It was well after one in the morning when Hiro finally handed you off to your father and you exited the building.

Just before you left, you looked back at Todoroki, giving him a quick gesture that you would be calling him to explain everything. He looked tired, and you did too. And after all this excitement, you weren't sure that you'd be able to sleep for a while yet. Him? Maybe.

He nodded in return, which you took as the okay to do so.

Father either didn't see you or didn't mind as you headed up, smiling at the press and ignoring questions. Father opened the door for you in the limo and you stepped inside, gathering your skirts as your father waved his goodbyes to everyone and sat down next to you.

Lee started driving-he was awake at this hour?-and your father let out a long sigh.

"That was a productive night," he said in a tone that you only heard once before. When he was too tired to care about…anything.

You sat up straight, and debated asking him whether he was alright. You didn't.

You caught him looking at you. You glanced over at him.

"Let me see the ring," he said.

You tried not to stiffen as you handed your left hand to him. He leaned forward and twisted your hand in the dim lighting of the car and the city as Lee drove you home.

"It's silver," he said.

"Yes," you said. You didn't know what else to say or think.

"Why is it silver?" he demanded, but you couldn't read his tone. It wasn't exactly sharp, but it wasn't exactly open, nor exactly cutting.

"I-I'm not sure," you said. "Silver engagement rings are in style, maybe he thought it was attractive…" you suggested, trying not to lie too much about it.

He dropped your hand. "Hm."

That went by easier than you thought it would.

No words are good words, you supposed.

The rest of the ride was nearly silent, and you looked at the lights of downtown and the city to keep awake. Your phone was at home, otherwise, you would have been browsing on that.

You made it home and father helped you out of the car. You were surprised that he was being so courteous, especially back at home.

The lights were still on in the house, which you thought was suspicious. You walked upstairs to your room quietly, bidding your father goodnight.

You opened your door and sighed, exhaustion seeping into your bones finally.

A small knock sounded as you tugged your hair out of the bun and you jumped.

"Oh, my-"

"Hanae, dear?" your mother's voice was on the other side of the door. "Can I come in?"

"Mother?" you opened the door for her. "Why are you up so late?"

"Oh, I just woke up. I heard you and your father come in the door, don't worry," she said. You believed it. She looked and sounded like she just woke up, and you felt bad.

"Mother, please go back to bed," you implored. "This can't be good for the baby."

"Oh, tush. I've done longer nights than this while pregnant, I'm fine," she said. "Let's get the dress off of you."

You ignored her last comment. "Yes, but I can take care of myself now-I'm not a child myself anymore."

"True, but you really don't want to ruin this dress," she said, pulling up a stool. She stood on it and gestured for you to lift your arms. You did, with a huff as she lifted the skirt off your figure.

You squatted and knelt underneath the skirt and bodice, popping up from underneath it in nothing but your underclothes and heels.

You thanked your mother as she handed you your dress. You walked into the dressing room with it and set it onto the mannequin. Tomorrow or the next day, you and mother would store it away.

You walked back out, as you were unable to get the small corset around your waist and chest off without help-or it would have been difficult. You could do it yourself if mother had decided to go back to sleep.

She untied the corset without much of a fuss, and you covered your chest the moment that it fell off your body.

You turned and your mother smiled at you. "Make sure you take off that pretty makeup, okay?"

You smiled in return. "I will, Momma. Thank you. Get some sleep, please?"

She winked. "I will. Goodnight, darling."

"Goodnight, Mother."

She left the room and you threw on a nightgown, sitting in front of your vanity. You sighed and shoved your hair behind a headband before you swiped a makeup wipe from its container.

You wiped off the top layer and took off your lashes, then soaked two cotton rounds in Miscellar Water, pressing them over your eyes and eyebrows.

The makeup came off flawlessly, and what was left you wiped off with a soapy, deep cleansing cream. You wiped it off with your makeup towel and sighed.

You stood up, grabbing your phone from your nightstand and opened your texting app.

Oh. Looks like he beat you to it.

Todoroki (1:24 AM):

Call me when you're ready

You hesitated before responding, taking into consideration your tired brain function before you said anything.

Nazumi Hanae (1:29 AM):

Does it matter if it's a voice or video call? video is easier for me, but i'm taking off my makeup.

Todoroki (1:30 AM):

I don't care either way

You pursed your lips. You probably shouldn't have overtalked. You were so tired, though…

You clicked 'Video Call' next to his name and put your hair in a ponytail.

He answered just before you finished your ponytail. Things were silent for a second while you looked at your phone, at his face close to the camera in the dark, then at your reflection.

"Hi," he said.

"Hi," you said.

"You needed something?"

"Well," you said, rubbing your moisturizing night cream into your skin, "I figured I should explain what happened with the suitors tonight, and tell you when Hiro told me."

"Hiro?"

"My cousin. He probably introduced himself as Matoba."

"Oh. Yeah, I met him."

"Yes, him."

"I did have a few questions…about the, the third dance. Who was he?"

Ah, the dreaded question.

"He…he's a longtime friend of mine." You didn't use 'ally,' because he was a friend. He used to be. "He… I had a crush on him when I was little. Then we grew up, and it fell away, but we still meant alot to each other. When I got engaged to you, I…kind of cut him off. He was invited tonight, obviously," you added quickly. "I chose him third because…He…"

You cut yourself off and thought for a moment. How would you explain this?

"If I picked him first or scone, it would be viewed like I was brushing him off. If he was fourth or second to last, it would be unfair to him, like I was leading him on."

"I see." He said. "So…what about Kubo?"

You smiled, but quickly fixed your expression. "I wanted to lead him on."

"Why's that?"

"He's been a pain since the day we met," you said plainly. "He was the one I was going to be married to if you didn't accept."

"Was that why you were so desperate the day of our omiai?"

You paused, grabbing your phone and going to lay down on your bed. "Maybe subconsciously. I hate to be this person, but I knew that your family was the better deal financially, and my Father would be happier with that."

"Hm. So you just wanted to…be mean to Kubo?"

"Pretty much."

"I think it worked."

You giggled. "Did it?"

"Mhm. You should have heard him before the dance. After you picked the third dance, he was sure you were going to pick him."

"That sounds in character," you sighed. You stifled a yawn. "Oh! Yes. I asked Father this morning about going on Sunday and he gave his permission."

"That's good. My mother is going to be thrilled to meet you."

"Does she know who I am? Like, with my career and whatnot?"

"I'm not sure," he said. "I know that just recently she was able to start watching TV again, so maybe."

His tone dropped the slightest bit, almost like he was bitter about it. Bitter about her condition, about what had made his mother this way. You pitied him.

"Well, that's good," you said, trying to lighten the tone, find the best of a bad situation.

"I suppose," he said. "Either way…how about I pick you up at eleven on Sunday?"

"That would work fine," you said. I'll let father know."

"Alright. If you need me, and I don't respond, I'll probably be sleeping," he sighed, rubbing his face. "It's…been a long week."

"That might be the case for me too," you chuckled. "I won't contact you tomorrow until the afternoon, if I have to."

"I'll keep that in mind. I think I should be heading to bed," he said. "Have a good night's rest, Hanae."

"I will try," you said. "Thank you, Todoroki-Kun. Thank you again…for everything."

"Yeah."

Things were awkward as you both kind of looked at each other before he hung up.

You put your phone to the side and threw an arm over your face.

It's been….such a long day.

And you were going to have your first date with him..on sunday.

If this were any other day, any other night, you would have cared more, probably lost sleep over your nervousness of the event. But right now, you couldn't bring yourself to care enough to lose sleep over it. Sleep was the only thing you needed right now.

The adrenaline drop of the night and the conversation with your now official fiance was enough to drop your energy, and lull you into unconsciousness.

.o0o.