Chapter 8- Meeting

Chapter 8- Meeting

The room fell into an abrupt silence, as all eyes turned towards Aya. Her fiery expression and forceful tone demanded immediate action, urging everyone to set aside any distractions and refocus their energy on the matter at hand.

"Fine!" Aya's mother declared, seizing control of the situation with an authoritative yet informal tone that resonated throughout the room. Her words carried a hint of frustration, a signal that it was time to move forward despite any lingering tensions. “You could turn it down a bit.” Aya retorted with a low tone. “

I leaned in close to my mother, my voice barely above a whisper. "This is why I don't want to marry her," I confided, the words laced with frustration and exasperation. It was a plea for understanding. In response, my mother's face tightened, and she shot me a sharp glance. Her own voice mirrored my whispered tone as she uttered a curt reply. "Shut up!" Her words were firm, an indication that she did not want me to voice my objections any further.

“So, Yuuki. Would agree to marry Aya.” Aya's father looked at me expectantly, awaiting my response. My mother, with her eyes filled with a mixture of anticipation and horror, concealed all of it behind her smile, with her dreadful aura leaking outside her. Taking a deep breath, I mustered my courage, thinking of a way to leave this meeting. "Setting aside her questionable taste in coffee and her sometimes difficult demeanour, I acknowledge that Aya possesses qualities that make her a suitable candidate for marriage," I stated, my tone low and calculated. It was important for me to present my thoughts in a diplomatic manner, to throw the meeting off. "As the second heir to the Yato family, I bear the responsibility of carrying forward our bloodline." I continued, my voice rising in both determination and frustration, "But as a 16-year-old teenager, I want the freedom to explore and find love on my own terms!" The words burst forth from within me, fuelled by a strong desire to leave this meeting.

"Yuuki!" My mother's voice pierced through the air, sharp and filled with her dreadful aura. Her eyes bore into mine with a mix of disappointment and anger, causing a knot to form in the pit of my stomach. "No... no, I can't..." I stammered purposely, my words trailing off as a politician.

I cleared my throat and straightened my posture, assuming the most academically composed demeanour I could muster. "Allow me to express my thoughts with a scholarly perspective," I began, my tone measured and deliberate. "While I acknowledge the importance of our family's honour and legacy, I firmly believe that personal happiness and fulfilment should not be sacrificed in the pursuit of tradition."

I took a small gap in between trying to draw in more attention, “Now, Rukio-San, would you marry Aya to someone whom she doesn’t want to get married to.” Aya and her parents had already fallen. The room fell into silence as everyone turned their attention to Aya's father. His face displayed a mix of conflicting emotions, caught between his parental instincts and the weight of tradition. After a brief pause, Aya’s father took a deep breath and spoke with a hint of vulnerability in his voice. "No, I would never want Aya to enter into a marriage without her consent and happiness. As a father, it is my duty to support her choices and ensure her well-being."

Aya's mother nodded in agreement, a subtle smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "You have always been a compassionate father, Rukio," she said softly. "Let us respect our children's desires and allow them the freedom to find their own path. What do you say, Hisa"

"Huh?" My mother said, her voice filled with shock. "How did you manage to pull this?" She leaned in closer and whispered in my ear. "It's something that I learned from my father," I replied softly. "He taught me the importance of lying in a way that benefits both parties, unlike you" My mother's eyes widened, a mix of surprise and pride shining in them. “You and that person, are the same," she said, her voice filled with admiration.

"Father..." Aya's voice interrupted, trembling with a mix of urgency and vulnerability. "Father... I have fallen in love with Yuuki." At the next moment, she turned towards me, her eyes brimming with hope and uncertainty. "Yuuki, will you marry me? I may not be perfect, but I promise too always be there for you. Please take care of me."

A wave of emotions washed over me, as her words hung in the air. her emotions laid bare before us. The weight of her confession settled upon me, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. “Huh?”