The nonchalant buzzing of cicadas was filling up the air and the sky above.
I really loved this lazy summer noon. With nothing to do, no stress, no chaos, no rushing, only peace. I hoped life would go for eternity like this. No turmoil, no adrenaline rush, just an all engulfing peace of bright Sunday noon. The cosiness of breezy summer days. Nothing to worry about. Just a refreshing lazy day.
But still... there was a stir, somewhere deep inside me. My dad told us in the morning that we were moving to the new house soon. It was quite shocking and surprising to us even when we came to know that Takeshima grandpa had willed his home to father.
This Takeshima, who was supposed to be some really long distanced relative of my dad. He used to be quite infamous among our relatives for his dominant temper and aggressive attitude. He passed away few months ago, at the age of ninety-seven. He had a peaceful death while sleeping.
But the thing which was more astonishing, that though he was quite infamous among the family. And except my father, none was in good relations with him. Still, at his funeral a bunch of relatives showed up, including some of the long distance family members, his sworn enemies and also those whom he used to utterly detest. And despite having the mutual hatred towards grandfather Takeshima, it didn't stop them to claim the inheritance. And as grandfather didn't have a proper successor. It was quite obvious that he didn't make a will. And also to consider the fact that grandfather had a considerable amount of property which could easily ascend him to the throne of a local King. Not in bank balance, but his real wealth was his real estate. Or to be more precise, all he had was his home. But a home like no other.
His total housing premise included acres of land, covered in woods, a small lake, and a small hill; upon which rested an ancient shrine. And to speak of ancient, his own house was ancient enough. It used to be a HQ for some landlords of royal lineage in ancient days. Located at the very corner of this spread out vast land, now very little of the structure remained. However the remaining portion was large enough to accommodate few dozens of people. It was a traditional Japanese styled house, only consisting the ground floor, with innumerable rooms. The age of the structure was unknown. Some says it was made eight hundred years ago, while others say that the original structure dates back to the dark ages.
Anyways, back to our story, it was kind of amazing how so many people popped up on his funeral. Perhaps many of them haven't even met him when he was alive. All with the lust to devour the things he left. It is kind of irony that people become more worthy after they die.
So the funeral which was supposed to consist a peaceful atmosphere to mourn, ironically was heating up with eruption of chaos.
Then this cool looking person silently stepped into the room. By his appearance, he looked different from everyone else gathered in the room. He was not wearing a mourner's dress, but an elegant suit. With a dominating corporate attitude. He had a slim body with glossy spectacles over his steep nose. A very serious expression hang upon his face. The set of eyes he had, seemed so sharp that it could even penetrate through your soul. And his hair was gently back brushed with gleaming hair gel. He entirely ignored the fighting crowd and swiftly passed through them as a fish slips through water. Holding his briefcase front of him like a nose of an airplane. He stepped on the podium upon which the portrait of late Takeshima grandpa was resting. The elderly priest who was confused enough with all those ruckus, seemed to be turned more confused with this sudden intrusion. But the cool person simply ignored him. He brushed his gelled hair with his fingers and put the briefcase on the floor. With smooth and intricate finger movements he unlocked his briefcase latches, taking out a bunch of papers. My attention was by then completely focused on this strange man. And while everyone was fixed upon the inter-family wrestling match. It felt like only I was able to notice what was going on with this man. It felt like he was preparing something devastating. Like he was just going to set fire on a dump of gunpowder.
And then suddenly, like he was able to read my thoughts, he stared at me. A straight piercing glare. Like he was going to slice me up inside out with just a single glare of him. Then his lips parted slightly, revealing a set of shining teeth. A grin appeared on his long, sleek face. A very creepy grin. I didn't know what was such strange in a simple grin like that. But somehow it was peculiar and highly abnormal. I couldn't figure out why. But then, I noticed his teeth. As white as pearl. Glistening in light like those have been just polished. And the shape...
They weren't blunt like us. The teeth in his mouth were long and sharp enough to be identified as fangs. A shiver went through my spine.
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