Disclaimer: It's a work of fiction and just having fun with my favorite SNS pairing
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There is tension in the vehicle as we sped through the expressway.
The hypnotic intermittent flashes of street lights on the backdrop of the night sky was the only thing I could stare at while the feeling of uncertainty grew with dread at the edges.
Soma's hoodie provided some comfort to the chill that ran through my body as I wondered:
What is going to happen?
As much as I wanted to let Soma know that I am unlikely to return back tonight, I had a feeling that would not be possible for a while.
Despite taking down the stalker, I knew that it would be futile and pointless to resist getting into the limousine.
After all, they are the personal staff of my parents.
It was rare, if not the first, for my parent's personal staff to come; usually I will only see those from the Nakiri family. For them to come pick me up, it has to be important.
I was told that we are to leave immediately to meet them, that arrangements will be made for my personal items back at Soma's place, and that everything will be explained to me in due time.
What could it be for such a move?
My real concern, however, gravitated to how Soma is going to react to my sudden absence. I do not want to worry him. Anyway, it is too late to regret handing over my phone upon firm request and getting caught in the moment.
Noticing the street signs, the ride did not seem to be heading to the Arato mansion, "Where are you taking me?" though already knowing the reply, I asked, seeking a break in the monotony.
"Apologies, ojou-sama. We only have orders to fetch you." The staff in the front passenger seat repeated that same line professionally any time I asked a question without looking back.
Feeling powerless for being not in control of the situation, my left hand instinctively reached for the bandana on my right wrist, fiddling on the knotted end. It became a subconscious habit I have picked up over this Summer so far.
What?
It calms me.
Street lights turned into distant stretches of runway as we arrived at our destination: Narita International Airport.
The car pulled up in the private VIP lounge entrance, where my father's long time private secretary bowed respectfully as the door was opened for me by the driver, "Good evening, Ojou-sama. It has been awhile. I hope you've been well?"
"Let's skip the pleasantries, Tanaka-san. Was all these necessary?" I gestured to the two staff and the limousine, "I could have been notified by a call or text as compared to a sudden pick up." A pause before adding with an edge of sarcasm, "If you knew where to find me, you could have dropped in for dinner."
"Quite right, Ojou-sama. However, I've just arrived, so begging your pardon for the meeting venue. I'm sure you're many other questions, so let's have a chat in the lounge." Tanaka did not tarry and ushered me through .
"Did something happen to my parents?"
"Something did happen," Tanaka said, offering me the best seat in the empty VIP lounge, "but not to your parents." settling opposite me before taking out a tablet and tapping for access.
"What do you mean?"
"If you would allow me," Tanaka presented the tablet before pouring a drink for both of us, "I believe it's better to show you."
The tablet came with the gallery, a collection of photos of me and Aida Shion during the rehearsal, followed by screenshots of comments on social media.
"We have been monitoring media exposure. While we are able to control what mainstream media and tabloids say, social media is quite another thing."
Indeed, I was quite surprised to see the screenshots of social media that contained my name.
Is Aida Shion talking about the Arato Hisako from the Mitamura restaurant?
あらと ひさこ / 新戸 緋沙子 … too much of a coincidence, It's the same person
Arato Hisako…the one in my school?
Anyone know how to figure out where this Arato Hisako is?
Hey guys! Arato Hisako spotted at a school camp!
My blood ran cold and I was too nauseated to read the rest.
"It may seem overblown but that's what's going on online. It's no use crying over spilt milk so our media department has been working to nip all these in the bud: redirecting attention, blocking replies, shadow banning posts, suspending accounts, the works." He took a sip of tea, "Unfortunately, with photos circulating, there's no putting that milk back into the cup, that's for sure."
I thought back to what the reporter back in Oarai said about social media: It's hard to control the narrative, unlike a newspaper.
"What we need to do is to let the news of your location cool down, out of concern for your safety."
"Was this why my phone was confiscated?"
"At least until you hear the reason for the urgency. As said, it's for your own safety. Thank you for cooperating. Which leads us to the next matter: Yukihira Soma."
My senses pricked on the mention of his name. Tanaka has been my father's loyal assistant for years and has practically watched me grow. For him to mention Soma's name, this would mean my father would at least know of Soma's presence.
Unsure of the topic's direction, I looked at Takana and waited for him to continue.
"Far be it to be appropriate for me to comment about your relationships," He placed my phone onto the coffee table between us. "I think we could afford him the courtesy to tell him of the situation now that you've been briefed."
A few moments tick by as I consider what he said.
Basically, due to the fact that my profile online has been raised, along with the possibility of my location being compromised, I have to be away from Soma's place for a while.
A while till the situation is sorted out.
I picked up my phone and began dialling, only to pause when I realised I needed one more information:
Where am I going?
"Why would you think I'm here?" Takana took a long drag to drain his tea, "Your parents want to meet you."
Although we took the family's private jet, I got a fitful three hour shut eye in the sleeping quarters. Different scenarios that may happen in the meeting with my parents swirled through my mind.
At the very least, I have a very supportive Soma back in Japan. He was frantically searching for me when my call got through to him. His worry came over the phone: a mix of fluster, frustration and relief. I had to take time to calm and assure him before explaining the situation and that I would be heading to where my parents are.
"I'll contact you after I have met them." I promised.
"It can't be helped, I suppose." Soma sighed reluctantly.
A longing pause as we had so much to say, so much emotions that a call would not be enough to express.
"I miss you already." he confessed wistfully.
A bittersweet smile, "I miss you too."
Our arrival in China was followed by a drive into the city, finally reaching my destination in the early morning. I was told that the meeting with my parents was (thankfully) scheduled in the afternoon, after their morning appointments.
Now washed and dressed in a spare totsuki uniform kept in the villa, I considered the whilte bandana on my hand if I should be wearing it with my school uniform.
This piece of cloth holds a lot of meaning: an expression of care when Soma wrapped my injury, a memento of his late mother, a commitment to the Yukihira cooking style, and a banner of his indomitable spirit. Having it on my wrist was not just habitual, but also a comforting reminder of his presence.
One that I could use right now.
"Please wait here, Ojou-sama." a staff member said when we reached the study.
I could not remember the last time when I was in the study of the family villa in Nanjing. Even though it was my parents' place, I could not help but feel small and insignificant in its grandeur.
With high ceilings, gilded surfaces, and numerous priceless artefacts on display, under the gaze from commemorative photos of my parents with VIPs around the world, their aura could not be understated.
What really made me intimidated was the uncertainty of what was going to happen when we met.
After all, the last time I met either of them in person was almost half a year ago.
The opening of the heavy office doors pierced into my thoughts, startling me to my feet.
"Mother."
Wearing a sky blue business blouse and pants, she seemed to have just returned from a lab or medical practice. Her sharp Eurasian features would definitely make her stand out of the crowd for her attractiveness. With permed strawberry blonde hair was pulled into a neat bun, mother had not aged a day.
My heart skipped as the doors closed shut.
"You're here, Hisako." she said factually, taking a seat on one of the high back chairs, crossing her legs, resting both hands on her knee.
"Yes, mother.''
Our words felt a little foreign, being that we have not spoken for a while, and I have to get myself to meet her in the eyes.
I sat down, back straight, hands on my lap, ready for the axe to drop.
There was a pause that stretched. Personally, being estranged all these time, I am not really sure how to break the ice. I mean, what do you say to someone you have not met after so long.
Furthermore, the last time we met, we did not have much to talk about.
Just like any other time.
"Your father's meeting had overrun. He's on the way."
"Yes, mother." I replied obediently. My heart sped up on hearing that. I found myself teasing the ends of the bandana on my wrist to steady myself.
…
…
"Yukihira Soma."
Taken aback by her bringing up that name, I managed a surprised "What?"
"That boy, Yukihira Soma… he's a classmate?"
"Yes, mother." I decided to keep my replies to the point as I was not sure how far she wanted to know.
"Seems he's quite an outstanding student, even considering he's in that school of yours."
"Yes, mother."
"Both of you did your stagiaire attachment together, and were invited to work at a beach under the same restaurant. Then after that, you volunteered to work in his restaurant?"
"Yes, mother."
Her lips tightened, a twitch on her brow betrayed her calm expression.
"I don't approve of riding on scooters."
"Yes… mother?" I blinked, "Are you referring to me riding on a scooter?" That would be a reasonable guess, considering that
"Those things are not safe; There's nothing between you and the road. I've seen the types of injuries they cause in the Emergency Room."
"It was the only private transport we have." I reasoned, "and Soma's a safe rider."
Mother narrowed her eyes at that, "Does his family not have a car?"
"While he's old enough to get a rider's licence, he can't get a driving licence yet… *I* can't get a driving licence yet; We're not of age."
"Hmm." Mother seemed to make a mark on a mental checklist. "What about the fact that you had to buy a fridge for him?"
That surprised me, how much does she know? "I just fronted the payment, which has already been returned." It was amazing how quickly the shop generated revenue, low margin, high volume. "His father simply forgot to bring his banking tokens while travelling."
"So this Yukihira boy has an absentee father? There isn't much information of this Yukihira Joichirou, and the restaurant was not open for awhile. What does his father do?"
There was a flash of indignation from within,
How dare she talk about absenteeism?
But I kept my cool as I was mentally prepared for this line of questioning. "Soma's father is a travelling chef, so he gets called all over the world. Nonetheless, they have a good relationship and keep in contact."
Unlike us.
"Besides, Totsuki is a boarding school, it's… not really an issue."
Mother considered me for a moment, then asked something that knocked me off balance: "Tell me: Have you lost your maidenhood?"
"W-What?"
"Are you still a virgin?" She rephrased it, as if asking about the weather, leaning forward. Now that's the doctor asking the question, and it seemed that that was the main question she wanted to dig for.
I gaped for a moment, "What do you mean by that?"
"You and that boy have been sharing the same roof for almost a month. It's nothing to be ashamed of: you're at that age."
"We-" I did not know what to say hearing this topic brought up so candidly, " We…" She looked at me analytically, patiently waiting for my answer, pressuring the truth from her clinical gaze. "We have not done that."
Seconds tick by as she considered if I was telling the truth, before seating back into her chair. "I see."
The pause came between us again.
I wanted to tell her how I saw Soma, the man that I fell for; his cheerful personality, his courage in all difficulties, his problem solving skills, openness to feedback, and, of course, how well both of us connected, among many other things.
However, there was a barrier between my mother and I that made me hold back.
The awkwardness did not last as the doors swung open again. This time, a tall man in a three piece suit, slicked back deep dark burnette hair, walked in with a commanding presence, settling in to the other high back chair next to mother.
"Father." I greeted.
Seeming to be fresh out of a board meeting, he studied me like mother did, tapping two fingers on the arm rest to kick off the conversation. "Hisako, do you know why you are brought here?"
Just straight to the point, like he always does.
Already warmed up by the discussion with mother, I replied without hesitation. "From what I know: I had exposure on social media, and that my location may have been revealed." I looked between them, "I believe I was called here for my own safety."
"That's just one reason." My parents shared a look, that I know was similar to how Soma and I communicated nonverbally. "This Yukihira Soma boy seems to be getting close to you."
That feeling of indignity came back again. After all this time of hands off parenting, they only cared when I got a boyfriend? "We just became a couple on Sunday."
"Sunday." father echoed.
He exchanged another look, mouthing to mother who shook her head to his relief.
"We know about what have you been up to this Summer. We also know that you're a responsible child and have so far not interfered with your activities. However, in light of recent events, we have to pull the reigns until your school reopens so that you can be placed under the care of the Nakiri family's security."
I held my tongue, waiting for him to finish.
"As for Yukihira Soma."
I sucked in a breath.
"Break up with him."
A/N: The 3rd Arc begins! Hope it started strong!
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