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Chapter 3

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"Amaterasu, this year we shall be focusing on your language skills, dancing, and Ikebana. You will have lessons every day with the exception of Sunday. Sunday you will have the day off. After breakfast, you will have your language lessons. You will practice dancing every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, at five o'clock for two hours. The other days you will have Ikebana at that time. Are there any questions?" Obaa-sama asked calmly eating.

"What time are the meal times and what shall I be doing when I do not have any lessons?" I asked turning my attention to her.

"Breakfast is served at eight. Lunch is at twelve. Dinner is at eight. Between one and four you shall have free time to study on your own time. At four you will be allowed to have a small snack before your afternoon lessons."

"Where are my guards to be located?"

"They will have a room a short distance from your own."

"After this year is up, what will we working on next?

"We will add on to your lessons. How you progress during the year will depend on your lessons in the future."

"That is all I have to ask, thank you."

Obaa-sama nodded her head and continued eating. Dinner was finished in silence and I was taken to my room. I calmly stared at the three women waiting for me after Hana escorted me to my room. Triplets...they just had to be triplets. They all look the same, with light brown hair and black eyes, but they each had different hairstyles. The one on the left wore her hair up in a simple bun, the middle one with a plain ponytail, and the last with a simple braid that reached her hips.

"Amaterasu-sama, these three are from left to right, Nadeshiko, Nanami, and Nagisa." Hana said motioning to the three.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Amaterasu-sama. I, Nadeshiko, shall be in charge of waking you up in the morning and I shall be the one to clean your room." Nadeshiko said giving me a deep bow.

"I am Nanami, a pleasure. I am in charge of your daily health care and I will be the one to do your hair every morning. I shall also be in charge of assisting you in bathing." Nanami said also bowing.

"Amaterasu-sama, I am Nagisa. I will be in charge of picking out several kimono patterns you are choose from and I shall be the one to assist you in getting dressed. Please inform me of anything specific you wish to wear or if you happen to feel too hot or cold." Nagisa said bowing.

"It's a pleasure, Nadeshiko-san, Nanami-san, Nagisa-san." I gave them a slight bow before rising, the three also rose from their bow after I did. "I hope that you three will take good care of me from today on." I said giving them a slight smile.

"Of course, Amaterasu-sama." Nanami said giving me a smile.

"Our family has served the Toki household for many generations. It's a great honor to serve the next heiress." Nagisa said although her face is rather blank.

"I hope the four of us can get along for the next four years. I'm quite tired now so is it alright if you please get everything ready so I may go to bed?"

"Of course, Amaterasu-sama."

"It'd be best to change you out of your clothing before you brush your teeth and wash your face. I have a sleeping kimono ready for you. Right this way."

"Thank you, Nagisa-san."

Nagisa led me into the room and she helped me change out of my kimono and into a plain white kimono. Nanami then escorted me to the bathroom where she carefully undid my bun and placing the ornaments on a the counter. I washed my face afterwards and brushed my teeth before she escorted me back to my room where I saw Nadeshiko preparing the futon in the middle of the room. I was rather surprised how she tuck me in and made sure I was warm enough, even adding two more layers when I said it was still rather cold. After tucking me in, she silently excused herself and I was left alone in a large spacious room in the dark.

"I never knew it could be so lonely..."

My old room, it was large, yes, but it was filled with many things. Stuffed animals, books, a desk, large mirror, even a large bookshelf made specifically for the knickknacks my father purchased for me whenever he had gone on a business trip. That room was filled with warmth and...reminded me of good things. This room, it's bare, nothing...it's cold...lonely even.

"...Chuuu!"

I rubbed my nose after my small sneeze. Man, this house is also super cold! My room was always set at a specific temperature, never too hot or too cold. I wonder if it's because this is an old style house that is why it's so cold. I quickly moved underneath the blankets, tugging one of the top blankets above my head before turning to my side. I began to doze off until falling asleep, dreaming of my father's voice.

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"-atera...sama...Amate...sa...a...Amaterasu-sama!"

"...!" I gripped the wrist that tried touching me, staring at the woman with cold eyes. I...wait...this is. "Nadeshiko-san..." I released her wrist and I rubbed my eyes. "Please avoid touching me when you wake me up...I tend to react rather violently..." I recalled the first time I woke to someone reaching for me, intending to cause me harm. "What time is it?"

"It is seven. Nanami shall escort you to the bathroom."

"Yes. Of course..."

I slowly got out of bed and I followed Nanami to the bathroom. After I brushed my teeth and washed my face, Nanami carefully brushed my hair out, leaving it down upon my request. I returned to my room where several kimonos were prepared and waiting for me to choose from. Since I didn't know which one to choose, I simply allowed Nagisa to choose the best one for the day. I was dressed and ready for the day, with plenty of time before breakfast. The three women excused themselves after Hana came to escort me to the dining room.

"Good morning, Amaterasu. How was your first night?" Obaa-sama asked as soon as I entered the room.

"G...Good morning, Obaa-sama." I bowed to her before rising from my bow. "I slept rather well." I said with a slight smile.

"That is good. Take a seat, I wish to speak to you a bit before breakfast."

"Of course."

"Your first lesson is language. I shall teach you the proper way to speak to anyone from politicians, CEOs, to even simple small time company owners. The way you speak to them is different. While you are the heiress of our family, there are times where you must see others as equals. You must see threats with each person and act accordingly. However, how you choose to act depends on yourself. I am merely teaching you the skills you need to make connections."

"Obaa-sama, may I please ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"Who should I be seeing as my equals?"

"Those who seem to be the greatest threat."

"So my only equals are those I should deem my greatest threat..."

I thought that over during breakfast. To me, the greatest threat are the strong heroes...those who will be able to see who I really am...even this damned government. I suppose in the future I would be called a 'villain', that's why...That is why I wish to avoid making stupid mistakes. While I'm good at acting, it isn't enough. I need to be able to speak in a way that doesn't hinder my acting. That's how those bastards made me seem guilty, using fancy words and adding the illusion that I was truly a sadistic murderer who needed to be thrown into prison. I wish to do the same, but better.

"Amaterasu, do you have no appetite?" Obaa-sama questioned gaining my attention.

"I..." I glanced down at my food to see I finished half. "...Yes, I'm sorry for wasting food." I said lowering my head.

"It is fine. It's only understandable that you have no appetite. A new location must be quite frightening for a child merely three years old. Eat what you can."

"Yes..."

I continued eating and I wondered if Japanese food was usually this...well, simple. Salmon, tamagoyaki, rice, miso soup, and pickled radishes. While simple, it was quite good. Usually the cooks would serve me things that are sugary and heavy for breakfast, but I couldn't find it in my heart complain since my cook is an elderly woman who is always so happy to see me compliment her cooking. More than once I suspected she's my father's mother seeing as they shared the same blue eyes, but no one ever said anything so I simply pretended to be ignorant.

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"Amaterasu, your words are correct, but the tone is absolutely wrong. Also, sit up." I quickly straightened my back. "Tilt your head up slightly. Chin up." She tapped my chin up a bit so my head is perfectly straight. "Now, once more." Obaa-sama said staring down at me.

"Yes, Obaa-sama." I said feeling my muscles strain against this uncomfortable position.

I did my best to act like the definition of a 'Yamato Nadeshiko'. The lessons were hard, as I must twist my words to sound polite, but were rather sharp when one takes the time to realize what is being said. I absolutely despise this crazy language! Why couldn't it be like English?! I thought close to tears due to my own frustration. I felt like crying so badly, but I kept it in as to not disappoint the elderly woman. Usually when I felt like I fail, I want to stop and focus on how to improve on my own. I can't do that anymore, not with Obaa-sama teaching me personally.

"Stop." I stopped speaking and I blinked, something wet streaming down my cheeks. "Do not cry. As a Toki, you must stand proudly. Keep your head up and do not let others see your weakness." Obaa-sama said cleaning my face.

"I understand..." I said dropping my head.

"Keep your head up. Even if you are crying, don't lower your head. Even with tears in your eyes, you should still keep your head up. Show your face with pride."

"Keep my head up..." I lifted my head and I blinked as my vision continued to blur. "Don't lower...m-my head...show my face with pride...!"

"Good, now, let's continue."

"Yes, Obaa-sama..."

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"Are you alright, Amaterasu-sama?" Yukio asked as he cleaned my face.

"I'm alright..." I said sniffling.

"Ama-sama crying, that's a first. This old lady must be quite a mean teacher to make our usually cold little miss cry." Yemon said ruffling my hair.

"I want to hide myself in my room for weeks on end. I want my greenhouse..." I said rubbing at my eyes.

"Do you wish to go for a walk?" Yukio asked smiling at me.

"...Carry me." I said holding my arms out to him.

"Of course, Amaterasu-sama."

Yukio picked me up and held me in his arms. Yemon was oddly silent today as I wrapped my arms around Yukio's neck. Yukio carried me to the front door where I put on my sandals and a thick coat due to the cold. I was picked up and the three of us left the estate. This place is nice...but I wonder why Obaa-sama lives here instead of the city. I thought rubbing at my eyes.

"This place is nice, don't you agree?" Yukio asked smiling at me.

"It's pretty...If the fall is like this then I wonder what spring is like. There looks to be many sakura trees located here." I said resting my head on his shoulder.

"Spring is seriously going to kill your nose, Senpai." Yemon said grinning.

"Kill his nose?" I glanced at Yemon who was walking behind us. "What do you mean?"

"Senpai gets hay fever every year during the spring."

"Oh..." I took note of the pickup truck driving in this direction. "A truck?"

"It seems that we're between several other farms. This is the main road so you'll often see cars or other people passing through."

"I see." The truck slowed down beside us and I took note of the man driving was rather large and the fact a boy my age was in the seat beside him. Both have dark colored hair, but the boy has bright yellow eyes similar to that of a cat. Also, he doesn't have human ears, but tiger like ones, but they were black and white stripes instead of orange and black. "Good evening."

"Evening! You three out for a walk?"

"That's correct. From today on, the three of us shall be living in the estate down the road."

"Ah! You must be the young lady who is staying with Shizuku-san, her granddaughter, right?"

"That's right."

"My word, you can't be more than three! What a grown up little lady!"

"Thank you."

"The name is Daichi. This here is my son. Say hello, Takumi."

"...'ello..."

"It's nice to meet you, Takumi-kun. My name is Amaterasu, my bodyguards are Yukio and Yemon."

"..." I saw he was blushing as he stares at me. "...ic...meet...ou..."

"We live down the road down that way. If you ever need anything you can come on down."

"Thank you, I may take you up on that one day in the future."

"Take care then, it's getting a bit chilly with the winter fast approaching so you'd best stay bundled up."

"Thank you for your concern."

I watched the truck drive off and my eyes met with the boy's. Takumi, he reminds me of a small cat that I had when I was younger...before I became Amaterasu. I turned my gaze away and I didn't feel like continuing this walk.

"I want to go home now. I'm tired, I wish to take a short nap before my next lesson."

"Of course, Amaterasu-sama."

"What's wrong, Ama-sama?"

"Just tired."

"Yemon."

"...Yeah."

We returned to the estate and I remained close to my guards for the rest of the afternoon. I managed to sleep for a short amount of time, but I didn't feel very rested for my Ikebana lesson. I must admit though, living in isolation...without distractions from the chaotic city...without having to hear about those 'Heroes', I felt at peace. I didn't have to continuously force myself to regain focus when I hear about Heroes. The next four years could be a good distraction for me. It will also prepare me quite well for what I plan on doing to this world...to show them how twisted this world really is.

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Chapter 3 Ends

So Ama-chan is learning to become the perfect Yamato Nadeshiko...or at the very least act like one. Ama-chan's family isn't considered evil or anything like that, but the girl plans on using the Toki household as a smokescreen to hide the fact she's a villain. No one would dare accuse the heiress of an influential family of being a villain, not even top heroes. The Toki family has connections with a lot of powerful people and the family members themselves wouldn't dare allow anyone to accuse one of their own of being a villain as it would only damage their family name. The only way for someone to accuse Ama-chan of anything is if they have concrete proof, but would probably still lose their job. Well, that's it for today my dears! Until next time! Bye-bye~!