A young Sozen navigated the bustling school hallway, flanked by a few of his upper-middle-class friends, their laughter and chatter filling the air. Just behind them, at a respectful distance, trailed his bodyguard, Satoshi. The arrangement was unusual for a middle school setting—adult bodyguards were typically prohibited in public schools where students from various backgrounds mingled. However, as the heir to the Monarctronics Group, Sozen's security was paramount, necessitating some form of oversight and protection. The Monarctronics Group, known for its extensive involvement in improving consumer lives, had numerous interests and influence.
Satoshi's presence, though routine for Sozen, was a source of considerable frustration for him. Trained from a young age to adapt and maintain composure, he had learned to mask his discontent, but the reality of his situation weighed heavily on him. While other children his age enjoyed their youth, playing and socializing, he found himself confined to the role of a guardian, trailing behind someone who represented the privileges of a wealthy family. The disparity between their lives was stark and disheartening.
The circumstances that led Satoshi to this role were deeply rooted in familial and societal structures. His own family, while modest, had been "offered" to the Yajima family—another name for the Monarctronics Group—as a means of securing a better future. The arrangement was a common strategy for families lacking immense wealth or notable genetic advantages: serving a prominent family or corporation was a pathway to luxury and influence. For Satoshi, it was a role that, while crucial for his family’s security and future, was a bitter pill to swallow.
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As the group of friends paused at a vending machine, Sozen turned to Satoshi and asked what kind of beverage he would like. Satoshi’s response was nonchalant, “Oh, anything will do,” but Sozen, with an intuitive understanding of Satoshi’s preferences, selected a drink he knew Satoshi would appreciate.
Sozen handed the can to Satoshi with a small, apologetic gesture, mouthing the word “Sorry.” The apology was multifaceted—it could have been for the inconvenience of being treated as an accessory to his group, for the broader, unfair circumstances that placed Satoshi in this role, or for the discomfort caused by the palpable tension that arose whenever Satoshi was present. The group’s unease with his presence was a constant reminder of the awkwardness and resentment surrounding their arrangement.
Satoshi accepted the drink with a resigned nod. Despite the apology, his resentment toward the situation and the world that had placed him in such a position was a growing burden. Over time, this resentment would consume him, a stark reflection of the harsh realities and inequities that had shaped his life. The disdain he felt was not directed at Sozen personally; rather, it was a profound dissatisfaction with the societal structures that had dictated his path and limited his agency.