Toji Fushiguro

You were extremely happy.

It was the last day of college classes before summer vacation and literally nothing could ruin your good mood. You bonded with your friends during the break, creating an extensive schedule of parties and other pastimes that would make your vacation productive and fun. You arrived home, almost bursting with excitement to tell your parents about the hundreds of plans you had already made for the holidays, but you were abruptly interrupted by a "We need to talk." from your father.

You sat in the living room with them, while they stared at you as if someone had died. Your father started talking about how you would have to be responsible with your inheritance in the future and how you knew absolutely nothing about the family business, blah, blah, blah. You had already heard all that talk and demands before, you had already heard enough to know by heart what your father would say during the twenty-five minutes of sermon. You rambled a little while your parents took turns torturing your ears with that boring thing, however, your daydreams were interrupted when your mother dropped that massive nuclear bomb right in the center of the small island that was your mind. "You will spend your holidays in the countryside, to see the family farm and learn how to manage it correctly.”

You were completely in shock now.

"What kind of joke is this?" You asked, a humorless smile plastered on your face as your eyes traveled between your father and mother, hoping that one of them would look at you and say that this was a big (and not funny) prank. "It's no joke." Your mother said, looking at you with that disturbing serenity only she had. "And no protests." Your father took the lead, already imagining that you would start an argument and vehemently refuse to go. "Toji will keep an eye on you there. He is in charge of taking care of business when I'm not around, since you never willing to do anything for your own family.”

You didn't even have time to respond in any way, as your father shouted for you to go upstairs and pack your bags immediately. The way to the airport was haunted by a palpable silence, your parents saying that you would love the farm, that it was very beautiful there and some more blah, blah, blah that you didn't hear. Damn, your vacation went down the drain! The concerts of your favorite bands, the clandestine parties in the fraternity buildings... Everything is over.

You just crossed your arms and assumed that rebellious teenager posture from the 2000s that you knew very well how to do. Getting out of the car without saying goodbye and practically spitting so that your parents wouldn't follow you, you marched to the boarding gate, mentally preparing yourself to have your sense of smell assaulted by the smell of manure. His last hours were spent under the wings of civilization, they were inside the plane. You listened to music and talked to your friends, sharing your frustrations and lamenting that you could no longer participate in the 'Amazing Vacation' schedule that you were so excited about.

The plane unfortunately did not crash and explode, much to his sadness... In fact, the flight was the smoothest of his entire life, with no turbulence or inconvenient passengers. Now, here you were, stuffed into a huge truck while Toji, who looked like she came out of an old western movie, drove towards the farm. You could feel him looking at you out of the corner of your eyes and damn, he was charming. Very charming.

The smell of the forest filled your nostrils when they finally arrived at the farm and, despite everything, it was quite beautiful... But you wouldn't admit it, obviously. Toji looked at you with that sly look once again, coming around the truck to help you with your bags, picking up most of the weight like it was nothing.

"Sulking won't make things better, pretty."

He said, his voice sounding like a cat's purr. Soft.