Chapter 4: The Awkwardness of Formal Dancing
A gleaming and opulent ballroom waited for Akihiko… And it looked more intimidating than any boxing ring, or nest of Shadows he'd ever faced. He froze in the doorway, but Mitsuru kept a hand on his arm, leading him forward. As they walked, the eyes of those inside all turned towards them.
Under those eyes Akihiko felt like an intruder, or an unsightly smudge on the marble floors. If he had a choice, he'd stick to the walls and hope that somehow, everyone would become bored with him. Not that anyone looked ready to ignore him just yet… And the more they watched him, the more he wanted to glare back at them-
"Don't frown so much." Mitsuru whispered to him. "Remember, as long as you keep your expression calm, you have some form of armor." She followed her own advice, her expression settled into a careful mask. Her grip was light on his arm, pulling him along and moving in a rhythm that matched the crowd.
He couldn't help but notice the new, dark violet dress carefully hugged her form. The meticulously embroidered silvery beads on her bodice and skirts shimmered under the chandelier light. The Kirijo stylists were on point with dressing her. But Akihiko wasn't certain if the same could be said for him, with how awkward the formal wear felt on him.
The tie felt like it was choking Akihiko, but only if the severe atmosphere didn't suffocate him first. The surrounding crowd was all dressed in a way that would put most high society balls to shame… And he still felt like a blemish in the ballroom.
His free hand played at the cuffs on his suit, hoping this didn't end torn up like his date night shirt.
It didn't help that this tuxedo was probably worth more than anything he could make in a month. Or at least anything that didn't come out of the Kirijo stipend. He tried not to fidget, worrying that the glare from the dozens of chandeliers was too bright.
"No wonder you were training me with dinner dates." Even so, he found himself grateful Mitsuru stayed so close to him; he felt adrift out here already, and didn't want to imagine facing all those suits alone.
'How does she do it?' He glanced to her… And noticed how her fingers had a tight grip on his sleeves, almost fraying at the fabric. It was the only hint of tension on her, the only give away that she wasn't perfectly calm and politely interested with the events.
Maybe she was tired of facing these gatherings alone. He glanced around again, and noticed that there were more than a few younger men present, with less gray in their hair. They also had a more piercing quality in their eyes, all of it leveled on them; like Mitsuru was a piece of prize meat, and Akihiko himself was a stray mutt that had snapped her up. Mitsuru met their gaze with a cool look of her own.
"I see you've encountered some of my potential fiancés." She said simply, voice carefully pitched to a soft murmur.
"…I'm starting to see why you wanted me to step in." Akihiko said as one of the men, clad in a navy suit, moved forward. His eyes flickered over Akihiko for an instant before dismissing him, and focusing on Mitsuru.
"Miss Kirijo… A pleasure that you've decided to attend, again. We were starting to worry the stresses of running a company by yourself was too much." His voice was oily, and his smile forced.
"And who is this young man?" Akihiko noticed that the words and gaze weren't directed at him, instead focused on Mitsuru. Like he was just an accessory of sorts for her to bring out and wear on her arm, for fancy gatherings.
"Akihiko Sanada," he personally answered, bristling a little. Those flint-like eyes darted to him for a moment, like they were astonished he knew how to speak.
"My date for the evening." Mitsuru finished for him. "You'll likely be seeing more of him later." Her own words had taken an authoritative crackle that didn't allow for arguments; something he hadn't heard since their days in SEES.
"Is… Is that so?" The man hesitated, looking between the two. The pride seemed to leak out of him. "I'm not familiar with the name Sanada."
'It's not a name that has a lot of prestige. Just an orphan who doesn't have any business being here…' And even while that thought made him slump, it also caused his feet to dig into the floor; he wanted to stand his ground, against the man looking down his nose at him.
"Why have you elected for him-?"
"He's an old school friend." Mitsuru answered smoothly. "And has expressed an interest in going into law. Still, I'm certain this will give you something far more factual to gossip and discuss, among your colleagues." She motioned to the rest of the young men, before nodding to Akihiko. "If you'll excuse us, I see there's other people we should meet with."
She left the suitors behind, and Akihiko was all too eager to match his steps with hers.
"Wh…What was that about? Are they-?"
"Always like that? Unfortunately, yes. And those are the ones close to my own age." His skin squirmed at that, knowing there were likely older men trying to seek her hand. "Don't worry; I've gotten used to handling them."
"Y-you shouldn't have to worry about that-" He started to say… Only to realize Mitsuru was pulling him towards the center of the ballroom. His skin prickled, feeling exposed on all sides in an open area.
"You've reviewed how to dance?" Mitsuru whispered to him.
"Y-yeah. It's… Not that different from a match. Just two people moving together, instead of against each other." He wondered what brought that question on… Up until Mitsuru pulled him towards the center of the floor, and he heard the ambient noise shift to strings and melodies.
His mind tried to go blank. Instead he forced himself to breathe, and take Mitsuru's hands in his. The fabric of their gloves brushed together. Mitsuru guided his hand to her hip, and joined their fingers together.
'Just try to remember the steps.'
And hopefully not step on her toes. With how he stumbled however, Akihiko had his doubts. He tried to focus on the rhythm of the song, the way they swayed to the music… And certainly not on how close Mitsuru was to him, how he could almost feel her breath on his neck, and clearly smell her perfume-
'Don't focus on that!' He scolded himself with a jolt, as Mitsuru pulled at him, trying to coax him through the steps correctly.
"You know, usually it's the man who leads in dances. Not that I'm complaining, however…"
"Well, I know how much you like to call the shots." He quipped… And got a chuckle from her. He found himself smiling at that. A part of him wondered what he could do, to hear that again, and keep that smile on her lips.
His own mouth quirked up, and he found his steps becoming a bit more confident. Mitsuru felt it as well, in how his balance shifted; how his grip on her hand and back turned a little more strong. And despite the joke on her taking the lead, she settled back and let him guide her through the steps.
"You're a quick study, I see."
"Well, you taught me how to memorize things." He found himself breaking into a grin; it had also been a while since they'd sparred with words. "I haven't forgotten everything I learned in high school, at least when it comes to studying. Or getting things right by you-"
Mitsuru might have responded, but the song came to a close… And in the process, Akihiko realized just how close they were.
"S-so what do we do next?" Akihiko forced himself to ask. And felt that grin wilt off his face, as the moment drained away.
"Next… We see if we can find the people we WANT to meet. I was told there'd be an acquaintance here, who could help us."
She leaned in a little closer, and Akihiko tried not to shiver when her breath ghosted over his ear.
"Help with that… Incident we encountered before. That's the main reason why I wished to attend this event in the first place. And with luck, we've captured his attention." Mitsuru slowly drew away from Akihiko, and led him off the dance floor as she spoke.
"Although… Would you prefer to blend in for a moment? I can make the rounds myself for a span, and see if I can find our contact." Akihiko could only manage a nod. And try not to melt into the wall as Mitsuru left him to move amongst the crowd.
Instead of pressing himself into the walls Akihiko took a glass. It held some form of bubbling liquid, and he nervously sipped from it as he watched the crowd.
'She said so herself… Finding that contact is the only reason she wanted to come to this event. So you don't need to dwell about dancing with her; it was just for the sake of the mission, nothing more.'
Akihiko grimaced as he took another sip-
"…It takes a brave man, to step into a viper's nest like this." Came a low voice. Akihiko risked a glance over to the side, to see a man in glasses giving him a careful look. His black hair was complimented by an equally black suit, and the only splash of color on his person was a blue scarf.
"…Um." Was the best response Akihiko could give. The man gave him a measuring look, prompting a few more words. "I… It's nothing I can't handle."
'For her sake, if nothing else.' He couldn't keep his eyes from darting back to Mitsuru, now making the rounds among the others. She balanced a glass expertly in one hand, and gestured with her other while she spoke. It kept anyone from trying to take her hand, either in a shake or a kiss, and kept her mobile. 'Even if she understands how to navigate this place, better than I ever would.'
"Rumor is, you've achieved what no one else has… Much as I don't enjoy rumors, I'm wondering if this one is true." The man continued, and gave the ring on Akihiko's hand a long, measuring look. "Is it true? Are you-"
"E-engaged. Yes. We…" 'Proposed' wasn't the right word. But he also didn't want to blurt out the entire situation with the contract. "We agreed to it a short while ago. Still waiting to make it official."
The man in glasses hummed at that.
"Yet you're not parading her about, like most would."
"She's not a trophy." That, at least, Akihiko could be firm about. "She's more than that. What she is… Is…"
'…Is something important. That I can't lose-' No time to dwell on that, with how the stranger continued.
"And then there's the fact you doubled as a bodyguard for her. Risking your neck for her…" Akihiko knew his mouth had fallen open. The stranger shook his head at that. "Your incident at Claire de Lune gained plenty of attention. Even if no one can settle on the nature of your attackers; myself, I try to push the narrative of Yakuza. Raises fewer questions."
All Akihiko could manage in response as an odd noise in the back of his throat.
"If you don't mind." Those glasses gave off an odd glare, as the stranger watched him. "What do you want from this arrangement of yours?"
This was the strangest interview and conversation he'd had yet. And the directness of that question shocked an answer out of Akihiko.
"I… Just want her to be happy-"
He might've said more. But a shout from the room made him flinch… And then break into a dash when he saw who was the target. Mitsuru stood in the middle of a crowd, her gaze icy as she stared down an indignant young man.
"You've got some nerve… He's a nobody, Kirijo. You refused my offer, for HIM?"
"Takashi Saeki… The Kirijo Group is secure enough, that I may choose a fiancé for reasons OTHER than business." Mitsuru was cold; enough that it made even Akihiko freeze when he would have barged into the conversation. Instead he hovered right at the periphery, staring at her.
'Don't get the wrong idea, on why she's defending this arrangement. This is because it's convenient for her, and for you. Not for lo-' He couldn't even finish the word, wincing from it. But Saeki didn't pause at her words, glaring at Mitsuru. His hand shivered at his side, almost ready to crack across her face, regardless of the eyes on them.
"You think too highly of yourself; you're just a spoiled brat, acting like her father's ghost can protect her. You can't continue playing by your own rules, Kirijo. And you need someone to show you how the real world truly works."
"I can do so without your guidance." Mitsuru kept her eyes on the intruder, and didn't so much as wince from his barbs. The beads of her dress glimmered with an almost sharp light, like she was wearing shards of ice. "You'll notice that I've been getting along just fine without it."
Saeki's face tightened, rage building behind his eyes… And at the last word, Akihiko could see right where his temper snapped. It was exactly when Akihiko shot out of his freeze and darted forward. Saeki's hand whipped out, going for Mitsuru… But Akihiko's own hand closed over his. He kept his back straight, and looked Saeki straight in the eyes while trying to smile. Akihiko was pretty sure his own teeth were closer to a snarl.
"…Hello." Akihiko borrowed from the conversations he'd heard, making his voice viciously smooth; it almost hid the growl underneath his words. "My name is Akihiko Sanada…. You might know me as Mitsuru's bodyguard, on top of everything else."
He let his grip almost crush Saeki's hand, to show just what sort of strength he had.
"…Charmed." Saeki grit out between his teeth, unflinching from the grip. "Kirijo, your guard dog has an odd grasp of manners."
"A surprising thing to hear, considering what you've just said." Mitsuru told him, and laid a hand on Akihiko's arm. "But we won't waste anymore of your time, Saeki-san." He flinched from the forced honorific. "I wish you the best of luck, with your own company and ventures."
She gave him no opportunity to respond, quickly leading Akihiko away. Rumbles of gossip followed in their wake.
"Who was that?" Akihiko asked, as they walked away.
"One of the more… Determined of the suitors. Takashi Saeki of the SEBEC Corporation. The Kirijo Group was seriously considering him, due how he's pulled the company out of its slump. I'm not entirely sure that makes up for his attitude."
"…Definitely doesn't." Akihiko told her, and tried not to glare over his shoulder. Maybe Akihiko was still a nobody… But compared to most of these people, that wasn't feeling like such a major problem any longer.
Mitsuru led him outside, where the whispers couldn't quite follow, and Akihiko could take a deep breath without suffocating. The cool night air was fresh in his lungs, and he could almost catch a hint of the garden stretching out below them.
"For me personally, Saeki… Was not an appealing option." Mitsuru sighed out, taking Akihiko almost all the way to the garden railing.
"I-if I hadn't agreed to be your fiancé, then…?"
"The Kirijo Group might have pressured me into marrying Saeki. From a business standpoint, he makes the most sense, and brings the most monetary advantages… At least, that seems to be the way the Kirijo Group is leaning." He had to bite his tongue at that.
'Mitsuru… You're not some object to be sold to the highest bidder. You don't need people who think of you like that.' All those words wanted to crowd his throat. He found himself stepping closer to her, hoping that provided some form of support… And maybe it did just that, with how Mitsuru marginally relaxed against him.
"Thankfully, gossip travels quickly." Mitsuru sighed out. And she leaned a little more against his arm, tracing her hand along the sleeve. The motion seemed almost soothing for her. "People are beginning to understand that I'm off limits… Including the board of directors. Only a stubborn few would insist I accept Saeki's offer, after that display-"
"I wouldn't suggest accepting it." Came a new voice, and they both winced at the sudden intrusion. Mitsuru gathered herself first, spinning to face the speaker
The black-haired man from before watched them both. And recognition quickly dawned on Mitsuru's face, as she took in the glasses and blue scarf.
"Kei Nanjo… To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Just a brief visit. I wanted to ask about your situation… But you just made it clear you can handle yourself. And your fiancé can also manage." Nanjo shook his head. "You can handle both business… And more esoteric matters."
"W-wait." The pieces finally clicked into place in Akihiko's head. "That's your contact?"
"Yes, from the Nanjo Group. The Kirijo Family was originally part of the coalition… But eventually separated from them." She inclined her head to Nanjo. "Your calm is appreciated, after that… Encounter we had. But I had thought there would be more hostilities, considering our family history."
Nanjo shook his head at that; his gaze was still measuring, but there was no hostility behind it. And he seemed satisfied with what he saw in both Mitsuru and Akihiko.
"Considering the circumstances, it's better to put any hostilities aside. I don't know if I'm ready to trust you, but I also don't want to see the Kirijo Group partnering with SEBEC… Considering the pasts of everyone involved."
'What is he getting at-?' Akihiko wanted to ask, but Mitsuru answered for them both.
"…My grandfather." Mitsuru's voice had gone oddly still, almost numb. He felt her still, her breathing going a touch shallow… And he did his best not to glare at Nanjo, after he'd dredged up those memories.
"It seems you don't have a high opinion of him, either. I can respect that… Though I can't say that I trust the Kirijo group with everything. Not with what they almost brought into the world." He was talking about Nyx. He had to be. But he never so much as stuttered or flinched over that concept. Whoever Nanjo was, he was made of stern stuff; almost as stern as Mitsuru… Though not as cold, as he could feel her going still, and carefully impassive.
"But I'm willing to give you a chance," Nanjo continued. "And see how you do."
Whoever this Nanjo was, he knew a little too much about them for Akihiko's comfort.
"…What are you getting at?" Akihiko demanded, trying to break Mitsuru out of that cold state. "What do you want from us… More to the point, what does Mitsuru want from you?"
"I-" Mitsuru's words rasped once, before she swallowed and spoke again. Her voice was carefully measured. "I understand that the Nanjo group has some insight on SEBEC. On their activities, and their past. The Nanjo Group knows more of the details. And from what little I've seen from their records… I believe my grandfather tried to misuse their knowledge and information."
"Correct." Nanjo dipped his head. "And now they're on the move again; strange fluctuations in their financial accounts, and the like. I… We could use some help against that particular thorn. I just also need to know Miss Kirijo won't be following in the footsteps of her grandfather."
Mitsuru didn't respond to that; her face and her posture had gone perfectly still. She gave only the slightest incline of her head, urging Nanjo to continue.
"Maybe the proof would come with a simple data extraction, and delivery. Without compromising the data."
"So you want us to prove ourselves worthy of trust? It's better than needing to prove myself as a businesswoman." Mitsuru said, a little more of herself seeping back into her voice, and her posture.
"Oh, I don't doubt your capability in the business world." Nanjo gave a quick smile at that. "So… If I happened to drop a personal item of mine, I wouldn't take it amiss if you browsed through it, in order to find your next steps."
With that, Nanjo turned around, stepping back inside and into the party… And leaving a USB stick perfectly balanced on the railing. Akihiko wasted no time in scooping it up.
"Technically, this means you haven't even pried into Nanjo's secrets. Since it was me picking it up." He pointed out… And that startled a shaky laugh out of Mitsuru.
"I think… Perhaps we've made enough of a public appearance for tonight. I'm ready to go home."
-o-o-o-
Mitsuru was grateful to be back home… And that gratitude in and of itself was a surprise.
It had taken years for her to accept the mansion as hers, after so much time spent in the dormitories. Sometimes the halls still felt too empty. Too bereft of friends and teammates she'd come to trust-
'That's not so much the case though, anymore.' She thought, glancing to Akihiko. He winced as he peeled off his gloves… And she saw fresh bruises settling onto his fingers, courtesy of Takashi Saeki. A familiar cold feeling swept back over her, and she found herself drifting away from Akihiko.
'Nanjo gave you one opportunity. You'd best not squander it. Or prove that you're exactly like your grandfather-' Even now, she could still feel the bite of needles on her skin, the stink of cigar smoke digging into her nose, the same way a strange presence tried to pry its way loose in her skull-
"…Mitsuru?" She turned slowly from Akihiko, the exhaustion of the night finally slammed into her.
"You can take the night off, now." She wouldn't meet Akihiko's eyes, either. She didn't want to show just how drained she was, and tried to put a note of finality into her voice. One that wouldn't allow for arguments.
"W-wait." A hand rested on her shoulder, banishing the phantom sensations. THAT got her eyes fly open, and she snapped her head up to look at him. Akihiko frowned as he watched her.
"We're… We're partners, remember? I can't help you, if you don't tell me-" Akihiko cut himself off, shaking his head. "…Sorry. Don't mean to sound like an old married couple. But I want to help you. Not just be an arm trophy…"
'You were much more than that. You kept me… Anchored, almost.'
"…Right." Mitsuru admitted, not wanting to voice the rest of her thoughts just yet. "In that case… How do you take your tea?"
"…Tea?" Akihiko repeated, tilting his head.
"We have a long night ahead of us. And I won't face it without tea."
-o-o-o-
As it turned out, Akihiko took very little in the way of tea. But his stamina was impressive as always. He sat next to her, looking over the multiple computer screens and scanning the data. Mitsuru tried not to draw too close to him; she'd already curled into him more times than was strictly necessary this night.
'Focus. Data.'
"Out next move is…" Mitsuru murmured, half to herself and half to Akihiko. "We need to look into SEBEC. I don't want to take Nanjo's warning blithely."
Akihiko gave an agreeing hum.
"Yeah… This all looks suspicious enough. At least what I can understand." Mitsuru nodded at that; he never gave himself enough credit in academics. The fact that he could parse most of the data tables was something he'd picked up during his SEES days, and the skill had never gone rusty. "Besides that, Saeki didn't look very… Well…"
"You didn't much care for him." Mitsuru said.
"With what he called you? How could I not?" Akihiko grumbled. "He was wrong about you, too. You're smart, capable… And if anyone was acting like a spoiled child, it was him."
"…Ah." That was the best she could manage. She hadn't expected him to leap to her defense like that; either at the party, or in private.
And yet, here they were. Akihiko fully earnest, more than a little protective… And Mitsuru almost at a loss for words.
She was staring at Akihiko, Mitsuru faintly realized. And that in turn made him verbally stumble.
"Y-you're just…You're…" He looked into her eyes. Mitsuru squirmed under his gaze, and wondered at the longing that crossed his face. He trailed off shaking his head. "…Never mind. You're right that we should look into those records. And all of them keep getting sourced back to one city."
"Sumaru." Mitsuru eagerly latched onto that plan, and banishing any awkwardness between them. "With luck, we can arrange a trip there. Incognito, so as not to draw eyes from the press or SEBEC themselves. It will take a few weeks to finalize the details… But that gives us a little more time to go over the data, and…"
She trailed off. With all the chaos of the night, she'd almost put that strange distortion out of her mind.
"And… We'll follow up on what happened to us. Why we were attacked by a Shadow of all things… And if SEBEC has a hand in it."
She still hadn't cracked the enigma of Akihiko's summon, either. He hadn't been able to explain it very well either, beyond needing to invoke Ceasar, and somehow breaking through. Yet now, an eager grin flashed across Akihiko's face.
"Good; I've been wanting another shot at those things. This time around, they won't catch us flat footed."
"You're eager enough for a fight… But that may need to wait for a while longer. As it is… We've had a full night."
"And… A successful one?" Akihiko flicked the screens off, as he waited for her answer.
"Well… If nothing else, we accomplished a lot on that outing. You're officially considered my fiancé now." And there was something odd stirring in her, as she said that. It was a sharp contrast to the chill she'd felt, when the Group said they were considering SEBEC; instead there was an odd tugging at her chest, which only grew as she watched Akihiko. "That… That will settle the rumors for a bit, and prove the Kirijo Group is stable enough."
"…Even if I cause new rumors?" Akihiko muttered, staring at his hands. "I'm starting to worry about what this will say about your reputation-"
"It says that I can be engaged to who I choose." She countered swiftly. "That the Kirijo Group is strong enough to allow for that…" Even if it also felt like a part of her was just using him. Like she was still just using people to achieve her ends.
'Are you certain you can prove Nanjo right? That you aren't like-?'
That odd tug in her chest turned into an ugly snarl.
"You aren't… You still wish to pursue this arrangement, Akihiko? You don't regret your decision?"
"If it makes you hap- I mean, if it works for both of us, then yeah." His voice was soft, suiting the low light as they left the data room and walked the halls. The mansion had already turned in for the night, the hallways deserted… And Mitsuru was glad for that.
"I don't have any second thoughts or hesitation, if that's what you're worried about." Akihiko continued. "I'm okay with this. With us."
"Thank you." Mitsuru whispered at that. She wanted to say more, to somehow put her gratitude for tonight and everything else into some sort of gesture… But Akihiko cut her off.
"What were the other benefits?"
"Leads. We have them now… And I'm finding myself feeling more grateful that I didn't pursue an arrangement with SEBEC, if they're involved with this series of distortions. Since Nanjo was so willing to give us advice, we should follow up on it."
"What did he mean by a history, anyway?" Mitsuru paused at that, clamping down a now too familiar cold feeling.
"As I said… the Kirijo Family were part of the Nanjo Group, once. They were actually lead members of the research and development division… But eventually decided to separate. I hear conflicting reports from different, senior members, but most of them say that the Nanjo Group weren't supporting their research. Kei Nanjo himself has all indications of being a decent man… But also aloof. I suppose that he and I have something in common, when it comes to that."
Akihiko gave a small hum at that, but didn't interrupt.
"Either way, the Kirijo Family eventually separated, started their own business… And began to delve deeper into parts of their research. In fact, Koetsu Kirijo, he-" She hated the way her voice faltered. She wasn't a scared child any longer, cowering at the mention of her grandfather's name, and fearing his attention would be turned towards her. "…He carried some research documents out of the Nanjo Group, after the separation. And decided to pursue them. Of course you're quite familiar with the results of THAT particular venture."
Again, a weariness clung to her; it was a relief, knowing her rooms weren't far off.
"You're not your grandfather. You know that, right?"
"…Perhaps." Mitsuru knew she didn't sound fully convinced; kind as Akihiko's words were, she didn't FEEL convinced, either. And she didn't trust herself to look at him just then, lest she see him as just another tool in her plans. She didn't know which would be worse just then; feeling nothing if she met his eyes, or having that same longing stir inside her chest again. So instead of looking at Akihiko, her hand toyed with the ring around her finger, turning it slowly.
"…But regardless, there are things that must be atoned for. I refuse to let another group make the same mistakes, and let others suffer for those mistakes. So I'll take Nanjo's warning seriously, and-"
"And bring me along when you investigate?" Akihiko pressed. Still refusing to be left behind.
"…Yes. We're together on this. If… If you wish to spend the night, the guest room is still available." Akihiko nodded at that, easily accepting the offer. If nothing else, he was still a teammate; someone she could trust to watch her back.
And nothing would change that. Not the rumors, gossip, or pointed looks from others would break that trust, or betray it. Mitsuru made that promise anew.
She wouldn't let their friendship fall to ruins, the same way the Kirijo Group had destroyed so many other things. Even if that meant burying the strange longing in her heart deep away, and focusing only on their mission together.