Love is a puzzle posed by the emotions and not likely to be solved by reason.
Anon
ePub
A4Chapter 23
W
hen Yuto walked into the career guidance room, Sanada blinked as ifdazzled, then motioned to a chair on the other side of the table. “Take a
seat.”
Yuto pulled out a chair and sat down.
“How’s it going? Are things a bit better?” Sanada asked.
Yuto cocked his head to one side. “I don’t know. The case hasn’t been
solved yet, so no, I wouldn’t say things are much better.”
“I can understand that.” Sanada sighed and looked at the paper he was
holding.
“There’s too much going on right now for you to seriously review
your options. I get that. As I’m talking to all the boys in your year, I asked
you to come in too. I just want to get a rough idea of how you’re thinking
about things. Just answer as best you can.”
“Okay,” Yuto replied.
“Good. Let’s start with the basics. In the interview we did after you
moved into third year, you told me you were hoping to go to college. Can I
take it that is still the case?” Sanada asked, looking up from Yuto’s file.
Yuto didn’t reply. He couldn’t.
Sanada looked up. “What is it? Have you changed your mind?”
Yuto released the pent-up breath in his chest before speaking. “I feel a
bit lost.”
“Lost? How exactly?”
“It’s … uh…” Yuto hunched forward and looked at the floor.
“Is it a financial issue?”
“That’s one thing.”
“There’s something else, then?”
Yuto stayed silent. He wasn’t ready. This was neither the time nor the
place.
“Hey, Aoyagi,” Sanada said. “At least look at me.”
Yuto lifted his head but kept his eyes fixed on the floor.
“I understand how you feel. After what happened to your father,
you’re worried about your family. College costs money, a lot of money.
You’d rather get a job and do your best to help your mother and sister.
That’s what you’re thinking, right?”
Although Yuto’s actual feelings were nothing like this, he replied,
“Yeah, I guess that’s it.”
“Huh.” Sanada nodded to himself. “I expected as much. I admire you
for thinking like that and I’ll do everything I can to support you if that’s
what you decide to do. But listen, Aoyagi, this is a serious decision. For
starters, finding work is that much harder when you’ve only got a high
school diploma. I help a number of kids like that find work every year, and
it’s getting tougher all the time. If you’re worried about providing for your
family, your best bet is to go to college or even vocational school.”
Sanada’s speech didn’t register with Yuto. He wasn’t thinking about
looking for a job, and going on to university was the last thing on his mind.
Now was what mattered. What was he going to do right now?
“Isn’t there anyone who could provide you with financial assistance?
A relative, for instance?” When Yuto said nothing, Sanada added, “Your
father held quite a senior position in his company. He must have some
savings.”
“I’ve no idea.”
“Have you spoken to your mother about this?”
“Not since my father’s death, no.”
“I see.” Sanada intertwined his fingers on the desk. “You’ll need to
have a proper conversation with your mother about this. My guess—and
that’s all it is, a guess—is that she will be very keen for you to go on to
college. On the money side, scholarships can always be found. I’m sure
something can be worked out. Anyway, talking it through with her should
be your first step.”
“Yes, sir.”
Yuto made his way back to the classroom. Although school had finished for
the day, several of his classmates were still there, Sugino among them.
When they spotted Yuto, they all picked up their bags and left the room, one
after another. Only Sugino stayed behind.
“Sure you don’t want to go with them?” Yuto asked. “You won’t do
yourself any favors, hanging out with me.”
Sugino scowled. “I’m not like that,” he said. His voice lacked conviction.
“It’s no skin off my nose. I can’t reach Kurosawa. Any idea why?”
“Kurosawa?”
“He doesn’t reply when I text him and he doesn’t pick up when I call.
Think he’s got a new phone?”
“Dunno. Anyway, why Kurosawa?”
“There’s something I need to discuss with him. And with you. The
three of us, in fact.”
Sugino’s eyes widened in shock and his expression stiffened.
“Something? You mean…?”
“Uh-huh,” Yuto said. “That’s what I mean.”
Sugino turned away. “It’s too late. There’s nothing to talk about.”
“That’s not good enough. It’s not too late. That’s why I want us to
talk.”
His eyes still fixed on the floor, Sugino asked, “Why? Has someone
said something?”
“No, no one—” Yuto cut himself off mid-sentence. “Or perhaps
someone did say something to me.”
Sugino glanced up at him. “Who?”
“My dad.”
“What!” Sugino started. “I mean, your father, he’s…”
“Forget about it. I need you to contact Kurosawa. I’m counting on
you.” Saying this, Yuto grabbed his bag and walked out of the classroom.
After leaving the school grounds, Yuto headed for the subway station.
Whenever he passed groups of his friends strolling along, he could feel his
face flush. The chill of the air felt good on his skin. His mood darkened
when he thought of what he was about to do. His burden was a heavy one,
but he wasn’t going to run away anymore. He wasn’t going to avert his
eyes.
He caught a train and disembarked at Nakameguro Station. He was
nearly home when he recognized the person walking in front of him.
Yuto accelerated until he caught up with him. When they were neck
and neck, the other person noticed him and stopped.
“Oh, it’s you, Yuto.” Kotake forced his square face into a smile.
“Heading back home?”
“That’s right. You too?”
“Yeah. Got a few official company communications I’ve got to deliver.
I’m the liaison guy.”
“What’s happening with the accident cover-up?”
Kotake’s mouth twisted with distaste at Yuto’s question.
“We’ve handled that. It probably wasn’t very nice for your family, but
it’s not something you need to worry about anymore. Try to put it behind
you.”
“You handled it? How’d you handle it? My dad … Takeaki Aoyagi is
the mastermind behind the whole thing—that’s meant to be the end of the
story?”
“‘Mastermind’? Now you’re being melodramatic.”
Turning, Yuto saw a cynical smirk on Kotake’s face. His whole body
grew hot.
“Yeah and what about you?” he yelled. “You get away with no blame at all?”
Kotake glowered at him. “Let me tell you, young man, I have been
reported to the Public Prosecutor’s Office. For complicity in the cover-up of
a workplace accident.”
“But no one’s going to fire you! You aren’t going to lose your factory
manager job. Because you shunted all the blame onto my dad.”
“I just did what I was told to do. By your father.”
“You’re lying.”
“No, I’m not.”
“My dad would never tell anyone to do anything mean and sordid like
that. I bet you did it all on your own.”
“What are you talking about? You’re just a know-nothing kid,” snarled
Kotake.
Hot blood only surged more furiously through Yuto’s veins. His body
seemed to move independently. He brought his bunched fist down into
Kotake’s square face.
