〈Boulevard de la Reine, Versailles, France〉

The weather is a bit warm and comforting early in the morning, despite the thin sheet of snow that covers the fields outside the window. It was totally unlike a certain place in Japan, where the weather is much cooler and cloudy during the early hours of the day.

A man wearing luxurious, plush robes sat by the small table at the balcony in the penthouse of one of the most lavish and famed hotels in the city. He shortly began indulging in his breakfast which consists of eggs Benedict, French toast, and Americano after admiring the beautiful scenery from up high.

The man seemed to be in his forties despite of his actual age being around early fifties. Only a few strands of white hair can be spotted on his jet-black locks. His body that went through years of physical training seemed to have remained the same as well. His deep purple eyes shone with a hint of amusement, which immediately disappeared and replaced by seriousness when a knock was heard from the door.

"Akihiro-sama?" One of his trusted aides, Yamamoto, called out from the other side of the room. The raven-haired man looked up from the newspaper that he had picked up and had decided to read earlier.

"What is it?" He asked, as he closed the said reading material and waited for his assistant to appear before him. He was getting to the good part of the news that he was reading which was about how one of the politicians that one of their rival families is supporting, had gotten himself caught for embezzling funds.

"Miharu-sama had called and is asking to speak with you," Yamamoto informed as he presented the white, wireless phone to his employer. He bowed when his master had gotten the device and moved to give his master some room to talk with his daughter.

"Is that you, Micchan?" Akihiro spoke, his tone laced with fondness and affection for the person on the other end of the phone.

A soft chuckle of a female voice could be heard from the other line. It was an airy sound, which was pleasing to the ears. It immediately made the ends of the man's lips quirk upwards into a smile. How long has it been since he have seen his children? Probably a few weeks already—almost a month. If not for the matter that he needed to personally attend to in this place, he would be spending time with his daughters instead.

"Yes, father. It's me, Miharu," says the young female Fujiwara. It made Akihiro laugh, his deep and husky voice booming in the peaceful morning. Luckily, he was alone inside his room sans his assistant who was waiting at the far end of the room.

"I told you to call me Daddy or Dad," he said, with a slight pout. His voice taking on a childish tone, in which he received a faint sigh from his eldest daughter as response.

"Fine, dad." Miharu relented, which made Akihiro smile happily when she complied with his repeated request. He disliked being addressed with such a formal term. It felt like his children were being distant from him, and he didn't like it one bit. He loved his children too much to make them do such a thing.

"Can we move on to the topic now, please?" His eldest daughter's voice was almost pleading with a mix of slight frustration, and he couldn't help but silently snicker.

He knew how his teasing and childishness that he often displays when it comes to his girls, annoy them to no end. It is especially effective on Miharu who is always the serious and responsible one among his two daughters.

"I heard your meeting went well last time," Akihiro said in an all-knowing manner, and one of his eyebrows shot up as if his daughter could see his expression from the other end of the phone. But he figured that she could already probably imagine it even if she couldn't see it personally.

"Yes. Yes, it did go well," he heard Miharu confirm in a much more subdued manner than when she had initially spoke to him.

The Fujiwara patriarch instantly wondered if something was bothering his daughter. He did not dare say it aloud though, because he knew that Miharu will just brush aside the matters concerning her like how she often does, as she disliked being put on the spot.

"Do you think we could work it out with their family soon?" Akihiro asked, his voice softening. But when he heard no response from the other line—just soft breathing—he knew that his eldest girl still has some reservations as well as doubts regarding the matter.

"I'm not getting any younger..." He tried to say, his voice filled with fake dismay. In reality though, he would not force Miharu to do anything she doesn't want. He did not want a repeat of the previous circumstances in their family, after all.

However, it was actually Miharu who suggested that she should get engaged with someone of high-standing in society, and whose family is in the same line of business as they are to avoid internal conflicts. For now, he—the head of the Fujiwara family—is following the flow that his daughter had set.

"You're still strong, dad. I saw the pictures you posted online with the bear you just hunted the other week. You were even carrying it on your back!" Miharu exclaimed, after a long moment of silence. She followed it up with a soft laugh like tinkling bells, that made him felt nostalgic at the remembrance of certain memories he had when he was younger.

A face that is almost identical to Miharu's, but older and more confident-looking, briefly flashed in his mind. It made his heart ache upon recalling a scene so familiar, wherein a younger version of him was watching the snowflakes in their family home's veranda and how the same woman in his memories were calling out to him, and telling him to come inside to drink something warm.

"Still, I want to see my grandchildren soon before I pass away. I bet they would be as beautiful as you with your jet-black hair and purple eyes," he jokingly remarked, as he laughed heartily. Then, he pursed his lips upon hearing her voice becoming serious all of a sudden.

"Dad," he heard her call out from the other line, tone almost scolding.

"May I speak to her?" He simply asked, and there was a slight pause before he was able to get a response.

"She's sleeping already," was the only thing that Miharu said.

Akihiro nodded to himself, sipping more of his coffee before he spoke again, "How did hers go?"

"Same as the past ones, according to her."

It was the older man's turn to sigh in disappointment, as he set down his cup and traced a finger around its rim. He had expected a lot from one of his trusted servant's son, and yet, the boy was not able to make any difference at all.

"That's unfortunate then," he muttered while rubbing his temples. The thought of his youngest daughter not being able to marry before his death is stressing him out.

He knew that it was still too early for her since Natsuki is only in her senior year of high school. However, he could not help but worry for her. He worries because Natsuki's personality is different from Miharu's.

His youngest daughter seemed to be a magnet for trouble—always finding one at every turn—and before she realizes it, she is already in deep shit. Half of why she gets in trouble is because her patience is as short as her height, and half of it is because Natsuki can be really emotional. If not for Miharu and Tatsuhiko—Natsuki's close aide—sorting out her mess every single time, she probably would not know how she died.

Aside from that, being the head of a notorious group of criminals does not really ensure his nor his family's safety. Anytime, anywhere, he could be assassinated. His only wish for now is to see his daughters in the hands of trustworthy partners, families and allies.

"Although she seemed to have taken an unusual interest on someone…" Miharu's delicate voice drifting off to his ear made Akihiro snap out from his trail of thoughts. That certain sentence caught his now-easily distracted attention. That piece of news promptly ignited the flames of hope burning in his heart.

"She's interested in who?" He heard himself ask excitedly, without even realizing it. From the sound of it, Miharu is currently trying her best not to laugh at his child-like reaction.

"I should probably keep this a secret, but… it's the son of the Kuroo family as well."

"I see…" Akihiro trailed off thoughtfully, before continuing, "That means both of you took a liking on the same man, huh?" One of side of his lips quirking upwards into a helpless smile.

"I always knew that, that old man Kuroo's genes are probably gold for being able to produce such an interesting young lad." He snapped his fingers in mock frustration, and took a large bite of his already-soggy French toast, neglecting proper decorum for a moment.

"D-Dad!" Although he could not see it, he knew his daughter too well to be able to tell that she was already blushing even from the other end of the line because of his off-handed teasing.

"I've met Kuroo Hisato's son during his second wedding. Such a fine-looking, young boy. I wonder how he turned out to be. I heard he's going to be a great heir!" The old man declared, as he pondered for a moment when he felt something was amiss. He felt like he was forgetting an extremely important information but he can't seem to remember right now.

"Father, if you're not going to ask anything else, I'm gonna hang up now—" Miharu spoke quickly, disrupting his train of thoughts once more.

"Wait!" He called out to his eldest daughter, before she could hang up the phone.

"Before I forget, tell Natsuki to go to Russia next week," he told Miharu, as he turned and played with the fork that was placed on his plate, staring at his half-finished meal.

"What for? Should I go instead of her?" Miharu immediately offered. However, he also instantly dismissed her suggestion.

"No, it's better that you handle the matters in Japan that needs your immediate attention and Natsuki in Russia. Tatsuhiko and the others will be coming with her as well, so you don't have to worry so much." His voice became filled with warmth and pride as he discussed business matters with his daughter.

They were growing up so quickly. He thought to himself, while feeling slightly empty. It seemed like it was only yesterday that they were still running in their diapers and causing chaos in the clan house.

"Father, it's too dangerous to let Natsuki handle it alone without much supervision, although I know that she is capable of many things—" He heard his daughter argue but stopped herself midway, while probably thinking that she is already overstepping her boundaries. Akihiro just let it slide though, since Miharu is his beloved daughter and he didn't really mind her arguing with him. He knows too well how his eldest could get when she worries too much.

"Don't worry. It won't be anything dangerous. It's only going to be a binding meeting. Your uncle Raijin will also be there, as far as I know." He assured his eldest daughter to stop her from worrying unnecessarily, and so that she could focus as well on the matters she currently have on her plate.

"...Alright, I'll tell her tomorrow." Miharu finally yielded, after a long pause on her side.

"Take care of yourself and your sister, Micchan," Akihiro quietly said, the small smile never leaving his face in the duration of his talk with his daughter.

"Of course. You too, dad. Take better care of your health and safety please." She said almost pleadingly, then ended the call after he hummed in response.

Akihiro leaned back on his chair and stretched his arms and legs, as he let out a yawn.

"It's nice to hear that my two girls are doing well despite my absence," he mumbled to himself before finally going back to finish his breakfast. His mind still lingering on the thought of his daughters and family who were left behind in Japan.

「MIHARU」

〈Fujiwara Mansion in Kita Ward, Kyoto, Japan〉

Miharu hung up the phone after hearing her father's half-hearted response about him taking better care of his health and safety. She rubbed her face out of slight annoyance, but helplessly smiled in the end. She just hoped her father won't get himself in some sort of trouble before he gets back to Japan. After all, she wanted him to come home in one piece.

"Did Akihiro-sama say that he is coming home before the New Year?" The raven-haired young lady shook her head at the question posed by Hana, who was standing in front of her office desk the whole time.

"No, he did not mention anything about going home. But he did ask me to tell Natsuki that she's off to Russia soon for a binding meeting," she said, as she placed the phone receiver back to the base unit. Miharu stood up from her seat, her black kimono and red-dyed [1]hakama swaying and following her movements that were as smooth as flowing water.

The Fujiwara's eldest daughter swiped a hair tie on top of her table, and tied her hair in a high ponytail before she proceeded to go out of her study. Hana followed behind her closely, wearing her own set of navy blue kimono and black hakama. The two of them headed to the direction of the dojo located behind the left wing of the compound, where the rest of the Fujiwara family's close associates are residing.

"Hana-chan," Miharu called out to her aide in a faint voice, who fell into step with her.

"Yes, ojousama?" Hana asked, waiting for her mistress to continue her words. On the other hand, the Fujiwara's eldest daughter remained looking ahead as she put one foot in front of the other.

"Have you… received a message yet?"

The way Hana tilted her head to the side in confusion indicated that she was not able to understand the meaning behind her words, from what Miharu could tell from her peripheral vision. She sighed internally, the delayed feeling of embarrassment finally creeping up on her.

"...It's nothing. Just pretend I didn't say anything," Miharu said, as she waved her hand and chuckled softly. Yet, it was clear that the action was slightly forced. Hana just looked at her mistress with a concerned expression.

I wonder if we'll be able to meet again soon.

She thought to herself, and her lips curved, forming into a wistful smile. Her clear, purple eyes gleamed with excitement when the sun's rays reflected on it. When they finally arrived at the dojo, they went inside after removing their [2]zori sandals made out of rice straw, only leaving them with their white [3]tabi as footwears. Her smile was promptly wiped off from her face as she waited for Hana to fetch the protective equipment.

Not more than five minutes had passed, Hana came back with two sets of equipment—one black, and one white with red trimmings. The brunette set down the gears on the side first, before the two of them proceeded with their warm-ups. Afterwards, Miharu wordlessly wore her red and white protective gear, and Hana did the same as well on the remaining set of equipment. Then, they both held the standard [4]shinai in their hands and went into their respective places—one person on each end of the dojo.

[5]Kendo is one of Miharu's past-times when she is especially stressed or worried about numerous things. It helps her release all the pent-up frustration in her system, and helps her focus better when she is finally back to working. Also, Hana is always her sparring partner because no one is gutsy enough among their family's associates to actually hit her with a training shinai. Well, maybe except for a few like Natsuki (of course), Tatsuhiko-san, her cousin, her cousin's close aide who is also her and Natsuki's childhood friend, and lastly, their dad.

Although, their dad oftentimes go easy on her which always ruffled her feathers because it felt like he was treating her as some sort of fragile child. Their uncle is also out of the question, because he's too fond of the only two Fujiwara girls in the family.

However, Miharu does remember him saying multiple times that there is nothing wrong with women learning martial arts because Fujiwara women are—besides from being blessed with good genes—prideful, independent, and strong. She also remembered hearing another saying that was passed down continuously to the women in their family.

Fujiwara women are not to be sheltered, much less become concubines. IF, her husband happens to take in a second wife, Fujiwara women MUST not accept being the concubine.

Miharu particularly liked that conviction of their family; about how the women of the Fujiwara bloodline are not to be protected from the harshness of reality, and more so to end up becoming a mistress. Sadly, the men of their family did not follow the tradition of sticking only to one woman. It truly distressed her when she found out a particular hobby that her father and uncle had enjoyed way back in their younger years, and it made her remember how disappointed she was at that time—

Smack!

The raven-haired Fujiwara stood frozen on her spot, with her mouth gaping upon realizing that she had been hit on the head by a shinai. Hana's shinai, in particular. It took her a few more seconds before she was finally able to compose herself.

Hana, on the other hand, was so shocked with what happened that she had let go of her shinai and immediately ran over to Miharu's side and fussed over her milady, while apologizing endlessly.

"I'm so sorry ojousama! I didn't mean to strike your head!" Hana rushed to untie the protective gear on Miharu's head to see if her mistress had sustained any sort of injury.

What surprised the poor brunette girl was the fact that Miharu had laughed out loud out of nowhere. But it was not just any laugh. It was a whole-hearted laugh!

It was an especially rare occurrence in the household. Miharu knew that, since she admittedly laughs from the heart scarcely. However, the fact that she ended up so spaced out in the middle of a spar that she got hit by Hana on her protective head-gear, meant that she really was preoccupied with thinking.

When Miharu finally collected herself from laughing too much, she was already sitting cross-legged on the wooden floor of the dojo, trying to catch her breath. She gave Hana a feeble smile, grabbing her hand and patting it gently in an attempt to comfort the panicking girl.

"I'm fine, Hana-chan," she assured her brunette aide and friend, who finally calmed down upon hearing her words.

"Please don't space out in the middle of a match. It could get dangerous, ojousama," Hana mumbled sulkily under her breath. Miharu playfully glared at her, which made the former sit up straight on her knees.

"What did I say about calling me ojousama when it's only the two of us?" The raven-haired young lady questioned using a slightly reprimanding tone. Hana chuckled awkwardly as a response, as she rubbed her nape shyly.

"Alright, Micchan," the younger female said in a faint voice, before looking up at her mistress who was sitting back while using her arms as support.

"Much better," Miharu smiled widely, before standing up and removing all the protective gear from her body. She was already sweating despite the cold weather and moving her body without even more than five minutes yet.

"I should meditate for now, Hana-chan. I think you were able to see and experience firsthand how out-of-the-loop I am." Miharu jokingly said, still laughing a little as she positioned herself to meditate.

"As you wish, ojousama," Hana said, her gaze lingering on Miharu in mild concern for a few more seconds, before she stood up and gathered the equipment they used and returned it in the storage room. Then, she went out to guard outside the dojo.

The raven-haired girl concentrated on her breathing—inhaling deeply, and exhaling slowly—and continued to do the same thing, while trying to clear her mind. This routine went on for about half an hour until she heard a frivolously, familiar voice of a man that she had not heard for quite some time.

"I heard you were so distracted that Hana-chan was able to get a [6]men from you," the young man said as he leaned on the wooden wall of the dojo, watching as Miharu's head turned quickly to the side to take a look.

"Tooru!" Miharu exclaimed, pleasantly surprised at seeing her cousin whom she had not seen a hide nor shadow for a few weeks already.

Fujiwara Tooru, also known as Oikawa Tooru in public, is Miharu and Natsuki's paternal cousin. He is the son of their father's brother, Raijin, and he is the only male in the sixth generation of the Fujiwara family. Tooru also serves as the [6]shingiin of their organization—taking care of the public affairs and cleaning up after the pair of sister's mess—since he's also attending law school.

Although, Miharu is the oldest out of the three of them seeing as she was born in spring (April, to be specific), Tooru acts like the older brother they never had. He spends most of his time out of the house though, because he's busy running errands here and there for her father and his own father. He most likely only got back from one of those errands again.

"I thought you already died in a ditch somewhere," she further said as she slowly stood up, chuckling quietly at her own weirdly, morbid joke. Tooru pouted and made his way towards her.

"That's mean, Haru-Haru! At least make it the Tokyo Bay," he retorted, ruffling his older cousin's hair.

This time, it was Miharu's turn to pout as she fixed her hair lazily. Tooru just snickered as she tried to do so, but failing eventually.

"I was just joking, Tooru. You know how it is in our line of business." Miharu said, her voice taking on a serious tone as it turned fainter by the end of her sentence.

Tooru couldn't help but give her a knowing smile, his eyes glistening solemnly. He ruffled Miharu's hair again, which she dodged quite unsuccessfully when a well-built young man with dark locks entered the dojo.

Miharu recognized almost instantly the familiar, handsome appearance of the said man who is her cousin's best friend and aide.

"Hajime-kun!" She exclaimed happily, making a beeline towards him and almost slipping on the wooden flooring of the dojo.

"Wow, I'm hurt. She wasn't even this excited when she saw me," Tooru mumbled under his breath, but it was still loud enough for the two of them to hear.

"Oh, is that you, Haru?" Hajime said, chuckling a little as he gently patted Miharu's head, before fixing some of the hair on her head that was standing up.

"Thanks," she beamed widely, as Tooru went to stand by her side and slung an arm around her shoulder.

"What are you guys doing here in the dojo anyway? When did you two come back?" Miharu asked, but the two young men went silent for a few seconds. She noticed how the two of them looked at each other, and were probably having an exchange with their eyes.

"We were finding you, and we came back just now. But we'll tell you more later. For now, let's catch up." Tooru said cheerily, as he led Miharu outside of the dojo and left her confused.

She quickly dismissed it for now, since it was a rare occurrence to have many of their family members present all at once in the mansion. Miharu quickly made Hana inform the others to prepare for a small feast, since all three of them from the sixth generation are present.

"It's good to have you guys back. The house felt so empty without everyone," Miharu remarked, genuinely pleased with the current situation of having her family around. She wrapped an arm around Tooru's waist and slightly leaned her head on his shoulder, while his arm remained around hers.

"We'll be staying for at least a week, probably. Then, Iwa-chan and I are off to somewhere again." Miharu nodded in understanding. It's still better than nothing.

"Then, we better make the most out of this short vacation of yours," she said with her smile reaching her eyes.

**Notes:

[1] hakama - traditional Japanese clothing that is worn over a kimono as trousers. It can be used as uniform for martial arts such as Kendo, Aikido, and etc.

[2] zori - traditional Japanese style of sandal, similar to a flip-flop.

[3] tabi - traditional Japanese socks worn with thonged footwear.

[4] shinai - a weapon used for practice and competition in Kendo.

[5] Kendo - traditional Japanese martial art that uses bamboo swords and protective armor.

[6] men - a strike on the center-line of the head in Kendo.

[Author's Note]

Hello everyone! Haru & Aki are back, ehe~

(Haru) Oikawa and Iwaizumi are finally back in the house The reason why? Well, you're about to find out. So stay tuned for the upcoming chapters! Again, we cannot thank you enough for your support. Thank you for reading our story and for that, we promise to upload as frequent as we can so we won't leave you hanging~ :D

(Aki) Ehehe~ We have a lot in store for you guys. So, please stay tuned! Thank you so much for giving our story a read, and we hoped that you liked it. Do drop a review as well if you don't mind~ Love lots!