32 What Your Grandfather Did

Kei and Sam sit on the sand, watching the sky transform into a breathtaking canvas–a mixture of reds, pinks, and purples, with streaks of gold and orange cutting through the clouds. The water laps gently against the shore, reflecting the colors of the sky on its surface.

After the rollercoaster of emotions they both had earlier, the scene is serene and calming. The air is still and quiet, and the only sounds heard are the soft waves and the occasional cry of a seagull.

Sam squeezes the can of hot coffee that Kei had insisted on getting earlier. There are no stores or restaurants around. Not even a convenience store. So he had to settle for a vending machine.

"Tell me about what your grandfather did." Sam's voice comes soft.

Kei turns to her with a surprised look. He didn't think she would want to talk about the past anymore.

"It's a long story, is that okay?" he asks.

"I have nowhere to be right now." Sam shrugs with amusement, making Kei smile.

Kei hums, pensive. He is not sure where to start. Many memories rush through his head, most of them are painful and triggering. He would have preferred to keep them buried deep in his mind, but Sam asked, and she deserves to know.

"We moved to Japan because my grandfather needed help managing the family businesses," he starts. "He was getting old and his other son, Senseki, was useless. My uncle spent his fortune on parties and drugs, and he was involved in a few scandals. He couldn't even take care of his own son, Tanaka, so my cousin lived with my grandfather." Kei gulps at the thought of his accident.

"My grandfather had to pressure my dad to move back to Japan. They had fallen out when my dad went against him and married mom, an American. Even though he had promised my dad that he would accept his wife and sons and welcome them to the family, my grandfather's disapproval was always clear. I would hear him insult my mom in Japanese, or speak ill of her with the staff. He also hated my green eyes and made me wear black contact lenses.

"We lived in his house when we first moved here. But after a few clashes between my mom and some staff members, and after I defended her when my grandfather had insulted her, again, my father decided to move out and live separately.

"It was really hard for us to adjust. Dad was busy all the time, traveling to Kyoto and staying there for days sometimes. Mom was lonely and depressed. She couldn't even go to the grocery store without one of us going with her. She tried to learn some Japanese, but it was too difficult for her. I also felt lonely, and pressured. I was bullied in school for being half American. I honestly don't know what I would have done if my cousin wasn't there."

Kei is silent for a moment. He is struggling with his emotions when he feels Sam's hand on his. She squeezes gently and gives him an encouraging smile. He slightly nods before taking a deep breath.

"Tanaka was perfect," he continues. "He was smart, strong, elegant, well-mannered, and compassionate. He was the perfect heir in the eyes of my grandfather, and he groomed him to be from a young age. When the accident happened…I was blamed for his death, which I understand–"

"It was an accident, Kei," Sam interrupts softly.

"That's what everyone kept saying, but my grandfather never forgave me. He believed that I killed my cousin, and for the longest time, I believed it too. After that, I had to take Tanaka's place. I became the heir of the Ichihara family. I had to be smart, elegant, strong, and courteous."

Kei let out a mirthless chuckle, looking back at how much pressure his grandfather put on him. He never told anyone about his past. Even though his parents and his brother knew what he had to go through, he never shared the details of his struggles with them, or anyone else.

Kei looks down at their intertwined fingers and feels a sense of warmth spreading through his body. He slowly strokes Sam's hand with his thumb.

"When you came to Japan," he resumes after a while. "I realized that I liked you…a lot."

Sam smiles at the revelation.

"And I knew you liked me back," he adds with a grin.

"Is that so?" Sam jokes.

They both laugh.

"I didn't want you to go through what my mother had gone through, though," Kei utters when they calm down. "I'm sorry I hurt you by pushing you away. But sometimes I wish I had been strong enough and kept that front, sometimes I wish we had never dated. Maybe I wouldn't have hurt you the way I did."

Sam shakes her head. "Don't say that, Kei. All the drama aside, we were happy when things were well."

Kei swallows hard. "I honestly have no idea how my grandfather found out about your pregnancy, but he called me immediately and ordered me to get rid of the baby."

Sam looks down. 'What did you say to him, Kei?' She can't say the words out loud. But she doesn't have to ask.

"I begged him, Sam. I told him I would do anything for him." He shakes his head. "He threatened to hurt you anyway."

'In the case of your American girlfriend being involved in a hit and run, not only will she lose that baby, but she might lose her own life as well. It's your choice, boy.' Ryota's harsh words ring in Kei's head.

"He threatened to ruin my dad's life, his own son. I knew then that that man had no heart. Unfortunately, I wasn't strong enough to go against him either. I am sorry." he whispers the last part.

There is silence after that. Both Sam and Kei are lost in their thoughts. The sun has already disappeared in the horizon, and the last rays of light are slowly fading away.

"Can you promise something?" Sam asks, looking Kei straight in the eyes.

"Anything."

"Promise me that you will never hide anything from me. Tell me the truth, however bad or dangerous it is. And I promise I will do the same."

"I promise you, Sam." He nods.

'I will do it right this time.' Kei promises himself.