Disclaimer : I do not own GALS nor any characters from its Manga/Anime.

Chapter 2

"So? What do you think of her?" my mom asking my opinion about Aya as if she was just asking me of what I think of the clothes she's wearing.

"She's a perfect young lady," my dad said. I couldn't argue with that. Aya is definitely perfect in all angles you'd like to look at. Beautiful, intelligent, graceful, proper etiquette, kind, humble, generous. The list just goes on and on. She's just too perfect, that's what makes this all wrong.

"Right? I love her. She'd make a good daughter-in-law and a proper wife for this Ice Prince of ours."

"I can hear you, you know."

"Tell me then. Would you consider her?"

It reminded me of what she said.

"I told you. You have a choice. You can reject this and find someone else and I'll accept whoever they would choose next to you."

"I have a say on this? I asked them.

"Of course you do. You are the heir, the only heir of the Otohatas. You have the right to pick your bride."

"And what about her?" They looked at each other. "What would happen to her if I say I have my eyes on someone else?"

Mom sighed before answering, "She'd have to wait for a new proposal. She'd have to wait for another noble family to come to her parents and ask for her hand."

"So you came to her parents? And you did the proposal?" And everything is happening behind my back. I even had the audacity to ask her if she knew about us then here I learned that the proposal came from my end.

Mom held my hand. "Honey, I know we hadn't sat down together to discuss this. But you are of age now. Sooner or later you have to choose someone." I hate it when she uses that tone on me. It makes me guilty of making my mom sound sad. "Can you please think this over before deciding?" I just nodded.

I massaged my temple as I repeat our conversation in my head. He'a only eighteen for goodness sake and here he is thinking of marriage.

For a normal person, eighteen is the age that they would start thinking of their careers. Getting into college to fulfill those dreams. But heck he'd have to be born as a noble.

It is the modern age but the tradition continues. Young people of their type had their future planned, has their marriage arranged. That is their responsibility as the next head of their respective families. Why can't they just adopt to the modern system and have us live our own lives?

Aya. It's been a week already that she kept me up at night. From the day when I told her about Ran until tonight.

No, I don't like the Super gal in that way she was thinking. I was just so irritated that she keeps on pestering me on that subject as if she doesn't trust me at all. The way she said it, as if she was so sure. Aya and her wild imagination.

"Rei!" Yuuya shouted near my ear, bringing me back to reality. I must have dozed off, again. It's becoming a habit lately.

"You've been into deep thinking the past few days." he said. "Did something happen?"

"None that concerns you."

"Have you been talking with Aya-chan lately? Ran and Miyu said she's been ditching them for a while now. You two are on the same university. Is it that really tough at Tokyo U?"

"She's taking medicine as per path. That's way more tougher than what anyone of us had." I think I gave him enough excuse for why Aya has been ditching the girls. But I sure know this has nothing to do with medicine. It is probably because of the engagement and her becoming of age meaning being formally introduced as a member of the remaining nobles clans. More security for her, limited actions means no time for her friends.

"It's good, that you're looking out for her," I looked his way and saw him now staring at the window. He continued, "It must be really tough carrying the responsibilities of a clan head." How did he?

I guess I don't have to question him. Yuuya can somehow read my mind. "I know about you and Aya's standing. The names Hoshino and Otohata rings a bell allot."

"Since when?"

"Half a year ago. I saw you once getting into that black luxurious car." It was the day my mom pulled me out of school for some events.

"And Aya?"

"She was a lot more easier to read. Haven't you noticed the difference of how Aya moves and speak compared to the other girls? She has gracefulness even in the way she sneezes," he chuckled at that. I for one did not observe that. I was so busy minding my own world that I cannot even notice the mannerism of my girlfriend of one year.

" Your parents knew by the way," he added sounding like oh-before-I-forgot.

"Knew about what? And how did you know what my parents knew?"

"About Aya being your girlfriend for a year. They contacted me seeing how close I am to you. They've been keeping an eye on you through me. Don't worry, I didn't told them about stuff that should remain hidden. I'm still your friend."

My parents are stabbing me from the back!

"Aya's parents doesn't have a clue so don't lash it out on her," he said. She's been a special friend to him. Not the romantic special way. He keeps looking out for her like a sibling, and her to him.

"Did they even pa-"

"You think that lowly of me?"

"Just want to make sure."

"They did offer, but I didn't take it. I just find this very amusing," then he grinned. Sometimes Yuuya can be scary. I should really take precautions now. "Hey, I'm doing this as your best friend. It's for your own good."

I believe him. I trust him.

"So you and Aya, right?" he is aware. "Have you given yoir answer yet?"

I shook my head. I'm torn. Aya surely is special but-

But what? I even asked myself.

"You'll come around, for sure," he said with a smile on his face.

"My lady?"

"Hai?" I answered. "Sorry, were you saying something?"

"Would you like some milk on your tea?" she asked.

"Ahh, yes please."

She gently poured the milk over the tea, "It seems like your mind is somewhere else, my lady. Is it the young man?"

I blushed at that. Was I that easy to read that even my lady in waiting knows what's in my head?

"I heard from your mother regarding the engagement." she added when I was not able to respond. "Did he said yes?"

"I doubt that he will." I took a sip from the tea cup as I rest my back on the chair.

"Why wouldn't he? I mean, he wouldn't go out with you for a year just for nothing."

"You think so?" she nodded. "What if he was doing it as a favor for one of my friends that he likes? Would that count?"

"I don't think he'll last for a year." Truly they do not see the way he looks at her. "Aya-sama, you are a very fine young lady. Any man would want you as their girlfriend and more so as their wife. He's a man without a taste if he wouldn't consider you."

"Thank you, Mari-chan."

"I'll be giving you your private time now. Just call me if you need anything." She bowed and left.

Ting…

I reached for my cellphone to see who had sent me the message.

Otohata Rei

I must be dreaming.

"Meet me at the coffee shop by 4."

He really does order me around.

I sighed. Going there would be a trap. For one, we've already broken up as far as I can remember. Or maybe that's how I interpret it.

I got at the coffee shop ten minutes earlier than our meeting time and it surprises me to see him seating there already.

Rei is always late in our dates, so this is new.

I walk towards him but it seems he haven't noticed my presence yet as he was so much engage on what he is reading. His brows furrow as he switch pages.

"I thought we'd meet at four?" I asked trying to take his attention from the book. Gladly that made him look at me.

"I got off early from my job so I just spent my time here." he said as he stood up and leading me to the chair and pulling it out for me. I muttered a simple thanks.

"Do you like to order anything first?"

"Just the usual," I said. He nodded as an acknowledgement that he knows what I was referring to. He went to the counter to order the foods and drinks. He came back after few minutes carrying a tray filled with food. That's not his usual.

"Are you that hungry?" after noticing a large amount on the tray.

"I haven't eaten anything since this morning."

"Then we should have met in a restaurant instead."

"Here is fine. It's our usual spot. No one would dare to go here. It's safer."

Safer? What does he mean?

"This shop is owned by Yuuya's parents. They know about us so they had the area secured whenever we're here."

My eyes widened at that. Yuuya's parents know, so that means Yuuya knows. All this time that we are spending our break hours here. That's why I kept on wondering why there are very few people when we come here, but it's jammed pack when we're not.

"Since when did they know?"

"Half a year ago." he said while taking a bite of his pastrami. He looks really hungry and he even waited for me before eating.

"Aren't you going to quit your part time jobs? I mean with your status and all?" I asked. He shouldn't be doing it anyways. He has two part time jobs. I know it's because of his love for music that he's working on that record store and DJing for some other times.

"Would you want me to?" that question caught me off guard. He never asked my opinion on anything he wants to do. He does his own way.

"Why ask me? You never ask anyone's opinion in whatever you do."

The next thing he said almost made me fall off my chair.

"You're my fiancé now. We'll be married in a few months. Whatever you think or say matters."

Fiancé? Married? Don't tell me…

He must have noticed my confused look and took my silence as his queue to elaborate more.

"I'm accepting the arrangement, Aya."

That didn't helped at all.

End of Chapter 2Author's Note : I'm really in the mood right now. Even I don't have the idea yet for the flow or how to end this. Hahahaha... But hoping for a review from you guys!