Familial duties came first even if it meant changing one's plans. Kyoya was asked to come home early than planned during the summer break. A fundraising party hosted by Sendai family to commemorate the newest members of Sendai General.
Having an Ootori and a Maihara as majority shareholders in a single company was unheard of. Both families kept to their own sides of the business and putting the two together was just as good as mixing oil and water. There was a stiffness in the air. A fake truce as both parties kept appearances.
Seeing Chizuru in the same event was a welcome surprise. They acknowledged each other from a distance. Even if they were friends, it was unbecoming to be too familiar. The whispers and stories it would cause if they were too forward with their relationship.
Kyoya saw through the game being played. It's astounding with how predictable Yukio Maihara was. He knew his daughter lacked in that aspect. He planned on breaking her so he could get what he wanted. The world wasn't fair with the games it played, but he saw everything clearly.
Chizuru's locked in a cage she designed herself.
She wasn't trained to play the game, but she didn't know was how powerful of a player she was. Her ignorance shielded her. She retreated to more secluded areas of the venue to calm herself. Going through a hedge maze until she found solace and a place to sit down. She saw Kyoya follow her discreetly.
"I'm fine." She sighed like a child.
Kyoya sat down beside her. "No you're not. Tell me what's wrong."
Chizuru looked at him with awe. As always, he saw through her with maddening precision and accuracy. "I don't understand them." Chizuru fiddled with her hands and sighed again.
Her father purposely berated her, her mother, and her grandmother. What did they wrong? What did she do to cause so much resentment between them? Her mind screaming in protest. She endure everything, but she could only take so much.
"There's a reason your aunt keeps you close." Kyoya stated. "Your father's trying to break you."
"Break me? What for?" Chizuru's breath was shaky. She was close to shattering. Her clenched fists betrayed the pleasant expression she maintained.
"You're his biggest threat." Kyoya had a small smirk on his face. "You have potential so he's trying to nip it at the bud."
Chizuru hesitated. Not sure how to make of this newfound information being given. Her? A threat? Nonsense.
"I'm not next in line for that- I'm the last one in line." Chizuru laughed at the absurdity of it.
The hierarchy of their family was clear. Her uncle, her father, and then her aunts. Each had their own children who had their own claim. There were a few exceptions. Chizuru's eldest cousin was a devout Catholic and was recently ordained in priesthood. Her other cousin started his journey as a kannushi. Both Renouncing their ties with the material world.
"Whether you like it or not, you're going to have to play to protect yourself." Kyoya's gaze didn't waver. He had a talent of visualizing multiple possibilities and how probable it was to happen. By the looks of things, his predictions might not be too far off.
He took off his glasses noticing a smudge. Wiping it carefully as he spoke. "I'll let you in on a secret. I've always given people an illusion of control. Not all those who wear crowns hold the power."
Kyoya's entire life was curated for a single powerful vision he had for himself. He appeared to be the perfect, obedient, and filial son, but all his actions and decisions were his own machinations. Carefully following the plan he curated.
"Just because they're all busy playing chess doesn't mean you have to go play along with them." Kyoya smiled thinly until his eyes disappeared. "Maybe you'd like to play a game of go instead?"
Chizuru looked hesitantly at him. Disturbed with the thought. She wasn't sure what she was getting herself into. The manipulation, lies, and meticulous planning that went with this sort of thing was Kyoya's forte. But who better than an Ootori to teach her a thing or two?
"I'm sure you can manage that much. You'd be surprised how quickly defenses go down for a submissive player. You have that advantage up your sleeve. Use it." Kyoya reassured, but sensed a degree of cognitive dissonance.
"I'm not saying you play the same way as I do." Kyoya clarified. His expression was dark with a tight-lipped smile. Almost menacing. This was the kind of challenge that energized the very core of his being. "I don't teach this sort of thing to anyone. Consider yourself lucky."
"What will you gain from all of this?" She hesitated.
"Putting potential allies in favorable positions."
Chizuru felt like she made a deal with the devil himself. This was the price she needed to pay to protect herself. Kyoya's expertise was exactly what she needed. He stood up and offered his arm. Chizuru couldn't comprehend it fully. She followed his lead as they walked around the maze until they stood at a distance watching the garden party.
"Your grandmother hasn't named the next representative for a reason. Strictly speaking, it's fair game." He stated. They watched the guests mingle and listened to the hum of the string quartet play as the evening went on.
"How sure are you this is going to work?"
"Power resides where people think it resides." Kyoya leaned closely as if whispering a secret. Gently placing his hand on her shoulder. "Move silently and cautiously. Catch them off guard. A good player knows when to save one's strength and when to attack."
"Once you start sounding like a Shogunate you're up to no good." Chizuru raised a brow and looked at him with contempt.
"I never claimed to be a saint." A devious smile made its way on Kyoya's face.
"Already admitting how much of a tyrant you'll be in the future?"
His polite smile was enough answer. As they walked back, the Kyoya she knew slowly disappeared. The sardonic, satirical, Machiavellian man she stood beside switched into one who was reserved. Soaked in amiability, conscientiousness, and politeness. Suddenly, the person she was with was an Ootori.
However, in a blink of an eye, Kyoya came back. "I'll tell you another secret." With an amused arched expression, he lightly tapped the tip of her nose. "Use your weakness like armor. Even I made the mistake to underestimate you at first."
Her warm mahogany eyes met his cold steel grey ones. All sorts of flags waived in the air. They came in various colors –maroon, ruby, burgundy, cerise, and scarlet.
She plunged into the vermillion sea knowing she was colorblind.
Chizuru hugged her knees close to her chest as she watched the stillness of the water. Hydrangeas in full bloom with its white and purple hues touched by the moonlight. Her mind muddled incomplete proses as she stared at the reflection of the half-moon on the pond.
She hid in the place she knew best. Where time stood still. Her grandfather built this traditional home in Karuizawa isolated from the town. She left the entire place as is. It felt like as if he was coming back home anytime, but he never came.
Her favorite aunt warned her to seek solace elsewhere. After the party, her parents were on a rampage. It involved a money, another mistress, and other issues she preferred not to know.
She heard the staff whisper in the background. "2-0 just arrived. Tell her 3-3 is here at the greenhouse."
Suzue Maihara was probably the only one in her family who was honest with her. She was too fierce and brave for her own good. During her youth, she was an avid activist. Now she's a middle aged divorcee who changed husbands faster than a country changes its prime minister.
"I knew I'd find you here." Suzue crossed her arms and watched her niece wallow up in her melancholia and books.
Her niece always hid in the greenhouse surrounded by orchids, and willows. This place brought too much memories. For her and her step-father, it brought back memories of her youngest sister. For Chizuru it brought memories her grandfather.
Chizuru was about to stand up to pay her respects, but her aunt gently stopped her. "No need, my dear. I should be paying my respects to you. You're the owner of this house and I'm a surprise guest."
"Tea?" Chizuru offered without regard for her answer. She placed a the warm pot of peach blossom tea between them and poured her aunt a cup. "I thought he'd give this place to you or obaasama."
Suzue raised a brow comically and sipped her tea. "Please, you were the apple of his eye. His little lily."
Years after Yukina's death, Chizuru came into their lives. Suzue's stepfather kept her close. Chizuru wasn't related to the man she called grandfather by blood, but he loved her so until his last breath. Her resemblance to "5-0" was inexplicable.
Seeing his only daughter live vicariously through another was comforting. But to others, she was a living ghost that haunted everyone.
Suzue and Chizuru drank tea quietly. Chizuru was summoned to a fundraiser that honored her father the other day. As always, she smiled and waved like an ornament. Her grandmother and father weren't in good terms so she wasn't present. Yukio Maihara was her grandmother's curse. She described her son a mindless dog with far too much power.
"I heard there were proposals for an omiai." Suzue probed.
Chizuru pouted as she fiddled with her necklace. "It's ironic. Men want a partner that's beautiful, but not stupid or shallow. God forbid they marry a bimbo."
Suzue watched her niece pace continuously as she sighed and ranted. She may appear like a little pure lily, but Chizuru had more pent up anger and frustration in her pinky finger than most people had in their entire body.
"You have to be accomplished in your own right, but not too much or you'll outshine him. You can't be too independent, but you can't be too needy either." Chizuru laughed incredulously.
Suzue let out a chuckle. This kind of outburst was common in their family. Matriarchal families weren't common in Japan. Probably only the Hitachiin family shared the same values as them. Men married into the Maihara family and not the other way around.
Afterall, their family came from the line of Yodo-Dono, a well-known onna-musha from a powerful noble family since the Sengoku period. Their family became mothers of emperors and leaders. They exerted control from the sidelines.
"Ha! Men and their pride. I'm guessing your father didn't sell your soul yet?"
Chizuru shook her head. Her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Something about them not being good enough for his lovely daughter."
"I can't blame him." Suzue emptied the pot of tea and drank the last of its contents. "The worst thing he can do is marry you off to an Ootori."
Chizuru never fully understood the extent of the feud between their families. She was taught that Ootori and Maihara family have had their differences for generations. Ootoris were patriarchal strategists who's ideals shifted depending on the times to keep their standing in society. Their family solely existed for their own survival. Hiding fangs under a guise of amiability until they sucked their prey dry.
There was a cold war between the two families. They constantly found themselves standing on opposite sides of history. This is the first time they've actively 'worked' together.
Initially, Chizuru was wary of any Ootori just as she was taught. Her aunt and grandmother taught her to never lower her guard with any of them. That was until Kyoya proved her wrong. They were both fifteen. It was a simple gesture, but nonetheless it kept her afloat. To this day, she still kept the grey blazer in her closet. She's seen Kyoya around campus during her freshmen year in Harvard, but she never made herself known until they accidentally crossed paths. Often she wondered if the Kyoya Ootori she knew was just 'Kyoya' or he was playing his role as an Ootori too well.
"I wouldn't mind." Chizuru confessed. "At least his son isn't a chauvinistic idiot."
"Really now? How did you know that?" Suzue looked questioningly at her.
Chizuru's hand still toying with the necklace she was wearing. "Kyoya Ootori is a classmate of mine."
Suzue had a terrible hunch. Grief twisted her insides. In the past, she inadvertently supported a relationship that hid in the shadows. She was naïve and watched her sister fall in love with Yoshio Ootori's younger brother and they paid a steep price.
Life was cyclical. Chizuru continuously proved she was Yukina's living ghost haunting them with their regrets.
Suzue wanted to just tell Chizuru everything. All the secrets she swore to keep, but she promised she wouldn't disclose anything for Chizuru's sake. Marrying a chauvinistic pig was better than that family.
Pigs, chauvinistic or not, aren't known for perfidy and betrayal.
"I would rather slit my throat than to let you to marry into that family. They're so drab it will suck the life out anyone." Suzue chastised.
Chizuru sat perplexed at her aunt's outburst and dismissed it lightly. "Gosh, I just said he's the chauvinistic pig out there. Ootori-kun is just a friend."
Suzue snapped out of her moment of turmoil and laughed along. Leaving plenty of words and sentiments unsaid. Keeping Chizuru in the dark was the best course of action for now.
Kyoya sat by the beach to wait for fireworks show. It was the summer festival in Kamakura. He and Chizuru spent the entire afternoon going around cafes and shrines. He heard the alarm announcing the arrival of the train. Several tourists were getting in place to take a photo of the iconic seaside train. Their schedules didn't line up with any of their friends so, they were forced to enjoy solitude or each other's company.
He stared at the reflection of the yachts on the sea. His thoughts drifted along with the tide. He looked at the book Chizuru was reading. It was about Icarus and how he flew too close to the sun. He was going to browse through it, but had second thoughts. It might have been those kinds explicit romance books she hid for the sake of keeping up appearances.
"I found grilled squid, Takoyaki, and soft serve." Chizuru sat beside him slowly. Carefully balancing all the food in her hands.
She placed the food in between them as they waited for the fireworks show. There was no place better than home to watch fireworks. Plenty of other people were scattered along the beach for the show.
"You want to try the soft serve?" She offered. "They said their specialty was the melon flavor. I ended up getting the last one."
"What is it with commoners and melon flavored things?" Kyoya raised a brow.
"Please, Kyoya. Middle class. We aren't in the middle ages." Chizuru chastised lightly and got a spoonful of ice cream and extended her hand. "Besides, It's tasty and quite refreshing."
Kyoya took the spoon and let himself be the judge of that. He wasn't too fond of sweets, but he could see why it would appeal to the masses. He could hear the alarm signaling the train was leaving.
"It tastes nostalgic, right?" Chizuru said after having another spoonful.
"I'm unsure if nostalgia has a taste, but I understand what your trying to say." Kyoya took a sip of his tea. "I still think it's better to eat a real melon instead."
Kyoya looked his phone and reviewed the 'Things to do and Places to see' list Chizuru wrote. He couldn't fathom how they were acting like tourists. At least they were ticking off Item 9. watch summer fireworks while having a picnic. Chizuru could see his exasperation as he reviewed the list.
"Your neuroticism is rubbing off on me. I decided to be more organized with my whims." Chizuru bantered.
"Ah yes, and your sheer lack of plans has affected me as well." Kyoya shook his head slowly. He carefully poked several holes in his Takoyaki to let the inside cool. "I'm now an uncultured ruffian with a modified five year plan instead of ten." Kyoya carefully took a bite.
Chizuru took a piece and blew out the steam from the Takoyaki she just placed in her mouth. It was too hot she could barely swallow it whole. She frantically started fanning her mouth.
"Why the sudden bucket list though?" Kyoya handed her his tea. Trying to hide his amusement with her discomfort and lack of planning. "People usually go through these things if they're going through a crisis, dying, leaving without a trace."
She took the ice cold bottle of tea. Drinking the scathing octopus balls away. She wiped the corners of her mouth and regained her poise.
"Gosh, how morbid. This isn't a movie. I made that just because. No hidden reason or agenda." Chizuru was surprised with his line of thinking. That explained why he was being unusually observant the whole day. "Did you think I was hiding something?"
"No, but it's still a possibility." he surmised.
"I made it because it makes me happy. No hidden plan of me trying to see future possibilities for business, self-growth. Nothing. Just pure uninhibited selfishness." Chizuru drank some more tea. "Remember what I told you? I was serious about that."
"You were?" he asked before taking a sip of his bottled tea.
"I decided to be a bit selfish an hour a day. If I dedicate my entire being to my family and society I'd have nothing left for me."
Kyoya tried to understand where she was coming from. It was an interesting notion. To separate oneself from family? He's never had that opportunity. To do something completely mindless for himself. Even his whimsical decisions were weighed for some future benefit.
"Don't rationalize your impulse buying." He jeered.
He recalled that absurd shopping trip she had with Tamaki a few days ago. They enabled each other in the worst ways. Haruhi was about to have a meltdown and called him over to stop them. Chizuru and Tamaki were convinced it was more cost effective to buy the whole store and getting all the items and future collections at a forty percent discount. He did the math. The numbers didn't lie, but it was absurd. Even for him.
"No, I'm serious." Chizuru defended herself. "When was the last time you did something for yourself?"
"When we had curry at the Indian place in Ginza-"
"Hey, that doesn't count. We had lunch there together." Chizuru stood up and placed her hands on her waist. She started pacing in front of him. Thinking of the right words to say. "Something you just wanted to do just because."
Kyoya shook his head. He didn't feel like explaining himself further. He waited for Chizuru to sit down and he flicked the tip of her nose lightly. Just because.
"You know what, forget I asked." Chizuru drew her brows together and rubbed her nose. "You're a hopeless case for spontaneity."
"I can plan to be spontaneous too." He crossed his arms. The corners of his lips moved slightly upwards.
Chizuru burst into laughter. Kyoya's jokes required at least two steps of thinking. They watched the fireworks color the night sky. She's always wanted to have someone to watch this with just like all those cliche high school shows. Just because life wasn't like the movies didn't mean she couldn't make these moments as well.
"I have to bail out with number seven of your list." Kyoya protested. "Mountains are meant to be admired from a distance. Not hiked. I'll meet you on top of Mt. Fuji on a car."
It was the peak of summer and cicadas were screaming into the night. Chizuru was a nocturnal creature wandering about. Midnight was practically lunchtime for her. Her mind flew places and she couldn't stop it. She often found herself talking long walks as ideas flowed.
On rare occasions, Chizuru was thankful her grandmother made the entire family live in the compound. There was plenty of space to move around. She can easily go places from one city to another because of its location. The Maihara family stayed in separate houses within their 50 hectare property right in intersection of three main cities: Minato-ku, Shinjuku-ku, and Shibuya-ku.
Chizuru lived on the Shinjuku side while her parents stayed in the Shibuya side. It became a private joke that the family could walk three cities several times within the same day. She'd have breakfast in Shinjuku, lunch in Shibuya, and dinner in Minato.
Now she had plans to meet with Kyoya. Apparently, he had dinner at his sister's place. The Ootori family lived close to each other in Akasaka, a neighborhood where most old rich families resided. It wasn't too far from the western exit of the Maihara family compound.
She can get there easily in a twenty minute walk. It was the first time she planned on visiting him. She went up the short hill pass and noted a slight change in the environment. Kyoya mentioned the neighborhood was discreetly guarded by the Ootori private police so their family can freely roam around the area. She assumed Kyoya's family was the paranoid type because of how tight their security was. Not even the Tamaki had his own set of bodyguards to constantly keep watch.
A complete overkill to be honest.
Kyoya sent her directions for the quickest route on foot. She went up the stairs near the Nogi shrine, then went past the grocery, and on the right was a sushi restaurant.
"Turn left on the third street…then you'd see a row of maple trees to your left." Chizuru read the message as she walked.
She continued down the alley. It was a pretty quiet neighborhood with not much pedestrians. She stopped and looked at her reflection on one of the cars parked and fixed her hair. A Maihara must always appear presentable.
"This is all your family's fault! I had to sell our house just to get by!"
The sound of a man screaming in desperation was enough to catch her attention. She walked cautiously until she saw a middle aged man being held back by his companion. Both men had clothes disheveled and shoes worn out.
"If only they gave me one more week! Just a bit of consideration…It would have been enough." The man sobbed and clenched his fists. "I could have paid the hospital bills. Can't you talk to your father or your brothers? Anyone? You fucking bastards don't even need any money."
Chizuru watched from a distance. Kyoya stood in front of the man. He discreetly signaled to his bodyguards not to interfere.
Expressionless. Cold. Unyielding. Kyoya showed no signs of weakness or emotion.
He lowered his head slightly and as if reciting a poem from memory he spoke. "I apologize, but we have to follow certain protocols for these circumstances."
"Protocol my ass!" The man gripped Kyoya's shoulders tightly. "I'm in debt. My wife is dead! I-I don't even have the money for my daughter's tuition."
Kyoya stood there silently. Taking everything in.
The man broke down kneeling. "You rich bastards live comfortably on our misfortunes! It's not fair. What about us normal people?!"
"I'd like to offer my condolences on behalf of the Ootori family."
"The hell you will!" The man trembled. He threw his wife's patient identification card to Kyoya's chest.
Kyoya's fists clenched tightly as he picked up the name card on the ground. He lowered his head once more. "I apologize. I won't forget the grief you're feeling due to our lack of foresight."
"She's gone. My wife is gone. What good is your grief when she's gone?" He wailed as he sat down on the pavement. Grief and desperation ate him up. "How do you sleep knowing your family lives like this while we all suffer?"
His companion pulled him away and just said it was futile to talk to him. Saying that Kyoya was just a sheltered child who had no idea how the world works. He supported his friend who looked distraught and walked away.
Chizuru wiped her cheeks. She didn't realize she started crying. She felt all those emotions too intensely. She could feel the crushing weight looming over Kyoya. She wasn't sure what to do next. Kyoya closed his eyes and took a minute to breathe and recalibrate himself.
"How long are you going to stand there?" Kyoya looked towards her direction.
Chizuru waved hello with a strained smile. Uncomfortable with the confrontation that just happened. "I brought the book you wanted to borrow." She whispered.
"Thank you." He bowed his head slightly out of habit and politeness. Acting automatically. "Do you want to have a quick drink?"
Chizuru bit her lip and nodded. They walked to a convenience store nearby. She watched Kyoya get some sake and beer. The silence was loud as they drank by the park. They just sat there without any words. The atmosphere was stuffy.
"When you were a child, what did you answer to people who asked what you wanted to be when you grow up?" Chizuru tried to shift the mood.
"An aerospace engineer." Kyoya answered directly with a short laugh as if mocking himself.
She rubbed her knees and took a sip of beer. Things started to make sense. She always wondered why Kyoya was so preoccupied with the stars. "That's why you like observatories so much."
Silence came again. Just the sound of Kyoya opening another can of beer broke it temporarily.
Kyoya knew why his father was extremely strict with all of them. The services the Ootori Group provided required a different set of training. While his peers ran hotels, fashion empires, or real estate. The main business of the Ootori Group was healthcare. They dealt with people's lives.
In facing life and death or sickness and health they had to persevere.
Chizuru wanted to take all the weight off his shoulders. She wanted to hug him tightly. She never fully understood why he was so hard on himself. Why their family needed protection. Why he was so resolute with being involved in the Ootori Group.
People forget that Kyoya's just a twenty year old. Living life with his own battles to face. Experiencing things for the first time just like everyone else.
'Mai Saito, Shunsuke Watanabe, Eri Honda...' Kyoya recited the names of all the people that confronted him for similar issues. He had a total of twenty seven names memorized. His thoughts continued on until he was interrupted suddenly.
"It's not just your burden to carry. Don't shoulder all the blame." Chizuru watched Kyoya stare into the sky as smoked his cigarette.
"People value effortless perfection, so I have to project it as such." he refuted.
Kyoya Ootori was synonymous to perfection, but what people didn't see was how well he learned from his mistakes. When there was something he failed to understand, he would do everything to understand it inside out. What people didn't realize was how he was a person of continuous growth and learning. His omnipotence didn't come as naturally as they thought.
"This won't do." Chizuru stood up and dusted herself off. "Let's go somewhere else."
Chizuru brought Kyoya through a small gate as they went past the school grounds. Lobelia Girls' Academy campus was larger than expected. Kyoya followed her until they ended up at a field with a fountain that wasn't operational.
"Bringing me to your alma mater is supposed cheer me up how?" he snarked. He looked at his watch. It was already four in the morning.
"Just wait and see."
Chizuru went to the side and opened the lights at the center of the garden. Carefully holding the hem of her dress as she bent down. Looking for the valve she needed to open. Turning it until the fountain in front of them came to life.
"Doesn't this cheer you up? Every time I see one I feel better already." Chizuru had a smile on her face as she looked at the fountain. She looked back at Kyoya who had no reaction whatsoever.
She let out a short sigh. He was a tough man to please.
Kyoya never settled for anything mediocre. He stepped back until he saw something else he could do. He went to valves and opened everything in full blast. The sprinkler system and the lights all came to life. Even the sprinkler on the field behind them was on. Refracting the light as it went through the droplets of water.
"I never thought of opening the sprinkler system along with the fountain." Chizuru was amazed with the entire display. She glanced at Kyoya again and finally saw some improvement. "You're really wired to go all out."
"I can see how this makes you feel better." Kyoya crossed his arms. Satisfied with the results.
"Feeling better?" Chizuru was elated. Breathing in slowly. Taking the entire scenery in. "This is so picturesque."
Their momentary happiness was interrupted. They heard a whistle and the guard yelling from a distance. "Hey! Who's there?!"
Chizuru froze and took Kyoya's hand. The last thing she wanted was to get in trouble with the nuns in school. They went through the field getting drenched as running as fast as they could.
"Stop right there!"
The two didn't listen as they sprinted out of the school. Chizuru knew the place like the back of her hand. She dragged Kyoya to another garden. There was practically a forest inside the school grounds. She went through an unmarked path and they had to squeeze through the fence.
Kyoya started to recognize the surroundings. They ran past a pumpkin patch until they reached a shortcut. A bridge connecting Lobelia and Ouran. Their schools were separated by a river.
Chizuru tried to catch her breath as she chuckled. She hasn't done something like this in ages. Kyoya was completely exhausted running and placed one hand on his knee. Trying to steady himself. He realized he was still holding Chizuru's hand and abruptly let go.
"I can't believe we just did that." Chizuru chortled. "My Valentino dress is ruined."
Kyoya dusted himself off as he still tried to catch his breath. Clearing his throat a few times. "I kept on telling you to stop running already. I'm soaked and out of breath because of you."
"We should do this more often." She laughed.
"No, we shouldn't."
Chizuru lightly bumped her shoulder to his. "Yes, we should. Besides, I'm not asking you. I'm telling you."
Kyoya was taken aback with her statement. He watched her come to life with an energy that was uniquely hers.
"Earlier, when you told those men you'd never forget their grief, I won't allow you to carry all of that alone." She proclaimed. "We didn't ask to be born into our families. Is it a sin we wound up here?"
Chizuru crossed her arms. "We've given up so much of ourselves because of our families. I can't let you move on with life without any happiness. But you've already promised them you'll hold onto their burdens"
She tapped Kyoya's shoulders lightly. "So let's keep it our secret. When we're together, you're just Kyoya and I'm just Chizuru. Let's forget our families and just be happy and selfish even for a little while."
Kyoya stood there. There was this warmth just engulfing him. He couldn't explain what he was feeling nor did he have the words to describe it. Things just felt light.
"My grandfather told me that we always play a part in someone's story." Chizuru paced around as she spoke. "I've accepted I'm a main character in mine. Maybe a side character for some and a villain for others."
He rolled his eyes. She was being obscure. She had these moods where she spoke in a prose or code. A curse of being a student of literature.
Chizuru leaned against the ledge and twiddled with the necklace Kyoya gave her. It's her new favorite thing to wear. A silver lily with small alexandrite stones embedded on the center. "In my story, you're a main character called Shinkai."
Shinkai or the deepest ocean depths. That is exactly who Kyoya was. Dark, cold, all knowing, and all encompassing. Calm on the surface, but suffocating if one jumped into it without being prepared.
Kyoya lit a cigarette and took a deep inhale. Carefully collecting his thoughts. He looked up the night sky as he exhaled the smoke out of his body. The sky was dark without any stars.
"Then you're komorebi." He stated. Two can play that game.
"Komorebi?"
"I can't be the only one with cryptic character descriptions." He bickered.
Japanese language was so complex. There were words so specific to describe the little things that naturally occurred with no direct translation. Komorebi literally means sunlight filtering through trees, but in essence it's a feeling of simplicity and tranquility.
It was ironic. Chizuru was neither simple nor tranquil. Why in the world would Kyoya call her that?
"Then our relationship is where the sun and the sea meet." Chizuru fawned. Playfully smiling back at him. She waited for the perfect timing to say those words. The sun started to rise as she spoke. "How mysterious, right?"
Kyoya raised a brow. Seeing how she used the elements for dramatic effect. Usually, his smiles were mocking, sarcastic, and it rarely reached his eyes. As if he always tried to limit the happiness he expressed.
Chizuru felt a sense of achievement. There was one item in her list she didn't write down because she wasn't sure she could do it. Now, she can proudly say she ticked it off her list.
Item 22. Make Kyoya genuinely smile.
Thank you so much to all you readers. I really took a lot of time to develop this chapter. I hope it showed how Kyoya and Chizuru learned from one another. They both had their own strengths and they just lifted each other up. I wish we could all have someone like this in our lives.
I just wanted to let this chapter not only solidify how special Kyoya and Chizuru's relationship is for their growth as individuals. I'm tired of seeing stories who paint Kyoya as almost perfect. I want our favorite boy to struggle a bit. I'm a bit evil like that. I don't think it's out of character for him to react this way, but if he seems bit out of character then sorry (not sorry).
Also, I added the last segment with people running up after the Ootori family to justify the need for a private police. Let's be honest, Japan is pretty safe so there's no need for them to have that much security. Like how different is his family from the rest that he needs 3 guards to himself.
Chizuru's family also has a different security system. I just like how cool it sounds that they speak through code. Clearly showing their positions in the family.
I added plenty of fluff, banter, and of course a hand holding scene just because. This story is tagged as a romance so a wholesome romance it shall be. And let's be honest, I think I went a bit too dark with Chizuru's back story. I apologize. I didn't mean for it to go out of control, but here we are so I'll find a way to just put everything together.
Just some history or definition of terms.
1. Kannushi - shinto monkbr /
2. Yodo-Dono - Japanese historical figure in the late Sengoku period. She was the concubine and the second wife of Japanese ruler Toyotomi Hideyoshi. For obvious reasons, the Maihara connection is purely /
3. Onna-musha is a term referring to female warriors in pre-modern Japan. Basically like female samurai.