Chapter 4-Name

Chapter 4-Name

"How did you get it?!" I demanded, my voice filled with a mix of shock and anger. My mother's gaze softened, a flicker of remorse dancing in her eyes. She took a moment to collect herself before responding, her voice tinged with a hint of pride. "The, photo was taken by the family Butler.”

"You can't spy on me!" I exclaimed, my fury boiling over. "No!! Hell boy, I sure can," my mother retorted, her voice even louder and filled with a fit of fiery anger that surpassed my own. "Now, let's get back to the topic of the photo. I took a deep breath, trying to regain my composure. It seemed there was no escaping this discussion. Reluctantly, I turned my attention back to the picture my mother had thrown at me.

"I was at Asahi's dad's café, seeking some peace and quiet when out of nowhere, this girl named Rika Oyama intruded into my booth. She began talking in an eccentric manner, with a disregard for social norms and boundaries. As if that wasn't enough, she proceeded to pour an excessive amount of sugar into her milk coffee, completely ruining the purity of the beverage. It annoyed me to no end, and I felt compelled to leave the café, seeking refuge from her disruptive presence. And that is it.” I said peeling my guts out.

“Listen, kid!!” My mother screamed at me. “Frist of all, the girl’s name is not, Rika Oyama, but is Aya Masuri, the girl that you are supposed to be engaged.” She said, with an alarming tone, “Secondly, I appreciate your desire for the perfect coffee, but I would love it if you took it a level down.” I stood there frozen, my mother's words ringing in my ears. Aya Masuri? “Why? Someone would pretend to be someone.” I asked with a question as well as a puzzled face.

“Don’t you think you are asking the wrong person?” My mother replied in her dignified tone. My mother's response caught me off guard. She spoke with a calmness that contrasted sharply with the intensity of the situation. It made me pause and reconsider my previous assumptions.

"What do you mean, Mother?" I asked, my voice filled with confusion.

She looked at me, her eyes filled with a mix of wisdom and compassion. "Yuuki, my dear, I understand that this situation is overwhelming for you. But sometimes, life takes us on unexpected paths just like chance encounters, I have arranged a meeting with the Masuri family to discuss the future." My mother said as coldly as ever.

My mother's no-nonsense tone snapped me out of my thoughts. There was no time for hesitation or dwelling on the past. With a sense of urgency, I nodded in acknowledgement and quickly moved to gather myself. “Let’s go, move on. The meeting is in 15 minutes get ready in 2 mins and meet me at the entrance gate in 5mins do it quickly or I will leave you.”

As I dashed back to my room, my mind consumed with the impending meeting, I collided with Misaki, my younger sister. She stood there, an expression of surprise and confusion etched on her face. She had been trying to get my attention, to speak to me about something important, but in my haste, I hadn't even registered her presence.

"Misaki, I'm sorry," I blurted out, barely pausing as I continued towards my room. "I can't talk right now. I'm running late for the meeting."

Misaki's voice trailed after me, a mixture of disappointment and frustration evident in her words. "Yuuki, it's important. Can't you spare a moment?"

But I couldn't spare a moment, not now. The weight of my responsibilities weighed heavily upon me, and the thought of any delay or distraction only added to my anxiety. I needed to prepare myself mentally and emotionally for what lay ahead.

Reaching my room, I closed the door behind me, shutting out the outside world. It was in this momentary respite that I took a deep breath, allowing myself a brief moment of solitude. I glanced at my reflection in the mirror, observing the determination etched upon my face.

Standing in front of my wardrobe, I contemplated what attire would be most appropriate for the upcoming meeting. The weight of my mother's words bore down on me, and I knew that the image I projected would play a crucial role in shaping the outcome of this encounter.

I scanned through the neatly arranged clothes, each holding a different impression. Among them, my gaze lingered on two specific choices: the classic Haori and Hakama, and the modern tailcoat and sleeve coat.

After a moment's consideration, I chose my navy-blue tailcoat, to add I drew my crisp white shirt and a deep red tie. The ensemble exuded a sense of elegance and authority. As I stood in front of the mirror, I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering frustration from the encounter at the café. The taunt about my coffee preferences had hit a nerve, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of anger. I clenched my fists, determined to change my expression. With a quick motion, I buttoned up my shirt, one by one, the cool fabric soothing my skin. As I straightened my collar, I reminded myself that my petty taunt reaction shouldn't affect me.

“Time to Die,” I said to myself. Misaki, for some reason, was waiting outside my room. “Then go and die.” Misaki taunted me. I glanced at Misaki, her words laced with a mixture of annoyance and amusement. “Once, you die,” I said to her, taunting her back.

"Yuuki!" My mother's voice rang out, piercing the air and jolting me from my thoughts. Panic surged through me as I realized she was waiting for me in the parking lot. "Shit, she's going to kill me," I muttered under my breath. "You better hurry," Misaki called out, her voice a mix of frustration and concern. Without wasting another moment, I hurried towards the parking lot, my heart pounding in my chest.