I feel so bad for being a day late! It was beyond my control though… my wifi was down yesterday which especially sucked because I had homework to finish online.
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Once she finished getting ready, Suzume met Tora at the front door so they could leave. She seated herself in the car first, placing her shoulder bag consisting of a laptop, textbook, and other things she might need at her feet.
Tension still remained in the atmosphere between the two, even after the couple days since she and Kei moved in. After a quick glance at her hand, she shifted her gaze to watch the passing scenery and let her mind wander as they were off to the college they both so happen to attend.
Two days ago, moving was the biggest issue clogging her mind. Today, the soon-to-be-released news of the engagement took that spot.
Her, Kei, and the Igarashis were all gathered at the Igarashi Group's main operations building in a room that appeared to be used solely for press conferences. Considering that she and Tora would be the main reason for the conference, Hanako held onto Kei. Personally, Suzume believed that she was just looking for an excuse to hold her grandson but she didn't mind either way.
Beforehand, Hanako helped her choose a pale orange one-shoulder dress where the sleeve flared out. It stopped just below the knee. The white crocheted, close-toed wedges she wore put her just an inch or two under Tora's height.
Once the hands on the clock read four o'clock, it seemed as if the floodgates had opened to release the awaiting mass of people carrying cameras, microphones, tape recorders, and anything else that could be used to document what was about to be announced. They had all taken their seats while Suzume's heart thumped loudly in her head after seeing all of the attention she was already attracting.
Tashiro walked up to the podium in front of them and the reporters quieted down immediately. Flashes from cameras also became more frequent.
"Many of you may recognize the young woman standing beside my son as Miss Asai Suzume after a very recent event that has transpired. While I cannot say that I entirely condone their actions leading up to this point in time," he slowly started out. At those words, she turned a faint shade of pink and subtly looked down at her hands which were folded in front of her. She didn't dare steal a glance in Tora's direction. "I have come to terms with the situation at hand.
"In what little time my wife and I have known Miss Asai, we have already seen that she is a very dignified, capable, rational, and charming young woman as well as a dedicated mother. That is why we are happy to welcome her as our future daughter-in-law. We look forward to getting to know more about her and watching our grandson grow."
Mentally, she made a note to thank Tashiro and Hanako later, in private. To know that they already thought so much of her was relieving and touching. Her problem appeared to be the complete opposite of the normal daughter-in-law. Getting along with her in-laws would be easy. Getting along with her husband would prove to be difficult seeing as he hasn't spoken a word to her since his proposal.
The press conference ended with posing altogether for some pictures – she was positive that some of them would end up on magazine covers. Awkwardly faking a smile through them, they had even taken some with just her and Tora. A few of those had Kei thrown into the mix per request. They were their first – surely, of many – family photos.
"-ey. Hey!" Long fingers snapping in front of her face suddenly brought her out of her memory and she blinked rapidly, turning her head to the source.
"Sorry," she replied.
Skipping over her apology and irritated at her lack of responding sooner, Tora simply stated, "We're here." Their first words to each other in a few days and they were already off to a rocky start. She mentally scolded herself.
The driver had opened the door for them and, because he stepped out first, Tora's right hand was stretched out and waiting for her to take it as she exited the vehicle. Suzume figured it'd be safe to assume he only did so because of them being out in the open, surrounded by people with prying eyes.
Once she no longer needed his hand – not that she necessarily needed it in the first place – she quickly slipped hers away and clutched both hands around the handles on her bag that she held in front of her.
They silently walked side-by-side down the sidewalk from there and upon entering the building that held her class until she stopped. The missing patter of her flats caused him to stop as well and turn to see her looking at him with her arms now at her sides.
"You don't have to walk me to class, I think I can handle it on my own."
Rolling his eyes, he grabbed her by the wrist and continued through the building. "There are people all around. Some of them are ready to get their hands on a scoop that could earn them some cash and I don't think it'd be wise for me to show up with you but not escort you. Enough talk has been surrounding us already. It doesn't need to escalate."
Suzume kept her mouth closed, knowing fully well that he was right. The less negative attention they got, the better.
When they reached her class, he told her to meet him in the courtyard after classes where the car would be waiting to take them back home.
Glares from predatory, feminine eyes were pointed at Suzume as she walked up the stairs to her regular seat in the lecture hall. She did her best to ignore them but that didn't mean she couldn't feel their stares. It hadn't occurred to her that there would be jealous women. One of Japan's top eligible bachelors was no longer on that list because of her.
Fate must have wanted to pin a target on her back. It sure did one heck of a good job.