Chapter 3: AVOIDANCE

The silence continued on our way to the meeting place.

He was here, sitting beside me with his eyes closed, crossed arms and legs.

I did the same, not the body gestures but the way he stayed quiet while waiting for us to reach the destination.

The car stopped in front of a house that I bet belonged to the Akashi family.

I didn't expect this. I thought it would be in some restaurant again or maybe a cafe.

Their house was huge and spacious.

There was a tall maple tree at the entrance and before reaching the main door of their house, I saw a garden on my left with a mini water falls in the stone surrounded by different types of plants. The outside was refreshing to see that if i didn't keep myself focus, my mouth would probably be hanging in awe. It was like a traditional Japanese house that was modernized a little.

We were guided or should I say, I was guided on my way inside. It was Akashi-kun's house after all, he knew what to do.

We reached the room that looked like a dining room.

There was a 10-seater table at the center.

My father was already there and sitting, with him was this one person who was probably Mr. Akashi.

They greeted us first before offering a seat.

I'm facing my father while Akashi-kun was on my side. He was still as quiet as he was on the car.

"So this is Izumi. Good evening, I'm Seijuro's father." He began.

I bowed my head, "Nice to meet you." I said.

"How was your first meeting? What can you say about my son?" he said while smiling at me but I couldn't help but feel a heavy sensation in my chest.

For some reason, just like his son, he was also emitting this intimidating aura around him.

He was smiling yet serious as if he could snap anytime if someone made a wrong move or choice of words.

I took a brief look at Akashi-kun and said, "He's a fine man." I based that on what I read on his profile.

Mr. Akashi nodded then poured a wine on his glass as well as on my father's glass.

He raised his arm while dancing the glass of wine in the air as they began talking about our marriage.

Few minutes later, the topic shifted to their business.

That made me feel as if we were not even needed here in the first place.

These two grown-ups here already knew what to do since it was them who started this idea.

Sooner, the maids started bringing some foods on the table. Good thing, I was already hungry.

We had our dinner. They kept talking about us and their business from time to time.

While slicing his food, my father suddenly tilted his head to face Akashi-kun. "By the way Seijuro-kun, my daughter will be attending Rakuzan High too starting next week. I hope you'll guide her since she is not familiar with the culture of Japan." He stated laughing a little at the end.

I wanted to choke when I heard that.

Wrong. I understand the culture of Japan. I'm full Japanese, why wouldn't I?

As usual, he was oblivious with what I can and cannot do. I sighed quietly while chewing my food. I heard Akashi-kun answered a "Yes, I will."
It was followed by a long silence until we finished eating.
"Ah, Seijuro, what about you? What can you say about Izumi. I can see she's a good girl." His father suddenly said before smiling a bit to my father.

They were really businessmen, smooth talker.

He was taking too long to reply. I glanced, wanting to poke and tell him 'Hey, your father is asking you something, hello?' but saw him grabbing the table napkin as he gently wiped it around his mouth hinting that he was done here.

"I do not see the importance of my impression about her. We have already agreed on this. Worrying is unnecessary." He replied before standing up, "Thank you for the meal. I have to go now." He finished.

Eh, what? How could he answer with something like that to his father?
I was half amazed and half annoyed. Amazing braveness for replying in that manner and annoyed because….I couldn't remember when did he and I agree on this.

As far as I knew, we just had a talk.

"Seijuro." His father called in a condemning tone.

He paused with his back facing us.
"We're not yet done here." His father said.

"Sorry but please go on without me." Akashi-kun said before he left the room.
I gulped, somehow the air inside became odd and heavy. His father was frowning.

He sighed, "Well, I'm sorry about that. It's just that…he casually do whatever he wants." He explained raising his brows as if telling us that we should just understand his son because it was just him being his self.

Screw that….what about me? Well uh, yeah this is what i am - a good and obedient daughter.

"Why don't we leave this to Izumi?" Out of nowhere, my father suggested while giving me a very meaningful look that could translate to 'Do something Izumi, now!'

Geez. Why me? I'm not some kind of a Hero. Regardless, I must obey and get it done. "M-Maybe I can talk to him. Please excuse me." I said as I stood up.

"Are you sure?" Mr. Akashi asked. I smiled faintly.

Actually, I don't think so. I don't know his personality but i'm going to try because my father wants me to. So, if you can feel my pain, please help me out. If only I could answer with that, unfortunately my father would really kill me if I did. So I just assured him with my "Yes."

Before I leave, I saw my father nodded to express his agreement on my action.

Honestly, part of me was agreeing on what Akashi-kun said.

It was a fixed marriage that was why our impression to each other wasn't really important.

I wandered around their house.
Where did he go? His room? If yes, Where was it located?

On my right, I saw a wide staircase and an idea popped in my head that I might find him at the second floor where bedrooms were usually situated.

I stepped on the threads and when I reached the second floor, I saw his back, about to turn on the left hallway.

Okay, their house was just too damn big.

"Akashi-kun!" I called him before he could completely disappear from my sight.

He slightly turned his head and I could only see half of the half of his face. His eyes were framed in shadows.

"What do you want?"
What do I want? I came here because I was signaled by my father to do something and then I'm here. Can I say that? NO.
Think. I told myself through my mind.
I coughed quietly, "I think we should go back there and listen to their plans about our marriage." I said in my casual voice.

He faced me and walked forward to my direction. His eyes were looking down on me as he moved closer.

He leaned his face near my left ear, "It's amazing how you are able to keep that kind of face when all you have inside your mind is the same as what I'm thinking." He whispered.

My eyes widened upon hearing, I didn't like it, his voice was dauntless.

How could he say that?

I dropped my left shoulder before moving a step on my right to free myself from this closeness between us. "I'm sorry Akashi-kun but what exactly do you mean?" I asked.

He smirked, "This whole idea is useless, yet you're acting like it concerns you."

Huh?

I knitted my brows, "That's not true. You're just probably misunderstanding this." I said trying to act brave despite the intimidating look he was giving.

He twitched his eyes,"'I am wrong.' Is that what you're trying to say?" he asked with a disapproving tone.

"Yes."

He widened his eyes and somehow, that made me restless.

"That is exaggeration, because I am always right." he stated confidently.

Focus Izumi. I reminded myself because honestly, I wanted to frown or glare or laugh because what he said was ridiculous.

As the saying goes, nobody's perfect. Therefore, nobody can always be right.

I inhaled and exhaled a long breath, "That thing you said was the exaggeration Akashi-kun." I said putting a point on the word 'exaggeration'.

He kept silent for a few seconds and then before I knew, he forcibly grabbed the collar of my dress to pull it upward.

My eyes widened in surprise and fear.

My face was too close to him but it wasn't some kind of a romantic scene like I often see in movies because his eyes were glaring directly to mine.

I could feel his anger and I was so scared to look but I couldn't turn away. My body was frozen in its place.

"Let me tell you something…" He said, his words were threatening that it made me gulp. "No one is allowed to oppose me. I'll let you off this time but if you do this again….I'll kill you no matter who you are." He finished.

I flinched upon hearing that word. K-Kill me?

My body suddenly became numb and cold because of that statement.

My mouth was trembling. I couldn't even utter a word.
Few seconds later, he released me and turned back, leaving me alone.

Now, that is the real exaggeration. He can't be serious…right?
I leaned on the wall from my left while thinking what just happened.

My knees were trembling. His words were still echoing inside my head especially that one - 'Kill'.
The face he used expressed how serious he was.
It was like already killing half of me with those ominous eyes.

.

.

.

.

When I got back to the dining room, I bowed in front of my father and Mr. Akashi. "I-I'm sorry..I….wasn't able to c-convince him to go back." I said while trying to withstand the trembling of my knees and lips. Obviously, I failed. My voice was obviously stuttering.

The two eyed me, "It's okay. We already talked about everything." Mr. Akashi said.
I was about to head back on my seat when I saw my father standing up. "Well then, since my daughter is back we"ll take our leave now." he said while smiling.

"Yes. Thank you Mr. Yanagi." Akashi-kun's father said as he also stood up.

The two did a hand-shake and after that, we left.

On our way, I was seated at the back beside my father. He told me everything about the plans.

We will get married when I turn 18. He also said that they will engage us officially in front of their other business partners after 5 months.

All I did was to answer "yes" at the end of his statements.

That time, half of my mind was focused on my previous encounter with Akashi-kun.

I closed my eyes thinking if it was really okay for me to get married with an intimidating person like him. I mean, I'd never felt scared that way before. What would happen if I lived in the same roof with him?

And then, I remembered that word again. Kill.

I couldn't help but feel restless that my heart was palpitating.

It seemed like my father noticed this, he placed his hand on my shoulder asking if there was something wrong. I wanted to answer with my usual "Yes" but when I was about to open my mouth, he suddenly uttered "I know you're too young but this is important."

"That's not it Dad." I spoke.

He looked at me. I wanted to tell him that I was scared and I didn't want to do this marriage anymore. I believed he will understand. "Dad, I think I don't-"

"Izumi!" he interrupted as if he already got a hint of what I was about to say.

I winced. "Don't disappoint me. I'm your father. I know what's best for you. Do you understand it?" he said not giving me a chance to explain my reason.

I lowered my head.
Right, I have no choice. From the very beginning, I never got the choice.

"Yes." I was disappointed but I guess that was really how it was.
The decision was not even mine to begin with.

After that, I remained silent until we reached my hotel.

Before we parted, my father told me that he was going back to America to do the papers, signing of contracts and etc. He also asked me to get along with Akashi Seijuro saying that it was my most important task for the time being.
I nodded and then he left.

"I'll just have to do my best." I uttered to myself.