The next morning didn't go well for Satoshi. He spent the entire day trying to avoid Mio. She wanted to spend some time with him and get him to like her. No matter what she did, though, he wouldn't warm up to her. After a few persistent hours she finally gave up.
When he finally got rid of her, he decided to go back to his room. He sat in there for a little while and thought about Risa. He felt terrible for making her so sad last night. He wasn't trying to and he didn't think she'd get that emotional.
He liked having her to talk to. It was comforting to know that she would be there to listen whenever he needed her. She was such a sweet and kind-hearted person and he couldn't help but smile at the thought of her. His mind could only come to one conclusion about the young woman – he was in love with her.
There was a knock at his door and when he looked to see who it was, he was surprised to see that it was his step-mother.
"Am I interrupting anything?"
"No, not at all."
She came in and took a seat at the edge of his bed. He found it strange that she was even here. They never really communicated and she never seemed to show any interest in him. What was she doing here?
"Did you need something?"
"I just wanted to talk. I know that we've never been close and I apologize for that. Your behavior lately has been concerning me, though."
"What about my behavior?"
"You've never been the rebellious type, but lately you've been sneaking out to go be with the commoners. I saw you leave last night."
"Not this again-"
"I'm not mad at you, in fact, I approve of you going to be with them."
"You do?"
"Yes. Your father seems to think that being with the commoners is somehow degrading, but I don't think that at all. I think it's great for you to want to go out and be with your people. You're making a connection with them."
"Step-father. I want to make a connection with them. I want to let them know that I'm not any better than them just because I have this title. The only problem is the fact that I can't let them know who I really am."
"Where have you been going to?"
"A cabin outside of town square."
"Why there?"
"I made a new friend."
"Who is this new friend?"
"Her name is Risa. She's an amazing person and I can't stop thinking about her. She makes me happy."
"She sounds like more than a friend to me."
"I wish. But because he went and arranged some bogus wedding for me, I can't be with her."
"I wouldn't worry too much about it right now. Can you tell me more about Risa?"
He went on to describe her in as much detail as he could think of. His step-mother sat and listened to the whole thing, truly interested, and she couldn't help but smile. Even though she never really had a relationship with him, she always cared about him. This is just the first time he's given her a reason to worry.
"She sounds like a lovely young lady, Satoshi. Can I meet her?"
"You really want to meet her?"
"Yes."
"All right then. Be at the front gates tonight at ten o'clock wearing commoners clothing. Don't be late."
She nodded her head and left him alone in his room once again.
I was just about to go and get ready for bed when I heard a knock on the front door. I had just locked up. I looked out the window and saw Satoshi and some woman. I unlocked the door and told them to come in.
"Hey, why don't you head out to the porch? I'll be there in a minute."
They went ahead and headed out. I re-locked the door and followed them out.
"Sorry for locking you out, I didn't think you would show up tonight."
"No, I'm sorry. I had to wait for someone to show up."
He looked over at the woman he had brought along and I looked at her too. She blushed a little and gave a small apology.
"Anyway, Risa, I would like you to meet my step-mother."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs…"
It had just occurred to me that I didn't know Satoshi's last name. I felt like an idiot with my hand extended out and having left my sentence hanging in mid air.
"Hikari. The family name is Hikari. Satoshi, how could you not have told her this already?"
"I'm sorry, it slipped my mind. If it makes you feel any better, I don't know her last name either."
"It's Harada. Risa Harada. I feel kind of stupid not asking for your last name earlier."
"No, it's my fault for not properly introducing myself. I apologize."
We all pulled up a chair and made small talk for a while. I noticed how happy Satoshi seemed to be with his step-mother around. From what he described, he didn't have much of a relationship with either of his parents, so it must make him feel good to have her here right now.
"So Satoshi tells me that you've arranged for him to be married on his next birthday?"
"No, I didn't arrange for anything. His step-father did that without my knowledge or consent. I've always wanted Satoshi to find someone for himself. No one has the right to choose your life partner for you."
"He came to me last night and talked to me about it. He was very upset."
"I know. He wouldn't be taking it so bad if he hadn't already gone and fallen in love with someone else."
"When did this happen?"
"Oh, not too long ago…"
Satoshi gave his mother this sort of evil look that said, 'shut-up,' but she didn't pay any attention to it.
"Haven't you told her, Satoshi?"
"No and I wasn't planning on it."
"Why not? She has the right to know."
"No she doesn't."
"Yes she does, considering it's her that you've gone and fallen for."
I could feel my eyes go wide and my mouth hung open a little. I couldn't believe she just said that. Satoshi was in love with me?
"I didn't want her to know! Look, you've gone and scared her now. Risa, please don't hate me. I would have told you if I wasn't stuck in this arranged marriage. I didn't want you to find out like this."
"When did you know?"
"I just came to the conclusion today. It was the only logical explanation I could think for the way I've been feeling lately. Are you mad?"
I couldn't help but start to cry. I had this feeling that a weight had been lifted off my shoulders and I could rest easy now. I had been feeling something about him that I couldn't describe. Something that I couldn't understand. It made me sad when he called me his friend and I was heartbroken to find out that he was going to be married to someone else. Could it be that I love him too? That has to be it. It's the only thing that can explain how I've been feeling.
"Risa? Risa, please don't cry. I don't like it when you cry. Are you really that upset with me?"
"No. I'm not upset at all. I'm… I'm happy. I feel the same way too."
I can't believe I just said that. I do love him, but he's still going to be married off to someone else. I just gave my heart to someone I can never have. I just set myself up for heartache.
Within a matter of seconds I felt myself being pulled to my feet and into his arms. He was wrapping me in a tight embrace. He pulled away just a little bit and pressed his lips to mine. We were both completely oblivious to the fact that his step-mother was still here until she started clapping.
"See Satoshi, aren't you glad I told her now? You should have told her a long time ago."
"I didn't know until today that, that's how I really felt about her."
"Well now that you do and she knows, don't you feel better?"
"I do."
"Um… what about his pre-arranged marriage? That's still going to happen. We can't be together…"
"Sweetheart, don't you worry about that. I'll take care of it. I have ways of dealing with my husband."
I couldn't help but smile at her and thank her repeatedly. I'm so relieved to know that he feels the same way I do. Even though I didn't know what I was feeling until a few moments ago. Hearing him say it and explain it made sense to me and it explained my feelings too.
After a while Satoshi and his step-mother had to leave. I showed them out and said goodnight and goodbye. Satoshi said he'd be back again tomorrow. Before he walked off I gave him a small kiss on the cheek and shut the door. I locked it once again and headed for bed.
"A/N: This is all self-explanatory. Please review!"
