Last chapter Hayami learned Ritsu probably wouldn't be her ally in her current situation… how disappointing.

Chapter 4

The rest of the week went like so:

I rode to school with Ritsu, I spent my breaks and lunches with Ritsu, I rode home with Ritsu and spent the evening sulking over my predicament in my room. I tried my hardest to put on a front, to show how much it didn't bother me but it was hard. All I wanted to do was punch Ritsu in the face and make a run for it. Thankfully it was the weekend and I was free to do what I pleased… or so I thought.

I'd been up for a few hours, long enough to get dressed and make myself look presentable. I'd planned on going into the city and visit the library or something… anything to distract myself from what my life was right now. I'd even dug out my library card just in case and tucked it away in my wallet which was tucked away in my cross body bag.

Every night I'd been receiving texts from Ritsu wishing me sweet dreams and I'd been ignoring them, pretending like I'd fallen asleep before he messaged and so far I guess he was buying it. I heard my phone jingling from inside my bag as I walked through the house and I groaned softly, stopping to dig it out. Ritsu was calling me.

After staring at the screen for a few moments I answered.

"Hey Ritsu, what's up?"

"Good morning sweetheart" I shuddered at the way he called me that "be ready in five, I'm coming to pick you up"

"Wait… what? Why?" I pulled a face.

"Well, it's what people do when they are betrothed isn't it? Go on dates?" his tone suggested I best not argue.

"I don't know Ritsu, I have never been betrothed before" I said flatly "but I can't, I already have plans for my day"

The line went quiet for a moment and then "like I said, I am coming to pick you up, I'll be there in five, you best be waiting for me outside the gate"

The line went dead and I shuddered. He'd sounded pissed that I dared have plans of my own and I put it down to him thinking that as my betrothed he should take me out and I should like it. Rolling my eyes I slid on my boots before stepping outside.

"Morning young miss" one of the syndicate boys nodded a greeting.

"Yeah… morning" I muttered before walking down the driveway and out through the gates.

Five minutes passed by and then ten. Right when I figured he'd changed his mind, a car pulled up and the driver climbed out, moving to open the door.

"Miss Tanaka" he smiled, bowing his head as I climbed into the car.

The door was shut behind me and I found myself sitting opposite Ritsu, who looked like he'd had enough of today already. He didn't say a word, just watched me like he was working out what to say… so I got in there first.

"So, where are we going?" I tried to put a cheerful smile on my face to try and make today easier on myself.

"The mall" he answered "then to a café tucked away from prying eyes for lunch"

"Ah… okay" I nodded

"So what plans did you have today that were more important than spending time with me?" he asked quietly, his hands reaching for my own.

I inhaled sharply but let him take my hands, surprised at how gentle he was being right now. He ran his thumbs gently over the backs of my hands, eyes never leaving my own as he waited for my answer.

"Oh well… I never said they were more important but I did have some plans for the day…" I paused long enough to see his brow raise curiously "I was going to head to the library and get some studying done… then I was going to get some lunch, then head home"

Silence washed between us as I waited for his response.

"So nothing that couldn't have waited" he let my hands drop from his and settled back against his seat. "You were trying to avoid me…"

"No!" I answered quickly "no… I just… I'd already decided this at the beginning of the week, that's all… besides, I'd figured you'd be bored of me since we've spent every spare minute together this week…"

"Why would I be bored of you? You are smart and beautiful. I enjoy your company" he managed a half smile.

It's a shame I don't enjoy your company I thought to myself. No, that was a lie, I had enjoyed his company when we were friends but now this whole arranged marriage had ruined that.

The next two hours were uncomfortable to say the least. Ritsu and I walked around the entire mall, looking in shops here and there and getting odd looks from passersby. I guess Ritsu gave off the syndicate vibe wherever he went? Definitely not something I'd look forward to in my future. Finally though it seemed we were done as he grabbed my wrist and made a quick retreat.

"Ritsu! What's the hurry?" I squeaked as he dragged me along down a side street.

"In here" he hissed, dragging me down an alley between two buildings and behind a wall.

I stared at him as he placed finger to his lips and I nodded. Something was up and we had to be quiet. Soon after we'd slipped out of view there was the sound of footsteps walking along the backstreet. I felt an icy chill roll down my spine and instinctively slipped closer to Ritsu… someone had been following us and I was stupid enough to only realise it now. The footsteps stopped at the end of the alley before retreating back onto the backstreet and away from us.

After a good five minutes of silence, Ritsu spoke up.

"I'm sorry I sounded pushy this morning when I called" he looked… sheepish?

"Um… its okay?" I was confused.

"My old man has had someone follow us since the engagement was agreed upon" he was speaking quietly "that lunch break when I came to find you… I was only able to slip away briefly"

I thought back to that day and pursed my lips "so… is that why you were a dick to me Ritsu?"

"Yeah…" he lowered his head to look at his shoes "the guy appeared nearby thankfully after you said you didn't want to marry me so he didn't hear that"

"So you put your foot down for appearances sake?" I tilted my head, watching him curiously.

"Sort of… I mean… I like you Hayami… you would make the perfect wife" he sighed, his shoulders sagging "when you said you didn't want to marry me… I was hurt… we know each other so well that I figured this wouldn't be such a big deal… I mean, I wanted to pick my own wife… but…"

I blinked… was Ritsu being open with his emotions?

"My old man expects a lot of me, I'm going to be the Lord when he steps down and I want to do what he expects of me… even if it means marrying you against your wishes" he paused a moment and then "I don't want anything to happen to you Hayami… but if you refuse me… the old man has made it clear there will be hell to pay"

"Hell to pay?" I asked quietly

I'd heard stories of Ritsu's father and how he fixed problems. He was the kind of man who'd enact the perfect revenge and get away with it… There was a reason why the Kasanoda syndicate was as powerful as it was… did I want to bring that kind of hell onto my family over a marriage arrangement? Did I want to potentially get my family killed over something that in the grand scheme of things was so small?

Ryoma's words came back to me… 'You could always fight it. There is always a way out of any situation' could I find a way out of this that wouldn't end in disaster? I squeezed my eyes shut, shaking softly as tears welled up and rolled down my face. I was at a loss… how could I fix this?!

I gasped as I felt a pair of arms wrap around me, eyes opening to find I had been drawn to Ritsu's chest, his head resting atop of mine as he held me, his hand rubbing small circles upon my back, trying to soothe me. He smelled of warm musk, a warm woody smell yet there was a hint of spice under the surface and the way he was holding me…. Maybe I could learn to love him? Maybe I could do this for my family?

Maybe I could until I find a way out for both of us….

So it seems Ritsu isn't such a bad guy after all? Hayami isn't off the hook yet... what can she do to fix this?