𝗜𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡

𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍

"Gentleman, please take a seat." Arata(Ino's father, haven't mentioned his name in awhile) gestured towards the leather chairs that were placed in front of his exquisite half-rounded desk.

Ino squinted his eyes, observing the three males. They were dressed quite formally, pretty tall in stature and had refined muscles, at least from what Ino could tell.

"How is my wife?" Was the first thing father uttered, upon seeing them sit comfortably in their seats.

The man in the middle heavily sighed. "She isn't doing any better. We have tried our best to find a solution to her symptoms, but it is definitely unusual.."

Father furrowed his eyebrows, and I could see how his hands clenched in frustration. "Unusual in what way?"

This time the man on the right spoke up. "Before she looked sickly, but now she looks healthier.. except she seems crazed. You said she attacked you?"

Father pursed his lips, "Yes..." He mumbled out, his eyes flashing with hatred.

"And how has the investigation been going? Have you found out where Hiro (L/N) and Dr. Yama ran off to?" I could see the disgusted look on father's face, he looked furious.

"N-no." One of them stuttered, sensing the dark aura that loomed over them. Father slammed his desk, "well, fucking hurry and find out where they are, or else I'll be the cutting your heads off."

Although they looked quite strong on the exterior, where they laid on the food chain was no where near the top.

Reputation and recognition were a huge thing, along with power and leadership. The three men could not face nor stand confident in front of a powerful business man.

"Yes, sir." The man in the middle bowed, trying hard to keep his composure although his heart was hammering against his chest. The three men left the study, thanking Arata for his time. Scurrying away like freighted mice.

Ino smirked in amusement, but was confused about the talk with mother and the two scientists.

After all, he was still young, he couldn't comprehend such complicated situations such as these. He tried to piece it together, but he needed to know the small details in order to formulate the full idea.

Suddenly it hit him. The powder. The strange powder in his father's drawer. He had never seen such unusual colors, the way it radiated, the mix of colors that left Ino in a haze, was it perhaps... a drug?

He remembered hearing the word 'drug' the first time he had met (Y/N).

"But, if you do as instructed and your so-called drug does work effectively and saves my wife, then I could help spread your product globally. That's the deal." (Flashback from Chapter Eleven)

'Hah... that's right. That's the connection.' Ino taught to himself.

"If my wife dies because of those two bastards, I'll give them hell. Haha, they knew before me that the damn drug didn't work, took off with my money, and left me with nothing.. except for this thing." Arata gave a chilling smile, as he pulled out the blueish-purplish powder that Ino had found earlier in his desk.

For some reason, Ino couldn't help but shiver. He now knew the whole situation, and he wanted to take advantage of that. His father was a lost cause, his love for his mother was all too much. He was slowly beginning to lose his sanity, not like he had much to begin with.

Ino held no sympathy for his father, instead he felt that he should help him by taking control of his father's pitiful feelings and using that to get what he wants. Ino craved what his brothers had, freedom to do as they choose.

Ino felt a strange emotion bubbling up from the inside of his stomach. Was it wrong of him? No, it was his family, he just wanted to help. Taking advantage of people's feelings? It wasn't his first time, it just came naturally to him. What was the point? He felt tied towards this situation and it kept reeling him in, further and further down the rabbit hole he went. Was he supposed to be feeling this way at such a young age? Does age really matter, the way he perceived things was obviously not going to be the same as others. He was taught that at a young age.

He craved it. He wanted it.

"Keep your head up high, never let others look down on you. You are to be the last child of the Kawakami family, so prove to others that you are capable. Do you understand?"

"I understand."

"Good job, my son! Such perfect scores, you never let your parents down."

"Of course, mother."

"Your third son is quite strange, don't you think..?"

"Whatever do you mean? He just knows what's best for others and himself, he only wants to aid those that aren't capable of helping themselves."

"Children are supposed to go out and enjoy themselves. Does he not have any friends, I could introduce him to my daughter."

"No need. He needs to focus on his future hahaha! That's just how our family works."

"That boy... (y/n) (l/n), was it?"

"Y-yes."

"He's a bad influence for you, son. I'll have to restrict you from seeing him ever again."

"W-wait! Can I at least say goodbye? Please father."

"No, Ino. You're too attached to him and neither me nor your sick mother want that."

"Why can Manzo and Taki both have friends, and not me!"

SLAP

"That boy has made you quite soft, hasn't he? Haven't I told you strictly so many times that you're the future of our company. I don't care about your two older brothers, I care about you. You're the youngest, You're the Kawakami's future and legacy. Don't let anyone pull you down, especially someone of low status."

"Yes, father." Ino bit his lips harshly, blood spilling from his lips.

"Get out of my sight."

I had to edit a few chapters because of this chapter. I know I never really explained the relationship of the Kawakami family, so I felt it was best to explain it in this chapter. The point was to explain Ino's personality. The idea was to illustrate 'Good-Child Syndrome' well, at least similar to it. Kids with good-child syndrome usually can't freely express themselves, and are afraid to be disliked by their parents. Which is why Ino wants to "help" his father, yet does not hold sympathy or any specific emotion towards his father. It is also due to jealousy that he acts this way as well. I'm not educated in this field, so please feel free to correct me.