"That concludes the meeting for today"

Suits ruffled after one another, walking in orderly fashion out of the room. Ash was able to push by one of them, almost falling over, but saving himself by grabbing a conference chair.

"You're late", his father scolded in Japanese.

"I never meant to make an appearance", Ash replied cleverly back, "I need to talk to you"

"Yes, you do. To explain your tardiness"

The woman sitting next to him nudged him in the elbow lightly.

"Darling, please. Show your son some mercy. He's been in a coma-"

"Until a few days ago. You have no excuse"

"But I-"

"What? You were listening to the new Korean music video that came out an hour ago?"

"Why would I need to listen to m-I mean-"

"You are dismissed"

Defeatedly, Ash sighed and, with slumped shoulders, trudged out of the room with a frown.

The stern businessman reached for a plate and fed himself a baguette.

"How could you eat so calmly after being cruel?"

The man turned to his wife, giving her a sinister smile.

"I am associated with the French after all"

Outside the room, Ash couldn't bring himself to walk away. The feeling of disheartening was never any less painful with his father, no matter how many times it hit him. 

Just as he readied himself to walk out, his head collided with a pair of circular glasses.

"Ahh!"

"Oh! I'm so sorry...I, uh, l-lemme help you"

"No, it's okay, it-...English?"

"Uh, yeah. I'm Mr. Tajiri's intern. W-We met in Lyon at an invention convention, remember? He always did love the French..."

Once Ash was able to face him, he was hit with a sudden wave of realization.

"My name's-"

"Clemont?"

"...How did you know?"