True Pain

"Don't be ridiculous!" Henry Hirogori bellowed, his fist slamming against the table.

Lillian held onto her husband's shoulder. She purposefully rubbed her bosom on his arm, smiling tenderly.

"Darling, calm down, he didn't—" But there she stopped, suddenly, for he gave her a swift look so venomous and threatening that the words caught in her throat and she remained quiet.

"You stay out of this!" He shoved her off before his cold eyes swept to his eldest son. "Do you have any idea what you're saying? Giving up your role to the company, are you serious?!"

Despite his father's rage, Kenji appeared calm. "I am. I have given this a lot of thought these past few months. I'll leave the company under whoever you see fit."

"What about all the partnerships you've settled? The projects you had made for the company?" Henry Hirogori looked angrier than before

"I will assign those to trusted colleges," Kenji replied in his usual cool tone.

Immediately, Henry's cheeks flushed, and his facial muscles became rigid as he stomped towards his son. Grabbing him by his collar, he jerked Kenji close to his face, gritting his teeth as he said, "I told you once before if you do anything to sully the Hirogori name…" His voice slowly grew louder, "I will never forgive you!"

"I didn't come here to ask you, father. I came here to tell you." Kenji glared at him.

"What?!" He spat.

Then, he slapped him. Henry's large hand carried a heavy force as it turned Kenji's head to the side roughly. The skin stung, and his lip throbbed sharply where his father had caught it with a ring. He had not been struck like this since he was a child.

He was always obedient. Listening to his father's every word. Never wanting to disappoint him, he ignored his desires, his wants, and his passions. But rather than the shame he thought he'd feel, all Kenji could feel at the moment…was pain.

It had been a while since he felt true pain.

"Kenji!" Lillian reached for her the young man's face, tears welling behind her long lashes.

Pushing aside his the woman's hand, Kenji wiped his lip and stared straight into his father's ruthless eyes.

"Regardless of what you say, I'm going to leave the company. I will leave the house and take all of my belongings with me."

Shock appeared on his father's face. His teeth clenched.

"Pathetic. Fine, if that's what you want then go ahead." He turned his back to him, no longer able to look at his son in the face. Not without showing his disgust. "I don't want to see your face ever again."

With no particular change to his expression, Kenji bowed his head and took the suitcase by the sofa. As he turned to leave the room, his father's voice sounded behind him.

"I thought you'd be different from all of them…"

Kenji froze. He clenched his fists and never turned back.

…

The sun shone brilliantly, and the warm color of the spring day under its glare was offensively bright and cheerful.

Mimi stood at the front of the funeral. Words from the minister brought a dwelling silence. Tobias held her hand the whole time as she rested her head on his shoulder. She no longer shed tears, not since that day. Mimi hated to admit it, but Shen Jue played a big role in her life. Negative as it was, she still felt a part of her had gone.

After the service, she gathered the flowers from her lap and approached the front. The coffin was dark stained cherry, and it was perfectly polished. It had a cushioned and silky lining. It seemed inviting. It was good to know at least Shen Jue was resting in a comfortable place.

Mimi put down a bouquet of white roses.

"At least you can be closer to her now…" She said softly, her eyes gazing to the grave beside him. Engraved on the stone were the words, Emily Hirogori.

It was ironic. She had always complained about him being too close to Emily's grave. Now, it was her who made them so close. The mere thought made her want to laugh at her past self.

"Thank you…Shen Jue."

After the funeral, Mimi bid goodbye to her brother, Emilia, and Jean before leaving in Tobias's car. They were quiet throughout the ride, although neither felt the need to speak. When they arrived at his apartment, both were equally surprised to see the person standing by his door.

"Father?" Tobias was speechless. Why was he here?

Lori Itou turned to the two, looking equally surprised himself.

"Oh good. You're together." He glanced between the two before clearing his throat. "I would like to talk with the two of you. If you don't mind."

Mimi and Tobias glanced at each other. Raising her lips into a smile, Mimi nodded her head.

"Please, come in."