Efflorescence
Chapter Six: Retaliation
by Autumn Win-Dow
(AoGA House Cup. Words: 500)
She was bewildered at the sight in front of her.
Natsume Hyuuga had in fact returned to the okiya despite showing evident displeasure in being there, and he had paid extra in order to go on a walk with her. She sighed lightly as she opened up her parasol, and she already could feel his presence from behind her.
Needless to say, Mikan wasn't very pleased.
However, even though her onee-san wasn't with them, she was watching the two from one of the okiya's high balconies, so she was forced to keep a good image.
Usually, men would volunteer to hold her parasol for her, but Natsume did not make a single move. Even though customers weren't required to do so, she couldn't help but feel annoyed.
Their walk was quiet, so she decided that she was to do her job for the time being.
"Your eyes are a strange colour," was the first thing which came into her mind.
"People say that," Natsume stated, as he looked ahead.
The two ended up basking in an awkward silence once again.
Mikan, snap out of it, she internally scolded herself, you're not doing it right. Talk, talk, talk-
"Hey."
His sudden speech snapped her out of her thoughts, "Y-Yes?"
"Last week, when you mentioned my father," Natsume started, causing Mikan to flinch from the mere referring to of his father, "Your smile seemed forced."
Oh no. He caught that?
"I'm sure it isn't very respectful for a maiko to treat a customer in that way – I saw the other little things you did, too." He sighed as he stopped walking – which led to her stumbling forward slightly before regaining her balance.
Mikan sent him a gentle smile before replying, "I sincerely apologise for my rudeness on that day." She turned and bowed to him, while keeping the parasol level in her hand.
"Don't bother sounding regretful. Because I know you have some sort of issue with me... and my father."
His words had the power to freeze her in place. After a brief moment, she looked up at the sceptical man – Mikan no longer deemed it necessary to smile, as her parasol blocked the view of her onee-san.
She couldn't hide her shock – she didn't think that she actually had an issue with Natsume, despite his pressuring stares. His father, on the other hand, was to her something which she didn't plan to tell his son.
But she suddenly felt an unexplainable feeling of irritation.
"I initially didn't have a grudge on you… but right now, you're forcing me to drop this façade, even for a few seconds. Even though I did not show you much respect last week, you're doing the same right now. A customer should not bring such matters into conversation."
Her face didn't betray any emotion, except for the slight wrinkling of her eyebrows.
As soon as it came, however, her red lips formed a smile.
"So, where were we?"
Natsume was speechless.