AN: just so u know, whenever some line is in bold, a different language is being used. So yes, simp over our queen with her multilingualism *sobs in her talent and brains*
p.s. lmao ima be annoying with these reminders every time so dont say i didnt warn u
p.s.s. when her sister-in-law (Naofumi's wife) uses "ara" it basically means something along the lines of "oh my" or "ah!" but not quite? same vibe pretty much tho.
Ch 4: Banquets and Booze
Letting out a deep sigh, Asami wraps her arm around her stomach before sipping some of her champagne. She mindlessly stares into the bubbling drink before her attention is drawn by an unfamiliar voice.
"Miss Sato, what a pleasure running into you here! I was hoping I would see you tonight."
Asami looks up with a slight frown before immediately switching to her business smile. Who? She blinks as her brain quickly processes the applicable candidates that knew Chinese before pulling out her 'cheerful yet businessy' voice.
"Chang Xiānshēng," she bows her head slightly. "It's good to see you. How have you been? I've heard your new computer hardware is doing well."
He lets out a happy chortle, "Yes it is thank you. It's all thanks to your father's company providing us with the needed material that we're able to sell this software like hotcakes!"
She smiles perfectly again, "My father saw the potential in your software so if you had to thank someone, he's the one."
"Nonsense! It's thanks to your appeal that allowed us to meet in the first place so it's honestly thanks to you!"
Shaking her head slightly, Asami had to protest. "It's your incredible idea that made it happen. No more or no less."
Feeling like they were running in circles, Asami decided it was acceptable to concede. "But… if you keep insisting so much, I guess I have no choice but to wave the white flag then don't I? I'll look forward to your progress and our future then." At that note, she raises her glass. "A toast for excellent hardware."
Chang brightens up with a smile, "A toast." He then raises his glass and clinks with Asami's before another voice interrupts them.
"Miss Sato! I'm glad to run into you on my way out. You're just the person I was hoping to end my night talking with."
Asami turns to her right to see another middle-aged man. Her brain buffers for a split second before she smiles perfectly. "Mister Waston! I was wondering if I was going to run into you tonight."
He bows courteously, "I hope you've been well, that dress is absolutely stunning on you by the way."
"Thank you," she nods her head. "A friend helped me choose it tonight…" with a soft smile, her thoughts flowed back to Korra. Of course, she wasn't particularly listening to what he had said before someone speaking in French cuts in.
"Asami my love! How are you?"
She finally sets down her arm to show these people that she was 'actually' giving them her attention. Smiling yet again, she greets the newcomer with another million yuan smile before responding back in French. "Monsieur DuPont, it's good to see you. How is your daughter? I heard she gave birth to a handsome grandson?"
"Why yes!" He lets out a happy chortle, "She is recovering well thanks for asking."
Much pointless banter later, she smiles sweetly again before turning back towards the others. "I think we could use another bottle of champagne."
xXx
Nodding in agreement, Asami shifts her weight before continuing in Korean. "Yes, yes thank you Nam-Joon ssi. I'll be looking forward to your group's newest comeback and I hope you'll send me an invitation?"
"Of course, you'll be one of the first. I hope you'll support us like usual Asami-nim."
"I wouldn't miss it for the world." For the billionth time tonight, another voice calls out to Asami for the nth time but thankfully this time, it was a familiar one.
"Ara Asami-chan! There you were!" A feminine voice calls out in Japanese.
Asami turns, feeling the fatigue creep up on her shoulders before she brightens up when she realizes who called out to her. "Kaede nee-san."
Her sister-in-law, aka, her eldest brother Naofumi's wife, walks over looking as stunning as usual before pulling her little sister into a hug. She gives Asami a kiss on the cheek before smiling. "I was looking for you."
Letting out a soft breath, Asami looks at her guest to signal her departure. She then gives him an apology before excusing themselves outside on the balcony. As her elder sister stands there, Kaede notices that something was off with Asami before leaning into her space and whispers. "What's wrong?"
Asami spares her a glance before sighing. "Nothing." She pauses for a second before starting, "I'm just… a bit tired."
She smiled understandingly. "Mmh, well you have been chatting with big names for a few hours now. How do you do it? I get tired enough as it is after the fifth person when I attend these banquets with Naofumi."
Finally letting out a small laugh, Asami wrapped her arms around her waist. "With champagne and cheese crackers that's how."
Kaede laughs alongside her sister before Asami speaks up again. "How's Aki-chan?"
"She's energetic as usual!" She laughs slightly before continuing with a loving smile. "If anything, maybe a little too energetic. I wonder who she takes after?"
Asami finally lets out an earnest smile, "Probably you nee-san, I don't remember my brother being that energetic, he's always been…" not knowing how to phrase it, she raised an eyebrow before ending up with, "Mature."
Grasping her cheek, Kaede let out a soft sigh. "True, Naofumi has always been quiet ever since we were kids. Guess that's to be expected from the eldest. He hasn't changed much after our engagement ever since we were little." She glances at Asami's indifferent expression before smirking slightly and changing the topic. "Say… I've heard that you have a crush on someone these days."
Hearing that comment, Asami finally sobered up. "Wha— from who! Urgh, it was from Ren nii-sama wasn't it? I knew he'd do this after he saw me at the mall! I can't believe it… I swear if dad finds out somehow I'm gonna kill him."
Kaede giggles before patting her shoulder, "There there, it wasn't from him but my lips are sealed." She winks before continuing. "So, who's this lucky or unlucky soul?"
"Hey!"
She laughs again before encouraging her younger sister. "Really though, is it someone I know? A family friend or maybe perhaps a classmate?"
Asami's face softens at the thought of Korra. There is no use in hiding it and besides, she could never lie to Kaede. "A classmate who's also a friend."
"Hoo…" leaning over to get a close look at her sister, Kaede smiles. "What's she like?"
Asami physically relaxes as she faces her sister-in-law. "Different from the others. She's like… earnest and straightforward. I don't think someone's ever looked at me for who I am in our first encounters." She then turns towards the night sky and watches the stars lighting up the night sky. "It's easy to breathe around her. I just… feel normal."
Letting out a soft laugh, Kaede leaned against the balcony. "Have you confessed?"
Feeling her face burn up, Asami shot her sister a look of disbelief. "Of course not! How could I? I don't know if she's even into me and well— our relationship started off um…" memory of their one-night stand came to mind and that made her thoughts become even more scattered. "I just— we sort of— ugh…" she covered her face to hide her embarrassment before giving up. "It's complicated…"
"Complicated huh?" Kaede leans in to get a closer look at her sister's face.
Asami made a thin smile and she felt as if she was sweating bullets. Kaede always had a way of interrogating her so if she really wanted to, her secrets would be spilled just like that. A tense second passes before Kaede, to her saving grace, drops the topic.
"Well… let me know if you ever need help or something. Although, with the way Naofumi is progressing the Suoh Corp, I won't be able to respond as quickly as before."
Unknowingly letting out a breath of relief, Asami didn't push further. "Thanks…"
"Of course."
xXx
Ignoring some fanatic and admirable whispers, Asami found herself eyeing the alcohol selection of the local Fire Ferret Mart. Albeit, it may have been smaller than the Super Wolf Bats but she preferred this one more. Fewer people, better service, more reclusiveness but then… that brings you the question, why were people whispering about her?
Well… the answer was simple.
One would think Asami had enough to drink at the banquet and had enough of the formal charade and was dying to get changed and go to bed. Straight to the point, yes but also no. After a strenuously long, long night finally came to an end, instead of heading straight to bed, she decided to go on a spur of the moment trip and drop by this market still in all of her full on makeup, dress, accessories, and glory because what better way to celebrate the end of a long night by getting more smashed right?
If one asked Asami, she'd say she didn't give a shit.
At least not at this time and day. She didn't always 'act' like this after a banquet but this time was just… this time really drained her for some reason. She would even go as far as to say that even blacking out wasn't enough to cleanse her soul from all the unwanted socializing she had to do.
Letting out a sigh, Asami finally opens the fridge's door to reach in to grab a bottle of beer. However, she pauses before stopping and closing the door again. Maybe it was her indecisiveness or maybe it was because her brain had fully ceased function from the mindless conversations she had. She honestly didn't know why she was here and she felt completely drained as if someone sucked the moisture from her body yet at the same time as if she was walking on hot stones and eggshells.
People did always say, knowledge is power and the Sato upbringing embodied that saying, no souls left behind whether they wanted to or not. Asami had flashbacks to her tutoring days. Tireless lessons after lessons: learning more than five languages at once, understanding advanced scientific and mathematical equations, and even learning how to operate and run a business before even learning the quadratic formula. It should've been impossible for most of mankind yet, the Satos did it all. Remembering every big and minor name that she might encounter, remembering the most recent news associated with them, and even remembering what products were about to come off the production line before they were even released.
The Satos were always at the top in any regard.
Everyone saw them as perfect. Impeccable. Admiral. You name it. Being drowned with endless expectations, no one ever saw the vulnerable person she was. She just wanted to be normal.
In her early childhood, there was this one time when she by chance saw a commercial for go-karting at the arcade center. Being the kid she was, she had expressed her desire to go. However, rather than going together as a family, her dad built an entire racetrack on their property. When she wanted to watch movers in the theaters, a whole indoor theater was constructed in their mansion.
Time after time, disappointment after disappointment, Asami learned at a very young age that it was pointless to ask for these 'trivial desires.' The only one that had indulged her and gave her a normal life was her mom but she was gone. That's why… Asami had become somewhat rebellious as she grew up. Whenever she could, she gave in to her desires and had spontaneous outings because if she didn't take advantage of that now, she would never be able to.
That was what brought her to this mart in the first place.
Letting out a final sigh, Asami pulls open the door before finally deciding on and grabbing some Korean soju. She ended up grabbing a few flavors: the peach, grape, and citrus bottles. As she made her way over to the registers, she happened to pass by the only other patron in the store. Of course, they immediately become flustered before moving aside for Asami's poise and grace. She simply walks past them with an indifferent expression before setting her soju on the encounter. As you'd expect, the cashier gets flustered before carding her.
The transaction continues as you'd expect and she was out the door with her lovely sweet alcohol. Oh, and also that free ice pop that the cashier gave her. Letting out a soft breath, she takes a step, heel crunching into the gravel, before someone calls out to her. She didn't register who it was until they popped in front of her face.
"Hey Asami! Fancy meeting you here at a…" they looked at their watch, "half past midnight. You look really beautiful by the way, I knew that dress looked amazing on you."
Physically buffering, Asami blinks several times before she feels a wave of energy and endorphins hit her. She was happier than she should've been seeing Korra this late in the day, or this early in the morning depending on normal citizen time before she opened her mouth. Of course… words were another story though.
"K-Korra! Hey, what are you here? You too beautiful, I got booze!" She raises her plastic bag quickly, "Ice pop too. You share me?" What the hell did you just say Asami Sato?
Korra looked like she was processing her words, trying to decipher it, like herself, before she finally responds after a hot second. She starts with a soft chuckle before saying, "Thanks and sure? I'll take you up on that offer then if you don't mind if I look like a slob since I'm in my PJs compared to your…" she eyes Asami up and down, "lovely dress."
Asami's eyes narrowed in on Korra's arms with indecent thoughts. Tank tops should be illegal when she's not wearing a sweater.
Korra then rubs the back of her neck before saying, "Let me just buy some seal jerky and squid ink puffs."
Recalling the flavor and image of those cream puffs that were being advertised, Asami raised a brow at that. Squid ink cream puffs…?
"Hey, don't give me that look! They actually taste pretty good so don't knock it until you try it."
Letting a soft breath, Asami smiles. "Hey. I didn't say anything… not judging at all…"
Korra does this cute pout which Asami considered a privilege which made her smile every time. "Well, you know what? Ima get a bunch and you can't have even one hmfp.'' At that, she walks towards the sliding doors as Asami follows after her.
Giggling happily, Asami was right on Korra's heel. "Since you're getting a snack anyways, why don't we just drink and hang out here? From what I recall, your house is in the opposite direction of mine."
"Sure, sounds good."
After Korra grabbed a couple snacks and paid, they sat at the corner window seat which had a perfect little counter. Asami had kindly asked for little paper cups, which were easily given to her, before pouring them a shot of soju. After she sets the cups in front of each other, she opens the popsicle pack and breaks it in half before offering Korra one of the halves.
"Dessert first?"
Korra eyes the melting ice pop before cracking a crooked grin. "And feed the booze with sugar? Thought you'd never ask." She finally sat down comfortably before accepting the ice bar and was the first to take a bite. "So…"
Asami's eyes narrowed at Korra's lips before she softly sucked her pop. "So?"
Swallowing for no 'apparent' reason, Korra proceeded on carefully. "If you don't mind me asking, how did the banquet go? I don't want to assume anything but the fact that you're drinking right after it and are still dressed in your clothes, I just… you know."
Asami sucks the pop before licking it with the tip of her tongue. I know what? "Mmh… well… as you would expect I guess."
Korra eyes Asami carefully as she practically chows down her dessert. She was suggesting with her body language that she'd love further explanation but remained silent, nevertheless not wanting to overstep any possible boundary.
Taking her actual first bite, Asami let out a soft sigh before expanding. "Honestly… I'm pooped out." When Korra smiles at her choice of words, she feels her fatigue lessen for some reason. "My face is actually tired from forcing a smile the whole time." She massages her cheeks before continuing, "I hardly remember what I even said to all those businessmen to be honest."
She didn't think much of Korra's hum of understanding and sympathy.
"All in all, it was just a really. Really. Long night. I would even swear that my heels are bleeding."
To her surprise, Korra frowns deeply before quickly taking a look at her feet. "You okay? You need a bandage?" She stood up and immediately pivoted around most likely in an attempt to buy first aid.
Asami's eyes widened slightly before she quickly grabbed a hold of Korra's forearm to stop her. "Oh— I was just joking Korra, don't worry I'm alright."
The crease in her eyebrows lessened ever so slightly. "You sure?"
"Yeah, totally. Just help me finish these?" She downs her soju shot before pouring herself another cup. After that, she then slides forward Korra's shot close to her.
Yet again, Asami was then given another precious blessing of Korra's cute pout. "Fine but let me know if it's too hard to walk okay?"
"Thanks, I will." She smiles sweetly as she watches Korra sit down and take her shot.
A moment of silence passed before Korra spoke up again. "Say Asami?"
Rapidly blinking, Asami couldn't process why and how adorable Korra looked. Okay, maybe she should've really gone home after that party. She was being swayed way too easily by Korra's simplest actions. She then watched as her crush poured a shot for each of them before giving her a dorky grin.
"Bottoms up!"
Okay, or maybe not. Definitely not. No regrets.
This moment was to die for and Asami wouldn't change it for the world. The two of them carried on with pointless banter, enjoying carefree laughs and comments. But, while they were engrossed in their own world, what they missed was a group of bystanders admiring them from afar. And within that group, there happened to be an underclassman that admired Asami. With that being said, they couldn't help but take a picture and post it online but little did they know how big and how much of an uproar it would cause in the near future for Asami.
xXx
"Care to explain yourself young lady?" Hiroshi exclaims in an authoritative voice, filled with a subtle tone of rage and disappointment.
Asami found herself standing upright, straight as a board, in the CEO's office at Future Industries. As for the reason why in question, her father has stumbled upon a headline stating: Asami Sato, late night date with "friend!"
Of course, she had no idea how it came to be but it didn't matter. The fact was, someone had taken a picture of her the night she had finished the banquet as proven by her attire. Someone had then spread fake gossip, claiming that Asami Sato couldn't even wait for a second to reunite with her 'lover' at this supermarket. Someone had taken a picture of her with Korra.
And her father had seen it.
That wasn't good.
Whatever excuse she would make, even if it was the truth, would get swept aside and that was what pissed Asami the most whenever she had these 'scandalous arguments' with her father. He would pay out the new outlets to silence them. He then would pay out whoever it was to never step in front of her again. That's how most of her so-called scandals were always handled but she didn't want him to intervene this time around.
Korra was different.
She wanted Korra in her life even if it meant just being friends. So… that's why she did what she could, feigning innocence. She squared up before looking at him in the eyes with an unyielding glare. "I have no idea what you are referring to father."
He scoffed before tilting his computer screen around so that she could see the news article. "This."
Asami hardly spared it a glance.
"What about it?" She responds coldly. "She's just a friend." Just a friend… Just by repeating those words to herself in her mind had hurt her for some reason.
"Just a friend?" Hiroshi rubs his temples in frustration, "How many times do I need to repeat myself Asami? It doesn't matter what the truth is, one mistake and your reputation will be dragged down the gutter! You're lucky that this Korra Varney has a clean background, if she hadn't, I would've long ago cut her off from you!"
Asami's face twitched and she froze. Even if she had been standing still obediently the entire time, she couldn't believe what she just heard. Clean background… clean background! Her fists clenched in anger and she lost her poker face.
"You background checked her!" The anger in her tone was apparent, "How could you? Behind my back? I—" she bit back her tongue, knowing that if any more words came out of her mouth, the foul talk wouldn't help her.
"It was for your own safety Asami. I had to make sure she wouldn't taint your path any further than she already has!"
She felt her blood boiling. She was shaking in frustration but forced herself to remain as civil as possible. "And what gives you the right to invade my privacy and background check my friends? I know how to make connections thank you very much. The whole entire Sato household does!" She snaps with anger.
"Maybe so however, you've clearly had to learn that the hard way." He hints at referring to one of her old past friendships.
Asami felt like a vein burst even though that was physically impossible. There was this horrible taste of bile and iron in her mouth and it was becoming harder to bear by the second.
Hiroshi then leans back in his chair as if he had power over her every move. "Regardless of what you do, just lay low for now. I have paid off the publicists to do their job. As long as you don't do something silly with her in public, everything will go back to normal."
Feeling disappointed, Asami's heart really broke. He really has changed for good. Her lips quivered ever so slightly but she had enough. She wasn't going to give up on Korra. "No…" it started as a whisper.
"What was that young lady? A Sato never mumbles."
Her lips slanted in anger. "I said, no."
"No?" He repeats as if what he heard wasn't in a language he knew.
"You heard me, father, I said no. I am tired of being told what to do and I will not cut my ties with Korra. And don't even dare to tell me what you think is best for me because the only thing you care about is Asami Sato. I am more than just a public figure father, I am myself before I'm a Sato!" Her voice broke at her last sentence.
"What?" His face scrunched in anger. "You— I am your father! What nonsense am I hearing?" His voice grew louder than before. "You are the only daughter in the Sato household and you will listen to me and break ties with Korra Varney or else… you don't want your little friend getting hurt do you?"
Baffled by those words, Asami couldn't believe it. "Are you… are you threatening me? Your own daughter!" She says in a desperate and broken voice.
"It's time you dropped out of school. Since you'll be a part of our company anyways, there is no need for you to obtain a degree. It seems that allowing you to choose your choices freely was a mistake. I am doing this for your sake sweetheart so please understand me."
Asami was speechless. This was far worse than when she came out to her family a few years back. Talk about being heartbroken… she let out a soft hysterical laugh before softly stating:
"I am not your daughter."
Turning her head away in shame, Asami pivots and heads for the door. She couldn't really hear what her dad had to say after that but that was it. Whatever he had to say probably had to do with his selfish desires to keep their family's reputation afloat. At this point, there was nothing he could say that would make Asami feel better. She wanted to be free. She wished she wasn't born a Sato. She wanted a normal father.
He didn't care about Asami.
He didn't care about his daughter.
He changed.
Barely keeping herself together, Asami rushed over to the elevator before pushing the service button. She barely kept her emotions under control and the moment the doors popped open, she stepped inside and practically slammed the parking garage button. Then, when the machine started moving, she slammed her fist against the wall before sliding down.
Covering her face with her hands, she breathed out a shaking breath as tears fell down her cheeks. "Mom… I miss you."
AN: and before u ask/to be clear, yes Korra is using an alias.
