Title: 19. an ancient game of virgin sacrifice
Pairing/Character/s: Yuki/Machi, Machi's parents
Word Count: 968 words
Summary: Machi's parents meet Yuki and he defends her honor.
A/N: I'm glad you're all excited about this! Sake is a rice wine.
A prince is always happy to meet the parents of his princess. He brings an expensive bottle of sake as a gift. He wears his most expensive suit with a plain tie. He makes no jokes. The King and Queen do not have time for such frivolous things. He courteously addresses the King and Queen with the proper honorifics, while seriously discussing proper topics like politics or economics.
All of this work is worth it, because gaining parental approval is half the work in wooing a princess. The flaw in this?
She's not a princess and he's not a prince.
So when they arrive early, after Yuki tells the waiter to put away the bottle of sake and sets down his bouquet of flowers, Machi motions for his attention. She absentmindedly unfolds a napkin, back straight as a rod. The soft cotton of her gown clings to her back.
"My father will probably start talking about the economy or your future career," she began coaching, not seeing the amused smile on her boyfriend's face. "Don't worry about my mother. She's not going to say much-"
Yuki gently took her hand, leaning in so closely that he could see the mascara carefully painted on her eyelashes. "It's OK, Machi. I promise to still love-"
"Good evening."
They snapped apart, Machi looking flustered and Yuki smiling politely.
Mr. Kuragi narrowed his eyes suspiciously, wrinkles creasing as he watches Yuki politely bow. He's a young man, but his hair is prematurely gray. His entire face is stiff from always taking the world seriously.
"Good evening, Kuragi-san," Yuki recites, bowing. Machi's father reluctantly reciprocated the gesture, wrinkling his expensive black suit. "Good evening, Kuragi-san. These flowers are for you," Yuki adds, bowing to Machi's mother. He notices that Machi is more beautiful than her mother. She smiles, perfect red stained lips curling up. Her dark green satin gown crinkled as she accepted the bouquet.
"How polite. Machi, he is a fine gentleman."
Machi bites her lip, bowing quickly to her parents. "Good evening, Father. Mother."
There was an awkward pause, during which Yuki was busy signaling the waiter to bring over the bottle of sake.
"Well? Machi, introduce us to your friend," Mr. Kuragi said sternly, as everyone sat down. He made sure to sit across from Yuki, and left his wife to watch over his daughter.
The girl jumped, gesturing to her left. "Father, Mother, this is Sohma Yuki."
"A Sohma?" Mr. Kuragi gasped, face suddenly lighting up with the opportunity. "It is an honor to meet you."
Yuki doesn't seem fazed by the sudden change in demeanor. "Thank you. I-" He is distracted by the waiter, who brings over the wine.
"Allow me," Mr. Kuragi says graciously, taking the corkscrew from the waiter and uncorking the bottle. Yuki takes a few deep breaths to mentally prepare himself for a conversation on politics. His gray eyes meet Machi's brown eyes across the table. Her eyes, so unlike either of her parents; they shine when she smiles. Her mother automatically prods her slouched back, hissing for Machi to begin pouring tea.
Yuki doesn't even get to say anything.
"Sohma-san, this is a rare opportunity for us all." Machi's father waits for his wife to nod along, earrings swinging, before continuing. "I never thought my daughter would… To think she is with such a prestigious young man…"
"We've worried that she was too dull to attract the proper sort of person, but you have eased our fears, Sohma-san."
Yuki is immediately uncomfortable with the conversation. He doesn't even have to notice the way Machi's fingers are tightening around the teapot. "No, it is my pleasure-"
"I'm afraid Machi will be a useless wife. Her cleaning skills are terrible. I wonder if you will tire of her, also."
At that point, Machi's face turned completely pale. She forced her head up. "I'm going to the restroom." She didn't wait for an answer.
"Really, she is also impolite," Mrs. Kuragi adds sadly, faking a theatrical sigh.
"Don't say that," Yuki begins lightly. He automatically summons anger into his voice. "I can't promise to remain civil if you keep hurting your daughter."
"This is my daughter. I simply do not want her to live in ignorance of her bad habits," Mr. Kuragi suggest diplomatically. The friendly smile on his face freezes when he sees Yuki's frown.
"I came here today to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage, but I see it was a mistake," Yuki says coolly.
Both parents smile patiently. "Sohma-san, surely you are joking. Machi may be useless, but it's not a mistake to not marry her-"
"It was a mistake because you don't even think of Machi as your daughter." They scoff in disbelief.
"Sohma-san-"
Yuki stands up in disgust. "Keep the wine and the flowers. If you want to be invited to the wedding, you will ask your daughter, not me. And," he adds quietly, "She is not useless. I never want to hear you two say it again."
He leaves the table, ignoring flurries of protests. Those are too late. In anger, he realizes that he should propose to Machi right at this moment, because he's never been surer of the fact that he loves her. He knocks on the door of the women's bathroom. "Machi?"
She comes out, smoothing out her dress. "Sorry, I… We should get back to the table." He doesn't answer, frozen in panic. The words are flying out of his mind. "Yuki?"
Yuki hastily tells himself an excuse: He doesn't have a ring. He hasn't finished school yet. He has no job yet, so…
He does the only thing he can.
"Let's get away from here, OK?" He bends down to kiss her, tasting salty tears that have dripped down to her mouth and evaporated.
A/N: Well, this is the longest drabble yet, so I hope you guys enjoyed it! I'd love to hear how you imagined this dinner, too! Add a comment or message me~ I promise to reply. ^^ (Also, is it descriptive enough? I didn't really describe the restaurant... I didn't want to go over the word limit.)