My father was returning home today and it was also the night of the supposed secret formal event where he would announce my engagement to Kyoya. I had no idea how he felt about the situation, possible a simply sense of obligation to do his father's will. Ensuring that I looked presentable in a plain black frock that my father would approve of I stood before the door a few paces back, listening and waiting for him to return. It was early afternoon when he did so and when the door slid open, I immediately bowed to welcome him home.
"Ah, there you are Megumi. Good girl. You will have to prepare yourself for a formal occasion, I have joyous news to share with you." He informed me a little wearily however did not proceed to tell me anything. This made me a little angry, had he intended all along to keep me in the dark until the moment of the announcement? Did he have no respect for me at all?
"Cousin!" Instantly my spirits faltered as Hideki waltzed into my home in one of his extremely rare moments of being sober. "It's been too long, I tried visiting but you were always out. Quite the social butterfly you've turned into my little moth like cousin." He grinned as he pinched my cheeks too hard and left a mark but I did not react, simply gave him a disapproving look before averting my eyes. "Well I see your voice hasn't improved at all. How boring." Sighing in boredom my cousin went and helped himself to the liquor, drinking quickly to get himself into a more upbeat mood as my father went into his office and shut himself away.
"Young mistress, the master informs me that we will be descending at six, you do not have much time to prepare." My maid informed me and I glanced to the clock. We had three hours yet. "Please, allow us to assist you." Without much choice I allowed them to help bathe me and wash my hair, drying it carefully and combing it through before they went to select one of my father's dresses however I held up a hand, deciding that for once I would choose my own clothes. They had already applied some makeup and styled my hair into an elegant twist so I browsed through my new clothes before selecting something that I would feel comfortable in.
They waited patiently to see if I would need assistance and I heard my father go down at least an hour ago for the preparations with my cousin so I pulled down a peach chiffon dress with a light bolero and satin sash, pretty and perfectly suitable for a girl my age whilst also being modest, pretty and comfortable. "An excellent choice young mistress!" The maids agreed with my choice, assuring me that I would fit in perfectly with the other ladies downstairs so I stepped into the gown, chose a pair of cream shoes and allowed them to apply a little more makeup to suit the colouring of the dress before then helping me to select jewellery.
I did not like wearing earrings much, so I went for simple studs and a necklace which my father had given me a few years ago, the simple gold chain holding the crest of our house. It seemed appropriate and after a final look in the mirror, I was surprised by my appearance. Perhaps I should wear contacts tonight, father will want me to look my best after all but it felt so strange to be without them. Feeling brave I drew out my contacts and put them in, blinking to make them settle before looking at my reflection. I did not look like myself, I looked much older and rather mature but still young at the same time. My mother did have excellent taste after all.
With the skirt swishing around my knees I bowed in thanks to my maids who bowed back and began to clean up the room as I hurried to the elevator and went down with a porter who was awaiting me. "Gosh miss, you look very lovely." He said to me so I gave him a smile before turning my eyes forwards. The formal will be held in the grand theatre, the tables set up with the best crystal and floral arrangements with a huge banquet of a buffet that the chef would have worked on for several days.
Sure enough as the doors opened I looked out upon the splendour and immediately felt intimidated, trembling slightly before I forced myself to step forwards and walk inside. The lights were sparkling and the ambiance was musical, soft and ebbing with different vocal sounds which caught my attention periodically as I descended the stairs, ignoring anyone who turned to look at me. It was still early so very few guests had arrived so I took my place beside my father after bowing to him. He had looked shocked to see me dressed in such a manner, however if he was outraged he did not tell me so here in public.
Dutifully I bowed before our guests as they entered, my father greeting them whilst my cousin stuffed his face with as much booze and food as he was able. So disgusting, why do we even have such a pig in our family? We must have offended someone in our past lives. "Ah! Yoshio my friend, good to see you." The name immediately caused me to lift my head slightly, looking to count how many pairs of feet were present. Too many, was the answer. Yoshio had brought his wife, his three sons, another woman and a man was with her. I assumed that this was the daughter of the Ootori family Fuyumi along with her husband, whose surname was Shido.
"Good to see you too, friend. My, is this the same child I met before? Your daughter has blossomed most brilliantly." Yoshio said before he then turned his full attention upon me. "Lift your head, child." I did so and looked him straight in the eye without hesitation, feeling strangely bold. It must be because I am wearing mother's dress, I wish I could show her how I look today as I think she would like it. Yoshio levelled his gaze and observed me for a few moments, humming in thought before nodding his head in approval. "Yes, she will do nicely." He said before walking away, his sons each bowing to my father so I lowered my head again as each passed, however Kyoya stopped before me.
"Mr Akiyama, it would be a pleasure if your daughter would accompany me for a while. I am afraid I am not very good at interacting with people I do not already have an existing relationship with so her company would be greatly appreciated." Kyoya spoke and instantly I was standing up straight, looking up to my father who chuckled warmly.
"But of course, dear boy. Go on now Megumi. Remember to mind your tongue and be polite, this is an important occasion." He reminded me so I bowed gratefully before I reached out and took the arm that Kyoya was offering me, leading me away from my father where I exhaled and visibly relaxed.
"Feel better?" He asked and I nodded my head, giving his arm a squeeze to convey my thanks. "You are welcome. With all the times you bowed your head it is no wonder you will start to cause serious problems for your neck later on." He mused almost to himself as we simply wandered around the room, stopping whenever someone spoke to us. "Ah, Mr Kamizawa, how wonderful to see you. Ma'am, you do look exquisite as always." I do not know what Kyoya meant by what he said to my father, he was a natural at speaking to people. He must have simply given it as an excuse to take me away for a while.
"Well dear, how do you like this little gathering, hm?" The woman suddenly asked me and I balked, panicking as my throat seized up and as I tried to find the words I floundered, struggling to think until Kyoya's hand suddenly appeared over mine and it was like a soothing sensation flew all the way through my body.
"My apologies, but Miss Akiyama is not well and has lost her voice this evening but I am certain she is enjoying herself, correct?" He asked and I nodded my head immediately, smiling up at the woman who cooed at me sweetly before patting my cheek and sending us on our way. I heard several comments about my dress, the ladies saying that it perfectly suited a girl my age and I glowed with pride. After we left Kyoya removed his hand from mine and I immediately missed it, wanting it back but I made not a sound as we made our way to the food table and helped ourselves to some servings before taking a seat.
Kyoya did not speak to me further and I had a sneaking suspicion that he had chosen to walk with me as he knew I would not speak to him and force him into a conversation. However, he did keep his body angled towards me, occasionally leaning in to make it looks as if we were talking to appease the adults and I followed his example, occasionally offering him something or touching his shoulder to point something or someone out to him. It was peaceful and I enjoyed his company all to myself until my cousin had to come along and ruin it all.
"Cousin!" Stumbling into the table my cousin swayed drunkenly so I immediately rose to my feet to steady him, not wanting him to make a fool of himself although several eyes were already turning. "Cousin, you look super weird in that outfit…where's your usual funeral trash?" He asked and before he could take another swig of his drink I stuffed a sushi ball into his mouth, making him jolt and start to chew. Anything to keep him drinking. Snapping my fingers I summoned his caretakers, the two burly men stepping seemingly from the shadows. "Come now cousin, don't be like that it's a party!" He slurred as they tried to remove him quietly. "Drink something…you'll feel better…get off me!"
My cousin lashed out with his foot and knocked the table violently and I lunged to catch the flowers before the water could spill however Hideki then wailed, struggling against his bodyguards and with his hand fumbling he found a crystal glass and flung it wildly. I had to lunge to catch that too, stopping it when it was bare inches away from Kyoya's face and I exhaled with relief before a hand was clamped down over my cousin's mouth and he was sent to sleep with a tight grip, his guards whisking him away as I neatened the table once more, smoothing out the cloth and arranging the flowers before I then clapped my hands and a member of staff came forwards and brushed up the spilled food on the floor which my brother had toppled. Such a waste.
All the while I did not notice the people watching me calmly deal with a situation, the maid bowing as she left and I touched a hand to my head. My cousin was such an idiot. "Are you alright?" Kyoya asked me as he came to my side and placed his hand on my shoulder. I would be if my cousin would just go away and not come back. Still, I have to put on appearances so I smiled and nodded my head, drawing him back to his seat so that he could continue to eat however to save me going to get more food he pulled my chair closer to him and caught my face in one hand, smirking almost mischievously as he then opened my mouth with his thumb and placed some food inside.
Around us the women all cooed and awed at the false display of affection but I could not help but feel that it was real, even though I knew it was his charade to pacify his father. We spent a few hours together, just Kyoya and I though his sister came and introduced herself and stole me away from the time, chattering nonstop about girly things that had me in a little bit of a spin until my father called everyone's attention, making Fuyumi squeak. "Oh no! I have to get you back to Kyoya, how silly of me." She giggled and quickly moved me through the crowds as my father stood upon the staircase with the Ootori family present at the bottom as if on display. It was all a charade. Everything. Nothing here was real, it all seemed so fake.
"Good evening, honoured guests. You have my thanks for coming to this humble gathering among friends, I have delightful news that I have been greatly anticipating in sharing with you all." He began just as Fuyumi got me to Kyoya's side and I bit down on my tongue, feeling nervous and began to tremble as I looked up to my father's side. All eyes were turned upon him as he spoke, prattling on a little however Kyoya seemed to sense me shaking and looked down to my hand which was clenched tightly at my side.
Without a word he curled his fingers around my wrist and startled me slightly, not expecting him to touch me however in the next moment he was pressing a kiss to the palm of my hand whilst no one was looking, making my eyes widen as he showered me with strength and comfort in that one tiny movement. My heart burst in my chest and I felt too shocked to feel afraid anymore, unable to tear my eyes away from him. A single heartbeat later he let go of my hand and turned away as if nothing had even happened whilst I remained completely in a stupor. It was only when I heard a thunderous applause did I realise that my father had thrown his hand down towards us.
"I gladly announce the engagement of my daughter to the third son of the Ootori family, Kyoya Ootori." He proclaimed and suddenly I felt very cold. Everyone was staring, gathering closer and offering their congratulations. No. This wasn't real. It was all fake. I know that this is just a charade for something, I just don't know what it is yet. Shivering under the weight of everyone's gazes Kyoya moved away from me and I felt even colder than before and he disappeared from sight, melting into the crowds as he accepted their praises and congratulations so I took this as my opportunity to escape for a little while.
Needing fresh air I went out onto the balcony and instantly grabbed onto the side, hunching down and gasping for breath as I continued to shake. What is the matter with me? Why do I feel so happy and so miserable at the same time? I wish mother were here, she would know exactly what to say. In fact she would have probably smacked my father about the head and told him to not be so stupid as to enter an arranged marriage without first consulting with me. It was too soon to escape to my room so I dragged myself to my feet though my knees were weak and walked back into the swarm.
Drifting like wood on the ocean I bowed my head time and time again in thanks as I stood by my father's side as he accepted congratulations and gifts on my behalf, keeping me firmly placed behind him so that I could be observed and not considered. I was just an item. A doll to be kept in perfect condition, but what happens when I lose my youth? What will he do with me then when I am no longer desirable due to aging? Will I truly be married and settled? I suppose with me being married I was someone else's concern and not his.
"Miss Akiyama?" I lifted my head and was surprised to see the eldest of the Ootori boys standing there. "I look forward to having you in our family, I hope that you will find every comfort you need." He said graciously with an unexpectedly warm smile before he took my hand and kissed it gently. His hands were different to Kyoya's, a little too hot and too lax around mine as if he were afraid I would break should he hold on too tight. I bowed in response, the answer simply conditioned in me now. I no longer even tried to speak, as whenever someone asked me a question my father would wave his hand and tell them not to mind me. I felt ignored and used, nothing more than a tool in a bigger arrangement.
Once the last gift had been accepted I turned and walked as quickly as I were able, disappearing as the tears now fell freely as I had been holding them back the entire night. I wasn't happy anymore, now I was just miserable. Even if I did like Kyoya enough to be content married to him, I knew that the feelings were not reciprocated and what was the point in that? Loveless marriages turned bitter very quickly. I wish I had worn an ugly dress, I wish I had not put on makeup then people would have looked down me with sympathy instead for the scrawny creature I was then I wouldn't have to pretend that I was grateful for their smiles and blessings for my happy news.
The maids quickly opened the door for me as I dashed through, nodding to one another to agree to give my excuses to my father should he ask. Not that he would. He did not care. Rushing into the elevator I pressed the button for the penthouse and keyed in the code, leaning dependently on the wall for support as I cried silent tears. "Akiyama!" Kyoya's voice surprised me and I looked up in time to see him moving towards the elevator but he stopped when he saw my expression and the tears that slipped through my fingers. That was the last glimpse of me he received before the doors slid shut and I was carried upwards, away from everyone and everything as I slumped to the floor and sobbed.