The Perfect Mask

Chapter 7: Nakamura Legacy

Being the son of the Nakamura family comes with certain expectations. My parents built their empire from the ground up, turning Nakamura Industries into one of the most powerful companies in Japan. They expect nothing less than perfection from me, and I've never disappointed them.

But our relationship is... distant. My parents are busy people, always traveling for business, always attending some important meeting or event. They rarely have time for me, and I prefer it that way. It gives me the freedom to live my life the way I want without their interference.

When they do make time for me, it's always the same. Formal dinners in our massive estate, conversations about the future of the company, about how I need to prepare to take over one day. They see me as their heir, their legacy. But they don't see the real me.

Tonight is one of those rare occasions where we all sit down for dinner together. The table is filled with gourmet dishes prepared by our personal chef, the kind of food that most people could only dream of. But to me, it's just another meal. Another part of the routine.

My father, Nakamura Kenji, is a stern man, always focused on business. He looks at me with the same critical eye he uses to analyze company reports. "Kazuki, the board is asking about you. They want to know when you'll be ready to start taking on more responsibility at the company."

I nod, giving him the answer he wants to hear. "I'm ready whenever you need me, Father."

He seems satisfied with that, and the conversation moves on to other business matters. My mother, Nakamura Aiko, sits quietly beside him, occasionally offering a comment or two, but mostly letting my father do the talking. She's always been more focused on appearances, on maintaining the image of the perfect family.

They have no idea who I really am. They see what they want to see a son who follows in their footsteps, who upholds the Nakamura name with pride.

If only they knew.