I had a bit of trouble trying to piece together this chapter but I think it worked out in the end :)
There was something striking familiar about Mikaela Tepes. But Yuu still cannot tell what it was. Though it had been said on multiple occasions that they must have seen each other at the many frivolous parties their parents required them to attend.
He hated those frivolous parties and how Shinoa acting all friendly with the blond. Yuu tried to voice his disapproval of the engagement but he was immediately cut off by Krul as she told Mikaela to show them around. He knew that Shinoa was not going to go against the will of her parents when her mother shot her down last night. But Yuu is not going to give up soon.
"Yuu-nii-san," Yuu snapped back into reality again to see the newly engaged couple staring strangely at him. "I know Mikaela-san is good looking and all, but there's no need to gawk at my fiancé like that."
"I- What?! I was not-"
"Don't worry about it, Shinoa-san. I'm already used to such attention," Mikaela said to the girl.
"But I wasn't-"
"I would expect as much from someone as handsome. My brother is kind of weird," Shinoa shared a laugh with Mikaela. Yuu was about to retort when he saw the look in Shinoa's eyes. She knew what he was doing and wanted him to stop.
She had resigned to accepting this marriage and she wanted Yuu to accept it as well. But it only made him feel like he had failed his sister. He had failed to stop the inevitable.
All he could do now is watch her become tangled in their parents' power struggle.
"Let's visit the gardens. We have all sorts of flowers here." Yuu trailed behind the couple as he listened to them converse. Mikaela didn't seem like a bad guy. He'd probably make a good husband, but the only problem was that Shinoa's heart was with another.
~ The Choices We Made ~
"These are beautiful." Yuu couldn't help but also feel impressed by the display of colours. There were rows of flowers, all different colour and types.
"It's a lot of work, but seeing how happy people are to see it makes it all worth it," Mikaela smiled.
"You did this?" Shinoa asked in awe before smelling an orange flower.
"I did get some help but yes, most of this is done by me," Mikaela said and Yuu scoffed internally.
"You have quite the talent for this," Yuu said sarcastically and Shinoa shot him the look, which he brushed off.
"I wouldn't go that far," Mikaela replied, "It's more of a hobby. Or something to help me get my mind of things. Tending to the garden is quite relaxing. At least when bugs aren't making a meal of your work."
"It goes to show that not only humans appreciate your work," Shinoa said and Yuu cracked a smile. He really didn't want to show that he was having a good time, but Shinoa rarely failed to make him laugh or smile.
~ The Choices We Made ~
It was obvious the new couple had acquainted quite well in the short time span they were together. A little too well in Yuu's opinion.
The journey back home was once again filled with silence. Yuu never realized before but it wasn't never a comfortable silence, but a suffocating one. One where he wants to speak out against his parents or address the issues that have never been brought up. But he couldn't. He can't. Because everything they say become brushed under the rug because they were still children in his father's eyes, and Shinoa was a girl, which lowers her status in society.
As always, their parents walk into the house without a word. They expected that, but Yuu still wanted some kind of explanation to why Shinoa could be married off just like that. He wanted one, but there would never be one from his father. He never tells them anything as per usual.
"Shinoa-"
"Yuu-nii-san-"
They share a quick laugh before Shinoa insisted Yuu speak first.
"When were you, um… Did you plan on telling Mitsuba about the engagement?" Yuu asked and Shinoa lowered her gaze.
"I-I'm going to tell her soon, but…" Shinoa looked up at Yuu and he was taken back by the determination that was gleaming in her eyes, "You need to promise me something, nii-san."
"Um, okay?"
"I want you to court Mitsu-chan."
"Wait what?" Yuu exclaimed and Shinoa looked around before pulling Yuu to a more secluded area by the side of the house.
"I've been thinking about it for a while, but I didn't think it would happen like this," Shinoa admitted quietly.
"You have been thinking of this?"
"I know that Mitsu-chan and I can never be together," Shinoa said solemnly, "but I want to at least keep her safe. I don't know anyone else I can trust with her hand in marriage. At least if she was your wife, I have an excuse to see her so often."
"Shinoa…"
"Can you please take care of her? I really don't know who else to turn to at this point," Shinoa said and bit her bottom lip.
"I will," Yuu said firmly, "I can only do this much after failing to end your arrangement marriage."
"Thank you Yuu-nii-san." Shinoa hugged him, her head resting on his chest. He wrapped his arms around her shoulder, silently asking forgiveness for failing her and Mitsuba.
~ The Choices We Made ~
Yuu had been wandering around town for about half an hour now but there was no sign of Mika anywhere. The longest it took Yuu to find Mika was 5 minutes because she thought it would be funny to follow him around quietly until he noticed her presence.
But today, she was nowhere to be seen. Just earlier in the morning, he went to the Tepes and he needed someone to talk to. And the one time Yuu actually wanted to see Mika, she was nowhere to be found.
"Hyakuya-san." The woman smiled at him before ordering another young man to serve the dish she held.
"Amane-kun, what can I do for you?"
"I was wondering if you've seen Mika today."
"Mika? I can't say I did. Was there something you needed her for?"
"It's not all that important, just looking for her."
"I'll let her know you were looking for her. Would you like some curry? It's on the house of course."
"I would love to, but I do insist I pay for my own meal," Yuu said and the woman laughed.
"Why did I expect as much from you as well, Amane-kun?"