KHR: The Inheritance Project - Prelude

The Graduation Project

He rolls over on his bed and stares at the easel and paints in the corner of his room. There was no doubt in his mind that he had talent for art. He had won many awards and everyone would always tell him he was talented. Katerina constantly encouraged him to paint and draw, and it made him quite popular. He's always been praised highly for his art skills.

Except for that one time. He had shown his Padre a painting that won an award, his teacher and mama had been so proud of him. But all that man said was; "This is a nice painting, but it's fairly plain. Rather, it lacks feeling."

Mama Katerina made a big fuss but Masamune looked at the painting again and realised he was right. It was a very boring, ordinary piece of work. How had he actually seen this as something good before? Why did he get an award for it?

And truth be told, he hates art. It bores him to death. It's just pictures after all, it's not like they actually do anything. He can't even draw anything unless he's told what to draw. He only did it for the praise and popularity he received. Everything he did was so he'd be praised and become popular.

Just like his Mama had taught him. He studied hard and got good grades so he'd stand out. He joined the soccer team because it was a popular sport, if he was a soccer star he'd gain many friends. He only joined the basketball team because they begged him; it made him look good in front of the adults and other kids.

He had learnt long ago how to manipulate people. It was another skill he learned from his mama. Not that she knows this; he learnt it mostly through observation. He was a very good liar and very good at playing the innocent victim. It was hilarious how a simple smile or pout could get the adults dancing in the palm of his hand.

Though, it never worked on him. Padre always saw through the lies easily, as if he could read minds. He is the only person that would scold him. It made him furious to no end knowing he could never beat that man! He often took that anger out on his dame brother, since the demon never fights back. He can't believe he used to be so afraid of that coward!

With a sigh he rolls onto his back and thinks about the next school term. Even though he liked basketball more than soccer, it wasn't as popular. He'd be better off doing soccer or maybe baseball in junior high… And there's that boarding school too. He should go there, it was a better school and he'd do very well there, but it just doesn't appeal to him.

His lack of motivation must be because he's so troubled by all of this. He knows he should follow his mama's advice; it was the most sensible thing to do. Yes, he should just go to that fancy school, get good grades, join the soccer or baseball team and gain many followers.

Then he'd graduate as an upstanding student and go to a good university. He was better at everything than his dame brother, so he should be the one to take over Padre's company too, right? Even if he is the younger twin, he's still the better choice. Mama Katerina had said it herself.

He was brought out of his thoughts when we heard a car door slam and the front door being opened. He heard someone running up the stairs and down the hall. Great, his dame brother was back already. Maybe he could finally get out of here. He moved to the door and pressed his ear to it.

Mama Katerina was arguing with someone downstairs. Ah! That, annoyingly, calm baritone voice! It was his Padre. Why was he here? Because of the accident? Yeah right. He only cared about his work. Why else would he have sent them off to live here in Japan with their aunt? What a useless father.

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Masamune sat sulking in the car beside his Padre. True he'd finally been let out of his room, but now he's going to be stuck with his dame brother and father at some hotel for who knows how long! With only his iPod, phone and game boy for entertainment this is going to be a very long stay…