Chapter 114: (Side Story) Eight Years Ago

"The counsellor wants to talk to you," the dorm master informed the boy who was writing something down with an intent expression.

He looked up and then reluctantly set aside his notes and made his way to the counseling office. After the usual awkward 'small talk', the counsellor said, "Someone's interested in adopting you."

"Adopting me?" Shinichi asked incredulously.

The counsellor admitted uncomfortably, "Not you precisely, but a boy with a strong interest in music. It's kind of a weird request. But when I demanded to meet the guy personally, he said that although he hopes to create a family, reality isn't always sweet. He said he'd like to at least pass on what he has to someone who loves music."

Shinichi stared at the counselor with perhaps an even more incredulous expression. After a moment he asked, "Some rich guy wants to adopt a musician? Why doesn't he just create scholarships?"

The counsellor grinned and replied, "He has created a few, I checked."

"Can I meet the guy first?" Shinichi asked warily.

"Of course," the counsellor assured him quickly.

--

The next day, with a swiftness that amazed Shinichi, the man arrived to meet with him. The man was old but well preserved, the way rich people who haven't engaged in too many, or at least too strong of vices often are.

Shinichi said abruptly as soon as the counselor left them to 'talk a bit', "If you really want to help out a real musician, I've got a friend who would benefit from your help more than I would, but he's already 18."

The man grinned at him and asked, "We're not even going to introduce ourselves first?"

Shinichi shrugged. He'd already done a little research, and assumed that the older man had as well.

The man said, "Well, my name is Kobayashi Ryuske, and while I'm willing to meet your friend and see if he's someone I want to help out, I really do want to adopt someone who loves music."

"I know who you are," Shinichi replied uncomfortably. "The counsellor gave me your name and I looked you up. You're an amazing musician, and a singer, and even a pretty good songwriter. Why the hell do you want to adopt a teenager?"

Ryuske grinned and gestured to himself and pointed out, "I'm getting old." Shinichi rolled his eyes and Ryuske continued, "I started to regret that I never had children as I got older, but I don't want to adopt someone so young that if I die in ten years, they'll suffer. I told them ten to fifteen years old."

"You're not THAT old," Shinichi protested.

"But I'm old enough that it's a real possibility," Ryuske pointed out reasonably. He looked at the boy and said hesitantly, "I can't guarantee we'd love each other, but talking to you is a lot easier than I expected. What do you think?"

Shinichi narrowed his eyes and pointed out, "I'm not a musician. I just sing a little."

"And write songs," Ryuske countered. A little embarrassed, he admitted, "When you agreed to meet me, they let me see some of your school records, so I've heard a couple of your recordings."

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"What if I tell you that you have to agree to help my friend to adopt me?" Shinichi asked boldly.

Ryuske laughed and countered, "What if I just give you an allowance and let you help him yourself instead?" Although he admitted, "I was serious though, about being willing to meet him and see if I want to help him. I'll do that if you want even if you don't want to be adopted by me."

Shinichi stared at the elderly musician for a moment before asking, "What if I agree to it just for the money?"

Ryuske shrugged and said, "If you're willing to give me a shot for any reason, I'm willing to do it. I'm sure millions of people would tell you that's a great reason to go for it."

Warily Shinichi asked, "What kind of rules will you make me follow?"

Ryuske shrugged and considered the question thoughtfully for a few minutes. After awhile he said, "I think you should at least finish high school, and I'd like to ask that you spend at least five hours a week studying or practicing music in some form. Other than that, I really have no idea, except," he hesitated before continuing, "no drugs. If you're already into them, I'll pay for rehab if you want it, but I don't want to adopt you. If I lose another person I love like that, it really will kill me. I'm sorry."

"I hate drugs," Shinichi replied sharply. "I've seen what they do to people."

Ryuske smiled at him and asked, "Then do we have a deal, or do you want some time to think it over?"

"I think those millions of people would think I'm crazy if I give YOU time to think it over," Shinichi countered.

Ryuske grinned and held out his hand and said, "Let's do it then."

"My rule is no touching," Shinichi replied quickly, looking at the offered hand.

After a moment Ryuske dropped his hand and replied, "Fair enough." After another moment he added with a quick grin, "I forgot that most teenagers hate it when adults try to hug or touch them much. I'm really getting old, sorry."

Shinichi shrugged uncomfortably and said hesitantly, "It's not that so much, I used to hug my mom all the time before she died. I just don't know you at all, and well," he admitted after a moment, "you're a guy."

Ryuske looked at him for a startled moment and then asked reluctantly, "Is this because I've admitted before that I'm bi?"

"No!" Shinichi replied vehemently. "Well, actually I'm not sure how I feel about that. But you're so old, does it really matter? I've just never touched anyone but my mom much."

Ryuske chuckled and offered, "Well if you ever do want a hug or whatever, you're allowed to touch me, OK?"

"OK," Shinichi replied, "but I'm not going to call you oto-san or papa or anything."

"I guess that's fine," Ryuske agreed, "as long as you plan to call me Ryuske and not something derogatory."

They went and signed the paperwork, and Shinichi had never seen paperwork get processed so quickly before. Apparently the government employees in charge of his status didn't want to give Kobayashi Ryuske time to change his mind either.

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