Chapter 6
Not Going
As it became night, Yuu opens his eyes, having to the both of them fallen asleep in each other's arms from enjoying the peace all around them and glances up. As the blue sky start to change from a soft red to a dark purple, Yuu sighs in disappointment. He wants to stay with Mika, but he's been away from the house for too long. Sitting up had caused Mika to stir, asking as he too wakes up from their rest, "What's wrong, Yuu-chan?"
Getting to his feet as Asuramaru comes over, Yuu says sadly, "I hate to end this but I need to head home. I hope I have enough time to change into something suitable for the ball."
Also saddened over being apart again so soon, Mika also stands on his feet, approach Yuu and gives him a kiss on the forehead. "I'll be looking for you. The only one I want to dance and spend tonight with is you, Yuu-chan."
Giving the prince a smile, Yuu promises to be there. Once mounted on Asuramaru, Yuu snaps the reigns and takes off into the forest, returning home. By the time he had returned home, Yuu could hear the clock tower chime eight times, indicating it is now eight o'clock. Once Asuramaru has been lead back in his stable, Yuu sees a royal carriage arrive outside the chateau.
His heart sinking, Yuu gives the man a brief greeting and went inside to find his sisters. Standing just outside Shinoa's room, with a sad sigh Yuu knocks on the door. Soon Mahiru answers, already dressed in a blue and violet dress, her hair done, "Yes?"
"The carriage has arrived." Yuu informs her and then turns to head for his room.
"Ah. Why, Yuichiro, you're not dressed, hon." Mahiru notices that Yuu is still in his regular clothes.
"I didn't have enough time." Yuu answers simply, not making eye contact with his older sister.
"Not enough time? Oh dear, that's a shame. Perhaps there will be a next time."
"Yes, good night." Yuu bids her and leaves the corridor for his room. In the room, Shinoa, almost ready, could hear the sadness in her brother's voice. She knows that he really was hoping to go tonight.
Now in his dark room, the window open and the light coming from the moon and bright palace shining through, Yuu stands at the window, fiddling with the ring Mika had given him this morning. He had been looking forward to attending the ball and spending the night with Mika. But with no suitable attire to wear, he could never go with just his servant's clothing on, he would only be an embarrassment to his family.
Then a candle is lit behind him and the doors to his wardrobe open, revealing a dashing black, blue and white suit with a matching mask, the kind that covers the top half of the face, the theme being black and white stripes with some blue in a wind-like pattern. As he stares at the attire in amazement, one by one his friends appear from hiding and they all cheer together, "Surprise!"
To see all of them here and glancing back and forth, everything came together in his head, "Did you all do this for me?"
"While you were out to see the prince, we took your father's old suit and made a few adjustments to it to not only have it fit you, but to be suitable for you to wear tonight." Kimizuki explains as Tomoe takes out the book from before and showed the raven the outfit she had picked for them to make just for him tonight.
Overly happy that all of his friends worked on the suit and create a matching mask for him and saved him time, Yuu brings everyone into a tight hug, tears of gratitude in his eyes. "Thank you all so much!" Once the girls are out of the room, the three guys carefully help Yuu into the suit and a pair of black shoes, Mika's ring still on his finger and his mask in his hand.
Now that they are ready with Mahiru having a silk shawl wrap around her shoulders, a simple black mask on and a pair of black heels, Shinoa dressed in a black and pink gown with a pink choker, a matching mask in her hand and black heels, and Kouta dressed in a blue suit and wearing a blue mask, they start to leave the chateau. "Now remember my dearest," Mahiru says to Shinoa, "once you're presented to His Highness…"
Mahiru is cut off when they hear Yuu call out to them from upstairs. "Wait!" Then they see Yuu stand at the top of the stairs, all dressed in a dashing suit, holding his mask. Hurrying down the stairs, Yuu smiles at his family once he joins them. "So, what do you think?" he holds his arms out to show off his attire.
Both Shinoa and Kouta return Yuu's smile, very happy to see that he will be attending the masquerade ball with them after all. But Mahiru is not pleased but she hid it with her usual multiuse smile. "So you were able to find something suitable for tonight. Then shall we be off?" Mahiru then gestures to the door.
With Yuu lowering his arms, that's when light had bounced off of something on Yuu's finger and Mahiru notices it. Then she sees the ring. "Where did you get that?" Mahiru asks about the ring.
His left hand quickly hiding the ring, Yuu answers, "It's a gift from the prince."
"The prince gave you that?" Shinoa asks and Yuu shows her the ring. "That's very beautiful."
"I don't believe you." Mahiru suddenly spoke up, causing Yuu, Shinoa and Kouta to gape at her. "I believe you stole that."
Then in non-human speed, Mahiru grabs his wrist and yanks the ring off. "Sister what are you doing?" Shinoa exclaims at her older sister's behavior.
"As a thief, you're not allowed to attend the masquerade ball." Mahiru announces as she places the ring in her small purse.
"But I didn't steal it, I swear!" Yuu tries to reason with her, but he ended up with a slap across the face, the slap echoing through the front lobby.
"Silence, brat! You will not attend with us, you're staying here. Now then," Mahiru then ushers Shinoa and Kouta out the door, the younger Hiragi sister protesting but Mahiru ignores her. Before shutting the door, Mahiru turns to Yuu, his spirits damaged, "Good night."
