X-X-X-X
Chapter 2
X-X-X-X
"-behavior is rather lacking. While her studies have been going quite well, she lacks...the elegance of a rich daughter. The way she speaks is proper, but it's like she doesn't fully understand the meaning behind her words. She is also rather distant emotionally, keeping many of your workers at arm's length and rarely depending on them. I find that cause for concern."
"I understand, Rin-san."
"I'm not insulting Amaterasu-sama, Toki-sama. Amaterasu-sama is quite blunt, but that's due to her young age. I've observed her for quite some time and I believe that she needs proper lessons in etiquette. I also believe that person must be someone who wouldn't bow down to your family's name, someone older, more experienced. A woman."
"That you, you're excused."
"Yes, Toki-sama."
Father continued to pat my head while my teacher left the room. I know that my behavior and words aren't exactly the 'best' for someone who is practically royalty in certain circles. I really don't like the thought of playing about with words, I'm blunt because I refuse to twist my words. I hate politics too.
"Haah...What do I do...?" Father asked still patting my head.
"It isn't my fault..." I muttered looking away.
"Of course it's not your fault, Amaterasu. I really didn't want to do this to you, but..."
"Do what you believe is best. I am 'Toki Amaterasu', your daughter and heiress of this family. Just know this, I absolutely refuse to bow my head to anyone."
"...Your material grandmother is going to love you..." Father ran his fingers through his hair, a tired look on his face. "Just like your mother, so head strong..."
That's a first, usually whenever I'm with this man he rarely makes reference to his deceased wife. While he is rather affectionate towards me, his biological daughter, he rarely makes mention of his wife even if I am attempting to ask him. If I ask about her, he will simply pull out an album from his bookshelf and hand it to me before pushing me out of his office. I understood why he chose not to say anything...he's obviously a foreigner while his wife is Japanese through and through. Her black hair, her pale skin, the shape and structure of my face...it's all her. That's why he's overly affectionate with me, but always hesitant to talk about her. If I were to say, I'm basically a miniature version of her.
"My grandmother will be my teacher?" I questioned staring up at him.
"Yes. She's...well, let's say she really hates me." Father said with a nervous chuckle.
"..."
"She really hated the thought of her daughter marrying some strange foreigner. I fell in love with your mother, that's why I wanted to do anything to be by her side. That's why I married into her family, taking the Toki name."
"...What will be occurring from today on?"
"Your grandmother will be hearing of this and will be insisting you live with her for the next four years until you are able to enter elementary school. She will teach you everything she can in those four years so you are ready to represent the Toki family." Father had an exhausted look on his face. "After the death of your mother and...time you spent in the tank..."
"I won't judge you, father. Whatever you did, you did for my sake."
"...You're a good girl, Amaterasu." Father pulled me into a hug, resting his head against mine. "...I swore to her that you would marry someone of her choosing..."
"That's fine."
In an arranged marriage, there is likely to be affairs. Very likely. Whoever I marry...Well, it'd be best if the two of us come to a compromise. This will not occur until far into the future, but I should still prepare myself. Still, this grandmother I'm hearing about...well, she sounds to be quite the handful. I should be on my best behavior with her, as a precaution.
"Excuse me, excuse me, Yamamoto Yemon and Yukimura Yukio reporting~!" Yemon said opening the door.
"Be polite, don't act so casual!" Yukio pushed his partner's head down. "Good evening, Toki-sama, Amaterasu-sama." Yukio said bowing his head to us.
"You two really haven't changed since high school." Wait, he knows these two personally?! "Don't be so stiff!" Father said giving the two a grin.
"How do you three know one another?"
"It's simple, Ama-sama! Toki-sama was a teacher. To be specific, he taught high school English where the two of us had gone to school. I was failing, so I got stuck having extra lessons with Toki-sama."
"Yemon wasn't good at studying, he's more of a hands on type of person. Yukio, on the other hand is the opposite. That's why I had him as my teacher's assistant. It was quite entertaining for me to watch Yukio and Yemon fight one another."
"You instigated most of those fights, Toki-sama."
"True, but it was always to better Yemon's understanding of English. I told you that if you two couldn't argue in English, then it's better not to speak at all."
"That's true. My conversation skills are better than my reading ability!"
"How surprising, that you can speak English without any accent."
"Eh!? You know English, Ama-sama?!"
"That's the first language she learned, rather...she took to it like a fish to water. It took her quite some time to learn Japanese so there are times where it's rather difficult for her use Japanese. She gets rather embarrassed when she makes mistakes. I remember when she first started speaking Japanese that she made a rather simple mistake and she refused to talk to anyone for days."
"T-That's...! D-Do not inform them of such a thing!"
"That explains her rather...unique pattern of speech. Her favorite word seems to be 'fool'. Toki-sama, you're so cruel. To teach her Japanese like that."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"I'm going to my room if I'm no longer needed. Excuse me."
I quickly left, not wanting to feel anymore embarrassment. I disliked the thought of hearing my rather sad attempts at learning Japanese within half a year. Each time I failed, I made sure to pour myself into my studies. Each time I felt embarrassment, I did the same. I really hate it whenever I think...whenever I think someone is degrading me...just like the person who made sure I was seen as guilty. Evidence that didn't even tie to me specifically was tailored to make it seem it was. They didn't even have my DNA and the witnesses only saw someone who was my height and gender do it. They didn't even get specifics, but I was chosen as a god damn scapegoat!
"Heroes...this world is just filled with crap." I snorted, thinking how everyone wanted to be a 'Hero'~! Joy. "People ignore the fact a pregnant woman is being kidnapped and she dies as a result of their failure. They were too afraid of being arrested to do something."
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I sat beside my father, decked out in a kimono with my hair pulled up into a complex bun with small ornaments in it. I knew the elderly woman loved Japan and hated foreigners, but...living in the countryside in a huge Japanese estate...with her workers dressed completely decked out in traditional clothing. Hell, they even had a huge field where I suspect they grow their own food.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, grandmother. My name is Amaterasu." I made sure to place my hands in front of me before bowing my head. "I hope that the two of us can get along from today on." I said not rising from my bow.
"Amaterasu, you were named after the goddess of the sun." I looked up a bit, confused at that. "Of course that man wouldn't tell you. It's a strong name, you have a lot to do in order to be worthy of such a name." Grandmother said staring down at me.
"...Yes, of course. I hope that you will help me become worthy of my name then." I said rising from my bow.
"You have a slight accent. Did you learn English before you learned Japanese?"
"Yes."
"Humph..."
"Is it unacceptable?"
"It's fine."
"Mother, I wish to apologize for forcing your hand."
"You did not force my hand. This child has the Toki blood in her veins. If she were to behave badly in public then it will reflect badly on our family. Amaterasu, this is your first lesson. You must refer to your relatives using proper titles. You must call me Obaa-sama. Your father, Chichiue."
"Yes, G-Obaa-sama."
"Good. Noel, this is yours." G-Obaa-sama placed a piece of paper down and slid it towards him. "It is times you are allowed to call this household to speak with your daughter. There are also rules you must follow if you wish to see her in person."
"Of course, mother." Father handed the paper to his assistant who placed it in a folder. "If that is all, I must return as soon as possible."
"Amaterasu, you may follow your father to the door. Afterwards, a servant shall give you a tour of the estate and the rules you must follow. Afterwards, we shall have dinner together and that is when I shall inform you of your future lessons. Understood?"
"Yes, Obaa-sama."
"You may leave."
"Please excuse us then."
"Please excuse me."
I stood up after my father did, taking his hand when he offered it to me. I silently walked behind him, the moment I just experienced still not kicking in. Grand-Obaa-sama...while she is old she is so graceful in everything she did. Her speech, her posture, even the way she looked at us! I must admit though...the way she looked down on my father was...rather irritating...but not once did she look down on me. Instead, she seemed mildly surprised with my manners and speech. After the shock had worn off, she quickly regained her composure as if she wasn't surprised.
"Amaterasu, I'm leaving now." Father knelt down in front of me, giving me a small smile. "If there are any problems, any at all, please be sure to tell Yemon or Yukio." Father said soothing out my stray hair.
"I understand, fa-Chichiue." I moved his hand away and I moved closer to him. I pulled him into a loose hug. "I shall be fine. When you call, I shall be sure to inform you of what had occurred." I said resting my head on his shoulder.
"Amaterasu, do you want to know why I gave you your name?" Father pulled away after giving me a tight hug. "You're curious, right?"
"I am curious, but..."
"I gave you the name that means 'shining over heaven' because you came back to me. There was a rather unlikely chance that you would survive even in incubation and with all those with healing Quirks, but you did. You survived, you prevailed, you lived. That is why I gave you that name. You were my last hope, my precious little angel."
"A name is simply a name. You gave me this name because you were very happy that I had survived. I am happy...that you love me so much, that you care so deeply for me."
"A name is simply a name, but the name you are given reflects upon what their parent thinks of their child. Amaterasu, in this country is a name that is of a holy being who represents the sun. You are my sun."
"If I'm the sun then you're my earth. You're the only reason why I would think of coming here. I don't want people to think badly of you." He's strange, but he's...a very good father. "I'll do my best."
"I love you."
"I love you as well."
Father gave me a kiss to the forehead and I returned it with a kiss to his cheek. I received one last hug before he left. I watched him leave for a few seconds before turning my gaze to the short elderly woman the same age as my own grandmother. While she lacked elegance and grace as my Obaa-san, she had a homely feel about her. I turned towards her and I gave her a small bow.
"I am Amaterasu, I hope that you will take care of me from today on." I said straightening my back.
"I hope you will also take care of me, Amaterasu-sama. I am Hana, I am in charge of all the workers. If you ever need anything, please do not be afraid to ask me." Hana said giving me a deep bow and a kind smile.
"Amaterasu-sama, I apologize for our delay." Yukio noticed Hana and gave her a bow. "I am Yukimura Yukio. Please take care of the three of us from today on." Yukio said not rising from his bow.
"Yamamoto Yemon. Please take care of us." Yemon said following Yukio's lead.
"Yukio, Yemon, what strong names. I am Hana. Now, shall we begin the tour of the estate, Amaterasu-sama?" Hana asked smiling at me.
"Yes, please."
"Then please follow me."
Hana began walking with me right behind her, my two guards directly behind me. I didn't have any need to be carried despite how hard it is to walk right now because Hana was even slower than I am. She's quite respectful, but only towards me. She treats me with respect while she gives my guards a simple glance. Almost...dismissively. I thought half listening to his explanation of each location.
"This is your room from today on, Amaterasu-sama. Shizuku-sama always has breakfast at eight o'clock sharp. You must get up at seven. During that hour, you must wash your face, brush your hair and teeth, choose your clothing, get dressed for the day, and be ready to head to the dining room at least ten minutes before eight. Three young women will be in charge of taking care to wake you up and get you ready for the day. They will also assist you in getting ready for the night as well. Are there any questions, Amaterasu-sama?" Hana asked smiling at me.
"What of my guards?" I questioned keeping my gaze ahead.
"They will have their meals with the other workers in a separate building. After they finish, they will be allowed to do their duties." Hana answered still smiling.
"Yemon-san, Yukio-san, when I am at my lessons then you are free to do as you please. If you wish for time off, please inform myself and my father."
"Understood, Amaterasu-sama."
"Yes, Amaterasu-sama."
"Hana-san, let us continue our tour."
"Of course."
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Chapter 2 Ends
I finally updated~! Yay~!Ama-chan's father, Noel, isn't a Toki by blood due to marrying into the family so he is unable to object to any major decisions what the previous head, Ama-chan's grandmother, says about Ama-chan's future. Due to Ama-chan's lack of understanding in the Japanese language, not to mention her bluntness, it's obvious that her grandmother will eventually beat that out of her until she's a proper lady...who plans on using this training to disguise the fact she's going to destroy the world. Well, Ama-chan will have a lot on her plate for the next four years, but that just means she'll gain a lot more privacy than when she was living with her father, which means she gets a lot more time to plot out how she's going to make it as as a Villain, especially after her Quirk is revealed. Well, that's it for today, until next time my dearies~! Bye-bye~!