The Missing Sano

Chapter 4: Takemichi Hanagaki, Origin.

Takemichi Hanagaki's mother wasn't the kindest.

But was good enough to care even if it's just a little.

Takemichi appreciates that at least.

Mr. and Mrs. Hanagaki weren't in love.

Takemichi never had the time to wonder why.

But the heavy truth was soon put on his small shoulders.

It was when his mother and father were fighting like they always do, Takemichi was used to it and he'd always hear them argue.

Mostly about work, his mother's side of family, arranged marriage, affairs...

Takemichi didn't understand for the most part. Or rather, he refuses to understand.

"You bitch! If only you didn't exist I would've had an easier life!" He'd hear his father shout at his mother.

Takemichi couldn't feel hurt or distress in those words, he'd rather do his own thing.

But one certain statement broke out in the argument that made Takemichi tense up in horror.

"THAT KID ISN'T EVEN MY SON!" His father shouted.

His mother seemed speechless.

Takemichi couldn't mind his own business after that, he walked towards the slightly opened door and took a peek in hopes of finding out what was that about.

"What do you mean not your son?! Are you kidding me?!" Mrs. Hanagaki argued back.

"You don't love me! You think I'd expect you to stay "faithful" when you don't even love your own husband?! We've never made love! He's not my child! I only accepted him because my father was so happy about that child!" Takemichi's father, well not exactly his father argued back.

Takemichi's world slowly turned dark.

Yet he still didn't feel anything, he didn't feel hatred for either of his parents nor pity for either of them.

Nothing, it's just empty.

Takemichi's eyes went dull as his "father" saw him through the slightly opened door.

"What are you doing here?! Go back to studying and don't stand up until your finished!" His father ordered.

Takemichi would obey, like he had always have. 

He went back to his study table in the living room and started to continue where he had left off.

He'll pretend he doesn't hear anything.

He'll pretend not to understand.

He'll pretend that he just didn't hear his own mother scream.

He'll pretend he doesn't hear his "father" grunting in pain.

He'll study while chaos is happening in the background, like he have always had.

Studying is all he ever did for as long as he can remember.

Well, he has to be a perfect heir.

While he is good at studying, he never liked it.

Now that he had found out that he's not actually a son of his "father" he now feels a bit of burden jump off from his shoulders.

He continued to pretend that he didn't hear the cries for help that his own mother shouted or the sound of loud gunshots that might have made Takemichi's ears a bit deaf.