A memory
Of a certain
Fire Queen
Quoting from her
A small lesson
With colossal impact.
We always have a choice.
Even the lack of choice
Is a choice.
Thus, he chose.
He refused to play along.
The woman in front of him
If one would look closer
Thunder and lighting
Between them
Her glare
Certainly enough
If it could kill
He would die a hundred times.
Only a hundred times.
Some time ago
He was certainly a cynic
With a weak resolve
And if he was the same man
He would break down
In ruins
But no.
A gaze such as hers
Definitely dominating
Crusher of will
He was no exception
It was taking a toll
On his resolve
Yet he was quite nonchalant
Although it was menacing
He could care no more
Than getting this whole matter
Over with
So he could leave.
His hands found their way
Into his pockets
All the while
Maintaining
A façade of self-assured
Calm composure.
And he matched her glare.
"Very well. You may as well join us for dinner. Take a seat."
There was tension in the air
With an atmosphere
Not only can you cut it with a knife
He may as well use a hatchet.
The grand oval table
Of dark lacquered wood
Smooth as if glass
And on a cushioned seat
He leaned his tense body
And breathed calmly.
There are times
In life
When even the devil
On your shoulder
Will ask you
What the fuck are you doing?
And speak of the devil
To his left
Her.
"Hikigaya-kun."
"Yes."
"You seem awfully calm... about all this."
"Do I?"
He frowned at her.
"Actually, I am having one hell of a fucking time. Why did you not tell me the Yukinoshita are going to be here?"
He whispered
Venom and frustration
Apparent in his voice
Which earned him
A mischievous smirk
From the conniving girl
Beside him.
"That's more like you. It was a surprise."
"Oh, color me surprised alright. Even your grandmother is here."
He carefully eyed
An elderly woman
Thin gray hair
In a dark kimono
Yet strangely enough
In the room
Of currently four cold people
She seemed
In a word
Warm
Less menacing at the very least.
"Oh no. She's not my grandmother. That's Miyako-sama."
"Uh-huh. Whatever. I'm not interested in your little family reunions."
There were still
Several empty chairs
Which could only mean
More company.
And assuming
The several dozen people
Excluding the five of them
Standing around the dining hall
Would be relatives
Or more
Blue-bloods.
And by some even more
Wretched stroke
Of luck
Or misfortune
It seemed as if
Worse
Just got worse.
"My, my. Look who showed up."
His eyes widened
Aghast
At the sight
From the grand doorway
Appeared
The ice queen
The prince of masks
And his family.
His face paled
Heart sank
It was bad enough
The Yukinoshita
Now
The Hayama as well
And he cursed under his breath
Inwardly grimacing at the sight.
"Fuck. You."
The devil gleefully smiled.
"Is that on your bucket-list?"
"Seriously. What the hell are you thinking?"
"Now is a good stage for some fun."
"Fun..."
He could only knead his temple
As he staved off
A headache
Induced by such
Rapid
Repulsive
Events.
Looking at the two
It seemed the feeling
Is mutual
An expression
Of shock
Disbelief
And perhaps
Extreme hagride.
Everyone at the table stood up
To greet the new guests
As he exchanged glares
From a particular
Blonde prince.
Stranger still
The ice queen
Merely gazed at the floor
Not daring to look up.
The two families
Exchanged salutations
Unfortunately
Soon enough
Attention was drawn
Towards a new face
Among them.
Particularly, him.
"New face I see. Who's this young man?"
"Hikigaya. Hikigaya Hachiman, sir."
The social interactions
He involved himself in
During this dreaded event
Far exceeded his yearly quota
And will last him into old age.
Note to self
Never go
To events
Especially
Champagne
And ties
Ever again.
All these social exchanges are killing him.
And all the while
A certain devil woman
Was genuinely enjoying herself.