S C A N D A L

Chapter Two

Marriage! To whom? What sort of nonsense was this?

Shiro had no time to recover from the initial shock nor question his mother further. In a flurry, he found himself sitting beside his cousin Yoshihiro in the backseat of the car as his mother rode shotgun instructing the driver of their supposed destination.

He cast his cousin a surreptitious glance, but Yoshi seemed lost as well of the sudden announcement. Shiro wondered if this was his mother's intention all along. To rid herself of her son as soon as possible? But when she glanced over her shoulder, there was a twinkle in her eye that sent comfort to Shiro, and any ill thoughts about his mom vanished in an instant.

"Aunt," Yoshi began, as he too could no longer contain his curiosity. "What do you mean Shiro's getting married?"

"It's all arranged!" Kumiko's eyes glowed with pride. "A childhood friend of mine has a son whom Shiro had met when he was one year old. The boy was three then. We always thought they looked good together. We talked about the possibility all the time. I cannot believe I've met her again after all these years! Of course, we immediately discuss the engagement."

"And you didn't ask me about this?" Shiro couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"I know it's too sudden but you're in the right age. I want to make sure that you will have a future I always wanted for you."

"It's impossible!"

"Oh no, not at all. I remembered the little boy saying how he wanted to marry you someday. I'm sure you'll be pretty enough for him."

Shiro groaned. "Okasan! That's not what I meant---"

"Don't be grumpy, okay? Give him a chance first."

"He was three years old when he first saw me! What makes you think he would even like me now? Besides, I'm sure her son has something to say about the matter?"

"He trusts his mama," Kumiko confidently replied which did nothing to alleviate Shiro's distress.

Yoshi's jaw which was wide open had finally set. "Aunt, it's not right to just force Shiro to a marriage to someone unknown?"

"He is not completely unknown. My friend trusts me and I trust her. I'm just worried about Shiro's future. He's in that age and he still hasn't met anyone in his life."

"Okasan," Shiro's tone was now on edge. "I'm here, by the way. You're also wasting your time. I will not marry a man I hardly even know and cares so little about his future husband that he let his mother choose for him. I won't do it!"

"Shiro...please, do this for mama." Kumiko started begging, even pouting quite effectively that Shiro had to avert his gaze. "I tell you what, meet him first and see for yourself before you make your final decision. Let's not be too hasty to judge. Besides, you can't possibly be a teacher for the rest of your life?"

"Or a cashier in a bathhouse," Yoshihiro added, and Shiro glared at him.

"Excuse me, I'm the manager!"

"...in a bathhouse. Yes, be proud of it."

Kumiko laughed merrily. "You're too young and too handsome to be wasting your time on those kinds of jobs. There's more to life for you. And I know what you're thinking. You think I'm getting rid of you, do you?"

"Are you?"

Their gaze met and Kumiko let out a long slow exhale. "Of course, not! But you know what your dad did to us. Did to me. I'm still struggling to provide for you."

"I can help. I'm all grown up now---"

"NO. You're not going to have the same life as I had. I don't want that suffering to you. You will be happy, rich, and successful. I will make sure your married life will never end up as mine. You must trust me on this one, my son. That young man is a great catch."