Random my loveprize in viewfinder stories.

In Name Only

"And that is how change happens. One gesture. One person. One moment at a time."

— Libba Bray, The Sweet Far Thing

[Spring of present day Japan]

These are the facts of Asami Ryuuichi's family background:

His parents did not live together in one house.

His guardianship belongs solely to his stepmother, who became his mother in all but blood after his biological mother committed suicide.

He has an older stepsister and a cousin.

His stepmother, stepsister, cousin and him live in one enormous mansion. Financially speaking, they are pretty much well off.

The prestigious Asami name comes from old money, and a legacy if truth be told, is forged by the blood and bones of their clan's enemies. This is the same legacy that will be handed to Ryuuichi.

His father, Asami Ryuu a busy man (the prime Kingpin of the underworld at present) who prioritizes his family by blood in third place pays them a visit from time to time, and he rarely meddles with their lives.

When Ryuuichi reaches his sixteenth year, the said old man meddles into his love affair like the cold-heartless kingpin he is.

"Enough is enough. You've been playing around for so long. It's time for you to settle down."

(Pot calling the kettle black. How many broken hearts—his mother one of them—has it been thoughtlessly thrown away by Asami Ryuu's cold biting indifference.)

Ryuuichi abruptly sets the turbulent emotions aside to rein in his temper. "I see. Who is the lucky woman then?"

His father gives him a pinched look like he's chewing something sour. "Akihito."

...This match is in so many ways rather rationally inappropriate and Ryuuichi contested it with the first thing he knows.

"He's my uncle." As you claim him to be. Who knows where the boy came from. And you and I both know that Akihito is the love of your life and you would have married him if grandfather has allowed you to before I was even born. And your affairs with two women are for the necessity of continuing the Asami line. Ryuuichi did not say the rest, discerning nothing good would come out of this particular observation.

The Asami men have always been susceptible to Akihito's charms which Ryuuichi has not allowed himself to be roped to. If only because as a dutiful son to his mother's memory—a scorned woman whose unrequited love made her killed herself.

And now Ryuuichi's own father wants him to marry the love of his life. His mother is likely rolling in her grave in this exact moment.

"I will simply disinherit you if you say no."

Ryuuichi is no fool. He can survive without his damned father's legacy and money. Nevertheless, this is his birthrights. His inheritance. How can he possibly simply waive his father's order away without losing a part of himself?

So grudgingly, Ryuuichi agreed.

Truly, their next meeting (Ryuuichi's bachelor party in a club) is something personal.

"You're not enough." Is the short dismissal from Ryuuichi like a knee-jerk response after being subjected by the owner of those hazel eyes which has been keeping a close watch on him for hours on end.

(Maybe he loathes this boy for being directly leading his mother to die.

Maybe he loathes this boy for continuing to hog his father's attention.