I like art exhibitions, Father, not art auctions.
I could feel my father's watchful gaze on the back of my head the entire time. We were at the auction, everyone was mingling about and not by chance were Kyoya and I paired up.
Business wise this was smart of Father, if people saw us together it would be easier to accept us as a union and, subsequently, our companies. But I was already nervous as it were without the pressure of Father and Mr. Ootori throwing looks at me and Kyoya the whole time, like bettors checking on their horses before a race.
My palms were sweating, for now the whole deal was left on hold, I wondered if they would wait until we were officially married to actually start acting like grown-ups.
Kyoya may be only the third Ootori son, but I did my research, instead of studying medicine as anyone would expect, he went into business. He hadn't even graduated and his name was already well known and respected. I, on the other hand, was the eldest Kotoku daughter, but the Kotoku name, compared to the other great families, was still making its mark. So, Kyoya and I were perfectly and evenly matched.
"So you were in the Karate club in high school?" This had been going back and forth since we left the hotel. It was starting to bore me, petty questions we both asked but that neither of us really cared for the answer. So you go to Sato College? So you're studying business? Fake conversation.
"That's right. Before that I was in the baseball club in middle school, I always liked doing something active when it came to club activities." It was the best way to stay in shape and do great networking.
"What do you do to stay active now?"
"Oh, I still practice karate on my own." Not really, on my own, I mean. Yuriko and Chikako always come over to my house to help me practice, and Izumi always came over to watch while stealing my favorite snacks.
They were my only friends. The only ones I didn't have to please just so our families could do good business in the future, they were actual friends, which made them pretty much the most precious things on earth for me, and that meant that Kyouya would know nothing about them for as long as I could help it.
The auction was beautiful, the sculptures were strewn about a flowered garden with small plaques to identify them. I don't much care for sculptures, personally I prefer paintings, they don't take up space and you can choose if you want to look at them or not. Something about sculptures is so imposing.
Kyoya gracefully led me around the paths of the garden. The morning sun was warm and a breeze would sift through the trees everynow and then, letting petals and leaves fall lazily all around us.
Suddenly a cherry blossom was held in front of me. I looked at Kyoya, "It may not compare to your beauty, but then again, that would be too much to ask of a mere flower."
I smiled and took the blossom. Of course, wearing so many things with flowers will make anyone assume I love them. But what the hell am I supposed to do with this?
In case it wasn't obvious before, I know nothing of being girly, romance and flirting. But I learned to go by with just smiling sweetly, usually if I do that the guy looks away with a triumphant grin.
Not this guy.
His dark eyes never left my face, it was like a poker game, suddenly the cards I was used to playing weren't high enough, he'd doubled the stakes keeping his face in a perfect mask, and now he was waiting to see how far I would go, and if I could catch up.
A waiter came by before I could react to Kyoya's stare, he offered us champagne and announced that the auction was about to start.
As we made our way back I glanced up at that cryptic face and I wondered if he had real friends, if his mask ever came off.
A/N: Please comment! Are you guys liking it so far? Sorry Kyoya hasn't really been himself yet, but I want to give Risa some time to show her true colors.