Realization
The day back to school was chaos for Yumeno. The news that Kyoya Ootori was off the market broke the hearts of at least half the school's female population, and it didn't help that the entirety of Ouran Academy's 2A class was bombarding Yumeno with questions.
"How did this happen?"
"It is an arranged marriage decided by our families"
"When's the wedding?"
"At least after we graduate college."
"Oh my gosh, look at that ring it's so beautiful"
"Thank you, we hand selected the design and the gems together!"
"You two make a lovely couple."
"Thank you, you're too kind!"
"When was this arrangement decided?"
"Last month during a business conference between my father and Mr. Ootori."
"Are you going to allow Kyoya to still participate in the Host club?"
"I wouldn't want to hinder Kyoya from his club duties. In fact I will be assisting the host clubs as their manager."
The last answer may have surprised a commoner who was not adept in the social rules of the upper class, but at Ouran Academy very few arranged marriages were taken seriously.
At least 40% of Ouran academy's school population was in some type of marriage arrangement, but most of them held no real meaning to them. The majority of the arrangements was arbitrarily chosen by the student's parents and could be called off any time if a better offer came along or something unpleasant happened between the two soon to be wed companies.
You could easily still flirt with someone who was in an arranged marriage as long as it was consensual, and nobody would think anything of it. However, dating and very bold moves on someone other than your partner were looked down upon but not completely uncommon.
Yumeno knew she had to be careful in the chess game known as the social circles of Ouran. One false move, one misplaced word, one untimely expression, and the girls in school would think that Yumeno was merely a measly pawn in their way to a favorable marriage with an Ootori son, and not the formidable queen she sought to personify. Yumeno walked a thin tightrope between social praise and social depravity, and she was determined to not let her social reputation be the reason for a failed arranged marriage.
That was why Yumeno spent almost every moment of her day calculating: calculating ways to expand her family's business, calculating ways to raise her reputation in school, calculating what lines to say next and what pitch to deliver them with, calculating what angle she should tilt her head and when she should flutter her eyes as she coaxed a favor out of someone. Yumeno was a human calculator, but instead of punching out numbers she punched out sickly sweet deceptive words and carefully timed actions.
Yumeno was in the midst of planning and perfecting her act as the manager of the host club in her head when she was interrupted by the sound and vibration of two hands slamming onto her desk. Yumeno looked up with a mildly shocked expression, making sure not to let her annoyance with the intruder slip out onto her face.
'Oh, it's just Aiko' Yumeno thought, as she tried not to look annoyed with her best friend.
"Why am I learning about your arranged marriage with Kyoya Ootori through the school's gossip circles rather than you personally!" fumed Aiko.
"I'm sorry Aiko. I've had a long weekend, and I just forgot to tell you." sighed Yumeno as she gave Aiko the 'I'll tell you more during lunch when we're in a more secluded area look'.
"Fine" Aiko pouted "But I'm going to leave no stone unturned, no detailed untold, no truth hid…"
"Yeah yeah yeah" Yumeno cut her off quietly so no one except Aiko could hear " just get back to your desk, class is about to start."
Class couldn't pass by any slower for Yumeno. She had already learned all the material being taught two years ago from her private tutor, but Yumeno still had to appear engaged in the lesson or else she would risk ruining her perfect honor student image.
As soon as the teacher had packed away his materials and left the classroom, Yumeno felt herself being whisked away so quickly by Aiko that she barely had any time to grab her lunch out of her bag. Aiko led her to a secluded corner of the courtyard underneath a cherry blossom tree in full bloom, which would obscure the view of the pair from any passerby.
"Ok spill it" Aiko demanded "I want to know every single detail about this arranged marriage of yours!"
Thus Yumeno began to relay every detail about her arranged marriage to Aiko. From the dinner conservation from hell with her father to banging her head against her dresser to awkwardly walking around the aquarium with Kyoya until they finally reached the less than romantic marriage proposal.
"Aiko, that jackass had the audacity to forcibly pin me, Yumeno Takahashi, against a wall!" ranted Yumeno "And I know you and the whole school thinks he's a perfect gentlemen that could do no wrong, but let me tell you that son of a bitch wears a mask thicker than mine and he has a personality to match the devil himself!"
"He even saw through my façade. I don't how he could see through it. I was so careful with every word I said, every move I made, I even worked so hard to keep my facial expression from twisting in disgust as I talked to him. I told you there was something off about him; he just seemed too perfect!" continued Yumeno as she tried to vent out all the rage she felt from her arranged marriage.
As Yumeno finished up her rant session, light laughter could be heard from Aiko's direction which soon escalated into a hysteric laughing fest.
"Do you find my sadness entertaining Aiko?" questioned Yumeno "God, I didn't know you were such a sadist."
"I'm sorry Yume" gasped Aiko between her fits of laughter as she wiped the tears away from her eyes. "The irony of your marriage is just too much for me!
"You know despite your protestations to your marriage I think you and Kyoya will make a pretty decent couple." Aiko said as she calmed down.
"Aiko, I am this close to sending you to a mental institute because of all the nonsense you're sprouting" Yumeno sighed as she rubbed her temples.
"I'm serious. I know you hate him with all your might, but if you think about it. You two are pretty similar. You both wear a mask and behind that mask is a less than desirable personality. Also from your description of him it seems that both of you hold a considerable amount of drive and ambition regarding your families companies. However I feel like Kyoya is more indifferent when he sheds his façade. While I know this from experience, you are much more temperamental and excitable. Overall I think you too complement each other really well" explained Aiko as she nodded with her chin in her hand.
All Yumeno could do was stare dumbfounded at Aiko with her mouth gaping wide open from her dearest friend's insanity.
"Aiko, you know I love you, but you have to stop smoking drugs. They're messing with your brain" expressed Yumeno concerned as she placed her hand on Aiko's shoulder.
"Oh Yumeno, Oh sweet sweet in denial Yumeno. I know you would like to think I have a drug problem, but I don't. You will see my side eventually. But for now, you keep on living in your small little box you've built around yourself" smirked Aiko.
"Oh, look there's your future husband to be walking towards us now."
Yumeno turned to the direction Aiko was pointing to and surely enough there was Kyoya heading towards them.
"Sup Jackass" spat out Yumeno "What do you need?"
Kyoya actually faltered for a second as he was surprised Yumeno would use such vulgar language in front of a classmate, especially as one influential as Aiko Fujimura.
Yumeno could sense Kyoya's confusion as he glanced at Aiko. "She already knows everything Kyoya. From my façade to yours." Explained Yumeno.
"Well then Ms. Fujimura, I hope you understand I would like to keep my occasional lapse in manners between us three or else the Ootori family may have to withdraw their investment in the Fujimura's newest business venture." Threatened Kyoya with smile that others would find serene and peaceful, but Yumeno could only view as extremely creepy and menacing.
"No need to threaten me Kyoya. I'm great at keeping secrets. Just ask Yumeno, I've been keeping her façade hidden for years now. Aiko smiled back as she got up to leave. "I'm going to leave you two alone, so you guys can discuss whatever you need to discuss."
"Oh and Kyoya I wouldn't mind a complimentary Hitachin twin photobook as compensation for keeping your little secret." Aiko suggested as she walked away.
"Interesting friend you have there" Kyoya stated as he watched Aiko walk away.
"Aiko can be a bit crazy at times, but she always means well. I've known her since we were children and I can't imagine life without her. However I doubt you understand the concept of friendship since it's probably beyond your understanding of human interaction Mr. Dark Lord.
"While I find your petty insults amusing Yumeno. I'm on a tight schedule, so I will have to humor you another day." Drawled Kyoya "I just came by to tell you that club activities start at 4:15 usually, but I want you to come earlier at 4 so I can explain all your manager duties."
"Will do, see you then Sweetie" mocked Yumeno as she walked away.
"I'll be waiting for you Honey" Kyoya called out at her retreating form.
'Argh that man pisses me off more than I thought was humanly possible. I just want this day to be over with already' Yumeno thought trying her best to maintain a calm composure as she walked back to her classroom.
Needless to say Yumeno's day was not going to get easier, and the way she saw this marriage heading neither was her life either.
AN: HI HI I'm back after almost two months of absence. I know this chapter is shorter than my previous two, but I felt like I really needed to update this story before it fell into obscurity on my to do list. College Essays have really been getting to me and they just make me want to pull my hair out. I promise even though my updates are sporadic and often far apart I will finish this story. I just need to stop procrastinating. Also I would like to thank everyone who has reviewed, favorited, and followed this story it means so much to me! And if you would like to make my day leave a review down below on what you thought about this chapter and how I could improve my writing. Thank you!