It’s Not Like I’m Gonna Marry Her

“So, after the war ended, it was decided that our country had to pay for its sins,” the male teacher began, his voice steady. “The other nations involved in the war held our country responsible for the conflict’s outbreak. Whether our ancestors agreed or not, they were forced to build the Grand Wall. That was over thirty years ago, and even now, the wall still stands, separating us from the East. But you all know this, right?”

With expectant eyes, the teacher looked at his class in anticipation, waiting for someone to respond. However, nobody seemed inclined to answer the question.

Kousei Satou stared out of the window, his eyes following a small bird flying by. Of course he knew everything about the Grand Wall. After all, he was in his final year of school, so it would be embarrassing if he didn’t.

Bored by this insignificant history lesson, he sneaked a glance at Hayato, who was furiously scribbling on the desk next to Kousei. It didn’t take a master detective to figure out he wasn’t paying particular attention to class either.

But Kousei knew why they had to revisit the entire history of the Grand Wall. Today was a special day after all. And for the first time in his life, he would be involved in it.

The teacher drooped his shoulders, although he obviously expected such low participation in today’s class.

“Alright, I know you’re all tired of hearing about this every year. But our school regulations demand us to cover the history of our country’s separation today. I’ll try to make it quick, okay?”

Although he appeared more than a little desperate, there was still no reply. A student in the back sneezed, and a couple of boys started laughing.

“Guess that’s a yes,” the teacher said with a dry chuckle. “Anyways, shortly after the wall was built, there were large protests. Of course, people hoped that one day we could live in harmony again, without a wall separating us. But as time passed, both sides of the wall seemed to develop their own distinct identities, and the calls for reunification grew fainter. Still, despite being divided into two autonomous and independent states, the ministers from the West and East meet exactly once a year to reaffirm our...inseparable bond. And of course, today happens to be that day.”

Kousei arched his brows, knowing full well there was one part in the teacher’s explanations that was a lie. Everyone knew. In fact, the teacher himself knew as well, but he was obviously instructed to say those precise words.

“The ministers always meet in the Central Hall near the Grand Wall. Because of the meeting’s high prestige and importance, almost nobody is allowed in. Well, except for one special person, am I right, Satou?”

The teacher looked over at Kousei, and multiple of his classmates turned around to face him as well. A light murmur escaped their mouths. Kousei, however, could only sigh at this sudden development.

“We’re very interested to hear about it after the weekend, Satou.” He clasped his hands together almost theatrically, then continued. “Anyways, I’ll let you guys go home a bit earlier than usual. Just don’t tell the principal about it.”

Hearing these words, Kousei packed the book in his bag and hurried out of the classroom with lightning speed. He had promised his dad to assist him with the preparations for tonight, after all.

But before he could reach the entrance of the school building, an agitated voice called after him.

“Oi Kousei, where do you think you’re going without saying goodbye?”

Turning around, he noticed the owner of that shout gasping for air.

“Oh, Hayato. Sorry about that, but I need to be home as soon as possible today.”

“You need to be handsome for today’s event, huh? Guess you’re more interested in the Watanabe daughters than you care to admit.” Hayato’s face showed off a mischievous smirk as he lightly poked his friend’s side.

Apparently he’d taken Kousei’s apology as an invitation to walk by his side. Kousei tried to shake him off by quickening his pace, but this was no problem for an athletic person like Hayato. In the end, they left the schoolyard in the blink of an eye. From an outsider’s perspective, they probably looked like two young lovers trying to vanish from everyone’s sight to enjoy a romantic date.

“Geez, you’re persistent today. But no, I have to help my father with all sorts of desserts. Besides, isn’t the older daughter way above our age? And nobody in the West even knows what the younger one looks like.”

“I’ve seen so many rumours about her on the internet though. They say she’s even more beautiful than her sister. Can you believe that?”

Hayato started to daydream, visualising the young princess in front of him. Kousei didn’t know on what kind of websites he had found that information, but it was probably best not to ask.

“Is that so?” he replied nonchalantly.

Even so, there was no way it was more than an unfounded rumour. The West and East were completely sealed off from one another, with virtually no information making it to the other side. The East even had a fully independent internet network – one that was entirely inaccessible from the outside. So unless the princess left the East, nobody could know anything about her.

“Yes, she must truly be a model if that’s true. Kousei, man, do you know how many boys envy you for the position you’re in? Being among the first ones to see her… She’s probably also going to wear the prettiest dress the East can afford and–”

“Hey, hey, Earth to Hayato. Can you get your mind out of the gutter for one single second? It’s not like I’m gonna marry her or anything. You know that my dad will just provide the dessert buffet for the ministers, and he allowed me and my sister to help him. Nothing sexual. Just dessert. You got it?”

Kousei’s eyes settled on Hayato with a dreadful intensity. Was it really so hard to understand that he wasn’t going there to pick up girls?

“Well, they say dessert goes straight to the heart, so I’m sure you can seduce her with some cake…”

“I swear I’m gonna punch you one of these days.”

Thankfully for Kousei, they arrived in front of his father’s pastry shop after he said that. He was truly getting tired of Hayato’s constant bugging.

“Well, guess we’re here. I’ll see you next week then.”

“Right, have fun tonight. And greet your sister for me,” Hayato said with a wide grin before disappearing into the distance.

Silently shaking his head, Kousei opened the door.

“Dad? Mom? I’m here.”

“Kousei, about time. We really need all the help we can get here.”

His father, Satoshi Satou, stood in front of him in full chef attire. A fully white coat with his name written on it, an apron, and, of course, a large toque on his head.

“Right, sorry. I’ll get changed right away. Is Mom not here yet?”

“Oh, she’s upstairs. Preparing your uniform or something,” his father replied hastily while already working on the desserts again.

Kousei and his family lived in a two-story house, with their rooms being on the second floor, while they maintained the pastry on the first floor. Even though it was remarkably convenient to have the workplace right below his bedroom, Satoshi regularly managed to be late due to his ability to oversleep. It was a regular occurrence for his kids to wake him up, reminding him it was time to open the shop.

Having changed into his chef uniform, Kousei started to lend his father a hand.

“By the way, where’s Yuuna?”

“Howdy-doooo!”

His sister’s head peeked out from behind a layer cake, her face smeared with stains of chocolate and cream. Despite being the older of the two, she had always been way more of a klutz than her brother.