S C A N D A L

PROLOGUE

DISCLAIMER: IRL, Japanese surnames come first before the first name. However, for simplicity's sake and to avoid confusion, I did not follow that and used the usual format for everyone's convenience since this will be written in English anyway. Enjoy!

"Welcome to Tokyo!"

Shiro Ogawa was not quite certain what to feel after traveling a long way, coming from an island to suddenly emerge in a metropolis. It felt like a fairy tale when he stepped foot in Japan's most populated region---TOKYO.

"You've said that ten times, but thank you," he said with no real emotion other than LOST.

Yoshihiro Fujikawa frowned at his lack of interest but nevertheless, it didn't let him discourage himself from promoting the city to his cousin. "Since you're going to stay here with us, I'll make sure next time that you will travel in style."

"Sure," Shiro sighed as he gazed at the imposing infrastructure in front of him. "I can't wait to travel in style," he added disdainfully and sarcastically.

Frankly speaking, it wasn't so bad. Although he was positive that he would meet his mother tomorrow, the inn she temporarily rented for him seemed rather attractive. Think of it as an adventure! This was what he told himself. In fact, he shouldn't fret. It wasn't like he was thrown back to her life in chaos and his mother did promise to send someone to fetch him tomorrow as soon as she received the message.

Dark brown eyes sparkling with hope, Shiro Ogawa came a long way from the smallest island in the country known for its abundant nature, beautiful rivers, and wonderful onsen, and home of the 88 Temple Pilgrimage to the very densely populated and the historical center of feudal power and the birthplace of modern Japan. Even as a naïve, country boy, he could see that the inn was nowhere near the establishment he found back in his hometown. And with this, he was already grateful, glancing around the bustling street in front of the---

"It's actually a hotel," his guide and cousin, Yoshihiro (Yoshi, to those allowed) explained this to him as they entered the premises. "It will be temporary. Sorry, your okasan didn't think you'd be arriving a little earlier than planned. But, that's fine. She would be back from a business trip and thrilled to finally have you all by herself."

"Tell her not to rush. I'd be fine here and will wait for her return."

"I can't believe your father married a harridan! How can he do that to you? You're his only son!" Yoshi grumbled a lot as they waited for the receptionist to arrange his room.

Shiro shrugged indifferently. He didn't want to talk about his father and his new mistress. From the very beginning, it was wrong of him to take him from his mother but because she wasn't as wealthy as he was, Shiro was obliged to live under his roof and under his rule. Now that he had found a new object of affection and ended up marrying this witch, there was no place for Shiro in his life. Suddenly, the child that he battled for custody for years during their tumultuous divorce, had become a stranger inside their home.

But this didn't bother his mother, Kumiko Fujioka, who was more than eager to have her son under her care. Finally. He never lost contact with his mother and even when she struggled in life, she kept her vow of working hard, earning decent money, and buying a property so she could be the mother she intended to be for her son.

In all honesty, Shiro wasn't keen on living in a big and noisy city. But he'd rather stay in a noisy, buzzing place than be controlled for the rest of his life by his father's new wife.

"Mark my words! What she did to you, she'll have her karma soon. She's spiteful, vindictive and mean!"

"Yoshi, let's not say words we will regret later. Let it be. I'm happy I'm finally here and that's all that matters to me. How long are we going to wait for that receptionist?"