The Deliberation

~*~

It was a much longer ride than Mimi or Koushirou would have ever expected. It was hours, probably; they couldn't tell how many exactly. But it was almost sunset by the time they reached the city, and already there were tons of potential candidates chattering as they awaited the line into the palace.

"What are they going to do with us if we don't get in there by nightfall?" Mimi whispered to Koushirou worriedly.

"I don't know," Koushirou replied, "but by the looks of it, I don't think we are."

"Attention!" called one of the men on a horse. The crowd immediately got quiet and looked towards him.

He made the horse trot around to give him a sense of authority. "The line right now is long enough that it will make it till at least after dinnertime. The Lord retires shortly after that. For now, you will sleep on the ground. We will come around with some rice that you must save for tomorrow. No complaints will be tolerated! Everyone follow me!"

But of course, the complaints came from every which way, and even Mimi and Koushirou couldn't help but groan.

"The ground? Are you kidding me? A future concubine of Lord Taichi's should not be sleeping on the ground!" Mimi cried, frustrated.

But Koushirou took it in stride and followed, and the girls were ordered to sleep on some grass by the river. Some of the girls took it upon themselves to bathe in it, but Mimi and Koushirou (of course) declined. They would have to reapply their makeup in the morning anyway, but they decided to make do with what they had during the night.

When the rice was passed out, they found that it was only a small bowl.

"They think this will suffice for tonight and tomorrow morning!? Good thing I brought snacks!"

Koushirou looked over at her happily. "You did? Oh, thank goodness. I can always trust you with that kind of stuff."

Mimi giggled as she passed him some vegetables. "Of course, Koushi – I mean – Kouko-chan!"

~*~

It had been difficult to fall asleep; that was for sure. Koushirou tossed and turned in his sleep, restless and eager for the next day. He dreamt fitful dreams that were endlessly concerned about Lord Taichi, and he couldn't help but wonder about both his and Mimi's respective fates.

He was abruptly awoken in the middle of the night by Mimi's cries, and his eyes widened as opened them to see the large, strong men of the lord towering over him.

"What are you-!?" He quickly changed his voice. "What are you doing!?"

He turned around to find Mimi being led away by another man, a look of fear stricken on her face.

"Don't worry," replied the man, barely regarding Koushirou. "We're searching for the most beautiful girls here to put in the front of the line first thing in the morning." Then, begrudgingly, he muttered to himself, "Hopefully, this grueling week will come to an end..."

A week? Wow... Koushirou mused to himself as the man walked away. He must be really picky... But knowing that just made him all the more nervous.

Good luck, Mimi-chan, he thought to himself as he fruitlessly tried to go back to sleep. And good luck to myself, I suppose.

~*~

He didn't know the first thing about makeup.

Mimi had forgotten her bag, but luckily for him, that meant he could touch up his makeup. Problem was, he didn't know how to use it.

Mimi-chan can get by without redoing her makeup, but I can't!

He dipped the eyeliner brush into the liquid, but his hands were too shaky to put it to his face. At this rate, I'll make it worse...

"Hey...Kouko-chan, right?"

He whirled around to find the girl Ayako from the day before.

"Need some help?" she asked. She had no makeup on.

"Yes, thank you," Koushirou replied, relieved. "Mim-uh-Misumi-chan usually does it for me. I don't wear it very often."

"Neither do I," replied Ayako as she sat down. "But I help my mother with hers all the time. Close your eyes."

Within minutes, Koushirou was staring at a freshly made-up face in the looking glass. And to be honest...Ayako had done a better job that Mimi.

"Thank you so much, Ayako-chan," Koushirou said, smiling. "You can do your makeup if you'd like. I'm sorry I'm no help."

"No, that's okay. After a lot of thinking, I've decided that I don't want to be picked." She gave him a grin. "I just felt like helping you."

"Oh, well, thank you. Best of luck on all of your future endeavors."

Ayako laughed. "You're so well-spoken! I think you'll get picked for sure."

Koushirou blushed. "Well, I think he only picks based on looks..."

"You're not lacking in beauty, you know," Ayako said. "But if he picks you, I think he'll be surprised and happy to know that there's more to you than that. Same with Misumi-chan, although in a different way." She laughed again. "She'd keep him entertained."

"Yes, I would agree with you on that." His stomach knotted again. She was in line to see him right now!

"Attention! All of you start lining up over there!"

"Oh, that's our cue!" Ayako said, pointing towards the men on the horses. "You'd better eat your rice. I have a feeling it'll be a long wait."

"Yes, you go on ahead. I'll be there." He quickly gobbled up the rice, being careful not to leave any on his face, packed up the things and headed towards the growing queue. He ended up being towards the back of the line, but then he saw that there were more carts coming in the distance. Yet at the same time, they were already loading up carts to be sent back. He didn't spot Mimi anywhere, so he decided to take that as a good sign.

It was awhile before they ordered the line to move, and it was at least an hour before he reached the doors of the grand, majestic mansion. It wasn't a palace, but it was definitely a mansion, and he marveled at its splendor, trying to distract himself from his nerves.

The line is moving a lot faster than I would've expected, he thought to himself. One glance and that's it, I guess.

Another hour passed. More nerves. He was started to get closer to the room; he could feel it. Just a few more steps...

He was in. He tried his best to see Lord Taichi, but so were all of the other girls; it was impossible. Almost shaking, he tried to stay patient, and not too long after that, he tried again to catch a glimpse.

And that's when he saw him.

He was everything he imagined him to be and more. Everything about him was glowing a honey brown: his hair, his skin, his eyes. It was incredible. Koushirou's heart leaped into his throat and he didn't breathe for a moment. Oh, to be with Lord Taichi...he would give anything, just for a moment! To see him and then be turned away...that would not be enough at this point. It would be too painful...to see what he could have and then be denied it...

He was too lost in staring at him to realize how close he was to the front. He couldn't help but notice that Lord Taichi looked bored; and yes, he was dismissing girls incredibly quickly with the wave of his hand. One of the advisors – he was blond – whispered to him, but it looked as though Lord Taichi had responded with a frustrated retort.

He was only a few people away now. Oh, Kami-sama, this is it... Please let my pining not be in vain... Don't let me get sent away like that... Please, Kami-sama...please...

And suddenly, he was in the front.

Shyly, he forced himself to look into those eyes – those golden brown eyes. He was in heaven for a moment, and was he...? Yes, he was returning the gaze! He had been standing there for more than a few moments... Maybe he was considering him? No, it couldn't be. Time must be standing still, that's all. He was so beautiful, Koushirou could stand there all day, maybe forever-

"That one."

He came back to reality. And there was Lord Taichi, pointing at him, at him, at Izumi Koushirou.

He had been chosen by the Lord Taichi himself.