Chapter one.
I stretched like a cat when my alarm finally woke me up, I knew if my governess was around I'd get a mighty scolding for not covering my mouth. I felt every muscle in my fingers down my arm, through my back down to my toes stretch, ache and pop. I threw my bedsheets off my body and smiled down at the disheveled state of my pajamas.
The white silk was crumpled and creased where I had tossed and turned throughout the night, I ran my fingers over the delicate fabric tracing patterns where none existed. I started to walk towards my bathroom located directly off my room, when I opened the French doors I breathed in deeply. The smell of freesia swirled around me, smiling softly I once again took in the glorious work of the builders.
My bathroom was tiled completely with large subway tiles, with black grout that made them pop out. The floor was porcelain tiles were designed to look like light grey wood. The claw-foot bathtub was perfectly white as it nestled in the corner of the room, the double sink vanity expanded on the wall directly to the left as you walk in the room, but my favourite item was definitely the shower, with a rainwater shower head was directly over where you stand, with a handheld head on the wall. The glass was crisp and clean, making it seem as if it didn't exist.
I stripped off my shirt and pants throwing them directly into the washing hamper, gathering my hair into a shower cap. I turned on the hot water allowing the room to fill with steam, and immersed myself into the water and let my muscles ease into day. I had an assortment of body soaps, shampoos, conditioners and exfoliators. I loved the scents of cherries, and tried to keep the scent on me as much as possible, grabbing my loofa and foaming it up I set to cleaning myself for the day.
My fingers traced the defined muscles of my abdomen, I wasn't a tall girl but I knew I had some more to grow before I was finished. I barely reached 5'1" currently, my mother was only 5'2" and my father was around 6' tall. My arms were slender but held lean muscle that served me well in training, my chest was less than a B cup at this point, but was able to be accentuated by the tapering of my waist.
My skin felt luscious and soft, I turned off my shower and grabbed the overly fluffy towel and began to dry myself off. I heard a knock on the bathroom door and made sure I was completely covered by the towel before responding. "Yes?"
"Anastasia, breakfast will be ready in five minutes." I heard her soft voice coming through the door, in all the years I've known Kitao-san she's been nothing short of amazing.
"Thank you Akinori, I will be out shortly." I left the bathroom and immediately turned for my walk-in wardrobe. I saw the row of yellow dresses with puffy sleeves and matching white socks and grimaced. The outfits at Ouran high school make all the girls like blooming ducks.
I got dressed quickly and began to prep my hair and make up at my vanity in the bedroom, sitting on the soft velvet stool when I saw myself in the mirror the lights surrounding the mirror made my skin look soft. Akinori came back into the room, and started to curl my hair.
I smiled softly at the woman I'd grown up with, the woman who more often than not cursed me with love. My hair fell softly down my back the golden curls shining in the sun streaming through the window.
"You look lovely."
"Thank you." We got up together and she escorted me to the dining room, she always remained professional with me but I knew she had a soft spot for me. Many years ago I got fed up with being always referred to by my last name, nearly demanding to be called Anastasia at all times, her laugh was musical but she told me she'd compromise and only do it where others could not hear.
I took my place at the table, across from my mother and next to my father. We weren't able to sit at the ends of the table, it was only reserved for the first son and my father.
"Anastasia, it's your first day of school today." Well thank you Mr. Obvious.
"Yes father, I'm rather looking forward to it. Although I will miss the friends I gained in Sapporo, I hope to meet many more here." I did not make eye-contact with my father, and instead finished eating my breakfast of French toast and fresh fruit.
"I hope you do too, there will be several major clients whose children go to Ouran. Remember your heritage and manners, don't insult anyone."
"Yes father." My mother remained like stone at the table, eating slowly I remembered at the last moment not to roll my eyes in their presence. "Please excuse me, I must leave to get to school."
"Go ahead." My father waved me out of the room and continued to read his newspaper, my mother looked up at that moment to smile softly and wave goodbye. I disliked how serious my family was, there was so much tension at home.
I stood from the table and bowed to my parents before exiting the room, I gathered my bag and walked out of the house. I knew that Akinori would have wanted to say something, but even I know that it was hopeless to wish for it. She'd lose her job and I'd be lost without her, I'd put up with endless comments or evasiveness from my father to ensure she stayed with me forever.
The driver opened my car door for me, and I smiled thanked him politely and pulled out my phone when I was buckled in. I browsed the internet scrolling through the political events occurring in the world, wars with the United States, changes in the monarchy in United Kingdom, and the ever handsome Prime Minister in Canada made top headlines. I sighed and switched to Japanese news, focusing on the five main families in Tokyo at this point in time.
I looked at the Suoh family, they owned basically every private education building, essentially creating a independent education system for the wealthy elite alone. Whilst I was extremely lucky to be attending the prestigious school, I had no doubt how much it truly cost to attend.
Yoshio Ootori was in the news again for taking over yet another medical company, it was nothing unusual since he was doing it all over Japan, no doubt attempting to gain the most power, than any other single man has had before. Maybe become a new emperor of Japan, change it to just an elite playground. He was notorious for not wishing to do business with those not of Japanese descent, my father has a meeting with him at some point this week.
No doubt I'd be forced to attend, and be a polite, respectful young lady.
I threw the newspaper on the seat beside me, breathing out a sigh of frustration at the thought of the stupid, misogynistic requirements my father demands of me. Pushing the ideals of Russian royalty duties on me, and the argument responding from me that we aren't royalty, and there hasn't been any Russian royalty for a long time now.
The driver pulled into a driveway, I turned to look out the window and saw beautifully manicured lawns which seemed to sparkle with the morning dew, covering the tips of the grass, small flowers blooming in the hedges and bushes. The building was a light pink colour, literally sparkling as the sunshine began to lazily cover it with its warmth. I gathered my bag in my lap, and when the driver slowed to a stop, he got out of the car and opened the door for me, bowing deeply as he did.
"Thank you." I gave a curt nod to the driver and set off for the front receptionist, although I'd been enrolled since the previous year ended, I wanted to make sure I had the right information to survive the rest of the day.
The doors were grand, a white crystal like wood and gold carvings made it seem impossibly expensive. As I came closer to the door, they opened of their own accord, and I saw the marbled room inside, with a long receptionist desk. I smiled at the woman before me, and waited until she was ready to receive me, only I wasn't expecting for her to continue her phone call.
The more she kept talking about a personal date she had the other day, the smile I had when I walked in began to slowly drop from my face, my nails began to dig into the soft leather of my books, and my toes began to tap on the floor at a slow, steady beat. Oblivious to all the signs before her, I ground my teeth slightly before snapping.
"Excuse me." Her eyes snapped to mine, and I saw her grimace before replacing it with a smile, if I was any other child, I doubt I would have seem the quick change in her, but unluckily for her I was trained for this. She put down her phone and I saw the corners of her eyes tightening in a slight glare.
"Sorry, can I help you?" Her smile was false and it made her voice grate on my ears, the inflection clear that she was more annoyed I'd interrupted her, than the fact she was supposed to be working.
"Yes, I need my class schedule for this week please." I didn't smile, although my manners were there, it was not a request.
"I'm sorry, and you are you?"
"Anastasia Romanobu." Her eyes went from annoyance to worry, my name was well known through the world, and it was done for a very specific reason.
"Sorry Romanobu-sama, I will get those documents for you straight away." She stood from her chair and immediately bowed before running off, I didn't have to wait long since she was nearly tripping over her high-heeled shoes in the attempt to run to me, a section of paperwork thrust out from her as she bowed in apology to me. I took the paperwork and turned out the door without a second word. More students had started to appear whilst I waited for that incompetent woman to do her job, whilst it wasn't timely in the slightest I couldn't complain now I had what I needed. Looking at the schedule for today, it was I was in Room 1A down the west wing of the building.
She had also given me a map of the grounds, it was amazing to see how manicured and how much detail had gone into the landscaping of the school, each path lead to some section dedicated purely for one topic. The west wing was dedicated to just the first years, the north wing for the second year students and the south wing for third years and east wing for anything related to the arts. Towards the back corner of the campus, I saw the dojo was not the tiny secluded paradises I'd come to know in the backstreet's of my old home, but seemed to be the size of a stadium. Only there was an even bigger stadium dedicated to football and rugby sports, and everything else related to sports that weren't martial arts.
I saw a festival garden located on the map with little pictures of cherry trees surrounding it, a little river made it seem surreal. Without going to the ground myself, I could only assume it was be very serene in person. I kept making my way towards my classroom, minding my space as I passed through the crowds. So many of the new students were chatting amiably with one another, no doubt they had all grown up together, their families planning their lives out to the very last detail.
I entered the classroom and opted for a seat in the back of the classroom, but on the right hand side so I didn't have to have too many people around me. I put my books in the desk and made sure my notebook and pens were available to take notes with, with my bag on the back of the chair. The other students were milling in, finding their seats.
When a small boy ran into the classroom I had thought it was surely a prank from middle schoolers, but he was dressed in the blue blazer of the high school children. A bright pink stuffed bear in his arms, he ran straight towards the chair beside and instead opted for the one in front of me, his smile was so bright as he turned to look at me after placing all his books away.
I smiled back, and darted my eyes towards the large boy coming in the room, his hair was black and skin tan which was unusual since most of the children who attended this school were the fairest Japanese people I've seen in some time. His grey eyes went straight to the boy in front me, wordlessly he went to the back of the class and sat beside me.
"Excuse me." The small boy got my attention from the boy beside me, I smiled politely at the boy hoping that he wasn't planning on talking much, I needed to do a whole lot more research before I attempted to make friends or allies in this forsaken place.
"Yes?"
"My name is Mitsukuni Haninozuka, this is Takashi Morinozuka. We were wondering, could Takashi by chance swap seats with you?" He tilted his head, golden locks falling with gravity and his blue eyes impossibly wide.
"I'm sorry Haninozuka-san, Morinozuka-san, I would prefer to remain seated where I am, I remain more comfortable here, hence why I came early to secure my seat for the rest of the year." I looked away from him, and began to doodle on the paper in front of me, trying to ignore his pleading eyes.
"That is understandable, You'll look after Takashi nee?" I looked up at him confused with the phrasing, he didn't even know me, he didn't know my name, why would I care to look after this giant beside me?
"Excuse me?" I blinked rapidly, but the boy just tilted his head and smiled brightly.
"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name." A tilt of his head and a tightening of his eyes conveyed a sense of annoyance, but he was polite enough to try and hide it. His smile was so wide it was distracting, but I focused instead on the slightly furrowed eyebrows, I flicked my eyes to the boy beside me and saw he was intently focused on the conversation, but the tightness in his shoulders gave away how uncomfortable he was.
"Sorry Haninozuka-san, my name is Anastasia Romanobu, I recently moved into the area with my family. So I'm not aware of the social customs of this region, nor have I been able to scales with anyone before attending school." The boy side me gripped his table slightly, I heard the sound of his hands gripping the wood, and the gasp from the boy in front made me grimace. They've heard of my family obviously.
Thankfully the teacher took this moment to enter the classroom and everyone stood and bowed, the lesson itself wasn't too interesting the teacher mainly discussed safety protocols, the syllabus for the year and then gave everyone their textbooks for the year, no matter what subject we would remain in the same classroom for the whole entire year. The teacher then took role-call for the room, each person having to stand and bow before taking their seat again.
When my name was called out, each student turned to stare I was glad so much training had prepared me, and no blush threatened to stain my cheeks this time. The teacher faulted only for a moment before he continued down his list.
The next teacher came in and began to teach mathematics, we were focusing on algebra and complex equations, I was so absorbed into the questions at hand I didn't notice anything else happening in the room, including the multiple students that kept turning and staring in my general direction, when the bell rang the students rushed out of the room, I slowly got up from my chair, pausing momentarily before picking up my novel I'd started earlier in the week. Both boys had remained behind, ignoring them both I walked to the cafeteria in perfect silence.
The news of who I was had spread through the school like wild fire, I heard the tell tale whispers following me around every corner, and when I went outside to sit under a manicured tree I was able to escape under and contended myself to reading in complete solitude. Pressing my back into the trunk of the tree, I could smell the woodsy scent of the trees, the freshly mowed grass as the wind blew around me.
My hair was tickling the soft flesh of my cheeks, I ran my fingers along the strands and pushed them back behind my ear again as I continued to read "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu. I found myself zoning in on the crinkled pages before me, wrinkled after so uses.
I shadow fell over me, when the sun was no longer covering the worn pages I was forced to look up at the intrusion, finding my gaze going further and further upwards I knew it was the boy from class, when I saw the smaller figure beside him I knew my guess was correct.
"Anastasia?" The small voice quipped.
"Yes?" I bookmarked my page and closed the book, the boys sat down on the grass opposite me, with the sun no longer blinding me, or blocking their faces with shadows I can see the amazement in the little ones eyes.
"You like to read the "The Art of War"? Takashi loves that book too." He was so enthusiastic, his smile was genuine this time.
"Yes, I've found its teachings to be very beneficial, and helps with my studies in multiple areas. Although this is my favourite book, I fear I'll have to replace it soon." I passed him over the book and with delicate fingers he turned over the worn pages, his eyes shone with a familiarity I'd grown to see in my own over the years.
"Hmm…" The giant groaned in agreeance, peering over his shoulder to look at the book in question.
"We met earlier, but again I'd just like to formally introduce myself. I'm Mitsukuni Haninozuka and my cousin and best friend Takashi Morinozuka."
"It is a pleasure to meet you, I am Anastasia Romanobu." I accepted the book back from his outstretched hand and gratefully sighed when their surprise didn't display on their faces.
"The pleasure is ours Anastasia, have you met many people since moving here?" He was overly happy but he had an undertone of curiously.
"Ah no Mitsukuni, I don't believe I've had many opportunities. I do believe my father has an upcoming business meeting this weekend, I'm required to attend, the mans son is in middle school." I made sure to keep my smile small, and tilt my head slightly as per custom.
"Oh anyone we may know?"
"I believe it is with the Ootori's." They both stilled slightly at the name, but made sure to keep their smile.
"Ah the Ootori's do have business with most families, makes sense."
"That is what I understood from my research, I understand his family believes that women are to be in a typical traditional roles within family and business. Whilst I do not agree, I understand my role for this weekend."
They both just nodded, all children of elite families knew the roles they had to play, the things they could and could not change. We heard the bell ring to signal that lunch had ended, Takashi got up from the ground and held out his hand to me.
Graciously I accepted the help, with his strength I was easily lifted to my feet. Together we all walked back to class, Mitsukuni happily chatting away about his plans to go to the dojo later today.
"Would you mind if I came with you Mitsukuni?" Both boys stopped in their tracks, and when I turned to look back at them my blonde hair swished behind me. "What?" Eyes wide and mouths opened.
"You train in karate Anastasia?" Mitsukuni looked beyond happy, nearly bouncing in one spot clapping his hand.
"Ah yes, to a degree. I'm not well versed in Karate, but I train in Shinobi no jutsu and Aikido. I prefer the fluidity and grace of both movements over the forceful attack nature of karate of itself. I prefer training with staffs over a shinai in Kendo."
"That's amazing Anastasia! You see we train the Japanese military, well not us solely but rather the Haninozuka and Morinozuka respectively. Not only that I'm about to participate in an upcoming competition in Karate and Takashi is about to do the same for Kendo!"
"Yes, I'd read about that. I was surprised at how talented you both are before I met you, after meeting you in person I can say I'm now not surprised." We entered the classroom and took our retrospective seats, Mitsukuni wasn't upset at sitting in front of me, and Takashi seemed more at ease beside me now.
The rest of the day did get easier, the other children didn't seem as intimidated anymore, it was as if they understood now the bogeyman wasn't coming to get them if they sat near me, or looked in my direction.
We were sitting in English class and the teacher looked directly at me before announcing in perfect English "Anastasia, please come up to the front of the class and introduce yourself." Without complaint, I got out of my desk, and gracefully went to the front of the class.
"Hello student at Ouran High School Class 1A, my name is Anastasia Romanobu. I recently moved into the area with my family, as my father sought to extend his business. I am very excited to be here, and I'm looking forward to meeting you all within time." I bowed politely, but not too low to the others in the room, before standing patiently at the front of the room with my arms in front of me waiting to be excused.
"Does anyone have questions for Anastasia?" The teacher was nearly sneering with his contempt, no doubt he'd had bad dealings with Russian's or my father at some point in time, or he knew someone who had.
All the students put their hand up except the two boys I'd spent lunch with, I held back my sigh as the teacher was going to systematically go through all the students questions.
A girl in the front row and stood at her desk. "Anastasia, we've all heard of your family, but what I would like to know is if you are in fact related to them."
"I'm sorry, related to who?" Of course I knew exactly to who they were referring to, but I wasn't going to make it easy for them. Ради всего святого (For heaven's sake)
"The Romanov's of course." The infamous House of Romanov, the fall of the Russian Royalty in 1917.
"Oh, you're interested in the Russian Royalty no? If you must know, I am distantly, very distantly related to the Russian Romanov family, however as is most of the royalty in the world, including the King George V of England, and several other cousin's of now Queen Elizabeth."
"So you aren't related to an escaped daughter?" Another student stood, I tried not to grimace, but failed. This question had been asked for so long throughout the years even after the many different myths were disprove.
"Unfortunately I cannot say that I am, but rather a lesser cousin down the family line. We escaped the Bolshevik's, but I don't know the circumstances behind it."
"Have you been back to Russia since?" A boy in front of Takashi questioned.
"Yes, whilst they were determined to keep the Russian royalty out of the country when they were revolting, since that point in time we have been back many times. We are not after a throne that no longer exists, and Russia is a very different country now, to what it was previously, I cannot comment on the past or what others have done, just the same as you cannot do the same for Japan."
"Are you named after the Anastasia?" Another girl beside Mitsukuni asked dreamily.
"I was, thank goodness it was not after Olga the first daughter. My cousin was given that illustrious position." The whole class laughed at the little comment, the teacher wasn't sneering anymore but seemed to be contemplative. "Does anyone else have any other questions?"
"Are you always bombarded with questions of the Russian Revolution when you first meet people?" Takashi stood towering over everyone else, his deep voice reverberating off the walls.
"Yes, I don't mind answering, it wasn't that long ago the Russian revolution occurred, and I have to admit, if I met someone from the Japanese Emperor's line I'd be asking questions too. Or even related to anything historical, Attila the Hun, George Washington, Henry the 8th. I'm happy to allow people an experience I have yet to have myself, and I hope I get to know all of you in time, and we become friends." I bowed to the classroom as the teacher motioned for me to return to my desk.
After introducing myself to the whole class and being forced to answer mundane questions, I could have discovered the answer to if I had a moment to google every mundane thought pattern that crossed their minds, we spent the rest of the day in the quietest room I'd ever ventured into. I never mentioned these interactions to my father, he would only stress about vital information potentially being discovered, my mother would weep uncontrollably thus behaving her snot and dribble spluttering everywhere. It was disgusting, my father would only get up from his seat and walk to his study, the one place we can't step foot into, but my brother was allowed to come and go as he pleased.
Through the lessons I continued to peek at Takashi through the curtain my hair created between us, he was a fine specimen tall, muscular, gorgeous and very well mannered. No doubt his intelligence speaks for itself, he was in the top class along side me, and after our first test I would be able to say exactly how smart this boy is. His grey eyes flicked over to me, I dropped my gaze and concentrated on my work feeling a heat develop in my cheeks.