To Be Diligent: Stepped Too Far Into Madness

Lamenting Sloth

It was a wistful night for Hajime Senkou, the president of the Ikazune luxury hotel chain, to be idle in his office overseeing the operations of the thriving empire he and his family have created

Light agarwood shelves filled with bookmarked books were placed against the wall where a little lounge was offered to any potential readers. Whereas the on the wall, a table reminiscent of a countertop was particularly empty besides the coffee machine next to the window and a small flower vase that contained a pink orchid

When compared to the rest of his luxurious manor, it would be understandable if one mistook this room for something outside of that. However, despite the comfort that such things would bring to any normal person, what good is an empire if you can't protect what's most important to you? That was the question that had plagued his mind throughout the countless business meetings he attended, and the hours of working away in this intentionally small room that he called an office. All because of the disappearance of his one and only son

That was until the door to his office suddenly opened to reveal the visage of his beautiful wife dressed in red standing by the door. Her forest green hair, a dominant trait in the humble Midoriya family, now noticeably more strangled and messy with ruined makeup caused by tears in her eyes, sniffling with a trembling hand tightly holding onto her phone

“What’s wrong… Fumiko?” One look was all Hajime needed to know that something had happened

“Hiroshi is alive! Our son is alive!” Fumiko Senkou announced with stretches out for the nearest object to support her weight, the tears that had formed in the corner of her eyes having been released to stream down her round cheeks

Hajime immediately got up from his chair to approach the woman with caring arms that embraced her form, pulling her close to give ease to his beloved. He took her hand into his before guiding her to a chair beside the bookshelves. Though she remained uneasy, he temporarily remedied this by locking eyes with her. His hands gently holding her shoulders as he slightly lowered himself to her level

“Settle down, dear. Breathe slowly and calmly so you can tell me what the police have found” Now seeing the sincerity that she was too blinded to see, she did as he suggested. Opening her eyes to begin explaining herself

“They said that he's being held by… by Villains somewhere in Corestella. The same ones that attacked his school. They didn't tell me anymore but I-I can't help but worry what they've been doing with him!” Her fingers gripped onto her long luscious forest green hair, the stress and anxiety of the situation overtaking her like a dam bursting with water

“Do you think that they're going to kill him? Sell his organs? O-Or will they hold him for ransom? I…” She paused, her downcast expression prompting her to shed tears in the comfort of her husband's presence

“I just want my baby back”

L

istening to her woes, Hajime's heart clenched at each and every word she spoke during her emotional rollercoaster. While obviously elated to hear that their son was alive, to have her turn news that should've been celebrated into something to dread was wrong. It's completely wrong!

Yes, it would be deeply saddening to see their one and only son in a battered or even tortured state, but would the pain and despair really amount the same to his death? 

He needed to set things right, make her understand that this was not a time to reject the miracle given to them and instead remain hopeful for his return

“Fumiko, you clearly need a rest. How about we pay a visit to your family members? I'm sure that people like your cousin Inko would be able to clear your mind of stress, you know that our son wouldn't want his mother hurting herself over him” His arms pulled her closer for a hug, embracing her tearful self with the warmth of support