Advertisement
FluffandCrunch

Confession (Part Three)

Nov 8th, 2012
14,938
1
Never
Not a member of Pastebin yet? Sign Up, it unlocks many cool features!
text 33.03 KB | None | 1 0
  1. Mr and Mrs. Nakai, as well as myself, walk through the halls of the hospital, the sounds of hushed conversation, the electronic chimes from machines and the sounds of our own feet against the tile echoing off the floor and walls. Even so, I can hear the taps of my cane clear enough and I can sense the two of them to either side of me.
  2.  
  3. I was very surprised they asked me to join them, but I don't have the feeling it's for anything bad. They seem to have calmed down quite a bit after our initial meeting.
  4.  
  5. I feel my cheeks grow warm remembering the circumstances.
  6.  
  7. Oh, goodness, I hope that isn't what they want to talk about.
  8.  
  9. We reach the end of a hall and wait for a moment. I hear a ding and a door opens before we enter a tiny room.
  10.  
  11. The three of us stand inside. I can hear them breathing over the hum of the elevator, but they still don't say anything. Their continued silence is making me a little concerned at this point.
  12.  
  13. We exit the elevator and the main lobby of the hospital has many voices in it, the sounds of computers and the comings and goings of many people.
  14.  
  15. “Lilly?”
  16. “Yes, Mr. Nakai?”
  17. “Would you excuse us for just one moment? I would like to say something to my wife privately.“
  18. I try not to grimace in worry. “Of course, Mr. Nakai.”
  19.  
  20. I hear their footsteps recede a little distance away while they talk. I try not to, but I can't help but strain and attempt to hear what they are whispering about, but I can't pick anything up. I feel a little self conscious; doubtless they are talking about me in some way, I can feel my ears burning.
  21.  
  22. A few moments later, I hear at least one of them return.
  23. “It was very nice to meet you, Lilly,” Hisao's Mother says in a formal tone.
  24. I'm surprised; she sounds like she's leaving. “It was a pleasure to meet you as well, Mrs. Nakai.”
  25. There's a little hesitation, a pause that goes on for too long.
  26. “I just...,” she starts, then stops talking suddenly.
  27.  
  28. “Mrs. Nakai?”
  29. She sighs, and from the sound of her voice, she is now bowing deeply towards me. “Please...take care of my son.”
  30.  
  31. I'm taken aback by her action and the strain in her voice, but I don't hesitate to answer. “Of course. Of course, Mrs. Nakai. I promise.”
  32.  
  33. Another sigh from her and Mrs. Nakai walks away very quickly.
  34. “I'm sorry about that,” Mr. Nakai says from my right side. “My wife is very protective of our son.”
  35. I turn more towards the sound of his voice. “Is everything all right?”
  36. He chuckles nervously. “Well, my wife wanted to have a discussion with you, but I don't think it would be the best thing for her right now. I think she wants to live in her ignorance a little longer about the nature of your relationship with our son.“
  37.  
  38. I cringe. “I'm so very sorry, Mr. Nakai. I apologize profusely over what happened. I should have been more aware, I should have....“
  39.  
  40. “It's all right, young lady,” he assures me. “There's no need for you to explain Hisao and your actions to us. Chalk it up to a simple accident and we can leave it at that.“
  41.  
  42. I clutch my cane tightly in my hands and bow. “Thank you very much.”
  43.  
  44. Mr. Nakai stands in front of me and doesn't say anything.
  45.  
  46. “Is there...something else, sir?”
  47.  
  48. “Well, yes, there is. My wife wanted to talk to you about...well, you know. But I wanted to discuss something else with you.“
  49.  
  50. “What...what about?”
  51.  
  52. Mr. Nakai lets out a very long sigh and if I'm not mistaken, he sounds very upset as well.
  53.  
  54. “I wanted to thank you.”
  55.  
  56. “Thank me?"
  57.  
  58. "For the obvious reasons. If you hadn't been there, I may not have a son today.“
  59.  
  60. “I'm sure Hisao would have been just fine, Mr. Nakai. I'm not entirely blameless. If it hadn't been for me, he never would have pushed himself so hard.“
  61.  
  62. “That's the other thing,” Mr. Nakai says. He hesitates. “I'd like to thank you for putting my son back in the hospital.“
  63.  
  64. My heart leaps in my chest. “Excuse me?”
  65.  
  66. “I know that must sound like a horrible thing for a Father to say, but I can't help but feel grateful.“
  67.  
  68. Mr. Nakai sighs once more and it's a very labored sound.
  69.  
  70. “I have not been the best Father to my son. My wife and I were never around. We had our jobs to attend to. We're still fairly young and career minded. I was growing very concerned about Hisao, about where his life was taking him. I feel that I've been reticent in giving him the guidance he needs to make something of himself in life. He'd never spoken about his future or his plans, he just sailed through life and I was worried he was letting it pass him by. He never had much initiative as a boy, he was a very lonely child. He had friends, but never very many and no one you could consider a best friend and not once did he ever bring someone over to the house or talk about a girl.“
  71.  
  72. “The truth is, when my son had his first attack, I thought his life was over. He had enough difficulty as it was, but with his heart condition stacked on top of it, I couldn't imagine how he would ever cope with it. I thought he was finished and the only thing as a Father I could do for him was ship him off to some school in the country with the hopes it would do him some good.“
  73.  
  74. Mr. Nakai speaks very slowly, choosing his words carefully. I can tell that this must be very hard for him to say and my heart goes out to the man. I remain silent, afraid to interrupt him for fear that he'll be unable to continue.
  75.  
  76. "I couldn't stop worrying about Hisao the whole time he was away at school," he says, "but I felt powerless to do anything. I ran myself ragged with worry. I know I've been an embarrassment to him in the past and I thought the best thing I could do was give him space to deal with his problems on his own terms. I thought that no news from him meant that he was keeping himself busy. I could only hope he was keeping himself safe and doing his best in academics. As I said, he never had much drive, but he's a smart boy, a good boy, and he's done well with his grades."
  77.  
  78. I can hear Mr. Nakai shuffling around and the rustle of fabric. I think he's pulling at his tie.
  79. From what I can tell, the man is almost painfully awkward at times while trying to be as earnest and kind as possible.
  80. He reminds me very much of Hisao.
  81.  
  82. "When my wife and I got the call that our son was in the hospital again, I thought that it was over. I didn't think he could recover from a second attack. And my fears were confirmed when we visited him. My son looked...."
  83.  
  84. Mr. Nakai stops for a moment to collect himself and he makes a troubled sound. I feel a worrying pain begin to build in my chest for him.
  85.  
  86. "I guess I know why he looked so devastated now. He thought he had lost you. He didn't talk about you at all. I imagine the thought was too painful. But for me, he looked...he looked defeated. Finished. I thought that the second attack had done him in, that he was giving up. His body may recover but it looked to me that he never would."
  87.  
  88. A tiny, relieved laugh with just the hint of a sob.
  89.  
  90. "But when we walked in today...I know it was embarrassing, but I don't care. All through this visit, my son looked happy! For the first time that I could remember, he looked happy! Young lady, my son couldn't take his eyes off of you! I'm not sure how else to say this, but you didn't see the way he looked at you! I can't believe half of what he's told me! He has a girlfriend who he obviously adores, he has friends, more than he's ever had before and he's planning on going to university and becoming a teacher! A teacher!"
  91. Mr. Nakai laughs sadly. "That's wonderful! For the first time in a very long time, I think my son is going to be all right!"
  92.  
  93. There's some hesitation, but I feel his hand come down gently on my shoulder. "You have done more for my son in a few months than I have ever been able to do for him his entire life. I can't tell you how happy I am to see him like this. He has a new direction! He's a completely different person! You should have heard him speak to his Mother!"
  94.  
  95. Mr. Nakai laughs, this time with humor. "My wife is a very stern woman. Hisao is her baby and I have never seen him stand up to her the way he did today. There was a fire in my boy I had never thought he could possess." He chuckles. "No, I shouldn't call him a boy anymore. He's a young man now. And I can tell that you were a major cause of that. This has been a wake up for him."
  96. Mr. Nakai gently grips my shoulder in gratitude. "So thank you, young lady. Thank you so much for everything that you've done for him!"
  97.  
  98. I'm left speechless. I have to collect all my buzzing thoughts and quell the pain in my throat before I can speak. "I- I don't know what to say, Mr. Nakai."
  99.  
  100. He chuckles again. It's a nice sound, just like Hisao's laugh. "I realize my wife is a very hard woman at times, but I promise, she'll warm up to you very soon. Once she gets over the shock of her little Hichan having a girlfriend, she'll come to love you, I know she will."
  101.  
  102. I hear him shuffle nervously, his shoes squeaking on the tile floor.
  103.  
  104. "I don't know what the two of you have planned exactly for university, but with your parents not in the country, I'll be speaking to my wife about this; I'd like you to know that if you and Hisao are interested, you are more than welcome to stay at our home until you have a clear idea of what you'll be doing. Or if you just need time to get yourselves prepared for life on your own, I'd be happy for you to stay with us."
  105.  
  106. "Mr. Nakai, I couldn't possibly...!"
  107.  
  108. "Nonsense. I insist. I can tell how important you are to my son and I want you to know that there is always a place for you in our home. You are a more than welcome part of our family."
  109.  
  110. I'm shocked and overwhelmed by his offer. He barely knows who I am and he's already opened his home to me? After everything that has happened, with my family being away for so long and Akira leaving, for the first time in a very long while, I suddenly know what it feels like to belong somewhere. "Are...you certain?," I whisper in doubt reluctantly. "It's such an offer, Mr. Nakai. I don't think..."
  111. "Of course I'm certain. It may be sudden, but you make my son happy. That's all I need to know."
  112.  
  113. I try to remain composed and bite my tongue.
  114. I smile and nod, trying not to cry. If I spoke, I'd start.
  115.  
  116. "Young lady, I hope it's not too presumptuous, but would it be all right if I gave you a hug?"
  117.  
  118. I laugh and gasp a little sob into my hands. "Of course you can!"
  119. Mr. Nakai very gently puts his arms around my shoulders and gives me a soft and warm embrace.
  120. My cheeks are wet with tears.
  121. "Thank you for giving me my son back," he whispers to me.
  122.  
  123. ----------------------------------------
  124.  
  125. The door opens and I start awake, making an ugly snort as I do.
  126. Lilly steps into the room. "Hisao, are you all right?"
  127.  
  128. "Yeah," I say, rubbing my eyes. "I must have dozed off, that's all."
  129. She clutches the door tightly. "Are you that tired? I can come back later...."
  130. "No, I'm okay. I want you here."
  131.  
  132. I look up at her, framed by the doorway, my eyes clearing. Lilly's face is slightly red and her eyes look tired and strained.
  133. "Lilly, what's wrong?"
  134. She smiles and taps her cheeks bashfully. "I'm...I'm all right."
  135. "What happened? Did my parents do something? What happened?"
  136.  
  137. She steps over to the side of my bed, placing her hands on the sheets and finding my own hand, taking it tightly into her fingers. "Nothing happened, Hisao. I just...your Father and I had a talk."
  138.  
  139. I groan. "He didn't embarrass himself, did he?"
  140. Lilly giggles. "No, not at all. Your Father is a wonderful man, Hisao. He reminds me very much of you."
  141.  
  142. I cringe. "Really? Is that a good thing?"
  143. She nods emphatically. "Yes. A very good thing."
  144. "What did he talk about?"
  145.  
  146. Lilly hesitates for a moment before answering. "I'll tell you later, I promise. You need some sleep."
  147.  
  148. I sigh in distaste. "What I need is to get out of this place as soon as possible."
  149. Lilly pats my arm gently. "I know you are frustrated, but you need to rest. You'll be out soon enough and with luck, we'll still have time for a little summer vacation together."
  150.  
  151. I shrug and curl my lip. "Not enough. We already missed Tanabata."
  152. Lilly smiles at me, her hand trailing up from my arm to my face, cupping my cheek. "We'll have next year."
  153.  
  154. I grip her hand tightly in both of mine. "And every year after. I promise."
  155. Her cheeks color from my earnest words and she silently nods.
  156. We stand there silently for a while, holding each other before she speaks. "Get some sleep."
  157.  
  158. "Will you stay with me?" I ask.
  159. "Always."
  160.  
  161. With my help, Lilly climbs into bed with me and curls up along my body, curving against my side with her arms around me, my arm behind her head with my fingers tangled in her hair.
  162. She sinks into bed next to me, her fingers gently trailing up and down my arms.
  163. "Let's be more careful this time. The nurses might walk in to check on me," I tease.
  164.  
  165. Lilly blushes and nods. "We wouldn't want a repeat of what happened earlier, would we?"
  166. "No, " I say. I smile a little. "They might try and keep us separated."
  167. Lilly clings to me tightly. "They can try."
  168.  
  169. I laugh. "Careful, Lilly. Some of those nurses are awfully tough."
  170. My smile turns crooked. "And pretty."
  171.  
  172. Lilly gasps. "Are they?"
  173. "Well, a couple of them. I think one of them likes me."
  174. Lilly's eyes narrow. "Was it the one who wears too much perfume? I knew something was wrong with that one!"
  175. "I think it might be. She was the one who offered me a sponge bath."
  176. Lilly' face turns red. "She did not!"
  177. I hug Lilly to my side.
  178.  
  179. Her face turns a little grumpy. "You're making fun of me, aren't you?"
  180. "A little. After all, none of the nurses are as pretty as you are."
  181.  
  182. She smiles again. "I'm glad. I would hate to force only the very plain nurses to take care of you."
  183. "How would you know?"
  184. She shrugs, a very pretty gesture. "I would figure it out eventually. I would make you tell me."
  185. "How would you do that?"
  186. She kisses me. "I'll think of something."
  187. I laugh and I kiss her and I hold her, loving every minute of it.
  188.  
  189. We lie there in each others warmth and I soon feel my eyelids begin to drop.
  190. "That whole thing went better than I expected. My parents, I mean," I say drowsily.
  191. Lilly giggles, a hand covering her mouth. "I guess it went as well as it could given how it started."
  192.  
  193. I laugh. "Let's just be better prepared for the eventual meeting between me and your parents."
  194. Lilly blinks a couple times thinking about it and I swear I feel her shudder a little. "Yes, well, let's deal with that bridge once we come to it. No need to rush into anything now, yes?"
  195.  
  196. "Right, of course," I say, fighting back a yawn. "But with you, Lilly, I'm okay with rushing into anything as long as you're there. Right about now," I yawn, "I could take on the world."
  197.  
  198. She giggles and kisses me on the side of my nose.
  199.  
  200. We lie together in bed.
  201. "I think I'm going to get some sleep now," I tell the wonderful woman next to me.
  202. "You go right ahead," she assures me. "I'll be right here when you wake up."
  203.  
  204. I begin to slip away into both Lilly's and sleep's peaceful embrace.
  205.  
  206. "Hisao?"
  207. "Yes, Lilly?" I say, my eyes closed.
  208. "I know you need your sleep and I hate to be a bother, but can I ask you something?"
  209. "Of course, Lilly."
  210. I open my eyes.
  211. Lilly's cheeks are a pretty and brilliant red.
  212. "Do you happen to know where my brassiere went?"
  213.  
  214. ----------------------------------------
  215.  
  216. Conflict: Prologue
  217.  
  218. "Triùir a thig gun iarraidh – gaol, eud is eagal."
  219. (Three that come unbidden – love, jealousy and fear.)
  220.  
  221. Two Weeks Later....
  222.  
  223. The plane sits silently in the private hangar as it has for almost two hours. Customs can be such a pain at times.
  224.  
  225. Men and women in official looking uniforms scurry in and out and around the vehicle, checking and rechecking everything like drones or ants circling around a dead husk, trying to find any morsel to bring back to the hive.
  226.  
  227. For the fifth time, she straightens her suit to make sure everything is in order, not a thread out of place. First impressions are important and these ones are the most vital.
  228.  
  229. God damn it, why did it have to come to this?
  230. I need a beer, she thinks.
  231.  
  232. A woman in a sharp dress suit steps up to her and gives her a bow. "Ms. Satou?"
  233. Akira turns towards the woman. "What's the hold up?"
  234. She bows again. "I'm very sorry, Ms. Satou, but every private plane coming in has to be inspected very thoroughly for contraband before it's passengers are allowed to disembark."
  235.  
  236. Akira rolls her eyes. "It's your funeral."
  237. She blinks, unsure of the blonde woman's meaning.
  238.  
  239. Someone yells the all clear and the woman in the business skirt speaks into a cell phone before giving the signal.
  240. The door to the tiny private jet pops open with a hiss.
  241.  
  242. Akira expects a cloud of smoke or perhaps even brimstone to roll down the steps at any moment.
  243.  
  244. Instead, a man steps out of the plane, the tiny stairs creaking under his heavy weight. Gripping the rail in one massive hand and a stout cane in the other, the man skips several steps, landing on the floor of the hangar with a loud impact, his shoes shined, reflecting the brilliant lamps high above. He wears a silk, pinstripe suit the color of melted vanilla ice cream, custom fitted to his massive size and shoulders, pulling tight over large, slab muscles when they flex and a white tie with a silver cross tie pin, a brilliant diamond flicking in the center.
  245.  
  246. His feet click across the cement, walking towards the pair of them, the cane an off center beat.
  247. Every click sends a shiver up Akira's spine.
  248.  
  249. "By Saint Andrews cross, what in God's name was the delay!?"
  250.  
  251. The man is huge, broad shouldered, tall, a handsome but hard face with a poorly set broken nose.
  252. The woman next to Akira bows politely once more. "I am very sorry for the inconvenience, sir. Every private plane coming in has to be inspected very thoroughly for contraband before it's passengers...."
  253.  
  254. "Silence! Damn it, woman, do you expect me to smuggle drugs? Did you expect to find some exotic animals, perhaps a giraffe in the cargo or a Komodo dragon in my luggage? Perhaps I was sneaking a few migrant workers in for some extra cash? Are you stupid? Please, don't answer that! The strain may distract you from bumbling through your next apology, which I'll be happy to throw back in your face in a few moments."
  255.  
  256. The woman goes stock still like a deer in headlights. Akira winces in sympathy. It wouldn't be the first time that anger was directed at someone other than her, but it always hurt to watch.
  257.  
  258. The man turns around, pointing his cane at the jet. "Do you know what that is?"
  259. The woman stutters. "A-a jet, sir."
  260. "Incorrect! That is not a jet. That is a Gulfstream, specifics count here. Do you know what kind of Gulfstream?"
  261.  
  262. The woman glances at the jet.
  263. No, the Gulfstream, she reminds herself. "It's a...G-100."
  264.  
  265. "Incorrect! Again!"
  266. She flinches.
  267. "That, my dear, is a G-150."
  268.  
  269. "But..."
  270. "Yes? Speak up; don't be shy, now, you long ago left out that possibility by arousing my ire."
  271. "They...they don't make a G-150."
  272. "Exactly my point," the man says, stamping his cane into the ground to enunciate his words.
  273. "That is a G-150. They don't even make those for public use. It hasn't even been cleared for flying in certain countries. I had to fly around Kazahkastan because they wouldn't let us in their air space! Kazahkastan! As if I would disturb their llamas! I had to stop over in Russia! Have you ever been in Russia?"
  274. She shakes her head.
  275. "Pray to God that you never are! So considering that I am flying in a jet that should not be available to the general public and that it is so brand new the ink on the patent hasn't even dried yet and that I'm not even allowed to take it into some backwards country filled with a backwards heathen people with their damn alpacas, maybe my time is better spent not wasted on waiting for some mid level, minimum wage functionary like you to get her subordinates in gear while they fumble around inside my personal property while trying to find out if I'm trying to smuggle a joint into the country!"
  276.  
  277. The woman squeaks in alarm.
  278. How does he yell so much without breathing, she thinks?
  279.  
  280. "Do I look like the kind of man who needs to supplement his income with drugs sales?"
  281. "N-no...."
  282. "You are correct for once! I do not look like a man who needs to supplement his income with drug sales and I am insulted you have even insinuated such a thing! Scandalous! I am a man of the law, young lady, and you have insulted my honor as one!"
  283.  
  284. "I'm sorry sir, I didn't mean to imply...."
  285.  
  286. "Yes, you are sorry!"
  287.  
  288. "It's standard procedure, sir!"
  289.  
  290. He points to the jet, no, the Gulfstream, with his cane once more. "Need I remind you I am not a standard customer? You have kept me waiting and from completing my very important business in this pathetic country for far longer than is required! If you had any sense of expediency and self-preservation you would have rushed my inspection, sacrificed a little thoroughness and used it where it belongs, not harassing and insulting me!"
  291.  
  292. "I'm sorry!"
  293.  
  294. "Is there a reason you're still here?"
  295.  
  296. "But you're yelling...."
  297.  
  298. "If you had any self respect you would have told me you were merely doing your job and left the instant I started insulting you. You are the one with the authority here, not I. Act like it! No one deserves to be treated this way. Have some backbone. Leave. You have finished your task."
  299.  
  300. Trying to keep her composure, the woman spins on her heels and darts off, her team members having watched the entire exchange in silent horror. They quickly follow, leaving Akira and the man alone in the hangar.
  301.  
  302. The man sighs. "Idiots."
  303. "Like you said, they're just doing their job, sir."
  304. "Yes, they are, which means they should not do it while acting like idiots."
  305. "You made her cry."
  306. He laughs. "Wouldn't be the first time I made a woman cry."
  307.  
  308. No, Akira thinks to herself bitterly, it wouldn't.
  309.  
  310. The man turns to her. He is much taller than her and his broad shoulders give the illusion he is even more massive than he actually is. He holds the cane in his hand like a weapon, not like a walking aid.
  311.  
  312. "Well? Aren't you going to properly greet me?"
  313. Akira sighs. "Welcome home, sir."
  314.  
  315. He laughs again. "Home? No. This country hasn't been my home in years. And is that any way to greet your Father?"
  316. He holds his arms open towards her.
  317. Akira flinches, but she hesitantly gives him a hug, her skin crawling under his embrace. "Welcome to Japan, Father."
  318.  
  319. Mr. Satou keep an arm around his eldest daughter's shoulder as they walk away from the Gulfstream and out of the hangar. "I don't feel very welcome."
  320.  
  321. They step outside, the sun blazing high overhead. Mr. Satou shields his eyes for a moment, pulling a pair of dark glasses out of his jacket pocket and slipping them over his eyes.
  322.  
  323. Ahead of them, a limo waits with a man in a chauffeur's cap holding the door open.
  324. "I see you have handled everything," Mr. Satou says with a pleased tone. "The hire car is excellent. I hope it wasn't too much of a hassle."
  325.  
  326. "Of course not. You only called me about your arrival a few hours ago. It was simple to direct everything I had to in such a short time."
  327.  
  328. He turns to her. "Are you being fresh with me, young lady?"
  329.  
  330. "I simply would have appreciated more time to get things in order, Father."
  331.  
  332. He shrugs. "What, and alert you? Let you ruin my little surprise? Nonsense! My call to you was merely a formality. Despite the rush, I see you've done well. The delay here wasn't your fault. Otherwise, I'm very impressed that you got all this together so quickly."
  333.  
  334. Despite herself, Akira can't help but feel gratified to hear the approval in his voice. "Yes, everything's handled. Money transfer, accommodations, I've alerted the office that you're here and they're ready for you. The limo will take us to your hotel."
  335.  
  336. "Nothing too expensive on the bookings, I hope."
  337. "Five star penthouse, but I talked them down."
  338. He turns to her and smiles, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Good girl. I knew I raised you right."
  339. You didn't raise me at all, you creep, she seethes, putting on a tight smile for him.
  340.  
  341. "As for work," he continues, "I have no plan on doing any while I'm here. This is, for lack of a better term, a family emergency."
  342.  
  343. They approach the limo.
  344. The young man in black nods and takes his cap off. "Welcome to Japan, Mr. Hiroyuki Satou."
  345. Satou nods. He looks for a name tag and doesn't see one. "And you are?"
  346. The young man smiles. "Just call me Driver, sir."
  347. "Good. Formal. No nonsense. I like that."
  348.  
  349. The Chauffeur holds the door open for them and Mr. Satou climbs in the back, the limo rocking with his weight.
  350.  
  351. Akira makes a move to follow but he holds a hand up. "Don't bother."
  352. Satou turns to the Chauffeur and waves a hand. "You're services will not be necessary. As if I would trust a stranger with mine and my daughter's life? She has a license, after all."
  353.  
  354. Satou turns to Akira. "Give the young man something for his time," he says before shutting the door himself.
  355.  
  356. The driver looks perplexed, but Akira sighs, handing him a sizable amount of cash which he peers at curiously before she walks around the car and climbs into the drivers side, leaving the man still puzzled and standing alone on the airport tarmac.
  357.  
  358. Akira steers the limo and drives off, the divider already down, her Father in the backseat.
  359.  
  360. Just as she made sure it was before his arrival, everything is set up exactly how he likes it. A little alcohol, a box of cigars and some music playing.
  361. Akira watches him go through the ritual, pouring a little amber fluid into a glass, no ice. He prepares the cigar, lighting it with a wood match and puffing at it until the glow is heavy and warm. The smoke fills up the cabin soon and Akira rolls down a window so she doesn't choke on the overpowering vanilla scent of the tobacco.
  362.  
  363. "To business...." he says ceremoniously.
  364. "I thought you said you weren't going to do any business here?"
  365.  
  366. He chuckles. "No pointless business, Akira. I'm talking about something more important." He puffs away, clouds surrounding his head. "Family business."
  367.  
  368. Akira winces. Here it comes.
  369.  
  370. "I set you to a few very simple tasks. You handled them well, yet somehow at the very end you bungled it. Normally I would blame you directly, but this is only tangentially your fault."
  371. "I already explained to you on the phone."
  372. "Your explanation was not satisfactory. The only reason I sent you back to Japan after your visit was to close matters at the office here, not lose my youngest daughter like she was a piece of luggage."
  373.  
  374. She looks at him through the rear view mirror, his face clouded by blue smoke. "I explained everything. I shouldn't have to explain myself for Lilly. She made her choice."
  375.  
  376. "An uneducated choice. A hasty choice. A poor choice." He shakes his head. "I never should have allowed her to come back. I thought it would be best for her to have some time to close matters here on her own, to finish her schooling. I can see I was wrong. I was too sympathetic. I should have gone with my gut and kept her in Scotland, sent you back alone. I shouldn't have trusted you to handle this."
  377.  
  378. "She's in love."
  379.  
  380. Satou laughs, making the car vibrate with a deep humming. "We'll see."
  381.  
  382. Akira pulls the car out onto the road. With a smile on his face, Satou leans forward.
  383. "On second thought, let's not head to the hotel. That will come later."
  384.  
  385. "Where do you want to go?"
  386.  
  387. Satou leans across the divider, uncomfortably close to Akira's face. "Yamaku."
  388.  
  389. Akira tries not to show her panic. "Wh-what?"
  390.  
  391. He leans back in his seat with a smile. "I'm feeling nostalgic. Take me to Yamaku, I want to visit some friends in the Foundation. If I happen to run across my daughter and this young suitor of hers, well, what luck, yes?"
  392.  
  393. Akira grips the steering wheel tightly, helpless as she changes directions.
  394.  
  395. "Oh, and Akira, stay under the speed limit. I don't want to get a ticket after being in the country for only a few hours."
  396.  
  397. Akira nods, reaching into her pocket.
  398.  
  399. "And stay off the phone. I won't have you distracted or ruining my little surprises."
  400.  
  401. She winces, her attempt to warn Lilly cut off. A call, a text message to Hisao or Hanako, anything would be better than this.
  402.  
  403. They drive on in silence, Akira very uncomfortable that her Father is sitting behind her where she can't keep an eye on him.
  404.  
  405. Eventually he speaks again and it makes Akira feel even more concerned.
  406. "So tell me about this boy my daughter is so taken with."
  407.  
  408. "His name is Hisao."
  409. "And?"
  410. "And what?"
  411. "Everything; last name, parents, their jobs, his ethics, his school work, what kind of person he is. I know you, Akira; there's no way you let this young man anywhere near your little sister and my daughter without learning everything you could about him. I imagine he's at Yamaku for a specific reason. I want to know what it is. Please don't tell me he's in a wheelchair! The last thing I need is for my youngest to be dating some gimp. What's wrong with the boy anyway?"
  412.  
  413. Her eyes dart up at him through the rear view mirror. "That's none of your business!"
  414.  
  415. He smiles. "It is now. And I take my business very seriously. Tell me now or not, I'll find out eventually. I still have friends at the Foundation, they'll be more than willing to let me see his student records. I'm just giving you the opportunity to give me a good first impression of the young man. You should be grateful I'm giving you this chance. You seem to like him, you owe him that much."
  416.  
  417. Akira squeezes the steering wheel, her knuckles turning white.
  418. I'm sorry, Hisao, she thinks.
  419. Sorry, Lilly.
  420.  
  421. She tells him everything.
  422.  
  423. ----------------------------------------
  424.  
  425. The gates of Yamaku stand open. There aren't any students around, summer vacation still in swing. The place is small and quaint, much like the town it overlooks from it's hill top station.
  426.  
  427. The limo pulls up and stops in front of the entrance.
  428.  
  429. Mr. Satou looks out the window with a pleased smile on his face.
  430. "Some things never change, " he notes fondly.
  431.  
  432. He leans over and sticks his head through the divider window. "Stay here and watch the car. I don't see anyone, but I'll not have some high school punk mess with it."
  433.  
  434. He steps out of the limo, slips his glasses over his eyes and walks through the gates, cane in hand.
  435.  
  436. Once out of sight, Akira snatches her phone out of her pocket and hits the speed dial for Lilly.
  437. A bang on top of the car makes her cry out and drop the phone on the seat.
  438.  
  439. Her Father leans down and looks through the window after Akira rolls it down.
  440.  
  441. "Akira, dear, would you let me borrow your mobile? I seem to have forgotten mine."
  442.  
  443. Akira picks the phone up and hesitantly hands it to him. He turns it off and slips it into his pocket.
  444. "And the car phone," he states.
  445.  
  446. Akira hands that to him as well.
  447.  
  448. "Good. Don't move."
  449.  
  450. He leaves once more.
  451.  
  452. Akira sighs and leans back in the driver seat, glued to the fine leather.
  453.  
  454. It was only going to get worse from now on.
  455.  
  456. Some time passes, Akira staring out of the car window, looking around, trying to think of a way to send some warning to Lilly or Hisao.
  457. This is stupid, she thinks. I'm a grown woman! I shouldn't feel like I have to sit in the car like some child while my parent goes shopping! I can get out of this car whenever I want and there's not a damn thing he can do to stop me!
  458.  
  459. Still, she remains. She obeys.
  460. Old habits die hard.
  461.  
  462. Time passes, she doesn't know how much exactly even though she keeps checking the expensive watch she has on her slim wrist. Eventually she sees someone walking into Yamaku at a slow, but determined pace, a slight, trudging shuffle. The kind of walk someone has when they are going someplace they really don't want to be.
  463.  
  464. "Hey!" she calls.
  465. The figure turns and stares at the limousine. "Yes?"
  466. "You got a cell phone I could borrow? It's an emergency."
  467.  
  468. The man steps up to the car and passes her a phone. "Everything all right?"
  469. "Yeah, fine. Thanks, buddy."
  470. "Akio."
  471. "Huh?"
  472. "My name's Akio. Akio Mutou."
  473. Akira smiles, winks at the man and click her tongue. "Thanks, Akio. I owe you a drink."
  474.  
  475. Akira punches in Hisao's number. The phone rings several times before it's picked up.
  476.  
  477. "Hello?"
  478.  
  479. Akira sighs in relief. "Thank God! Hisao, I finally found a phone to call you with! Where are you?"
  480.  
  481. Akio blinks. "Hisao? Hisao Nakai?"
  482.  
  483. "Akira? What is it?" Hisao says.
  484. "Not now, I need you to do something. I need you to meet me somewhere, right now! Where are you?"
  485. "I'm at the girl's dorms," he answers.
  486. There's something wrong with his voice.
  487. "You need to get out of there now! Go to your dorm, I'll meet you there! I have to explain something to you!"
  488.  
  489. Akio leans forward. "What's going on? Hisao is one of my students, is something wrong?"
  490.  
  491. Akira gives Mutou a reassuring wave of the hand.
  492.  
  493. "I think it's too late," Hisao says.
  494. "What? Why? What happened?"
  495.  
  496. A familiar voice, the voice of her Father, comes over the line. It chills her to the bone like a child caught with her hand in the cookie jar.
  497.  
  498. "What did I tell you about ruining my little surprises?" he whispers before the call cuts off sharply.
  499. Akira blinks, the phone going loose in her grip before handing it to Akio.
  500.  
  501. "What happened? Is Hisao all right?" he asks.
  502. Akira shrugs listlessly. "Yeah. He's fine. For now, I guess."
  503. She looks up at him. "Sorry. You want to get that drink now? I'm going to need one myself."
  504.  
  505. ----------------------------------------
  506.  
  507. To Be Continued in: 'Conflict'
Advertisement
Add Comment
Please, Sign In to add comment
Advertisement