Bitter 1: Haruhi's Bitter Days

Chapter 4: Discussions

Bitter 1: Haruhi's Bitter Days
Chapter 4: Discussions

Mori walked through the front door of his house and found his father waiting for him. Satoshi had told him that his father wanted to meet with him, but he was not expecting Akira Morinozuka to be lying in wait. He decided right then and there that if he got in trouble because his brother told him it wasn't urgent, Satoshi would find himself on the floor in their next sparring match. Mori may not be violent by nature, but he knew how to teach his brother a lesson when needed.

The tall stoic host quickly hid his surprise at seeing his father leaning against the wall by the front door and bowed to show his elder respect. When he righted himself he said, "Father, I am sorry if I kept you waiting. I left as soon as Satoshi called."

Akira smiled at his eldest son and placed a hand on his shoulder. Mori was turning into a fine and honorable man, and he could not be prouder of him. He excelled in his studies and at Kendo, and he was respectful and a gentleman; Akira could ask for nothing more of him. "There was no rush and you did not keep me waiting. I was informed that the car had returned to the estate and met you. There is a difference my son," Akira said putting his son's mind at ease.

"Yes father. Satoshi said that you needed to speak with me," Mori prodded.

Akira chuckled and shook his head, "So eager. How is Haruhi-Chan?"

"She is well. Now that Mitsukuni's cavity has been filled, we are both hoping things will go back to normal soon."

"I am sure you are. Come with me," the patriarch of the Morinozuka family said.

Mori followed his father without question. The pleasantries they had just exchanged were not unusual. His father and mother often asked about his girlfriend and how she was doing in school and life. They seemed to both like her and have not said anything negative about dating her, and yet he wondered if this little meeting was about her. Many families in his circle of society would have a problem with their heir dating a commoner and would forbid it. In fact many times, the children did not date because their marriages were arranged. Inwardly his heartbeat sped up in anticipation of the discussion his father wanted to have, outwardly he showed no change in his appearance as he followed his father into his office.

"Please have a seat Takashi," Akira said indicating the chair in front of the desk.

Mori sat down in the seat indicated still giving nothing away. He wondered briefly what he would do if his father told him that he could no longer date Haruhi. Could he accept that? No, he couldn't. He knew they were still young, but he loved her and knew that she was who he wanted. Clearing his throat, he spoke up, "What is it you needed father?" He had learned long ago not to make assumptions about what his father was going to say to him.

"You will be graduating in about four months and after that you will be going to university. However, as you know between graduation and entering university, you will be going on a survival trip for two weeks. Mitsukuni may or may not be joining you, that is his decision to make, but all Morinozuka men go through this test of manhood."

"Yes, father I know that. I am prepared," Mori said cautiously wondering why his father was bringing this up now.

"I know you are. You are probably more prepared than I was at your age," Akira mused.

Mori lifted his eyebrow slightly as the only indication that he was growing impatient, "What is all of this about father? You have always taught us what we need to know to pass survival tests and I am not worried about it."

Akira stood up and looked out the window towards the garden, "As you know after you pass your test, you are able to get married. I am not going to tell you who you need to marry or arrange a marriage for you; that is unless you want me to..."