ARRANGEMENT IS THE BEST OPTION
CHAPTER I
~ MEDDLING ~
"Say what?" Ryoma exclaimed, dropping her jaw in the shock of her grandmother's statement.
"Exactly what I just said." the old woman grumbled in an equally displeased manner.
"An an arranged marriage? You are telling me that some stupid 300-year-old law means I have to be married before I can take the throne? That's a sick joke, right?!"
Ryoma felt her world beginning to mimic an action similar to that of the earthquakes that frequented the country. Ryoma had always been a somewhat free spirit, focusing her attentions on her tennis skills; the love of the sport something she had shared with her perverted father (and her twin brother before he began to take a more serious role in the running the country of Kantou).
She had never overly concerned herself with the political aspects of her future occupation, instead choosing to focus more on the job of taking care of her country from the sidelines. Even then, she had been somewhat apathetic with the job (though no less as responsible).
Now all of a sudden she was set to be the future empress.
Used to her freedom to choose her own path, the sudden upgrade in status had been none too acceptable. It had taken her a few months to get properly used to the idea of actually running the country instead of looking out on the sidelines, but she had done so.
She had even been looking forward to it recently, something that had taken a while for her to adjust to. Her parents were both dead - her mother had died giving birth to her younger sister, and her father had been killed in the war with Kyushu.
The mere thought of her younger sister taking the throne was laugh able; she did not have the backbone required to stand up to the political world. Her brother had sustained severe injuries during the same war, and he was in no shape to be taking the throne as originally planned.
In the end, it was her love for her family that prompted her to accept the idea and she had no intentions of backing down from the decision. Once she made a decision, she stuck to it with as mush stubbornness as her late father.
But this…!
"You can't be serious Obaa-sama!" she protested.
Her grandmother sighed. Sumire Echizen, formerly Ryuzaki, was the current ruling empress - and the late mother of Echizen Nanjiro. After the death of her son and in the absence of her own late husband, she had taken on the role of empress in a temporary capacity until a new heir came to take the throne; formerly Ryoga, and now Ryoma.
"I'm sorry Ryoma; I never mentioned it before since I didn't think the advisors would enforce it, I think they would have ignored it too but that damnable Banji had to meddle!"
Ryoma frowned at the mention of the name. Banji, or Miyaka Banda, was the Saitama representative on the council. His family were close enough to the main royal family to be the next in line for succession should an heir be unavailable. While pleasant enough, he was a determined old man who had never been fond of a female ruler.
"And I'll bet he was ever so polite about it too…" Ryoma grumbled.
She had never understood her father and brother's dislike for the man, not until she took on the position of heir. He was a nice man - that much she could admit - but he was an absolute demon in the conference rooms, something always hidden behind a smile of course.
"I believe his precise words were 'While Ryoma-Oujo-Sama is undoubtedly mature for her age, I think her responsibility with the succession issue is proof that she is an unwise candidate, it is no secret that she has no interest in taking the throne.' he thinks if you marry, you'll push the responsibility onto your husband" her grandmother explained.
"That's assuming I would even get married in the first place!" Ryoma protested.
"Exactly."
Ryoma froze.
"He's counting on your independent streak rebuffing the idea so he can push his grandson into the line of succession"
Ryoma slammed her fist into one of the pillars that lined the throne room, venting her anger on her the marble. Words could not describe the rage she felt towards Banji at that moment. As nice as he was, he had enforced his old-fashioned ways onto his family; Sengoku would lead Kantou back into the dark ages if he took the throne.
Ryoma pinched the bridge of her nose, trying to clear her thoughts. It could not be as simple as simply finding a husband - Banji was far too tricky for that. He had to have some sort of ace up his sleeve if he was intending for her second cousin to take the throne in her stead.
"I'm guessing I have a limited amount of time to find a husband correct?" she asked in a resigned tone of voice.
"Mizuki-Shusho insisted on thirty days - while he was supportive of my insistence on single-ruling, he understood Banji's 'concerns' given your age" her grandmother replied apologetically.
Ryoma growled curses on the Prime-Ministers good health.
"Stupid… Chauvinistic… Hope he rots… Send a twist swerve up his tight-ass... "
"Oh boy, this is going to be an interesting month," Sumire noted.
"Onee-Sama! Onee-Sama!" Ryoma opened the door to her private quarters, and was engulfed by a flurry of brunette pigtails before being toppled to the floor.
Sakuno Echizen, at sixteen years old, was the youngest for the three siblings and took after their mother in her appearance, inheriting her hair and eyes. Her elder siblings had taken their fathers dark hair and sharp eyes, though their love of tennis seemed to be a family trait - Ryoma and Ryoga simply pursued it more than she did.
"Obaa-sama just told me what that Banji did! Isn't there anything you can do to avoid it? Onii-sama will be furious! Have you told him yet? Did Obaa-sama try to reason with th-"
"Sakuno! Calm down, and stop squashing me…" Ryoma gasped out through her sister's suffocating embrace.
She had been prepared for Sakuno's reaction, but not so prepared as to avoid suffocation.
Never mind Ryoga's reaction.
"Oh, I'm so sorry! I did not mean to, I swear! I was just so worried and-"
Ryoma took her sister by her shoulder and plopped her down on her sofa, taking a suite next to the brunette girl. Sakuno hung her head sheepishly as her sister ruffled her hair.
"I appreciate the concern Sakuno, but you really don't need to worry so much." she berated with a friendly smirk.
Her sister hissed then - something nearly unheard of from the kind and timid girl.
"It's not fair, why is he doing this? Why do you have to go through with this? You've already taken up the position as heir when you clearly don't want to!" she growled.
"It's not enough that you have to take over from Obaa-sama? You have already done more than enough, but now this too? No! It is not fair! Otou-sama would never have allowed it!" she protested, seemingly to herself, though her words suggested otherwise.
"If Oyaji were here, I wouldn't be taking over from Obaa-sama. Besides, you know we would be married off if we did not get our own husbands before we hit twenty-five anyway. This is just a bit sooner than anticipated…" Ryoma countered.
Sakuno could find no comeback for her sisters words, but the feelings of rage did not leave her usually sweet tempered face.
"It's still not right…," she protested weakly.
Ryoma sighed. Sakuno would not let this go unless she did something to appease her worries. She was a champion worrier, and this would be the worry to end all worries for the brunette. Ryoma was suppressed she hadn't burst a blood vessel already.
"Look, why don't you help me pick the future Mr. Echizen out? It's not like I don't have a choice, just a time limit…"
Sakuno gave her a puzzled glance.
"Won't you be taking his name?" she asked.
"He'll be marrying into our family, so he'll be taking my name, thank god…"
'At least I won't have to change that…' she thought to herself, though it was small comfort.
Sakuno furrowed her eyebrows for a moment before giving her sister the kind smile that she was characterised with. Relieved to have her sisters support, Ryoma pulled her into a hug. Though whether it was for Sakuno's benefit or her own, she was not quite sure.
Her interaction with her brother was much less restrained.
It was late when he burst into the room with a quiet fury. Sakuno had been removed by her distraught maid some hours ago - apparently, she had abandoned a meeting about hosting some sort of charity event.
Ryoma was surprised to see her brother so quickly - his injuries during the war had damaged his one of his lungs, and he was still under the strict watch of the family doctors. Having undergone a major operation only two weeks ago, she was convinced she would have had to approach him by herself.
Abandoning the book she had attempted to distract herself with, she was instantly on her feet.
"Aniki! You shouldn't be up! The doctors told you nothing strenuous for six weeks!" she scolded, taking his arm and carefully directing towards the sofa Sakuno had previously been occupying.
"Can you stop looking after everyone but yourself for five damn minuets?" he asked somewhat irritably.
In spite of his ungenial temperament, however, he gratefully took the glass of water she had forced into his hand.
"Are you going to ignore the doctors?" she replied, seating herself next to him.
He frowned at her over the rim of the glass.
"This isn't the time to be worrying about me Ryoma, worry about yourself for once!" he yelled, vocalisation quickly followed up by a racking fit.
Ryoma sighed in exasperation.
"I'll worry about myself when you stop hacking your own lungs up."
"Stop dodging this Ryoma! You can't possibly be thinking of going through with that old git's shenanigans!" he replied forcefully, but taking care to keep his voice low - thus avoiding coughing.
"It's not like I have a choice Ryoga! Do you want that pervert Sengoku to take the throne instead? You know what it'll mean for Kanto if that happens!"
"You don't even want the throne! Just let him take it!" her brother protested.
"No! This was going to happen anyway and you know it!" she used the same argument she had used against Sakuno, knowing there was nothing he could have come up with to argue against it.
"No! That may have been the case when Oyaji was alive, but not now. You know he would be against this! You're my twin, but you're as much my baby-sister as Sakuno, and I'm not letting you throw yourself into a marriage you don't want!"
Ryoma was taken aback for a few moments before regaining her composure.
"Be that as it may, I have as much choice with this as you did with stepping down! I am not going to run away from this and let our family loose face! I am not going to be weak!" she replied harshly.
It was a weak argument and she knew it, but she also knew it would be the one that won the argument for her (for now at any rate). They were twins in more than just genetics; Ryoga had the same prideful streak she did, and she was certain he would let the matter drop because of that.
There was a tense, crisp silence for an age before Ryoga let out a frustrated howl of resignation.
"Fine! You win for now! But if you think I'm letting you handle this all by yourself you have another thing coming!"
Ryoma raised an eyebrow.
"Obaa-sama is far too soft with you for your own good, and with dad gone someone has to make sure you don't take on more than you can handle. I may be in rehab, but I'm not useless, and I'm still your brother!" he said, rising from the sofa and heading back towards the door.
"Where do you think you're going?" she asked.
This time it was Ryoga's turn to raise an eyebrow.
"The doctors told you not to move around if you could avoid it - you've done enough moving for one day. You are not walking back to your own room until tomorrow. Not after that fit…" she berated, moving over to him and pulling him away from the door.
"I don't think walking back to my room is going to kill me," he grumbled.
"No, but I don't think it'll be of any help either; you room is on the other side of the palace, and I'm not having you worsen your injury when it's beginning to heal! You can take my bed - I can sleep on the sofa" she informed him, directing him to her bedroom.
Before he had a chance to protest she had grabbed her extra fleecy blanket and nightclothes, and closed the door to the room behind her without a word.
The three Echizen siblings were seated on the sofa in their grandmother's study. The room was well darkened so that a projector could be brought in, one currently displaying a slideshow of prospective candidates.
It was almost like going to the cinema - Sakuno had even gone so far as to get salted popcorn for them (a rarity - Sakuno usually preferred the sweet kind). Accompanying them was their grandmother, her assistant Sadaharu Inui, and their personal security staff.
"Jin Akutsu. He comes from a fairly high class family in Ibaraki, twenty-five, hobbies include hunting," Inui read of from his present clipboard.
"He looks kind of…" Sakuno wrinkled her nose, stuffing her mouth with popcorn.
"I know him; he smokes too much and has gambling problems. Vetoed." Ryoga stated, twisting his thumb downwards.
Another button on the projector was pressed, and the next image flashed onto the screen.
"Seiichi Yukimura, Son of Karuki Yukimura,the Kanagawa Represenative. Age twenty three, plays tennis. He also spent some time in the Air Defence force against Nagoya," Inui informed them.
"He doesn't seem so bad…He's kind of cute too" Sakuno noted taking in his appearance wit some appreciation.
Ryoma nodded in agreement, but something else told her he was another no go.
"Uh, Ojou-sama, I must apologize but Lord Yukimura is already engaged" one of the guards - Kunimitsu Tezuka, informed the two girls.
"No way! Who to?!" Ryoga asked in apparent surprise.
Ryoma too raise her eyebrows in interest. Though not close with the Yukimuras personally, they were well known enough to be a topic of interest.
The head of palace security coughed uncomfortably before replying in a low voice:
"Genichiro Sanada."
Sakuno's jaw dropped and Ryoga spluttered.
Ryoma gained an expression reminiscent of one their father used to wear around their mother and a few of the maids. Ryoga caught this and snickered; He had always assumed he was the only one who had inherited their father's perverted nature, but apparently, Ryoma was just as bad.
"Uh… Moving on then… "
Inui flicked through several more images, each met with rejection due to their much-too-older age, before finally settling on a man more around Ryoma's age.
The familiar image of a light-brown haired young man with icy blue eyes filled the screen.
"Keigo Atobe"
"Yes! Yes! I completely accept!" Ryoma stated quickly and enthusiastically, Sakuno nodding with equal enthusiasm.
Their brother gave them a disgusted look.
"I thought you called him monkey king?" he asked his twin.
Ryoma ignored him.
"Uh, Sumire-Sama, Atobe is not an eligible candidate since he is in line for his own crown. Why is he in these pictures?" Ryoma's bodyguard - a trainee/intern of Tezuka's named Takeshi Momoshiro - asked his charge's grandmother.
"I figured the girls would enjoy looking at the picture" the old woman replied bluntly.
Ryoga made another disgusted expression as the two girls drooled over the photograph. The had met the Prince several times, and Ryoma and Sakuno had somehow ended up deigning the title 'Monkey King' on him, yet now they were staring forlornly at the man's picture.
"You two are a pair of bloody hypocrites…"
They passed through several more candidates including - Shinji Ibu ('Too boring'), Wakashi Hiyoshi ('Family history of mental issues'), Shusuke Fuji (Ryoga had no valid objections, but his sincerity had left no other option), Kentaro Aoi ('Too Young'), and Kirihara Akaya ('Been to jail too many times') - before the image of a redheaded twenty-three year old was projected onto the screen.
Ryoma desperately hoped that there was something good about the guy - she didn't think there were any other candidates left that were not twice her age.
"Lt. Bunta Marui, Twenty-three years old, cousin of Seiichi Yukimura, spent two years on the frontline during the war with Kyushu, particularly in Nagoya, served on the 16SS submarines in the Maritime Defence force. He plays tennis, and is particularly partial to cakes," Inui informed them.
"He seems… decent" Sakuno noted.
Ryoga was still frowning, but could not seem to find a fault by himself.
"Tezuka, do you know anything else about him?" he asked.
Tezuka seemed to ponder his question for a few moments before shaking his head in reply.
"Nothing unsavoury; he has a habit of popping up at hotel buffets uninvited, but he always remembers to pay afterwards."
Ryoga grumbled, deepening in pitch as Sakuno gave the man's picture a closer, more scrutinising look.
"You said he plays tennis? Is he any good?" Ryoma asked.
Inui nodded. Ryoga adopted a horrified expression; to be asking about his skills in their favourite sport meant Ryoma was giving the man some serious consideration.
"He was a national level-player in middle school, but dropped it upon entering high school. My sources tell me he still plays regularly," Inui informed her. Ryoma pondered this and turned back to the projection, snaffling a mouthful of popcorn.
"What's his family like? And schooling?" Ryoga asked, likely hoping to find some sort of reason he could create another rejection.
"Grandparents, Parents, two younger brothers, family dog-"
"Does he like cats?" Ryoma and Sakuno both interrupted with deadly seriousness.
Ryoga hoped not; if the guy would not be compatible with Karupin, the girls would instantly reject any chances he had - not that he was aware of his chances, but that was not the point.
"He has no objections as far as I'm aware." Inui informed them.
The two girls breathed a sigh of relief, and Ryoga mumbled something that sounded like a curse under his breath.
"He graduated from Tokyo school of Music, and has a degree in Japanese literature from Osaka University"
Ryoma considered this; it was a complete contrast to her own qualifications. She had only managed to scrape a low pass in her high school Japanese classes, having spent her elementary school years in one of western countries (though she did enjoy western classics). She was no musician ether, much preferring chemistry and other sciences offer anything artsy.
Not that she held no interest in music or Japanese literature - she simply did not overly concern herself with those specific subjects. Looking at the image projected onto the wall she considered all she had heard from Inui and Tezuka. With respect to her personality, he seemed to be her complete opposite, (especially if the buffet hijacking was anything to go by), and was a definite visual contrast.
His hair was messy bright apple red, not looking the slightest lie a dye-job. His eyes were a dull greyish blue-purple, with a silvery note to them, and he was blowing a green bubble of gum. Ryoma could not remember the last time she had chewed on bubblegum.
It had always seemed immature somehow; she had thought so even as a child. Marui Bunta seemed immature to Ryoma, a girl whose middle name was maturity. They were nothing alike, but she could not help but be drawn to this stranger from the Kanagawa state.
Ryoma supposed that was exactly why.
"You wanted to speak to me Okaa-san?" Bunta asked as he entered his parent's room, having gained permission to enter upon knocking.
A blonde haired woman grinned at him and Bunta felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise.
That grin spelt 'Serious Conversation' with a capital S. Oddly, the same smile was exactly the opposite when wore by his lethargic brother.
"Bunta! Take a seat honey, your Father will be with us in a moment!"
Screw capital S, the whole conversation was spelled with capitals, bold font, and under-scoring. For one of the families in the higher echelons of society, the Marui family was comparatively relaxed. If both his parents requested a conversation at a point that was not some sort of significant event, it meant politics was at work.
Had his father lost his court position? He didn't beleive there were any problems with his mothers company, or none that he was aware of (his mothers family were well-know in the field of oil production, besides politics). What in god's name could they possibly have to discuss with him that would require both of them to be present?
Scuffling outside the door and a rebukal from the maids told him that one of the housekeepers had chased his two younger siblings away from the door. Did they somehow sense the gravity of the situation?
…Unlikely. His brothers were even more idiotic in nature than he was (they took after their mother in that aspect - he seemed to have gained at least some of his father's level-headed qualities). In any case, given the gravity of the situation he was still unaware of, it would probably be best to have this conversation without the distractions his younger siblings would provide.
Perhaps ten minuets after the two younger Marui's had been chased away his father's presence encroached his mothers meaningless chatter.
"Ah Bunta, you're already here, that's good."
"Welcome home Otou-san" he greeted his red-haired father.
His mother kissed the man on the cheek, taking his breifcase from him to be put aside.
"Okaa-san said you wished to talk to me," he ventured once his father had settled into one of the armchairs near the fireplace.
"Yes. Karuki gave me the news yesterday." he replied vaguely, sipping at the tea brought by one of the maids.
Karuki? Seiichi's father? What did the head of the district want with them? Moreover, what did it have to do with him? His father did nothing to explain for several moments, focusing on enjoying what he mumbled to be 'the first decent drink all day'.
"Are you aware of the succession issues at the moment?" his mother asked, picking up the discussion for his father.
"Somewhat. Ryoga-Ouji-Sama is next in line isn't he?"
To be very honest, he kept his nose out of politics if he could avoid it. All he knew of the succession was that Nanjiro Echizen had died on the front lines five years ago. His mother was acting as regent until his son took up the title.
"No, Ryoma-Oujo-Sama has taken the position in his stead." his mother corrected.
"What?! Why?! And when?!"
"Ryoga-Ouji-Sama was also sent to the battle in Okinawa, not long after you returned. He received heavy injuries to his lung, and to his legs,"His father informed him, his genial side pushed away for the serious conversation he was beginning to orchestrate.
Marui was in shock from the news; he wondered if he should maybe take more interest in politics - he was to inherit his father's position one day after all. How on earth could he have missed earth-shattering news like that?
"Even with serious rehabilitation, the doctors have declared him unfit in health for the position. As the eldest of the Echizen daughters, Ryoma was immediately raised to the position," his father continued.
"Alright, I get that. But why is that a problem?" he asked, only having gained a small percentage of the percentage of understanding required.
"Miyaka Banda protests the idea of a female ruler. Should Ryoma decline the throne, his grandson will inherit the position - though between ourselves, I doubt that skirt chaser would be of any benefit."
Marui nodded, informing his father that he was keeping up with the conversation. He paid no heed to his fathers less formal honorific towards Banda. The Marui family had always been supportive of the current royal family, and Banda was not held in the same light.
"A couple of days ago, Banda brought the matter up in the parliamentary meeting. According to the law, Ryoma-Oujo-Sama cannot take the throne unless she is married first."
Bunta felt like a realization poking at his mind, but he ignored it. He was never one to make assumptions without all the facts, and his mother was now talking instead. He had learned never to ignore his Mother when she spoke; bad things happened to those that did.
"Given the state of affairs with Kyushu, the parliament is anxious that a ruler takes the throne quickly. Sumire-Kogo-Heika rightly protested the rule, but given Ryoma-Ojou-Sama's age, Mizuki-Shusho made a motion in Banda-San's favour," his mother continued.
Bunta felt that realization poking at him again.
"Mizuki-Shusho motioned for Kiyosumi Sengoku, Banda's grandson, to take the throne unless Ryoma-Oujo-Sama is married within the month." his father finalized.
"You don't mean…?! No way…"Bunta voiced, shocked by the growing realisation
"The Echizen family has, after some consideration, requested and Ommiad take place between you and Ryoma-Oujo-Sama!" his mother stated the realization excitedly.
His father snorted with laughter at their expressions of shock and glee.
After regaining his composure, Bunta managed to voice a sensible protest:
"B-But father! Surely there are other men that are more suitable?" he inquired.
It was not an outright denial, as such; he simply knew he would not have been a first choice candidate.
"Karuki informs me the Crown Princess was quite taken With Keiko Atobe, but considering his own crown, he was instantly vetoed." he chuckled.
"Besides that, Ryoga-Oji-Sama is not at all happy with the scenario. You were the first candidate he couldn't find a decent fault with - his protectiveness is understandable though."
Marui could do nothing but nod in reply. He was still somewhat shocked by the news; while his family was easily of a high class, it was not quite on royal status. He couldn't say he knew a great deal about arranged marriages, but wasn't status really important? Then again, it was not as if the Echizens could go down in status - he would probably be giving up his last name (that was a blow to his pride) if he went trough with the process.
"I know this is a shock Bunta, but I really hope you'll give this some serious thought!" his mother pleaded.
"Benefits this will give our family aside, I know you aren't going to show any interest in girls on your own!"
His mother had a point; he had participated in a few short relationships, but nothing that could have developed into anything more permanent. He had actually wondered when his parents would start meddling themselves.
"I too think you should consider this - you turn twenty four this year Bunta, many of those your age are married already or at the very least engaged. Having talked with Karuki, I believe she would be a good match for you, even without meeting her."
Marui gave him a look of surprise - he understood the encouragement from his mother, but fro his father? That was a surprise.
"She is very much you're opposite; mature and scientific to your bubbly artistic nature; I would have had reservations if not for my marriage to your mother. I won't force you into a decision, but I will ask you to at least give it serious consideration"
"You had an arranged marriage?" he asked in surprise.
He would never have guessed that - his parents were besotted. He was under the impression that arranged marriages resulted in fondness at best.
Jackal's relationship with his fiancée was mildly tolerant at best.
"Everyone is always so surprised when we say that!" his mother pouted. His father patted her hand comfortingly.
"I wasn't sure if you'd seen a proper picture of her other than through the press ones, so I requested Karuki acquire this."
His father handed him a photograph half the size of an A4 sheet. The most striking of her features were her eyes. They were a sharp inquisitive golden colour - he felt somewhat inadequate thinking of his own gloomy eye colour. She obviously took her looks from her late father.
The photo seemed to be a family one; he could make out her twin brother standing behind her tugging on the braids of their younger sibling. There was something of an exasperated smile on her face.
He instantly understood what his father meant by mature (scientific was easily explainable). She was obviously the peacekeeper of what appeared to be a rather energetic family. He equated it to his own position as caretaker of his incredibly energetic younger brothers.
He knew he would have to make a decision now - the haste required would demand at least some sort of indication as to whether it would be a futile meeting. After going over the different options, he couldn't really see any specific problems with the match itself.
"I don't object to it, but I can't really guarantee anything. It that all right? I can at least meet her, if nothing el-"
He was cut off by his mothers suffocation.
Really, it was blatantly obviously who his brothers inherited the majority of their personality from.
"Oh you won't regret this Bunta! I can already tell this is going to go well!" she squealed, tightening her choking hold on him.
"I said I'd meet her Okaa-San!" he protested weakly, noting his statements falling on deaf ears.
His fathers' chuckling was of no help to him.
"What happened? What happened? Dad was in there too right?! What happened? Is Otou-San getting sacked?!" his youngest sibling asked energetically.
"Kintaro, will you calm down?!" he asked exasperatedly.
Compared to his brothers, energetic was no sort of word that Bunta could be described with. Kintaro never seemed to stop moving, and once Jirou awoke from his perpetual slumber, he was just as bad.
Thankfully he did have some degree of maturity (he was nineteen - he could hardly act like their sixteen year old brother all the time), and managed to placate Kintaro somewhat.
"So what did they say? Is it Otou-San's work?" he asked.
"Uh… sort of…"
It was the truth. His father would definitely be getting something out of this - they would probably be moving to Tokyo if this went well.
"Sort of? What that supposed to mean? It is or it is not! Aww geez, just tell s what they said!" his fellow redhead complained.
"Otou-San and Okaa-San have… set up an Omiai for me…"
Kintaro's jaw dropped. Thankfully, Jirou managed to restrain his surprise somewhat.
"Seriously? With who?! Do I know them?!" Kintaro bubbled.
"I think everyone knows her… it's with Ryoma Echizen" he braced himself.
Seiglence reigned supreme for for a long moment before all hell broke loose.
Princess Diaries II was on at Christmas, I was reading BuntaRyo at the time, and this is what my warped mind came up with. The Mikado may have had a part in it too (Mikado is the British name of Pocky, though we only get chocolate kind).
I was originally going to make the Echizen rulers of Japan itself, but I needed a war and I don't know who Japan is at war with or if they are even at war (and I am so not going town the world war two road), so I looked up where that creepy foreign team came form and apparently it was Nagoya. That worked out 'cause Higa came from Okinawa, and according to my map they are both in Kyushu.
So to avoid the WWII scenario, I made it that all the different regions were countries by themselves, ad the different prefectures were like states, or a Duchy. Since Tokyo is where prince of tennis takes place it is the capital, and I made the Echizens the imperial family of Kanto - the region tokyo lives in. Kanagawa (where Rikkai junior high comes from) is a Duchy under the rule of Yukimura's family.
I realise Atobe is also from a Kanto school, and it breaks my heart to move him 'cause he's one of my favourite characters, but I need him to have his own throne for later plot developments so I sent him somewhere else (I haven't actually decided where that will be yet, but I'm on it!)
I don't normally use honorifics, and I keep names westernised, but I really wanted to keep with the traditional thing since it's a 'high-society' type fic, and omiais are kinda tradional things too (though not so much these days according to Wikipedia). Thus, westernised names and honorifics. I didn't know if I needed to explain that or not, so I did it anyway.
Any Japanese readers feel free to correct my use of the language, because the furthest I've gone is Malta, and online translation dictionaries aren't ideal. Wikipedia is good, but also has a certain degree of unreliability...
For non-Japanese readers, the ever so handy translation notes!
http : / / en . wikipedia . org / wiki / Japanese _ honorifics Royal _ and _ official _ titles
That should explain them, just remove the spaces. I cant be bothered writing them all down, but 'Oujo-Sama' is 'princess' and 'Ouji-Sama' is 'prince' (though if you read the 'The Prince of Tennis' and still don't know that then…). I though I'd write those down since they aren't on Wikipedia.
Urgh, I hate long AN's. I apologize but it was probably necessary.
If you think I own Prince Of Tennis, you have problems with your thinking process.
Anyway, lemme know your thoughts.