CHAPTER 53 - Reckonings and Revelations (3)

Lawyer Anko empathized with Ichiro's predicament, understanding that the engagement might be a complicated matter. However, he was determined to ensure that Ichiro received the financial assistance he truly needed.

"Anyways, have you planned where you'll be staying?" Lawyer Anko inquired, curious about Ichiro's accommodations as he observed the packed belongings.

"I'm currently working with Professor Fujimoto's team and have been staying there. Once things have settled down, I'll find a place to stay," Ichiro explained, indicating that he hadn't yet considered a permanent living arrangement.

"Very well, this is for you." Lawyer Anko handed Ichiro a sealed envelope. "I'm sure the contents inside will help you."

"Thank you." Ichiro was grateful, although uncertain about the contents of the envelope. He accompanied Lawyer Anko out of his residence, and with his belongings prepared, both of them headed towards the main gate.

"Wait." Hiroshi ran towards them, out of breath and anxious about what the two might have discussed. "Ichiro…"

"Ichiro, don't hesitate to look for me. I might be busy, but you can also leave me a message, and I'll come back," Lawyer Anko stated, fixing his hair while casting a fierce look at Hiroshi.

"I see, thank you," Ichiro replied, unable to walk the man out as his uncle was right behind them, eager to talk to him.

Once Lawyer Anko left, the atmosphere between Ichiro and Hiroshi grew tense. Hiroshi struggled to find the right words, realizing that everything was slipping out of his hands.

"If you have nothing to say, then I'll be leaving," Ichiro declared, reluctant to engage in a conversation with his uncle. He knew that speaking to him was futile, and nothing good would come out of it.

"Ichiro, where do you think you're going?" Hiroshi nervously asked, shaking. He added, "This is your home."

Ichiro paused but didn't turn to face his uncle. The words "This is your home" echoed in his mind, and he found them bitterly ironic. He clenched his fists, the tension between them palpable.

"Is it really, Uncle? I don't feel at home here. I haven't for a long time," Ichiro replied coldly. He didn't want to prolong the conversation; every second in his uncle's presence felt like an eternity.

Hiroshi was desperate, "Ichiro, please...let's talk. We can work something out."

Ichiro turned around, and there was a cold determination in his eyes. "No, Uncle. It's too late for that. I've made my decision, and there's no turning back."

"Wait, what did he say?" Hiroshi felt a pang of shame, reluctant to ask but needing confirmation.

"As I mentioned in court earlier, I'm working with Professor Fujimoto's team, so I've been staying there until the project is complete," Ichiro explained. He chose not to disclose the full details of the system's knowledge, deciding not to reveal too much about his newfound capabilities.

"But what about Omori? You can't just leave her here." Hiroshi thought he still had the upper hand, with the engagement finalized, maintaining a strong grip on Ichiro.

"She'll be fine. Once I find a place to stay, I'll discuss it with her. If she wants to stay, great. If not, she's free to go wherever she wants," Ichiro stated. Despite the engagement, he didn't harbor romantic feelings for Omori. It wasn't about her appearance; their goals and desires just didn't align. While she sought his wealth, he pursued freedom. He could provide her with the money, but it felt meaningless.

"That's ridiculous. You can't just make her leave to some random place," Hiroshi argued, attempting to assert control and keep a watchful eye on Ichiro.

Ichiro sighed, a mix of frustration and determination in his eyes. "Uncle, it's not a random place. It's a research facility, and she's free to make her own choices. Besides, the engagement was forced upon both of us, and I don't intend to let it dictate my life."

Hiroshi was growing more agitated. "You need to consider the family's reputation, Ichiro! We can't have you doing whatever you want."

"I've considered everything, Uncle. I've considered the family, the reputation, and most importantly, myself. If the family's reputation hinges on controlling my life, then maybe it needs some reevaluation."

The tension in the room escalated, each word driving a deeper wedge between them. Ichiro's resolve was unyielding, and Hiroshi was beginning to realize that he had lost control over Ichiro. The walls that once contained him were crumbling, and Ichiro was stepping into a world of his own choosing.

Ichiro sighed, feeling the weight of the situation. "Uncle, I'm not forcing her to do anything. I'll talk to her and figure things out. I won't leave her stranded. But, understand this, I won't be manipulated anymore. I'm taking control of my life."

Hiroshi clenched his fists, frustration building up. "You're being unreasonable, Ichiro. You can't just cut ties with the family like this."

Ichiro turned to face his uncle, his gaze unwavering. "I'm not cutting ties with the family, Uncle. I'm cutting ties with this suffocating life you want for me. I want to live on my own terms."

"Wait, Ichiro…" Hiroshi wanted to ask more; he wanted to know what they talked about. "What did you…" 

"If you're curious about what we talked about, go ask him. All he said is not to worry about the court case. But regarding the identification clarification, we'll all have to wait for the results," Ichiro explained, looking at his uncle with seriousness. This situation wouldn't have unfolded this way if they had treated him better. However, that mistreatment led him to discover the system.

"Well…" Besides that, what Hiroshi wanted to know more about was the money. However, he was embarrassed to ask, as it would be shameless of him to inquire.

"See you then," Ichiro said, aware of what his uncle was eager to know. However, he didn't want to disclose the information Lawyer Anko had told him eagerly. Also, the fact that he left him some items was something he couldn't mention.

Hiroshi looked at Ichiro's back as it vanished into the night. He didn't know that the house he used to live in would feel so cold all of a sudden. His sister was gone, both his parents were somewhere he didn't know, and now his sister's only son was leaving. Due to his greed, it seemed everything was falling apart.

Ichiro walked down the busy streets, the city lights casting long shadows on the pavement. The hustle and bustle of the urban night enveloped him, a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere he had just left behind at the Takahashi residence.

His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. The recent events had unfolded rapidly, leaving Ichiro to ponder his next steps. The court case had been a rollercoaster, and he now had a week of uncertainty until the blood test results came in. The engagement with Omori was another matter that needed careful consideration.

As Ichiro navigated through the labyrinthine streets, he found himself standing in front of Professor Fujimoto's laboratory. The place where he had sought solace and purpose in his work. The familiar hum of scientific activity echoed from within.

Upon entering, Ichiro was greeted by the comforting hum of machinery and the rhythmic typing of keyboards. The laboratory was a sanctuary, a realm where Ichiro felt a sense of control amidst the chaos of his personal life.

Professor Fujimoto noticed Ichiro's arrival and beckoned him over. "Ichiro, my boy, you're here late. Everything alright?"

Ichiro nodded, deciding to confide in the professor about the recent developments. He explained the court case, the engagement, and the blood test that would determine his identity. The professor listened intently, offering a reassuring presence.

"Life has its way of throwing challenges at us," Professor Fujimoto said thoughtfully. "But it's how we face them that defines us. Remember, science may provide answers, but life is a more complex experiment."

With those words in mind, Ichiro spent the next few days engrossed in his work. The laboratory became a refuge where he could temporarily escape the complexities of his personal life. The uncertainty of the blood test loomed, but Ichiro was determined to focus on what he could control.

A week passed, and the day of reckoning arrived. Ichiro received a call from Lawyer Anko, informing him of the results. The blood test had confirmed Ichiro's identity. He was indeed the biological son of Lady Takahashi.

The judge, after reviewing the evidence and the confirmation, declared, "The court acknowledges Ichiro Takahashi's identity as Lady Takahashi's biological son. The case is resolved."

Relief washed over Ichiro, but a sense of apprehension lingered. The court case had been resolved in his favor, but the engagement with Omori still hung in the balance.

As he left the laboratory, Ichiro found himself at a crossroads. The night was once again upon him, and the city lights illuminated his path. The journey ahead was uncertain, but Ichiro felt a newfound strength to face whatever challenges awaited him.