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Chapter 1 — Itadori
· · ─ ·ʚɞ· ─ · ·
March 28th
The set sun was cascading a comfortable orange hue over several apple trees in the garden; it was the type of vibe akin to one of a story’s main character. Not that I thought of myself as the main character of a story, although my opinions gave that impression. The garden was stretched across a massive landscape of almost one full acre, a spacious feeling I’ve grown accustomed to. Most of the gardens were taken care of and separated into different sections: a traditional Japanese garden with freshly opened blossoms, a compact allotment that grew a variety of fruits and vegetables that were already rotting with holes in them from hungry worms due to the lack of caretaking my parents provided—because the allotment was pure performance for no exact reason. They pay a farmer to plant whatever they have and never end up collecting the newly grown crops because they don’t actually step into the gardens. The orchard, though, was decorated with apple trees, fresh loquats, and oranges… a small part was isolated into an olive garden as well.
I wanted to enjoy the three and a half days I had left in Yokohama before I had to leave. My parents didn’t even have the time to bring me themselves. They just told me our driver would get me when it’s time before blabbing on about their upcoming trials.
I crossed the pavement of my driveway, a car coming to a halt infront of me. With a couple steps skipped, I walk around the vehicle and get in. The warmer air inside was a natural contrast to the chilly evening air that filled the atmosphere.
It was almost 6 o’clock in the evening and since it was spring, the sun had fully dissolved back into the horizon. I wasn’t all that excited about having to move to Minato and live there on my own in an apartment penthouse my parents owned, but I had no other choice, right? The grass surrounding the orchard was freshly cut, damp water drops that rested on the tips of the green strands made the sun reflect on them subtly. I watch as the garden passes by through the window of the car.
“Itadori,” Maki’s voice drowns my thoughts into the back of my mind. “Your garden will never stop being so fascinating to me. How the fuck is it that big?”
The chuckle left my throat before I processed it. “It’s kind of depressing from up close,” They don’t care about it. “A gardener usually cleans it up in such an unsettling perfect way that it looks really sad.” I snort.
I felt her glare burn a hole in my temple. “Yeah,” she messed up her expression by scowling. “Must be heartbreaking.” She rolled her eyes.
My eyes drifted to the road, but my mind drifted elsewhere. For over a century, Shiun Academy has been one of Tokyo's most exclusive private high schools. It’s found in Minato City, and admission is fiercely competitive, and while exceptional academic performance can earn a scholarship, most students come from influential families; like me. I had been lucky up until now, my parents had agreed upon letting me attend a public school during my middle school years after a lot of coaxing.
The car slows, eventually comes to a stop. Neon letters spell the familiar name; ‘Tomoshibi’ A familiar name a familiar place.
~~
“Damnit, I’m so freaking pissed about this whole bullshit,” the ice cubes in the glass clinked with each excessive hand gesture I made, drops of the amber liquid spilled onto my fingers, glistening in the dim light of the bar. “My parents think this is some choice that will make me recognize my passion for becoming a lawyer.”
My head angled backwards, the ice cubes sliding against my mouth, numbing my lips. The alcohol burned my throat as if I was swallowing a really hot cup of coffee instead of ice cold sake.
“Wait, so, your parents just came up to you and said… you’re going to a private school in Minato? That’s messed up.” Todo was shaking his head and patting my shoulder. “Don’t worry, man. We’ll come visit during your breaks. Though, I’m sure the people there will like you.” Although Todo’s reassurance was pointless, my shoulders lowered into a more relaxed stance.
“Yeah, Yuji. Look at the positive side: you’ll be there on your own. Your parents won’t be nagging you all the time and you can do whatever you want once school’s over for the day,” Maki smiled, but it quickly darkened into a grin. “And I’m also sure your great penthouse will be fucking awesome! You’re gonna get sick of us, believe me.”
I couldn’t help but smile, I’ve been friends with them since I started junior high school, we actually met in a funny way: We were all in the same class together, but we had no idea where our P.E. class was during our first week there, and we ended up scouring the entire school building that entire period to find it, just to end up stupidly remembering that the gym was across the courtyard, and that we couldn’t enter through the inside of the school structure.
We all got scolded together after school that day, and we sort of built a friendship after that. We often hung out, and they never failed to put a smile on my face whenever we did.
I grinned widely. “Alright, alright, I promise I’ll be all optimistic.” I refilled my glass with fresh sake, and leaned forward, elbows steady on the table. “I bet you guys I’m gonna get a super hot girlfriend within the first fucking week.” They all laughed, but, genuinely laughed.
“What?” I frown. “Whats so funny? I’m freaking handsome, you know.”
“Yeah, alright, man. I bet 2,000 yen on that.” Inumaki was laughing between each word.
“You guys are seriously unbelievable, have some respect on my dignity.”
“More like your ego.” Maki is seriously relentless.
“Shut up.” I downed my glass, almost to prove a point that was actually worthless.
The night went by in a blur, before I knew it, it was 1 a.m. and my voice was slurring into my phone. My driver wasn’t listening, although I don’t blame him. I’m not even understanding what I’m saying myself.
“I sssaid, tsomo… bichi!” My throat was feeling tight all of a sudden, and my mouth strange. It felt like my throat was getting stretched open and being filled with an excessive amount of food, I felt it close up. I stared blankly infront of me as if I saw something, I could hear a bit of drunken panicking behind me from Maki, but I couldn’t make out what she was saying because I was already hunched over and throwing up.
She was laughing and panicking at the same time, while my phone was still making sounds that came from my driver, worriedly shouting into the speakers. I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, my eyes glazed over, before I spoke back into my phone. “I’m ffffineee.”
“Sir? Did you just throw up? Please speak more clearly, I do not understand where you are. Are you alone? Are you still there?” The driver was panicking.
“Are you… deaf!?” I exclaimed, hiccuping. “I said, tomoshibi.” The entire group behind me was on the ground from laughing, they really shouldn’t be laughing, though, they’re just as drunk. But, well, I suppose they were just laughing at me because I only had three drinks and already threw up.
The driver let out a breath into the speaker of his own phone, and it passed through the speaker of mine. “The bar tomoshibi?” hiccup. A muttered yes. “I’m coming, sir, please stay with your friends.”
I just hung up, after missing the button a couple times, and almost tripped over my own feet when walking to smack Maki, but it was a sloppy attempt, she just laughed more and it infected me. Within three seconds we were both on the ground, dying from laughter for no particular reason.
Inumaki and Todo were laughing at how we were laughing, standing over us. We looked like a laughing stock; drunk and out of breath, with a pool of bile on the pavement a foot away. The thought of having to leave for an entirely new school in less than three days was completely forgotten. I was grateful about that. I would rather think about anything else right now.
“That’s disgusting..” a grim voice echoed through the dark air lighted by the bar’s neon letters. Who was possibly still here at this hour besides us? “You guys look like a live fucking circus just as much as pathetic.” The man continued. Me and Maki glanced at eachother, before looking behind us.
It was the owner of the bar, our breaths relaxed, he was grinning from ear to ear, flashes from his phone blinding my eyes so smugly. “Hey, man! Don’t… out me!” It felt like the flashes of his phone camera wrapped itself around my head, my skull, and used its full strength to squeeze it into pulps, and sober me up, because I was feeling strangely aware of everything all of a sudden.
The pool of retch, the streetlights burning themselves onto my eyes when I looked at them for too long, and etching into my sight, the circle of light remaining in my line of view wherever I looked. My head felt strangely heavy.
“You look like shit, Itadori,” his voice ringed through my head, echoing a few times. “I heard you have to move. I would’ve loved to have a drink with you earlier but I got caught up. Business stuff, you know.”
“Yeah, no, I get that.” I really got that, actually.
“We have an important case tonight, we can’t see your school dance.”
“What, you have a class activity tonight? We didn’t know. We have a long trial today, we can’t make it.”
I try to squeeze my eyes shut, the neon lights on the bar feeling too bright, branding into my mind through one hole in my forehead and pushing clean through until it reaches the back of my head.
“Good luck there, I’m gonna miss my regular, you know.” I actually chuckled at that, fighting the dizziness.
A car parked behind me.
The driver.
He stepped out, and took a sharp but deep breath at the view. My friends were standing up too, waiting on a taxi. I fumbled with my own curled up body, standing up, and only succeeding to do so thanks to my driver’s help.
“Sir, you can’t keep doing this behind your parents’ back,” he advises, guides me to the backseat. “They will find out someday, and they won’t like it.”
The seatbelt clicked and my head fell back, my eyelids down. It was this unbearable throb behind my eyes bothering me, and it was the bitter taste of crumbs and bile that flowed up my throat and then ebbed away that sickened me.
The thing is, I don’t know why alcohol makes me react this way. And I don’t know either why I keep drinking it. Alcohol makes my throat close up and my head ache. And although I know that’s a basic hangover, it’s unbearable. Sometimes I’m even unsure if it’s the alcohol that does this, because it’s a feeling I’m familiar with. I think it’s an anxiety symptom, somehow, but I prefer the thought that it’s just because I’m a lightweight.
Whenever I have to talk to my parents I feel like I’m trapped, like every vital in my body is being grasped and squeezed until there’s nothing vital about it anymore. It feels like barbed wire is being forced into my mouth and into my throat, and it feels like every inch of my body is being pulled apart one by one and squeezed into a ball of paper at the same time.
“What time… issss it?” My tongue felt thick, like it didn’t fit inside of my mouth anymore, the words didn’t sound crisp, they sounded like clumsy, soft versions of themselves.
A moment of silence passed. Perhaps for the driver to check the actual time. “It is 1:24 a.m, sir,” more silence. “How are you feeling? Your parents have not arrived back at home yet, so they should not notice your absence from the estate this evening.”
“T-th… thanks, Ijichi,” My lips formed into a drunken grin, looking at the rearview mirror. “You’re the best.”
Sleep was catching up to me, pulling at my eyelids and my consciousness. The last thing I heard before drifting into a slumber was: “It is no problem, sir.”
~~
[14:03] Maakkii: that’s ridiculous, so what, you have to leave a day earlier? And this time your parents are coming along?
[14:03] Itadoori: yeah, though I doubt they’re coming with me because they want to see me before I leave, I think it’s something with checking if I behave or if my apartment gets set up cleanly.
[14:03] Inumaki: but can’t they just send your butler-guy for that?
[14:04] Itadoori: I mean, they could, yeah. I guess it’s probably for my behaviour then. Or to scold me for no reason.
[14:04] Maakki: good luck, man, sounds serious. Maybe they found out about you drinking.
I looked up from my phone. I really hope that they didn’t find out. Ijichi said they wouldn’t be able to spot me or find out about it, but if they found out a way for it, I would be dead. They would probably send me to an even worse private school than I already am being sent to.
I should start packing. I have to leave tomorrow now instead of in two days, my parents had just called me an hour ago to tell me that. And to mention they were coming to visit when I got comfortable in my new apartment.
[14:05] Itadoori: I’m gonna go pack now, unfortunately.
[14:06] Todoaoi: Do you need emotional support? Also I’m just bored. Pick up the phone.
My phone started buzzing, and quickly stilled when I picked up. Soon Maki picked up too.
I placed my phone somewhere on the floor, facing me, and I unzipped the first suitcase. “So, you haven’t said which school you’re actually going to.” Maki started.
“Yeah, it’s in Minato but which school is it? There’s plenty.” Todo continued.
“Uh, It’s called Shiun academy or whatever, sounds kinda obnoxious to me. It’s this century old academy that’s like really hard to get into and whatever.”
“Itadori…,” Maki’s voice cracked, once, she sounded shocked. And it sounded similar to angry aswell. “My brother goes to that academy.”
I froze, slightly, my fingers unzipping the suitcase paused. “Hold up, your brother as in Naoya? That fucking prick?” I was already fed up with the entire situation, and with the knowledge that I was gonna be in the same school building as him was making me feel suffocated.
“Yeah, he got in a couple months ago… he’s been talking about it non-stop, bragging about how he is better than me. Did you attend the introduction weekend there?”
“Hold up, first of all, what the fuck is an introduction weekend? And second of all, no.” I grumbled, aggressively shoving my suitcase open, throwing my closet open, and dropping several piles of clothing into the suitcase.
“God, Yuji, you’re worthless. The introduction weekend is something that is solely organized by Shiun academy. It’s a ritual that formed over the years to welcome the new students there.” Maki seemed to know a lot about the academy. Though I assume it’s because of Naoya, he probably did research on the academy because he’s attending.
“And so what do you do then exactly?”
“Well, there’s multiple choices given to the students. Firstly, the introduction weekend is organized for either, students that are considering to attend there, or students that are signed up and going to attend there,”
“If you’re considering, then it’s more like a tour around the school and getting to know the teachers and seniors. It’s throughout the day for like an hour,”
“But if you’re a student that’s already signed up and stuff, it’s an entire weekend where you visit Shibuya and Kyoto and have to get to know your classmates and soon-to-be homeroom teacher. What I heard from Naoya, at the end you had to like form a report on each of your classmates and give your opinions about them. It’s also a great help for the teachers to decide the students’ roles sometimes.”
I was kind of amazed at that, it’s seemed like an original way to form friendships and all that stuff, but honestly, a week with Naoya… I would rather stay home.
How typical, I thought. My parents hadn’t mentioned it. They probably didn’t know. My mom likely heard from one of her rich friends that it was a good school that it was popular and expensive, and just signed me up and didn’t do any research. Figures why I end up at the same school as Naoya.
My suitcase wasn’t crisp nor perfect, it was akin to the unmade bed of a child that moves too much in their sleep. Growing up with maids making my bed and suitcases for me, I just now realized I suck at making my own. Maybe living independently in Minato for a few years would really be a positive thing for me, perhaps it’s a lot better for me to live without all these unnecessary luxuries and relentless expectations. Although I never wished for any of these provisions to come to me, I always had to accept them and let the maids do their jobs. I didn’t want to burden them more by being ignorantly stubborn about my own heritage, and drag them into it aswell.
“Yeah, I didn’t attend that. Wouldn’t really wanna either.” I answered after a while, shuffling my stuff around in my suitcase.
Todo huffed. “Sounds like a fancy school, though. Other than the whole Naoya-is-attending-too part.”
“Yeah, I really hoped—and believed— you would finally be free from that guy. I feel really embarassed to be his sister sometimes. I literally don’t know what the hell his problem even is.”
I shake my head, rub the bridge of my nose.
“He’s a shitty guy with an even shittier personality.” I countered. Naoya was someone who was very confident in his own abilities, he had an ego that was as high as a mountain and his status was fortunately for him efficient for that ego.
He was part of the Zenin clan. There were three families at the head of Tokyo’s economic greatness, and the Zenin clan was one of them. They were extremely wealthy and influential, yet they carried the biggest snob in that family, and brought the most know-it-all scumbag in the country upon the world. Naoya Zenin thought of himself as if he was on the top of the world, like he deserved all the respect a person could give, and acted as if that gave him the right to not waste words on peasants below him by respecting them back.
He was completely devoid of kindness or any normal human communication. He existed out of painful words and hurtful actions. He would make people bow before him if he was bored. He went to our junior high school aswell, and bullied me throughout the entire three years I spent there. Although it never got to me personally, I wasn’t the only one, and that was what did get to me.
You didn’t need to be poor to be considered a peasant by him. If he looks at you, and decides you’re a peasant, you’re a peasant to him. That was what happened to me, but not during junior high. No, we knew eachother way back. You see, my family is part of those three big clans aswell. Those three families often gathered together to make collaborations or investments.
But ever since Naoya could process anything economical, he decided that lawyers suck, and that the name ‘Itadori’ is embarassing. And ‘Yuji’ was borderline ignominious.
Ever since he formed that opinion, he pestered me, bullied me and bothered me. We formed a rivalry that was unmatched.
“Yeah, he’s a real piece of shit. He needs to get humbled some day, and I pray that will be by Itadori.” Todo chimed in. The mood lightened because of his voice, Todo tends to have that effect. He’s not often negative about things, and manages to resolve things more easily.
The garage door downstairs made a robotic humming melody, indicating my parents were home. I groaned, falling back onto my carpet. I was already fed up with their voices and I hadn’t even heard them yet.
“I should go, my parents don’t like it when I call with people.” I grunt. It’s so lame, being incapable of even calling with my friends, which I have to leave behind tomorrow.
“Awh, alright man, good luck packing. Don’t overthink about it too much.” Todo reassured, his voice felt like a pat on the shoulder, steadying my thoughts and relaxing my tension.
“Yeah, just focus on the optimism.” Maki’s grin was recognizable even over her voice. “Don’t forget the 2k you’re gonna pay Inumaki if you don’t get a girlfriend next week.”
“And she has to be hot, you said it yourself.” Todo’s laugh was infectious.
“Okay okay, you money-suckers.” I grumbled, grinning ear-to-ear.
My phone buzzed when I ended the call. A sigh left my lungs. It was the air that was pushed deep into the organs, the type of air that floated around in my lungs but never actually left. The type of air that builds up, and only leaves when the burden gets lightened. But although the air eventually leaves, there’s always some stray air that restarts the cycle. The burden never actually leaves me, it just gets lightened for a moment.
Because a new burden was climbing onto my shoulders and holding on tight. Footsteps thudded on the carpeted stairs at a distance, and not soon after, my door clicked and opened.
“Yuji? You’re packing already, right?” My mom’s voice was smooth, sharp and expectant. Her gaze scanned my room with a scrutinizing eye, likely looking for a speck of dirt and dust or a misplaced picture frame.
Her skin practically went pale when she saw my suitcase. “Yuji, have you learned nothing about cleanliness or folding? What is this mess?” She doesn’t exactly shout, but it’s more like stating angrily.
I glanced at the suitcase, then at my mother. “It’s not that bad, though.” I shifted the piles around the suitcase, to make it more approving for her judgemental opinions.
“It’s atrocious, I hope you will not let your apartment become this bad. I expect that you become responsible and keep your apartment spotless.” She sighed, highly dissapointed. It practically radiated off of her, the dissapointment.
“Your father and I will send you some money every month or so, but don’t think that should stop you from getting a part-time job. Although, it is important you focus on school. Prioritise school, very important. Only consider a job if you have too much free-time. Don’t think living alone means that it is vacation.” She droned on and on, a tendency of her.
“I get it, mom. I’ll focus. Thanks for the money thing. I won’t dissapoint you.” Just get out and leave me alone. It was always this answer, my parents don’t tolerate anything else. They don’t tolerate disagreement and surely not disrespect. They always expect the same of me: ultimate focus and absolutely no dissapointments. They would never let their striking reputation go that ‘low.’
“That is great to hear, honey. Now, pack neatly so that you can settle in your apartment quickly tomorrow. You should go check out your school aswell as the city, also make sure you fill your fridge with good quality products, I don’t want you eating that fast-food slop. Ever.” She smiled that convinced smile, proud of how well I’m behaving or something.
I nodded, shutting the suitcase and zipping it back shut as she pivoted on her heel, and exited the room.
~~
Think about the positive side: you won’t have to deal with your parents’ constant nagging, and you’ll be able to do what you want, on your own, Yuji.
“Your bags are loaded in, sir. Do you have everything you need? Should I fetch anything else for you?” Ijichi had his hands clasped together behind his back, he was smiling, though I could see that his eyebrows were twitching subtly. He was probably sad for me. He was very caring, especially towards me. He’s been working for our parents since before I was born, and often acted as my babysitter when my parents were out of town or away late at night; which was every day, almost. He was someone important in my life.
“No, it’s alright, Ijichi. Thanks a lot.” I managed a smile.
He nodded, his face wrinkled up into a more relaxed grin.
The car door thudded as it shut, followed by an identical thud at the driver’s seat. Ijichi’s fingers tapped against the screen in the car, typing.
‘Yokohama to Minato’
I grimaced at the words read out loud so mechanically. It was about half an hour away from Yokohama, and though it wasn’t far, my parents still wanted me to move close to the school. I hated being away from home for once.
I reminded myself to stay positive once more.
~~
“Thanks, Ijichi. I’ll kinda miss you, you know? You’ve always been there for me. And also thanks again for not telling my parents about going to the bar often.” I scratched my head. All of my suitcases were ready and inside of my new apartment, my parents would be visiting later today after I settled in. Likely to analyse my cleanliness and organization.
“It’s my pleasure, sir,” I could see his ears turn a tint of pink, and a proud smirk form on his face. “I wish you all the luck I can, and I can assure you, you will get along with everyone in your new school.”
I grinned, nodding.
“Just behave, you know. Just because you’re on your own doesn’t mean your parents wont check up on you. Enjoy it here, but keep it friendly.” The wrinkles around his eyes and mouth crumpled because of how widely he was smiling. He knew me so well.
“I will, Ijichi. I wont have too much fun, alright.” My hands were clasped together infront of me, swinging back and forth with my body like a kid waiting for their ice cream to get ordered.
The door clicked as it shut, locking me up and away from the world. The apartment was modern, fancy. The front door was in the kitchen, so when I turned on my heel, I walked straight into the kitchen.
The kitchen was built out of an island with three chairs on one side, stretched over the middle of the kitchen grandly. It was slightly hollow on the bottom for your legs to go when you sat on the high chairs. Attached to the walls, were spacious counters and a stove, aswell as cabinets on the top and extra shelves surrounding them. I felt like I would never be able to fill everything in this space already. I could put everything in my suitcases in here already, I didn’t even need the rest of the house. On the other end of the kitchen island was a golden sink, it seemed spotless, gorgeous. A bag of groceries rested atop the counter aswell. I wonder who brought it here.
I was amazed with how grand everything was, there was a place for everything in this house. When you continued forward, the room lead into an outstretched living room. My parents had sent workers to deliver some of the bigger furniture before I arrived already, so couches and armchairs and a huge wall-mounted TV were already standing in their designated place.
There were several doors, but what drew my attention the most was the huge window and glass sliding door, looking over the balcony and the entire city of Minato. The balcony also had some outdoor couches on them, aswell as a small table. It all looked so beautiful to me, it felt like I was seeing a house for the first time.
And although this was fiercely luxurious, I grew up in with even more, so this was all kinda new and less to me. Yet, I couldn’t pull my eyes away. Ever since I was a child I dreamt of living even slightly more normally, I hated the luxury. I hated watching the maids get scolded for not wiping the mirror properly. I hated watching the chef get degraded for adding a seasoning my mom didn’t like. Watching the grand but human space made every tension leave my body for a while. I was really gonna enjoy living here, I can tell. And all on my own, too, I’ve completely forgotten about the reason why I was actually in Minato.
Upon seeing this overwhelmingly stunning view and penthouse, I realized something.
Sometimes, starting somewhere new is a good thing. Many people view it as something positive already, but there will always be negativity about it, gnawing away at all the optimism that is left in this power-hungry world. I am part of that negativity. Well, for now, I used to be. I believe I can enjoy this life. I believe I can try. I will try.
Because I will be positive about this. I promised.