It is never easy to owe someone a debt, a huge debt that's seemingly impossible to pay. And Shizuru Fujino knows too well how hard it is to keep afloat, else she and her beloved family would sink to who knows how low. Not like they haven't already. It felt like she had been working all her life just to keep surviving. They were living a life once, not in luxury, but enough for comfort. Then her father, like any other, risked realizing a dream once. So he took a gamble, ventured in business, but not all games turn up the aces. They weren't aware her father used almost all of their savings in the bank and the huge capital from their first big investor, the Akiyama's.
So, as the outcome of that drastic change of fate, Shizuru was forced to work, or rather serve the Akiyama's as a housemaid, sort of guarantee they won't flee. Though she knew that even if she works all her life, with the value they put on her service, it will never be enough to pay the debt. She had to endure all the insult and physical punishment, which to the eye of society is already a form of abuse. She can tolerate the snide remark and any derogatory they throw at her, but the one thing that is killing her is the form of harassment she experiences from their only son, Hakuto only to entertain himself or just for the fun of it. He was older by a couple of year, taller and definitely stronger. Sometimes there were instances where she fears he might go beyond just scaring her, even now that they have grown older and happen to go to the same University.
In spite of it all, she was glad that they allowed her to continue her studies. She took the cheapest vocational course closer to her passion, Business. Guess being business minded was in their veins after all. Her father wasn't just so lucky then. Fortunately, she won a scholarship from an anonymous sponsor when she made a report regarding a business strategy on her senior year in high school.
"…hmm.. 35 minutes before the next class" she sighed as she sat under a shade of a tree leaning on its wide old trunk. She had just closed her eyes to take a seldom given rest when a backpack hit her face almost breaking her eyeglasses.
"Oi! White monkey! Take my bag back home and bring my dad's car, it better be in the parking lot after class"
Shizuru only rubbed her sore nose, grunting in silence. Could you get anymore violent? She sarcastically thought. "Hai.. May I know why?"
"None of your business!"
"Well, I'm sorry young master but I am to borrow your dad's car, I think I ought to give him a good reason for asking." she stated as politely as she could despite the popping veins at the back of her head.
He only curled his lip at her and his brown eyes shined in excitement "Tell him I'm going to drive my future bride home, and maybe give her a little tour in some good places." He grinned confidently like he had devised a good plan. "And you better make yourself extinct in her presence; I don't want you to spoil our good time! Now go!"
Shizuru only rolled her eyes to the side gritting her teeth; her joy of resting has been short lived, again. Guess it is best to take the long desired rest when the monster is out trying to impress the 'future bride'. She strode as fast as she could or she'll be late for the next class by the time she's back. In her hurry, she bumped into someone when she turned a corner in the hallway, hitting both their heads and throwing the other on the ground. She was rubbing her sore nose again when everyone around gasped, and so did she when she saw the other person on the ground moving to get up rubbing the back of her head, but the worst thing was the other brunette's orange juice spilled all over her shirt staining what used to look a perfect white.
"Oh! No! I'm so sorry! I wasn't looking where I was going… I'm really sorry… are you okay?" She asked in panic. She took out her hanky and wiped off the girl's stained shirt though it's not helping.
"Don't ask stupid question, does it look like I'm okay?" the other grumbled still looking down on her stained shirt.
Shizuru stopped wiping the other's shirt, and opted to look on the ground in embarrassment and guilt. She clutched onto her hanky and uttered again an apology.
When the brunette calmed a bit from her anger, she frowned at the other's silence. When she looked up all, she saw the other woman biting her lips and clutching the piece of cloth in her hand. She searched Shizuru's face that's hiding under the shadow of her bangs. "…hey… I'm not mad.., I'm sorry about my tone. I was surprised… just try to be careful next time." she laughed nervously, scratching the back of her head. She really hates causing any girl discomfort. Why am I the one feeling guilty now?
The sudden gentleness made Shizuru look up and clearly see the girl she stumbled upon. Unfortunately, it made her feel even guiltier for causing a mess at such a handsomely good-looking creature with a tad bit touch of roughness. Her eyes landed on the stain and she sucked in a breath.
"Look, uh… it's okay, you seem to be really in a hurry. Let's just carry on with our business…" the other girl quickly added as she stood turn to leave.
"Wait!"Shizuru abruptly held the other girl's hand. "Please, at least let me do something about your shirt. I'd feel bad if I don't do anything with the trouble I've caused…" she casted her sorry eyes to the ground "…please."
A pair of emerald eyes regarded her curiously. She won't let this go unless I give her the chance to redeem herself.., and she looks harmless. In fact, she thinks the chestnut haired woman looks delicate yet appealing, a pleasant beauty in and out hidden behind simplicity and a pair of spectacles that doesn't do justice to a pair of lovely rubies. "alright, but we'll be taking my bike, is that okay?, uh…"
"Shizuru. Yes, it's alright, although I haven't been into one before. um…"
"Natsuki. Don't worry, I'm a speed maniac but I don't go scaring women riding my bike." If there's anyone that is. Except this fine specimen, maybe… She gently hauled up the curious beauty before her who caught emerald gaze in a trance. The way those bloody eyes bores through her like a whirlpool of wine drawing her in. She forgot she was still holding her hand, that she had to awkwardly let it got. "C'mon, I'll drive you home… Shizuru." She unknowingly rolled the name in her tongue like a sweet delicacy. Loving how it sounded off from her mouth, Natsuki stretched into a smile, tilting her head to ask honey haired woman to follow her lead.
Shizuru mirrored the smile, glad that the brunette seems to be a good person despite the grumpy start. Her eyes roamed the figure walking beside her and realized how good looking and charming Natsuki is. She wasn't as tough as she first thought, and surprisingly kind too… she thought. Maybe this isn't such a bad day, after all… Na-tsu-ki…?