The Two Battles of Youth, Part 2

Ren stood still for a few seconds, analyzing the reflection in the mirror. Those eyes. That relaxed but alert posture. Finally, he recognized him. It was him. The guy from Happy Burger. Mio's partner. For Ren, everything now made sense: the familiarity, the protectiveness toward Mio. But what was he doing here, dressed like kitchen staff at Japan's most exclusive gala? Ren had no idea how to deal with this; it was a variable his analytical mind had not anticipated.

Tomoki broke the silence and, continuing to lather his hands with exasperating calm, spoke while looking in the mirror, connecting his gaze with Ren's. “ Does it still hurt?” Tomoki asked. “The wound on your lip. The one your father made with the stick. ”

Ren froze. His breathing stopped for a moment, and for the first time in his life, he felt something akin to fear. It wasn't physical fear, but the terror of vulnerability. No one, absolutely no one outside that room and Akira, knew about that blow. It was the darkest secret of the perfect Shinomiya family. Ren instinctively took a few steps back, bumping into the marble wall. “ How...? ” Ren whispered.

Tomoki simply turned off the tap. The sound of water ceased, leaving a heavy silence. He took a paper towel and dried his hands with slow movements. “ Don't worry. Your secret, and your humiliation, are safe with me. ” Tomoki said coldly. “ I'm not interested in gossip. ”

Ren, regaining some of his pride, challenged him. “ Who are you? Where did you hear that?, Are you a spy? ”

Tomoki threw the paper in the trash and turned to face him. Despite wearing a chef's uniform, he had a presence that rivaled Ren's tuxedo. “ What I am doesn't matter. What matters is what you are. ” Tomoki said, stepping forward, cornering him. “ I despise you, Shinomiya. You and your whole damn family. But most of all, you. ”

Ren gritted his teeth. “ Why? ”

“Because you sing about freedom. ” Tomoki spat. “ You put on a mask and play at being a rebel in the streets, singing about breaking chains. But as soon as the sun comes up, you run back to your golden cage and bow your head to your tyrant father. You're a hypocrite. ”

Ren didn't know what to say. He wanted to defend himself, he wanted to shout, but he couldn't. He looked down at the floor. He knew she was right. He was a fraud.

Tomoki sighed, adjusting his cap. His tone changed slightly, becoming less aggressive and more melancholic. “ My mother... Kaguya... she's like that too. Or rather, she ‘was’ like that. A cold competition machine. ” Tomoki looked toward the door, thinking of Kaguya and Mio. " But since she's been with Mio, something has changed. She seems happier. She almost seems like a different person. Mio has that effect on broken people, doesn't she? "

Ren looked up. “ Kaguya is your mother? ” he asked, stunned. “ Then you are...” “The heir who had the guts to leave. ” Tomoki cut him off. “ I chose not to be a tool. That's why I left. And that's why I'm here, protecting what your incompetence puts at risk. ”

Tomoki reached into his dirty apron and pulled out some folded documents. He pressed them against Ren's chest. Ren took them, confused. “ What's this? ”

“ Evidence. ” Tomoki said. “ One of your father's employees planned to plant drugs in Mio's bag during the dance to discredit her. I took care of the employee. You make sure your father doesn't send another one. ”

Ren read the papers. It was an internal security order from Shinomiya Inc. His father was going to play really dirty. He was going to ruin Mio's life.

“ Don't get me wrong, Prince ” Tomoki said, walking toward the exit. “ I'm not doing this for you. I'm doing it for her. Because she doesn't deserve to be caught up in this war of egos. ”

Tomoki paused with his hand on the doorknob and looked back at Ren one last time over his shoulder. “ If you really care about her... and if you ever want to stop pretending in your songs... you should stop obeying. If you want to be free, you have to break free from your father's clutches. Even if it costs you the crown. ”

With that last sentence, the chef left the bathroom, leaving Ren completely alone, with a wine stain on his sleeve and the truth burning in his hands.