Chapter 39: Chapter 39: Duty Calls

Tokushima, Japan - Eight Years Ago

Takeshi stood in front of the full-length mirror in his room, trying to decide what color tie he wanted to wear. He knew that this meeting coming up was more important than anything he had ever done up until then in his young life. Even something as trivial as whether he needed to wear the royal blue silk tie or the blood red one was of the utmost importance to him. He let out a frustrated groan as he looked back and forth between the two. Takeshi barely even noticed that his darling sister, Kimiko had poked her head into the room.

“Nii-san?” She called gently, letting out an unladylike snort when he jumped slightly. “It’s almost time. Are you ready?”

“I’m trying.” He huffed as he once again alternated holding the ties against his black shirt. “I just can’t decide which–”

“The red.” Kimiko answered quickly.

“Are you sure?” He arched his brow.”