Disconnected Harmonies [REWRITTEN]

◈Chapter 7: Rewritten◈ "Lockdown"

Len’s alarm clock didn’t wake him up this time. He woke up minutes before it even rang. However the boy just sat on the bed staring at nothing.

It was the last day of school before their Christmas break. And Len was not looking forward to this vacation. If there was even one to begin with. Especially that he has an upcoming concert. It was a charity Christmas concert for the local orphanage his father arranged for good appearances. For a façade. He didn’t mind doing this. But using the kids to make his father look good made his stomach turn.

“Christmas huh? I wonder what would happen this year?” Len said to himself, standing up to get ready for school. How he wished to experience a nice Christmas. A Christmas where they are complete, where they are happy, where they are a family.

Len wore a simple light blue Polo shirt under a black sweater with some jeans and his favorite sneakers. His classmates probably wore new stylish clothes their parents bought for them. He just smiled sadly at himself. His father never treated him like a real son since his mother went away. But even if he was mistreated by his father, the man was still his father. Better to have one than nothing.

Thinking of skipping breakfast Len quietly sneaked out his room. He tiptoed though the house to avoiding confronting their helper who might be there already, even though it was still six o’clock. As he walked he noticed the light in their kitchen.

‘Probably just Igarashi-san.’ He thought. So he walked as quietly as he could. But as he passed the door to their kitchen it suddenly opened, revealing a large man. A demon.

“Otou-sama. Ohayou Gozaimasu.” He timidly greeted his father his head facing the floor.

Clad in a black robe and his sleepwear, his red-head father towered over him. This was Akane Fukase, and he was pissed off. The man reeked of alcohol so early in the morning. Len never really knew why his father goes drinking often. All he knows is that he drinks every time he has no work for the day. Currently he man was wearing a displeased look on his face, obviously disappointed at something. Len prayed that it wasn’t him his father was disappointed at.

“Akane Allen.” The red head said in a tone that made Len shiver. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“To school Otou-sama.” He answered in a hushed tone with his head still down. He briefly lifted his head to get a glimpse of his father’s face immediately putting it down again once he met the man’s glare. “Today is the last day of school before our Christmas Vacation.”

“You have a ‘vacation’?” Fukase asked his son. A ‘gentle’ smirk graced his lips. Len flinched at this.

“You will be using this ‘vacation’ of yours usefully and productively. You are going to use this time to practice for the concert. Remember, our reputation is at stake if you manage to screw this up.” He explained to his son aware that his son knew EXACTLY what he meant.

Appearances were everything for him. To him, he was the model of perfection, therefore his son must be also. But ever since that woman left his house his perfect reputation was slowly deteriorating.  He had a lot of work to do to make the people believe that his wife left him to singlehandedly take care of their son while balancing his duties as a businessman and that she took his daughter with her to get future compensation from him. Naturally the people believed him easily because of his ‘reputation’. His smirk grew wider at this point. The only thing the man has yet to worry about is his son blurting out the whole truth. Fortunately, he has that under control. He had his son wrapped around his finger. And the boy could never do anything about it.

With his head still down, Len answered. “Yes father. I understand.”

Fukase noded. “Anyhow. Have you eaten breakfast yet? I suppose you haven’t since you were about to sneak out. Am I right?” He asked with a straight face.

“I wasn’t planning to skip--” Len momentarily stopped when he heard a displeased grunt from his father “—Well at least not now.”

“You WERE planning on skipping.” Fukase concluded. He let out a long sigh. “It’s still early. Sit down and wait for a bit. I’m going to cook.” Now this shocked Len a bit—Scratch that he was shocked… a lot. These kind moments where his father showed at least a little affection was very… VERY RARE.

“Please do not mind me Otou-sama. I will cook for myself.”

“What are you talking about child? This is just toast. You know I couldn’t cook.” Len would not lie if he said that he was too carried away with the thought of his father cooking for him that he forgot that detail… his father can’t cook to save his life.

“O-oh R-right. Thank you Otou-sama.” He bowed in appreciation to his father.

“You should take more care about yourself. What would happen if you managed to get sick on the day of the concert. It would be bad if that happens. Your body is an asset after all.” All the happiness he felt earlier faded away when he heard his father say that statement. So he wasn’t doing this out of concern. He was doing it for his own benefit… as usual.

Len fixed the table as his father prepared the toast. When it was finished they sat at the large 12 seated table with Fukase in the sitting at the end and Len to his right. The father and son ate their food quietly.

Fukase was the first one to talk. "Allen, I heard that there would be a program at your school later. Are you somehow participating in this? 

Len started to panic. How and when did his father learn about this? “Otou-sama.” He called out to his father who was currently spreading Nutella on his toast. The man did not answer but Len knew that he can continue. “I am going to perform with my classmates and--”

“Do not participate.” He cut off his son before the child even got the chance to finish. “I have an important meeting with Crypton Recordings regarding the release of your album. Apparently the idiots don’t know how to properly market an album. I wonder how they even managed with Hatsune-chan? Their standards are too small! How could you become famous if they set the deal so low. This meeting is more important than your mediocre performance. I am not going to waste my efforts for my son just to perform without any formality or consent. Allen, try not to sell yourself short next time. You’re a celebrity now. You can’t just join these kind of things anymore. You are not going to play in that recital.”

“But Otou-sama. I love what I do! I love to play! And I will gladly play every time I have a chance. ” He suddenly blurted out. Then he paled and felt faint after he realized what he had just done.

He didn’t get the chance to see the incoming hand that connected hard to his face. “Do you dare defy me?” Fukase looked furious. Len regretted inviting his father to his recital.

“What I said is final! Go to your room!” But Len stayed rooted in his place with his head down.

“Now!” He ran to his room but not before he glared at his father with all the strength and hatred he could muster. He locked the door to his room and buried his head on his pillow. He could faintly hear his fast beating heart as he cried silently to himself.

He knew from the moment he told his father about the performance he made a big mistake. His father could, no, WOULD ruin all of this.

Len made up his mind though. He wants to play. His sister might be listening. Rin WILL be listening And he wasn’t going to let his father have his way this time. No way in hell.