"To say I'm terrified would be an understatement," Suzuka mutter as she holds onto Maki's hand for dear life.
"Even scarier than facing an Aradama for the first time?" Maki jokes, trying to calm her own nerves as she reassuringly gives her newly married wife's hand a squeeze.
"Much scarier," Suzuka replies, willing her hands not to shake. "An Aradama never threatened to take away everything I have like my parents can."
"It will be okay," Maki assures her. "No matter what happens, you will still have me."
"I better do," Suzuka glances across at her. "I might be homeless and unemployed in the next ten minutes."
"It won't be that bad," Maki smiles. "I'm sure they won't just cast you out for marrying me."
"I hope so," Suzuka replies before taking a deep breath. "Let's get this over with."
Suzuka finally opens the front door after what felt like hours of waiting outside. The fine oak door proudly displays engraved carvings of flowers and trees looking so expensive that Maki finds herself struggling to go near it out of fear she might damage the door somehow. "It looks like it cost more than I make in a year," Maki thinks as it silently swings open with the hinges refusing to let out a single squeak. A pair of maids dusting a grand staircase quickly jump to attention and bow in the girl's directions. At the same time, an elderly butler with grey hair approaches.
"Mistress Suzuka, your parents are waiting in the lounge for you and your…" The butler looks at Maki and then at Suzuka. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but I was told you would be bringing your husband with you. May I ask where he is?"
"I will explain once I get to the lounge," Suzuka tells him.
"Of course, ma'am," The butler quickly turns around. "Follow me, please."
More servants start to appear from everywhere, stepping out of the way of the group and bowing their heads. "I knew she was rich, but I wasn't expecting this," Maki is starting to feel unworthy of being near Suzuka. Her wife's family has more servants than the Origami's. Their halls are decorated with more paintings and antique than Maki can even count. She sticks close to Suzuka, more afraid of breaking something than how her friend's parents will take the news of their marriage.
The butler knocks on another oak door with fine engravings, only this time of birds, before letting them inside. Maki freezes, and if it were not for Suzuka, she would have been stuck in the doorway staring at the people inside the room. A woman who looks like an older version of Suzuka, who Maki assumes is Suzuka's mother, stands up the moment they enter the room. She is wearing a flowery pink kimono, and her hair is tied in a neat ponytail, but she is almost a spitting image of her daughter. A man who Maki believes is Suzuka's father and looks just as old as the butler stares at Maki with piercing green eyes, making Maki feel unwelcome. Meanwhile, a young girl wearing Ayanokouji Martial Arts School uniform and a boy who looks only a little younger watch Maki and Suzuka curiously.
"Welcome home, Suzuka," The woman in the kimono bows as Suzuka approaches her with Maki right behind her. "Is your husband running late?"
"Well, you see…" Suzuka begins, but the man who was glare interrupts her.
"It is bad enough that you married without telling us, but now your husband is not even on time to meet us," He says, turning his gaze to his daughter. "I am a busy man and don't have time to waste waiting on him to turn up when he pleases."
"But father, they are here," Suzuka tells him, and in an instant, his glare returns to Maki.
"You are talking about her, aren't you?"
Maki shivers when he points his finger at her. All her life, she has never met someone who filled her with such fear that it makes Maki want to run. Everyone quickly stares at her, and Maki wishes she could just disappear. Suzuka sees her father looking angry, her mother surprised, and her younger siblings amused. She even witnessed her brother handing her sister some money while the girl in the Ayanokouji happily grins, saying. "I told you they like each other," Finally, Suzuka herself turns to look at Maki, afraid of what might happen to her friend.
"If this is some kind of joke, it isn't a good one," Her father continues shaking his head. "We gave you a selection of suitable suiters, and this is who you choose. Do you have any idea what this will mean for our family?"
Suzuka lowers her head, and Maki finds herself unable to speak, fearing what might happen if she were to open her mouth. Out of the corner of her eyes, Suzuka can see servants peeking in to see what is happening as her broth and sister struggle not to giggle. The only relief Suzuka finds is in her mother. After a few moments, Suzuka sees her mother has recovered from the shock of her announcement and does not appear to be against her. Suzuka watches as her mother walks over to her father and gently places a hand on his shoulder.
"Now, dear, it isn't so bad," Her mother calmly assures him. "People don't look down on things like this as they did in the past."
"But if she would have chosen the Fukasawa heir, we would have secured a lucrative business deal with their family's company," Her father states as he sits back down, holding his head. "And if she would have chosen the Takei families son, we could have benefited from their connections. If she had thought about who those people are, our business prospects would have skyrocketed." He looks up and glares at Maki again. "But she chose her."
"It's okay, dear," Her mother calmly smiles. "We don't know anything about her. She could make our daughter happy."
"Happiness is just an emotion. The people we picked for her could have given her everything she could ever ask for," Her father growls. "Happiness can't keep the lights on and a roof over your head."
"I believe your name is Shidou Maki, correct?" Her mother asks, and Suzuka can hear her friend gulp.
"Y… yeah…" Maki nervously nods her head.
"Our daughter has mentioned you before," She smiles. "I take it you work."
"Yes," Maki nods.
"Own a home?"
"A small apartment,"
"And enjoy spending time with our daughter?"
"Yes,"
"See, dear," Suzuka's mother turns back to her husband. "Suzuka won't be living on the street if we give her to miss Shidou."
Maki feels like she is not even a foot tall as Suzuka's father glare becomes more hostile. He stands up again, and Maki feels like he is towering over her despite being only an inch or two taller than her. Suzuka grabs her hand, making her jump slightly at the contact but the familiar warmth brings her great comfort.
"She could have lived like a princess with one of the men we selected for her," He says. "She could have had servants to take care of everything. Dinner at the top restaurants every night. But our daughter has chosen to live as a peasant."
"Dear, I'm sure it is not…"
"I'm done talking about this," Suzuka watches her father cut her mother off before turning to her. "You are making a big mistake Suzuka. I don't want to hear from you until you come to your senses."
"Yes, father," Suzuka lowers her head.
"And you," Maki must hold herself back from hitting him as he approaches. She stands still as Suzuka's father steps up to her and pokes his finger into her shoulder. "If you think marrying my daughter will allow you to gain access to some quick cash, you can forget about it. I am cutting her off."
"Father,"
"Dear,"
He ignores his wife and daughter's pleas staring angrily at Maki.
"Suzuka, I will be cancelling your credit card later today," He tells her, finally turning away from Maki. "I want you to pack your things and leave. You won't be allowed back into this house until you realise your mistake and are willing to talk about marrying one of the suiters, we have selected for you."
"Dear, please don't do this," Suzuka's mother pleas, but he pays her no attention as he storms out of the room. "I'm sorry, Suzuka," She sighs after his footsteps fade into the distance turning to face Maki and her daughter. "I will try to talk to him once he has calmed down. I am also sorry that this is how we first met each other, miss Shidou. Our daughter always seemed so happy when she talked about you, so I have no worries about leaving her in your care. She will need your help adjusting to her new lifestyle, so please take care of my daughter."
"Mother…" Suzuka mutter with her cheeks burning red, causing her brother and sister to point and giggle at her.
"Of course," Maki weakly smiles despite her nervousness. "I will take good care of her."
"Suzuka, why don't you take miss Shidou to your room so you can pack," Suzuka mother suggests, and Suzuka nods her head at the idea. "I will have one of the maids find a suitcase for you to use."
Maki is surprised by how big Suzuka's room is. "It is bigger than my whole apartment," Maki gasps as she takes it all in. A large bed that looks incredibly soft even from a distance and fit for a princess dominates the room. Pink sheets cover the bed, and a small army of stuffed animals rest against the pillows. Even the carpet makes Maki feel like she is walking on a could with how soft it feels under her feet. Apart from a bed, Maki also spots a written desk, makeup table and a large walk-in wardrobe that takes up an entire wall. "This is more than I expected," Maki worries that if Suzuka tries to take all this with her, they will not be able to find the space to breathe in her apartment.
"I'm sorry that I have to suddenly move in with you," Suzuka says as she closes the door behind them.
"It's okay," Maki assures her. "We already knew we would have to move in together after we told your parents."
"It still must be inconvenient for you,"
"It's okay, Suzuka," Maki smiles. "We used to share a room when we were members of the elite guard, so it's not so different."
"Yeah," Suzuka smiles. "I will be just like it was back then."
"Excuse me, Mistress Suzuka,"
Both Suzuka and Maki jump at the sudden addition of a soft, gentle voice. They turn to find a young maid who looks younger than them bowing her head for scaring them before dragging a suitcase inside. Suzuka asks her to place it on her bed, and the maid wordlessly complies. She struggles to lift the case onto the bed but manages before Maki can offer to help, but instead of leaving, she approaches Suzuka.
"Mistress Suzuka, your mother asked me to also give you this," The young maid takes an envelope out of a pocket on her apron. "She said you should spend it on whatever daily necessities you may need."
"Thank you," Suzuka nods, accepting the envelope as before the maid leaves the two of them alone once again.
Silence fills the room as Suzuka stares at the envelope as the reality of the situation dawns on her. She has thought about moving out on her own before, but now that she is finally about to move in with Maki, it finally hits her. Suzuka finally realises what she will be losing once she steps outside of her home. Servants who would do everything from waking her up to preparing meals and baths for her, gone. Staff that would drive her around and buy things for her, gone. Money that she never really thought about, gone. The family that drives her crazy, but she loves so dearly, gone. She has never realised just what she will be leaving behind when she moves out of her family home.
Looking up, she finds Maki looking at her with worry in her eyes. "At least I have her," That thought makes Suzuka feel better about the idea of moving out. Maki helped her adjust to living without any servants before when they were on the elite guard. She taught Suzuka so many things her parents had not. "And when we were in the bath, she would wash my hair and b…" Suzuka must stop herself from thinking further on that subject. Images of Maki fills her mind. Images of her friend naked with drops of water running down her body, of Maki only wrapped in a towel once they are out. She can even remember the way Maki's hands felt as she helped was her hair and back. Suzuka shakes her head, trying not to think of it as she feels her cheeks heat up again.
"Is everything okay, Suzuka?" Suzuka struggles to reply as Maki stares worriedly at her.
"Y… yes, I'm fine," Suzuka finally manages to get out. "But… I probably should have asked you this before, but… how much stuff would I be able to take to your place?"
"Oh while," Maki takes a moment to think it through. "Just think of it like when we were on the elite guard. Bring the same amount of clothing you did then, and your make up bag. If we have more space, I'm sure we can arrange with your mother to come back and get more."
"No, that should be more than enough," Suzuka sighs.
She looks around and sees how much of her stuff she would have to leave behind. So many expensive dresses, bottles of perfume and all her stuffed animal friends she would have to leave behind. Walking into her wardrobe, Suzuka starts to pick out some outfits to bring. She avoids her fine dresses meant for ballrooms and high-end restaurants. She passes by the stuff she could not see herself wearing now and picks out or her plain-looking simple clothes she would only wear around the house.
Maki follows her in and carries the outfits Suzuka selects and lays them on her bed. By the time she is down, there is only a handful of outfits on the bed, and Suzuka feels it is such a waste to leave so many pieces of clothing behind. Next, Suzuka moves on to her underwear and distracts Maki by asking her to fetch her makeup bag while she hands the task. She only just manages to cover her underwear along with a swimsuit she decided to take on a whim with a layer of clothing before Maki returns. Maki places the bag down before helping Suzuka pack. Grabbing two last things, Suzuka is down. Throwing her dressing gown and her prized stuffed animal into her suitcase Suzuka is finally done packing.
"Isn't that the bunny I gave you at the fair a few years ago?" Maki asks, leaning over Suzuka's shoulder, making her friend blush by how close she is as she examines the stuffed bunny. "I'm surprised you still have it."
"Yeah, it is," Suzuka is surprised Maki would even remember giving her this stuffed animal.
When Maki won it in a ring toss game, Suzuka thought she did not care about the toy. Suzuka can remember that Maki only looked at the fluffy pink bunny for a few seconds before handing it to her, saying she can have it. Although she believed that her friend only gave it to her because she did not want it, Suzuka still cherished the stuffed animal. Even now, she cannot bear to part with the bunny and must bring it with her. Suzuka places the stuffed bunny with care in her suitcase before closing the lid and zipping the case up.
"Is there anything else you want to take?" Maki asks, picking up the suitcase for her friend.
"No, that's everything," Suzuka nods, giving her room one last look before leading Maki back into the hall.
Maki can finally breathe freely again once she is back outside and away from things she is afraid of looking at out of fear they might break. The smooth drive away and multiple flowerbeds do not leave her with the same anxiety of getting into unpayable debt. Now under the sun's warmth, the soft breeze of the wind and breathing in the fresh air Maki can feel herself calming down with each passing second. With every step she takes away from the Konohana family's mansion, Maki eels a little bit more of the weight that was threatening to crush her being removed.
"That went worse than I was expecting," Suzuka mutters as she follows Maki to her friend's car.
"I'm just glad they didn't yell at us," Maki sighs. "It could have gone a lot worse."
"Yeah," Suzuka takes a deep breath. "It could have."
Suzuka looks back at her family home one last time before she rounds a corner. As much as she felt trapped within its walls, Suzuka still feels sadness in her heart, knowing she is leaving her home for what may be the last time. She can see the gardener watering the flowers, her broth and sister fighting over the remote for the TV through the window and her father. She cannot help but feel worried when she looks up and sees him watching her from his office window. Even from a distance, Suzuka can see disappointment, disgust, and anger etched into his face. Only her mother seems to be friendly as she waves goodbye from the kitchen window, spotting them leave. Suzuka waves back just before the corner blocks her view of her now old home.
Maki assures her it is okay as she reaches into her pocket for her car keys. Her car is not much to look at, but Suzuka feels like it has its own charm. The blue paint needs to be redone, the windows no longer open, there is no air conditioning, and the engine sometimes takes a minute or two to start, but Maki is happy with her car. Suzuka has also come to like it, although she wished the radio could turn into any radio station and accepted something other than cassette tapes. Even the doors jam, as Maki experiences, when she tries to open the back door to put Suzuka's suitcase on the backseat.
"Sorry," Maki apologies while looking embarrassed that it took her nearly a full minute to get the door open.
"It's okay," Suzuka assures her with a soft smile. "I'm used to you cars… quirks."
Maki feels embarrassed when she lets Maki into her small apartment. "Her room really was bigger," Maki sighs as her apartment feels cramped after standing in her friend's bedroom. There are only two rooms with the main one serving as a bedroom, living room, dining room and kitchen, while the other contains a toilet and sink. The small, cramped space and the nosy street outside makes Maki realises just how different the worlds they came from are.
"Where can I put my clothes?" Suzuka asks after taking a moment to look around the apartment.
"Oh, you can put them here," Maki says her moving towards a small wardrobe against the wall. "You can hang your stuff on the right side." Maki takes a moment to push her clothes to the left. "Oh, and give me a second. I only store a few batteries and spare clothing hangers in the second draw, so you can use that as well."
"Thank you," Suzuka replies opening her suitcase.
"I leave you two it," Maki tells her. "Once you are down, I can so you around the area, and we can go and buy what daily necessities you need."
"Okay," Suzuka nods before getting to work.
Suzuka kneels down and starts taking out her items of clothing while looking around. Maki's apartment was smaller than she was expecting. There is only a small table with several cushions to sit on, a little TV and a single window. The kitchen is just as small, being only a single wall on the far side of the room with a small oven, fridge and sparse counter space that is not taken up by a microwave and sink. "I didn't think it was this small," Maki had told her that her apartment was only a small one multiple times, but Suzuka still was not expecting it to be this small.
Hanging up her tops and dress, folding her skirts and trousers slowly but surely, Suzuka fills the empty space Maki had left for her. Before placing her soaks, underwear and swimsuit in the second draw. By the time she is finished, all that is left in her suitcase is that special stuffed pink bunny Maki gifted her. She leaves the stuffed toy on top of her suitcase for now and returns to her friend.
"Is there somewhere I can store my suitcase?" Suzuka asks.
"I'll put it in the loft later," Maki tells her. "For now, I think we should go out and buy what you need before it gets too late."