So I'm sure you all know I redid this entire story (on August 24, 2011, up to the current latest chapter, 13) but I remember this one still, and... I have no idea how to do this. This one is just... full of plot holes. Geh.
Even though 05 changed, this chapter can still be tied to it because this can start the morning after. Again, the 'hot' scene has been severely edited (pretty much destroyed). Sorry if you liked it but it was really bothering me. I wrote them before like they had no self control and just wanted to jump each other. I dunno. I've grown soft! I want feelings now! ANYWAYS they've only had a relationship of 2 days. So calm down. Man, my idea of relationships was so weird back then, haha.
08. Promise (tied to 05)
"Oh, Konoka," Grandpa greeted as he rubbed his forehead tiredly. Clearly he didn't sleep very well if he was already this stressed so early in the morning.
My eyes wandered to the two guests my grandpa had in his office. They were obviously father and son, both sharing the same strong jaws and handsome features and dark hair. The father had a very powerful presence that was laced with intricate, ancient magic; you could tell, just by being in the same room as him, that he was not to be angered. And judging by his expensive suits and necklaces and rings, it was clear he had a lot of money—and not just millions, but rich, as in old rich; billions and billions of inherited money, that he could've been a king in a past life. His son was handsome, with dark brown hair and confident green eyes. He looked good, and he knew it. Just by looking at his posture, I could tell he was the kind of cocky, self-assured guy that knew what he wanted and didn't hesitate to get it.
I stifled a groan as I watched Rich Boy's eyes rake over my figure. I realized, with some embarrassment and mortification, that I was still in my pajamas, which consisted of a negligee and shorts. Like, short shorts. I tugged on my clothes self-consciously in an attempt to cover myself up better, and wished Grandpa had warned me that he had guests.
"This is Takashi Matsumoto, and his son, Takeshi," introduced Grandpa.
How original, I noted drolly. I greeted them politely despite my exasperation however, and forced a smile. I knew what this was.
Arranged marriage. At least this time, Grandpa had picked someone who wasn't twice my age. Unless I was marrying Takeshi's father, which was just... ugh.
"And this is my granddaughter, Konoka Konoe."
Takeshi held out a hand with a 'charming' smile on his face.
I took it reluctantly, but my smile grew strained when he caressed my palm as he pulled away.
"Pleased to meet you, Konoka-chan. I'm sorry for arriving at such an inconvenient time, and disturbing your peaceful slumber," he said silkily.
"Of course," I muttered under my breath. Thankfully they didn't seem to hear me. And, "Konoka-chan"? We just met, and he was already acting so familiar with me. I hated these kind of people the most. I suppose that was why I liked Secchan so much—she was the opposite.
Grandpa turned to Takeshi's father. "Matsumoto-san, you must be tired from the long trip here. Might I offer you two rooms...?"
"Ah, that will be fine," he said, then, thankfully, he turned to leave. He paused at the door though, and turned to Grandpa. "Oh, and Headmaster Konoe, if you would please think about my proposition..."
Grandpa stiffened.
Takeshi smirked at me, and winked ardently. I shuddered in unease as they exited the room.
"Proposition?" I demanded as soon as the door clicked shut. I was glad the room was sound-proof.
Grandpa sighed.
"Another arranged marriage, huh? Didn't I just have one yesterday? One that I turned down because I already have someone I'm interested in?" I reminded him icily. I loved my grandpa but sometimes he could be so thick.
He winced.
"Please, Konoka. I was not expecting this man to arrive. I may be powerful, but so is he, and I have no desire to cause a war. He's quite reasonable, actually, and I hate to say it but I think that he was not ready to become a father. He has completely spoiled that child."
"...So you're going to marry me off to 'that child.' To, to... appease him? For money? For recognition, for power, ties, connections?" My voice rose.
"No," he said fiercely. "I would never sell you like that. I have no intention of forcing you to marry his son. I may have made you meet many potential suitors, but I would never make you marry someone you do not truly love. However, in order to keep the situation civil, I must at least arrange for you and his son to... spend time together. It is completely your choice if you want... him, or not."
"I would never!" I declared hotly. "Besides, I already..." have Secchan.
Grandpa watched me carefully, and I fidgeted under his scrutiny.
A spike of fear shot through me as he narrowed his eyes, and I wondered with a panic what he would do if he found out his granddaughter was in love with her female bodyguard. Would he seperate us? I imagined his disapproving, disappointed gaze. I knew he wanted great-grandchildren. But, god, I didn't know what I would do without Setsuna. Just the thought of her being sent away made my heart clench.
"Setsuna-kun, hm?" he murmured absently, and I jumped.
God, he knew! He knew, and... and...!
"S... Secchan...? What about her?" I asked cautiously, my voice shaky.
His eyes suddenly wrinkled as he smiled lightly. For some reason, it seemed ominous.
"Ah, no," he suddenly said. "I was just thinking, that you're quite affectionate towards her... A little more than how most friends behave, hm? You don't even act the same with... say, Asuna-kun."
I swallowed a lump in my throat. I was shaking. I don't think I had ever felt such fear before. I loved her, so much, I would just break if I couldn't see her again. I remembered her soft, warm smile, and her arms around me, safe and comforting, amd I wished she was here now to reassure me. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. I suddenly realized I was crying, but as I sank to my knees, I found the only thought in my head was, don't seperate us, I love her, I love her, so much.
"Oh, Konoka," Grandpa sighed sympathetically. "I know. It's okay, as long as you're happy."
I cried into his shoulder as he patted my back.
Later, I wondered how long I had been there, bawling my eyes out, and I blushed with embarrassment.
"It's okay?" I questioned meekly.
Grandpa smiled warmly, and I half-sobbed half-laughed in relief.
"Setsuna-kun is very strong and capable, and she makes you happy. However," and I watched him warily, "there will be others who will not approve, and try to break you two."
"As long as Secchan is with me," I said resolutely.
He smiled.
"Just so you know, I still expect great-grandchildren."
I coughed, and my face flushed violently.
"Grandpa!" My voice came out strangled. "We just got together yesterday!"
He sighed, but chuckled anyway.
"Alright, alright. Anywho, I suppose you have to plan what you will do to drive away Matsumoto Takeshi. Try to be subtle."
I groaned.
...
"Alright Asuna! What are the best ways to turn off a guy?"
She choked on her drink, and turned baleful eyes toward me. Milk tea dripped down her chin.
"You totally did that on purpose!" she accused as she took a napkin and cleaned up her face.
Then she sighed.
"Alright, what's this about?"
"New suitor."
She winced.
"Damn, again? That old geezer doesn't know how to take a hint, huh?"
"It's not Grandpa's fault. This guy is like, the most powerful guy in the world, so... you know, crossing him would be very bad," I rolled my eyes.
"...So, how old's this one this time? Forty? Fifty-two?"
"Ew, no! It's his son I'm arranged to... meet. He's around our age at least."
"That's... good," she said cautiously.
"But he's so cocky!" I declared with a huff. "I mean, I don't even need to meet him to know that he's the overconfident, rich, selfish type. He probably thinks I'm already head-over-heels in love with him. Which, I'm not, because obviously I already have someone I..." I trailed off with a sigh.
"Is he good looking?" Asuna asked, snapping me out of my Secchan-induced haze.
"Um, in a plastic way. And he's super... slimy too!"
She smirked.
"Slimy?"
"Ugh, he tried so hard to charm me yesterday. If he were more modest, or polite—"
"Like your precious Secchan?"
I blinked, then flushed.
"Well..."
"Speaking of Setsuna, how far did you two go last night? I could hear you two, you know."
My impossibly red face turned even redder in mortification.
"So? Did you guys do it? Right there, in the bathroom? God, I'm never gonna be able to look at the toilet without feeling dirty anymore. I guess I'll move in with Ayaka... After all, I wouldn't want to accidently walk in on any of you if you lose control or something. I mean, I don't watch porn, and I'm not about to start."
My jaw was hanging open.
"Seriously. What if I, like, go out, and then come back 'cause maybe I forgot something, and there you two are, naked and, and, sweaty? I mean, no offense, you're damn sexy, but, uh, no interest here. I already like someone. I mean, you two are, like, my best friends. Thinking of you like that would be like... thinking of a sibling. Which is just... sick. Er, no offense to people who, um, participate in, uh, incest. I mean, it's just not for me. Well, not that it can ever really happen, considering I have no siblings, but, you know what I mean. You know?"
"You like someone?"
She finally stopped her babbling. She shot me a peeved look, but I knew it was a mask for the panic showing in her eyes.
"Yeah, of all the crap that came out during my word-vomit, you pick up on that."
"Who is it?"
"Nobody."
"Asuna."
"Really! I was just... kidding. I lied."
I crossed my arms.
"...Please, Konoka, can we just... let it go?"
I softened my eyes.
"Alright. But you know you can talk to me, right? I mean, I really like Secchan, so it's not like I'm going to judge."
"That's totally different. You've always been all touchy with her. My girl—"
Her eyes went wide.
My eyes went wide.
"It's not Negi?"
"No!" she practically shouted.
"Come on," I said, "I'm not gonna make fun of you. I'm all gay too."
She sighed reluctantly.
"It's... ah," she grumbled, "...Ayaka."
My eyes bulged.
"What?"
"See? I knew you'd do this!" she accused.
"Wait, you didn't even—I mean, I'm just... just, surprised!" I said hurriedly, then I grew tentative. "I thought she was... your worst enemy, or whatever?"
"Well... I don't know. It was like, when I first met her I just wanted to slap the annoying-ness out of her, but then at one point it became wanting to slap her to wanting to kiss her to shut her up. And then it hurts too much to see her with her stupid boy-toys, so it can't just be lust. And, well," she fidgeted, "sometimes she has this one, genuine smile that just makes this stupid organ in my chest... jump, you know? And I want to keep making her smile like that, but then it gets awkward, and she says something, and I get angry, and then the moment's ruined."
"Oh," I said in awe.
"Don't you dare tell her, Konoka!"
"Don't worry," I reassured her. "I won't. Maybe you should tell her though."
"No," she protested vehemently. "She is so straight, she'd put a pole to shame."
"Pole?" I couldn't resist jabbing at her.
She groaned.
"Ugh, Konoka! God, that is not what I meant. Jeez."
Despite her grumpy attitude however, there was a tiny smile on her lips that she attempted and failed to hide.
"By the way, you never answered my question."
"Which one?" she asked as she took a sip of milk tea.
"How do you turn off a guy?"
She choked on her drink.
...
About a week and some days later, after fruitlessly fending off Takeshi's advances, he asked me to dinner. I wondered how stupid he was—Surely he could get the hint that I wasn't interested.
"I'm not happy about this," muttered a very grumpy Setsuna who had her arms crossed. She was dressed in a semi-formal black dress shirt that was not quite buttoned at the top, revealing some of that soft, pale skin I just wanted to kiss and nibble at, but couldn't, because there was simply no time. It was so tempting though, because she was also wearing dark, sexy, skinny jeans that made me want to grope her ass everytime she walked by.
"I'm not actually going to marry him, you know," I remarked as I fiddled with my annoyingly intricate dress. My arms were practically twisted behind me, trying to find that zipper and ribbon at the back, but even with the help of the mirror, I couldn't get it... With an irritated huff, I asked, "Could you help me with this stupid thing?" I turned so my back was facing her.
She smirked, but stepped up anyway. Her cool, slim fingers left tingles where they brushed against my bare skin. I didn't realize she had finished adjusting my black dress until she wrapped her arms around my waist and pulled me against her. She sighed longingly. I could feel her everywhere, and it was just beautiful. She was so close, with her hips pressed firmly against me. I could just grind back into her, it would be so easy, just a little thrust, and I imagined her moaning lowly, flushing with desire.
She hesitated for a second before she kissed me very softly on my neck, and my breath hitched. I blushed as I felt her lips curl into a smile against my skin, and I wondered when I had become such a... lust-bunny.
"Secchan," I whispered shakily.
We locked eyes through the mirror, but I broke away to admire us. We kind of matched, with our dark, fancy clothes, like two pieces of a puzzle, her boyish form framing and protecting my soft feminine form. We looked good together. For a while, we just stood there, soaking in the moment. Our moment.
Slowly, I turned to face her, her intense, yet soft eyes showing so much, and my heart pounded faster. God, she felt so much for me. I felt so much for her.
"I love you," I confessed, then pulled her in for a soft, sweet kiss.
"I love you too, Kono-chan," she gasped when we parted.
Unfortunately, our moment was broken when someone knocked on the door. Setsuna pulled away reluctantly, and took a step back.
"Konoka-ojou-sama," called the servant behind the door.
"Well then," Setsuna sighed. "Ojou-sama... I suppose we should go now."
I bit my lip in agitation, but off we went anyway.
I was meeting Takeshi at a very expensive restaurant, in one of the private rooms. We would be eating dinner together, and be expected to talk to each other to see if we were... compatible. I shuddered at the thought, and suddenly I was very glad that there would be other people, although they would all be bodyguards.
The moment I entered the room, Takeshi Matsumoto practically rushed to me and held out a hand that he clearly expected me to take. I didn't, and he blinked in a mix of surprise, confusion and indignation.
"Please," I said in an overly polite tone. "You don't have to rise from your seat to help me to mine, Matsumoto-san. As you can see, I already have someone," I gestured to Setsuna, who was regarding Takeshi with a frown.
He clearly misinterpreted that last statement because his eyes darkened in jealousy. He pushed his hand toward me again. "I insist, Konoka-chan," he, well, insisted, forcefully. He added, "And please call me Takeshi." He flashed me a smile in a rather weak attempt to charm me.
"Please sit, Takeshi-san," I told him, then walked to the table without waiting for his response. Setsuna followed behind me with her hand resting against my lower back—unfortunately she wasn't low enough to really grope me—where the food was already waiting. Despite how much I really disliked Takeshi, I had to admit that the food looked absolutely scrumptious. There were roast duck sitting in deep sauces, marinated salmon drizzled with lemons, different kinds of pasta, including rotini, penne, and plain old spaghetti, all with different toppings such as mussels, shrimp, tomatoes, mushrooms, meatballs, and there were even different types of cheese. There was also a fruit salad, with what looked like six bottles of salad dressing surrounding the bowl, and on plates, there were slices of garlic bread. It all looked and smelt wonderful, but I knew there was no way we would be able to finish it all.
With a quiet "itadakimasu" I dug in.
I barely finished swallowing my bite of bread before Takeshi started his questions.
"So you attend Mahora Academy, right?"
"Yes."
I grabbed a piece of salmon.
"And you're graduating this year?"
I nodded absently as I chewed on the fish.
Oh, it was good.
"What do you plan on doing once you graduate? Do you have any... ambitions?"
"Hmm," I said exaggeratedly, dragging out the word just to waste time. "Well..." I wondered, furrowing my eyebrows and tilting my head a little. "Some," I concluded, then spooned some penne onto my plate.
"You're not sure? I could help you decide."
"Oh no," I said hurriedly.
"No, really, I would love to help."
"No no, I'm fine. Why don't you try some of this salad?" And with that, I leaned over and dumped some onto his plate. I quickly sat back down and stifled my smirk at his brief, disgusted look. He toyed with it for a moment before tentatively putting a piece of lettuce in his mouth.
Note to self: Takeshi hated salad.
"Well," he started again. "I'm planning to be an engineer, for motorcycles and cars. It's really tough, especially with all those parts. Plus, there are all those math problems you need to take in to measure speed and power and whatnot."
It was horribly obvious he was showing off his 'tough side' while also trying for sympathy points. And was he dumbing it down for me? As if because I'm a 'lady' I know nothing of engineering? Inwardly I rolled my eyes in disgust.
"Good luck," I said noncommittally, then asked, "Could you pass me the roast duck?"
He seemed shocked at my disinterest in him, but he put a piece of duck on my plate anyway.
Clearing his throat uncomfortably, he continued, "So my father is really nice, he doesn't mind what I do. After all, I'm inheriting all of his things, including his money, so, I don't have much to worry about. Of course, when we marry, you'll also have nothing to worry about; I can provide for everything."
I couldn't believe the nerve of him. When we marry? It should've been an if at the most. No, it should've been a never!
I suddenly turned to Setsuna, who was leaning uncomfortably against the wall.
"Why don't you join us, Secchan? I don't think I can finish," I said.
She blinked, and glanced at Takeshi, who was gaping in shock again. He recovered though, and he chuckled as I just told him a joke. "Konoka-chan, this meal is for the two of us. Plus, lowly servants can't—"
"She is not a lowly servant, she is a bodyguard, not to mention my friend," I interrupted rather harshly. Then, to Setsuna: "Please, sit."
"Thanks," she said, then shot me an amused and worried look that said, Please be careful with this cocky little dipshit. She sat next to me, and I moved all the garlic bread onto one plate, offering the previous plate to Setsuna. She took it gratefully, and began piling rotini onto her plate. Takeshi watched in stupefaction before irritation clouded his features.
"Well," he said, clearing his throat. "Konoka-chan, why don't you tell me about your hobbies?"
"I like magic," I replied, and that was it.
Then, as Setsuna reached for the marinated salmon, Takeshi grabbed the piece she had been aiming for. She stopped and so did I. Watching him chomp on the fish, I frowned in indignation. Setsuna simply raised her eyebrow. I shot her a look that said, Can you believe the audacity of him? but she simply sighed and shrugged.
"Here, Secchan," I muttered, taking a humongous piece of the salmon and dropping it on her plate.
She blinked, then grinned in that way that made me want to smile back at her.
"Really, Kono-chan," she teased, "I don't think I can eat this much. Why don't you help me out a little?"
Then she took a piece and held it out in front of me. I giggled as I watched Takeshi's face darken in disbelief and jealousy, and when I took the piece in my mouth, his face nearly turned purple. Oops, I thought all of a sudden. I shouldn't piss him off too much. But it was too much fun, so I jammed a piece of roast duck into Setsuna's mouth and bit back a smile as some of the sauce smeared over her lips.
She watched, stunned, as I leaned over, wiped off the sauce with my finger, and then licked it off.
"A-hem!" Takeshi nearly shouted.
"Are you alright?" I questioned, but I made sure to make it come out like I was wondering for his sanity rather than his throat.
"Yes," he said a bit too loudly. He cleared his throat, again, and tried to smile. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, but nothing came out, and Setsuna coughed into her salmon. I glanced at her and bit my lip to stop it from smiling; she was silently laughing at him, which made me think of how funny it actually was.
And so that was how the rest of the dinner went, and I smirked as I watched Takeshi leave in frustration, his bodyguards trailing after him.
"God, did you see his face?" I exclaimed in between giggles.
Setsuna grinned.
With a quick sweep over the room, Setsuna stood and pulled me flush against her.
I gasped quietly, my giddy mood suddenly replaced by something... else.
She crushed our lips together with a hunger I didn't expect. She was trembling slightly, I realized. I tried to soothe her by gently kissing her back. The raging fire calmed to a slow burn, and our frantic kiss slowed and became tender.
"Mmm," I murmured in contentment.
Even after we parted, we remained glued to each other.
This was where I wanted to be. In Secchan's arms. Not anywhere near that gross Takeshi.
...
I was having tea with the Matsumotos with our bodyguards standing by when Takeshi suddenly announced, "Father, I have decided that I want to marry Konoka Konoe."
I nearly spat out my tea, but I managed to control my reaction in time, and swallow the suddenly very bitter tasting liquid. Was this guy stupid? I was pretty sure I conveyed to him my disinterest. I was forced to hold back an unladylike scowl when Takeshi spotted me looking at him and smirked triumphantly.
I glanced at Setsuna, but I was surprised when she showed no signs of annoyance. In fact, her face was entirely blank, and that look filled me with more apprehension than the idea of causing a war to keep that foul boy away from me.
