Chapter 128 - 128: Natsumi's Research
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"Dr. Kitagawa, welcome. What can I do for you?" asked Fr. Abel as Natsumi entered his office in St. Ignatius Academy.
"I'm here because I've been assigned as a therapist to a patient named Annette Petra. I'm having trouble believing her story," said Natsumi.
"I see. Well, yes. I'm familiar with Annette Petra. I counseled her regarding the upbringing of her son, Aaron," said Fr. Abel.
"That's the part I'm unable to believe, Father. Annette Petra claims that her son is the founder of Sirius Software," said Natsumi.
"That claim is legitimate. Aaron Zakhrov was 14 when he was disowned and emancipated," sighed Fr. Abel.
Natsumi rubbed her temples.
"I've stepped into a real mess, haven't I? I thought this was going to be just a case of a difficult parent. Dealing with a guy who runs his own city-state, complete with a private army, and hangs out with Libyan dictators is not what I signed up for," she sighed.
"Well, when you strip away the whole megacorp thing, it really is a case of just that," chuckled Fr. Abel.
"How did you manage it?" asked Natsumi.
"Well, I failed to, unfortunately. Aaron was disowned by her, and dropped like unwanted trash. Ivan, her husband, actually felt deep remorse over his decision to stay with her for Mikaela's sake. It is actually quite gratifying that he was able to patch things up with Aaron," said Fr. Abel.
"I see. Can you give me more background information?" asked Natsumi.
"When Ivan and Annette first came to me, they were worried about Aaron's social development. He was prodigiously intelligent, yet incredibly Stoic and closed-off. However, he started developing the usual adolescent curiosities and fixations, such as an interest in women and forming opinions on how they should dress, while Ivan felt it was just puberty kicking in, Annette felt he was developing what she believed was a toxic worldview, and started to oppose them. While Ivan was a little too enabling and indulgent to Aaron, Annette was far too rigid, and assigned political symbolism on basically everything, and refused to take them at face value. However, those were the least of their problems. Aaron was caught in an extremely dangerous web of political maneuvering by a senator who used her influence and resources to paint him as a delinquent predator and have him expelled. Annette bought the senator's narrative because it aligned with what she already believed Aaron was becoming. It was that ordeal that crystallized his drive to found and build Sirius Software. Annette didn't make the monster she thinks he is, but she sure as hell didn't try to stop the process," said Fr. Abel.
"That's a lot of background to dump on me," chuckled Natsumi.
"I'm sure you're up for the task," said Fr. Abel.
"What about Aaron Zakhrov? Have you any read on how he feels about his mother?" asked Natsumi.
"She doesn't exist any more as far as he's concerned. While he reconnected with his father, he hasn't bothered to reach out to Annette," said Fr. Abel.
"Can you arrange an interview between me and him?" asked Natsumi.
"I don't recommend that. The last therapist who interviewed him got recruited as his head of Human Resources, and her job is to filter out any ideological types like Annette, and make sure whoever joins Sirius Software can handle the environment of dress codes and high heels," said Fr. Abel.
Natsumi gulped, realizing that Fr. Abel was serious.
"OK, what can you tell me about him besides what the newspapers say?" she asked.
"He's brilliant, driven, hardworking, but he also has issues with control, and with how he handles women. Those dress code mandates are real, and he ensures that he has at least some advantage in any situation he finds himself in," said Fr. Abel.
"OK. I think I've got the picture. Wish me luck, Father," said Natsumi, standing up and shaking hands with Fr. Abel.
"Good luck, Dr. Kitagawa, feel free to drop by whenever you like," said Fr. Abel.
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"First, I've done some research and found out more about what you've told me. Let me be clear that what happened with Aaron Zakhrov was not your fault. At least not entirely," said Natsumi, as Annette lay on the couch.
"What do you mean?" asked Annette.
"I pulled the court records of the divorce hearing, and I did some of my own digging. Aaron Zakhrov was targeted with a smear campaign because he had helped another student escape from the influence of Senator Sarah Clarke. Did you know that Senator Clarke was arrested by Interpol for human trafficking?" asked Natsumi.
"Arrested, not tried. The poor woman hung herself in her prison thanks to how badly that accusation ruined her political standing," said Annette.
"OK, so you believed the word of a sitting state senator out for revenge over your own son?" asked Natsumi.
"He wrote it! That was on his computer! He didn't even deny it!" shouted Annette.
"He wrote what exactly?" asked Natsumi.
"A horrible, violent and misogynistic game! And when he was thrown out of school and my own house, instead of reflecting on his actions, he made it and published it! Don't ask me what that says about the absolute pigs who went and bought it!" raged Annette.
"OK, regardless of what he wrote, a politician breached your son's right to privacy, accused him of predatory behavior, forced his school to expel him, and instead of I don't know, standing by him in support and saying that you love him, you just let him be thrown to the wolves," said Natsumi.
"I am not letting a filthy predator come anywhere near me or Mikaela! That's why I did what I did! This session isn't making me feel any better Doc! Court order or no, I'm not about to let you sit in judgment over my choices as a parent!" snarled Annette.
"Hey, like I said. All that was not your fault. Yes, Aaron wrote the game, yes, he got expelled. Yes, you believed it at the time, but what about now? Do you still think he is a predator? Or is that the press that is making you believe that?" asked Natsumi.
"Tell me, doctor. Does a man who casually orders the obliteration of an entire police precinct, a man who has carved a piece of the state and turned it into this 1940s regressive time capsule, a man who cuts off your power, internet and water because you voted for the wrong person, come off as anything other than a ruthless, heartless predator? I suppose I should be grovelling at his feet for the privilege of letting me live, is that what you're saying?" asked Annette, her hands clenched into fists.
"All right, Annette. I want you to take deep breaths, in and out, in, and out. Close your eyes, and think of Mikaela, the bright, innocent girl who is entrusted to your care. Breathe in, and out," said Natsumi, and Annette closed her eyes, and started to deeply breathe.
Slowly, Annette relaxed, and her body went a little limp.
"Now, focus on Mikaela. She needs a mother, not an activist. A person who lets her be a girl, and not a sounding board or a propaganda mouthpiece. Can you be that for her?" asked Natsumi.
"She needs to listen to me first," said Annette, tears leaking out from under her eyelids.
"She will listen if you speak her language," said Natsumi gently.
Annette took a deep breath and opened her eyes.
"I feel much better now, thanks doctor," she said.
"All right. Until next session then, but remember. Mikaela isn't Aaron Zakhrov, nor is she you. She's her own person," said Natsumi.
Annette nodded and left.
With a sigh, Natsumi dialled Ruth's number.
"Ruth, I need a session with Mikaela. I want to get her opinion of her mother," she said.
"OK, but you can't mention Aaron to her. Annette doesn't want Mikaela to know, and I kinda agree with that, given how messed up the whole thing is," replied Ruth.
"I'm not an idiot Ruth. I know that," said Natsumi testily.
"Never said you were, just covering my bases," chuckled Ruth.
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"Hi Mikaela, I'm Dr. Natsumi Kitagawa. I'm just going to ask you some questions to find out how to fix your mom, OK?" asked Natsumi, as Mikaela entered her office.
"OK," said Mikaela uncertainly.
"First, what do you think of your mom? Don't need to be nice about it. She'll never know about this conversation, it's our little secret," said Natsumi.
"I think she's super strict. I like how Daddy treats me better. I know that she says that vegetables are for my own good, and stuff, but she doesn't even let me have ice-cream once in a while! It's always vegan this, and vegan that! And then, she says she hates the cops, but runs to them and tells them that Daddy is mean and bad and forces them to keep him away! And she's never nice to any of the people I like! She's nice to my friend Anna, only because Anna is trying to be teacher's pet when school starts," said Mikaela.
"I see. So you don't like vegan food?" asked Natsumi.
"Hate it! I sneak some meat during school lunch whenever I can," said Mikaela.
"What else do you like that your mom doesn't?" asked Natsumi, making a note on her pad.
"You're gonna need a bigger pad. Let's see. Dresses, meat, the SZPD, cool cars, cool ships, basically everything that's cool. She threw away all my books when Daddy left, and got this weird book about a girl with two moms, and then she made friends with my 2nd grade math teacher, called Sky, who was super mean to me, but Mom never listened when I said that I didn't like Sky. And she doesn't like pretty things either. She's refused to get me dolls, and only gets me stuffed toys and board games," rattled off Mikaela.
"I see. Is there anything that you both like or don't like?" asked Natsumi.
"Hmm. We both like the Frozen movie, but watching it over and over has gotten boring. We both like tea, though Mom thinks breaking out the tea set every time is too much work. And we both like Anna I suppose, but I don't like it when Mom is extra nice to her instead of me. That's about it, I think," said Mikaela.
"Have you tried doing what your friend Anna does?" asked Natsumi.
"Nah, that sounds dumb. Anna goes around and keeps asking about pronouns, and stuff as if she can't tell if she's talking to a boy or a girl. And Sky used to do that too, so I'm not," said Mikaela stubbornly.
"OK, thanks Mikaela. I've got what I need, you can go now," said Natsumi, and Mikaela left the office
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"OK Annette, have you tried to find common ground between you and Mikaela?" asked Natsumi.
"Of course I have! We both like Disney movies, Frozen is Mikaela's favorite. I don't mind playing tea with her, but she keeps insisting on using an ornate tea-set, then yes, we both like Anna who is simply adorable, but apart from those few things, Mikaela doesn't seem to like anything I suggest," said Annette.
"I see. Have you tried any activities together? Like going to a zoo or an amusement park?" asked Natsumi.
"Um, no I haven't. I'm not that much of an outdoor person," said Annette.
"Perhaps you should try it before summer break is over. It might help Mikaela bond better with you, and please, if she asks for ice-cream just let her have some. She's growing, and a few extra calories of sugar are not going to kill her," urged Natsumi.
"I'll try, but if this backfires, there'll be hell to pay," warned Annette.