Perpetual Embrace

Chapter 1 : Empty

I was what one could call a 'genius.' I skipped many grades and managed to finish these long engineering studies at the age of only twenty-two. My entire life was devoted to following my parents' strict instructions. I hadn't had the chance to make good friends because I was not allowed to approach anyone; everyone saw me like I was a robot, and I felt like one too.

My surroundings placed so much hope in me, but I could not understand why. Honestly, I never tried to understand why. But I followed their instructions without saying anything because when they spoke to me, I felt like a treasure would be waiting for me at the end of this journey, that a bright future awaited me. I, who had never really felt deep emotions, whether happy or sad, was curious. So, I persevered.

Today was the day of my graduation.

During my graduation, my family was there. They were so happy; my mother was crying.

'You did it, my son!'

I had never seen her smile like that. The memories I had of her throughout my life were cold and strict; I had never received any love from her.

I murmured,

'It is weird.'

They were all so happy. The atmosphere was warm, but why did I feel nothing? I felt like an empty shell... what was the point of all this? I began to wonder, but I still had hope, hope that I had missed a step.

After my graduation, I actively searched for a job; my family wanted me to start working immediately. I found a job interview very easily; my CV was quite extraordinary, so I received several interview requests from big Japanese companies. My family only cared about the most renowned company.

They made sure I was ready for the interview and trained me just like when I was a child, in a cold and strict manner. But I was used to it. When the day for the interview came, I headed to the appointment. I met the manager; he asked me a lot of technical questions and seemed pleased to see that I hadn't lied on my CV.

He asked an unusual question to finish,

'What could you bring to the company?'

This question seemed strange to me in the sense that I was just supposed to become an engineer according to my family's wishes.

'I will do the job asked of me adequately and without complaint.'

The manager seemed delighted and shook my hand.

A few days later, I received confirmation; I was hired as an engineer.

When my family saw this, they were so happy. My mother was in tears. But it was strange, like during my graduation, I felt nothing inside me, I felt so empty, but I still had a tiny bit of hope. Maybe I was not doing all this in vain; maybe there was still a purpose to it. I just waited to start working to find out.