A/N: Response to reviews...
Response to Guest Review: Well, mate, there are about 15 more chapters, so you'll have to wait till then for Ritsuko to get her "just desserts".
Response to Caballero lector rojo Review: Uh, sorry mate, I don't speak or understand Spanish. Lol. But thanks to Google Translate, I assume you are asking if the fanfic will be done in December? I can safely say, no. Probably not, just looking at my school schedule and other commitments.
Chapter 9: The Toji Who Never Was
Initially, Akane had expected her evening to be a nice quiet one, sitting with a good book underneath her kotatsu. Even rainy weather could be calming when one was snug and toasty at home with a cup of tea. What she did not anticipate was her relaxation time being disturbed by the abrupt entrance of Genshi carrying an unresponsive Hiyori in his arms. Not even wasting time asking questions, Akane got straight down to business, hastily ordering two maids nearby to draw a warm bath and fetch a clean robe. She checked the girl's pulse, finding her skin alarmingly cold and her heartbeat abnormally fast. Not a good sign.
In spite of the dire circumstances thrust upon her, Akane did not panic, being no stranger to acting as a temporary doctor. After all, she had personally nursed her elder sister through several illnesses in their youth, and it was she who had been Head of the medical ward when they were in high school.
And so, although she really didn't need to, the younger Origami sister took it upon herself to care for Hiyori by removing her school uniform and helping her into the tub. Somehow, she knew that the Heijou Toji wouldn't have let any of the maids do it if she were conscious. Not caring how her own clothes were getting wet, Akane spent the next thirty minutes washing all the mud off of Hiyori and making her hair all silky and smooth again. Periodically, she'd check for any signs of the Heijou Toji waking. Her body temperature had already warmed up, but her heartbeat was still very erratic. It was only when Akane was about to heave Hiyori out of the tub that the girl's eyelids weakly fluttered open.
"What were you thinking, Hiyori-san, just walking alone in the cold wet rain without being bundled up properly, or even carrying an umbrella for that matter?" Akane chided, helping blow-dry Hiyori's raven hair.
In the mirror in front of them, she observed the girl's guilty and rather sad expression. Hiyori said nothing, not even out of protest, but only kept rubbing the sash of her ivory silk robe. That was Akane's indication that now wasn't the right time to pry.
"I've told the maids to set up a room for you. It's late and I don't want you going back out in this weather, especially with that cold of yours," the older woman said. "You need to recover, Hiyori-san. Understand?"
"Yes, Akane-sama..."
Hiyori had no strength to even argue, still shattered over what happened between her and Kanami. How could she face the Minoseki Toji ever again? Her mind wouldn't stop replaying how Kanami turned her back on her. The emptiness in Kanami's voice, so void of anything but withdrawn pain, had chilled her more than the cold outside. When she had walked out into the rain, regardless of her anger, there was a small part of Hiyori that desperately hoped Kanami would call after her...but she never did.
For the rest of the evening, she was mostly watched over by Akane. Hiyori didn't mind because unlike the maids, Akane never said useless reassurances like everything was going to be okay, or that she'll be happy again, or even tried prying to ask what happened. The younger Origami sister simply sat in a chair by Hiyori's bed and asked if she felt like talking. And when the Heijou Toji didn't reply, Akane only gave a smile with a nod in understanding before pulling out a book. In fact, Hiyori partly wondered if Akane remaining with her was partially motivated by the older woman wanting peace and quiet. With the numerous duties she had throughout the day, Akane barely ever had a break.
Finishing the clear beef broth the maids brought for her, Hiyori set the silver tray on the bedside table and leaned back upon her pillows. Though they felt plushy and the blankets just as thick and soft, she missed her own bed. It had been a while since she had gone back home. Perhaps once she got better, she'd return to sweep the dust and weed the garden. The distraction would do her good.
But what about Kanami? With all her anger now gone, Hiyori was left feeling nothing but hollow. Could their friendship ever be salvaged? But even if it could, Hiyori didn't want to go back to what it was before—unsaid secrets and constant evading. Just the thought of it made her head throb more.
"Hiyori-san?" Akane had looked up from her book and was now staring at her, very concerned.
Sinking deeper into her bed, the raven-haired girl lay on her side with her back facing Akane, so the older woman wouldn't see her deadened face. Sharply inhaling, Hiyori whispered, "I had a fight with Kanami; we never argued like that before."
Although she knew Akane was trustworthy and wouldn't go around telling every word that came out of her mouth, Hiyori still didn't know why she was even bothering to reveal what happened. Maybe it was because she knew Akane was nothing like her elder sister and aunts and cared for her as herself rather than as a political tool. Or maybe it was because Hiyori craved the maternal affection and empathy her own mother would give her when she was alive. Kagari had always waited until her daughter was ready to talk whenever Hiyori was upset and would often say being vulnerable by communicating one's emotions was a sign of strength, not weakness. How Hiyori wished it could be that simple every time! She'd have saved herself that whole ordeal with Kanami if it had been!
Akane remained silent, suggesting to Hiyori that she was waiting for her to just let it all out before saying anything in response. The Heijou Toji continued shakily, "I don't even understand my own feelings. I just didn't want to hurt her, but I was so...so...I don't know how to describe it all. Angry that I have to marry Genshi—don't bother denying it! I know what your sister and aunts have planned for me. Jealous of Kanami's childhood friend spending more time with her. Afraid of the idea of me being replaced. Hurt and lonely because I feel myself being pushed farther and farther away from everyone I've ever known! I just feel like nobody understands me."
Hiyori felt herself shaking, but she had no more tears left to cry. Clutching the bedsheets, she buried her face into them wishing they could just swallow her up. She felt the right side of her bed sink a little and then a gentle palm begin maternally stroking her hair.
"I understand you."
Before Hiyori could accuse her of lying, Akane continued, "When I was your age, I experienced the same feelings. I despised being an Origami and I especially disliked being sisters with Nee-sama. I was so jealous of Nee-sama; she was the perfect Origami, a strong Toji, beloved and looked up to by everyone. Compared to her, I always knew that I would only be second-best."
Turning around, Hiyori saw Akane wasn't even looking at her but into the shadows of the room, as if she were seeing all those distant memories play before her eyes. With a sad expression on her face, the younger Origami sister said, "You know Nee-sama's two okatanas, Okanehira and Doujigiri Yasutsuna? They have been in the Origami Family for generations. One of them was actually meant to be mine...but my Toji powers didn't activate. Never had any, to begin with, I guess. Yet, both okatanas chose Nee-sama. How do you think that looked to my family? Me, an Origami who couldn't even wield an okatana and do her duty...nothing but a disgrace.
"I was eventually registered as a non-combatant Toji and put in charge of the medical ward. I was always far from the battlefield, while my sister was continually praised as a hero. When next to her, I was only a tiny flame beside the radiant sun. I'm...the Toji who never was. That's what they all called me."
Her aqua-blue eyes shone as though tears were in them; Hiyori was pretty sure there were. Gently caressing the girl's cheek, Akane said, "So, you see, Hiyori-san? I do understand you."
"So...what did you do?" Hiyori asked, surprised at how candid Akane could be.
"What you and I just did now. Revealing how I felt. I talked with Nee-sama, and though she was initially shocked, she felt bad not realizing this was what I was going through. Since then, we've promised to be truthful with one another, put our differences behind us, and have become closer with each passing day.
"Hiyori-san, there's nothing wrong with feeling what you're feeling. But the most important thing is, whenever you're feeling like this, is to not just stay there all the time. You acknowledge and accept it, and then let it go. And then it'll get better, and if it doesn't, you let it be. It's okay to feel this way. It's okay to talk about it too because then you help others be aware of your boundaries. I just want you to know, Hiyori-san, I respect you and I respect your feelings."
For a brief second, Hiyori swore that instead of Akane she was seeing her own mother. But the illusion was gone as quickly as it appeared. Though those dark emotions weren't completely gone, they didn't seem as loud as before from listening to Akane's words. Even her guardians, Iroha and her husband, hadn't empathized with her as much as Akane had just now. Well, that wasn't really their fault, mainly because their own daughter always hogged their attention, not wanting to share them with Hiyori. For the first time ever since her mother died, Hiyori felt...validated.
"Akane-sama...thank you."
The Origami woman only smiled, still stroking Hiyori's hair to then halt when Hiyori let out an assault of coughs. Putting her book down, Akane said, "I'll go ask for more tea," before hurrying out.
'I'm sick of being sick...' Hiyori groaned in her head, wanting nothing more than a bowl of her mother's delicious stew.
A tap at her door made her lift her head slightly from the pillows. From behind the screen, Hiyori could make out the faint silhouette of Genshi. To let him enter or not? A ringing alarm in her mind warned her that she shouldn't be alone in a room with a young man. She watched as Genshi's silhouette raised his arm again, this time more hesitatingly, before lowering down.
Just as he was about to walk away, Hiyori groggily called out, "Door is unlocked."
Genshi slid open the shoji door with the manner of a mouse saying, "I wanted to see if you were alright."
"A little under the weather but fine, thank you," was the curt response.
"Is there anything I can do for you?"
"It's kind of you to offer, but again, I am fine."
Bowing his head a little and finding the floor very interesting, Genshi said, "I see."
Hiyori realized how unfair she was being. She couldn't blame him for the manipulations of Yukari, his mother, and his aunts. It was wrong to hold that against him when he was clearly sincere in his concern. After all, if he didn't actually care, he could've just continued on past in his limo, ignoring her.
"Sorry, I just...had a really bad day," Hiyori apologized. "I apologize for seeming so rude."
"It's okay. I understand." He took a deep breath, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, Juujou-san, I'm not oblivious to what my family's intentions are for both of us. And I don't have a doubt as to how it makes you feel. I mean during dinner last night, it was..."
"I know," Hiyori. "It was obvious. And I didn't exactly bother concealing my disdain."
"I'm sorry for how they treated you. And I'm sorry for how they're putting so much pressure on you as well."
It wasn't as though a simple apology would change everything. Yet, on her part, Hiyori accepted it graciously. She doubted he had any influence against the formidable older Origami women. Surely, he must have felt the same weight of duty as Akane did. Maybe he did try in the past to plead for his family to let him shape his own life. Maybe he even had ambitions of his own. But when you belonged to an ancient noble household that stuck to tradition as firmly as glue, you rarely ever had a say in anything.
"You are upset about it, aren't you?" Genshi asked although it sounded more like a statement than a question. "I know what you feel. I had been trained for such a fate my whole life as well. It is all for duty's sake. There was no other life for me, no other choice; my life had been decided for me the day I was born.
"You heard my mother and my aunts. They felt I had a higher calling ever since I was born, and then after you were, they were firm about a destiny of us together. You and I are to be Yukari's chosen heirs only because my mother dreams of the power that she wants for herself. Sometimes, I wonder what life would have been like if I wasn't an Origami."
Stoic from how empty she felt inside, Hiyori's voice was as hollow as his. "That's the main thing we share...we are merely puppets. The slaves of duty, tradition, and ambition."
Genshi gave a heavy sigh. "I don't ask that you love me at all. But I had hoped you may come to show tenderness at least. Kindness even."
"And would that be enough for you?" Hiyori asked, able to hide her aghast shock. "You don't want someone who yearns to be with you? Who would be by your side willingly?"
"I don't know...I've never had such a person in my life," Genshi answered.
Taking another deep breath, he cleared his throat. "What I am getting at is...I do not wish for us to be complete strangers. But I want to form a relationship with you—one that is not by my family's design. So, I was hoping we could take a shot at...being friends."
Genshi would probably end up being the only friend Hiyori would have left by the end of the Origami Family's schemes. And after her falling out with Kanami, along with Ritsuko budging into their friend group, Hiyori wondered if her place with them would even still be there.
"Okay," she said. They shook hands a bit awkwardly, but with genuine smiles.
Genshi's offer did make her feel better. Less duplicitous somehow. It would have been nice if they had met earlier before she knew Yukari had other plans and just being friends was not an option for them. But either way, Hiyori felt there was less stress in communicating with him now. Now, this was voluntary, a true desire to get to know each other and not because any adults were forcing them to while breathing down their necks.
The Origami boy sat down on the seat Akane vacated, his hands folded in his lap, twirling his thumbs absentmindedly. "I'll admit...I suspect there to be another reason why you were upset earlier."
"Oh?"
"Did something happen between you and Etou-san?"
"How on earth do you know that?" Hiyori asked.
Wincing a little at her sharp tone, Genshi replied, "When Tashiro-san and I brought you back in the limo, you kept murmuring Etou-san's name while you were unconscious, along with repeating how sorry you were."
Now it was Hiyori's turn to be embarrassed. "We...had words earlier."
"I see. Etou-san is a dear friend to you, isn't she?"
"Yeah...perhaps even more than the others. Kanami was my first-ever friend. She was the one who reached her hand out to me, who vowed to be by my side always, who gave half of her own life for my sake..."
"Then, I hope everything works out and you both make up in the end. It would be terrible to lose such a supportive friend. Finding important people like Etou-san are a rarity in this world," Genshi said.
"I don't even know how I can approach her after what I said!" Hiyori exclaimed.
"Then, perhaps just wait until you're ready," Genshi advised, putting a hand on her shoulder.
Hiyori nodded her head. It seemed like the best option for now at least. Definitely better than just rushing to apologize and running the risk of sounding insincere. It would give her time to sort her mind out.
For a brief second, Hiyori heard the creak of a floorboard outside. She raised her head just in time to see a shadow quickly dart away. Probably it was just Akane though, not wanting to interrupt their conversation, or one of the maids, afraid of being reprimanded for eavesdropping.
"And when you are ready," Genshi added softly, "you'll know what to say."
It's the "when" that did it. Genshi believed in her and Kanami. He knew that they would become friends again. And just his firm faith that their friendship was strong enough to overcome this obstacle almost made Hiyori sure of it herself...
No matter how hard she ran, she couldn't reach them. In fact, it seemed like they only just got farther and farther away. Yet, she had to reach them! She had to stop this! Lunging her hand forwards, Hiyori choked for them to stop as she helplessly watched Kanami and Ritsuko taking each other's hands, their faces leaning closer together. But before their lips met, Ritsuko glanced at Hiyori from the corner of her eye with a smug smile.
"Sorry, Juujou-senpai, but Kanami would never want a monster like you as a friend," the Renpu Toji chuckled.
Right when she said this, Hiyori felt a stab of pain in her heart. It spread through her veins like liquid magma causing her knees to collapse underneath her. She would have fallen facedown, but two hands in a pincer-like grip managed to catch her just in time. A shiver ran down the Heijou Toji's spine at the tingling sensation of two lips and the accompanying cold breath close to her ear.
"Just look at them. Who is the one that your little lovebird looks at? Who is the one in your little lovebird's arms? Who is the one closest to your little lovebird's heart?"
At that breathy purr she'd know anywhere, Hiyori slowly turned her head around, her pupils dilating in combined fear and rage. "T-Tagitsuhime..."
The aradama princess smirked. "She doesn't want you. For one simple reason...you're a Hiiragi. And therefore, you are just like me."
Without warning, Tagitsuhime crushed her lips against Hiyori's, causing the Heijou Toji to struggle in vain. She knew what was happening. Ichikishimahime had done the same thing with her two years ago to give Hiyori her powers. In horror, Hiyori felt the noro being transferred into her—a sensation she was all too familiar with.
'No...no...no!'
Feeling herself being released as the aradama princess merged into her, with a blood-chilling scream, Hiyori clawed at her burning eyes, one of which shone a vivid blue. Her hair flew into the air with ethereal radiance as lightning flashed around her body.
"Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!"
Her eyes shooting wide open, Hiyori found herself thrashing wildly about the bed. Her limbs had gotten tangled in the sheets which were damp with sweat. Her chest heaving heavily up and down, the Heijou Toji stared up at the ceiling trying to get a grip on herself.
Of course. She had just been dreaming. Ever since she had fused with Ichikishimahime, she still suffered from vivid nightmares—each one seeming so real and graphic. How many times had she relived that awful night? Dreamt of Kanami and her friends being killed by her hands? Been terrorized and mentally tortured by Tagitsuhime? Watched her father be blown to bits by the aradama that killed him, and her mother wither away bedridden till she crumbled to dust? The nightmares were just one of the many things that remained after she became an aradama—something she could very well do without. But never had she dreamt something like this. Seeing Kanami and Ritsuko kiss...w-what the hell was that?!
One of the walls, which was really a sliding door meant to divide the room, was quickly opened and Yukari's nightrobe-clad figure came running in. "Juujou! Are you alright? I heard you screaming."
'What the hell?! Her room was right next to mine the whole time? There are so many rooms in this damn place, yet they put me in the one that connects to hers?!' Hiyori inwardly screamed.
She wearily sighed, "I-I'm fine... It was just a nightmare."
"I know. I get them too," Yukari said.
A grim silence sat between them before Hiyori asked, "What do you see?" She didn't even know why she was asking.
Yukari didn't answer right away, but eventually admitted, "Mostly losing Minato and your mother."
Hiyori's shoulders sagged. Had Yukari's nights been plagued by terrors ever since she became an aradama too?
With a noncommittal shrug, her face giving nothing away, Yukari said, "This is but a small consequence of being an Origami and a Hiiragi; there are far heavier prices we must pay."
If she meant her words as a form of comfort, they did nothing but remind Hiyori of how unfair this all was. Hugging her knees to her body, she leaned her aching head forward, not wanting to look into those stoic red eyes. Yukari walked back into her room, shutting the fusuma door behind her, but not without saying a few words for Hiyori to consider.
"We have our burdens, Juujou. We bear them so that nobody else has to."
With an unexpectedly foggy start to the early morning, Mai and Sayaka hadn't planned for the location of their first date to be in a mall. The latter was rather confused by the situation (which wouldn't have been surprising to anyone who knew her well); this didn't seem any different from her usual hangouts with Mai. It didn't feel as though their relationship had progressed an inch. Really, it just felt like one of their typical shopping sprees (with Mai doing most of the shopping, of course, and Sayaka just following along). The albino-haired Toji breathed in and out deeply, telling herself that maybe it was to be expected. They had only just started dating after all.
Naturally, it was a little bit awkward at first. Sayaka had read as many books as possible along with websites on how to act during the first date. She took down notes, writing ones she thought best suited for herself and Mai. After all, all the books and websites agreed that every couple was different.
Rule #1: Dress appropriately. Not too much makeup and don't show too much skin—your partner would get the wrong idea.
Sayaka didn't exactly know what to wear, so she picked some clothes Mai had previously bought for her. A jean-vest with a white knitted sweater, a skirt with matching leggings, and fur-lined shoes. It was getting rather nippy anyway. However, after she and Mai finally met up, she began wishing she spent more time getting ready. The Yanase heiress had chosen a frilly pink cardigan, a matching top in a deeper hue, and a white dress with leggings and short, heeled boots. Very girly...the number one thing Sayaka was not.
Rule #2: Act naturally. Don't try being someone you're not. If your partner won't accept who you are, they aren't the one for you.
Rule #3: Take initiative! Get the conversation going. Maybe start with a compliment.
"I like your outfit," Sayaka had said, after clearing her throat.
Mai's cheeks burned a little, but her smile was sincere. "T-Thank you, Sayaka-chan. I'm happy to see you're wearing the clothes I picked out for you."
So far, so good. Mai, who seemed to be an expert at Rules #2 and 3 already, took the initiative by saying, "Let's start looking around, shall we?" At least, her enthusiasm for shopping hadn't seemed to have changed.
"O-Okay..."
They visited several shops together and bought a great many things—far too many for the closets of two teenage girls. But Mai was a rash, innocent, young woman who always wanted everyone she cared for to have everything they admired and everything she admired herself.
"M-Mai, you already bought me so many clothes two days ago. I-I think this is e-enou—"
"You two young ladies! Come here!"
Both jumping a little, thinking they were about to be scolded for some unknown crime, Mai and Sayaka turned in the direction of the voice. However, all they saw were two elderly women, poking their heads out from a shop door, with good-natured smiles and waving for them to come over. Judging by the store name, Ageha and Eiko's Wedding Boutique, emblazoned on the sign above, and the matching name tags pinned to the ladies' blouses, Mai and Sayaka connected the dots quickly that these were the store owners.
"Come, come, my darlings!" Ageha said. "We were just looking for two beautiful ladies like you."
Finding it rather difficult to refuse the elderly fashionistas, Mai and Sayaka could barely say a word in protest as they were taken in. As it turned out, Ageha and Eiko were hosting free photoshoots and as the dresses were indeed pretty, Mai couldn't resist the temptation. Sayaka only agreed with a shrug. So long as Mai was happy, she didn't mind.
After giving both girls a hasty makeover, Eiko grabbed a small selection of gowns ecstatically saying, "Here we are, darlings! Now for the real fun! I'll give each of you three dresses to choose from, but come out in your favourite, if you please."
Both girls were ushered into separate dressing rooms, carrying piles of expensive fabric. Mai gave a low whistle when she realized that the least expensive of the three was seven-hundred-thousand yen.
'They must not have to sell too many of these to make rent each month,' she thought.
Finally choosing her favourite, Mai appraised her reflection in the mirror one last time before stepping out. She left the dressing room at the same time Sayaka did. Their eyes met and then went up and down each other's wedding dress before they simultaneously blushed.
"Marvelous! Just marvellous!" Ageha exclaimed, before gently pushing them toward a backdrop. "Now, give me your best smiles, you two."
"You look beautiful," Mai whispered, as Ageha busied herself setting up the camera.
"S-So do you," Sayaka replied. "You look..."
'Stunning. Radiant. Beyond this world...too otherworldly.'
"Y-You look beautiful too," she eventually finished.
Mai only hoped Ageha and Eiko wouldn't publish their photo in some fashion magazine for their store. What would happen if her father ever found out? He might start getting ideas. And other than that, if anyone else saw, what would they think?
Beautiful...that was another thing. It was the first time she had ever thought another girl was beautiful.
'But Sayaka-chan really does look beautiful,' Mai told herself. 'There's nothing wrong with thinking that, right?'
Still, it was the first time, nevertheless. She and Kanami went shopping just as many times as she and Sayaka did, but she only ever found Kanami "cute". Then, did that mean she found Sayaka more attractive? Sayaka's looks weren't that striking compared to other girls. After all, it was agreed by almost every Toji and person in Japan that Hiyori was the "beauty of beauties". Hiyori definitely was a siren—so why should she think Sayaka was more beautiful? The thought kept haunting Mai's head even after they finished their photoshoot, waving Ageha and Eiko goodbye.
She had more time to think about it to herself when Sayaka excused herself to use the bathroom. However, she had less than a couple of minutes to go over it before two young boys approached her.
"Hey cutie," one of them said. "Enjoying some time to yourself?"
"I'm just waiting for someone," Mai curtly answered.
"How about you come have some fun with us instead?" the other sniggered.
"I'm fine, thank you. It would be rude to leave my friend without explanation."
"Aw, come on, don't be like that. We don't bite."
"I said no!" Mai said.
"Bitch!" One of the boys grabbed her arm violently, making her clench her teeth slightly. "You dare to talk that way to—"
"Let. Her. Go."
To her utter relief, Mai saw Sayaka staring at the two boys with her usual monotone gaze. However, this time, it had the effect of being like the stare of a venomous snake. Marching up, Sayaka didn't hesitate to yank Mai away, holding her hand possessively.
"Who the hell are you?" one of the boys demanded.
"I'm her girlfriend," Sayaka spat, before confidently walking away with Mai.
"Tch. Lesbians," she heard one of them sneer.
So angry was Sayaka that she almost forgot another important thing she had taken note of earlier from her books and websites.
Rule #4: When it comes to physical affection, respect your partner's boundaries. Sometimes, it's best to play safe and ask what's comfortable with them.
Flinching, Sayaka's eyes slowly looked down to see her fingers still interlinked with Mai's. Internally, she began praying that no sweat would accumulate on her palm. Yet, she had looked at Mai's hand on quite a few occasions during the first hour of their date, wondering whether she should take it or not. But they held hands many times before as friends. There was nothing wrong with holding hands as lovers, right? To continue holding it or not?
'I-I should probably drop it. We've escaped from them now, anyway.'
However, just as she began loosening her grip, Mai tightened hers. In surprise, Sayaka's eyes met the Yanase heiress's, who had slight tears in hers.
"T-Thank you, Sayaka-chan...for saving me."
"I-It's nothing..."
"I j-just also wanted to say that...I'm really enjoying our time together."
"R-Really?" Sayaka exclaimed. "I was afraid that—"
"No, Sayaka-chan. I mean it. I treasure these moments we have together, even now with...the change in our relationship. I'm really happy just being able to spend time with you."
And she truly was...but it couldn't last. Mai knew that it'd never. But with these new emotions awakened by Sayaka that she couldn't understand, did it mean...she didn't want it to end?
In the Renpu Girls' School cafeteria, every Renpu Toji was staring at the elephant in the room. It wasn't uncommon for Tojis to temporarily take residence in other schools of the Five Traditions. After all, a Toji's missions sometimes required a lot of travel about the country. But when that Toji happened to be Etou Kanami, the most powerful Toji ever, heads would turn. However, with the scowl on Kanami's face, hardly any of the Renpu Tojis present were mooning over her as they usually would.
Having spent the night in the abandoned shed, she had barely gotten any sleep, evident by the dark circles around her eyes. She returned back to the city right after it stopped raining, completely forgetting about her mission. All she wanted was a bowl of miso soup to warm her up—warm her cold body devoid of the pair of arms she longed to be wrapped around her. Already, she drank five bowls, yet she felt as cold as a corpse still. She felt just as dead too.
She had knocked persistently on the door of Hiyori's guest room at the Renpu Girls' School dormitory. However, one of the Tojis, who slept in the same hallway and happened to be passing by, told Kanami that Hiyori never came back last night. Kanami's stomach dropped at that.
'Where could she possibly be? It's my fault that she walked out in the rain.'
Kanami's greatest fear was that Hiyori never made it back at all and was still wandering about lost in the wilderness. She was just about to phone Sana and report Hiyori missing when she heard her name being called.
"Kanami, good morning!"
"Oh, Ricchan...good morning."
Ritsuko noticed the lack of Kanami's usual enthusiasm. "What's wrong? You don't look so well."
"Hiyori-chan and I were on a mission yesterday...and I don't know where she is now."
"Did you lose each other?" Ritsuko asked, sounding very concerned.
"N-No...w-we...had an argument. We've never gotten into a fight that fierce before."
"I'm sorry to hear that. Um...but about where Juujou-senpai is..."
"I don't know. I'm worried about her. I need to tell Director Maniwa."
However, just as she was about to dial Sana's number, Kanami saw the guilty look in Ritsuko's eyes. "What is it? What are you not telling me, Ricchan?"
"I don't know whether it'd be appropriate to tell you..."
"Tell me, please, Ricchan!"
Reaching over and nearly knocking over her bowl of miso soup, Kanami clasped Ritsuko's hands in desperation. Though she didn't want to release herself from the Minoseki Toji's clasp, Ritsuko looked in a different direction and slightly tugged her hands away.
"I didn't really want to tell you, especially after you just said you had a big fight with Juujou-senpai. It might hurt your feelings more, Kanami. But...you're special to me, and I can't hide any secrets from a good friend such as you.
"Last night, I saw Juujou-senpai get into a limo with Origami Genshi. My father again happened to have to deliver some papers to the Origami Estate during that time. And according to him, Juujou-senpai spent the entire night there—in the same room as Origami Genshi. He overheard them talking. I-I know it's not right to assume things...b-but I...well...Kanami? Kanami, are you listening?"
Kanami no longer was, too thunderstruck at what she had heard. No, she shouldn't assume. Hiyori wouldn't...she'd never! She was very close to hurling her soup bowl across the room when she got a phone call from Sana.
"Etou Kanami, where are you right now?" Kanami did not like the edge to Sana's voice.
"I...I'm at the Renpu Girls' School."
"I received a call from Akane-sama early this morning. She has informed me that Juujou Hiyori is at the Origami Estate, recovering from a cold she caught last night. Why did you not notify anything to me or the Special Sword Administration Bureau as soon as possible? Cases such as this, whether they are minor or severe, should always be reported."
Wincing at the director's reprimanding tone, Kanami said, "We had some unfortunate circumstances and got separated."
"And as I said before, you should have informed a person of authority about this right after you separated!" Sana said. "By not doing so, you have risked not only the safety of your teammate but yourself. What if you and Juujou Hiyori never made it back to the city? We'd have had to send rescue teams to look for you, and as for trying to figure out your exact whereabouts—I shan't even get into it."
"I...I'm sorry. It was foolish of me," Kanami apologized. She wished she could say the same words to a certain Heijou Toji.
"This shall be recorded in your Toji file. I hope you understand the severity of this when it comes to the policy of work safety, Etou Kanami. As for the aradama you failed to suppress, I shall give the assignment to a different team."
"Yes, I understand, Director Maniwa," Kanami mumbled.
She was only glad that Sana didn't consider putting her on temporary suspension. Hanging up her phone, she gave a heavy sigh. At least, Hiyori got back to the city safely. Yet, it was her fault that Hiyori was terribly sick.
Hugging the Minoseki Toji, Ritsuko stroked her brown hair whispering, "It'll be alright, Kanami. I'm here for you..."
Then, with an imperceptible sinister edge to her voice, she added, "I'm always here..."
A/N: Since the Toji No Miko wiki page marks Akane as a non-combatant during her time as a Toji, I wondered what her role would have been. However, since in Episode 8, she's seen tending to the wounded during the Great Disaster of Sagami Bay, I imagined her as the Head of the medical ward when she was still a Renpu Toji. Since the Origami Family is so prestigious and renowned for kenjutsu, I thought if Akane was a non-combatant, surely she would have faced criticism from her family and others, and perhaps even felt jealous towards Yukari. That's why I wrote a backstory for her in this chapter.
Akane's conversation with Hiyori is partly based on this video I saw of a father helping his little daughter deal with her anger. It was so heartwarming to watch, how he acknowledged her feelings rather than scolding her for getting upset or saying anger is wrong. I think that's a misconception society forces upon all of us. It's okay to get angry, but it's important to not always stay angry and hold grudges.
The clothes Mai and Sayaka wear for their date are based on the ones they wear for their character solos, "Humming Bird" and "Heart of Gold".
Anyway, I'm exhausted from writing three research papers for school on top of this. Third-year is rough in university...