Prelude- Yuuki

Prelude- Sword and Love

In a world where steel clashed and hearts yearned, where ancient traditions mingled with the rhythm of modern life, the tale of "Sword and Love" begins. A gentle breeze whispered through the city streets, carrying with it the scent of adventure and the promise of destiny. It was a place where swords gleamed under the neon lights, and where the clash of blades resonated with the beats of young hearts.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of the present world, our story unfolds, guided by the whims of fate and the power of chance encounters. In the heart of this bustling metropolis, a young soul's path took an unexpected turn when his eyes meet the glares of his future wife.

I am Yuuki Yato, the second heir to the Yato School of Swordsmanship. Today most probably will mark a momentous occasion that will forever change the course of my life. About 15 minutes ago my younger cousin arrived in my room knocking on my door like a crazy old man

"Onii-San, Onii-San, Onii-San. Open the door," my younger cousin, Riko, persisted, his voice grating on my ears like the screeching of nails against a chalkboard. Irritation seeped into my veins as his incessant pounding on the door reverberated through the wooden panels.

Reluctantly, I approached the door, my hand grasping the handle tightly. The door creaked open, revealing Riko's mischievous face, a mischievousness that seemed to be his trademark. I struggled to hide my exasperation as I peered down at him.

"What's going on, Riko?" I questioned in a tone laced with weariness, barely recognizing the boy before me. "Did something happen? What did Misaki do this time?" I blurted out, my frustration palpable as I raised my voice, hoping to drown out his incessant pestering.

Riko's eyes widened, taken aback by the sudden outburst. His lower lip trembled, betraying his guilt as he fidgeted before me. I could almost feel a headache forming at the mere thought of the mischief he and Misaki, my troublemaking younger sister, could have concocted.

"N-nothing, Onii-San," Riko stammered, his voice barely a whisper. "Your mother is calling you and waiting for you in the meeting area," he continued, his words stumbling out of his mouth in a clumsy manner. I raised an eyebrow, surprised by this unexpected turn of events.

"Seriously," I muttered under my breath, a tinge of disappointment painting my expression. My mind raced, contemplating the reason behind my mother's calling.

"Do you mind if I use your laptop?" Riko said in his usual stammered voice, his request barely audible. I glanced at him, his words barely registering in my mind. A wave of indifference washed over me as I replied nonchalantly, "Go ahead, use it."

Truth be told, I hardly paid attention to Riko's words. My mind was preoccupied with my concerns, and his requests often fell on deaf ears. As the older sibling, I sometimes failed to acknowledge his presence or the significance of his needs.

Riko's eyes widened in surprise, not accustomed to such a casual response from me. I turned away, my attention already drifting elsewhere. In the grand scheme of things, his request held little importance to me at that moment.

As Riko timidly approached my laptop, I immersed myself in my thoughts, dismissing his presence entirely. My mind wandered, detached from the world around me, oblivious to the impact my indifference might have on my cousin.

With an arched back, I made my way through the engawa, the wooden corridor connecting the outer garden to the meeting hall. The soft patter of my footsteps resonated against the polished wooden floor, the sound blending harmoniously with the gentle rustling of the wind.

As I moved forward, the slanting rays of the setting sun cast a warm glow upon the engawa, creating intricate patterns of light and shadow. The delicate scent of cherry blossoms wafted through the air, infusing my surroundings with a subtle fragrance that evoked a sense of tranquillity.

The engawa, with its sliding doors and open design, served as a transitional space between the tranquillity of nature and the formality of the meeting hall. The transition from the serene garden to the hallowed meeting area mirrored the shift in atmosphere and purpose, as if crossing this threshold was akin to stepping into a different realm.

As I approached the meeting hall, a surge of anticipation coursed through my veins. The grandeur of the occasion was not lost on me, for within those walls, the destiny of our lineage would be shaped. However, my thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the familiar voice of my younger sister, Misaki, drifting towards me from the meeting hall.

"Hey, Lazy butt," Misaki called out, her voice carrying a mischievous edge. I turned to face her, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. There was a glimmer of challenge in her eyes, an unspoken dare that seemed to dance between us.

I couldn't help but chuckle at her audacity, despite the seriousness of the impending gathering. "Talk to me like that," I retorted with a hint of amusement, "once you are able to beat me." The words spilt forth, laced with sibling rivalry and the unspoken bond that only we shared.

Without wasting a single drop of my energy, I made a swift decision to separate myself from Misaki and continue on my path towards the meeting room. As the second heir of our lineage, it was my responsibility to fulfil my duties promptly and show my utmost respect for our family and traditions.

Leaving Misaki behind, I strode purposefully towards the meeting room where my mother, the matriarch of our family, awaited my presence. The thought of her patiently waiting for me stirred a mix of emotions within me — a blend of admiration, respect, and a touch of apprehension.

The sliding doors to the meeting room stood tall and imposing, a symbolic gateway into the realm of family discussions and important decisions. With a steady hand, I gently pushed the doors open, allowing them to slide gracefully along their tracks, revealing the scene that lay within.

At the centre of the room sat my mother, radiating an aura of wisdom and authority. Her presence commanded attention, her posture displaying a sense of dignity and grace that only a true matriarch could possess. The room itself seemed to acknowledge her presence, the air filled with an atmosphere of reverence and importance.