Ishi Shiro

Throughout my entire life, I've never complained about anything.

Since I was little, I lived with many comforts, and my life wasn't particularly difficult. Of course, that's if we don't consider the unusual relationship I always had with my father.

The few things I remember about him are that he never stayed for very long. He was always out of the house, working a lot and prioritizing his job. I never complained about the little time and consideration he showed me.

There were occasions when he would bring his clients home. Well-dressed and well-groomed people, and it goes without saying that they were always accompanied by servants to assist them. Even so, he never introduced me or allowed me to see them.

On the other hand, he was always strict about my education. He always made sure that I studied what was required to be considered worth of the Ishi family name.

There was only one problem. I was never very good at it.

I always had a hard time learning, and my passion was more reflected in poetry. After all, it was what brought me the best memories, especially of certain people – people I never saw again.

My mother, on the other hand, was the only one who tried in one way or another to care for and protect me.

Whenever she could, when my father wasn't around, she would show me off to her acquaintances, which made me question whether she was truly concerned about what other people might want from me. 

Now that I think about it, I can't help but wonder if she was ever truly interested in my well-being, or only her own.

After all…

What in the world am I doing in a carriage on the way to the capital?!

...

Everything happened so quickly. One moment I was just conversing with Lord Vincent, and the next, my mother had unintentionally (or perhaps not) thrust me out of the residence.

Only now do I understand how little my safety concerned her. She wasted no time in leaving me with people I barely knew. She even offered to help me pack my things.

Honestly, Mother, you could have tried to be more considerate.

The only thing she communicated to me was that whatever the Empire's people might need, I shouldn't forget to make a good impression and try to see if they could help me find a relatively important job.

I repeat...

Throughout my entire life, I've never complained about anything.

But this time, they've really crossed the line!!

"I don't believe my going in person to the official Bureau is going to change the problems my father had with you," Shiro said with a subtle tremor in his voice as he shifted against the plush velvet of the carriage seat, still awkward about the espace.

The air within felt thick with unspoken tension.

"As I told you previously, it's not necessary for you to know or understand the situation now. Not at least until we arrive at the capital," Vincent replied with a forced smile.

"I don't want to sound discourteous," Shiro began, tightening his expresion with frustration.

"but don't you think that suddenly arriving at someone's home without prior notice, stating that you have pending issues with their family, and then informing them that they will very likely have to go with you to resolve them might seem a little disrespectful and impertinent?" He could no longer contain his anger.

Vincent paused, his gaze momentarily distant before returning to Shiro.

"I understand, indeed I understand perfectly. It is definitely very impertinent, especially after the passing of your father. Truly, your situation is not easy at all." He said while carefully removing his spectacles to clean them.

"Even so…"

his face suddenly serious.

"Do you believe you have the authority to judge whether an order from the official Bureau is impertinent or not? And even so, do you believe you have the possibility of refusing?" he finished again with that unsettling, pretentious smile.

*Gulp

Shiro couldn't help but suddenly feel even more nervous and Vincent noticed.

"Don't get too nervous. We're not going to do anything bad to you," 

"Your father, he... took care of assisting a person of relative importance, let's say, within the empire, for a long time. You never heard anything about it because the situation itself was delicate."

"Anyway, without him, who will take care of the medications is a mystery, but at least understand that your presence might help," he finished, sighing.

"Then… my mother and I are not in any danger?" Shiro asked with palpable fear.

"We are not particularly looking to cause you problems," Vincent responded.

"Then… my father didn't do anything bad enough for you to hold resentment towards us?"

Vincent chuckled "No, no. Stop worrying already, young man. No one is resentful towards you."

"Mmm, okay then, I'm more relieved," Shiro said with a smile of relief.

I can't believe Professor Ishi kept a son like that hidden. I thought there was a particular reason why he never spoke of his personal affairs. I suppose it was just because his son wouldn't last a single day on his own in a world like this.

Just look at him.

A moment ago he was trembling, and now he's smiling like a simpleton. No one holds resentment towards his family. Well, not us at least.

...

Reaching the capital was no simple task.

One had to travel dangerous and challenging roads to even hope to arrive after a week.

Shiro, however, was not exhausted. He had spent the entire journey observing the new landscapes and the different towns they passed through.

For him, this was a new opportunity to learn more about the outside world.

At a certain moment, the carriage stopped on somewhere in the capital, in front of a large and glamorous building.

It was tall, with towers that reached the dark night sky. The city was always bustling, but here the atmosphere was calmer.

Shiro still felt as if the carriage was moving. The building was very large and made him feel small. It had large columns at the entrance and several guards in elegant clothing with serious faces.

"We've arrived, Shiro," Vincent said. His voice had a subtle tone of seriousness.

"This is the Official Bureau."

Shiro nodded without speaking, unable to do anything but observe.

They entered, and the noise from outside became quieter. Their footsteps echoed on the shiny floor.

Inside, it was large, with high painted ceilings and many closed doors along hallways with yellow lights.

Vincent gestured for him to follow to a spacious waiting room that evoked the atmosphere of an aristocratic reception hall.

Sofas and armchairs upholstered in cream and sapphire blue silk were arranged on Persian rugs with intricate designs.

Not only that, but it also contained side tables of fine wood holding delicate porcelain vases with fresh floral arrangements.

Shiro didn't even want to think about moving for fear of breaking something.

Why did a room in the official bureau appear so sophisticated?

For a moment, Shiro thought he might have gotten confused and ended up in the imperial palace.

To one side of the room, however, in a large red armchair, sat a person.

The light didn't reach their face well, so he couldn't distinguish them clearly. But it was noticeable to Shiro that they were a person of utmost importance.