She looked herself in the mirror a blissful smile across her face. She watched the young girls running around her franticly.
“You’re like a princess, and you are living your fairytale, Aoyama-san.”
Aoyama Mai laughed at the girl and sat down gently. “I think I’m the farthest thing from a princess but I do think my fairytale was rather interesting.” She smirked as the young girls seemed interested in her words.
“I suppose it should start…Once upon a time…”
A Sorta-Kinda Fairytale
The Empty Princess & the Idiotic Prince
Part One
A girl ran as fast as her legs could take her. She didn’t care that everyone eyed her suspiciously, tears flowing freely down her cheeks. It didn’t matter anymore, nothing did. She collapsed to her knees in the grass, in the park. Sobbing into her hands as her whole body trembled not realizing she had just fallen next to a bench where a woman sat.
“Dear lord…”
The girl looked up and was caught in awe. The woman was beautiful; her dark hair glowed blue in the setting sun. Her dark eyes pierced you with kindness and tenderness. The woman stood, placing her book on the bench and knelt beside the girl. “Oh, dear child, what has brought you to such extremes as crying openly in the park?” The woman gently rubbed her back as the young girl stared to cry harder. Just remembering it was painful.
She walked through the hallways of their overly large house. It was summer vacation so of course she was just getting in from her one part time job, just to get changed for her second. She stopped when she heard her parents talking in her fathers study. She never understood why he needed such a room, if he wasn’t out gambling away their family’s savings he was out with his many mistresses.
“She’s still on the younger side but I hear older men like younger girls.”
She put her hand over her mouth. ‘What are they talking about?’
“She’s a beautiful girl. Many of my acquaintances often say how she’s rather stunning.” She gagged. Her fathers so called ‘acquaintances’ were old, nasty men who had less hair and teeth then a new born baby.
“We could probably get a good price if we offered her off for engagement.” Her mother laughed. “Then we wouldn’t have to have anything to do with her anymore and can live our lives as we use to. Wouldn’t that be nice dear?”
She couldn’t take it anymore, she turned and ran. Ran away from the madness that had taken over her life.
How could she tell this stranger how cruel her parent had been? How she worked more then three jobs in the summer and still held onto two of them during school times? All she could think to say right now was.
“I am losing something I never had...yet it hurts so much.” It was barely above a whisper the woman barely heard it but was taken back by the pain that seemed to wrap around the girls every word.
“Oh sweetie, what is it that you’re losing?”
The girl trembled and whispered through tears. “My freedom…”
·········
That was over a week ago and Oshitari Kaede could not forget the girl she had met in the park. The girl had run away saying something about work before she could ask her name. The way the girl spoke, how hopeless she had sounded had stuck with Kaede. So, she hired someone to find out the girls name. She thought it would be a long tedious task but she was proven wrong. Before her at that very moment was a closed folder. The man she had hired gave it to her just ten minutes ago. He said it held her name, parents name and the little information he could find in such a short time but to Kaede it was enough.
‘Just her name…’ The older women thought. She took a deep breath. Opening the folder her eyes focused on a picture paper clipped to the top right corner. It was the girl, smiling as she stood by some people, at a café which she assumed she worked at. Kaede smiled. The girl was a beauty, she had even noticed it when her face was drowned in tears and frowns but that smile was contagious. There were a few other pictures of her smiling with some classmates and another of her in a flower shop arranging some flowers with a peaceful look on her face. She looked over to the other side where she read over typed words.
“ …” She muttered as she read on.
daughter of Kotaro (father) and Mimiko (mother).
No other siblings.
Kaede looked on reading about the girl; her jobs, her school, her family’s troubles, her parents gambling and money spending. Then she gasps nearly dropping the folder as she covered her mouth.
“Her freedom.” She whispered as she read over the bold lines again.
Parent‘s are interested in giving her hand away.
She knew what that meant but she couldn’t believe it. “This poor girl.”
was basically put up for sale. Rich families and suitors could put a bid for her hand in marriage. There were no restrictions, old, young, mean, nice, nothing mattered if you were willing to pay the right price. Not only that but the girl was only about to enter her second year of high school. From what Kaede had read the girl had no childhood. Since she was old enough she was working to pay off her parent debts or paying for their large home and expensive trips to the card tables. Kaede now completely understood why the girl was in so much pain. She must have been informed of this decision. She thought over what the girl had said.
“I am losing something I never had...yet it hurts so much.” Kaede made up her mind, picking up the phone she quickly dialed a number.
·········
couldn’t believe it. It had only been a month since she heard her parents talk about, ‘giving her hand away’, as they dubbed it. She thought back to the day in the park. The woman that had helped her. The way she had said that everything would work out seemed to calm completely, like the woman knew for sure. She felt bad that she hadn’t even thanked her before running off like she did.
‘Maybe she was wrong.’ thought as she sat in her dress, that showed too much and was cut to low, in a huge home with her parents basically giddy beside her. Apparently a very rich, very powerful, family had asked to meet the family to observe . Her mother had praised that they probably wanted her because she came from a long line of beautiful women. She felt like some sort of animal being sold for breeding. She felt disgusting. She wanted to cry, she wanted to run out of this unfamiliar house and not stop until she collapsed from exhaustion. She was brought out of her plans to run for high land when a man in a black suit entered the room.
“The lady of the house would like to see the young lady alone first.”
panicked. ‘Alone?’
Her parents turned towards her fake loving smiles in place. “Go on dear. Be nice and don’t forget we’re counting on you.” cringed as the man took her arm leading her out of the room.
stood in the middle of a huge room. Fidgeting with her fingers eyes dead set on the ground. ‘I don’t want to be here…I don’t want to be here…’ She held her eyes closed tightly holding back tears. Taking deep breaths she waited.
“Calm down dear.” eyes shot open. She vaguely remembered that voice. It was calm and loving. Standing before her was the woman from the park sweetly smiling at her. couldn’t breathe. Her legs felt weak and she fell to the ground gasping for air. Kaede knelt beside her.
“Calm down sweetie. Breathe…breathe…” finally started to breathe normally and the woman looked at her sadly. “This is the only thing I could figure to do…when I found out.” looked at the women in confusion. “I have a son; he’s a year older then you. At the moment he is on summer vacation and won’t be back for a month. When he returns your engagement will be announced.” didn’t know if she should be happy or sad. “It will be announced as a ‘long term’ engagement. Do you understand so far honey?” nodded.
“Within a weeks time all of your things will be moved here…” looked at the woman. “You will live here and attend the high school my son attends when the year starts…” The woman helped the girl up and sat her on the couch. He motioned for the butler to go get her parents. “Now dear, I know this is all upsetting but don’t think of this as losing to your parents.” The lady smiled and tapped her nose. “Think of it as you first step towards your freedom…”
couldn’t hold the tears back anymore. “Why are you being so nice to me?” Kaede could see the slight fear in her eyes.
“Because you remind me of myself when I was younger, my husband saved me then and now it’s my turn to save you.” She patted the girls head when there was a knock at the door and ’s parents walked in.
·········
It had been a week; all of ’s things were now in a room bigger than her older home. She sat in an office with her parents opposite of the Oshitari’s. Throughout the week Kaede-san, which she insisted being called for now, had taken out to lunch and on two occasions her husband Oshitari Hatori had also been there. At first glance the man was rather scary, he had an aura around him that made him noticed by nearly everyone. But as they spent time together realized he was a strict yet sweet man. Most of the time they would ask about her or talk about their son who, to relief, knew and agreed to this arrangement. Knowing this still didn’t make her any less nervous about meeting the boy.
Hatori slide a paper across the table and began to explain the arrangement to ‘s ‘parents’. “This is a document stating that all legal guardianship, regarding , will be handed to us.” He looked up at the two. “Is that understood?”
The two parents or they so called themselves, nodded and quickly signed the paper. could see the look of disgust on Hatori’s face. This had been his first time meeting them but agreed with his wife when she had said him they had no right to bare children.
He then took back the paper, handing them a copy and their check. “That is all -san. You may leave.” Kotaro and Mimiko stood, not even bidding their daughter farewell and walked out talking about how they would spend their money.
Hatori’s eyes softened as he looked at the girl sulking in her chair. She was more embarrassed by her parents then anything. “-chan?”
She looked up smiling a small smile. “I’m sorry Oshitari-sama. I will try not to cause you or your family any problems.” She lowered her head fringe covering her eyes. He was nice but he still made her nervous.
The older man smiled at her. “I have no doubt that you will do your best, -chan. But please don’t worry; you are no trouble at all.” He smiled again, a small but real smile. “For now I would like to discuss with you some other things.” She looked up curiously. “Your jobs and school.” She nodded he continued. “As far as your jobs, they are no longer needed. So I would like you to call your employers and inform them.” looked at him, eyes wide. She couldn’t remember a time when she didn’t work, what would she do with her time?
“I couldn’t do that Oshitari-sama. I wouldn’t want to become a burden money-wise.”
He sighed; she didn’t understand that money was no longer a problem. “First, sama is a bit much. Second, money is no longer an issue. Third, I’ve been informed of some of your jobs and I would prefer you didn’t work at such places.”
blushed in embarrassment. It wasn’t normal for JR high and high school students to work as bartenders and such, she knew this, but there was no other way to make money. She understood. “Oshitari-san, would it be alright if I kept at least one job…”
He looked at her debating his answer. “Which would you like to keep?”
She blushed again. “I have one on the weekends where I work at a flower shop. The owner there is very nice and I enjoy it.”
He studied her for a moment. “Fine, as long as your school work does not decline.” She beamed and Hatori could see why his wife was so interested in this girl. “Now, schooling…my wife has already informed you that you will be attending Hyoutei when the new term starts, correct?”
nodded biting her bottom lip. She had been told but she was worried about how she would fit in. She had heard that most of those students had been together since before JR high and were all from well-endowed families.
“Don’t worry; Yuushi will be there with you.”
She nodded but she didn’t want to rely on the boy for everything. He hadn’t even met her yet and already she was to be his fiancée.
·········
Two weeks had past. was still very uncomfortable with all the servants and the life style itself but Kaede had made the transition as easy as possible. She had taken her out on shopping sprees, which she made try on and buy things. She had taken her for walks in their gardens and given her many tours of the house. She had showed the enormous library, which nearly brought her to tears, and told her that all the books were for her reading if she wished. She had even sat down and showed her pictures of her son, Oshitari Yuushi. Most were of him with his teammates from tennis.
felt bad. Indeed Yuushi was an extremely handsome and, from when his parents had told her, very smart and talented. For him to be stuck saying he was to marry someone as simple as her would probably bring him down in his social circle. Sure, everyone around her seemed to tell her how she was beautiful, even Kaede had beamed that her daughter-in-law was the prettiest one she’d ever seen. But even now as stared at herself in the mirror she only saw the simple girl she saw every time. She didn’t even feel she did justice to the beautiful sun dress Kaede had suggested she wear today.
She swayed in the red and white dress, smiling as the dress flowed back and forth. She sighed, fixing the ribbon she had put in her hair as a headband. ‘I think I’ll go for a walk.’ She nodded to herself and set off to her destination.
·········
“Married?” Mukahi Gakuto gaped at his friend. “You’re getting married?” Oshitari Yuushi just sighed.
“Engaged.” He corrected hitting the tennis ball back over the net.
“To who!” Gakuto yelled flipping through the air returning it.
“A girl my mother has picked. I haven’t met her yet. Mother said her name was…” He scratched his chin as if he wasn’t sure. “.”
“Ar~n Interesting. We all knew you were a mother’s boy, Yuushi, but don’t you think this is a bit much.” Atobe Keigo asked as he took a sip of his fruity drink.
Yuushi just shrugged. “It’s not like I was seeing anyone anyway. Plus, they told me that if I really didn’t like it after time they would allow me to break it.” Yuushi stopped returning the ball and sat by Atobe. “Mother says she will be staying with us regardless and that I had better show her the utmost courtesy when I return.”
Atobe raised an eyebrow. “Seems your being replaced Yuushi.” He laughed picturing many variations of Yuushi’s future wife, none were too good. “Well, we return tomorrow, shall we all have dinner at the Oshitari’s home?”
Atobe smirked looking over at Yuushi who merely shrugged. “If you want…”
Yuushi was now debating if that was such a good idea as he and his teammates pulled up to his home. Kaede ran out to her son hugging him tightly.
“Yuushi, you’ve been gone too long!” She turned her attention to the other seven boys. “Welcome, do come inside dinner will be ready later you all know where everything is help yourself.” She took her son’s arm and led him up the stairs, followed by the other boys.
sat in the garden blissfully unaware of what was happened on the other side of the house. She leaned back on her hands legs tucked to her side. She sat on a small piece of cement surrounded by all kinds of blooming flowers. As her long hair blowing lightly in the wind she smiled. She had never felt so peaceful in her life. Closing her eyes, taking a deep breath, she smelled the scents of the flowers around her.
Yuushi stood beside his mother staring. His mother had said she was going to introduce him to, , the girl he was to engage. When they had turned the corner they had stopped and he spotted her. She was so engulfed in her own state of mind she failed to notice them. The flowers around here did her no justice, Yuushi decided, she was beautiful. She looked like an angel or a forest nymph appreciating her surroundings. Suddenly his teammates turned the corner to follow him talking loudly. snapped out of her world and quickly turned towards the noise.
Noticing Kaede and her son standing not to far away staring at her. She also recognized the other boys she had seen in numerous pictures. She blushed, wondering how long they had been there. She quickly stood, nearly falling but regaining her balance.
Kaede smiled. “Take your time -chan.” The girl smiled back and hopped through the small field of flowers, careful not to step on any making her way to the group. Yuushi let go of a breath he didn’t know he held noticing that as she got closer she only looked more and more beautiful.
“Kaede-san, I’m sorry I didn’t notice you. Forgive me for being rude.” She bowed lightly blush still tinting her cheeks.
“Don’t worry dear.” She turned to her son. “-chan this is Yuushi, Yuushi this is -chan.”
blushed more, smiled and bowed. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Your mother talks about you nonstop.” It was Kaede turn to giggle and blush slightly.
Yuushi took her hand and kissed it lightly. “The pleasure is mine, -chan. My mother has also mentioned you quite often in her phone calls. Yet in all the things she mentioned she failed to mention your beauty.”
’s blush was full blown now. Not only was he flattering her but his deep Kansai accent gave him a husky, sexy tone. She was pulled from her thoughts when she heard someone cough beside him.
“Ar~n. It’s rude to not introduce your companion Yuushi…” looked over at the very handsome boy.
“Ah!” They were all taken back as she took her hand from Yuushi and happily turned towards the group of boys. “I am ; it’s a pleasure to meet you all.” She bowed lightly.
“-chan has seen some of your pictures from nationals and such.” Kaede answered making the girl blush again.
“Hai, I’m told you are all amazing tennis players but…” She blushed looking down hands behind her back. “I don’t remember which names go to which faces, gomen.” She twisted her foot nervously until she heard a soft chuckle.
She looked up seeing a red haired boy smiling at her. “She’s a cute one Yuushi.” She blushed again and he laughed harder.
‘She is isn’t she?’ Yuushi thought looking over the girl again smirking.
·········
Dinner was pleasant enough. They had asked numerous questioned and she gave typical answers. She sweetly smiled, giggled and blushed on queue. The boys and Kaede talked about things that she knew nothing about but she listened intently. Every now and then would feel the gaze of Atobe Keigo. She would get extremely uncomfortable and end up shifting in her chair. She could feel his smirk grow every time she did. In the end brushing it off as him scrutinizing his friend’s fiancée.
After dinner they had decided to have tea in one of the sitting rooms. Where they talked about the up coming year. All of the boys seem willing to help in anyway when they learnt of her enrollment at their school. ’s head began to hurt and she excused herself to get some air. Yuushi had stood saying he would accompany her but she quickly declined saying it was no problem and he should enjoy time with his friends. Which was true but she also needed sometime to think to herself. When was halfway down the hallway she remembered she left her jacket in the room and turned back to get it. As she neared the room she came to a halt when she heard the boys talking.
‘Why do I always feel like I’m snooping?’ The girl thought as she remembered the same situation she was in with her parents. Then something caught her attention.
“So, what do you think of her?” She recognized that voice as Atobe’s. She bit her lip; did she want to hear this answer? She didn’t hear Yuushi answer but Atobe continued. “She very beautiful.” He said matter-of-factly.
“She is.” Yuushi said in his deep husky voice.
“And she’s super sweet!” Gakuto admitted.
“She is.” Yuushi answered again then sighed. “She the picture of perfection.” winced at the tone of his voice, looking down Yuushi went on. “Yet, she seems…” Yuushi rubbed his chin trying to think of how to put this into words. “It’s like she’s empty. Like all of those girls programmed to please everyone all the time.” Yuushi took a deep breath. “It’s a pity…” smiled bitterly to herself as she walked away. She didn’t need to hear anymore nor did she want too.
She walked around the garden in the moonlight shivering lightly in the cold breeze. He was right. She didn’t have a personality. She wondered when she had lost it. She was always a cheerful, happy girl even though her life was rough. She found happiness in all her situations. She had had friends at school and she was a smart ass when she wanted to be. She was never a push over, unless it came from her parents. So when did she turn into this empty body.
Gakuto looked out the window his eyes turned towards a figure that walked into his view. “Ne, isn’t that -chan?” The others looked out the window.
Again Yuushi was brought into a trance. The moonlight made her paler skin and dark hair shine. Once again he was comparing her to some sort of mythological creature surrounded by her natural element.
“She looks so sad…” Ootori commented bringing Yuushi out of his trance. Unknown the entire time that Atobe was caught in the same trance as well.
sighed sitting on the bench by the small pond. Tears built up in her eyes again. It was then, when her parents started to ‘school’ her in how to impress her suitors. She was already broken from hearing the news that she didn’t even notice till now. They had erased all that she was and replaced her with this. She looked down, bangs covering her eyes, letting the tears fall from her eyes. Even though she knew the problem she didn’t know how to fix it.
“Ah, she’s crying…” muttered Shishido. All eyes just watched not knowing what to do.
·········
‘I so don’t belong here.’ looked over herself in the mirror again. It was a little after she had met Yuushi and today was their engagement party. She looked like a princess. Sleeveless dress with light pink at the top, the color twisting around her body and fading into white at the bottom. A pink gemmed neck lace around her neck with earrings to match. Her hair was curled and pulled up, loose curls falling in the back. She had decided against the long gloves, wearing a simple bracelet that matched the necklace and earrings. She fidgeted, tapping her freshly manicured nails together and biting her bottom lip, as she looked herself over in the mirror once more. There was a knock at the door and it opened slightly.
“, may I come in?” She took a deep breath.
“Of course, Yuushi-kun.” Yuushi opened the door and nearly drooled.
“You look very beautiful, .” She blushed and mumbled a thank you. He smirked. “Nervous?” She nodded still looking down. He went over and took her hand, lacing it in his arm. “It will be okay. Don’t worry.” He patted her hand as they walked out of the room towards the hall.
“You look very handsome as well, Yuushi-kun.” She whispered. He held his hand over hers as they stood behind the curtain at the top of the steps.
“Ready?”
She nodded. “As I’ll ever be, I suppose.” He nodded to a person to his other side.
“It is my honor to announce the reason for us all gathered here on this beautiful night.” The curtain raised as held her breath. “Oshitari Yuushi and his beautiful fiancée .” The hall erupted in cheerful applause.
Yuushi smiled and leaned down. “Breathe, . I can’t have my fiancée passing out.”
She blushed and took a deep breath. ‘Here goes nothing.’
·········
The night was almost over and couldn’t wait. She gracefully sat in a chair to the side of the hall taking a few deep breaths. She had been introduced and shown off to hundreds of people. Her cheeks hurt from smiling and her feet were killing her. She slipped off one heel and laid her foot on the cold tiled floor.
“You’re doing well.” Her head snapped up spotting Atobe standing not to far away. “And you look absolutely stunning.” He walked closer to her smirking.
“Ah, thank you Atobe-san.” She slipped her heel back on and stood making sure everything was in order.
Atobe offered his arm. “It would be rude of Ore-sama to allow the lady of the evening to walk back into the hall alone.” She smiled and took his arm.
·········
sat in her room on her bed after the party. Her dress draped over a chair she stared at it. A few of Yuushi’s friends were going out afterwards and had insisted she go. She was actually quite tired but it seemed like fun. However, one look at Yuushi she quickly declined the offer and right now she was very confused. He had been very friendly before the party and for the majority but then suddenly it was as if he wanted nothing to do with her. She knew that he being in love with her would be a ridiculous request, plus she didn’t love him either, but she had thought they had at least started a friendship. Did she do something to anger him? Or perhaps it was all an act and he got fed up with playing. She huffed, thinking too much was starting to confuse her even more. She crawled into bed hoping a good night’s sleep would help.
Yuushi sat at the table, next to some random beautiful girl, surrounded by some of his friends. His mind wasn’t on the girl next to him that was trying to get his attention. It was on this evening and the night before. During this past week it was true that he and had spent a lot of time together, usually with his friends. It was also true that the girl seemed to be opening up, she wasn’t as so ‘programmed’ but she still had a ways to go. He didn’t love the girl or anything but he did enjoy some of their talks they had when alone and the silly things she did. A silly grin appeared on his face.
‘Like when she nearly chews her lip off when she was thinking or confused. Or when she was nervous, she‘d rattle off pointless facts.’ His grin soon turned into a frown. Now to what was now bothering him. ‘Atobe…’ he thought. Yuushi lightly tapped his fingers on the table.
One day last week a few of his friends had stopped by and Atobe was among them. During their time there Atobe had managed to drag a beautiful smile out of . One Yuushi had yet to see and it annoyed him. was his fiancée even if there was no love she should at least act as a fiancée should. Even at their engagement seemed to disappear only to reappear attached to Atobe’s arm. Not only that but Atobe had made the comment that was a very interesting girl, many times.
‘When does Atobe find any commoner interesting?’ Yuushi’s thoughts were cut short when the man he had been thinking about appeared in front of him, arms crossed. “May I help you Atobe?” Yuushi asked in his normal husky, calm voice.
“Ar~n Ore-sama was just wondering if you should be in such…” His eyes turned to the sluttish girl that basically sat on Yuushi’s right leg. “…company seeing as not only are you engaged but your engagement party was no more then a few hours ago?”
Yuushi wrapped his arm around the tramp beside him, Atobe was not amused.
“Regardless of how the marriage came up, Yuushi, this is not the behavior you should so openly conduct.” Before Yuushi could rebut Atobe smirked, leaning over putting his mouth right next to Yuushi’s ear, so only he could hear him. “And by all means if you don’t fancy , Ore-sama would gladly entertain her while you entertain your…guest.” Atobe laughed lightly and left the slightly stunned, even more angered, boy.
·········
‘This damn mirror again.’ thought as she looked herself over one more. It was her first day of school and saying she was nervous was an understatement. She was petrified. She shook her head grabbed her bag and headed for the front door. She was stopped by Kaede.
“Oh, you look adorable -chan. The cars waiting for you out front, Yuushi had practice today so he has already gone ahead. Have a great day dear.” She kissed her cheek and sent her on her way.
Now here she stood in front of her classroom door. ‘Just open the door…open the door …’ She took a deep breath and opened the door. There weren’t many in the class but all eyes turned to her, she could feel her cheeks heating up.
“-chan?”
She turned to come face to face with a shirt, eyes traveling upwards her face lit up. “Ootori-san!”
He smiled at her. “This is your class too? That’s great!” He put his hand on her shoulder and led her into the room.
She was so relieved she could of cried right there on the spot. Throughout the day Ootori had been nothing but kind to her and he had to admit he enjoyed being in her company. Even though the day seemed to be going well wasn’t blind, she felt the glares sent her way by her classmates and others in the hall. She wasn’t quite sure why they were looking at her in such ways, so she did the only thing she could think of, she asked Ootori.
“Anou, Ootori-san can I ask you something?” He looked down at his smaller classmate as they made their way to lunch.
“Choutarou is fine -chan and sure ask away I’ll answer what I can.”
She blushed slightly. “Well…I was just wondering why it seems like everyone is trying to throw daggers at me…with their eyes.”
Choutarou half smiled. “The girls right?” She nodded slowly. “Well, two reasons probably. I’ll have to apologize for half of it. Seems the tennis regulars have their own fan club. Half of those glares are because we have been together most of the day.”
She nodded in understanding. “I’m assuming the other half is because of Yuushi-kun.”
He nodded opening another door for her. “Sorry, -chan.”
She smiled up at him. “It’s no problem just was wondering if I did something wrong. There’s nothing either of us can do about it, even if it is a silly reason.”
As she walked into the cafeteria stood before a table filled with, the very problem she was trying to solve, the tennis regulars. They all bid her a warm welcoming and Atobe pulled her to sit beside him.
‘Great, from what Choutarou told me, the glares will only be worse.’ She looked down playing with the hem of her skirt.
“Aren’t you going to eat?” looked over at Yuushi who slightly glared at her.
“A…I…Well…” She shook her head clearing her thoughts. “No, I never usually eat during lunch hours.” He simply shrugged his shoulders and went back to his own lunch.
didn’t know what to do; she was terrified of Yuushi now. It seems she had done something to horribly upset him because ever since their engagement party he had been nothing but cold to her. When she had first met him she felt comfortable with him instantly, now she couldn’t even look him in the eye for long periods of time. If they even spent more then ten seconds together that is. She didn’t know what she had done so she had no way to fix it and he wasn’t making it easy for her to ask.
Atobe frowned as he watched the wave of emotions on his juniors face. “-chan, you say you don’t usually eat but are you hungry?”
was taken back by the question. Why was Atobe always so nice to her? She had heard stories about the famous Atobe Keigo and none of them included tenderness.
“Ah, no but thank you for asking, Atobe-san.” He nodded and continued the normal conversation with his teammates.
To be continued…
©Wanna.Be