Ren lends Sae a friendly ear. Kunikazu Okumura cooks his final meal.
[3 Years Ago]
The click of heeled shoes echoed ominously across the hallways of the police station. People parted ways, looking terrified at the absolutely livid young woman that strode purposefully, as if on a mission.
The silver haired prosecutor reached her destination, and rudely barged in.
In front of his desk and writing his report, sat senior Inspector Masayuki Niijima. The man looked up curiously at the intrusion.
Noticing that it was merely his eldest daughter, the man sighed and adjusted his tie.
"Oh, it's you, Sae-chan. What is it now?" He asked, voice tired.
"Don't Sae-chan me, old man. What the hell is this I hear about an undercover operation in Shinjuku!?"
Masayuki's posture changed from tame to stern. "Always swearing and using that tone of disrespect with your father. I have raised you better than this."
"Don't change the subject, dad." She said hotly.
The man pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm not changing the subject. I just don't wanna fight with you again. My day has been stressful enough as it is."
"Well, mine has been worse!" She seethed out.
The man got up and walked away from his desk, then leaned against the window, pulling out a cigarette.
"Odawara told you, didn't he? I should've known that bastard would pit you against me again."
Sae crossed her arms defensively. "He told me with good reason, because this undercover cop in crime den bullshit rarely works. What the hell are you thinking, dad?"
The man relaxed on his sternness as he smoked. "Nothing bad is gonna happen to me, hon. I have it under control."
The woman looked ready to rip her hair out. "Dad, for the love of god. If you don't care about my opinion, at least please, please think of Makoto."
The man inhaled his smoke, and said nothing.
Sae held a scared, pleading look. "Please dad, don't do this. I beg of you."
Masayuki sighed. "It'll be fine, kid."
Sae exploded at her father's stubbornness. "Do you have a death wish!? Do you think you're in one of those trashy Yakuza movies!?"
Her father finished his smoke and sent her a warning glare. "That tone of disrespect again. Sae, just leave it alone."
"No! If you're so dead set on doing this, then you are going to hear me out!" She shouted, furious.
The man crossed his arms and stared at her, coldly. "Well, go on then."
"For years, YEARS, I've had to deal with your bullshit! You never listen to me, you always ignore what I say to you, and you make Makoto think you are this smart and heroic grown up, when I know for a fact that you are stubborn, stupid and reckless!"
"Keep going Sae, give me more of your big girl tantrum." He mocked viciously.
"Fuck you dad! Why do I still bother reasoning with you!?" She screeched, seeing red at her father's taunt.
Her own father had a furious glint to his eyes.
Sae trembled with fury and desperation. Without really thinking of the consequences, she let out: "You know what, Masayuki!? I hope you die for your recklessness."
Before either of them could register it, Masayuki slapped Sae across the face.
Both of them froze. The man paled, realizing he had finally raised his hand against his daughter.
"Y-you h-hit me?" She muttered in betrayed disbelief as she held her cheek.
"Sae-"
Before he could start to apologize, Sae stormed away with tears of humiliation and anger running down across her face.
[10/10, The Present Day - Evening]
Sae had a shitty day at work. One of the worst she ever had in recent memory.
It wasn't even because of the work subject, no. She always did the same tasks as the other days: listened to some asshole brag about something inconsequential, dealt with other people's incompetence and falsehoods, picked up their slack and complied with whatever bullshit was asked of her.
She could deal with all of that. But it was incredibly unbearable to do so when she just felt sad.
It was a foreign emotion to feel when there was nothing tragic going on in her life - She has never been better. But it felt like a deep sense of loss nonetheless.
How absurd of a notion it was to consider that Sae, of all people, was put on the verge of tears over a tantrum her baby sis had thrown at her. It had no right hurting this much.
'And it's my fault too, for making her feel this way in the first place. What if she doesn't want to talk to me again?'
A sad smile curved on her lips. What would happen when Makoto left home one day? Would Sae be an old idiot sister who would weep like a weakling because she doesn't have her baby sis to fuss over anymore?
'God I'm so fucking pathethic. She isn't even my own damn child.'
Her heart hurt.
Go fuck yourself Sae.
You are not my mother.
'I guess the failure is real now. She hates me.' She thought mournfully.
She was actually sure Makoto didn't mean any of that. Well, technically she was right. Sae was not her mother, even though she had raised her all her life.
That's fine. It's not like Sae wanted to usurp their mother anyways, she was just fulfilling a promise.
Either way, it was just her sister having a classic Niijima meltdown. Sae herself had some that were ten times more dramatic and unnecessary than the one her baby sis had. She can't honestly hold this over Makoto's head, or it would be absurdly hypocritical of her.
She remembered the day before her father was killed. They had that ugly, fateful discussion. They both crossed a line that day.
Sometimes though, Sae felt she deserved that slap. If anything, for her disrespect. She should've woken up then, and apologized. No matter how much they disagreed, no matter how selfish and reckless her father was, he was still her only living parent.
Sae guesses, now knowing exactly how he felt as she shouted those hateful words back at him, her perspective has shifted a little and she understood her father a bit more for it.
Though, unlike what he did to herself, she'd never slap or hit Makoto. She slowly rubbed her own cheek at the reminder.
Even with the worst of her impulses and dark thoughts invading her mind when she was distorted, that was a line Sae never dared to cross. She had been in the position of the person who took the hit once, so she knew how demoralizing and hurtful it was. She'd never do that to her sister.
The silver haired prosecutor sighed and decided to return to her tasks at hand. Thank goodness it wasn't a court day. She would've resigned on the spot if she had to deal with a trial on top of all the things she was working through right now.
She had no plans to do overtime this week, so she could go home much earlier. Her asshole boss had forced her into taking four days out of her usual paid vacation days, so that only left her with six more that she could freely claim until next year.
Her work-life balance sucked.
Arriving home, Sae noticed that the house was dark and quiet. Not a single lamp was on. Makoto was not home, then.
Sae rolled her eyes and pulled her phone out, checking her previous - and pitiful - attempts at contacting her.
[Sae Niijima Little Panda]
[Sae Niijima - 8:12am: What was that yesterday?
[Sae Niijima - 8:15am: When I return from work, we should talk.
[Sae Niijima - 8:25am: Alright?
[Sae Niijima - 2:25pm: Makoto?
[Sae Niijima - 5:21pm: At least tell me if you had a good day at school.
God she sounded pathetic. Sae then sent her sister another message.
[Sae Niijima - 7:12pm: Where are you?
She waited another ten minutes before giving up waiting for an answer. She called her sister a few times, but it went unanswered.
Sighing, she decided to dial Makoto's dumbass boyfriend instead.
"Monsieur Amamiya is out, this is his handsome secretary Akira Kurusu speaking." He spoke smugly from the other side of the line.
She ignored his usual idiocy. "Clown, I need your help."
"Let me guess, you want me and your sister to continue the Niijima bloodline?"
She blinked. "What the fuck? No."
Then she growled. "Actually, hold on. I should punch your teeth out for that comment."
He whistled. "You're threatening to assault a minor, I am calling the police on you, Satan."
"They'd arrest you before they'd arrest me, you dumbass criminal." She said in exasperation, tired of his antics.
He just laughed at her response.
"No, seriously. Have you seen Makoto? She left me on read and isn't answering any of my calls."
He sighed. "Um, sort of? She actually ignored me and locked herself up in the student council room during school."
"Well she hasn't come home yet. And she is also pissed off at me."
"What did you do to her this time, demon?" He tutted.
"I committed the folly of defending you and Okumura-chan during dinner last night." She said dryly.
"Well shit, my condolences. In that case, just reach out to the gang, she should be with one of the others if she isn't with either of us."
She rubbed her eyes in irritation. "Fine. I'll check with Takamaki-chan."
"You know Satan, you sound like you need an angel. Why don't you come here and have a cup of coffee? We can chat or you can give me that punch you promised." He spoke with a devil-may-care attitude.
"Amamiya you are an awful human being. I don't know if this is a taunt, a shitty pick up line you are test driving or a genuine friendly offer to listen to my troubles."
"Maybe all of the alternatives, but you are certainly not my type, ew. Makoto is my only one."
She actually laughed at his taunting response. "Good, one less reason for me to punch you. I'll be there soon, I could definitely use a cup of coffee."
It wasn't like she was going to manage to fall asleep tonight anyways.
"Roger that. See you soon, hellspawn."
And without waiting for her to bid him goodbye, he hung up on her.
'What an asshole.' She thought, chuckling.
Then she sent a message to Takamaki.
[Sae Niijima Ann Takamaki]
[Sae Niijima: Takamaki-chan, sorry for disturbing you. Have you seen my sister?
[Ann Takamaki: Oh, hey Niijima-san!
[Ann Takamaki: Yeah, Makoto is with me. She wants to crash here.
[Ann Takamaki: Uh btw, is everything alright between you two?
[Sae Niijima: We got into an argument yesterday. I defended Okumura-chan and Amamiya-kun during dinner, and she got angry at me.
[Ann Takamaki: Jesus. Yeah ok, makes sense now.
[Ann Takamaki: Is it okay if she stays here? I dont wanna have to say no to her.
[Sae Niijima: That's completely fine, thanks for hosting her. Perhaps this way she will cool down.
[Sae Niijima: Let me know if you girls need anything or if you have any expenses, I'll cover it.
[Ann Takamaki: Will do Ace, thanks!
[Ann Takamaki: Oh and you can totally call me Ann. I'm cool with that.
[Sae Niijima: I see. Very well Ann-chan, you can also do the same.
[Ann Takamaki: Alright, Sae-san! Talk to you later.
"That was your sister just now." Ann said as she tossed her phone beside her in her bed.
From across the room, Makoto was sprawled on the spare futon, holding an issue of COOLEST upside down and fake reading it.
"Makoto! Don't pretend to read that magazine! Did you hear what I said?"
Makoto sighed in response and put the magazine down. "What do you want me to say?"
"Look, I'm not gonna force you to open up or anything like that, but I worry about you, okay?"
She sent her best friend an apologetic smile. "Sorry Ann. I guess I'm just too emotionally drained to deal with everything right now."
"Okay, that's fair. But I'm here for you, alright?"
Makoto sent her a thumbs up. "Thanks."
They spent some time in companionable silence, browsing their phones and sending each other links of silly videos, both of them snickering here and there.
"Makoto, this is so childish." Ann said, barely stifling her laugh after the brunette sent her an edited old picture of her and Sae together, with Sae having two little devil horns on top of her head and the caption of 'Satan' below, while Makoto herself was smiling at the camera with her hands clasped in front of her. "Who taught you to edit things like this?"
'Believe it or not, it wasn't Futaba, but my ex-friend Eiko. Well, she insists we are exes anyways."
"Oh God, I totally forgot that girl existed. I don't know what you see in her."
Makoto frowned. "She's my buchi-bestie."
Ann rolled her eyes. "Whatever. But I'm your team-bestie, right?"
The brunette chuckled. "No, you are my bestie-bestie."
The blonde beamed at her. "Yay!"
Makoto stifled her own laugh. "Anyways, please don't share this with anyone. Futaba-chan and Ren-kun would use that as fuel to rile her up."
She might still sort of hate sister right now but after the conversation she had with Ryuji-kun, she felt like most of the senseless rage she held in left her body.
"Alright." Ann said as she giggled.
Then she adopted a mischievous look on her face that clearly spelt doom for Makoto.
"Did you know Ren looked like a kicked dog today? He looked sooo sad when you didn't talk to him!" The blonde said dramatically.
Makoto groaned. "Shut up. Ahhh, that was so hard… You had no idea. I almost caved in."
Ann sent her a friendly glare. "That was so dumb. You should just talk to him. He's really worried, you know?"
"I wasn't in the right mind to talk to him earlier today. I wouldn't honestly be this calm over here if it wasn't for Ryuji and Yusuke."
"Oh yeah, what did they even do!?" Ann asked her incredulously.
"Believe it or not, they both gave me pep talks. Yusuke-kun was very blunt and brutally honest, but that was pretty good. Then Ryuji-kun took me to the gym to work some of my aggression out, and we had a chat." She said, sounding both relieved and melancholic. "They're great guys. We need to give them more credit."
Ann rolled her eyes. "And yet Ryuji can't even ask a girl out. I bet he'd say something pretty stupid too."
Makoto snickered at her friend's expense. "That's why you should just go and ask him out instead. If you wait for Ryuji to do anything, you're gonna wait forever."
"What? Why the hell would I want to ask Ryuji out? That's ridiculous!"
The blonde fumed and dug in on a box of chocolates, all the while complaining about Ryuji and how tactless and messy he was. The corner of Makoto's mouth curled up in amusement.
Kunikazu Okumura couldn't tell day from night. Everything was hazy, his head was pounding, and his heart just felt like it was going to break out of his chest.
Was this truly the terrifying power of those Phantom Thieves or…
…Something else entirely?
"Father… Are you alright?" The small voice of his daughter echoed from the other side of the door.
'Please, leave me alone.' He thought in crushing desperation.
"I'm worried… The servants told me you're not eating." She insisted.
There was no appetite to be had. He would vomit just at the thought of the word 'food'.
"Please… At least drink some water, sir." She spoke, voice full of concern.
He didn't respond, just waited for her to leave. He could not bear to look her in the eyes.
He couldn't even look at himself in the mirror.
Eventually, his daughter left him alone, but there was no feeling of relief or respite.
There was only remorse. He was a failure.
But at the very least, he owed his late wife to be a man and fulfill his obligations.
If he was going down, then so was them.
He made a phone call.
"Takakura." He spoke, voice feeble.
"Okumura-san?" The other man's voice echoed, surprised. "How can I help you?" His fellow executive inquired.
"I want you to come here to my state. There are some things that I can only entrust to you." He whispered.
Sae knew she was probably going to have trouble sleeping that night for drinking coffee so late, but it was either that or resorting to alcohol.
She would like to think that she isn't at the level of needing to get plastered just yet. Her sister was just being difficult.
She entered Leblanc and sighed, taking in the delicious smell of curry and coffee. Hm, perhaps she could eat something as well, she had no energy to cook herself some dinner after all.
"Sakura-san, Amamiya-kun. Hi." she greeted them as she sat down across from them.
"Eh, you can stop with the constant Sakura-san thing, Niijima-san. Just Boss or Sojiro will do."
"Very well, thank you Boss. In that case, feel free to address me by the first name as well."
Sojiro nodded.
"You can call me chief as well." Ren said cheekily.
She rolled her eyes at him. "Chief of all smartasses, I'm sure."
Boss chuckled good naturedly at their odd banter, then took a look at his wristwatch. "I must get going, or else Futaba will eat instant ramen for dinner again. After you serve the miss, make sure to close the store, do you hear me?"
"Leave it to me, Boss."
He nodded to them both and left.
At that moment, she saw Morgana peek out from behind the counter and jump over it, approaching her.
"Hey Ace!"
"Hi Morgana." She greeted, scratching under the little fellah's chin, to which he purred.
A few minutes later, she turned to Amamiya, who put a freshly brewed cup of coffee in front of her. "Here, to help you with your troubles."
"This better not be some slop." She snarked. He just grinned.
After taking a few sips and feeling herself relaxing, she sighed. "So, she gave you the cold shoulder as well?"
He scratched his neck. "She refused to talk to me. I think she is still pissed off at my decisions."
"Classic Niijima temper. It'll pass once she finds an outlet for it." Sae responded, rubbing her temples.
"I know. Believe it or not, Ann and Futaba messaged me. It seems like Yusuke and Ryuji helped her calm down."
"Is that so? Well, at the very least she isn't pushing all her friends away."
"I agree, but… You dont look like you're doing too well with the situation either."
Sar gave him a bitter smile. "You'll be happy to know that I feel miserable."
He frowned. "Hey, while I like to snark and rile you up, it's something that comes from reasons you are well aware of. It doesn't mean that I want you to be a miserable person just for cruelty's sake. I am not that petty, and I did promise to try to change my opinion of you, didn't I?"
She looked chastised. "Sorry. I guess I was just projecting a bit. Well… Makoto and I fought, and she threw a couple of things back at my face. Like the fact that I don't have any friends, so I wouldn't know how to treat them. And also the fact that I am not her mother."
"Hmm… And hearing that bothered you." He stated.
She pursed her lips. "It shouldn't, because she is right. She is not my child."
"I did not specify which part I was talking about." He said simply.
Sae swallowed dryly. "I see. But still, those are the facts."
She saw him sharing a look with Morgana.
Uncomfortable at their silence and reactions, she felt like she needed to justificate herself. "I promised my mother I would take care of Makoto on her deathbed. She begged me to."
She saw Amamiya-kun put a hand on his chin. "How old were you when you lost your mother?"
She looked up at him, surprised at his oddly indelicate question.
"Ten." She said cautiously.
"And Makoto?"
"Three." She supplied, even though she was not sure where he was going.
"Was there any form of female presence in your lives throughout the years, after your mother's passing?
"...None, unless you count my uncle Katsuya's friends, Serizawa-san and Amano-san, but… they were not constant presences either. I only met Serizawa-san as a small child, and I try to not bother Amano-san unless I can't help it."
"So, effectively, you are the sole female figure in your sister's life."
She felt uncomfortable as she finally saw the angle he was aiming for. "That would be the case."
"I hate to say this, but you are, for all intents and purposes, Makoto's parent."
A foreign, painful emotion crossed her chest, and an unbidden memory came to her mind at that moment.
'You are my mommy too, big sis.'
'Well, I'm your sister, silly. I can't be your mommy.'
"Your mother should never have asked that of you. You were a child." He said seriously.
She gritted her teeth. "Watch it."
"No, you need to hear this… You are just as much of a victim as Makoto is here. You were ten years old. No ten year olds should have to become the parent of their toddler sibling. Where was your father?"
She felt a violent urge to defend herself and her family. "Amamiya, you don't understand what we've been through. My father was a shell of his former self, he threw himself on his job. And I wasn't all alone. My uncles helped back when we lived in Sumaru. It wasn't that bad."
"Yet, when you moved away, your father effectively put the strain of raising Makoto on your shoulders. When you were around Futaba's age." He stated, unimpressed.
At the mention of Futaba, she remembered the young girl timidly asking her if she wanted to know more about next generations Pokémon sometime.
It was such a small thing. It meant more to Sae than even she herself ever realized, as her inner, neglected child had rejoiced at such an innocent, kind offer from a girl she almost hurt with her injustice.
Thinking of poor Futaba in her place, with her struggles in raising Makoto, her heart shattered.
Not knowing the full extent of her emotional turmoil, but understanding her, he continued. "You were, effectively, robbed of having a healthy childhood. Did you have time to play? To have your own needs met as well?"
She felt a powerful wave of emotion hit her.
Don't cry.
Hold it in.
Don't let him see the tears.
"Sae-san….I am so sorry." Amamiya said, with real, genuine emotion in his voice.
"Don't" She growled out, not wanting his pity.
She didn't know what to say. What to even say? It was true.
It was fucking true.
While her father kept throwing himself into danger at his police work, she had to raise Makoto. Is Makoto is sick? Skip school to watch over her. Does Makoto need something? Stop whatever you are doing and attend to her.
Feed her. Bathe her. Make sure she finished her homework.
Is Makoto throwing a tantrum? Deal with her.
Is Makoto crying? Calm her down.
Is she scared of the dark? Make sure to soothe her.
'Every single one of your pains, your fears, your emotions, they don't matter.'
'Makoto needs you. You were already robbed of a mother, don't be selfish and try to rob her of one too.'
'Do your damn job. Don't be selfish.'
Morgana headbutted on her hand, trying to give her some comfort. She petted him back.
How very disturbing that the promise that she lived for all these years was now twisted with a simple realization…
…That she had been just a neglected, immature child pushed by grief and guilt, forced into the role of being the mother of another small, innocent child.
"I… It's true. I am, effectively, Makoto's surrogate mother. I didn't choose to be, but I had to. I couldn't abandon her."
"I understand. And I think I can grasp more of your choices now. I am not saying this justifies any of the bad things you did towards Makoto… But now I can't help it but feel like you were let down, too."
She was let down.
Someone failed her.
A part of Sae that she didn't know existed felt seen, like the inner child that was forgotten had finally received a comforting headpat.
"I don't know what else to be other than her caretaker and guardian." She confessed. "I don't know who I am outside of Makoto."
"Start by just being her sister. And being yourself."
"What if I don't know what that means?"
He gave her his usual shit eating grin. "My dear Satan, that is the fun part. You go out there and find out."
She snorted. This motherfucker!
"Damn you, Amamiya. Now I feel like I can't give you that punch I promised you any longer. It won't feel right after this display of humanity on your part." She joked, trying to mask her pain and sadness.
He laughed. "It's alright, there are plenty of opportunities for you to punch me out. We'll make more of them as we go."
"Deal." She said, her voice weak with emotion.
After a few moments of more contemplation, she recomposed herself.
"Thank you, Ren-kun. Truly." She thanked him, her voice filled with gratitude. "You have given me much food for thought."
"Anytime, Sae-san. Anytime."
While he was still feeling a little down that Makoto had kicked him to the curb earlier in the day, he was also feeling glad he had the opportunity to learn more about the person that raised the girl he loved.
Ren found that these days, his vicious hatred and dislike of Sae was naturally going away as he spent more time around her, both outside and inside the metaverse.
He wasn't entirely in her camp and she still definitely irked him a little, but he could finally understand more about her, and truly sympathize with her own personal struggles.
'I can feel my bond with the she-demon growing stronger…'
JUDGEMENT ARCANA: RANK 2
"Well, I heard from Takamaki-chan before I came here. Makoto will be staying with her tonight. It means I'll be on my own, but there is nothing I can do anyways." Sae said, the resignation clearly present.
Morgana's eyes shone like stars. "Ahh, lady Ann is such a great friend!"
Ren ignored Morgana and grinned at Sae. "Look at the bright side. You can now practice your witchcraft rituals while nobody is home."
She shot him the same look she would give a lowly insect. "You're ridiculous."
As soon as Takakura entered his study, Kunikazu directed him to sit down.
"Forgive me, Okumura-san, but I wasn't expecting to be called in today. Did something happen?"
"Yes. I need you to schedule a press conference on national television tomorrow evening."
The man stared at the president of the Okumura Foods for a while, but eventually bowed. "I shall arrange it."
Kunikazu briefly looked away.
"I will also rescind the marriage offer between Haru and Sugimura's son." He said, defeated.
Takakura seemed surprised. "That's… Unexpected."
Kunikazu just nodded. "It's for the best. I no longer believe I have what it takes to be a politician, so the match is no longer advantageous. And my own daughter has protested the union since the start."
"I see…" The other man replied, clearly uncomfortable.
He pressed on. "I have just finished writing my will, and when the time comes I need you to execute it."
Takakura's eyes widened in surprise. "Okumura-san, I do not understand..."
"I believe I will be dead soon." Kunikazu replied, coldly.
Takakura was shocked, and got up in alarm. "E-excuse me?"
"Sit down, Takakura." He commanded the other man, calmly.
Takakura stood still for a few seconds, but then complied with uncertainty.
"I don't have much time left, so let us not waste it."
He passed him a folder, the contents being the pages of his will.
"This is my testament. Sign it up as my witness, then send it to the lawyers to file it and make sure it's valid. I want this to be finalized tomorrow at the latest." He spoke imperiously despite his weak voice.
Takakura nodded.
"I have also put on a written statement that I wish for the wedding to be called off, and any attempt at forcing the issue is to be completely disregarded."
His hands trembled, and his breaths got short and ragged.
"If I die, I want this executed the day after my funeral. You will step up as Okumura's Foods Interim president."
His fellow executive looked taken aback but acquiesced. "I shall respect your wishes, Okumura-san."
The president of Okumura foods relaxed slightly in a brief respite from his bodily tremors.
Kunikazu thinks he may have loved Haru, but that love was always laced with some bitterness for her not being a son that could inherit and continue his grandiose legacy.
But now… He was such a failure that perhaps he didn't deserve to be a father in the first place. He hoped his daughter led a better life without him around.
All he felt was remorse.
"I am entrusting you with the wellbeing and safety of my company… And my only child. Do not fail me."
"I will not." Takakura spoke firmly.
"Good." He whispered.
He had been a blind fool. He set himself to fail by trying to compete with Shido politically. If the Phantom Thieves had not gotten to him first, Shido would.
He had no other choice
"One more thing before you go, Takakura."
He passed the other man a USB Stick.
"Take this with you."
"Sir…?"
"Do not mention this to the police, nor take a look at its contents if you want to stay alive."
Takakura looked terrified. Kunikazu's own eyes darkened.
"If I die… I want this to end up in the hands of a prosecutor within the SIU. Her name is Sae Niijima."
By delivering this, he was probably painting a target on that woman's back, but if she was not already in cohorts with Shido and his cronies, then she was bound to be a target anyways. Odawara's mentee was his only choice at this point.
Ironic, considering that the former head of the SIU tried to prosecute Okumura Foods before.
Takakura got up, and bowed deeply. "I shall abide by all your wishes, Okumura-san."
Kunikazu nodded, then coughed on his white handkerchief.
When he finished, he could see the cloth was full of black, tar-like blood.
[10/11, The Present Day - Early Morning]
That morning, Haru finally saw a change.
Her father was out and about. Despite looking well dressed and groomed, he still appeared weak and sickly. But he also seemed mellowed out in contrast to the breakfast they had shared a few days ago.
"We will be holding a press conference tonight at the headquarters, at 8pm." He said, his voice weak and frail.
"A press conference?" She asked, curious.
Has her father's chance of heart finally taken place? Was he going to confess his misdeeds?
"Yes. There is much I need to say."
"I see… Do you wish for me to go with you?" She asked, concerned.
He shook his head, "No need. Takakura is taking care of it. Just enjoy your day. You may have the entirety of the reservation at Destinyland to yourself and your friends tonight."
"Destinyland… Oh, the canceled company party's venue?"
"Yes. We'll hardly get any money if we try to ask for a refund. Do as you like."
"Ah… Thank you father." She responded, slightly disconcerted by his priorities. "Father… About the marriage, I-"
"There is no more marriage. I have finalized all the details just yesterday. Do not worry about that."
"I… I am no longer engaged to Sugimura-san?" She asked, breathless.
'Please…'
"In my perspective, that marriage now offers us nothing of value. You're free of that burden now."
She let out a breath, happiness fulfilling her chest. She was free.
She was finally free.
"Sir… I… Thank you!" She said, voice filled with emotion.
Her father didn't say anything else, just seemed to stare at his food in disgust. She waited.
Nothing else happened.
Her hands clenched. Shouldn't she be grateful either way? He did rescind the marriage offer after all, and was likely going to confess his sins tonight.
Still, she waited for more, like perhaps an apology.
She received nothing.
'So be it.' She thought sadly.
When he reacted again, he got up and offered her his arm. "Come with me, child."
Frowning, she readily got up and followed her father, then taking his arm. He was silent the entire way, guiding her upstairs, towards his study. Once they arrived, he approached a painting of a pair of swans in a lake that he had commissioned for her mother.
She gently let go of his arm as he removed the painting and showed her a safe.
"Father… What is this?"
"This is my personal safe. Everything inside it is yours now." He said, his breaths growing ragged.
"I… Do not understand, sir." She questioned, confused.
"I will admit it, you were never meant to see the inside of this safe, I never deemed it necessary. But I no longer can claim to be the owner of its contents. They're for the eyes of Okumura Foods' sons and daughters only. I am now unworthy of it."
She was speechless. Did that mean her father considers her worthy now…?
"The password is your mother's birthday. Go on." He said, his voice feeble.
Hands trembling, Haru began to open the safe with the instructions and guidance of her father. Inside, was not a large space. But it seemed to contain a couple of boxes and folders, and a well preserved notebook that looked at least half a century old.
"What is all of this?" Haru asked, with genuine awe in her voice.
"Family heirlooms… Jewels that belonged to your mother and grandmother. Your grandfather's old watches, as well as the most important culinary secrets of the Okumura family. All our recipes, techniques and good practices, passed down from hundreds of years until now. From our first ancestors, up until your grandfather, who started the company on his own. I never made use of any of these secrets. I wanted to grow Okumura Foods with my own hands, and my ambition alone." He whispered, his voice full of regrets.
Haru's eyes stung, a strong emotion coursing trough her. All their fortune meant nothing to her when compared to what was now in her hands. This was beyond valuable to her, the most precious of gifts.
"Sir… I am beyond words…" She whispered reverently.
"Of course. After all, this is nothing to be taken lightly. These are the very foundations of our family and company both."
"But… Why me, why now? I am not the head of the company yet..."
"Someday, you will be. Therefore it's best if you start to partake in the company affairs and our family legacy. Maybe, Okumura Foods as a company will soon be over… But even if we lose all our fortune and prestige, I cannot let these secrets get into the hands of someone that is not an Okumura. Guard them well. And move them away to another place."
He fished a key out of his pocket and handed it to her. "There is a penthouse in an upscale part of Shibuya. You will find that there is another safe that you can use, and the residence is registered under Takakura's name for privacy reasons. Leave the jewels here for now, but take these family secrets there, and you can live on your own in the penthouse if that is your wish."
Haru was starting to get a sense of foreboding. At first, she was moved, feeling like her father was finally displaying some manner of regret for his actions… Only to see that he is clearly just being paranoid over something.
"Sir-"
"Don't ask questions that you are not ready to know about, my daughter. After tonight, you will understand these precautions."
She looked away, her body getting filled with bitterness. "I see. So this isn't about trusting me. This is about protecting your legacy."
He shook his head. "As I told you, after tonight, no matter what happens, you will understand."
"Very well. Can I take my leave? I'd like to visit this penthouse now and get these to safety."
"Yes. Go on."
She quickly dashed towards the door, holding back her feelings of rejection.
"Haru." He said, his voice weak.
She turned around, feeling slightly hopeful that maybe...
"I will not ask for forgiveness from you. I believe I am not worthy of asking anything out of you, child. The one thing I can tell you now, is to keep your head high at all costs. Bow down to no one, you are Haru Okumura. Do you understand me?"
'I see you now, father. You are still a small man after all.'
"Perfectly, sir." She responded, her eyes full of pity.
She left, never looking back.
To be continued…