THE MIKAGAMI FAMILY INITIATION
Chapter 1: Jiko no Kazoku (Family Above Self)
Author's note: Guuuuuys, look who's back! I never can stay away from the fandom and my favorite pairing. I have stopped writing for a while due to my busy schedule at work. But now that I've resigned, I have lots of free time! Yaaaay. Recently, I've been re-reading some of my favorite fics and before I even knew what was happening, a plot idea came to mind. It was heavily influenced by Pride and Prejudice, Crazy Rich Asians, Khay's Kindred, and abubi-chan's "I'm Waking Up To Us". Shout-out to Mia Fitzpatrick and shootinglemons, because re-reading "Just As You Are" and "Circumstances" (respectively) practically cemented my resolve to write. I don't believe nobody reads FOR fanfics anymore, my stats tell me otherwise. So here I am starting a new fic (how dare I, when I haven't finished "Their Moments" yet, right?), because the plot bunny literally keeps bouncing around in my head will not let me rest until I indulge it.
I have no beta this time, so all grammatical mistakes are mine. I'm truly sorry if some translations are wrong. Just blame it on Google Translate. Thanks, guys! I hope you like this one. Please leave a review. That would mean a lot.
"Hello."
"Obaasan. This is Tokiya."
Strained silence from the other end.
"Tokiya. I thought I would never hear your voice again." His grandmother finally spoke up. She sounded emotionless and spoke in measured tones. But Tokiya's discerning nature detected the slightest hint of relief in her voice. "Have you forgotten me?"
Tokiya could hardly keep from wincing. He knew his grandmother never minced words and never resisted confrontations. "Forgive me, Obaasan. I'm sure you understand my predicament. But I gave you my word –"
"And I have not forgotten, my dear." She was one of only two people on this planet who had the nerve to interrupt him mid-sentence. "They have kept me alive all these years. You have been in my prayers. And now, are you finally ready to keep your promise and come home?"
"I am."
"Have you found the answers to your questions?"
"Yes, and so much more."
"Pray, tell, Tokiya."
Tokiya took a deep breath and plunged in. "Obaasan, I discovered the truth, but it came at a high price. I had to make a choice either to walk further down the path of self-destruction or change trajectory and explore the uncharted territory of forgiveness. Along the way, I met some kindred spirits, and they have influenced me to change the course of my life. I have finally made peace with the past."
"I am proud of your choices, Tokiya. And I speak on behalf of your grandfather Meguri, your parents Tomohiro and Miyumi, and your sister Mifuyu who have passed on."
Tokiya felt a lump in his throat and a weight on his chest for two reasons. First, hearing the names of his loved ones so reverently spoken still evoked a twinge of sadness at the thought of their absence. Second, his grandmother hardly showed her emotions much less articulate approval of anyone. It always felt like an elusive and unattainable prize to hear such words. But now it was time to broach the main subject.
"That's not all, Obaasan."
"Oh?"
Tokiya swallowed the lump in his throat. An image of Fuuko's pretty face and radiant smile flashed across his mind's eye and that was all it took to push on courageously. "I've found….." he paused for a split second. What the heck? The love of my life? My reason for living? My inspiration? The one person who can drive me mad? The only woman on earth who can make me laugh? His grandmother had a general aversion toward any outward expression of affection so he struggled to find the right words. Neutral words. Yet confronted with everything Fuuko meant to him, she just seemed larger than life in that moment and for the first time in ages, he was at a complete loss for words.
"Tokiya?" His grandmother's voice snapped him out of his reverie.
"I've found her, Obaasan." He said with conviction. "I'm never letting her go."
His grandmother drew in a sharp breath. Intelligence was the predominant Mikagami gene, after all. There was no need to fill in the blanks. "You have… fallen in love? Impossible. Is this a dream?"
"Sometimes I think it is. That it's too good to be true. Like I don't deserve her."
Did her proud grandson inadvertently admit insecurity?
"Who is she?" His grandmother was barely recovering from shock as evidenced by the impertinence in her tone. Her grandson had NEVER, NEVER been this forthright and open with her. In her estimation, which was always flawless, no woman could possibly be worthy of her grandson, so why was he speaking like there was a reversal of roles? Who was this woman and what had she done to transform her grandson into this lovesick fool she barely recognized?
"She is Fuuko Kirisawa, obaasan, one of the kindred spirits on my journey and my best friend. We have been seeing each other for five years. I plan to propose to her this afternoon. It would be an honor if you would meet her, that is, if she will have me."
To say that Taka Mikagami was intrigued was an understatement. She was dying to meet this girl who had ensnared her Tokiya, but she was a woman who loathed to have her time wasted. If this mystery lady would fall short of her good opinion, just like someone in close ties with her family once had, she would rather nip it in the bud. She remembered the pain of disappointment and betrayal and how they took their toll on her health, leading to her second stroke. "You know my standards, Tokiya." she said without bothering to disguise the threatening slur in her voice.
"Better than anyone, obaasan. And though I wish for your blessing, at this point I am entirely convinced that she is the key to my happiness and wholeness, even if she does have a propensity for driving me insane. She's the one. Nothing and no one will dissuade me from marrying her." Tokiya felt his tongue loosening as his conviction grew.
Taka Mikagami tightened her grip on the phone. "So much blathering. I am not accustomed to this uncharacteristic behavior from you." She said coldly. "And if I don't approve? If the whole family does not approve of her? You would turn your back on us again?"
Tokiya placed a hand on his temple. "That won't be necessary, obaasan." and he stopped before he could tell her the cold truth that if it came to that, so be it. He would, without any second thought. The slightest, most remote suggestion of a future WITHOUT her sparkling presence in his life would plunge him into the pit of despair once again. He felt his stomach churn at the thought. However, he could not possibly hurt his family when they were finally on the verge of reconciliation.
"And that remains to be proven, Tokiya. Very well, I shall meet her if that's what you wish. But child, you have some unfinished business here. Remember the Mikagami emblem: Jiko no kazoku. Family above self. Do not forget the sacrifices of those who have died to protect you and defend our family honor, nor the tragedy of those in the family who chose to follow their wayward heart. Goodbye."
Tokiya slipped his cellular phone back into the pocket of his navy blue slacks.
"Dude. From the looks of it, that conversation was seriously creepy." Recca Hanabishi shuddered. "Reminded me of my mom back when she was the mistress of evil."
Tokiya shrugged. "Don't worry about it. She's not your problem."
"But she's gonna be Fuuko's problem eventually, if all goes according to plan. Are you ready for your big move, buddy?"
"Fuuko can handle Obaasan." Tokiya said confidently, the corners of his mouth lifting into a small smile. He tossed the car keys to Recca who caught them swiftly. "Let's do this, Hanabishi."
"Ah, but can the Ice Queen handle her?" Recca waggled his eyebrows while slipping into his jacket.
Tokiya sighed, quite frustrated that he knew these two women so well, but could not predict the outcome. They were completely different, and his grandmother had changed over the years, retreating further and further into her shell. "I can't say for sure, but her overall treatment of Fuuko will determine whether I go back or burn bridges."
"Interesting. Keep me tuned in to the Mikagami Family Soap Opera."
"I'm glad you find my predicament so entertaining, Hanabishi." Tokiya said dryly.
Recca laughed out loud. "And speaking of entertaining, bro, why do you and your grandmother talk like you're in the Meiji Era or something? She must be at least a hundred years old. I mean, no offense, man."
"She's 90 years old, and yes, she has been to the Meiji Era." Tokiya winked conspiratorially at his friend.
Recca's jaw dropped. "You've gotta be kidding me."
Tokiya shook his head.
"For real? Like time travelling and all?" Recca said disbelievingly.
.Tokiya smirked. "It's a family secret. Let's just say that in the olden days, the ensui combined with other madogous had overwhelming potentials. She can't anymore, of course, now that the madogous are gone forever."
"Wow." was all Recca could say. After a few seconds, he snapped out of his trance. "Let's go get your girl." He headed out of Mikagami's apartment.
Tokiya rolled his eyes. "Welcome back to earth, Hanabishi. I was on the verge of leaving you behind with your fantasies."
"Go for the mexcian restaurant across the street, mom. It's called Snapper and Harper. It's way cheaper there and they serve the best tacos in town. Their gourmet cakes go fifty percent off an hour before closing. Try their apple pie a la mode." Fuuko said as she stirred her gray Honda N-Box off the highway into a path that was headed for the forest resort and lodge. She had her mom on speakers in her mobile phone.
Yanagi Sakoshita Hanabishi nodded in approval from the passenger seat.
"Honey, these are high-profile guests. Don't you think the fancy, ten-starred Michelin restaurant would do them justice?"
Fuuko made a silent gagging motion that made Yanagi giggle softly. "You mean Nashikawa?" It was named after the world-renowned Japanese chef who had his culinary training in Italy, France, and New Zealand. "You have to spend at least 150,000 yen there, mom, you ready to go bankrupt? Seriously mom, you couldn't have thought of a creepier place. You can literally hear a pin drop in there and the servers are so stuck-up. Plus their asparagus and morel risotto sucks." Fuuko's loved asparagus, but she almost cursed the innocent vegetable to oblivion after that nasty experience.
"I don't know, sweetheart. What would Tokiya-kun think?"
Fuuko rolled her eyes. "Mom, if you prefer his opinion over mine, then you should've called him."
"I didn't want to get in his way, sweetheart. He's in Tokyo now, right? He told me he was meeting some representatives from the CDP. That is, the –"
"Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, mom. I know. I was listening." Sometimes she would feel excluded around her mother and her boyfriend, who happened to share the same profession as lawyers.
"You do? I'm impressed. I thought you fell asleep in the middle of our dinner conversation again. You have to stop that, darling. It's rude."
Yanagi clamped one hand over her mouth to prevent a surge of laughter from escaping.
"Let's see if I understand your logic, mother. So it's rude to bother Mi-chan when he's in a meeting, but it's totally okay to harass your daughter with dining issues when she is already running late for her own appointment."
"Oh, sweetheart. Quit being dramatic. You know I value your advice more than anyone else's. We've been through so much together and you have proven yourself to be perceptive and intelligent. You've matured so much over the years! Why, even your taste for fashion can testify to that. I'm so glad you finally got rid of those hideous tattered denim shorts-"
"He would've picked Snapper and Harper."
"What was that, Fuuko?"
"Mi-chan, mom. He would've recommended Snapper and Harper. We go there all the time."
"Well, why didn't you just say so?" Mrs. Kirisawa said cheerfully. "Goodbye, honey. I don't want to keep you! You're already late. I'll see you at home. Love you."
Click.
Yanagi finally burst out laughing while clutching her stomach.
"I swear, my mom's gonna be the death of me." Fuuko said as she swerved the vehicle into the large parking lot. "Thanks for coming with me on this trip, Yanagi-chan."
"Oh, Fuuko. No need to thank me. I'm just doing my job. I had to make sure I got you here." Yanagi's grin was widening, then she stopped abruptly, realizing her mistake. Oops.
"Huh?" Fuuko gave her a funny look as she unbuckled her seatbelt.
"Er, I mean, I'm concerned for your safety, that's all. This lodge is quite far away from town and it's so dark." Yanagi stalled, while mentally berating herself for almost ruining all of their hard work and weeks of planning.
"Ugh. You still have that protective streak your idiot husband Recca must have imprinted on you. Chill, girl. I still remember all of my moves from UBS." She flashed Yanagi an assuring grin and struck her fighter's pose for effect.
Fortunately for Yanagi, her best friend was dense as a cow. Yanagi slowly let out the breath she was holding as she stepped out of the car.
Fuuko pressed the lock button on her car keys and grabbed Yanagi by the wrist. "No time to lose, we are so late. My client's gonna kill me." She ran towards the entrance of the lodge, dragging the poor, fragile girl along.
Due to all the rush, they barely took in the exquisite brick outlined wooden doors and the Grecian pillars with gentle green vines, leaves, tendrils and a few white flowers wrapped around them. Inside, a warm fire was crackling in the fireplace, and an old man was calmly reading the newspaper on one of the rustic couches. A group of girls were sipping tea and chatting away at one of the tables. The floors were carpeted in red and soft piano music was playing in the background.
The girls walked to the front desk, and the young receptionist looked up with a warm smile. "Welcome to Funsui Forest Lodge and Resort. How may I assist you?"
"Hi. I'm looking for the Vajra Hall, and could you please tell me if Mr. Takizaki has arrived? I have a meeting with him."
The receptionist smiled mysteriously. "Yes, ma'am. Mr. Takizaki had it completely reserved for your meeting. He arrived thirty minutes ago and is already waiting there."
"I am so dead. What a way to make a first impression." Fuuko winced.
"Don't worry, ma'am. From what I've heard, Mr. Takizaki is a most patient man." Again, that mysterious grin. The receptionist signaled and a young man in a suit emerged from the sides, almost giving Fuuko a heart attack for seemingly appearing out of nowhere with such stealth. He bowed respectfully to the receptionist, and then toward the two women.
"Jim, please show our guests to the Vajra Hall."
Fuuko thanked the receptionist. Yanagi linked arms with her friend as they trailed behind Jim.
"So, who is this Mr. Takizaki?" Yanagi whispered, playing out her role in their charade.
Fuuko shrugged. "Don't know much about him. Never seen or met him before, let alone heard his name. Apparently, he's rich, in his sixties, and investing in the idea of putting up a weather station in his hometown. He wants to consult me about the project."
"Does Tokiya-san know you're meeting a man?" Yanagi teased.
"Yes, he knows I'm attending a business meeting with an old man who is happily married and has four children and whose wife probably tagged along. He has nothing to worry about." Fuuko shot back and the girls laughed.
"I'm sure you wouldn't trade him for anyone in the world, Fuuko, even if it were a twenty five year old gorgeous bachelor in Mr. Takizaki's place."
"Yup. He wouldn't hold a candle to my man." Fuuko said confidently and winked, while Yanagi felt warmth in her heart. Her friend's words were a good sign and had a strange calming effect on the healer, who had been resisting anxiety since they got into the car.
Soon they were standing in front of large double doors made from expensive agar wood. An ivory signage with Vajra Hall written in delicate calligraphy hung across the wall on top of the doors. Jim bowed and left them.
Yanagi cleared her throat and pretended to sift through the things in her purse. It was time for the part she rehearsed at least a dozen times with Recca. "Fuuko, I need to use the ladies room. Could you go on without me, please? I'll catch up with you in a minute."
"Do you know where it is?" Fuuko asked. "You know what, maybe I should go with you. I'm already late anyway –"
"NO!" Yanagi said too forcefully, then faked a laugh when Fuuko took a step back in surprise. "I mean, I'll be fine. You've kept Mr. Takizaki long enough, even if he is a patient man." Before Fuuko could say a word, Yanagi skidaddled away. When she was safely out of Fuuko's sight, she breathed out a sigh of relief and took out her mobile phone to call Recca.
Fuuko opened one of the wooden doors and was very surprised to find the room engulfed in darkness, except for the balcony which was very dimly lit. She thought it was empty till she noticed the silhouette of a man holding a champagne glass on one end, his back turned on her.
She rushed towards the figure. "Mr. Takizaki, I am soooo sorry for making you wait. My mom called me on the way and I swear she stalled me with her blabber mouth, plus it's my first time here so I had to drive carefully to avoid road accidents since my boyfriend will kill me if there's so much as a scratch on our car. He's so paranoid about me driving his precious car alone at night that he asked my best friend to come. You'll meet her later, she's –" she stopped dead in her tracks. Mr. Takizaki had… Long silver hair?
"Mr. Takizaki" turned around, and lo and behold… there was that unmistakable and endearing (but he must never find out!) Mikagami smirk on that handsome face.
Fuuko's jaw dropped. "Mi-chan?!"
"I'm not as paranoid about the car as I am over your safety, Fuuko." He said as he placed the champagne glass down calmly on the ledge of the elaborate balcony rail, though his heart jumped at the sight of her.
Fuuko was still rooted to the ground, unable to recover from shock.
"You look very pretty tonight." He said, after several seconds of silence. He took in her green cocktail dress, white stilettos, and wavy, her shoulder-length, purple hair. He loved her present hair length, as it seemed to put her somewhere in the middle of spunky and feminine.
She finally blinked.
Annoyed, Tokiya held his arms out. "Kirisawa, will you stop staring and just get in here? You're starting to scare me."
Fuuko broke into a smile and ran into his embrace, her arms linking around his neck. He wrapped his arms around her waist and twirled her in the air twice.
She laughed and whacked him on the shoulder when he put her back on her feet. "I have to admit, this is a clever joke. Did you ditch those CDP guys?"
"I had it moved a day earlier. The meeting was concluded yesterday to give way for your surprise." His eyes twinkled as he took her right hand.
"So what made you come all this way, Mr. Takizaki? I'm supposed to be here for your business proposal." Fuuko joshed.
This is it. Tokiya slipped his left hand into the pocket of his pants to feel the ornately decorated dark gray box. "There is a proposal, but it has nothing to do with business."
Fuuko's eyes widened, but she couldn't break away from his captivating eyes. Wait a minute. Guy in a dashing suit, romantic setting, he flew in all the way from Tokyo….
And she thought her heart would stop when he dropped on one knee, still holding her right hand. With his other hand he presented the small, beautiful box which opened to reveal a simple but stunning diamond ring.
"Fuuko Kirisawa, will you give me the highest honor of being your husband and spending the rest of our lives by my side?" he said sincerely. Please say yes. He pulled her closer and pressed her hand to his heart in an unusual display of vulnerability.
A tear rolled down Fuuko's cheek at the gesture and his humility. She pulled him to his feet and placed both hands on his cheeks. "Mi-chan, I've waited my whole life to say YES to you."
Tokiya felt the surroundings blur as if the ground was unsteady. He took one of her hands and pressed a kiss to her open palm. "Arigatou, Fuuko. Aishiteru." He slipped the ring into the fourth finger of that hand.
She grinned and pulled his head towards her for a passionate kiss, but jumped away when fireworks started to erupt from a distance.
The lights came flooding into the room. Opening notes of a French love song started to play. Apparently, Mi-chan went to all the trouble of hiring a band… her favorite band?! The instrumentalists who were all wearing shades for some unknown reason smiled happily at her. Fuuko noticed that their famous vocalist was nowhere in sight.
"Surprise!" called a chorus of voices.
Fuuko grinned at Tokiya, who looked displeased at the timing of the interruption for a split second, as he was about to kiss his now bride to-be, although he knew the effects were all a part of their brilliant plan. His bride. He smiled inwardly. He liked the sound of that. Tokiya schooled his features into his typical impassive demeanor as they prepared to greet their company.
Yanagi hopped out of her "hiding place" behind one of the tables, holding pink and blue balloons. She ran to her best friend and threw her arms around her. An enthusiastic, eighteen year old Ganko Morikawa was at her heels, and soon there was a lot of squeeling and noise as Fuuko showed off her ring.
Thankfully, Recca joined Tokiya at that awkward moment so he wouldn't be alone with the boisterous women. The flamecaster's tie was loosened and he wiped the sweat off his forehead with a handkerchief. "We pulled it off, Mikagami." He said with relief.
"Good job." Tokiya said genuinely.
Recca blanched. "Although we almost had a panic attack when dad thought he left the blue fireworks—"
"Vous etes le soleil de ma vie…" some male voice was singing off key, off tempo, off tune while the instrumentalists were struggling to keep up. And the French diction was downright horrendous and unsettling.
Recca's face crumpled. "What is that awful noise? Good grief." Both handsome men turned toward the band and were genuinely flabbergasted to find a large, Mohawk-haired man singing in front of an old, iconic 50's microphone. What he lacked in talent, he made up for with his pristine suit, shades, and all that jazz.
"For heaven's sake, SHUT UP, Domon!" Recca yelled indiscreetly.
Domon Ishijima yelped in surprise and the band stopped playing abruptly. There was total silence in the room as even the ladies stopped chattering and turned to survey the scene.
Domon gave Recca the evil eye. "What's your problem, Hanabishi? I was feeling the French, man! Don't rain on my parade!" He said into the microphone.
"I hired that Jun Kubota guy. Where is he?" A slightly irate Tokiya demanded.
"Well, he had a family emergency, so I graciously filled in. You're welcome." Domon was going to cue the band to resume, but Recca rolled up his sleeves and pummeled him to the ground. The women turned away, disinterested, as the two "friends" wrestled each other on the floor.
"Actually, he's not that bad." Kaoru Kogenei joked, as he crept up behind Mikagami.
"Are you deaf? I will have nightmares for months." Mikagami said coolly.
Kaoru handed Tokiya a glass of wine. "Congrats, 'Niisan." He said, flashing his trademark cheeky grin.
Shigeo Hanabishi then approached the pair, with Kagerou on his arm.
"Ah, Tokiya. I hope you liked the fireworks. I almost lost it when I thought I forgot the blue fireworks. I know they're Fuuko's favorite. Congrats on your engagement." Shigeo said.
"Thank you, Shigeo-san." Tokiya replied.
Kagerou was less formal. She wrapped Tokiya in a warm, motherly hug. "She will make you the happiest husband, Tokiya. She's perfect for you."
Of that, he had no doubt. Tokiya returned the hug. Kagerou excused herself to join the ladies, while Shigeo headed for the buffet table.
"So, are you going to play referee, niisan, or should I?" Kaoru nodded towards Domon who had Recca in an armlock. "They're so noisy and inconsiderate. Other guests might be disturbed, you know."
Tokiya took a sip of his wine. "Not interested." He took out his mobile phone, pressed some buttons and walked away, holding the phone against his ear.
"Why do I always get stuck with the dirty job?" Kaoru sighed and prepared for the unappetizing duty of breaking the two fighters apart. Well, at least she's here and might be impressed. He stole a glance at Ganko before walking towards the older boys.
Wanna read more? Should I continue this? ;)