Hello there cuties! I really had fun writing this \o/
For real, though. Love rivalries are nice. I hope you enjoy this!~ Also yes there are a lot of inconsistencies with real Meiji era because which maid would be able to act like that in front of nobles yeah.
Queen Lala(ya), I hope you enjoy this, too! As much as I enjoyed writing it.
DISCLAIMER : I DO NOT OWN INAZUMA ELEVEN GO/GALAXY and all its characters. They rightfully belong to Level-5.
恋するお嬢様の笑顔
the smile of the young lady in love
[ "Just how do I prove that I love you the most?" ]
"Minori-kun, today too, I shall entrust my daughter to you," The dignified voice spoke, inside the bright-lit room. There stood Mizukawa Minori, along with none other than the head of the [L/N] Family, Shigure. He was a kind-looking, yet stern old man who was the one who shaped [L/N] Family to what it is now. They were inside Shigure's workroom; one that he rarely used, for he was almost always overseas. Despite having a lot of henchmen to do his work, he would still always be called off to many places all over the world. It was never easy to be an internationally-famous businessman, wasn't it?
Today, like usual—it was almost like a morning routine, that is if Shigure was home—he summoned Minori to his workroom. He would ask her to tell him tales of his only daughter, you—about how you acted, how you were behaving, and your hobbies. How your painting came along, how you were enjoying the stash of books he always sent you every week. He was so busy he barely had any time for his only child.
"Yes," The long-haired, soldier-uniform clad woman in front of him nodded, as she saluted, "I shall protect ojou-sama. To not let danger befalls her, I shall even sacrifice my own life."
Shigure gave a satisfied smile as he sent her off.
"I am truly glad to have Minori-kun," he thought, "It was not a mistake to pull her away from the streets... and into the warm embrace of our family."
"Minori-san!" You called your bodyguard—rather cheerfully, if one might add. The two of you were on the garden (indeed, calling it a backyard would be an underestimation) behind the house. With the sky being clear without a trace of clouds and the sun shining brightly, it was a nice day. The table used for afternoon tea time beside you were also decked with cookies and scones, also a cup and a pot of tea. Surrounding you were the flowerbeds and bushes planted by your family gardeners with much care; it was soothing.
"Yes, ojou-sama?" Minori asked, as she glanced at you. You were sitting on a chair in front of your easel; on one hand, a color palette rests comfortably, and a paint brush on the other. Drawing was one of your passion, aside from books—it was also mandatory for a heiress to know at least a little bit of art and literature. However, you enjoyed them more than most of your 'friends', or so the nickname goes.
"Mou... I thought I told you to stop caling me ojou-sama... it's quite..." You paused for awhile, "...tight—yes, that's the term—around me."
"Calling you with nicknames would be improper, as I am only a mere bodyguard, ojou-sama." Minori said. Her voice was full of finality, and you know her well by now that you understood she wouldn't change her mind at all. Not even if you tried to pull anything funny.
"...But... Minori-san—!" Your voice of complaints were cut short as you saw a simplistic kimono-clad, blue-haired woman walking towards you. "Aoi-chan!" It was none other than the maid you were quite close with, Sorano Aoi. She's about the same age as you—probably the youngest one, as far as the maids in your house goes. That's why you got along with her quite well.
"Ojou-sama...!" She was out of breath when she finally made it to your spot, "Eh, um... how do I say it...?"
"What's wrong, Aoi-chan?" You asked, worry lacing your voice, "And I thought I told you not to call me ojou-sama, too..."
"T-that doesn't matter now... I think...! Shigure-sama said that there will be an important guest for you tomorrow night, and he wanted you to start practicing your most-liked piano piece... and look for a nice dress, he said."
"An important guest? I wonder who...?" You thought, "—Anyway, thanks for delivering the word, Aoi-chan." A smile you gave to her was enough to make her blush.
"It's nothing!" said Aoi, "The head maid called for me earlier! I have to go to her place now, see you later, ojou-sama!"
"See you later!" You said, as you waved.
However, you didn't see the looks Aoi and Minori exchanged, right before the former's leave. And you also didn't see the emotions swiveled inside of Minori and Aoi's eyes, when they stared at you, taking in all of your features.
Amemiya Estate
"Taiyou-sama, the promised day is tomorrow." Said the head butler of Amemiya Estate; one that has been working for the family for generations, with his hair graying and his face wrinkling, yet could still done his work perfectly.
"Yes... thank you, Ki-san," the orange haired heir of the family nodded, as he gave his butler a charming smile, "I will... see her tomorrow..."
"The girl... who was so kind and warm, yet so fragile..." he thought, as he was pulled into his thoughts, "The girl... who had stolen my heart."
"My childhood friend [L/N] [F/N]... Please wait for me."
"I'm sure I'm the only one who'd be able to make you happy."
Melodies flowed from the piano keys perfectly; they were in sync, filled with emotions and kindness. Your fingers were like dancing on top of them—the keys—as they produced an almost miraculous voice. The whole room was quiet; you have yet to notice the amount of maids and butlers entranced by your playing. Minori was also there, standing quietly beside the piano, as she looked after you.
Your fingers tapped on the last key; the song finally ended. The whole audience that had built up—without you knowing—clapped their hands in amazement. You were sure you blushed so, so deeply right there and then. However, soon the crowd dispersed (for they finally remembered they still had other jobs to do), and you were finally left alone—with Minori, that is.
"Are you done, ojou-sama?" Minori asked. Indeed, that was the last rehearsal for the day. In an hour, the so-called 'important guest' will arrive—you were already clad in your best dress. White with silver linings, it made you felt like you were some kind of an angel (which of course, you're not. Sadly).
"Yes," you replied, as you stood up, "I guess that's enough. My heart's still beating so quick, though—I wonder who's this 'important guest' father spoke of."
"...I do not know as well," Minori replied, "However, even if that person was important, if they tried to harm you in any way, I would..." Minori gripped her sword's sheath tightly. You instantly waved your hands to dismiss whatever it is she was suspecting; there was no way your father's going to let you meet a dangerous person!
"N-no! I'm sure he—or she—wouldn't be dangerous at all! It's father who arranged our meeting, so-!"
"Ojou-sama, he's here!" You could hear Aoi's hasty warning quite clearly, "It's a bit earlier than expected, so... please come here quickly!"
"What...? Already?! I'm going now!" You replied, as you ran—tried to, anyway. Minori held your hand—of course, this surprised you a lot; Minori was always rather reluctant to ever touch you in any way out of her duties. If she'd ever, it was when she led you outside from a carriage or something of the sort.
"It's improper for an ojou-sama to run across the room," said Minori, "You must appear dignified at all times."
"...Y-yes..." Her strictness was shown in her words; it was hard for you to say 'no' at whatever it is she's saying. Really; what a bodyguard you have there.
"Let's go, ojou-sama."
You can only smile as she guided you out of the room, to meet the supposedly important guest of yours.
"Where's she?" Amemiya Taiyou asked the blue-haired maid, Sorano Aoi. His voice was of urgency; Aoi knew why. She knew... she knew that he was in love with the same person she and Minori were in love with, too... and that person is none other than the heiress, you.
"She'll be here any minute now—" Aoi was about to snap because, hell, even she couldn't wait to see you, too! What gives this boy the right to just barge in and push things on his own accord? –Right there and then, the door opened slowly, revealing an [E/C]-eyed girl—you—and a uniform-clad gir; namely, Minori. The rest of the room were looking, and frankly... it was not very comfortable.
"-...! T-Taiyou-ku—" your surprised squeak was cut short.
"[F/N]!" Taiyou's sudden attackhug was uncalled for—and frankly, it was also a bit improper for someone like him. And especially, to you. Aoi and Minori supressed their killing intent, trying to calm themselves down. Good thing that Taiyou's butler, Kiyo, is already on the case.
"T-Taiyou-sama, that's improper!" He said, as he panicked. Well, that did little to help—
"A-ah, s-sorry! I-it's just that I-!" Taiyou immidiately lets go as he blushed a shade of red—however, Aoi was sure that it was all fake. He wasn't sorry at all! Admittedly, that guy's pretty good at acting. Subconsciously she glared at him; it was an unnoticeable one, yet when Taiyou turned around and smirked, she was sure she would hate this person. A whole lot.
And Minori was thinking the same, too.
"I was surprised to see that it was you, Taiyou-kun," you said, as you glanced up at Minori and Aoi. They seemed to be quite tense; you wondered what was wrong. Neither said a thing to you, but their bad mood is quite noticeable. "It's been a while since I last spoke to you during tea times like this, no?"
Taiyou smiled his trademark charming smile as he nodded, "Indeed," he said, "And... let's cut to the chase, shall we? I still have a few things I must do, sadly..."
"Ah, I'm sorry, coming here must've—"
"No, no, I was the one who asked to meet you," Taiyou said as he waved his hand in dismissal, "What I want to say to you was... that..."
"Yes...?"
"I want to marry you. Would you accept my proposal?" That was the very last word you heard before your face went completely red. Warm, very warm.
Minori and Aoi gasped as they looked from you, and then Taiyou, and then back to you. Taiyou flashed a smirk in a split second before he went back to focusing his gaze on to you.
"W-what are you... Taiyou-kun...!" You spluttered, half of your words being incoherent. You knew that someday suitors are going to come and propose to you—that is also part of being a wealthy heiress—but you haven't ever thought that it would come this soon...! Especially from him...!
"I meant exactly what I said," Taiyou smiled innocently, "That I love you, and I want you as my wife. It would be beneficial for your family, too... but of course, that's not what I want to base our marriage from."
"I d-don't know... I'm still—"
"That's okay," Taiyou gave you an assuring smile, "I would wait even for a million years for your answer—but of course, the faster the better." He joked.
"I-I-... umm..."
"Oh! Look at the time, I think I must go, now-"
"Wait!" You hastily intercepted, "Would you care to listen to my piano play? Father asked me to prepare them for you. It would be... quite disappointing not to have you listen to them..."
"...!" Taiyou looked surprised for a change, but then he quickly nodded, as he smiled, "I'd love to."
You walked up to the piano on the main hall; it was a white grand piano bought by your father for your fifth birthday; you were quite attached to it already by now. The sounds it made makes you happy every time you heard them; the keys fit with your hands like a puzzle piece. They were like an extension of your fingers.
You started by pressing one key; testing its sounds. And then you smiled in satisfaction when it sounds as clear as you remembered it—it was only an hour ago or so, anyway. Starting to play the piece, you closed your eyes. The sceneries are changing; it was suddenly a colorful flower garden. For a moment it felt so peaceful—and then it—the scenery—changed again to a sunflower garden. The sun shone very brightly, it was summer.
A few moments later, it turned to Autumn; a barrage of leaves came down like a blizzard.
And then, the last few moments were winter, with white snow covering everything.
The melody projected the seasons with all its might, trying to convey the beauty of them just by music alone. Everyone was as if in a trance; however, you did not notice for you're far too absorbed in playing.
"Thanks for the nice show, [F/N]," said Taiyou, as he smiled brightly, "It was very good! You've grown up."
You pouted. Indeed, Taiyou was a childhood friend, but still—he's the same age as you are! "Mou, Taiyou-kun. Don't liken me with a child!"
"Haha~ Well, until next time, then," said Taiyou, "I'll be waiting for a response."
...Frankly, you've forgotten almost everything about his proposal. Now that you'd remembered it... the atmosphere felt so heavy. You never really understood your own feelings towards Taiyou—but it's mostly friendship, you guessed. However, he was right that you marrying him would bring much things for your family. But Taiyou also said that that's not what he wanted to base this marriage from...
"—See you, [F/N]!" His words snapped you back to reality. You awkwardly waved as he gets into his carriage. Taiyou went home with a smile of satisfaction etched on his lips.
The next day was a rainy one. At first, you had planned to paint outside again with Minori, but because of the rain, you had no choice but to erase the plan. Begrudgingly, you stayed in your room. It was so boring, you weren't in the mood to read anything, especially those foreign books that needs pretty much 200% of your concentration just for you to understand what they're on about. You're also too lazy to play the piano. Today was a very, very lazy day.
"Minooori-san~" you said, "Let's do something together...~"
"..." Minori was quiet—as still as a rock, even. You wondered why; she rarely ever space out, if she even space out at all. She was always focused and serious...
"Minori-san?" You called again, loudly and clearly now. Minori almost immidiately snapped out from her reverie, staring at you.
"Yes, ojou-sama?" She asked, after coughing and blushing a bit from embarrassment.
"...That's so unlike you to space out, Minori-san..." You said, staring right into her eyes, "B-but it's not like it's a bad thing or something! That probably meant you're loosening up around me, yeah?"
"...More like getting my self restraint tested," Minori thought, but then she shook her head. "I apologize. It wont happen again."
"No-no! That's okay," you said, as you smiled, "It's really boring right now, though..."
"...Yes." Minori replied shortly. She really didn't know what to say, being fun isn't really on the list of her specialties.
"...!" Then, inspiration struck you like a thunder. You could invite Aoi to your room and with the three of you... you could have a girls-only night! Yeah, that's the perfect plan! "I'm going to look for Aoi!"
"Sorano Aoi-san?" Minori asked, "Why?"
"To have a girls-only night! With us three, it'll be fun!"
"Girls-only night..."
"So... what are we going to do first?" Aoi asked. A while ago, Minori asked a maid to relay a message to Aoi, saying that she was invited to your room. A moment later, Aoi showed up with a smile on her face. Although she said she's kind of feeling guilty to leave her tasks, the other maids said that it was fine and that a young girl like her must play with the others—that's why she went. That, and frankly, she wanted to go, anyway.
"Mm... what about—" Before you could finish your sentence, however, someone interrupted with a calm voice.
"...Ojousama, what do you think of that person—Amemiya Taiyou?" –it was none other than Minori. Which somewhat surprised you, since she rarely talked outside of responding to your inquiries (with one sentences, at that). And what taken you aback more is that she was asking you about Taiyou. She usually never cared about those things...
"Ah... well... um..." The recollection of the things that had happened yesterday unknowingly made you blush shades of red, "T-that—well, I—"
"Do you like him, then?" Aoi glaced at Minori in surprise. Has she ever been this... straight forward about her feelings like this? Not that she know.
"...I...I'm not—I mean... I don't know," You replied, "It seems... a bit sudden. I've always thought of him as my childhood friend, nothing more and nothing less."
"Is that so..." Is it just you, or did you hear a slight bit of relieve in her voice?
"...I'm glad." Aoi, on the other hand, displayed her relieve straightforwardly.
"You're glad?" You asked, not quite getting why she's glad. "Why-"
"Because..." She said, as she glanced up to Minori. The two of them shook heads lightly to each other, and then Aoi continued, "...Nothing!"
"...! Mou, Aoi-chan! Don't play with me like that!" You spontaneously said out loud.
"Haha~ You should've seen your face earlier, ojousama...~" Aoi said. You, on the other hand, looked quite upset, which, in turn, made Aoi felt guilty and surprised, "A-are you really angry, ojou—"
"Within these walls," You said, as you smiled, "Please call me [F/N]."
"...!" Both Minori and Aoi looked surprised through and through. Aoi was the one to snap out of the reverie first, "...Alright, [F/N]-chan." After you gave her a smile, you looked at Minori expectantly; which, of course, snapped Minori out of her daze, as well.
"...No." Minori's voice wasn't as firm as it was compared to the time she said that to you a few days ago.
"Minori-san..." You gave out your infamous 'looking up puppy eyes' technique—you were sure that nobody would be able to go against it!
Minori and Aoi almost blushed due to all the innocence and cuteness you radiated. Minori finally gave in, saying, "...Fine... [F/N]." Your name felt sweet on her tongue.
"Thank you, Minori-san!" You hugged her without thinking twice—which made her blush, of course. Aoi, however, was still frozen due to the shock. "And you too, Aoi-chan!" You changed your hugging target afterwards. Minori and Aoi looked at each other, and their gazes were full of rivalry.
"Let's continue where we left off!" You said, quite cheerfully if one might add, "I'll get some cakes over-"
"I-I'll get it, ojou—I-I mean, [F/N]-chan!" Aoi said, "Just wait here, okay? I think Kinako-san baked a few cakes and cookies!"
"Okay then, thank you, Aoi-chan!"
The next day, you were surprised by Taiyou's sudden visit. When asked why, he only smiled mischievously as he said, "Isn't it just like the old days? There's no reason to get so surprised, too, [F/N]."—and you really couldn't reply because that's exactly true.
"Though... the reason I'm here is..." Taiyou inwardly chuckled, "To give away war declaration to certain people."
"Oh! I forgot that I had something to attend to, real quick! I'm sorry, Taiyou-kun, please talk with Minori-san and Aoi-chan in the meanwhile, okay?" You said hastily, "It wont take long, so... See you in a while!" You knew that the act of leaving a guest is pretty much unacceptable, but since it's Taiyou... you figured that he would be okay with it.
In truth, though, you were just running away from him. Despite your attempts on not getting flustered when talking with him, your mind would still recollect that day and it'd make you blush like a fool in front of him.
You walked out of the living room and closed the door softly. You then stood against the door, leaning on its smooth, wooden surface.
"I'm being... such a fool," You thought, as you heaved a long sigh.
The voices of people speaking inside the room—you figured it was Taiyou's voice—snapped you out from your reverie. You decided to just eavesdrop a little, for you want to know what it is that Minori, Aoi, and Taiyou would talk about. They're quite the weird combination, after all.
"My feelings for her are real," said Taiyou, as he sipped on his tea, "It would be an offense to say otherwise."
"But you were being quite forceful about it," said Aoi, "Especially the 'beneficial to the family' part. Don't you think?"
"Well, that might be pushing it but..." at this, Taiyou had put up an eerie smile, "In love, there are no rules."
"I didn't think that you were that cheap of a noble, Amemiya Taiyou." This time, it was Minori who said it, "Don't you think that pressuring her into marrying you would be the worst decision you had made?"
"I did not pressure her, per se," Taiyou said, "I said that, while it is truly beneficial, it is not what I would like to base the marriage from, no? And also, she has not even replied to my proposal; would there really be a real reason to get so frantic?"
Taiyou then glanced at the upset face of Aoi, and then the calm Minori (that had her killing intent leaking albeit a little). "Or perhaps..." he said, purposefully pausing his words, "You two are not confident that you would be able to win against me?" The smile he gave afterwards made Aoi blanch inwardly.
"I'm a maid," said Aoi a tiny bit little bitterly, "If you'd really think my chances of being with her is way over fifty percent, then I guess your common sense doesn't work."
"No, no," Taiyou said, "I'm not saying that social status had anything to do with this. We're talking about feelings, after all."
"If we are talking about real feelings," Minori spoke, with a confident, almost arrogant smile etched on her usually-emotionless face, "I can assure you, I wont lose."
Taken aback by the sudden taunt, Taiyou smiled nonetheless, "That's quite bold, Mizukawa Minori-san."
"Of course," said Minori, "Did you really think I'm not capable of being bold, Amemiya Taiyou?" A confident, smirk-like smile.
Taiyou replied with another smile of his, "Of course not—"
The door slammed open, revealing a deeply-blushing you.
"Ojou—"
"...Were the things I heard... true...?" You asked in a soft, very soft voice.
Aoi, Minori and Taiyou looked at each other. They didn't know that you were eavesdropping; it came as quite a shock to them.
"...Yes." Aoi was the first one to reply, "It's all true."
"I—"
Minori stepped forward towards you, and then kissed your cheek.
"...!" You were shocked and frozen, unable to do anything. It seems that Aoi was also shocked—but Taiyou, on the other hand...
He stepped closer too, and then kissed your other cheek. You were sure you almost exploded due to the embarrassment and... and...!
Aoi then stepped forward as well, and then took your hand. She kissed it gently.
It was almost...
...Almost too weird to be true.
"And that's... the declaration of war, isn't it?" Taiyou said, smiling all the while.
"It is." Minori replied in a calm manner.
"Yes." Aoi said, with a confidence-lit eyes.
"I-I—" You were trying to say something, but it came out as a mumbled stuttering nonsense.
"Well then, I guess it's time for me to go." Taiyou said, as he smiled again, "I'll see you later, [F/N]."
"Taiyo—"
"Prepare yourself, then, oujousama."
"The roller-coaster life has just begun."
Oh dear.
