[MUS4] The Bachelor's Desires|✔

CHAPTER 28

Chapter 28

Johannes Pov

I lived in Japan for almost all of my life, particularly in Hokkaido. This is where I was born. This is where I grew up. This is where I learned everything. This place witnessed how I grew from a child to a full-grown man. I love Japan. I love this place so much, not only because this is where my family and relatives are. But the seasons, the people-our people here are so amazing. But these feelings slowly subsided in just a few months of staying in the Philippines.

I may love the feeling of living there, but there's a particular reason why I love it there.

After months of staying in the Philippines, I feel foreign in my own birthland. For the past few months, it feels like Japan changed so much while I was away. Japan never feels like home again for me. The comfort, the home, that Japan was able to give me back then was long gone. It feels like I left my life-my soul-in the Philippines.

I may be back. I may have come home, but my heart and mind remain in the Philippines. My heart and soul have already found shelter in the Philippines. My beibu, Colt.

Winter, spring, summer and autumn.

The four seasons may have passed, but I wasn't able to enjoy and see them because I was imprisoned the moment I stepped into our shima.

I only saw a bit of snow from my small square window. I only experience winter when my cell feels cold. I was only able to watch the leaves sprout bit by bit from the tall trees and branches near my cell. I only know when it's autumn when the leaves have slowly changed color. I only know when spring comes when the moss phlox starts to blossom.

Oyassan, my father, the current Yakuza leader of the Shinubo family, punished me for disobeying him. This is a very minimal punishment in our family; after one year of being imprisoned and grounded, it feels like I was only alive to suffer-to eat all of these tormenting moments.

The whole time that I was in my cell, I was alone. I wasn't able to use any kinds of gadgets or technology. I was forbidden from using any means of communication outside. Well, except for the paper and pen, which were discreetly given to me by my nanny. My beloved nanny, who was a Filipina, she is the only Filipina in this household.

"Kumusta ka dito, Johan?" One day my Nanny came into my cell. Dala niya ang panibagong papel at ballpen na lihim niyang binigay sa akin kasama ang pagkain ko. Siya kasi ang nagdadala sa mga pagkain ko dito.

"I'm fine, nana." I called her nana.

Hindi ko siya makita dahil mataas din itong pintuan ng selda ko at ang pagkain ko ay pinapadaan lang sa maliit na butas sa ibaba ng pintuan. Literal akong bilanggo sa sarili naming tahanan.

Sumandal ako sa gilid ng pintuan.

Tiningnan ko ang pagkain na dala ni Nana. Wala akong ganang kumain kaya naman ang kinuha ko lang ay ang papel at ballpen at saka nagsimulang magsulat.

"Johan, kinausap ko ang ama mo kanina."

Napatigil ako sa balak kong pagsulat dahil sa sinabi ni Nana.

"Nana. You don't have to do that. You know what Oyassan is capable of doing." I said, nag-aalala ako sa kanya.

Iba ang ama ko magalit.