Awakening - Chapter 17

---17---

When he reached home, he saw a man looking around by the door.

Sales? Upon taking a closer look at the man's face, a name appeared in Masashi's head.

"Father?" It felt awkward saying this noun again after several hundred years.

"It's Masashi, you're finally back." Hirota Katsutoshi was delighted.

"When did you come here?"

"This morning, but no one answered the door."

"Kazumi should be doing grocery at this time. Come on in first."

Masashi poured a cup of tea for him then turned on the TV.

"I heard that you had to stay in the hospital for an injury, is that true?"

"Yes, but that was the past. I am very well now."

"I am really sorry. I was out of the country for business at the time. I only learned of this when I came back." Katsutoshi looked apologetic.

"There's no need to mention it. What are you here for today?"

"Nothing special. I got a few days off from work so I came over to see you. Are you doing well?"

"Kazumi and I are doing well. Thank you." Masashi said calmly.

It was difficult for him to have any feelings for a stranger. Their conversation was polite but had no warmth.

Just then, he heard the turning of the door. Masashi knew that Kazumi was back.

The door opened and Kazumi came in with a bag of items.

"Kazumi, father is here to see us." Masashi said to her.

Kazumi's face turned pale as soon as she saw Katsutoshi on the sofa.

"Long time no see, Kazumi. How are you doing?" Katsutoshi said with a smile.

"Get out! Get out of here now." Kazumi sounded extremely angry.

"Kazumi, how can you speak like that. He's our father." Even though Masashi had no feelings for this father but that was too much.

"Kazumi, I…"

"I told you to get out, didn't you hear?" Kazumi yelled then threw her bag at him.

Masashi was shocked. He had never seem her in such a state.

Is this the same Kazumi that was normally quiet and indifferent?

"It looks like I should leave." Katsutoshi walked to the door.

Masashi followed him out.

Katsutoshi sighed and said. "It looks like Kazumi still haven’t forgiven me for leaving you. But, what else could I have done."

Masashi felt something strange but he didn't think much of it. "I think Kazumi just can't accept it for now. I will talk to her after she calms down."

"Thank you, Masashi. You really grew up. I will stay in a hotel nearby these few days. Give me a call if something happens."

Masashi nodded.

After he returned inside, Kazumi's doors were shut.

He had to order take out for lunch then.

After lunch, he told her through the door that food was left in the kitchen, but there was no reply.

Let her calm down by herself. Masashi thought.

He didn’t know where to go as he walked on the street. Too bad that Hei and Changan were in the U.S. or they could have gone out for a drink together.

Something suddenly came to his mind and he entered a bookstore.

"Hello, how can I help you?" The receptionist asked politely.

"Do you have any books on stock investment?"

"Yes, please follow me."

Masashi followed her to a corner full of books on investment.

He randomly picked about ten books and entered the reading room.

Masashi adjusted his breathing then began flipping through the books. His speed was increasing by the second and before long, he finished a book and went on to the next one.

The book became printed in his mind. It was an ability he discovered when he was bored.

When he adjusted his mental state and focus on reading, he could memorize all the words and pictures vividly.

Soon, the whole stack of books were finished printing. Masashi went on to take another stack of books. He finished all the books on investment in just three hours.

After organizing the information in his head, he came to a conclusion about all these analysis theories and techniques, complete bullshit.

The spread of internet gave consumers a lot more choices, but the core of investment didn't change. Many of these so called new techniques were just lies.

It was better to just research a company's condition, assets, and debts.

---19---

Katsutoshi threw up twice on the way back to the hotel. Masashi would have thrown him on the streets if he wasn't their father.

Katsutoshi came to his senses for a bit after Masashi put a warm towel on his face.

"Who… are you? I seem to have seen you before."

Masashi laughed coldly. Such a good father that couldn't even recognize his son.

"Did you forget? I bought you a drink in the bar."

"Oh, is that so. Thank you. You are a nice person."

"There seems to be something troubling you. Want to talk to someone?"

"How… can I.. have anything… troubling… I am so happy… Haha…" Katsutoshi laughed.

"So there's really something troubling. You can try and say it out. It will make you feel better."

"Real…really?"

"Yes, of course. Because I have tried it. Just say it and you will feel better." Masashi slowed down his tone.

"But…but I can't… say it." Katsutoshi was struggling.

"Why not. Just say it. You will no longer feel troubled. There is no one else here. No one will hear what you said." His voice sounded charming.

"But…"

"Don't worry. No one will hear it."

"I… I deeply regret…"

"Right, continue. Slowly."

"I… I did something sorry to my… daughter… My wife separated with me because of this…"

After half an hour of broken description, Masashi learned the truth from this man.

For a moment, he wanted to kill him.

"I… I really didn't want to. I didn't… I don't know what happened to me on that day. I really didn't want to…" He kept repeating this line.

Masashi smiled coldly as he looked at the man. "Don't worry. I will help you atone for the sin."

Kazumi looked at the clock after she woke up. It was already 2AM. She fell asleep during her crying.

After she left the room, she saw the living room had been cleaned and a note on the table. "There's food in the kitchen."

Kazumi felt a bit of warmth within.

I said something terrible to him today. She felt a little bad and ran to Masashi's room. Then she heard a voice through the door.

"Is it Akamatsu Ryuichiro? I am Masashi."

"I want you to take care of a person, Hirota Katsutoshi. Male, in his forties. Go search for the rest of his details yourself."

"Don't kill him. Don't beat him. I just want you to castrate him. I want him to become the last eunuch of Japan. Don't leave any traces, I don't want any trouble."

"Thank you in advance." Masashi hung up the phone.

Kazumi's heart was beating very fast as she heard it. She had never seen this side of Masashi. And it looked like he had already learned of everything. Did mom tell him?

Then he heard Masashi made another call.

"Mom? I am Masashi. Sorry to bother you so late."

"Mom, let's divorce that man. Japanese law allows a couple to divorce after living apart for two years."

"Mom, don't lie. I know everything."

A long moment of silence.

"Don't worry. That beast didn't come to us. Kazumi told me."

"Mom, don't cry. I will take good care of Kazumi. I won't let her get hurt again."

"We will use your surname after the divorce. I don't want that man's name."

"Mom, we will be by your side no matter what happens."

"Take care. I know, we will take good care of ourselves."

"I am hanging up. Bye."

The room was silent again.

After some hesitation, Kazumi knocked on the door.

"Come in."

"Kazumi, you are still awake so late?"

Kazumi didn't respond and just looked at him.

"You must be hungry. I will go reheat the food." Masashi thought she was still angry.

Kazumi suddenly ran over and hugged him, then buried her head in his chest and began crying.

Masashi didn't say anything and just stroke her hair.

"Thank you, nii-san."

This was the first time Masashi heard her call him by this. He smiled. "Baka, you're my sister. You should be hungry. Let's go eat first, ok?"

She nodded.

Masashi went to the kitchen and reheated the food. Kazumi stood behind him quietly and watched.

"What are you thinking, you little girl. She's just a normal friend. She came here to go to school alone, so I have to take care of her." Masashi knocked her head with a finger.