Here's the next chapter. I don't know how I feel about it… it's okay, I guess. There's a link in my profile for what Suzume is wearing in this chapter. I don't really have anything else to say so READ ON!
Review Responses:
Padfoot Starfyre: You're right about the media and tabloids because Igarashi is such an important name in business. Of course, we can't have Tora without the possessiveness. I feel like Tora's mom would be super sweet and understand her son a bit more than he realizes so that's why Suzume is confiding in her.
Just two days before, staff began prepping for the engagement party. The embellishments of the main level were fancier than they had previously been, if that was even possible. Tables and chairs were starting to be set up outside, close to the garden. Even the landscaping looked a tad neater. On the day of, center pieces and other last-minute decorations were placed in their appropriate spots.
Upstairs in her bedroom, a maid zipped up the strapless, light blue ombré dress that Suzume picked out and finished helping her get ready for the night. She wore a pair of golden heels, which were hidden under her floor-length gown. All her hair had been swept to one side and slightly curled by the maid.
People had already started arriving. She knew because she could hear the chatter of people outside, socializing before the party officially starts. Out of curiosity, she wondered if her mother, Michio, and the others on her list that she gave to Hanako were here yet.
With her work done, the maid bowed and left. Suzume was alone once again. Well, she wasn't completely alone.
A pair of hands pressed against her leg. Glancing downward, she crouched to pick up her son who she thought looked adorable in his little suit. She spent a few minutes sitting on her bed with him before there was knocking on her door.
"Come in," she announced, standing up and balancing Kei on her hip.
Upon opening the door, Tora began speaking. "I was told to come get you…" His voice faded when he got out from behind the door and got a glimpse at his fiancée but quickly recovered. "It's time to greet everyone."
She gave him a curt nod and they walked down the hall until they saw his parents.
"We're going to walk out and welcome everyone, then introduce you two," Tashiro explained.
Suzume handed Kei off to his grandparents as they turned to greet everyone, leaving her alone with Tora in an awkward silence.
"Welcome and thank you all for coming to celebrate our son's engagement with us." Tashiro stood at the top of the elegant double staircase next to Hanako as she held their grandchild. "May my wife and I introduce our son, Igarashi Tora, and his fiancée, Asai Suzume."
They stepped aside and slightly turned to look behind them. The engaged couple began walking out from their hiding place in the hall with arms linked. Both wore strained smiles, though no one else could tell any different. Searching the applauding crowd below, Suzume's smile became a little more real when she saw her mother and Michio.
"Let's all enjoy ourselves tonight," Tora addressed everyone. Some people went back to their socializing; others began heading towards the buffet table. Tora and Suzume walked down the stairs to join everyone. At the bottom of the staircase, she hugged her mother and brother while he did the same but chose to shake Michio's hand instead.
Hatomi looked at her daughter with admiration. "You look beautiful, sweetheart."
"Thanks, Mom."
"Tora… I trust you're treating my sister and nephew well?"
Said sister's eyes widened. "Michio!"
"What? I'm your brother, I think I'm entitled to ask your fiancé some questions," he defended himself.
Without acknowledging the comments made between the question and now, Tora gave an answer. "Of course, I wouldn't imagine doing otherwise."
Not liking where this conversation could possibly end up, Suzume changed the subject. "Ichiro and Akira don't know you're here, do they?" She refused to call her father by anything but his name after he burst into the Igarashi residence uninvited that day. Long before that, she decided that she no longer considered Akira her brother.
"No, I had to hide the invitation before they could even catch a glimpse of it and make up an excuse about where we were going tonight. Not that the last part mattered anyway; the two of them are always working," her mother answered.
"Good, there's no need for a repeat of last time. Especially not tonight," she sighed. "If you want to see Kei, he's with Tora's parents. I'm sure they wouldn't mind speaking with you either."
"You know how to read your mother like a book. I've been dying to get my hands on that grandson of mine. I'll talk with you later, sweetheart." Hatomi kissed her on the cheek before setting off on her mission, Michio in tow.
They made their way through a bit more of the crowd, saying short pleasantries as they passed by, when he saw them. Apparently, his fiancée also noticed them because her eyes were looking off in the same direction when he glanced down at her. Seeing her face lit up, he knew that she was the one to invite them. The question was… how did she know them?
Both young couples came to a standstill in front of each other.
"Ayuzawa Misaki and Usui Takumi… I wasn't made aware that you two would be here tonight," Tora greeted, his insinuating tone of voice directed at the young woman standing beside him. They would definitely be discussing this later when they had more privacy.
"As Suzume's friends, we're here to support her," Usui responded before adopting a more accusing tone. "All of our personal feelings on the matter aside."
Trying to escape the awkwardness that would soon follow, Suzume quickly cleared her throat. "Thank you for coming. It means a lot to me."
"Of course." Misaki offered her a small, soft smile.
Throughout the night, the engaged couple would leave one conversation with some of the Igarashi Group's business partners and enter another right after. It was a never-ending cycle. That's why when Suzume sat down, a plate of food in front of her, she sighed in relief. Her shoes began hurting her less than an hour into the party. Let the record show that the party started nearly three hours ago. The hours seemed to drag. On top of that, she hadn't seen her son all night. That was until her mother brought him to her.
Elation spread on her face as he stretched his arms out towards her. "There's my little man!" She peppered his face with kisses, then thanked Hatomi for bringing him to her. Suddenly, the pain wasn't as noticeable.
Eyes focused on her, he watched as she interacted with her son. This was the first time that he couldn't be found with her on his arm tonight. Scanning the room, he spotted him chatting with more guests. If only the Igarashi heir cared about her half as much as he did.