Existence Precedes Essence

Chapter 12: The Day You Were Born

"For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them." — Aristotle

Kringgggg!!!!

Hanami Azumi's Room

The lady sat down as soon as she heard the alarm and felt that she was all sweaty. There was something she was dreaming of and she guessed it was a nightmare. She couldn't remember what it was but she felt extreme fear of the unknown. There was a knock on the door. "Get dressed, Azumi-sama. The Head wanted to see you", the servant informed. The lady got out of her bed and searched for something decent. For a moment, she felt how fast the time was. She graduated junior high school and is now turning 15. As promised by her grandfather, her shares will be given by the head as soon as she reaches her coming of age. A traditional dress was prepared at the center table. The lady felt the fabric and gave a small smile. The softness of the fabric gave comfort to her anxious heart. 

Head's Room

The place was divided into houses built for each child. The center of the compound is a well-taken-care traditional house with a pond on all sides. Azumi was assisted by a servant who opened the door to the head's room. She had lived in the center of all the houses since she was a child. "Enter", the head gave permission and she did. The first thing that the raven head saw was a real sword placed on a stand. "Perform a konbu, dear child", Seishirou said with a stern voice. Azumi felt her heart racing. She practiced it with a fan but a sword was far heavier than a piece of wood with few fabrics on it. If she is to commit a mistake, she will take the consequence of training for the entire summer to make up for it. She picked up the sword with all respect knowing that it belonged to their ancestor. 

The old man turned on the music for Azumi to match with her counting. She tried to calm her mind but she could hear the beating of her heart as if it was near her ears.

You're one of the most stubborn people I know when it comes to perfection. Don't worry, your practice will not betray you. 

She gave a small smile and started doing the sword dance that was taught to her at a young age. More of it, she saw her father perform it every start of the year. Seishirou couldn't help but see a shadow behind the lady and wished that he could have done something in the past to be a better father. The dance has come to completion. The old man put his hands together and started clapping. Azumi felt flattered and it was something that would bring her to tears but she held it back. 

"Our ancestors are proud samurai who fought for their philosophies. Your father was natural in kendo", Seishirou sat in the middle of the room on top of the tatami mats. "Because he was the last son, I didn't plan on making a house for him as I already decided that he would be the owner of this house", the old man explained. The lady suddenly came to the reality of the reason she was called for. She will greatly understand if the old man will forfeit the promise for her to gain her shares of the property. Azumi was more than sure that this is what it is all about. 

"I will be asking Fumi to accompany you and look for an apartment", Seishirou finally confirmed what was on her mind and it gave a sense of relief. "Thank you for your kindness, grandfather", the raven's head bowed and the hairpin that she wore came loose making her long hair cover a portion of her face. "My apologies grandfather, I-", she panicked and picked it up. The old man stood and gently took it from her hand. He led his granddaughter to take a sit and placed the pin on her hand. "No one even helped you tie your hair, poor child. I have all the chances in the world to apologize to you. When that golden-haired boy came to me one time, two years ago, I came to realize how I shut my eyes to what you have gone through. I tried to convince myself that my children's hostility towards you is just normal and I too, have felt the same", Seishirou cupped the hands of his granddaughter. "I know it's too late to apologize. That's why, Azumi, thank you for coming into my son's life", the old man gave a reserved smile. 

"No, I don't deserve such-", the lady didn't know how to react. It was a kind of love she didn't know how to receive. Human accepts the love they think they deserve. "Azumi. You already reached your coming of age. Being in this household will just continue to hurt you. As much as I want you to stay, I want you to live free. Go to school, enter university, become and adult, and marry someone. When you have your fill, come back and claim your place as the next head of the house. For the time being, I will have Ren to assume that role. I am glad that he turned out to be different from his roots. I know I am to be blamed for my children as well", Seishirou stood and assisted the lady to stand.  "I cannot be more grateful than I am right now. But then, why can't Ren be the heir?", Azumi pressed her lips thinking that she might get called off with her question. "That lad already told me what he would like to do in the future and being the head will limit him from doing so. He said that if it was not because of you, he would not be able to come to terms with what he wants and what people expect from him", Seishirou informed. 

Garden

Azumi left the house and went to watch the fish in the pond. She was mixed with happiness and worry. "Azumi! Happy Birthday~ Let's go grab some mochi. I also called the guys for you", Chifuyu appeared from nowhere and grabbed the lady by her hand. "Wait, I am going to change my clothes", the raven head tried to get away but Chifuyu was excited. 

Mochi House

Azumi removed her helmet and went down Chifuyu's bike. The whole place was close. "I'm sorry Chifuyu. Maybe we can come here next time", the birthday girl was about to start walking away. "We'll break our way in", the blonde pushed her towards the door. "Breaking in? I don't want to", she was startled and tried to fight back since they were already in front of the door. She noticed the blonde smiling from ear to ear. She calmed down and held on the door knob sliding it open. 

"Happy Birthday!!!". 

The raven head was dumbfounded to see an unexpected mixture of people. "Chifuyu told me about the plan so I contacted Fumi-san. Instead of celebrating in that hall, I'd rather be cramped here with people I don't know", Oikawa passed a bouquet of flowers. "Chifuyu asked us to decorate the place. The owner said it was okay as well. Here's a pouch from me and Emma", Hina greeted the lady and Emma did as well even if she just gave a pout. "She's still doing that with me", Azumi gave a nervous laugh. "She gets sensitive when it comes to Draken", the peach hair whispered. During the New Year festival, Draken and Azumi arrived at the place earlier. They were seen by Emma having a friendly conversation. 

"You have interesting friends", Fumi commented with her arms around Mitsuya. "She said she finds my fashion interesting", the lilac head chuckled. "Fumi-san, don't bother Taka-san too much", the lady, even after two years, still gives special attention to the lavender boy. Seeing Azumi's flustered face, Fumi decided to save her by dragging Mitsuya to choose what color of mochi suited the lady of the day. Mitsuya turned and gave a smile to her. "You look good in your yukata. As I have thought before, you resonate with the color of violet", he commented. 

Azumi was made to sit the in middle and the view made her smile. Draken is calming Mikey because he keeps looking for Doroyaki cakes. The rest of the captain and vice-captain of Toman just went along and acted civil with Oikawa. They feel a sense of warmth in the lad so they gather around him while he distributes the sweets. "Yap. Still grandpa", she chuckled. "Senpai!!!", the door opened and middle and high schools jumped to give her a tight hug. "Is this heaven, Senpai? Why are there so many good-looking guys?", they cried. 

Chapter end.