Final Trial

October 14th 2018

The morning after defeating the wandering shadow, Ryuuji is woken up to the blinding sun peeking through his curtains. Feeling sluggish from staying up so late, he checks the time on his phone to see that it is 10am. With no work or school, he would prefer to sleep all day.

As Ryuuji yawns and starts to roll over in bed to avoid the light, he hears his father raise his voice in the living room. Normally his father doesn’t say a word, silently drinking the day away. Although he’s sure it isn’t anything bad, Ryuuji is curious enough to gather of his strength to stand.

He cracks open the door to try and see what’s going on. Since the living room is at the end of the hallway, he can barely see his father on the phone. He’s able to catch him say one line, “Alright, I’ll head right over. Just give me 20 minutes.”

He immediately hangs up the phone and rushes down the hall and into the other room. Ryuuji backs away from the door to avoid being seen. Now this is really strange. Ryuuji sits on the ground with his back against the wall as he ponders, Dad has barely gone out to get food for himself, sometimes only when he wants to buy alcohol. What could be so important now?

His father can be heard complaining as he’s seemingly rummaging through his things. That was intended to be his bedroom, but after moving he simply placed his mattress, dresser, and boxes of clothes inside. He never unpacked nor set anything up.

The noise settles after Ryuuji hears another door close. He yawns once more and closes his eyes, finding it futile to figure out what’s going on.

However, his slumber only lasts a short while when he’s jolted awake by his father’s heavy footsteps. Choosing to sneak around, Ryuuji tiptoes to the end of the hall and peaks from behind the corner wall. There he sees his father after having showered, fully shaved, and trimmed his hair. He’s also wearing a suit and tie.

Ryuuji is speechless and unable to approach him. He continues to watch as his father puts on his shoes and opens the door, only to be met by another man in a suit who was about to ring the doorbell. Despite the frigid weather, the man is sweating and breathing heavily, making it obvious that he rushed to get here.

“Can I help you?” Ryuuji’s father asks.

Still panting, the man sports a smile, “Oh good I’m glad I caught you. We just spoke on the phone, you sure are quick to hang up.”

“Wouldn’t anyone after hearing news like that?”

“Fair enough.” The man wipes the sweat with a tissue from his pocket before introducing himself. “Anyway, it’s nice to finally meet you. My name is Scott McMullin, the head of the company that bought Komi Company.”

That must be Steve’s dad…wait did he really just start with that?? Ryuuji fears how his father will react.

“Bought my company…?”

Enraged, Ryuuji’s father’s shoulders begin to tremble. He then pulls his fist back, preparing to punch the man he just met. As he gets closer, he notices a boy standing behind Scott and suddenly stops. It takes a moment until he remembers this is the same, no, the only friend Ryuuji brought home after moving.

He steps back and looks behind to his son who is at the end of the hall. “Ryuuji, did you do this?”

Since he was spotted, Ryuuji walks out as he thinks back to all that has happened. Did I create this situation? Through all the yelling, blaming, running away. Even after I was able to talk to someone about my problems, I could never think clearly when it came down to it. Not until recently. So the answer is… Looking to the ground, he gives his response,

“No. I didn’t do this.”

“Is that so?”

“What are you talking about?!” Scott shouts as steps to his left in an attempt to look at Ryuuji, “You’re the one who alerted my son about this! Without that, it may have taken months, or even years until I found out myself.”

Ryuuji’s father glances at Scott, noticing he didn’t flinch at all when he was about to be punched. “You’re a brave one.”

Scott’s smile changes to a solemn expression, “If you ask me, a punch is the least I deserve. To think I wasn’t negotiating with one of the creators of the company, but instead with a group of employees who stole it from under you.”

This is the first Ryuuji heard anything regarding what happened. So it wasn’t just a silly mistake. His father was tricked, or simply had it taken from him. He probably saw it as no different than someone ripping out his heart. The company was everything to him, perhaps more important than his own son.

Although they already discussed this on the phone, Scott once again invites the Takomis to his office where he will explain everything. It was originally intended only for his father, but he extends it to Ryuuji as well.

“What is this about?” Ryuuji asks.

“We’re going to visit what your grandfather left behind.” his father explains.

Ryuuji is stunned. He just defeated the wandering shadow shadow last night, which he believes has a connection to his grandfather. He never expected to get any answers so soon.

His father observes his son’s reaction for a brief second and then attempts to walk out the door. However, he’s stopped by Scott who holds out his hand, grinning just as he was earlier.

“Once again, my name is Scott McMullin. The boy behind me is my son Steve.”

He reluctantly shakes Scott’s hand in return. “Takomi Akihiko. That’s my son, Ryuuji.”

Scott nods, satisfied they finally introduced each other. Akihiko notices Ryuuji is still standing in place and shouts for him to get moving. Whether he wants his son to come or not, he was already invited so he might as well. Ryuuji rushes into his room to change, not wanting to wear the same clothes from yesterday.

Downstairs, the McMullin’s hired driver is waiting for them in a SUV. He drove them here just like he drives Steve to and from school, so Scott offers to take them directly to the office. Not owning a vehicle himself, Akihiko accepts, but failed to consider the size of the car.

Steve is in the passenger seat, with Scott, Akihiko and Ryuuji in the back. Sitting between the two fathers who, just moments ago, were about to fight, he can’t help feeling uncomfortable.

“If I knew it would be this cramped I would have called a taxi.” Akihiko complains.

“Sorry, I wasn’t thinking and took our regular car. Since we have some time, why don’t we start the discussion here?” Scott says, not wanting to wait any longer.

“If it’s about the company I’d rather not have my son here.”

Ryuuji’s eyes widen after hearing his father’s blunt comment. Even though he’s right there, he doesn’t hold back.

“What do you mean? Isn’t this a family company?” Scott asks.

“I guess it may seem that way, but he and I have yet to talk about it.”

Through the tone of his voice, they could tell that Akihiko was getting frustrated despite only exchanging a few words. Ryuuji never expressed interest in the company, he simply liked playing the games they produced. Still, that was all from a time when he could focus on enjoying his school life. Now as he gets closer to graduation, he needs to consider what to do in the future.

To have his father shun him from any discussion right from the get go, Ryuuji wants to make his thoughts known, but can’t think of the best way to put it and ends up clenching his fists instead.

Akihiko glances at his son before directing his gaze to the window on his right, his bland expression remaining unchanged. Scott realizes he stepped upon a ‘family landmine’ so to speak. He rests his forehead on the back of his son’s seat, wanting to escape. Steve remains firm, refusing to turn around. He gave a warning that Ryuuji may not have the best relationship with his father, but it fell on deaf ears.

Everyone remains quiet for the rest of the car ride. All 15 minutes of it. When they arrive at the parking garage, Scott is the first to jump out, “Free at last!” he shouts, relieved to be rid of that dreadful atmosphere.

He leads them to an elevator where they go up 16 floors. There, they head down the hall and turn left, entering the first door that comes to view.

“This…was my father’s office.” Akihiko says.

“I thought it might be. We actually found this by complete accident. There’s a small hidden room in this office that’s not even on the blueprints for the building.” Scott explains.

Unsure of what to say, they continue to follow Scott. At the back wall, he begins to touch different parts, looking for a button to open the door. Earlier this was triggered when they moved furniture around so he knows the general area at least.

When he finds it, he pushes the button and a section of the wall opens as a normal door would. This reveals a stairwell that leads into a dimly lit room. Scott enters first and, after taking a deep breath, Akihiko follows. Ryuuji hesitates and looks at Steve, but he holds up his hand for him to stop.

“Don’t ask me anything. When my dad discovered this, he rushed out without giving me a chance to look. Maybe this will have the answers you’re looking for.” Steve says.

“I hope so because there’s nothing left.”

The two walk down the stairs to see a small room lit by 2 older-model computer monitors. In the back corner is a desk with some scattered paperwork covered in dust, and hanging on the chair is a small device with wires connecting to the computers. Akihiko brushes some dust off a folder that reads,

“Virtual reality.”

“Was your father experimenting with that?” Scott asks.

“I have no idea. He never…mentioned anything.” Akihiko says, baffled by all that he sees.

He looks at the two computer screens, both pure white with no dialogue or anything. It’s amazing they’re still lit, but difficult to tell if the computers themselves work. Scott decides to give them some time and taps on his son’s shoulder to get his attention. They leave and wait upstairs.

Now alone with his father, Ryuuji is more confused than ever. Virtual reality. There’s no way that was actually his grandfather in the game. He was just trying something out and through some glitch, his character got stuck in the original data they were developing. Yeah, that has to be what happened. Ryuuji tries to convince himself with no evidence pointing either way. His father then breaks into his thoughts.

“Your grandfather would always talk about wanting a more ‘fun and interactive’ way to play the game. I think virtual reality was becoming a big study back then, but…he never mentioned any of this. And here I thought we were a team.”

Conflicted, Ryuuji can only look at his father’s back, hiding everything about the shadow. There’s no reason to upset him further by mentioning what he recently witnessed. His father then holds out his right arm.

“Come here, Ryuuji.”

He slowly walks over and when close enough, his father grabs him by the shoulder to pull him in close.

“I’m sorry I’ve been a shitty father this past year.”

Finally hearing the words he’s been waiting for; ‘I’m sorry’ Ryuuji’s eyes start to tear up, but he’s able to hold them back.

“A simple apology isn’t gonna cut it.”

“I know.” Akihiko then considers what happened, “I wasn’t there for you when you suddenly switched schools, didn’t support you when the bullies injured you, and I never gave you money to get by, much less make sure you were in good health. To think you got your own job the week after we moved. You’re a better man than I am.”

Ryuuji simply continues to listen.

“First your grandfather disappeared 2 years before you were born, then your mother passed away when you were only 4. To be honest, I had no idea how to raise you. I ended up spoiling you constantly instead of teaching you important lessons, yet you were able to take care of yourself during this mess.”

“I wasn’t alone. I made some good friends.” Ryuuji murmurs.

“That’s good to hear.” Akihiko pauses before asking, “Are you willing to give me a second chance? I don’t want secrets like this to tear us apart.”

“Are you going to stop drinking?”

Perhaps the most important question. Akihiko holds up his hand and feels it trembling. Only a few hours have passed and his body already craves more alcohol. When he began drinking, he knew this wouldn’t end well, but once he started, he couldn’t stop. In an instant, it became an uncontrollable addiction.

“I really took a coward’s way out after losing one of the two things I had left that gave my life meaning. With the goal of repairing our relationship, I’ll work towards quitting.”

Is that really all I had to say? There’s no telling if he would have been able to get through to him from day one. When he saw how pathetic his father had become, he believed it to be pointless to try.

“Then…I guess I can give you a chance.” Ryuuji says.

“Thank you.”

Ryuuji can’t forgive him right away, but if he’s willing to improve his ways, return to being a father again, then he figures there’s no reason to turn him down. Deep down, this is what Ryuuji has been hoping for ever since the problem began.

“I’d like to look around more, but best get the negotiations with Scott done with.”

“Is something wrong?” Ryuuji asks, noticing his father’s pale face.

“...nothing you need to worry about.”

After going upstairs to the McMullins, the two fathers go into a meeting room while their sons wait in the hallway. Ryuuji sits on the ground after his fatigue hits him all at once. Steve looks down at his friend.

“Are you alright?”

“Yeah, I guess. Everything is happening so fast, it’s a lot to take in.”

“Did you tell your dad?”

“No way. After what we just saw, I don’t think he’d be able to handle it.”

“Sounds like we’ll be taking this to our graves.”

Describing it like that is almost too fitting.

********************

In the room, Scott and Akihiko are sitting at the end of a large table. With the two men facing each other in a better setting, the negotiations begin.

Scott first explains that it was a group of 4 employees who worked together to sell the company. After an investigation, he presumes they discovered a discrepancy in the company’s stocks. Through their collaboration, they were able to take control of the company, fire the owner, and sell it for a high price. After the sale was complete, those 4 took their share while still leaving some for the company. Their intent wasn’t for the globally popular online game to go under, it was to make a decent profit.

Akihiko can easily figure out who those people are. Once the online game took off, Komi Co. received many offers. This was in part due to the company’s small size at the time and no one could have predicted they would make such a wildly popular game.

For years, it was always the same people who would argue about expanding or merging. Akihiko doesn’t see this as a family company and that itself didn’t affect any of his decisions. After he and his father built it from the ground up, he never had any intention of letting anyone else be in charge.

Though right now, there’s something else on his mind.

“This isn’t what I’m here to talk about.” Sweating profusely, Akihiko takes off his jacket, placing it on the table, and loosens his tie.

Scott lets out a sigh, “True. The main topic we need to discuss is your alcoholism. You haven’t been out for long and it’s already affecting you this much?”

“I have no excuse. Like I just told my son, it was my own weakness, cowardice, that made me succumb to drinking. I will at least apologize for your son seeing me like that.”

“It was quite the shock for him, he wound up crying as he told me. Steve always knew something was going on, but never imagined that. I’m sure it was hard for Ryuuji to talk to anyone about it.”

Akihiko remains silent. There isn’t anymore he can say that wasn’t already said.

“I believe Starfight became so popular due to the story, game play, and unique mechanics, most of which you are credited for. As the owner of the company, I would be honored if you could be a part of it. Of course, this is only allowed after you attend rehab and recover.”

“I already planned to, but what about my son? He doesn’t need to see what I’m about to go through.”

“I think I can help with that.”

********************

With negotiations complete, they tell their sons the conclusion they reached; while Akihiko attends rehab, Ryuuji will temporarily live with Scott and Steve. However, he refuses to accept that.

“What are you talking about?” Ryuuji raises his voice, “I’ve been taking care of myself all this time and now you want me to stay with this jerk?!”

Scott feels the sting of that blow. He continues to observe as Akihiko tries to get his son to understand.

“It will be easier on me if I know you’re staying somewhere safe. Please.”

Noticing the worry written all over his face, Ryuuji can’t argue any further. It doesn’t matter who suffered more, or if they ‘deserved’ what happened to them. There’s no reason to place any blame. They both want the same thing: their life to get back to normal. There’s just one last trial they need to endure.

With that in mind, Ryuuji reluctantly agrees to his request. Relieved, Akihiko says another “Thank you” to his son, but beyond that, there’s nothing else he can say. He can’t promise this won’t last long, and there aren’t any pretty words that can gloss this over. He can only put in the hard work to return to his family.