two

The Prestigious Fuyukawa Family/It Turns Out My Grandma Hated Me

"You're leaving?!"

I sighed as I pulled a shirt from the clothesline. I looked at him in the side of my eye, "Yes, Toshiya."

"But—but—but…"

"Aww, you're being a stuttering boy! How cute!"

"Shut up, onee-chan!" he bellowed, making me throw the shirt at his face.

"You shut up, Toshiya." I rolled my eyes. "Don't worry, I'll visit from time to time. It's not like I'm really leaving."

"You'll stay?" he asked with a hopeful tone. "Here?"

"Physically, yes, I'm leaving." I shrugged, ignoring his crestfallen face. "But this is still my home. So shut up before I say something weirder and it'll get awkward."

"Okay," he sighed. He looked up at me. "Promise?" he took out his pinky finger.

"Pft," I snorted. "Why are you being dramatic, Toshiya?"

"Just promise."

I stared at him, and I saw something in his eyes. Maybe he doesn't want to be left alone? Is that why? I could always call him, write letters too. But I guess it's different when you're right beside someone.

I sighed, interlocking my pinky with his. "Sure, brat. I promise." I grinned.

"Yukiko-hime—"

"Will you stop calling me that?" I hissed as I looked away from the sight out of the window. Satoru Tachibana, the male secretary of my father – gasp! I have a father?! Yep, knew it. This is some TV drama.

Anyway.

Satoru only gave me a blank look before speaking again, "But Yukiko-hime—"

I blew my brown fringes away from my face.

"—you are the heiress of the Fuyukawa Head Family. It is only right that we call you that."

"But I am no princess," I said exasperatedly. "Does a princess say vulgar things? Does a princess punch someone in the face? Does a princess wash dishes? Does a princess clean the stables and even spent some few nights there? Does a princess—"

Hana Yamada – my father's female secretary – winced, "Well, Yukiko-hime, we are aware of the things you have done. Still, you are the daughter of President or Akira-sama as some call him, the current Head of the Fuyukawa."

"Why are you even saying Head of whatever, anyway?" I asked.

She looked at me, "Well, there are lots of people that have the Fuyukawa blood—"

"Is that a big deal?"

"—and most of them are interested to be part of the Main family, where your father belongs. And yes, having the blood of the Fuyukawa is a big deal. The Fuyukawa family goes a long way back, and the family history is rich with treasures and secrets that other people want. Only the Main family knows of it, and I'm sure President will tell you all about it soon."

"So…" I tilted my head. "Does that mean there's lots of danger just being a Fuyukawa?"

"Yes, Yukiko-hime."

I grumbled.

Yep, some TV drama indeed.

"Welcome, Yukiko-hime."

I stumbled back, but Satoru-san took hold of my shoulders and pushed me forward softly. I gulped.

Two lines of women in maid attires, left and right, bowed at me and greeted simultaneously. Just when I thought nothing like this will happen, it just did. Awesome.

"U-Uh, t-thank y-you…" I smiled awkwardly, the back of my hand covering my mouth in shock. I don't know why I thanked them, but I think it was the right thing to do.

"You don't need to thank them, Yukiko-hime," Satoru-san said, taking his place beside me. "You are the princess of this place."

Well, the princess of this place is not used to any of this. I only saw things like this in TV! It just can't all happen to me in a flash!

"Yukiko-hime, you haven't eaten lunch yet," Hana-san said, looking at her – is that a timetable? Why is she having a timetable? I mean, yeah, she is the female secretary of my father but – really? A timetable?

"Y-Yeah, I haven't yet…" my stomach grumbled in agreement.

"President won't be here until late in the evening, though he had made sure to meet you in the morning before you go back to the orphanage temporarily."

I nodded. I still need to go back since the school year is not finished yet, but it'll be in a few weeks. Come to think of it, I wonder what will be the reactions of my classmates. I saw some of them when I was being ushered in the limousine, and hey – I kinda like their stupid faces.

I'm mean, I know.

"This way to the dining hall, Yukiko-hime," Hana-san gestured, making me blink for a moment before nodding and following her. I need to get used to this – after I got to know what the hell is happening.

"Hana-san?" I called, making her look over her shoulder.

"Yes, Yukiko-hime?"

"Do you know why I grew up in an orphanage instead of this place?" I asked, taking note of an old-looking portrait of someone – ooh, Fuyukawa Yukiko? The old hag has the same name as mine!

"That is Madam, President's mother, and your Grandmother, Yukiko-hime. It is from her that you got your name."

Oh – what?

That – that – that old hag is my grandmother?!

She looks so mean and – absolutely the best person to be a villainous grandmother of some poor rich kid in a drama!

I blinked, pointing at the portrait. I saw Satoru-san's eyes widening at my side. "She's – she's my grandmother?"

Satoru-san lowered my pointing finger, "That's rude, Yukiko-hime," he reprimands. "And yes, she is your Grandmother."

"But I look nothing like her!"

"Well, maybe," Hana-san laughed softly. "I am pretty sure those sharp, silver eyes were pretty familiar though, Yukiko-hime." She chuckled, continuing to walk. I tilted my head as I stare at the portrait longer.

Well yeah, maybe we have the same eyes. Those sharp grey eyes were obviously like mine. It's not the usual big and wide ones you usually could see from the other girls around. We both have the bullet-like stares, long and narrow were the shapes of both of our eyes.

Okay, fine – maybe we do look alike but only a bit! We only have the same eyes!

So whom do I look alike more? My father… or my mother?

Come to think of it, Hana-san didn't answer my question of why I grew up in an orphanage.

When we arrived at the dining hall, I have to refrain my jaw from dropping.

"Hana-san—oh my gosh, are the chairs made of gold?"

I swear, they look so shiny! My eyes were glittering as I stare at the candleholders situated at the long table and at the cloth that was adorning it. Satoru-san smiled beside Hana-san, "Miss Hamada told us that you have a strange obsession of cleanliness."

At the mere mention of the wicked witch, the smile that was just starting to appear on my lips completely disappeared. Right. I think a certain stuck-up needs to answer some questions when I get back.

"Yukiko-hime, please take a sit. The foods will be arriving," Hana-san said, pulling a chair. I nodded and sat without a word. "I hope you'll feel welcome here, Yukiko-hime. The mansion's been longing for the Fuyukawa heiress, and now that you're here, we must say that President will be finally happy."

I pursued my lips, and then forced a smile, "Geez, just let me eat already."

The room, to put it simply, is awesome.

Apparently, Miss Hamada reports everything. The walls were painted the shade of pastel blue and purple, the bed is huge, the sheets and the pillows were all black and grey. Most of the furniture was white or black or grey; I like dull colors, okay?

When I checked the doors, I saw the walk-in-closet was absolutely huge, and that there's a room where a huge T.V is attached to the wall and that there were lots of movies of genres I like to choose from, an entertainment and gaming system also included. The bathroom was clean and shiny.

"President will be buying other necessities with you before high school comes, Yukiko-hime." Hana-san smiled, bowing. "We will leave now, please make yourself comfortable."

When they left, I sat at the comfy bed and ponder.

I'll be living like this after a few weeks? This is completely different from what I'm used to before! Back in the orphanage, I have to wake up early to cook. But in this place, people serve me food. I don't have to clean rooms because other people could have done so for me. I won't be tending to the plants and the flowers and the harvest, and I won't be cleaning stables too! But…

Toshiya wouldn't be here; Shiro too. There won't be a witch strutting around; giving everyone the evil eye. There won't be lots of brats bothering me to help them with their assignments and stuff.

I licked my lips and pursued it into a line.

Things will change in a few weeks.

I didn't realize I fell asleep.

I found myself wrapped in black covers, hugging a fluffy white adorned with grey snowflakes pillow. Frowning, I sat up. I was just sitting at the side of the huge bed, how the hell I ended up in the center?

Did someone come in while I was sleeping and decided to fix me up? But who could it be?

I looked at the digital clock – thank God, analog clocks make me dizzy – and found it normal that I woke up at 4 in the morning. It's the usual time I wake up in.

I got out of the bed and went to the door – oh wait, I have my own bathroom now. I turned and went there, quickly splashing water to my face to wake myself up more. Ugh, even though I've been waking up early in the morning ever since I was seven, I'm always groggy every time.

Oh damn, maybe I should take a shower. To get rid of the sleepiness.

I went out of the bathroom and snatched the bag from the empty study table. Only a study lamp was situated at the top of it and my bag. I took the extra clothes I brought and went back at the bathroom after.

There were towels already and was pleased when I found them arranged by color. I placed my clothes at the side after making sure that the door was locked, and went into the shower.

"Oh shit!" I cussed when cold water went rushing from above. Where's the switch for hot water?!

I bit the inside of my cheek as I flipped to another page. I like how the story is going on—

KNOCK! KNOCK!

"Come in," I quickly said, closing the book immediately.

A woman dressed in a maid attire bowed to me, "Yukiko-hime, it is time for breakfast. Akira-sama is also waiting for you."

I blinked, "O-Okay…"

Oh damn, I'm finally meeting my father!

Though I didn't really react to it much when Satoru told me that my father is still breathing, maybe it's because I'm not seeing him yet. And now I was told that he's waiting for me – oh fuck!

Meeting my father after not knowing him in fifteen years, what do you expect I would feel?

I stood up and unconsciously straightened nonexistent wrinkles on my clothes; the maid took notice and only gave an assuring smile. I licked my lips, "Okay, let's go."

She bowed, "Please follow me, Yukiko-hime,"

Why can't they stop calling me that?

As we walked into the hallway, I tried to calm my erratic heart.

How does he look like? Do we have the same hair color? Do we have the same eyes? Is he tall? Handsome? What?

"We're here, Yukiko-hime, I'll open the door now." She faced me with a smile. "Are you ready to meet Akira-sama?"

I cleared my throat, "Uh, no—I mean, yes—I mean, wait, uh…"

This is so not me.

She smiled and opened the door – why, you woman!

The dining hall greeted my sight; big, golden chandeliers lighting the whole big room, candleholders and a precious-looking mat(?) adorning the table, pretty-looking chairs that shine and of course, the utensils and the ceramics that also glitter.

I first saw Hana-san and Satoru-san sitting at my left side when I entered, they were putting down their utensils. Hana-san looked up with her honey-brown eyes and then smiled at me. "Good morning, Yukiko-hime."

Satoru-san followed, "Yukiko-hime," he bowed slightly. "I take it that you had a good night sleep?"

"Uh, yeah, thanks for asking."

"I'm glad then, Yukiko."

Oh fuck.

I slowly looked at the person who was sitting at the head of the table, and a man that seems to be in their middle thirties – I bet he's older than that – greeted me. He has blue eyes and long raven hair that was in a low ponytail – and to be honest, he looks more feminine than muscular if you only look at his face. He has broad shoulders – typical of a man – and a lean yet muscular physique.

I have a beautiful yet handsome dad.

Awesome.

"When I looked at your room, I saw you were rather uncomfortable sleeping at the side of the bed so I carried and adjusted you."

"It was you?" I asked. He nodded, and then a worried look adorned his face, "You're light, Yukiko. Are you sure you've been eating well?"

Snorts were heard and I pursued my lips. Yesterday, I finished half of most of the foods that were served. Hana-san and Satoru-san were quite surprised at my appetite.

"I'm sorry, President." Hana-san bit her lower lip while Satoru-san hid his laughs behind a cough. She nudged his ribs with her elbow so he finally stopped. Though they still both looked like they were about to laugh.

The man at the head table shook his head and chuckled, "You guys, stop teasing her."

My feet shuffled. My father noticed and then with a smile, spoke. "Sit down, Yukiko. You're my daughter, you're welcome here."

"Can we talk about something after this, sir?"

"Dad."

"Huh?"

"I'm your Dad."

"Oh, uh… err… okay… Dad." I gulped. Man, that feels weird.

He smiled, "I have a meeting after breakfast, but I'll cancel it for you."

What now? "Oh, no. You shouldn't! I could—"

"Nonsense," He waved his hand, shaking his head. "You're my daughter."

How many times did he say that?

After breakfast, he – err, Dad – ushered me to his study. I looked at his back while I was following him. His black hair is probably waist-length, unlike mine that almost reaches the back of my knees. He's tall, I barely reach his shoulders – or I'm just really, terribly small. Lots of my male classmates are really tall so I can't really tell.

"We're here," he turned and smiled – he really likes to smile, I noticed – before opening the door. My eyes widened when I saw a huge room full of books.

"This isn't the library yet, am I right?"

"Silly," he laughed. "The library's at the East wing, it's a bigger room." Thought so.

We entered his study. He gestured at a seat while he sat at one already, making me do the same. "Now, what do you want to talk about?"

"I just want to know…" I mumbled. He nodded, encouraging me to speak. "… Why I grew up in another place instead of here, or somewhere but I have relatives along with me."

His smile wavered slowly, and soon he was sighing. "You were born out of wedlock," he started. I kind of thought of that, so I just kept quiet. "I wasn't married to someone but I was arranged by my Mother, and then… I met… her…" his eyes softened. "She has the same hair with you, luscious chocolate-brown locks, petite body and your appetite." He laughed, making me softly do the same. "She has brown eyes though, not silvery-grey. You got that from Mother."

"I saw her portrait," I blurted out. "She's mean-looking."

He smiled at that, "Your mother told me the same. Apparently, she's against my relationship with Haru, your mother. Your mother was a teacher at Ouran—that's where you're going to study when you're going to high school. She's boyish, fiery, blunt; everything I didn't expect. She often calls me a pretty androgynous person because I kept my hair long, but she admitted that it suits me and that I should keep it like that… so I never cut it." he touched his hair. "She's more active in sports than I do; because I never really like physical activities. I prefer being indoors, reading books and playing board games; unlike her that often gets into brawl fights."

"We're exactly the opposite, and that's why we never hit it off well when we first met. But… I ended up liking her and then love her. I don't know when it started, but I just suddenly knew… and acted on it." he smiled. "When I confessed, she slapped me in the face and then asked me if I'm okay and if I have a fever. I ended up kissing her and she kissed me back. We kept our relationship hidden for years because of Mother, but she ended finding out and that time, Haru was already three weeks pregnant." His blue eyes met my silvery ones. "With you. We were so happy, but we're so afraid too. I'm the Fuyukawa heir, I can't get rid of my responsibilities and duties, but I can't leave your mother too. I was so confused…"

"And then… your mother suddenly disappeared and Mother did anything to stop me searching for Haru. I was so mad, depressed. I tried to kill myself, but Mother stopped me in time… I decided to continue living so that I would finally be the Fuyukawa Head. And when I did, I tried to search for you two, it has been years. It turns out my Mother hid you two…"

"You just got to know I was in the orphanage because you own it…" I said, remembering the name of the orphanage lived in.

"Winter River Orphanage," I said. "If you wrote in Japanese, in Kanji, it will be written as Fuyukawa."

"As soon as I got hold of everything, yes. Mother hid the two of you in one of the orphanages our family builds because she knew I thought that she probably sends the two of you somewhere far. Mother's a cunning person." He chuckled. "She hates the two of you, but especially you…" he shook his head. "She can't accept the two of you, she swore… but in the end, she kind of regrets everything, but it was too late…"

"Your mother was gone already…" he softly said, making me stiff. "She has a terminal disease, and she never told anyone. She died in the hospital, it was too late…" I pursued my lips when I saw how his eyes suddenly glistened. I looked away. Isn't this too much for one day…? "I never got to say I love her for the last time. I never got to see you for the first time that day… because Mother still hates both of you."

"Before Mother died, she told me where you were. All of her riches and properties are now in your name,"

"So I came from forbidden love, huh?" I mumbled, making him laugh. I blinked when he gets rid of his tears.

"You're really like Haru. You're really blunt and based on the reports Miss Hamada used to give Mother before to me, you're also foul-mouthed."

I bit my lower lip. What kind of Dad is he…? He seems happy that I speak like this…

"You also like brawl fights, and that you love watching dramas… you probably got it from me. I like watching soap operas when I got to know your mother. I take inspiration from them to hit on her."

I tightly smiled. I don't need to know that, though…

"You're a perfect combination of your mother and I…" he smiled affectionately, making me stare at him… and then smile back.

"I'm glad I finally met you, Dad." I softly told him, which made him widens his eyes.

"Me too, Yukiko. Me too."