Family Matters Chapter 1
Family Matters
Outside on a dreary October day the rain seemed to be accompanying the multitude of people mourning in a large hallway of a traditional Japanese house. The attendees all wore solemn expression upon their countenances, no one daring to reveal an ounce of any emotion other than grief. Some people were sniffling quietly occasionally wiping their moist eyes. In the front of the congregation sitting as quietly as a statue sat one of Japan’s most influential men, Asami Ryuichi.
Looking at his face it is almost impossible to discern his emotions. On the outside he looked perfectly calm and composed, regal even, not an ounce of emotion marring the perfect planes of his visage. However upon closer inspection one can detect a slight gleam of sadness in his otherwise cold eyes.
With a steady gaze he fixed all his attention upon the priest who was busy chanting the sutra suitable for the wake. While the voice of the priest droned on and on about the value of life and good deeds Asami’s attentions shifted towards the picture set behind the priest.
On the inlaid family gold alter sat the picture of a smiling blonde woman with hazel eyes. Her face radiated a peace and a serenity which seemed to transform her from an ordinary human to an angel. Slightly shifting his gaze again his eyes caressed the name imprinted on the seal placed in front of the picture - Asami Rurika.
Yes, the woman whose wake all of these people were attending was for none other than his beloved wife, who died three days ago, bringing their child into this world.
Unbidden to him memories of his life with Rurika began to flash through his mind. The first time they met was during the economics seminar both of them were attending. Rurika an advanced freshmen was allowed to attend the economics seminar reserved only for Econ majors. During that summer day long ago when she first walked into the lecture hall the sun seemed to have burst forth from the sky over him.
The moment their gazes met each other their destinies became entwined in a never ending loop of fate. After that time and a lucky placement of her on his project team gave birth to many more meetings between them.
There were many people in college who seemed to be afraid of him, but not his Rurika. With a courage found in few people she marched right into his heart and made a permanent place for herself in it. Before meeting Rurika he thought that being involved with someone meant that he had to slow down and match his pace with them, but with Rurika this seemed absolutely redundant. With her mischievousness and innocent ways and her larger than life personality it seemed that sometimes he had to hurry in order to catch up with her. Each day brought forth a new adventure, and his life was never the same again.
Three months before his graduation he took her to Tokyo tower where amidst several onlookers he knelt on his knee and proposed to her. To say she was shocked would have been an understatement; she was frozen until a single drop of tears shattered that image followed by a floodgate.
He panicked thinking that he might’ve done something untoward his love however with a small happy smile Rurika exclaimed “It’s not that Rui chan (her being the only one to call him that). These are happy tears, in short you oblivious man yes I will marry you”, saying so she jumped into his arm and they shared the most momentous kiss of their entire lives.
During the wedding he remembered her being the most beautiful bride in the world. If he wasn’t used to controlling his emotions then he would no doubt have knelt before her and paid homage, for she looked like the innocent virgin goddess.
The years after that seemed to have melted like the snow in winter. Each day brought forth the freshness of spring in his life. With her help he became one of the most respected men in the country, controlling many. While she was there his life never lacked stability, nor did it lack any adventure. She fulfilled a part of him that he himself wasn’t aware lacked.
However the couples happiness was short lived. After trying for many years they received the news that due to some problems with her uterus Rurika was unable to conceive children. This led to their brief estrangement when he had numerous affairs. But at the end of the day he realized that no one suited him like Rurika did. He returned to his beloved and together they set out to solve this problem.
After years of fertility treatments the couple finally conceived last year. But happiness was not to be theirs. After giving birth to their son Ichirou three months earlier, Rurika suddenly fell ill a month ago. After diagnosis the doctors found out that Rurika was suffering from massive internal bleeding and there was nothing they can do to help.
When he confronted Rurika about this she simply smiled and replied “But Rui chan…it’s a small price to pay for our happiness isn’t it? Besides wasn’t Icchan worth it?”
Hearing that for the first time in his life Asami completely lost it and broke down. Three weeks after that she quietly passed away in the safety of his arms.
A soft wailing broke his thoughts as all his thoughts were shifted towards the tiny bundle held awkwardly in Suoh’s arms, towards his son, Asami Ichirou. At three months old the boy surely had an impressive set of lungs. The boy his wife sacrificed everything to bring forth.
Walking briskly towards Suoh he gently lifted the bundle in his arms. Although the boy looked like him he inherited some of his mothers best qualities. For instance her beautiful hazel eyes which were always alight with mischief. And the slightly blonde highlights in his hair also came from his mother. Rocking him back and forth his attention was once again drawn towards the central alter.
The priest finally finishing his prayers came forth towards him to bless the small family. After that one by one people came to pay their respects to his departed love and express their condolences. When the whole incident was over and the cremation and burial was concluded with he silently went back to his apartment which just lost one member.
Walking into the nursery he sat beside his son’s crib looking at the child for a while. Well at least I am not completely alone, he thought. Briskly he got up and softly patted his son’s head before turning in for the night.
Three months passed since his wife passed away. After her his life took on a different pattern. His workaholic tendencies escalated the weeks following her departure. He found out that by working non stop he was able to somehow let go of the pain. Many people advised him to look for another woman for Ichirou’s sake, so he tried dating. Somehow none of them could even come close to his wife. Disgusted he gave up and resorted to having one night affairs only.
The ringing of the phone brought him out of his musing. Picking it up he briskly answered “Asami”. After listening for a while he hung up and called his secretary. “Have my car ready in five minutes.” With that he hung up and left his office.
On his way home Asami called up his personal physician. The babysitter called informing him that Ichirou had a sudden fever. Opening the door he was met with the doctor who informed that the baby’s fever is normal and that it’ll go down in a few days.
Slightly sighing in relief he thanked the doctor and headed towards the nursery. Relieving the sitter of her charge he sat on the rocking chair with his son. Looking outside the windows his thoughts drifted back towards his wife.
The doorbell interrupted his thought. Setting Ichiro down in his crib he went to answer the door. Opening it his eyes widened when a slim pair of arms encircled him and a melodious voice said “ Hello Nii sama”…