Conversation turned to Nara, the quiet, scenic place where Ren had lived for three years with his grandparents. They reminisced about simpler days, laughter-filled afternoons, and the wisdom passed down from generation to generation.
Just then, a younger boy stepped into the room, his school bag slung over one shoulder. He was around 15 or 16, but already carried the charm of someone older. His face, though youthful, bore a striking resemblance to Ren.
[Ren is sitting at the dinner table, and Reo enters the room with a bag slung over his shoulder, just returning from school.]
Reo: [brightly, noticing Ren sitting at the table]
"Aniki! When did you get back? How are you, Aniki? It's been a long time since I last saw you."
Ren: [getting up with a smirk, walks over to Reo, then ruffles his hair playfully]
"Crazy little brother, it's been THREE years, not just a long time! You've grown, huh?"
Reo: [grinning, clearly amused by Ren's teasing, tries to dodge]
"Hey, stop messing with my hair! I've been growing, alright? You look the same as always, though. So, what's been up with you, huh?"
Ren: [chuckling as he pats Reo's head one more time]
"Of course I look the same. I'm still your big brother. Nothing much, just... the usual. Spent some time with Jiji and Obaachan."
Reo: [eyes sparkling with curiosity]
"Jiji? He's still fishing every morning, huh? You know, he's the only one who doesn't seem to age."
Ren: [laughing, his expression softens as he recalls his grandfather]
"Yeah, Jiji's still strong as ever. That old man will never slow down. I swear, he could out-fish me any day."
Reo: [snorts with a grin, playfully sarcastic]
"Right, right. You, aniki, out-fish Jiji? I'd pay to see that. But you're right, Jiji's a beast. So, how's school been for you?"
Ren: [shrugs casually, as he heads back to the table to sit down]
"School's been alright. I'm planning to study here for now. I just want to focus on things that matter."
Reo: [nods thoughtfully, sitting down beside Ren]
"Got it. I guess... things are changing for you, huh? You're not going back, are you?"
Ren: [grinning as he looks at his little brother, teasing once more]
"Well, I'm not running off anywhere if that's what you're asking. But I've got some plans of my own."
Reo: [raising an eyebrow, curious]
"Plans? What are you gonna do now? Starting your own business or something?"
Ren: [laughing, shaking his head]
"Not exactly. I've got a different plan. Something... more grounded."
Reo: [leaning in, intrigued]
"More grounded? Come on, Aniki, tell me. Don't leave me hanging!"
Ren: [smirking, enjoying the moment of suspense before answering]
"I'm going to join the company. But not the way you think. I want to work my way up, starting as an intern."
Reo: [pauses, clearly impressed but skeptical]
"Intern? So you're gonna start from the bottom? But... you're Ren, you're Fujiwara Takeshi's son! Doesn't that make things... easier for you?"
Ren: [his tone grows more serious as he looks Reo in the eye]
"Exactly. That's why I don't want anyone to know who I am. I want to prove myself on my own, without anyone giving me special treatment."
Reo: [sits back, looking surprised but thoughtful]
"Whoa, that's... actually pretty cool, Aniki. You want to be known for what you do, not who you're related to."
Ren: [nods with a small smile, feeling the weight of his decision]
"Yeah, I've learned a lot from Grandpa. He started from nothing, and I want to do the same. It's not about the easy way out; it's about working hard and earning your place."
Reo: [smiling and teasing again, his playful side coming through]
"You're making it sound like you're some kind of hero. Alright, alright. I get it, you're the cool big brother who wants to suffer just to prove a point."
Ren: [laughing, slapping Reo lightly on the back]
"Hey, someone has to show you how it's done, right? You'll see. It'll be tough, but it'll be worth it."
Reo: [with a grin, giving Ren a side glance]
"Yeah, yeah. Just don't come crying to me when it gets hard, okay? I'll be watching from the sidelines, cheering for you... from a safe distance."
Ren: [laughing, flicking Reo's ear lightly]
"Yeah, I'm sure you will. Just don't get too cocky, little brother."
Reo: [mock serious, crossing his arms]
"Me? Cocky? Never."
Reo soon went to freshen up, and after dinner, the family settled in the main hall. Takeshi turned to Ren.
"So, what now? You said you're not going back. Are you planning to study here?"
Ren nodded. "Yes. Please arrange my admission."
They roughhoused like boys, even if one of them was nearly a man. This was Reo—Ren's younger brother, sharp-eyed and full of youthful energy.
After dinner, as everyone settled into the large living hall, Takeshi leaned forward. "So, Ren. What are your plans? You told me you're not going back. Will you study here?"
Takeshi: [noticing Ren's decision to work as an intern]
"Ren, what do you plan to do now? You told me on the phone that you wouldn't be going back. Are you planning to study here?"
Ren: [pauses to think for a moment before answering, serious]
"Yes, I want to study here. You can look into the admission process for me."
Takeshi:
"Anything else you need, my dear son?"
Ren: [hesitant but determined, looks at his father with seriousness]
"Actually, there is something else. I want to join the company, but I want to start as an intern."
Takeshi: [surprised, raises an eyebrow]
"An intern? Why? You know you'll have to manage the company someday. Why not just come to my office and learn there? You don't need to be an intern for that."
Ren: [growing more serious, his voice steady but firm]
"I don't want that. I want to start from the bottom, just like Grandpa did. He worked his way up, and I want to do the same. I don't want any special treatment just because I'm your son."
Takeshi: [pauses, a bit taken aback by Ren's words, thinking about it for a moment]
"I see... you're serious about this, aren't you? Alright, I'll tell Mr. Jin to make the arrangements. You'll start as an intern, but remember, no special treatment. It won't be easy."
Ren: [nodding firmly, looking his father in the eyes]
"That's exactly what I want, Dad. No special treatment. I want to earn my place just like anyone else."
Takeshi: [slightly reluctant but understanding, sighs and picks up his phone again]
"Alright, I'll arrange it. [into the phone] Mr. Jin, Ren will start as an intern. Make sure everything is set up for him. No exceptions."
Ren: [before his father can hang up the phone, Ren quickly adds]
"And one more thing, Dad. I don't want anyone at the company to know I'm your son. If I'm going to work as an intern, I want to do it anonymously—without anyone treating me differently."
Takeshi: [pauses, looking confused and slightly frustrated]
"Ren... I really don't agree with this. You're my son, and you should be proud of that. Why would you hide who you are?"
Ren: [his expression firm, he answers quietly but confidently]
"I just want to prove myself. I want to show them that I can work hard, just like anyone else. I don't want anyone to think I got in because of who my father is."
Takeshi: [sighs deeply, still not fully agreeing but understanding his son's determination]
"I don't know, Ren. I think you're making things harder on yourself for no reason. But if this is what you want... fine, I'll let it go."
[Takeshi hands Ren the phone, and Ren takes it from him.]
Ren: [seriously but with a slight smile]
"Thank you, Dad. But remember, I want to do this my way."
Takeshi: [grumbles as he reluctantly accepts his son's decision]
"Alright, alright. You'll get what you want. But don't expect me to agree with it."
Kiyo: [stepping in and gently placing a hand on Takeshi's shoulder, offering support]
"Trust him, Takeshi. He's made up his mind. If there's a problem, we'll be here for him. But let him do it his way."
Takeshi: [looks at Kiyo, then at Ren, clearly torn but softened by her words]
"Okay, I'll trust him. But if this causes trouble, you'll be the first to hear from me."
Ren: [nodding slightly, his voice calm]
"I'm fine with that. Thanks, Dad. I just need to do this on my own."
Takeshi: "Alright"
Ren: okay, good night, mom, dad. Today I am really tired I want to rest ( then Ren left )
After Ren left
Takeshi: [his tone is calm but direct]
" oh hello Mr. Jin, also I need you to make arrangements for Ren's admission to Tenshin High School. Get everything cleared up by tomorrow so he can start the day after tomorrow. Make sure all the documents are in order."
Mr. Jin: [his voice is professional, acknowledging the request immediately]
"Understood, Mr. Fujiwara. I will make sure everything is taken care of. Is there anything else you would like me to do?"
Takeshi: [pauses for a moment, his tone firm as he thinks about Ren's wishes]
"Actually, there is one more thing. I already told you, Ren wants to join the company as an intern. But he doesn't want anyone to know who he is—no special treatment. I need you to handle it quietly. Don't let anyone in the company know about his background. Keep it completely anonymous."
Mr. Jin: [slightly surprised, but quickly adapts to the request]
"An intern? Understood, Mr. Fujiwara. I will make sure that Ren's identity remains confidential. No one will know he's your son, and we'll handle it as a standard intern position. Anything else?"
Takeshi: [a bit concerned but supportive of Ren's decision, he hesitates for a second before answering]
"No, that's all for now. Just ensure everything goes smoothly. I'm trusting you to take care of this."
Mr. Jin: [calmly, with professionalism]
"Of course, Mr. Fujiwara. I'll handle it right away. I'll also make sure the company is prepared for Ren's arrival, keeping everything discreet as per your instructions. You can count on me."
Takeshi: [sighs in relief, appreciative of Mr. Jin's reliability]
"Good. Thank you, Mr. Jin. I'll leave it in your hands."
Mr. Jin: [respectfully]
"You're welcome, Mr. Fujiwara. I'll take care of everything. Have a good evening."
[The call ends.]
[Takeshi and Kiyo are in their room, after dinner. Takeshi seems a bit troubled while Kiyo is gently trying to comfort him.]
Kiyo: [walking over to Takeshi, softly placing a hand on his shoulder]
"Takeshi... you've been quiet. Is something bothering you?"
Takeshi: [sighs, looking out the window, a bit troubled]
"It's Ren... he's so determined, so independent. I understand that, but he's making things so difficult. He doesn't want anyone to know he's my son when he joins the company. He insists on being treated just like any other intern."
Kiyo: [calmly, understanding Ren's perspective, she sits beside him on the bed]
"You've always told him to be independent. He's just trying to stand on his own, without relying on your name or position. He wants to prove himself."
Takeshi: [nodding slowly, his voice heavy with concern]
"I know, but it's hard to accept. He's our son, Kiyo. I want him to have the best. He doesn't have to start from the bottom like this. But he insists, and... I can't help but worry."
Kiyo: [gently, with a soft smile, she places a hand on his cheek]
"Takeshi, you raised him to be strong, to think for himself. He's not making this decision out of defiance; he's doing it because he believes it's the right path for him. Just like you did when you were young."
Takeshi: [looking at her, his expression softens, but still concerned]
"Maybe you're right. But he's my son. I don't want him to face unnecessary hardship. Why does he want to make things harder on himself?"
Kiyo: [smiling gently, brushing a strand of hair from his face]
"Because, my dear, he wants to learn the value of hard work, the same way you did. He's not trying to push us away—he's showing us how much he's grown."
Takeshi: [sighs, now more resigned, but still a little worried]
"I just don't want him to be disappointed if things don't go as he expects. The business world is tough, Kiyo."
Kiyo: [softly laughing, her tone warm and reassuring]
"And you, of all people, know that better than anyone. But we've prepared him. And besides, you'll be there to guide him when he needs it, even if he won't admit it."
Takeshi: [smiling faintly, finally letting go of some of his worry]
"Maybe you're right. Maybe I'm just overthinking this. Ren is strong, and he has a good head on his shoulders."
Kiyo: [nodding, her voice full of warmth and love]
"Exactly. Trust him, Takeshi. He's our son, and he'll make his own way, just like we did. All we can do is support him."
Takeshi: [after a pause, looking into Kiyo's eyes, his tone softens]
"You're right, Kiyo. I'll trust him. We raised him well. He's ready."
Kiyo: [smiling tenderly at him]
"And when he needs us, we'll be there. Always."
Takeshi: [finally relaxed, smiling slightly as he leans in to kiss her forehead]
"Thank you, Kiyo. You always know just what to say."