A/N: Decided to take time to respond to reviews.

Response to watersonic1v2 Review: Thank you for your review. Nah, don't worry. It won't be sad and gloomy as "Bloody Crown". Lol.

Response to Hiei's Curry Review: Thank you for your review. No, Hiyori won't be going on the run. Yes, I know it's a stereotype for her and Kanami in some of my fanfics, but I wanted to write a story where they face their problems head-on instead of fleeing from them. (After all, we should do that in real life.)

Response to Guest Review: Thank you for your review. As you requested, I'll answer your question now. It seems that I was unclear in my line in Chapter 2 where I wrote, "Ricchan's sword fighting style is similar to Hiyori-chan's—only more flawless and graceful". What I meant to imply was that Hiyori's fighting style is more aggressive and head-on than Ritsuko's. I apologize for the confusion and have changed this in Chapter 2 to prevent further misinterpretation. But to answer your question, no, Ritsuko isn't stronger than Hiyori nor will there be any battle scenes between them. Ritsuko is maybe only above average in strength. This fanfic won't have many sparring scenes, to begin with, since it's focused more on emotional drama. Hope that answers your question and I sincerely apologize once again.


Chapter 3: A New Replacement

The sunshine coming in through the window, along with the fresh flowers Ritsuko kindly brought, made the hospital room a little less gloomy than it had been before. Maybe also the presence of all her friends contributed to the lifting of Ellen's spirits. Well, almost all her friends; Hiyori was running a bit late. When Ellen had gotten injured, Kaoru speedily updated everyone about the situation on their group chat. And so, of course, the following day, they all decided to visit their hospitalized friend, bringing small keepsakes and get-well presents. Kaoru felt like she could get diabetes from just staring at all the candies Kanami and Ritsuko had with them.

Ellen was glad of their coming. She hadn't even been hospitalized for twenty-four hours and already she hated it here. It felt like a prison—a prison where everyone was polite and caring, but still stringent about the rules nevertheless. She hadn't been forced to go to bed at nine since she was in middle school! And even with the arrival of her friends, the nurses watched them all like hawks, initially reprimanding them over the noise level. They had been reluctant about letting in such a large number of visitors for just one patient—especially when the girls were bringing in what looked like half of a sweets shop. But Ellen pleaded so hard—made puppy-dog eyes even—that they had to give in.

The instant the nurses swept out of the room, the spell their presence always had was broken. The door had scarcely slid closed before the girls unwrapped the cookies Mai brought—almost forgetting that they were really meant for Ellen—while also making sure no tell-tale crumbs were left. So engrossed were they all in lively conversation that at the sound of the door opening, everyone jumped, frantically trying to hide the evidence. To their utter relief, it was only Hiyori, who raised an eyebrow at them stuffing opened boxes and bags of candies and cookies under Ellen's blankets.

"Ah, Hiyori-chan, you're here," Kanami exclaimed.

"Hiyoyon, come on in!"

"Sorry, we got kind of carried away with eating all the goodies," Kaoru said. "But no one touched the mint chocolates. Want 'em?"

She tossed the green box over to the Heijou Toji who gave a rare smile, muttering a small "thanks" in response. Kaoru's supposed generosity was apparently, in reality, just another chance to poke fun at Hiyori because she added, "You're the only one of us who enjoys eating toothpaste after all."

"If none of you wanted them, why bother buying them in the first place?" Hiyori growled. "And for the last time, mint chocolate is not toothpaste!"

Seeing how close Hiyori was to wrangling Kaoru's neck, Mai saved the lazy Elite Guard by mentioning, "So, Hiyori-chan, just before you came in, Ritsuko-chan has been telling us that you got invited by Yukari-sama to dine with her family."

Though it was hardly noticeable, both Sayaka and Kaoru saw the sharp and suspicious look in Hiyori's eyes. "Has she now?"

"Yeah, Ricchan told me also when we sparred together yesterday," Kanami said. "You all should have seen her! Of course, we've all witnessed her beat that aradama, but actually duelling with her was another thing."

Hiyori didn't seem to realize the mint chocolate she had in her hand was starting to melt. There it was again. That heavy feeling in her heart that stubbornly just wouldn't go away. Kanami complimented many Tojis before on their skills—so, what made Ritsuko so different? Even though she knew it was far from the truth, why couldn't she stop thinking Kanami was pushing her away and preferred Ritsuko as a sparring partner?

'I'm not in my right mind,' Hiyori inwardly sighed. 'I'm overthinking things... Get a grip!'

Blushing at the praise, Ritsuko humbly responded, "Eh, I'm not that good really... You're the real strong one out of us all, Kanami." Her greenish-grey eyes shifting to Hiyori, she added evenly, "Although, I do recall...Juujou-senpai, you were the one who won the National Swordsmanship Tournament against Kanami two years ago, right?"

Not minding at all about her past defeat, Kanami said, "That's right! Sparring against Hiyori-chan that day was so fun. N-Not that our other practice duels aren't as exciting!"

At this, the Heijou Toji felt sudden relief, along with a warm blush. She had been overthinking things after all. Ritsuko's smile, on the other hand, became crimped ever so slightly, her eyes looking a darker shade of green.

Still showing no signs of pausing, Kanami continued singing Hiyori's praise. "Oh yeah, Ricchan, have you seen her Third Layer Jin'i? Hiyori-chan can move so fast; she's like a bolt of lightning and—"

"Okay, Kanami, we get it," Kaoru interrupted. "If you keep on talking like that, before we know it, visiting hours will be over. We came here to hang out with Ellen, not hear you blab about kenjutsu like every other day."

"Kaoru!" Ellen and Mai chided, as a little storm cloud started pouring rain over Kanami's head.

"Alright, alright, I'm sorry. Geez."

Shifting the conversation back to what it had been before Kanami's passion took over, Sayaka said, "How do you feel, Hiyori, about having dinner tonight with the Origamis?"

The raven-haired beauty felt her stomach twist itself into knots. "Um...okay, I guess," she lied.

"I can't imagine what the food will be like. The dining table of the Origami Family is so acclaimed. I'm slightly jealous, to be honest," Ellen sighed, trying not to think about her bland hospital meals. "Oh! Speaking about food, we can have our little celebration party next week as planned. The nurses told me that I can be discharged tomorrow since I only have minor injuries."

"I'm so excited. This will be my first time ever going to a party," Ritsuko exclaimed. When she received silent stares, she asked, "Did I say something wrong?"

Scratching her chin awkwardly, Kanami sheepishly said, "Sorry guys, I may have invited Ricchan myself yesterday..."

"And ya didn't think to tell us until now?" Kaoru grunted.

"I kind of forgot..."

Her response made everyone sweat-drop, none of them all that surprised by the Minoseki Toji's lack of memory. 'What a Kanami thing to do...' they all thought.

"Didn't you consider that since it's Ellen and Kaoru's party that they should be the ones extending the invitation?" Hiyori asked with a frown. "Especially since it's at Ellen's house and she's hosting all six of us already."

"P-Please everyone, it's okay. I'm sorry for the inconvenience," Ritsuko apologized. "I don't want my presence to be a bother. If it's too much, I don't have to go—"

"I'm sure one extra person in my house will be fine," Ellen said. "It feels wrong to not include you, Ritchii. You're welcome to join if you still want to. That is—if it's okay with Kaoru?"

"Whatever. I don't care—oof!" Taken by surprise with a sudden hug, a vein popped on the pink-haired loli's forehead when she felt an enthusiastic Ritsuko squeal, "Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you to you both!"

"Okay, okay, I can't breathe!" Kaoru gasped.

Suddenly, the door slid open, making everyone jolt again, thinking they were going to be scolded once more for talking too loudly. Thankfully, it wasn't the nurses, but to Kaoru, it was the next worst thing.

'Ugh, the overbearing director...'

"Oh, I see that you're all here. Good. Makes things easier for me," Sana said. "I came at first with the intent of just checking up on Ellen, but as I need to speak with every one of you, I have a few things to say. First off...where the hell were you yesterday, Kaoru?!"

Dodging the noogie her head would have suffered, Kaoru cried, "Here watching over Ellen!" as she was chased about the room. "Ya seriously wouldn't expect me to just leave her all alone?"

"She's being cared for in a hospital full of at least five hundred doctors and nurses. She's not alone, so stop using that as an excuse to not get off your lazy butt!" Sana yelled, finally catching Kaoru and giving her that noogie. "What kind of Elite Guard are you?!"

Then, with a dark shadow over her face, she added, "Let me make this clear, you sloth...next time you have the cheek to purposefully ditch your duties or skip another of your shifts, I'll make sure you don't get any vacation periods for an entire year!"

"That's against my working rights!" Kaoru screamed. "What kind of director harasses her employees like this?!"

Finally, the noise level attracted the nurses' attention and three angry faces poked their heads through the door saying, "Sssssssh!"

Breathing heavily from their squabble, Kaoru and Sana saw that everyone else in the room had shrunk back from them. Sweat-dropping, the older woman cleared her throat before saying, "Moving on, as I said before, there is something I need to report concerning all of you. Juujou Hiyori, as Yukari-sama has informed me about your recent promotion to Chief Executive of Defence, understandably you may not be able to go on as many missions."

"Eh, Juujou-senpai, so you have been made Chief Executive of Defence after all?" Ritsuko asked.

"Amazing, Hiyori-chan! That sounds so cool," Kanami said.

"Give it your best," Mai encouraged.

Their good wishes went in one ear and out the other for Hiyori. She wouldn't be able to go on as many missions? Yes, she had thought of retiring as a Toji after fulfilling her mother's duty...but she had grown to love fighting by her friends' sides. Yet another consequence of her predetermined future—one that Yukari was responsible for. Hiyori clenched her fists, drawing blood from her nails.

Kanami too came to quickly realize their new reality. "So, Hiyori-chan won't be with us as often?" she asked, sadly.

Sana nodded her head. "Yes. I know it must be hard for you all, knowing what great friends you all are."

"But...we need her. It won't be the same without Hiyori-chan," Kanami said.

"I know and I apologize, but Yukari-sama has given her orders. Although, I am sure Juujou Hiyori shall live up to her family's name. Therefore, in the cases when she is unavailable, I have decided that Fujita Ritsuko shall act as her replacement."

It was as if Hiyori's own okatana just went through her. She had to keep doubling back from the pain.

Starting a little, Ritsuko exclaimed, "Eh? B-But why me?"

"As you have a similar sword fighting style to Juujou Hiyori, I saw it as a suitable match," Sana explained.

"But I'm nowhere near Juujou-senpai's skills. I couldn't even get into nationals," Ritsuko protested, hiding her growing triumph and pleasure very well.

"Don't worry, Ritsuko-chan. I'm sure you'll do well," Mai said.

"Yeah, don't give up, Ritchii, okay?"

Despite how sad she was about Hiyori, Kanami knew she still needed to give Ritsuko her encouragement too. "Ricchan, you can do it!"

"Everyone..." Ritsuko breathed. "Thank you... I look forward to working with you all!" She gave a deep bow, effectively obscuring their view of her smug smirk. Just the sight of how grief-stricken and horrified Hiyori looked made the ponytailed Toji as satisfied as a well-fed cat.

Watching Kanami, Mai, and Ellen already so seemingly intimate with Ritsuko made Hiyori feel like she was miles away from them. Even though she knew it wasn't their intention, she felt so...cast aside. It was then that she saw Sayaka and Kaoru staring at her with concern. Quickly, she looked away, trying to keep her cool. This wasn't like her; she wasn't feeling herself. She was used to being alone before, especially at the beginning of her Toji career. In fact, she preferred being in solitude for focusing her mind. But after meeting Kanami and the others, it became strange for her to be by herself. Was that why she felt her own loneliness more easily these days?

Since opening up to others, she felt weaker—more prone to these unwanted emotions. In the past, Hiyori listened to her head over her heart. It was the more logical decision.

'Having Ritsuko replace me is the practical choice,' she tried to convince herself. 'My friends need her support in my absence and I should accept that. I shouldn't be...I shouldn't be...'

All of a sudden, it hit her. This feeling was...this feeling all along had been...

Jealousy.


"Ah, Juujou-senpai, wait up!"

About to exit the hospital, Hiyori stopped in her tracks and came face to face with Ritsuko's cheerful smile. An innocent smile without any sign of harm. Much as she disliked the idea of Ritsuko filling in her shoes for her, Hiyori knew that she couldn't hate her. Ritsuko hadn't done anything wrong. But ever since they met, she brought nothing but emotional turmoil for the Heijou Toji.

"Where are you heading off to?" Ritsuko asked.

"I'm meeting up with President Gojou at the Special Sword Administration Bureau. We both need to get ready for tonight's dinner with the Origami Family."

"Oh, I'm off to the bureau as well. Let's head there together."

Much as she didn't want to, Hiyori knew it'd be rude to refuse. She didn't want Ritsuko to think that she bore some sort of resentment towards her. The majority of their walk was ninety percent of Ritsuko talking away with ten percent of Hiyori giving short answers when needed.

"Juujou-senpai?"

"Hm?"

"About what Director Maniwa said...I think I'm going to tell her that I can't do it. Fill in for you, I mean."

"What? Why?" Hiyori asked, surprised.

"Well, I noticed you seemed kind of upset about it."

"N-No, that's not it!" Hiyori tried to deny it. "I was just—um, concerned about tonight's dinner, that's all."

"That is true, I could tell. However, you appeared to be even more unhappy when Director Maniwa mentioned me replacing you for some missions. It's not just you. Itomi-san and Mashiko-senpai seemed to be troubled as well."

"No..." Hiyori said. The image of Kanami happily hugging Ritsuko flashed through her mind. "Don't say that you'll quit. You'll make Kanami sad. She's glad to have you since you are her childhood friend. She needs you."

Though the words cut through Hiyori like a knife, she knew Kanami's unhappiness would make her feel worse. This was a sacrifice she was willing to make. How she felt didn't matter. And besides...

'This is the practical choice,' she told herself again.

Ritsuko was watching her carefully. "You really do care for Kanami, don't you? You must be a good friend to her."

"I try my best," Hiyori said, before snorting in her head, 'Even though most of what we do is just sparring...'

"After we practiced duelling yesterday, Kanami said a lot of praiseworthy things about you. Like how you're strong, cool, and smart... Oh yeah, and she also mentioned that she thinks you're beautiful."

Hiyori felt her heart leap into her throat, along with her ears burning. Just what other stuff had that kenjutsu-nerd blabbed about her?!

"I wish Kanami called me beautiful..." Ritsuko whispered.

Hiyori looked at her from the side of her eye—and to her surprise, saw a flash of hostility seeming to pass over Ritsuko's features. But it disappeared almost at once, and she showed her perfect teeth in a sheepish grin.

"Eh he he, you know, what with everything Kanami told me, I originally thought you both were dating. But it's a good thing you aren't, what with what Yukari-sama has in store for you, along with this upcoming dinner. Who'd have thought the ol' great Yukari-sama liked playing matchmaker?" Ritsuko chuckled.

"W-What do you mean?" Hiyori demanded. Her heart froze, half due to Ritsuko thinking of her and Kanami as girlfriends, and the other half because of her last sentence.

"Oh? You don't know the real reason why Yukari-sama wants you at her place tonight?" Ritsuko asked, innocently.

The pit of Hiyori's stomach wouldn't stop clenching. She could already guess why, but swallowed saying, "I don't know."

Putting on her best act of looking surprised, the Renpu Toji said, "Really? The Origami sisters have a cousin around your age. So, you know what that means. Obviously, Yukari-sama wants you to marry into the Origami Family. Dad told me. Being the Origami sisters' secretary, he is aware of a lot about their plans, you know. He overheard Yukari-sama talking about it the other day in private with Akane-sama and President Gojou."

Hiyori almost scoffed out loud. No wonder neither Yukari nor Akane gave a direct answer when she asked about possibly choosing her own future partner herself. She felt like both of the Origami sisters were equally to blame—the elder for orchestrating all of this, and the younger for doing nothing to stop it. Above all, the law was the real architect behind it. Always had been for hundreds of years. How many other unfortunate Hiiragis like herself had been forced into situations like this? How did they stand firm through it all?

"Juujou-senpai? We're here."

Looking up, Hiyori realized that they had just arrived at the bureau. Heading off ahead, Ritsuko waved goodbye saying, "Wish you well, Juujou-senpai, and hope you have a good time at the dinner."

"Wait, Ritsuko!" Hiyori cried.

"Hm?"

"D-Did you tell any of the others about this?"

"Kanami and the rest? No, I just mentioned the dinner."

Clasping her hands together tightly, Hiyori said seriously, "Then, please don't tell them. I'd rather break the news myself when I'm ready."

Ritsuko kept that cheerful smile on her face. "You can count on me, Juujou-senpai. My lips are sealed..."


A/N: Sorry that this chapter is shorter than the rest. I wanted to get it done before starting this large assignment I have to do for school.