There was an island on the edge of Musashino district, New Tokyo. It was separated from the city by a large river forked around the island before reaching the ocean.
On a hill in the center of the island was erected a small palace with the most beautiful and delicate kusari architecture. Around it were raised gardens decorated with trees, flowers of every kind and every color, crystal fountains spraying water and shining in sunlight, statues of dragons and tigers standing guard along pathways taken over by lush green.
At the honor place of the garden was an altar protected by a stone arbor. The morning sun would rise just behind it on the horizon over the ocean that day, every year. On it was a picture of a young, handsome man and many offerings placed for the gods and ancestors. The smell of incense ousted the smell of flowers in the garden; many people surrounded around the altar with their white robes. Some were crying silently, some were praying.
But with the appearance of another young man, the attention was momentarily shifted from the altar to him. He ignored the looks, most of which were disapproving, and directed his steps quickly to the altar. He lit an incense. Holding it before himself, he bowed deeply and slowly three times and mumbled, "Brother, you are missed,".
A woman that was crying behind him let out a loud sigh with that, showing her dissatisfaction clearly. An elder man escorting her frowned deep and called out, "Jiro... my son,". The young man ignored them as well as he turned around, and rushed out of the garden in a hurry, not stopping or caring to look around.
-
In the evening, the ceremonial hall was lit dimly and filled with a silent sadness. An old man and woman were sitting on mats raised on a platform in the commanding place of the hall, politely accepting visitors who were offering their condolences and sympathies with their hushed voices. Servants that stood each side of the old couple were handing the visitors gifts as they left their side and then the hall.
With the next visitor, however, their sad appearances changed. The woman put on a frown and looked away, obvious with her hate of the visitor. Her husband had a concerned look at first but he could collect himself rather quickly. He scanned his son with an indifferent look as his son sat on the mat before them, then bowed down in front of them until his forehead touched the floor. Everyone stood silent for a while, as if they did not know what to say.
As the son straightened his back to sit up, he was still looking downwards. "I've come to ask of you something, father," he said slowly.
"What will it be, my son?" the man replied as emotionless as he could. "Have you decided to finally take your place by me? Have you decided to return home?" The woman cursed low to that, her husband ignored her.
"No," the son replied abruptly and clearly, which probably sounded a bit rude, "I have not," he looked up, and continued, "I want you to stop bothering my life,".
The man frowned, angered a bit, "Mind what you say, Jiro, and your tone... And I do not bother with your life, you live as you wish for years already..."
"Stop acting like that," the son said, challenging his father with a cutting frown of his own, "Do not hurt her, father... Do not hurt me. Allow me to live my life as I wish,".
The father was now breathing loudly, looking each side with dissatisfaction, he was quickly losing his cool, "I am your father, Jiro!" he shouted as he looked back at him, "You will obey my decisions! The girl you're supposed to marry is already decided, and it is expected of you to be obedient and agree to it as my only heir! It's what's good for the glory of our house, for you, and most importantly, it is what I decided!" his booming voice reverberated in the otherwise silent hall for a few more seconds.
Jiro would not back down. He had not back down for years already, which led to this separation between father and son. He stood up, and pointed at him, "You've lost me by being this way, father. I'll choose my wife myself, and I have already decided. You better agree to it, and stay away from her... For anything that happens to her, I'll hold you responsible,". He turned his back without any more ceremonies and saw himself out hurriedly.
The man growled before shouting after him, "Jiro!" He started to breath even louder with anger. He had to support himself with his arm as he tried to keep in a sitting position. His heart was beating fast and it was hurting; he pressed his hand on it. His sight was getting blurry as he mumbled, "If only his brother was here... still..." His wife was all over him, shouting at the servants to bring water, trying to calm him down.
