Efflorescence

Chapter Nineteen: Disillusioned

by Autumn Win-Dow

The bride arched an eyebrow skeptically as she scanned him from head to toe, and without making sure that there were no prying eyes upon them, clicked her tongue in exasperation.

"You're an open book, Hyuuga. I can tell exactly what you're thinking, and it's obvious that you're not eager to be here."

"I thought that was obvious from the start." He stared back at her mockingly, with a hint of challenge which she could easily detect. "And I'm not planning to back out."

She huffed in amusement and breaks her gaze away from the rich heir, only to analyse the array of flowers left by the guests in congratulations. "I know you won't. Your family is all you have left, and the last thing you want to do is disappoint them."

Natsume almost flinched at her more than accurate observation.

Nevertheless, his fiancee continued. "But it seems that it isn't the only reason why you look so uncomfortable right now. Perhaps, do you prefer Western weddings? Because all I can see now is you diverting your eyes from what I'm wearing."

Unable to stand her questioning for any longer, he turned his head and sent an annoyed glare at her. He didn't care if anyone else was watching, or if his mother would scold him for not keeping up appearances in front of the honored guests. Natsume couldn't stand the small traditional house, nor the flowers, nor the garden in the backyard.

And he certainly could no longer stand his itchy kimono.

"You find this amusing." He sneered at his wife-to-be, who merely stared back at him with an unmoving expression. "Why are you so interested in how I'm feeling when you yourself aren't eager to marry either?"

"Because I'm not the one who looks like I'm about to blow a gasket over flower arrangements, Hyuuga. You should see yourself right now."

Of all women my mother could have chosen as my bride, it had to be this one.

Natsume made an attempt to control his expression as soon as she noted his evident discomfort, but his mind continued to wander. It was then when he recalled the reason why his mother had chosen his bride in the first place. The person responsible.

"...It's your deadline today, right? And I don't want to be a last resort."

He would often scold himself because of his astounding pride and incapability to appear as the vulnerable one, but he was also realistic enough to understand that everything was done and dusted. There was no such invention which would allow him to go back to the past, to redo everything he did wrong six months ago. He wouldn't be able to force the Natsume of the past to just swallow his pride and open his mouth.

But even if I did open my mouth, she would have said no. The disillusioned one is me.

A/N: Ah, crap. It's been almost two months. I'm sorry guys, I really am. Agh. This is what midterms do to me. I'll try and update quicker from now on.

Cue timeskip? I guess so. ;)