Disclaimer: I do not own Ai Yori Aoshi and Ai Yori Aoshi Enishi. This is the property of Kou Fumizuki, Pioneer/Geneon, and JC Staff.

Blue Monarch
Act 1, Scene 3

The month was coming to its close at the Sakuraba "dormitory" and Miyabi was growing more worried and agitated within these walls. Personally, her first duty was to Aoi-sama, and as much as she wanted to stay by the girl's side, other duties bound her to a place she was growing to hate.

It was not the home itself that bothered her. It was the people and the memories that were becoming unbearable.

She would have been more than glad to evict all of them, or as she entertained morbidly, she would be ecstatic to board up the entire building and set it on fire, with its residents still inside.

But Aoi-sama, in her sad and restrained insistence, had convinced Miyabi to stay to continue the charade that the dorm was still operational. It would be a signal of weakness to the dissenting elements of Sakuraba if the facade of inn manager and landlady dropped upon her return home.

For her sake, she agreed. For Aoi-sama's sake, she put up with this.

"Heeeey! Manager!"

Tina's voice cut through her ears, forcing Miyabi to wince.

Suspicion over which other girl was responsible for Aoi-sama's pain had soured her to the other female residents.

"Yes, Tina-san?"

Tina bounded down the hall, intercepting Miyabi as she exited her office. "How is the landlady?"

"She is still at home. I told you before, Aoi-sama will be confined to her family home until matters are resolved. And no, I do not know when that will be! I told you - told all of you - before, so do not dare ask me again unless you try my patience!" The annoyance could not be kept from her voice for long.

The American backed away, holding her hands up in defense. "Eh, eh. Don't be so snappy. I just wanted to know how she was doing."

Miyabi sighed heavily and crossed her arms tightly. "She is healthy. Is that enough?"

Tina scratched at her cheek, digesting the scant answer. Her eyes widened as she saw Kaoru come down the hall. "Hey, Kaoru! Manager is being mean! She's keeping secrets about landlady! Will you help me get some info out of her?" She grinned mischievously, a hint of fang in her smile.

Kaoru looked between Miyabi and Tina. He only shook his head, trying to placate the blonde. "No, Tina. Leave Miyabi-san alone. She has lots of work to do."

"Aw, you're mean too, Kaoru!"

"Tina." His tone had changed. "Miyabi will tell us when she believes we should know."

Quickly, he turned around and walked away.

Tina watched him go. When he turned the corner, she took off after him, yelling loudly all the way.

When the sound of Tina's voice and the loud slapping of her feet faded away, Miyabi allowed herself to scowl and punch the wall.

Dammit!

As much as appearances had to be kept up, Miyabi wanted to see if Kaoru felt as Aoi-sama did. So far, she could see that the boy had become more quiet and less active in the house, though not quite to the point of brooding. It would have placated her if she caught even a glimmer of reaction, even a slip of anguish.

It was enraging that he would not let on any indication, even to her, that he was hurting as much, if not more so, than Aoi-sama. He did not appear wracked with guilt or full of remorse.

He appeared to not even care for Aoi-sama at all.

How could he even deserve Aoi-sama's consideration, let alone her love?

That old resentment was baited, and it filled Miyabi with bitterness as those buried feelings rose anew.