About Time

Kei listens with a clenched jaw to Matsumoto as he explains the result of the investigation. He hands him the file of Genji Shimano who was behind the scandal and the address leak.

"Did you interrogate him?" Kei asks, barely holding himself back.

"Yes, sir…" Matsumoto hesitates.

"So?"

"It was Mrs. Ichihara."

Kei closes his eyes as he nods at his chief of security a few times. Then, he pushes to his feet, sending his chair flying back. He stomps out of his office and to his car. His anger is simmering with every step.

When he reaches the house, it has already started pouring. Kei's whole body is shaking with rage as he walks through the rain and yanks the door open. It slams against the wall.

"Where is she?" he roars.

"Daddy?" Yuta runs to his father with questioning eyes.

"Oh, hey buddy." Kei does his best to calm down for his son. "I was thinking we should hang out before dinner for a bit, what do you think?"

Yuta's face lights up. "Yes, I want to hang out with daddy."

"Great. Now, be a good boy and go with Yuki to the guest house, dear. I'll be there shortly."

"Okay," Yuta says with a big smile.

Kei nods at the nanny who understands his order immediately. He waits for her patiently until she guides Yuta and leaves the house, closing the door behind them. He takes a deep breath.

"Hana," Kei shouts, his voice echoing throughout the house.

"What's going on?" Jiro rushes to his brother, alarmed.

"Where is she?" Kei asks through gritted teeth.

"Brother, calm down–"

"What's with the commotion?" Hana's voice sounds irritated as she walks closer.

Kei lunges at her instantly and grabs her by the throat. He drags her until he slams her against the wall. She gasps, struggling to catch her breath from the impact.

"It was you," Kei breathes only inches from her face.

"Kei." Jiro places his hand on his brother's shoulder. "Please, calm down."

"Stay out of it, Jiro," Kei spits, never looking away from Hana. "It is because of her that Yoko had that accident."

Jiro's arm falls to his side. "What?"

"She is behind it all; the scandal, the reporters, Sam's address being leaked."

Hana shudders violently as she gulps.

"Why?" Kei asks.

"I, I didn't mean for Yoko to get hurt," she stutters.

"Why go through this whole charade? I told you to know your place."

Hana glares at him. "Everything I did was to protect my place." She scoffs. "Do you think I will let you go back to your little high school sweetheart–"

Kei's fingers tighten around her neck. "God, I could fucking kill right now, that's how livid I am."

Jiro takes a step closer, ready to intervene at any moment.

"But you're not even worth it," Kei continues with disdain.

He releases Hana, who slides to the floor. Her chest is heaving as she fights to fill her lungs with air.

Kei turns away from his wife and walks to the glass door overlooking the garden. "Get the fuck out of my house," he orders with a clam voice.

"What?"

"You think you can stay here after what you've done?" Kei asks, watching the rain outside.

"You can't do this." Hana pushes to her feet.

Kei raises an amused brow. "Oh?"

"Then, I'll take my son with me." Hana's voice betrays her.

"Your son?" He breaks into laughter. "Now you want to be a mother?"

"What the hell do–"

"You know, Hana, I have to thank you." Kei turns around and strides toward her under his brother's watchful eyes.

"What do you mean?" she asks with a frown.

"I've been thinking about divorce for a long time, now I have an even better reason than just hating you."

Hana bites her lip hard. "You think you can just run back to your Samantha? Just like thirteen years ago, your grandfather will never approve."

"Do you think I need his approval?" He cocks his head to the side.

"You can't do this to me."

Kei takes a step and leans closer to her ear. "Watch me." He walks past her without glancing back. "Ozawa, make sure Ms. Watanabe is escorted out of the estate and stripped from any access passes."

"Yes, sir." The butler bows.

"You can't do this… I will never let you… you will never be happy with her…"

Hana's threats don't move a thing in Kei. He just walks farther and farther away from her with a smile on his face.

Kei joins Yuta in the guest house and plays with him for a long time. He feels so relaxed, so at ease, as if a heavy weight has been lifted off his shoulders.

He knows that his actions will cause friction with his grandfather, but he doesn't care anymore. He is stronger and richer than Ryota Ichihara.

'It's about time.'