Chapter 3: Fatal Love
The autumn leaves make their way onto the cold pavement. The weather was between chilly and warm; perfect time for a lovely wedding. The Zenin family's residence is always kept up to date. With the countless numbers of servants and maids, no place leaves unattended. Some maids clean dishes to prepare for lunch, some maids sweep the floor for the hundredth time for that day, while the others carry a veiled woman inside the grand hall. Stopping to chat in between their work, the maids murmurs and whispers, watching their future first lady making her appearance. "She is the first isn't she?" one of them asked. "I heard she comes from a very poor family" "Why did Lord Naobito pick a poor village girl for our Lord Fushigoro?". Everyone seems to be confused as Nobara is. While the maids' questions are of her own, she knows that she can't let this ruin her chance. Nobara has one goal coming to the Zenin Family: to be the next Tokyo's promising fashion designer, even if it means using Fushigoro.
The two big doors of the grand hall slide open by the two of the attended maids of Nobara. The lead maid, Saki, leads Nobara inside the hall where the main head of the Zenin clan awaits in patience. Facing the entrance and sitting at the back of the room where only the lords are permitted to sit, Megumi Fushigoro looks up with a blank face. Nobara can't tell if he is frowning or annoyed; possibly both. She is sure that it is Megumi Fushigoro despite never having to meet him before. Afterall, who wouldn't be annoyed to marry someone they have never met? Not to mention him being the head of the family now. Shouldn't he have the choice to fall in love first? As Nobara is walking towards her future-husband-to-be, on the left of Fushigoro, Naobito Zenin smiles excitedly-complete opposite to what Fushigoro shows. Someone makes "oooh" and "woooow" sounds on the right of Fushigoro but Nobara can't make them out. The stupid veil makes everythign fuzzy; Saki also walks in a straight line, making sure Nobara only faces the center where Fushigoro sits. Nobara is lowered to sit on the soft floors by Saki.
"I am sorry for the long wait my lords. But I present to you Nobara Kugisaki, who has the potential to be the first lady of our residence" Saki unveils Nobara before taking a seat behind her to bow. Nobara bows and puts on a big smile before raising her head and looking up. Her eyes lock with Fushigoro, whose expression changes slightly. Fushigoro thought she would be an ugly ogre. But here, a beautiful swan sits instead. Naobito clears his throat while the weird person from before stirs up in excitement, "Oh my god! She is beautiful'' Nobara has a chance to look at him now. He has pink hair that is a little unkempt, light brown eyes gleaming in delight while looking at her, lines of crows feet maybe? Sits below his eyes. His kimono is a shade of blue with lines of ocean waves circling around it. Below the kimono, he wears a white collarless shirt with white buttons. This man also is wearing white gloves and a huge smile. Fushigoro, on the other hand, wears a completely different expression. He wears a similar themed fit as the weird man but his kimono is a reddish-brown color with black dragons encircling the piece.
"Calm down master Yuji" Naobito shares the same excitement as the weird man. He is comfortably sitting in a white and black kimono that falls loosely on his old-but-ripped body. "Miss Nobara came a long way. Please provide your thoughts Fushigoro" He turns to face the man sitting in the center of the three.
"Hmph" Fushigoro stands up and makes his way out of the exit, which was placed on the right side near Yuji. It led straight to the courtyard. Watching him disappear, Nobara is furious. She clenches her teeth and balls her fists. This piece of shit. I came all the way for him to give me a "hmph"? I want to murder him! "Well then" Nobara's thoughts were interrupted by Naobito "The wedding should be in a few weeks" huh? Nobara looks up at him.
"But Fushigoro just walked off?" Yuji asks Nobara's question. "Master Yuji, you should know how your best friend operates. Fushigoro doesn't express his feelings as easily as you and I. Now, Miss Nobara'' He turns to face her, "I will have the maids give you a tour of our residence, explain our family's traditions, and prepare you for the wedding" Naobito says all this with a smile while Nobara tries desperately to understand what just happened. She actually did it? Yuji gets up and kneels next to Nobara, taking her two hands in his. "I am sorry for his behavior. Fushigoro has a hard time expressing his feelings. But you can trust him" he added, "and if you need an ally, I am your best friend too" he chuckled, rubbing a hand behind his head. Nobara almost wished this man was Fushigoro instead.
Fushigoro silently walks around the courtyard. Stopping to smell the red roses formed in a wide bush. Maki was sent to the Gojo clan's mansion to pass an important document to its leader, Yuta Okkotsu. So she wasn't by Fushigoro's side like she always is. Not like he would share his feelings to anyone anyway; not even to his best friend Yuji Itadori. Fushigoro thinks to himself, I never expected for her to be this beautiful. Arranged marriages always go astray. To think that I would find someone the first time I ever looked. That old man, Naobito, sure knows my type. Although Fushigoro was thrown-back by her beauty, he won't let it distract him from her personality. Who knows, she might be a devil hidden in plain sight. Fushigoro was smarter than that. He won't show his emotions so easily but rather, let her fall for him instead.
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Maki rushes to Miwa Kasumi, who is one of the lead bodyguards and workers in the Gojo clan. She reports directly to Satoru Gojo and sometimes, Yuta Okkotsu. Maki wastes no time in finding Miwa; afterall, she has to go back to her master's side. Unfortunately, she wasn't there to see the woman who will be the future first lady of her clan, which bothered her. However, Maki has to make sure all the important work is being distributed between the clans.
Miwa walks out in her fresh uniform after a relaxing shower. She makes sure to practice her sword-fighting techniques at least a few times a day. Being a bodyguard of the Gojo clan is no joke. She runs into Maki Zenin on the way to see Master Satoru. "Maki! What brings you here?" Miwa has a bad habit of referring to her long-time friend without any honorifics.
"Miwa. Please hand this to Lord Yuta as soon as possible" Maki wastes no time reprimanding her and goes straight to the point. She was always the serious type. However, this never bothered Miwa and their friendship. It's good to have a balance.
"I would love to do that for you; but, Lord Yuta actually requested your presence. He knew you were arriving today so he instructed me to send you to his office" Miwa finished her sentence to look at Maki's expression and approval. Maki knew why Yuta wanted her presence. She actually hoped she didn't have to run into him this time. However, she couldn't turn his request down. Maki followed Miwa to Yuta's office. Their idle chat consisted of sword techniques and the new lady who might be the future wife of Fushigoro. Miwa couldn't wait to see her and Maki shared the same curiosity.
"Lord Yuta" both Maki and Miwa bowed in front of Yuta's presence, "I have brought you the package you requested" Miwa laughed cheerfully.
"Thank you Miwa. Hello Lady Maki" Yuta was always polite with anyone. He tried his hardest to hide the smile that was forming on his face by seeing Maki. Maki greeted him with her usual politeness and Miwa excused herself to let them be. Yuta instructed Maki to sit in front of him.
Yuta's office wasn't so much of an office as one might think. The whole room was heavily traditional Japanese style compared to Yuji Itadori's modern office room. First of all, it was empty. No books and shelves surrounded the area. Yuta sat on the ground at the center of the room with a small coffee table separating him and Maki. She joins Yuta by placing herself across him. She always knew Yuta was a minimalist. There is barely anything in the room except two open closets on the left and right. Both displayed two long and ancient swords to indicate Yuta's power. Afterall, the leader of the Gojo clan utilizes a sword to fight his enemies. Maki hands him the document before Yuta could say something.
"It's been a long time since we saw each other, Maki" He would address her as Lady Maki in front of others but when they were alone, all honorifics would go out the window. Maki wasn't here for chit-chat. She would try anything to push Yuta and her feelings away.
"The document entails important information about a mysterious group that has been plaguing Tokyo. Their mission is unknown; however, we determined that they pose a threat to humans" Maki tries her best to sound stoic. The Zenin, as well as the Gojo and Kamo clans, have been protecting the world from curses for eons. They are three great sorcerer clans that are feared by many cursed spirits, who are formed by negative energy. Although they have defeated the most powerful being, the Kenjaku, in the past, threats still linger in the nation.
"I will do my best to adhere to Lord Naobito's guidance regarding the matter" Yuta added, "and I will make sure to protect you until my last breath" to which Maki winced. She didn't need protection from anyone-much less Yuta. God, why is this man so persistent? And why does my heart flutter every time he speaks? Yuta clears his throat while a maid walks in to deliver some tea and biscuits. Maki calms herself down and thanks the maid before she departs.
"I don't need protection. Worry about yourself" Maki continues the conversation, sipping on some tea. She studies Yuta's expression. Despite her harshness, Yuta puts on a big smile.
"Haha. I guess you are right" He scratches the back of his head using his right hand while continuing to say, "you are a very strong woman Maki, which is why I fell for you". Suddenly, Maki's tea turned cold at his declaration. They agreed not to speak of this matter again but that didn't stop Yuta. Marriage between the three great sorcerer clans is forbidden since it can be seen as alliances against the other clans, which is why Yuta and Maki cannot be together. Although the two longed for one another, rules are rules. Even if Yuta is the head of one of the three great clans, he can't bend them. However, Yuta is determined to find a way where Maki and him can be together. He is sure of it.
Maki places her teacup down and pulls herself to stand-up. Yuta stands up as well, putting on a sad expression. Maki turns around without a word and proceeds to walk out of the room. Before she could make herself run away from him, Yuta quickly grabs her wrist to stop her. It pains him to see her act this cold towards him. Yuta knows that Maki has to fulfill her duty and that love between them is forbidden. However, what is life without Maki? "I will figure out a way for us to be together. Even if it means sacrificing what we have now. I know you still love me so please, I am begging for another chance" with that, Maki jerks her hand away. She can't let this go on any longer. Not when she feels the same as him.
Maki runs out of the room and into her sensei's arms. She looks up to stare at the masked man who smiles with a big playful grin. "Makiiiiiiiii!" Satoru Gojo is thrilled to see his long-time student. He trained her, Fushigoro, Yuta, Yuji, and many more.
"Sensei, it's great to see you but I must be on my way" Maki tries her best to hold her tears. Gojo lets go of his student and watches her leave the residence. Satoru waves goodbye, still with a big smile on his face. Despite his behavior, Satoru wasn't clueless. He was revered as the greatest sorcerer to ever live. His students, Yuta, Fushigoro, and Yuji, may have surpassed him; however, Satoru was not to be taken lightly. He turns to face Yuta's office, wondering what he is going to say. Satoru walks-in to confirm his thoughts of Yuta being in pain.
Pleased to see his Sensei finally stopping by after countless times of asking, Yuta quickly changes his expression and demands, "Satoru Gojo, as the head of the Gojo Clan, I hereby order you to take a wife" with a smirk…
Note 3: Marriages between the three great sorcerer clans are forbidden since they can be seen as alliances against the other clans, which is why Yuta and Maki cannot be together. However, the two have been in love for a while.