Chapter Text
"Leave it all to the most obscure, most remote relative you can find.
Someone who doesn't know it's blood money…..
That all my wealth came from harvesting and selling my own kind."
Haru's P.O.V. (age twenty-three)-
I did what I set out to do. Originally back when I started college, I wanted to someday open my own restaurant, but as I learned more and more about plants- and loved it- the only logical next step was to get a degree in botany. Then a masters. Then a PhD.
Did that leave me with a bunch of debt and nowhere to live but a single bedroom in a shared house with a bunch of other rabbits? Yes, but such as it is now for a postgraduate student. I'd recently passed my oral defence, officially completing my doctorate. I celebrated by catching up on my sleep. Course I couldn't have known back then what I know now. In my mind I had to find a job and start building some security in my life.
This is where my story begins, I guess. The track that would lie down the rest of my life was laid down here, and it all started with a phone call.
My hand hurried to grab my phone from my coat pocket as I stopped my walk home down the middle of the sidewalk. While it was on silent, it still buzzed in my pocket. When I finally dug it out, the screen displayed this unknown number. Since I'd been looking for work lately, I didn't think I could ignore it. After a deep inhale, my finger pressed the "answer" key and I held the rectangle up to my ear.
"Hello?" "Miss Haru, I presume?" He sounded fancy. "Uh, it's doctor actually." "I'm sorry. Might I have the pleasure of speaking to a Dr. Haru?" "Yes sir, that's me." "Marvellous. I'm Botan, your great uncle's solicitor." Great uncle? Which great uncle? Coming from a family of rabbits, I had hundreds of uncles; some great, some not-so-great. The solicitor continued in that elegant, elite accent of his. "My office is on the twenty-first floor of the Marx Tower downtown. When can I expect you and your solicitor?"
"W-Wait, wait. My solicitor? I'm sorry, sir, but I don't have a solicitor. Um, wha-…. What is this about?" "Dr. Ryunosuke's last will and testament. When can I expect you, doctor?" My great uncle was also a doctor? Guess it runs in the family….. Wait, what?! "M-My uncle's will and testament? Does this mean he's left me something?" "Indeed, ma'am. But if you don't already have a solicitor, you'll have to hire one before you come. They'll help you understand all the logistics and legalities of the proceedings." "Uh right, of course. Um…. When should….? When would be the best time for us to come for you?" "As soon as possible." "As soon as possible?!" "Yes, ma'am. I'll give you the number to my secretary; you can book an immediate appointment with him as soon as you engage a lawyer." "Um ok. Thank you, sir. I'll uh….. get right on that." "The pleasure is mine. I look forward to meeting you, doctor." "And I you. Have a good rest of your day." "You as well. Goodbye," click!
The phone slowly dropped from my ear as I stared into space. My great uncle? A solicitor? Last will and testament? What the frick just happened?! What was that about?! As far as I knew, no one in my family was rich- or rich enough to hire a lawyer for a friken inheritance. Sure, we weren't poor; we were comfortably upper-middle class actually. I'd never heard of anyone having to get legal counselling for something like this, but then, there's always a first time for everything. I was just so shocked and confused. I mean, why in the world would I need a lawyer?!
Speaking of which, I didn't have money for a lawyer right now. I was a broke new PhD; there was no extra cash laying around for stuff like this, and solicitors can be expensive. Where does one even find an affordable one? Nugh, why did this have to happen to me?! Now of all times…. I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose, sucking in a deep, cleansing breath. "No, this is good news; this is good news, doctor. You're going to inherit something- what exactly, who knows, but something. This is good. All you need to do now is find a lawyer….. You can do this, doctor; you can do this."
That's when an idea struck me. No, I don't need to worry; I already know a lawyer, and he'll likely do it for free….. If I treat him to dinner or something afterwards, that is. I opened my contacts and found his name, pressing it instantly. It rang a few times before his familiar voice echoed through the other side.
"Hello?" "Hi, Louis. I'm sorry if I caught you at a bad time." "It's not a bad time. What's up?" "I need you to do me a favour. You passed the bar exam, right?" There was a moment of puzzled silence. "Yes? But I'm not currently practicing law. Why?" "The executor of my late great uncle's will just called me. He wants me to come to his office asap." "Oh, I'm sorry to hear about your uncle, Haru." "It's ok, I didn't know him," I'd never heard of a Dr. Ryunosuke before. "So what does this have to do with me? What do you need my help with?" "Uh well that's the thing. He said I need to bring a lawyer with me." "For a will reading?" "I guess so."
Another pause. "Did he say why?" "No, just that I need one." "I see. And you're calling because you wish to engage my services?" "I can pay you, just not much. Sorry, Louis; I understand if you don't want to do it or are too busy." "Not at all. I don't mind and you don't have to reimburse me. When does he expect us?" "As soon as possible, that's what he said."
Louis let out a light sigh. "Very well. I'm available tomorrow afternoon." "Thank you, Louis! You have no idea how much I appreciate this." He chuckled. "Well, I owe it to my high school friend who let me hide in her garden shed whenever my antlers fell out. We'll call it even after tomorrow." "Done," I too giggled. "It's strange though. Usually solicitors only get involved on the inheritor's end if there is a great deal of financial assets or land bequeathed. I can't imagine why you would require my assistance with all this." "I don't either. Nobody in my family is ultra-rich or has a lot of property," not to the best of my knowledge anyway. He hummed thoughtfully. "Perhaps the will is already being contested?" "Maybe. We'll find out tomorrow, I suppose." "We will. Where is it?" "Marx Tower. I'll meet you there tomorrow afternoon." "Tomorrow afternoon."
And so it began with a single phone call…..