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 2, Scene 1

Another hot sweltering day had come, a reminder that it was still summer and that it was still appropriate for such days to occur. The cool respite of the other day would be missed, but Aoi did not pay mind to such a difference. It was just another day alone with her regrets.

So she sat, on the little wooden walkway that was outside of her room, with her head bowed; she stared at the fabric of her kimono, as if she was analyzing the weave and stitching as she picked herself apart flaw by flaw.

Aoi wondered if Kaoru-sama would have stopped himself had she been more honest. Maybe that was what made him so displeased with her that he would go to another. If only she had done as he asked.

"You know everything about Kaoru-sama. Kaoru-sama wants to know everything about Aoi-chan."

She had just shook her head and smiled coyly. She wanted to surprise him. She assumed she had a lifetime to surprise him.

He could not wait for her surprises, or he got tired of waiting.

Well, she could wait for him. Wait until Orihime and Hikoboshi crossed the Milky Way and into each other's arms. Wait forever.

There was nothing beyond the moment of betrayal except the what-ifs, the whys, and what she could have done to prevent it.

If Aoi had to describe how it felt to forcefully keep herself in this standstill, reliving nothing but her surprise and anguish, then it was a torturous progression from a hot, searing pain to a dull and constant ache. She had reached that plateau where she was becoming numb to it, to everything. As much as she did not want to feel this way, without it, she would feel nothing. Perversely, it was the only reminder that she was still there.

She heard someone approach her. From the stiff clicking of the heels, she assumed it to be Miyabi.

She did not mean to worry her guardian so much; consideration flashed for how Miyabi was forcing herself to stay neutral and civil to Kaoru-sama and the other girls while running the "dormitory," it must be such a challenge for Miyabi. Such self-control was commendable and Aoi would have to show her gratitude soon.

The footfalls got closer, and they were heavier. No, it was not Miyabi...

Who else would come to her? Okaa-sama? Otou-sama.

The last possibility she dreaded.

"Aoi-hime."

A small gasp puffed from her lips at the voice of her visitor, young and male. The address was vaguely familiar. She looked up to see that her guest was bowed forward, facing only the top of his full head. His hair, so green and so deep that it could have been mistaken for an errant blue, was fully exposed.

She stared at it, trying to find a name for her visitor.

Responding to her silence, her visitor looked up.

The address, the hair, the face.

Aoi was surprised. "Sei... S-Seiji-kun?" she questioned.

She had not seen her cousin in two years, at least!

He smiled so widely that his glasses, small circular frames, slid down his nose. He pushed them back up and threw his arms up in greeting.

"Aoi-hime!"

She tensed again, wondering if she should ask him the real reason for coming and what he knew of her shame.

She looked him up and down, this smiling young man who wore a dark navy suit and forest green tie. Moments ago, he had carried himself with such restraint and formality, it made him seem dour. If the years had not changed him, then maybe it was the news that was causing him to react like this. He should have looked so utterly humourless in that attire, like so many salarymen and managers that frequented the company, but somehow, it was familiar that he should not act like that at all if his greeting was any indication. She wondered where he would have been in the past few years, but was surprised to find herself at a loss in her memory.

From practical familial knowledge, Seiji was three years older than her and his mother - her aunt - was her father's only younger sister.

Finding something practical to start with, she asked politely, "How is Midori-obasan?"

He started at the question, then shuffled forward to seat himself beside her on the walkway. "...'Kaasan is well."

After a bit of an awkward pause, he groaned and stretched gently, one arm reaching out and brushing against her shoulder. She would have blushed if it were Kaoru-sama.

"Ah... It's too warm today."

"Demo... It is because you are wearing a dark suit."

"Huh?" Seiji looked down to inspect himself. "Well, I guess I am." And he made to remove his suit jacket, revealing a crisp white shirt. He slung it over his shoulder and leaned casually against a post on his left.

Moments of silence passed.

"Are you hungry? Would you like some tea?" Aoi asked quickly.

The awkwardness of the moment did not phase him. He still kept on smiling. "Of course I would, Aoi-hime. Let me go get it for you."

"Demo-"

He stood up too fast, but stopped as soon as he heard her. He playfully wagged a finger.

"Ah, ah. Aoi-hime, you should stay here and rest," he chided. "Miyabi-san told me that you were sick and thought you needed company. So let me get it. Besides, you shouldn't serve me. It should be the other way around!"

With that, socked feet hit the hardwood running.

Aoi blinked. She didn't even notice he had kicked off his shoes.

So, Seiji was here because Miyabi called him. Part of her was unsure of whether or not she should be angry. Miyabi most likely meant well, but... just how much did he know? Aoi would be quite embarrassed to admit anything to him; she could not lose face before any member of her family.

Now she was distracted with worry. When would she have to tell? How much would she have to tell? Did he know already? Oh, if he knew, or would come to know, would he keep it private?

Her eyes were fixed down the hall, at the point in the corner before he disappeared.

The questions turned over in Aoi's mind and she briefly wondered if Seiji would be coming back.