I have to say I disagree with you and the person who originally posted the explanation on Shougo because while it does sound nice, there's absolute no evidence that Shougo loves Kiichi. Let me explain.
When Kiichi was kidnapped, Shougo doesn't even search for him, leaving it up to the kidnapper's father to do it. Kiichi may be raped and/or killed during that time but he EXPLICITLY says that he will not search for Kiichi and he does not care if Kiichi is raped or killed. He merely says that Kiichi was "useful" in his scheme to trap the politician. See here: http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/love_mode/mf/v08/c005/24/
This is further proven when Reiji attacks his father, yelling that Shougo had broken Kiichi's bones and forced him to stay inside so he could get the politician's land. Shougo seems to agree, saying that Kiichi was the perfect bait. See here: http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/love_mode/mf/v08/c005/28/
Right after that, Shougo says that if he wants him to save Kiichi, he has to inherit the house. See here: http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/love_mode/mf/v08/c005/29/
This is where we see how brilliantly detailed Shougo's plan is. With Kiichi kidnapped, he not only has the leverage to take the politician's land, but he's also used the dangerous situation to force Reiji to say he will inherit the Aoe estate. He seems really preoccupied with Reiji inheriting the estate as he often comments on how he wants Reiji to inherit. The only reason he even sees Reiji as valuable is because Reiji will get married and have children, therefore continuing the Aoe line. Even Reiji's only importance is for his reproduction and continuation of the family. See here: http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/love_mode/mf/v08/c005/29/
See how he comments that Kiichi is unimportant because unlike Reiji he won't leave any children to succeed behind? Clearly the only thing that Shougo finds important about his children is that they continue the family line.
When Kiichi is in the hospital, he asks Kirishima why Shougo treats people like this and robs their freedom and Kirishima responds that because Kiichi is from the Aoe family, he must live in that house for his entire life. Kiichi says, "So Reiji can inherit?" and Kirishima responds "No it's all for Shougo-sama." Again, Shougo isn't doing all this, acting all evil and cruel to toughen his children up for their sake so that they can grow strong and lead the family. This is all for himself. See here: http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/love_mode/mf/v09/c001/36/
Then why is Reiji inheriting the house for Shougo's own sake?
That is explained in his conversation with Nishiki that happens right after Kirishima and Kiichi's talk. See here: http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/love_mode/mf/v09/c001/40/
The only reason why Shougo is pushing for Reiji to inherit the house and giving him no other choice is all for Nishiki, his "lover." He explicitly says that he doesn't care about the Aoe family, but he only inherited the house and had children because NISHIKI WANTED HIM TO. So this specific kidnapping plan (and probably all his other plans that we don't get to see) had nothing to do with helping his children seeing as in the end, Kiichi is badly injured and almost raped while Reiji is emotionally unstable.
Then why did he pull off this kidnapping plan? That is explained when Shougo implies that the reason why he targeted that politician is because he teased and "hurt" Nishiki. He says that he will show no mercy to anyone who hurts Nishiki. See here:
http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/love_mode/mf/v09/c001/41/
http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/love_mode/mf/v09/c001/42/
Now, let me refute some of the points the original poster made.
1. He needs a strong son to inherit his house so he is acting cruel to Kiichi to toughen him up.
Um, no. He clearly states on many occasions that Kiichi will NOT inherit the estate (in his talk with Reiji). Even Kiichi knows that Reiji will inherit (as seen in his talk with Kirishima). Everyone wants Reiji to inherit so Shougo gets nothing from treating Kiichi badly. He only wants to use him as a tool, whether to advance his wealth or to guilt trip Reiji.
2. He gave Haruomi to Kiichi so he's got to care, right?
Um, no again. First, Shougo killed the original Haruomi, the puppy, indirectly by not stopping him from eating candy. Second, right before Shougo announces that he'll let Kiichi have Haruomi, Kiichi tells Nishiki not to touch the body of the puppy and Shougo notices (See here: http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/love_mode/mf/v08/c003/13/). Also, if Shougo did expect Haruomi and Kiichi to fall in love, then it's better for him too since he can use the attachment to his own advantages. He can leave Haruomi to take care of Kiichi and probably force Kiichi to listen to him by threatening Haruomi. I'm not sure if that was his plan, but even if they didn't fall in love, Shougo is merely following his whim and does not care that Kiichi can have a companion. You can see from all the chapters that he enjoys playing with people's fates.
Personally, I don't think Shougo is some depraved person who is incapable of love. What I do believe is that he's a selfish bastard who is capable of "love" and obsession for only one person, who in this case is Nishiki. The man is unable to love his children or frankly care about his respectability or household power because he is only concerned with one thing: Nishiki. In that strange sort of way, his obvious devotion to Nishiki (who doesn't even seem that happy with it..there seems to some history between them.) does sort of redeem him.
I mean atleast he's not a completely malicious bastard who revels in other's pain (though he definitely does have a sadistic streak), right? He loves someone afterall.
What I WANT TO KNOW is the history behind Nishiki and Shougo's relationship.
Dang, you sure took your time to analyze and write this while I just copied and paste the whole thing... *sweats*
I do see your point and agree with you but at the same time I want to see the different side to the story since we never actually saw, like literally "saw"' Shougo's thoughts. For all we know he could, if just a little, care for his sons but the ark was too short and we never saw that side of him.
But besides everything else I just want to see Nishiki's and Shougo's story. The thoughts and possibilities are endless and it's driving me crazy. Why is Shougo so obsessed with Nishiki? How did they ended up that way? I read the previous comments and one of them said that sensei was gonna do their story so I searched for information and in the end I ended up reading a fanfic and an analyzation about Shougo... ╮(￣▽￣)╭ and this is how we ended up here!
Yeah honestly it would be really nice to believe that Shougo cares for his children but I personally don't believe he does. We never get to literally see Shougo's thoughts but I definitely think that the stuff he says to Nishiki are his true thoughts. He never cared about the house or respectability, he did it all to please Nishiki. Also, I don't think Shougo is the type to hide things or pretend seeing as he's...er...so straight-forward.
I wrote a lot not only because I really love the manga so I want people to get the whole idea, but also because I think by mistaking Shougo's characterization influences the story in a surprisingly huge way. The center of Reiji's and Kiichi's childhoods has been their dominating, manipulative, cruel father. This heavily influences them as characters: Kiichi feels this need for freedom and falls in love with Haruomi while Reiji hates his father with such a passion that he strongly does not want to inherit him and his dirty ways (even at the cost of Kiichi's life! See here: http://www.mangago.me/read-manga/love_mode/mf/v09/c001/30/)
In a way, Shougo has indeed changed them to be tougher not because their father wanted it but because they just had no choice.
I also am SUPER CURIOUS about Shougo and Nishiki's backstory.and I've been praying for sensei to do a spin-off on their story TT__TT. What happened between them?? Did Nishiki refuse Shougo's advances by becoming a priest??? How do they even know each other and why is Shougo so obsessed?? Ugh, I hope we get to find out!!
Uh no I completely disagree... being tough is one thing and breaking your child's collarbone and keeping him in a room for who knows how long with an obsessive creep who could do anything to him is another... like after he was burned in the fire and all that and half dead he didn't give a damn about him and just decided to appoint someone else an the heir... and the only reason he gave haruomi to kiichi was because he didn't want trouble about the dead dog and honestly just couldn't be bothered he was a horrible human being an honestly would probably kill his sons himself for a profit
funnily enough ive heard abusive parents say they love their children. people that kidnap and rape someone because they "love them." in their sick twisted mind it might be love, but it is not. love is not destroying someone. anyone that says otherwise is trying to bring beauty into something that is very ugly and mentally sick.
Please read this long but worth it explanation some wonderful person had taken the time to post on the Internet.
"I think Aoe Shougo (Reiji's father) loves Kiichi in a way or in his way which is different from ordinary fathers'. I mean, he is the kind of man who believes if a person is pushed to the limit, he will achieve more or it is the bitter way to become stronger. He is not the kind or spoiling type. He is the achieve-my-very-high-standard-or-receive-my-severe-punishment, iron rod type. But I think he loves Kiichi in a way. Condiering the 'dirty' and complicated business the heir of the Aoe Family is going to inherit and do, Shougi really needs a son with very strong mental strength and a cruel enough character who is ready to slash his business/political opponent's throat. So, although he treats Kiichi cruelly, one can says that it is a kind of training. He also used harsh words to belittle Kiichi. You can see it as evidence that he dislikes or doesn't care about Kiichi. But I think one can also sees it another way, which is, a harsh way of making someone strong. There are some kind of people who will pesevere in very difficult times because they remember how people look down on or laugh at him, and he is determined not to give up because he wants to succeed in the end and revenges on those who have hurt him or bullied him. I think Reiji is this kind. Without those sarcasm and attacks from his father, or may be simply, without hate, he may not have this much urge or hunger to be stronger. Either love or hate can motivates people to become much stronger. Both is a source of great strength/power. And I think Shougi believes in the strength of hate. (It is a bit like Itachi Uchiha from Naruto, who wants his younger brother to hate him extremely, so that he can become much much stronger than he could if he had not hated his elder brother for taking everything he loves from him.)
Shougi once said if that tutor dared to rap* Kiichi, he would kill him. Also, haruomi is a very important person to Kiichi, but don't forget it was Shougi who gave Haruomi to Kiichi. If Shougi really didn't care about or dislike Kiichi, why should he give Haruomi to Kiichi? He must know Haruomi can become a very important one to Kiichi, since even Reiji can see that. Shougi is smarter than Reiji (somehow). I am sure he can see that Kiichi will fall in love with Haruomi. Why should he give this wonderful gift (Haruomi) to Kiichi, if he relly doesnt care about Kiichi?"