The compelling scent of brewed coffee circulated around Kaede's favourite café near her apartment, Envie. It was an early Saturday morning, and opposite the brunette was sitting Tatara, sipping on a cup of black coffee. Likewise, Kaede was drinking an iced skinny latte, whilst the pair were playing a game of shogi. Kaede was initially surprised by how well Tatara played the game on the first night, not expecting him to fair so well against herself. All throughout middle school and high school, Kaede had been part of her school's shogi team, winning titles on a national level. It wasn't that she thought Tatara wasn't intelligent, it was just that she was surprised that he was such a good strategist.
Kaede's slender finger picked her white lance piece, cornering Tatara's black king. Kaede looked straight into his crimson eyes, and in a soft voice with a smile, breathed. "Tsumi". Checkmate.
Tatara simply stared at the bored, trying to configure and understand what precisely had brought about his defeat. He wasn't used to losing, it was against his nature. Kaede understood that by the way he analysed his plays, and she understood that he wasn't the type of player to make the same mistake twice.
Turning to face her, Tatara replied in a firm voice. "One more time."
It's been months since that night, and this has become a routine for Kaede. During the week, Kaede went to her classes in Kamii, socialised with Emiko, and returned back to her apartment before sunset. Every Friday evening, Tatara would visit and stay over the night, and the next morning, the pair would get breakfast at Envie, and play shogi. Before noon, Tatara would leave, and Kaede would go out and enjoy the city, whether it'd be visiting a park, or picking up a book from the bookstore. On Sunday night, Kaede would go back to her father's home, check up on Kyou, and endure a very awkward dinner. And that was it, that was Kaede's weekly routine now, and for the most part, Kaede was content.
Kaede wouldn't call Tatara her boyfriend, and she was content with it. She understood that they had a intimate relationship, physically speaking. But when it comes down to knowing the personal details about each other, Kaede and Tatara's relationship was a one-sided channel. Kaede told Tatara some of the more personal aspects about herself, such as how she has a younger brother who she loves more than anything, and how her favourite food is shio ramen, and the fact that she has longed to see the aurora borealis since reading the novel, Northern Lights. On the other hand, Kaede didn't know such personal details about Tatara.
But, what Kaede did know, are the deep-seated, unspoken secrets about him. She knows how he has many scars across his chest, which she had memorised through tracing her fingers over them, late in the evening. The young girl knew that he liked his coffee dark and bitter, always without milk, which she personally could not comprehend. And most of all, she knew that he had seen horrors, horrors she would never understand. She knew that by the look in his eyes, and how at night, when fast asleep, he clutched her firmly, almost as if he wanted to make sure that she wouldn't leave him while he was asleep, or maybe to protect her from the world outside.
There were inconsistencies that Kaede recognised from the moment they had met, but she tried to ignore it. She liked being around a stranger like Tatara, a stranger who didn't look at her and associate her with someone else. Minister Iehiro Mori's daughter. Emiko's best friend. Honour student of Kamii. Kaede liked that Tatara looked at her, and only saw her, only saw Kaede. She also liked the fact that he had yet to beat him at shogi.
"Tsumi, yet again." With a cheeky smile, Kaede beat Tatara in yet another game of shogi. Taking a sip, she watched as Tatara analysed the board and his previous moves, comprehending where he had gone wrong.
Holding her white king, Tatara's coarse voice echoed the empty café. "It was hishi, wasn't it?"
Pressing her lips around the white straw of her cup, the brunette responded. "Yeah, it was. It happened when I promoted my silver to the seventy-fourth square." She then reached out her hand, and wrapped it around Tatara's pale hand that was holding the king. His hand was warm, as usual, which is contradictory in her opinion, considering how he's the pale one, not her.
"It's a good thing you're not a strategist for the military, or else the country's enemies would have problem with you." Pausing, Tatara met Kaede's gaze, dropping the white king, and grasping her hand more firmly. "You'd definitely become a target." Leaning over the table, Tatara placed a kiss on her Kaede, lightly grazing her bottom lip.
Painfully aware that they are in public, Kaede pulls back and breaks apart from Tatara, and watches as Tatara bites his lip. Smoothing her shirt, Kaede retorted. "Well them, I'm pretty fortunate that I'm getting a degree in Classic History and Literature, instead of training at the CCG."
With Kaede's last words, the atmosphere became tense, almost physically suffocating. The hand that Tatara was holding became tighter, and Kaede saw his red eyes transition into an almost bestial appearance. Feeling uncomfortable, Kaede pulled back her hand. "You okay, Tatara?"
Shaking his head, Tatara responded in his low voice. "Yeah, I'm good. I just remembered, I have something to do. Let me walk you back home."
Grabbing her beige jacket, Kaede replied. "It's okay. There's somewhere I need to be."
The young brunette was in her father's penthouse, sitting in the kitchen, next to her twelve-year old brother, Kyou. The young boy, with golden blonde hair and brown eyes, was practicing algebra, revision for his prep school, he had said earlier.
"Anything interesting happening in your life?" Kaede asked her brother, whilst biting into her strawberry muffin that she had brought along from Envie.
Shaking his golden head, Kyou answered. "Well, nothing personally, but dad did mention that he had to tell you something." And just at the mention of his title, Iehiro entered the kitchen, wearing a black Armani suit.
Anyone could assume that Iehiro was an influential man, based on his appearance. He was tall, unusually tall for a Japanese man. His stature was impressive, especially for a man who had a desk job. Likewise, he was always immaculately dressed, and his full head of dark hair, combined with his stoic expression, broadcasting authority.
"You really shouldn't be eating that muffin, Kaede. You've already gained substantial weight since moving away, most probably because you aren't eating quality, healthy food. Do I need to get my secretary to hire a grocery shopper for you?" Similarly, his voice also commanded respect and authority.
Turning to face her father whilst letting out a low sigh, Kaede retorted. "That's not necessary, father. I'll watch what I eat better." She then put away the muffin she was eating, while watching Kyou doing his work. Iehiro then turned to his phone, probably messaging a government official about some important state affair, Kaede assumed. It's always some important state affair, Kaede has learned over time. After a couple minutes, Kaede realised that she was the only one not doing anything.
"Well, I'm here, father. What did you call me here for?" Kaede asked, breaking the silence. Her voice was raspy, so she also cleared her throat.
Looking up from his phone, Iehiro spoke. "Tomorrow's dinner is cancelled. Instead, we are going to a ball being held in celebration of the recent successful operation by the CCG. We are going tomorrow as a family, and I expect you to be present, being immaculately behaved. Tomorrow is an important day for me, and you are not to be an embarrassment to the family name."
Rolling her eyes, Kaede replied. "Would have been nice if you could have warned me sooner, you know, considering I have to find a dress and prepare myself, maybe get some pointers on how to socialise with professional killers and two-faced bureaucrats ."
"Your dress has already been chosen and approved by myself. As for your attitude, it is not going to make an appearance tomorrow." His sharp hazel eyes meet Kaede's more doe-like ones. With a stern voice, Iehiro finishes. "Have I made myself clear."
Kaede could feel herself shrinking in her shoes, and in a quiet voice, she confirmed. "Yes, father."
Completely dissenting the mood, Kyou speaks. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm starving. How about we have some lunch."
Chapter notes
hey guys. i hope you enjoy this chapter, it was very time-consuming, but enjoyable for myself. please do leave reviews and helpful criticism, it'd be greatly appreciated.
until next time,
s.
