From: Yuu Ishigami

To: Hachiman Hikigaya

I will be there. Free food is good food.

!¡

From: Hachiman Hikigaya

To: Yuu Ishigami

I don't disagree. But I bet that the real reason you're going is Kaguya threatened you with consequences should you fail to attend.

!¡

From: Yuu Ishigami

To: Hachiman Hikigaya

Yeah

~/~

As I buttoned my cufflinks and straightened my bow tie. A stray thought hit me.

I promised Taishi that internship and never arranged it. I made a note to do so in my phone before tucking a dainty flower into the breast pocket of my suit.

I looked into the mirror and sighed. I've worn suits and feel like I can at least avoid embarrassing myself. But every time that I wear a tuxedo, I look closer to a chauffeur or waiter than a attendee of whatever prestigious event requires the garb.

I walked out of my room to face an impatient little sister. "Geez, any longer, and you would've had to reshave yourself." Komachi complained as she checked herself via her compact mirror.

I reached over and closed it, taking her hand in the process. "You're going to be just fine." I smiled.

She's worked too hard and too long to fail. Her etiquette teacher proudly declared to me that she was fit to dine with royalty.

I extended an arm which she waved off exasperatedly. "They're only two inch wedges." She gestured to her shoes. "I had to learn how to walk in stilettos with a cup of water on my head."

I turned away as it hit me. My little sister in front of me is truly a young woman. She can behave with elegance and move with grace.

I was just so proud of her.

I wanted to remember this moment.

As if reading my mind my mom called from the bottom of the stairs. "Hurry down. I want to take your pictures before the car takes you away."

My little sister and I both headed down the stairs. Komachi navigated with nearly the same ease as if she'd been barefoot.

My mom snapped several photos and teared up several times as she took pictures of us. We posed in various ways and with each flash of the camera I regretted my outfit more and more.

My dad watched quietly. Every now and then he looked over at my mom's phone to see the photo before nodding approvingly.

Komachi said a quick goodbye before escaping through the front door. While I lingered a little longer. "Bye mom, bye dad."

My mom smiled and embraced me before kissing me on the cheek. "Try to have fun."

My dad hugged me for a moment. The contact was awkward and hesitant. He patted my shoulder. "Be young tonight. I know that you haven't had many opportunities for that but just for tonight don't be the responsible genius. Be Hachiman Hikigaya, a high school boy at a ball. Dance with a pretty girl or laugh with your friends."

I grimaced. "I have a talk with Shinomiya about financial expansion and then a few other chats with my peers that need to happen." His expression fell. I cleared my throat a little desperately. "But, after that, I'll just enjoy the night."

I turned to leave. Opening the door and crossing the threshold of my house towards the limo that awaits me.

~/~

The ball was truly something out of a fairytale. Everything glimmered and shined. Shiny shoes, shiny glasses, shiny food, and shiny smiles.

Massive crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling about the size of an elephant. They were so bright that it almost hurt to look at them. The ballroom was divided into two levels an upper for refreshments and mingling with a lower for dancing.

On the lowest level, there were several doors leading to balconies for secret rendezvous or private conversations.

Guests entered on the upper level and descended to the dance floor at their leisure. Both floors were massive, each perhaps the size of two football fields. The excessive room provided space for the several hundred guests in attendance. The floors twinkled like captured starlight as their mirror sheen reflected the chandeliers' light.

Instantly several people tried to catch my eye. Others eyed Komachi greedily, seeing her as an inroad to me. I spied a familiar face entrenched near one of the corners. Ishigami looked over the dancefloor with a slightly morose expression. I led Komachi by the hand towards him.

"Ishigami, why aren't you on the dancefloor?" I approached from behind and he turned to face me, his gaze shifting to Komachi. "This is my little sister, Komachi Hikigaya." She gave a small bow. "Komachi, this is Yuu Ishigami; he's the treasurer of Shuuchin High School's student council." I winked conspicuously at her. "He's set to be one of the movers and shakers next year."

My little sister offered a hand to Ishigami, who seemed a bit taken aback. "Uh, hi Komachi, it's nice to meet you - your brother-i mean Hachi-Hikigaya has had a lot of good things to say about you."

My sister giggled politely, smoothly glossing over the fact that she'd never heard me say anything about him. "How interesting, say Ishigami would you care to join me for a dance?"

I smiled as his jaw dropped. I patted her on the shoulder. "Have fun. Oh, and come find me so that I can introduce you to some other people tonight."

Ishigami interrupted me with a polite cough. "Um, actually Hikigaya, I could take her to meet the rest of the student council?" His tone was stiff with nerves.

I laughed easily. "That's a marvelous idea." I turned and ignored one of the donor's attempts at meeting my gaze. I scan the room; I spot Kaguya on the dancefloor slowly following the steps along with Miyuki. I frown at the view. There's no fucking way that I'm going to go and ask to cut in.

Miyuki will be pissy and jealous if I do. Besides, Kaguya looks like she's having fun. I'm glad for her. She deserves something good in her life.

Someone laid a hand on my shoulder, my head whipped around as I faced whoever this particularly bold solicitor was.

Instead, I found myself glaring at the stern face of Itsuki Iino, the father of Miko Iino. I concealed my surprise and slight embarrassment at my almost overreaction. He spoke first. "Hello Hikigaya, I heard about your health scare, I'm glad to see that you are well now."

I smiled wanly; more annoyed than grateful. I don't really want to remember dying. "Thanks. I appreciate the sentiment." My eyes slid over periodically to keep track of Shinomiya. "How are things down at the courthouse? I read about your case on gender wage protection, quite a progressive ruling." I inspected him with a degree of interest.

His expression sours. "Do you disagree with it?"

I shrugged. "Personally, I think your ruling is more consistent with precedent and interpretation than the other way but I have no horse in the game. I respect the choice you made. You were elected by a more conservative traditionalist demographic who liked your tough-on-crime and follow the law to the letter rulings. You risked a lot."

Itsuki sighed. "I know but the evidence indicated that-" He trailed off when he realized that my attention wasn't on him. I was peeking over at Kaguya again who finally met my gaze while slow dancing with Miyuki. But she broke it and focused on him.

Itsuki patted my shoulder. A newly sympathetic expression overlaid his visage though it did still look dignified enough to befit a judge. "Hikigaya, have you considered charity work? It brings deeper satisfaction and happiness than almost anything else." Wait. Did he think? Did this man praised for his insight and intellect seriously think that I was sad or jealous over Kaguya's relationship. Jesus Christ.

"What kind of charity work?" I asked, focusing my attention solely on him.

"Well, for you pro bono consulting and human rights law. If you want to put your massive wealth to use then philanthropy can also be quite fun." he continued, I turned a quizzical eye onto him at the mention of my finances.

I cocked an eyebrow.

He scoffed. "Hikigaya, your money is a known secret. No one ever talks about it but that doesn't mean we don't know."

I smirked. "Actually by Shuuchin standards I'm almost flat broke. Got engaged in some huge acquisitions that required me to liquidate almost all of my investment portfolios."

He blinked, treading in unknown territory and uncertain of my game. "Why would you tell me this? Aren't you worried I'll tell others."

"I'm not." I replied without blinking. "You aren't that kind of man. Besides, even if I were to tell everyone I doubt that it would change much."

He remained silent but looked unconvinced.

I shrugged. "Or maybe I'm interested in testing how good you are at keeping secrets. Which do you believe."

It was his turn to smirk. "The former. You weren't the type to idly toy with people."

I tilted my head. "Perhaps…. Well, it's been a pleasure talking to you. I'm afraid that I must go make the rounds. Thanks for the lovely chat."

I spied Chika on the dance floor and began making my way towards her. I descended the staircase before nimbly cutting through the organized chaos that is the lower level.

I proceeded towards the pair, Chika and one of the third years who had many connections. I cleared my throat politely and waited for their attention. "Hey, do you mind if I cut in?"

The third-year turned with a wrinkled brow declaring his displeasure, I assumed he was going to tell me to fuck off but his entire demeanor changed when he saw me. "Of course." He cleared out of the way. "Have a good dance." He left.

I watching him recede into the crowd for a moment before looking at Chika. "Hey." I grinned.

"Hey!" She replied. Chika looked like a character ripped right from the page of a fairytale her dress was a flowing gown of pink lace and white ribbons. It was expensive and master crafted but still managed to avoid looking tacky.

It also showed off her body. Not that I was looking mind you.

"Would you care for a dance?" She offered her hand.

I wrinkled my nose. "I don't dance. I'm bad at it." She immediately grabbed my hand and tugged me towards one of the balconies. I joined her on the moonlit terrace as she sighed and rested her weight on the marble railing. She faced out towards the bay.

The muscles on her back tensed and rippled under her soft skin. They responded as she gradually reduced the weight she put on the railing. "Let's talk out here Hachiman. I can't teach another man to dance."

I scratched at my chin. "Who'd you have to teach?" When she was my etiquette teacher she eagerly approached each day with seemingly boundless energy. For her to be run down meant that this had been a true ordeal.

"Miyuki. Who else." Chika replied, rotating her body and leaning her butt on the marble rail. "He promised me that he knew the basics and it would be a quick thing but he didn't and it wasn't."

I chuckled. "The president is bull headed if nothing else. When he faces a problem he runs head first into it as many times as it takes."

Chika giggled into her hand.

A cold voice cut our friendly conversation short. "Oh my, I must say that it's bold to gossip about the president of the school that's throwing the ball vent."

Chika went white. Kaguya stepped forward from the entrance. "I must say that I'm disappointed in you Fujiwara, you should know better." She faced me. "Now Hachiman, what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?"

I grimaced. "Fujiwara, I hate to be rude but could you-"

She nodded. "Bye Hachiman."

Kaguya waited for Chika to leave and the door to close before starting the conversation. "You've grown disrespectful in your time away from Shuuchin."

I snorted indifferently. "Chika and I were just joking around. No need to scare her; besides, determination is far from a bad trait." I argued before reconsidering. "Then again I suppose that it is a girlfriend's prerogative to be protective when others are talking about her boyfriend."

Kaguya blushed for a moment before putting a hand to her cheek and returning to - what I would call - business mode. "That's really none of your concern."

I didn't reply but my non-reply irked her all the same.

"I'm not compromised just because I have a boyfriend." She narrowed her eyes.

"Did I say that you were?" I queried.

"You were thinking it. And no, I don't need to be a mind reader to know as much." She replied.

I ran a hand through my tamed locks of hair while Kaguya waited. "We should expand into banking." I advised. And as an afterthought. "Let's also make a charity, we can call it the Shinomiya Foundation, and it'll earn a ton of good will."

Kaguya looked amused. "What brought on this sudden urge for charity."

I looked out over the balcony as I replied. "Call it a whim or a savvy business move. We can take tax breaks and get word of mouth marketing. Is it so bad that I want to leave something good for the world?"

I faced her once more and she examined me with a curious eye much like how a detective examines evidence. "Why not call it the Hikigaya foundation?"

"Because I'm not you." I answered. "You have a leadership and charisma that I can't match. I was hoping that with the Shinomiya conglomerate attached to it; it could do more than if only I backed it. Ultimately, the name on the building matters less than what gets done."

"You're a rare breed, Hachiman." Kaguya laughed.

"I'm really not; at this point what more is there for me to gain. I'm happy with what I have." I gently drummed my fingers over the balcony.

"That is a rarity." Kaguya joined me by the railing; closing the distance between us.

I didn't like where this train of conversation would lead us so I looked for a distraction. "You look nice!" I glanced at her modest black and ruby dress perfect for her natural palette.

She perked up slightly. "The compliment is appreciated."

"I'm glad." I confessed before beginning my proposal. "My dream for the future of the Shinomiya company is one day a newly wed couple will get a loan from a Shinomiya owned bank and then buy a home from a Shinomiya owned realty group. They'll love this house and then as they grow old. They'll want to renovate it so their kids can sell it. They'll choose a Shinomiya owned construction company. That's what we could do together."

Kaguya nodded along. "I take it that you have a proposal drawn up for this to take place."

I nodded. "We'll Acquire several banks on each continent and merge the networks. In two years we can focus on realty but for now, banking is enough."

"Good, then see it done and send the documents to me for final approval." She began to leave.

I sat on the balcony. She reversed course.

Kaguya sat next to me. "Running the conglomerate is hard. Someone always needs something. There's no end to the work that flows in."

I click my tongue neither sympathetic nor callous, just an acknowledgement that I'd heard her. "Do you want a solution or comfort?"

She glared. "What do you think?"

"Solution, you have a boyfriend for comfort." She blushed and I idly noted how cute she looked. "Let's re-engineer your workload. We can hire upper level executives who will filter things for you. From now on every day you'll receive a twenty-page report."

"I would." She groaned. "But, there's no time for that; can you hire the officers?"

"Don't you want to pick them?"

"I trust you." She said. "You have my permission to act on my behalf as head of the company needing only a final approval from myself to authorize your actions."

I stood. "Then, I shall see it done." I offered her a hand which she waved off.

"Why did you send Miyuki?" At my politely confused expression, she elaborated. I knew what she was talking about but was hoping to avoid it by making the process of asking too uncomfortable. "That night after my father died. I'd asked for you. Why'd you send him."

"Do you really need to know why?" I toyed with a lock of my hair. "Isn't getting the beau you've been pursuing enough?"

"It matters." She declared, standing square with a determined tilt of her chin.

"Okay. Well, you didn't really want it to be me, and you were sad so I took the course of action that I felt was best for you."

She mulled my answer with a furrowed brow. "But why Miyuki. Chika was there too."

"Chika came from a loving home, Miyuki had the background most similar to you, a parent whose love was also conditional."

Kaguya frowned. "You didn't exactly lead a charmed adolescence either."

I pursed my lips. "But I wasn't sure if things were awkward between us so I was a no go option. Ai would've been my first choice but she wasn't there."

Kaguya laid a hand on my shoulder. "I heard about what happened; she was too harsh."

I wave a hand in front of my face like I'm dispelling a foul smell much like I'm dispelling this unpleasant conversation. "It's whatever now. It's not like she was the only one lashing out."

"She's sorry."

"I know."

"She misses you."

"I see. Is there a point to this?" I complain.

"Yes; she misses her friend but is scared to reach out."

I blink. Once. Twice. Thrice.

"She apologized to you the woman whose trust she absolutely betrayed and she's scared to reach out to a guy who she said some mean things too."

"Yes." Kaguya purses her lips.

"That sounds like her problem not mine." I mumbled. "But I wouldn't mind it if she did reach out."

Kaguya seemed inordinately pleased. "I'm glad to hear it. Thank you, Hachiman."