lonely anymore and he's not thirteen and pessimistic about any relationship with adults anymore.

But if he could, he'd rather never see either of them again.

He falls asleep with that single thought.


Gakushuu doesn't remember the last time he and his father sat down and had a proper home-cooked meal together. A month ago? Two? He does have a recollection of going to a high-end restaurant at the beginning of this semester... No, wait, that was as part of a business dinner.

It's nothing out of the ordinary, really. Even during the day, the only time reserved for the two of them, just the two of them, are the fifty minutes before leaving for school. Fifty minutes, which start when Gakushuu walks down the stairs into the kitchen and receives a plate of breakfast, when Gakuho sits across him and sometimes raises an eyebrow at the prominent dark circles under his son's eyes.

"A teen like you should be getting at least eight hours of sleep per night. Are you perhaps struggling to manage your workload to not be meeting that requirement?

Gakushuu ignores it every time. He doesn't want to be mocked first thing in the morning and it's not like the man who sleeps two hours a night has any right to criticize him. If Gakushuu could function on two hours of sleep and still carry out his duties without the drop in quality, he'd do it too. Alas, he's not a superhuman like his father, he can't memorize a whole book upon reading it once or learn a skill through mere observation.

Thankfully, Gakuho usually wouldn't go beyond that initial jab. He'd sit there, calmly sipping his coffee while retelling his son of the news he read and the innovations he came up with. Gakushuu would receptively nod, add a comment here and there. But beyond that, they never truly talked. Unless the man had something to teach him, there was rarely a reason to.

And lately, even that small interaction has diminished.

They've been busy, both of them. Gakushuu isn't as crazy to say that he liked the routine, but it was preferable to living out his days alone in absolute silence. And silent the house did grow as his father gradually spent less and less time at home. He doesn't miss the man, that would be ridiculous, but Gakushuu sometimes catches himself wishing to reach out and speak to him and maybe… maybe finding a common ground.

It comes as a surprise then, when Gakushuu returns from the Final exam in the evening and the fragrance of sautéed onions and warm rice hits him upon entering. It almost reminds him of the old times, when he'd find his father helping his mother cook after coming back from preschool, of when Gakushuu was still excited about finally having received his own set of keys which he then had to pry out of Karma's hands to open the door.

"Asano-kun," his father greets, pulling Gakushuu back to reality.

"Chairman," he says back, putting the school bag down. Still rather shocked, he remains motionless in the middle of the kitchen while observing the man. "Is something the matter today?" he asks hesitantly.

Gakuho's brows lift slightly before his lips form an easy smile. "Why, yes. You and your classmates have just completed the last exam of this year. Is a dinner to commemorate such an occasion not appropriate?"

It's difficult to read the chairman's intentions. His tone sounds as genuine as it can get, but the smile confuses Gakushuu, just as the reasoning does.

Still, he sits down and plays along. The food is done in a little over ten minutes, by which point Gakushuu has thought of several theories, including that his father is trying to poison him.

The dinner, however, doesn't kill him. He finds it good even, which in itself is quite an accomplishment. Gakushuu's always been a bit of a picky eater after all, since he found most spices and aromatics overwhelming (quite an irony, considering that his brother was the proud collector and connoisseur of all spices under the sun). Whether his father actually knows that or simply sucks at seasoning, he will probably never find out.

"So? How did you fare?"

It's a fair question. Gakushuu expected it at some point, but he still almost spills water on himself.

"The problems you picked were quite a challenge." He puts the glass glass down and rests his hands on the table to hide the jitteriness. "Apart from one question in math, I answered everything."

His father won't be pleased to hear that, for sure. But Gakushuu has nothing better to offer.

Yet the lecture never comes and neither does the disappointed stare. Instead, Gakuho looks slightly surprised.

"As long as you take the first place," the man drones in the end. His eyes wander to the side as if he's mulling something over. "With how I prepared the students in the main building, we'll take the top again and solidify my philosophy."

His father's gaze lands on him again as if waiting for an affirmation. The silence stretches on as Gakushuu fights an internal battle of taking the easy way out and giving in, and actually standing up for himself. No, not just for himself - for his classmates, for class E... and for Karma.

He takes a deep breath. Even though he's afraid and unsure of many things, his priorities will never change.

"I don't agree with that philosophy anymore, sir," Gakushuu declares, voice unsteady. "What I told you in the office back then is what I believe: A victory born of belittling and misleading your opponents is not a victory at all. You do not become strong by trampling over the weak. True strength emerges from challenge and the ability to inspire others... and that's the kind of ruler I strive to become. "

He meets the chairman's gaze and immediately recognizes the clogs turning. It's a minuscule change of expression, but the corner of Gakuho's lips twitches, a clear sign of discontent. The smile doesn't falter, but it's grown cold, just as the violet in his eyes has hardened into amethyst.

"Thank you for the dinner, sir." Gakushuu stands up then, putting his plate and chopsticks into the dishwasher. "I'll be retiring for the night. I wish you a good night." He bows before retreating to his room.

Gakuho doesn't stop him. There's no point anymore. He sits there for the next half an hour, simmering in his own thoughts before deciding on the next steps.

"What a shame."