As the fated day arrives, I find myself standing in front of the place I used to call home once more. Perhaps it’s the one year of separation, or maybe it’s the overall lack of fond memories I have of it, or it might be because of the decision I’m about to make public soon, but within me arises a feeling of nausea and discomfort.
A hand lightly grabs onto mine, its warmth helping me calm down just a little.
As I turn around, I’m assured by the smile of the girl next to me.
“It’ll be fine,” Natsume nods.
“... Yeah, I’m ready.”
“Nice… house you got there, though.”
“You’re the first to call it that way.”
“What, nice?”
“A house.”
Truth be told, even if it’s where I stayed all my life, calling it my ‘house’ is still something I avoid. One look, and you can probably guess why.
Where we’re standing right now is just in front of the main gate. And to make a simple comparison, this stainless, bulletproof steel gate of mine is about triple the size of the one in the old Wonderland Park. So big, in fact, that it’s not even possible to open by hand - the gate is just for show; it behaves more like an electronic door.
“May I ask who’s there?” A voice calls out through a small speaker attached to the nearby wall.
“It’s me,” I answer. “Fuutsuno Hakuen.”
“Oh, Young Master,” the voice politely replies. “I’ve heard from Yaga. Please, come in.”
The gate soon opens as the words leave the speaker. Turning to Natsume one last time for the courage I need, I let out a nod.
Replying to me is the same movement, while her hand tightens around mine.
“Let’s go,” we both say at the same time and take our step into the facility.
As soon as we enter, a large limousine has already been neatly parked right in front of us. Before we can react, out already comes another man in a suit - one of the many, many butlers working in this estate:
“Young Master and guest, please, get on,” the man gestures, opening the car’s door for us.
“... No, thanks,” I lightly wave my hand to refuse. “We’ll walk.”
A slight sense of surprise appears on the man’s face. “Are you sure, Young Master? The main building is…”
“We can use the exercise,” I answer.
“... Well, if you insist,” the man reluctantly closes the door and drives away. Once the car is out of the picture, Natsume lightly pokes my side and lets out a grin:
“You sure you can handle it?”
“Speak for yourself,” I reply with a smile of my own. “But of course, if you prefer the car, I can always call them back.”
“Please. As if you’re any stronger than me.”
The bantering between us continues for a short while, but before we realize it, we’ve already made our way past the yard in its entirety. The only obstacle left, however, is still as intimidating as ever.
This is the first time I’ve actually taken a good look at my house, and my neck hurts just from looking at it. If it was any taller, I would have to call it a skyscraper, but building regulations can only go so far. And unlike the typical skyscrapers consisting of many different rooms like an apartment building, this “house” has floors upon floors of one solid, single “room”. To put it in simple terms, each floor is about as big as a stand on a football field, and I’m pretty sure some of the floors are football fields in themselves.
Our destination, however, lies on the top floor.
As soon as the elevator opens, a familiar face takes a bow towards me:
“Young Master, I’ve been waiting.”
Turning to Natsume, Granny Yaga asks:
“And this fair lady is…”
“Fukuzawa Natsume, Ma’am. I’m Hakuen’s girlfriend.”
“I see,” with a smile on her face, Granny Yaga nods. “Then I guess Young Master is here for that matter.”
“... Of course,” I nod in return. “Have you called everyone… Yaga?”
“... Every leading figure of Fuutsuno Corporation is here, Young Master.”
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“Good.”
As I answer, Natsume leans towards me and whispers:
“What about the rest of your family? Your mom, or any siblings by any chance?”
“I’m an only child,” I shrug. “And my mom died when I was born. If anything, Granny Yaga is the one that’s like a mother figure to me the most.”
“I… see,” Natsume lowers her voice, seemingly regretting her choice of question just now.
“Don’t worry, it’s all in the past. What matters is now.”
As the answer leaves my mouth, the elevator has arrived at our destination. Behind the velvet doors, I can already hear the buzzing of a crowd, along with glasses clinking, as if to congratulate a major event that’s about to happen. Well, they would be right, but it doesn’t make it less annoying than it already is.
“Lady Fukuzawa,” Granny Yaga pats on Natsume’s shoulder. “Please come with me to the guest’s hall. Young Master, you just go through that door.”
“... Are you sure you’re okay?” Before leaving, Natsume asks me one last time.
“Don’t worry,” I let out a reassuring smile. “We’ve come this far.”
As the two of them disappear from my sight, I take a deep breath and open the doors of destiny.
The top floor is designed like an outdoor stage - “below” is the guest’s hall, or lounge, where people gather for a high-class party, while where I stand is somewhat similar to an upper deck, made solely for the purpose of the head to give a speech or an important announcement.
“May I have your attention please?” I call out to the guests below.
Some are surprised to see my face. Some are eagerly waiting for the latest scoop. Others await with a sense of dread. But I know for sure, right now, all eyes are on me.
“I guess I should reintroduce myself, since I’m sure some of you have forgotten about me after a year I was absent. My name is Fuutsuno Hakuen, eldest son and heir to Fuutsuno Senda’s building corporation. Today, I gather you all here to announce the fulfillment of my father’s will, one that I could not legally complete the day he passed away.”
Pressing on the remote already given to me beforehand, I turn on a giant projector behind me.
“As you can see, Fuutsuno Senda’s will requires me to divorce my spouse in order to receive my inheritance. As of this moment, I am officially of legal marriage age, and so, I would like to make the formal announcement…
That I am hereby disowning my rights to my father’s inheritance. Fuutsuno Senda’s fortune will, from now on, be completely devoted to Fuutsuno Building Corporation’s development, and its acting director, Yaga, shall be its official director as of this moment.”
Murmur soon spread throughout the lounge. A sense of confusion envelops all of the guests. There are those who can hardly contain their excitement, and also those who are desperately struggling to not break down, but what’s done is done. I don’t regret my choice, and I never will.
But never in my life do I expect Granny Yaga to just appear before me without any notice.
“May I have your attention, please?” Granny Yaga speaks into the mic. “You’ve heard Young Master Hakuen’s announcement, as well as his reason for organizing this meeting with everyone in the company. Now, I shall reveal Master Senda’s final will.”
“... Wait, reveal?” I exclaim. “Granny, what do you mean?”
Still turning to the guests below, Granny Yaga continues. “In truth, Master Senda created two wills - the first version was the one that you’re all familiar with, and the one that was made public. However, Master Senda also specifically asked me to reveal this second will after Master Hakuen had made his decision regarding the first will.”
Taking the remote away from me, Granny Yaga pushed another button. On the projector is another document - another will, with the same signature and seal of my father, meaning that it is indeed legitimate.
“If this will is being read, it means that my son, Hakuen, has made his decision regarding my first will public.
If this is the case, I hereby declare the first will annulled, and everything regarding my fortune will be decided by the contents of this will, as well as my son’s actions.
If Hakuen had fulfilled the conditions of the first will, then I declare all of his rights to my inheritance revoked. The fortune shall be put to charity, and Yaga will be the official director of Fuutsuno Corporation.
If Hakuen had rejected the first will and his inheritance, then I declare: all of my fortune is now his to use whatever he sees fit. Hakuen will also directly inherit my position as director of Fuutsuno Corporation.
And these final words are for my son.
Hakuen, I’m sorry for putting this test on you, but I’m sure you’d be able to choose the correct path. If you were blinded by money so much that you’d disregard all emotions to attempt a political marriage, then you’d be unfit to be entrusted with the lives of thousands of people under your command. However, if you chose true love instead of following the lure of the inheritance, then I’m sure you’ve grown to be a compassionate and responsible man, a leader worth following for everyone. Be proud, my son, for you have matured enough to continue forward without my help.
Fuutsuno Senda.”
As the letters continue to dance before me, tears start welling in my eyes.
“Shitty old man…” I exclaim, trying my best to form a grin on my face.
“And there you have it,” concludes Granny. “Fuutsuno Building Corporation will now be entrusted to its rightful owner, Director Fuutsuno Hakuen. Please, give an applause for the Young Master… nay, Master’s new position.”
As the entire floor is flooded with thunderous applause, I have no choice but to let out an awkward laugh. I mean, of course, I’m happy about everything, but to think that I spent all that courage, only for everything to just fall into my hands like that… it doesn’t feel right.
“Uh… excuse me,” in the end, I raise my hand, lightly tapping on Granny Yaga’s shoulder. “Granny, may I have a word?”
“Yes, Master?” I can clearly see the surprise on Granny Yaga’s face as she turns around.
“Father’s wealth… I’m free to do whatever I want with it, right?”
“That is correct, Master.”
No. This isn’t the result I want.
“... Then, I, as the rightful heir to Fuutsuno Senda’s fortune, hereby declare: every single penny of it shall be put to charity, as my father wished for it had I chosen the wrong path!”
Waves of murmuring, which were stopped just now, arise once more.
“My father had said that if I were to reject his inheritance, I’d become a dependable man. But I’d disagree. I’m still very immature and shallow, and so, this fortune in my hands will only result in ruin. Instead of letting its demise ultimately come, I say that putting it to actual use would be a much better use for it.
And also, I shall not be taking over the company as director. I’m still wet behind the ears, and I have no knowledge of how a business works. That’s why, until I’m ready for the job, Yaga shall continue being acting director. That is all.”
Soon, the murmur erupts into even louder applause than before. As I glance towards the audience, a certain smile catches my attention, and that’s enough to send me to heaven and back.
Seeing Natsume’s satisfied look, I give a nod in return.
No matter what I choose, I now have people that will approve of me, and stand beside me as I tread the unknown road ahead.
Now this is an ending I can get behind.