Volume 1 - CH 7

“I’m home.”

“Kouki, come here for a minute.”

When I came home after my part-time job, my father stopped me. My parents were only interested in Daiki, who was a good student, and never paid attention to me. They were so uninterested in me that they didn’t even know where I went to college. It was unusual for such a person to go out of his way to talk to me. At least, it wouldn’t have happened in the original timeline.

“What’s with the sudden……”

When I headed into the living room without washing my hands, I saw everything. My father, my mother. And even Daiki is sitting at the table. You tipped me off……. I don’t know how lame you can be.

“Kouki, I don’t care if you got a girlfriend or not, but it seems that you’re using Daiki as a stepping stone.  Don’t you think it’s disgraceful?”

“You’re his brother, right? Is it okay to hurt your own little brother?”

“……Sigh.”

How absurd. Why should I accept my brother’s arrogance just because he is my brother? Besides, just listening to Daiki’s words….well, it’ll be useless to defend myself.

“What are you sighing so cheekily ! The only reason I’m being so harsh on you is because you’re not good enough, right !? If you’re so frustrated, don’t play that cowardly game and try to beat me head on with your studies or athletics !”

“Don’t tell me you didn’t confess to her because she’s the one your brother is after. Mom will never forgive cheating !”

“……Haha.”

So far, it’s hilarious. I don’t know what you’re talking about when you were supporting Daiki’s cheating. Well, for now.

“What is it, Daiki? Do you like Saki?”

“Huh? There’s no way I like that ugly girl. I just thought I’d care about her because she’s the president’s daughter.”

I tried to stir things up appropriately, but he was in puberty. I was embarrassed to be listening to him.

“What? Is that girl rich?”

‘Well, what a waste ! I wish she would date Daiki who’s better than Kouki.”

And this attitude of my parents. They are so rude. I even get chills when I think that I have been deceived by these people. Well, it’s not the first time that they are strict with me and lenient to Daiki. That’s why I started living alone after I became a working adult, even though my office is in the neighborhood.

Well, this is a good opportunity. Let me tell my parents, who were in their late forties, what their problems will be ten years from now.

“You’re right. Maybe Daiki is a better boyfriend for the president’s daughter than me.”

“Right? Give her to Daiki if you understand…….”

“Are you sure? Mother. If Daiki, who comes from a normal family, goes out with a fine young lady, he will be groomed by the other family in the future.”

“T….that’s……!”

You just realized that now, didn’t you? Well, both of your sons are still children so it can’t be helped. You could also use your child as a doll. But it won’t be possible in the next 10 years.

‘If you get involved with a good family, you might be financially secure. You will be safe in your old age. But that’s all. Your son won’t come home, and you won’t have much chance to see your grandchildren. You will end up in a nursing home like a good riddance.”

“What are you trying to say, Kouki? Are you preaching to your parents like a big shot?”

Preaching? No, no, I’m worried. I mean, I don’t even want to say what I don’t have in mind, not even in sales talk.

“If that’s what you think, that’s fine. But that future will surely come in ten or twenty years. Do you think your cute youngest son, whom you’ve spoiled so much, is going to take care of you?　Would He come to check on you, worried about your health? Will he bring his grandchildren to visit you, thinking you’ll miss them? No way.”

“……What are you trying to say?”

I think he knows it himself. Daiki is not that kind of a person. So there is only one thing I want to say.

“I’m talking about whether you’re selling favors to the wrong person.”

If my normally shitty parents were to say such a great thing, I would have said it back to them like I had just said it. But they can’t do that now. That’s what I’m saying.

“Unlike my younger brother, your first-born son is not capable of outlandish behavior. He’ll probably go home for the Bon Festival and New Year’s, and if his parents are sick, he’ll take care of them. But that’s up to me. I don’t want to see my shitty parents again. Just thinking that way will make the breaking off relations come true. Of course, I won’t introduce you to my wife, and I won’t show you my grandchildren. If you need care, I won’t help you because you won’t even give me your contact information. I won’t even take care of your funerals or graves. If you don’t mind that, why don’t you just take care of my brother? I don’t care either way.”

When I finished speaking, the noisy house was completely quiet. Were they surprised at my sudden change? No, they’re not. All they have is self-preservation.

“…..Are you trying to blackmail your parents?”

“That’s right ! We are family, right? And you can’t just break off our relations……”

“It’s not a blackmail, it’s a possibility. If you’re this angry at me for just having a girlfriend, no matter how much I say we’re family, I don’t think I can do it. If you think that this thing is going to continue, it’s only natural that I want to get out of the house, right?”

…..If only I could have said this back then Ten years ago, my parents were absolute. If I rebelled, I might be forced to quit high school. They might even beat me up. When I thought that, I couldn’t do anything.

But now that I am an adult, I understand. Ordinary parents cannot do that. Not because they care about their children. It is because they care about appearances.

“Even though we’re a family, I think we need to have at least a minimum level of courtesy. It is true that I said terrible things to Daiki and to Father and Mother. But I said them because I thought it was right to say. If you don’t like me, I don’t like you either. If we want to improve our relationship, we have to take care of each other.”

“Hey, wait a minute, bro ! I’m not done talking to you !”

“……No, thanks.”

When I finished talking and was about to go back to my room, Daiki stopped me. And Father stopped him. Are you worried about your old age? But it’s too late for that. The relationship between me and these guys will be cut off in 10 years. No matter what happens from now on, the fact that they welcomed Saki’s affair will not disappear.

The future is what my father and mother are concerned about, but all I’m thinking about is the present moment. This will take Daiki a step back from my parents. School, friends, family. What’s left for him now that everything has been pulled back? I couldn’t hide my smile when I thought about it.