i.
Takatsuki Shinobu realizes he is sulking. He stares sullenly at the happy crowd – various relatives, some neighbours, friends of his sister – and tries not to listen to the pleasant chatter. 'How beautiful Risako looked' comments one aunt, and another murmurs her agreement, 'what a handsome couple'. There's a chink of glasses. Laughter.
It's not that Shinobu blames his sister. No, if he blames anyone it's his new brother-in-law Miyagi Yoh. The man gave him hope, only to viciously yank it away. It was humiliating; and the worst part is that Shinobu can't stop himself from loving the older man. He can't stop his breath from catching when Miyagi smiles, or noticing the strong lines of his jaw, the size of Miyagi's large hands. It's selfish, but as he watches the newlyweds he thinks, just briefly, how happy he would be if they divorced tomorrow.
"Shinobu?" His father clamps a hand on his shoulder, "You haven't congratulated your sister and brother yet, have you?"
"Yes, Shinobu. Remember your manners," chimes in his mother, getting Risako and Miyagi's attention. There's more idle chatter as the couple approaches. Shinobu feels self-conscious – feels like everyone will discover his secret, that Miyagi will know and that he'll ruin his sister's happiness.
'I'm a fool,' Shinobu thinks, 'and yet I- I-'
He breaks away from his father's grip, chokes back his tears and manoeuvres his way out of the room. His parents call after him but he melts to the edges of the room and vanishes into the garden. He doesn't want to cry, not here and not now, but he can already feel his cheeks dampening against his will.
Shinobu leans against the wall, buries his face in his hands and wishes he could forget Miyagi.