Chapter Text
Sitting across from her parents, Ririka’s anxiety only worsened. The uncomfortable silence didn’t help at all.
Her mother took a sip of her tea before finally beginning to speak, “I assume you’ve been preparing for your flight?” She asked.
“Yes, mother,” Ririka replied, trying hard not to show any signs of emotion. Emotions were a sign of weakness, she had to remember that around her parents.
Her mother nodded slowly, looking over at her father.
“We’ve informed each member of the clan about your marriage. It’s been officialized,” She informed, crossing her legs.
It took every bit of strength in Ririka to not widen her eyes. She bit back a shocked scream. “Wasn’t it already?”
“We’ve got a date and have begun preparing for the real wedding. Every member of the clan is to attend for publicity. You are going to move in with him in three days, and get married in two months once you’ve turned eighteen,” Her mother explained.
“I…” Ririka choked back a sob. Every small, naive thought of hope she had was just crushed in that instant. She felt like a bird with an injured wing, trying and failing to fly away while people watched from a distance.
“Where is your mask?” Her father asked sternly once he noticed her face reddening.
“I forgot it at home. I’m sorry,” She apologized, folding her hands together in an attempt at calming herself.
“If you’re going to show emotion so easily, you should be wearing it. Next time you come over, I expect you to have it. Do you understand?” He harshly demanded.
“Yes. Yes, I do.” She blinked the tears back and looked back up at her parents, meeting their harsh gazes.
“We’ve prepared a room for you to sleep in tonight. We expect you to attend breakfast tomorrow. Are we clear?” Her mother commanded her.
Sleeping here? Breakfast? Ririka’s heart began to beat faster and faster by the second. Could she really do that again after all these years? Would she even be able to fall asleep?
It became harder and harder to breathe normally. Was her throat closing in on itself?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a harsh voice. “I asked you if we were clear!” Her mother screamed at her.
“Yes,” Ririka answered, a bit too quietly. If she spoke any louder, she was afraid her voice would break like shattered glass.
“Excellent. One of our maids will bring you to your room.” She beckoned someone over and had Ririka follow her.
They must have hired different staff while Ririka and Kirari were away because Ririka barely recognized anybody.
Each step she took, each place she looked, they all reminded her of horrible memories from her childhood.
Her hands trembled at her sides.
The door to her room for the night opened, and she paused, not even being able to walk in. She stared straight ahead, her eyes not able to look anywhere else.
This was Kirari and her old bedroom.
Not much had changed since they slept here. She remembered ignoring her sister as she rambled on and on, trying to get Ririka to talk to her.
It was no use, she never would have anyway.
She barely said a word to her until they moved into their own house.
There were still two separate beds, two nightstands, and their shared dresser.
There was still the same bathroom connected to the room with two sinks and two mirrors. It looked like anyone’s dream childhood bedroom.
But with the memories hidden beneath the pink painted walls and the crystal chandelier and each piece of furniture.
It was a nightmare.
“Is everything alright?” The maid, who she did not recognize, asked.
“Ah… Yes. Sorry.” Ririka nodded to her as she apprehensively walked inside. Chills went down her spine. Could she actually sleep here for a whole night?
Carefully, she sat down on the bed she had cried herself to sleep laying in all those nights. She remembered trying to make as little noise as possible to not wake Kirari up. She had always been a light sleeper.
The sheets, pillows, everything about the bed was the same, and yet it couldn’t have felt more different. This whole house felt alien as if everything she experienced was some weird fever dream. She really wished it was.
She picked her phone up, deciding it would be best to text Kirari back.
Great, it was dead.
Kirari would be fine. She set it back down and looked around the room.
Unlike the bedroom, the bathroom was empty. There were no personal items, presumably because the two had taken them all to their new house when they moved. She couldn’t really remember, it had all been a blur. The two had been woken up late one night and were suddenly taken to a whole new place.
She wasn’t complaining, though.
Looking in the mirror, she could almost see the reflection of her younger self staring back at her.
She grimaced as she turned away and returned back to the main room.
There were bookshelves everywhere. Reading was what their parents had let Kirari do when she was bored as a child. Dolls and stuffed animals weren’t something they had ever bought her.
Ririka, on the other hand, was never allowed to read any of Kirari’s books. They had told her they might give her ideas. Ideas of a life different from hers. Fantasies she was never allowed to have.
Of course, Kirari had always let her read when their parents weren’t home.
She thanked her for that. She was sure she would have gone insane if she had only sat in bed all day.
On one of the bookshelves was a box. It looked slightly out of place, and it intrigued Ririka like she had seen it before.
Should she really open it? What could be inside?
Pausing for a second, she slowly opened the box.
There it was. Her mask she wore as a child.
It looked almost identical to the one she had now, just a smaller version to fit her tiny face.
Her hands trembled as she remembered first receiving it.
“Ririka.” Her mother had grabbed her by the wrist and led her to a secluded room in the estate, far away from where she and Kirari were just sitting.
She was little, only four, but she knew better than to protest against her mother.
“Do you remember what your father and I have told you about you and Kirari?” She asked, looking down at her oldest daughter.
“We are the same,” Ririka repeated the statement she had been told many times by then. It was something her parents reminded her of often.
“Good. Your father and I have had this specifically made for you. It will help you remember that you are Kirari.” She had handed Ririka a box, and when she opened it, she was met with the face of the mask that would control her life for the next thirteen years.
She had taken it without any fighting and had immediately put it on her face when her mother told her to. There was never any retaliation.
Her sister had asked her what she was wearing, but she didn’t answer. She sat down and just stared. Stared at nothing.
Snapping out of her thoughts, she quickly put the box away, not wanting to see it again. She looked at the little clock on the wall. It was nine PM. It was pretty early, but considering her parents weren’t going to cook dinner for her, and she had nothing else to do, sleeping was probably her best option.
She hesitantly lay down in her bed, letting her head hit the pillow. It was smaller than she had remembered. Sleeping seemed to be hard, but eventually, her mind allowed her to rest.
Ririka woke up early enough that she could get ready before her parents called her down for breakfast.
When they did, she took a deep breath in as she walked down the stairs.
She sat down where she usually sat, across from her parents.
They ate in silence. Their family never really talked to each other much. It was all business.
A knock on the door drew Ririka’s attention.
“Ah, good, he’s here.” Ririka’s mother got up to answer the door.
Who was he?
A middle-aged looking man, probably about her parent’s age, walked into the room.
“Ririka, I’d like you to meet Mr. Kaoru, he’s the father of your suitor,” Her mother introduced him to her with a kind smile, one she had rarely ever seen on her. It didn’t suit her, she thought.
He stuck his hand out to shake hers. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ririka.”
She nodded as she shook his hand.
Meeting him made this feel even more real. Was this actually happening? Was she actually doing this?
Her hand trembled as she removed it from his. She felt tears welling up in her eyes.
Not now. Not now…
She turned away as he went to talk to her parents.
She tried to force the tears to go away, but it proved to be harder than she thought it would be.
One quiet, choked out sob stopped the adults' conversation. They all turned to look at her as she tried to recompose herself.
She wiped the stray tears from her eyes, but it was no use, they had already noticed her.
Her parents seemed to panic for a second before turning to Mr. Kaoru. Her dad took him somewhere else to talk while her mother stayed with her.
Once the two men were out of earshot, she slowly turned to Ririka.
Ririka’s hands turned sweaty as she thought of the many things her mother could do to her at this moment.
“You’re a worthless child, Ririka. Do you realize what you just did? Your emotions weaken you,” Her mother seethed.
“I…” Ririka tried to talk, but her words failed her. They always did.
“A Momobami crying! In public! It’s shameful,” She yelled at her. “Kirari has always been better than you. Do you think she would be crying and complaining right now? She would have accepted this because she knows that we understand what is right for the two of you!” She got closer to Ririka, who backed up a bit, trying to get away from her mother.
“Every day, I wish I hadn’t had twins. Every day. The least you could do is accept your role and not speak! You are supposed to do what we say, Ririka. You are powerless against us, do you hear me?” Her mother grabbed her by the shoulder as she shook her.
Ririka nodded, desperately trying to control herself.
“Do you hear me?” Her mother asked again, this time more violently.
“Yes,” Ririka answered, her voice distorted by her tears.
She shoved her backward, and her back hit the wall.
“Call your driver and go home, Ririka.” Her mother walked away, but not before adding, “You’re a disgrace to this family.”
___
Mary walked through the school, a bit faster than she probably should have.
She was stressed. How could she not be? She hadn’t seen Ririka at school all day, and she wasn’t answering any of her texts or calls.
Had something happened? Had she taken her flight early?
The thought of that made her stomach twist.
A text interrupted her flurry of thoughts. Hope welled inside of her, but it quickly dissipated.
She didn’t have the number saved, but the fact that the text solely said ‘come to my office’ was telling enough.
She speed walked all the way to Kirari’s office, hoping that she had any information on Ririka.
Kirari didn’t even bother to greet her before talking. “Was Ririka with you last night?’
“No?” Mary asked. Shit. So Kirari didn’t know where she was either.
“She didn’t come home last night, and I haven’t seen her at all today either.” Kirari seemed completely fine, but Mary knew better.
“Do you have any idea where she is?” Mary asked with a bit more emotion than she ever wanted to show Kirari.
“I do have an idea, yes.” Kirari nodded.
“Where?”
“At our parent’s house. She texted me yesterday that they had called her over there. She just hasn’t answered any of my messages since,” Kirari answered.
Mary sat down on the couch and slumped. What could they have done to her?
“Are you going to go find her?” Mary questioned.
“I can’t until after school. I have a student council meeting.” Kirari folded her arms.
“Fuck the student council meeting! Isn’t your sister more important to you?” Mary yelled.
“I already canceled one earlier. As much as I want to help her, the well-being of our school is important too. If you were the president, you would-” Kirari was cut off by the sudden buzzing of her phone.
Mary believed she might’ve been hallucinating it, but she swore she saw Kirari’s face light up just the slightest bit.
“What? What is it?” Mary asked impatiently.
“Ririka texted me. She’s alright, and she’s on her way to school now,” Kirari informed her. Mary walked over to Kirari and looked at her phone to see the text.
She let a breath of air she didn’t know she was holding in out.
“You should go find her when she arrives, Mary,” Kirari suggested.
“I was already going to,” Mary replied before walking out the door to leave.
Soon after, she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket and saw a message from Ririka, telling her to meet her where they usually did.
Mary walked over to the small corridor outside where the two would talk. Not many students were ever in that area of the school, so it was decently private.
Mary casually waited for her, just leaning against one of the walls. Though, she had to admit she was nervous. Ririka said she was okay, but how many times had she said that, and it ended up not being the truth? It was a reoccurring event.
She heard footsteps coming toward her, so she looked up, expecting to be met by Ririka’s face.
It was Ririka, yes, but what shocked her was the mask hiding her.
“What’s with the mask?” Mary furrowed her eyebrows together.
“I think it’s for the best,” Ririka replied, the mask distorting her voice and making Mary admittedly angry.
“Take it off,” Mary demanded.
“I don’t-”
“I said take it off, Ririka! We’ve been over this so many times.” Mary walked closer to the girl and put her hand over the mask, softer than she usually did.
“Mary, please don’t,” Ririka pleaded, backing up.
“You’ve made so much progress, Ririka. Don’t throw it all away.” Mary stepped closer to her again, grabbing her wrist with her hand and making it harder for her to get away.
“Just for now. I want to wear it just for now,” Ririka begged. Even through the mask, Mary could tell that Ririka was on the verge of tears.
“Ririka…” Mary started, tracing the other girl’s hand.
Ririka pulled away as if she were just hurt, turning around.
Mary knit her eyebrows. What the hell was going on?
“Ririka, what the fuck?” Mary asked, stepping back into her line of view.
Before the other girl could react, she pulled the mask from her face.
The taller girl yelped as she tried to hide her face, but it didn’t matter, Mary had already seen.
“Holy shit…” Mary almost whispered. “What the hell happened?”
“Mary, please stop.” Mary could see tears rolling down her face.
She softly grabbed her hands and pulled them away from her face so that she could look her in the eyes.
She softly grazed the bruise that was forming along Ririka’s jawline. Who had done this?
“What happened?” She asked again, but Ririka still wouldn’t answer.
“I don’t want to talk about it,” She sniffled.
Mary grabbed her mask from her hands and set it down. She slowly wrapped her arms around the other girl, only tightening the hug once Ririka reciprocated it.
“My mother…” Ririka started after a few moments. Her words were slightly muffled as her face was buried in Mary’s shoulder.
“What did she do?” Mary asked though she was pretty sure she knew the answer.
“I met the father of my suitor today. We were talking about everything regarding the wedding, and I- I just couldn’t. I started crying, and she…” Ririka trailed off as her tears made it harder and harder for her to continue.
Mary understood, though. How the hell could someone do that to their own child? The very thought of that sickened Mary.
She held her tighter, rubbing circles in her back.
“I’m getting married in two months,” Ririka told her.
“Only two months?” Mary’s heart dropped. Why was she surprised? Ririka’s whole life was being rushed so fast. She wondered what her childhood was like. Whatever it was, it sure as hell wasn’t good.
Ririka nodded. “When I turn eighteen.”
“I’m not going to let this happen to you so easily, Ririka,” Mary declared. That wasn’t at all what Ririka wanted to hear, but Mary didn’t care. She wasn’t just going to let Ririka resign herself to all of this so easily.
And for the first time, Ririka didn’t protest. She just nodded into Mary’s shoulder, letting herself relax.
____
Mary walked to the exit of the school. The day was over, and she was ready to go home. She hung her head low, thinking of her conversation with Ririka today. Was all of this really happening? Why did this hurt her so much?
Would Ririka ever be able to leave her parents? She couldn’t let Ririka keep getting abused like this.
In an instant, two arms wrapped tightly around her body.
“Yumeko!” Mary screamed.
“Mary! I was looking for you. We were all going to get cake.” The black-haired girl smiled.
“Not today, Yumeko.” Mary couldn’t meet her gaze. Not when she felt like this. With everything going on, she just wanted to lie down in bed and not talk to anyone.
“Oh? You don’t look too good, Mary. Are you alright?” Yumeko asked.
“I’m fine. Just tired,” Mary lied.
Yumeko grabbed Mary’s hand and began to walk. “Come with me.”
They got to a deserted hallway, and Yumeko just smiled at her.
“What’s this for?” Mary asked.
It wasn’t a part of the school she usually spent her time in. Nobody did, for that matter. Was that why Yumeko brought them here? For the secrecy of it all?
“Is it because of Ririka? Yumeko questioned.
“What?” Mary almost yelled. Did Yumeko know?
Yumeko nodded understandingly like she already knew exactly what Mary was thinking. “Everyone in the clan was informed. We’re all supposed to attend the wedding, actually.”
“Are you going to?” Mary looked at her questioningly.
“I can’t. I have somewhere else I need to be.” Yumeko smiled once again, but she didn’t seem as happy this time. It was weird, for once she felt like she could see through Yumeko’s constantly upbeat facade.
“Oh…” Mary glanced down the hall.
Yumeko carefully grabbed Mary’s hands, making the shorter girl look at her.
“You’re upset, aren’t you?” Yumeko queried, though she already knew the answer.
“Why would I be upset?” Mary bit back a bit harsher than she meant to. It was hard keeping all of her emotions in. Sometimes, she was scared that one day she was going to just burst.
“Because you love her,” Yumeko said bluntly as she grinned in that knowing way.
Mary blushed as she tried to deny it, but Yumeko just hugged her.
It was softer and much more comforting than the usual aggressive hugs she’d give. It actually reminded her of Ririka in some ways.
“It’s okay, Mary,” Yumeko comforted her. “I understand.”
“I-” Mary tried to reply, but her tears held her back. They began to fall before she could stop them.
Yumeko just held her tighter. “Do you want to know why I can’t go to her wedding?” Yumeko asked, knowing Mary probably didn’t want to be the only one being comforted at the moment.
“Why?” Mary sniffed.
“I have to go see my sister. She’s in a mental hospital, and I rarely get to visit her,” Yumeko admitted.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay, I’m happy I at least get to talk to her. I haven’t gotten to since last year.” Yumeko sounded happy, but Mary could hear the hints of underlying sadness. It was another thing she and Ririka had in common. Though, she wouldn’t call the two similar at all.
“Yumeko?” Mary started, trying to get her attention.
“Hm?”
She paused, unsure if she could say it. “...Thank you.”
Mary had always struggled with being honest like that. Saying her feelings out loud made her feel too vulnerable, and vulnerability wasn’t something she was very comfortable with.
Yumeko let out a lighthearted laugh and gave Mary one last reassuring squeeze.
The taller girl got a text from Itsuki telling her they were leaving soon, and after Mary told her she was fine, she left her in the hallway.
Mary blushed as her heart spasmed in her chest at the thought of what she had just confessed to Yumeko.
She knew she felt something toward Ririka. But, she was always more comfortable not thinking about it and just leaving it as it was.
Was she really going to be alright admitting it to herself under these circumstances?
Would she have ever said it to Ririka’s face if she wasn’t going to lose her?
Mary could have driven herself crazy with all of these what ifs.
___
Kirari looked at her twin. The intrigued yet concerned expression she had on was as clear as day.
“What did mother and father do?” Kirari asked. Ririka had stopped wearing her mask about halfway through the election, why start again now?
“Nothing, Rari. I’m going to my room,” Ririka dismissed as she began to walk down the stairs.
Kirari swiftly grabbed her wrist, causing her older twin to stumble a bit.
“You’re wearing your mask,” Kirari acknowledged, tugging on Ririka’s arm once more.
“I am,” Ririka agreed, refusing to meet her twin’s gaze.
“Why?” Kirari questioned, but it seemed more like she was demanding for an answer.
“Nothing is wrong.” But that didn’t answer Kirari’s question.
“I’ll ask you again. What did mother and father do to you?” Now this time, she phrased her words more like a demand. She was being more forward with her intentions, hoping it would make Ririka confess something to her.
It clearly didn’t work. “They didn’t do anything. They talked to me about the marriage, and that was it.”
“Are you upset about it? Is that why?” Kirari theorized, finally letting go of her sister’s wrist and now following her up the stairs.
She slipped into her room before Ririka could close the door.
“That’s hardly the case.” Ririka sighed as she sat down in her bed, knowing her attempts at getting Kirari off her back were no good.
“Take your mask off,” Kirari commanded once more.
“Promise you won’t do anything?” Ririka asked.
Kirari silently nodded, though she really couldn’t promise anything. If Ririka got mad at her for not obeying her, it would really be her fault for still trusting Kirari and her promises.
Ririka slowly slipped her mask off, revealing an array of yellows, greens, and purples painted onto her jawline.
“Who did this?” Kirari studied the wound.
“Mother.” Ririka bit her lip as Kirari touched her bruise, accidentally applying just a bit too much pressure.
“This is why I wanted to come with you.” Kirari took a seat next to her sister.
“They wouldn’t have wanted you there,” Ririka excused.
“Why not?” Kirari crossed her arms as she looked over at her twin, who seemed to be exhausted. She could tell by her eyebags peaking through carefully applied concealer.
“They wanted me alone. Probably in case something like this happened.” Ririka let out a shuddery breath.
“You can’t go back there. They’re just going to do this more and more until you’re back to how you were as a child.” Kirari placed her hands on her sister’s shoulders, trying to refocus the girl who had seemingly begun to lose awareness.
“I know that. I know…” Ririka trailed off as her voice broke.
“Don’t cry over them.” Kirari wiped the single tear that fell from Ririka’s face away.
Her older twin nodded as she looked down, her hair falling into her face and obscuring Kirari’s vision of her.
“Are you going to eat dinner with me tonight?” Kirari asked. Ririka had mostly been staying in her room for the past few days. Kirari had eaten alone in the dining room all those nights. Sometimes, she thought of asking Ririka to come to eat with her, but she knew Ririka wouldn’t say yes.
“I’d like that,” Ririka replied softly.
“Great.” Kirari smiled as she left Ririka’s room.
___
Another day and another call from Ririka’s parents. Her eyes widened at the sight.
She hadn’t slept well, paranoid all night that this would happen again. And, of course, it did. She didn’t have school today, so according to her parents, she had all the time in the world to meet with them.
Did they need her again? She didn’t think she could ever come back to that house. Ever.
Nevertheless, she picked up, knowing it was the best option. She didn’t want to disobey them, not when she knew what they could do.
“Ririka,” She heard her mother’s voice crackling from the other side of the phone.
She began to greet her back, but she was cut off by her stern voice.
“You’re coming back tonight for dinner with your father, Mr. Kaoru, and me. I’d like the two of you to be introduced properly without you ruining the whole thing like you did yesterday. You’ll be sleeping in your old room once again,” Her mother instructed.
Her hands grew sweaty, and her body grew cold. She couldn’t. She could never go back there again. What were her parents going to do this time? Could she even trust them? Had she ever even trusted them in the first place? She was sure she had at some point in time, but all of the trust she had ever had was crushed beyond repair a long time ago.
Something came over her. Something she’d rarely ever seen in herself, but right then, it seemed like it was the most important thing she had ever done.
“No.”
“What?” Her mother asked.
“I’m not going,” She declared. She held her breath, scared it would falter if she let it out, and her mom would know how terrified she was at that moment.
“You will come over right now!” Her mother screamed. It scared her, even through the phone.
“I’m not going!” She reiterated, louder this time, and now worried she had alerted Kirari.
“You’ll regret that. I’m sending people over to get you right now.” And with that, the call ended.
Ririka sat there on her bed for a second, not knowing what to do.
She definitely couldn’t go now, not with what she had just done.
What was she going to do? People were going to force her into the house now, and she didn’t even want to imagine what her parents would do to her then.
It took a lot of courage, but she picked her phone up once again and opened Mary’s contact.
‘Mary’ Was all she texted at first, testing to see if the blonde would reply.
‘What is it?’ Was Mary’s response. Thank god she had replied that fast.
Her shaky hands made it hard to type, but she got her message sent eventually. ‘I need your help’.
‘What do you need?’
‘Can I come over to your house tonight? Sorry it’s sudden, I understand if you’re busy.’
‘No, it’s fine. I’ll send you my address.’
Ririka let out a sigh of relief. She quickly left the house, knowing someone was probably coming to get her soon. Her parents lived far away, but they could’ve and presumably did send someone who was closer to Ririka and Kirari’s house to her.
Mary’s house wasn’t too far away, it was actually closer than her drive to Hyakkaou was.
Much to Ririka’s dismay, it began to rain. She stepped out of the car and thanked her driver as the rain dripped down her.
It took her a minute, a lot of deep breaths, and second (plus third and fourth) thoughts before she finally rang Mary’s doorbell.
Sudden anxious thoughts flooded through her. What if someone other than Mary answered? Were her parents home? She didn’t really want anyone else to see her drenched like this.
Thankfully, as the door opened, she was greeted by blonde pigtails.
“You’re soaked,” Mary observed, ushering her in.
“It started raining.” Ririka shivered slightly, but the warmth of the house was helping.
“Are you spending the night?” Mary asked as she led her to her room.
Ririka had never been to her house before. She was nervous, but also excited.
“I think I have to,” Ririka admitted, looking around Mary’s bedroom.
It was simple. A bed, a nightstand, a desk, and a bookshelf, but it was so personalized. There were photos of Mary and her friends everywhere and even little potted flowers. After a second of looking at them, however, she realized they were fake.
“That’s fine. My parents are at work, so you won’t see them until later. You didn’t bring any clothes?” Mary questioned, glancing back at Ririka to double check if she had any bags on her.
“Sorry, I was kind of rushed out.” Ririka fidgeted with her hands.
“It’s okay, your clothes are just really wet. I can give you something of mine to wear for now?” Mary recommended.
The thought of that made Ririka blush. Her wearing Mary’s clothes?
“Are you sure?”
“Why not?” Mary threw a hoodie and shorts toward her. “Is that good?”
“Yeah… Thank you.” Mary showed her to the bathroom, and she changed. Her heart beat as she looked at herself.
As she walked out, Mary quietly laughed.
“What?” Ririka asked, now feeling slightly self-conscious.
“Sorry, sorry, just not used to seeing you in casual clothes,” Mary giggled.
Ririka rolled her eyes at her, feigning annoyance, but smiling after.
It wasn’t long before the door opened, and Mary’s parents entered the house. Ririka’s stress skyrocketed.
“I’m gonna go say hi. If you want, you can come so I can introduce you,” Mary offered, hopping off her bed and walking toward her door.
Ririka, albeit reluctantly, replied, “Okay.”
She followed Mary down the stairs and into the kitchen, where her mom and dad were preparing dinner.
“Mary! Who’s this?” Her dad asked, looking from Mary to Ririka.
Ririka awkwardly smiled as Mary spoke.
“This is Ririka, she goes to Hyakkaou with me. She’s staying over tonight.” Mary smiled at her.
“Nice to meet you,” Ririka greeted.
“It’s nice to meet you too, Ririka. I’m Mary’s mom, but just call me Yuuko, okay?” She seemed really nice, and a part of Ririka almost felt jealous.
Mary took her back upstairs, and they sat back down on her bed.
“What’s wrong?” Mary asked, seeing how Ririka’s mood had changed.
“Your parents are really nice.” Ririka smiled a bit as she turned to look at Mary.
Mary nodded, understanding why Ririka had felt that way. “Will you tell me why you needed to come over tonight?”
Ririka sighed before agreeing. “My mother called and asked me to come over again today, so I could have dinner with her, my father, and my suitor’s father. I couldn’t go back again, not after what happened.” Ririka had ultimately settled on wearing concealer over the worsening bruise. “I told her I wasn’t going, and she sent people to come to get me. She doesn’t like being disobeyed, I guess I was just scared of what she would do to me,” Ririka admitted.
Mary grabbed her hand in a calm manner, looking Ririka in the eyes.
“You can come over whenever you need, you know that, right?” The way Mary looked at her made Ririka feel fuzzy all over. She barely had it in herself to reply.
“I… Don’t want to annoy you.” What would she do if Mary ever got sick of her and abandoned her? The thought alone made Ririka feel upset.
Mary’s expression changed to one of unamusement. “Do you really think you’d annoy me?”
“Maybe,” Ririka whispered.
“You’re one of the few people who doesn’t annoy me, Ririka.” Mary gave her a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder.
“It would suck if that changed.” She let out a sigh as she turned her head away from Mary.
“Well, it won’t, so good luck trying to make it, I guess.” Mary turned Ririka back to her as she smiled.
Soon, it was time for the two of them to eat dinner.
While eating, she looked over at Mary. How was it that she always knew exactly what to say every time?
She wished it could stay like that forever.
___
“I’ve already stated that I don’t know where she is,” Kirari repeated to her mother.
“Worthless. Both of you.”
She was hung up on before she could reply. Kirari sighed at her mother’s behavior.
Though, she hadn’t lied. She really didn’t know where Ririka was. That was a more common occurrence than it used to be.
She was just glad she knew Ririka wasn’t with their parents. She was going to do everything in her power to make sure she didn’t go back there.
That reminded her, she was going to gamble with her mother soon. Was she going to accept the offer? Deny it? She had two days now.
She thought back on her conversation with her mother. She had called her and immediately started yelling about Ririka. Confused, Kirari asked what she meant. Her mother asked where she was and when Kirari claimed she didn’t know, she had assumed she was lying.
It did make her wonder where she was.
She was sure she was with Saotome, she was probably alright.
In the meantime, Kirari had nothing to do. She really had taken Ririka’s company for granted. Did she really have to leave home every day?
Being bored, she did the only thing she could think of. Calling Sayaka.
The call was answered immediately. “Hello, Sayaka,” She greeted.
“Kirari?” Sayaka stuttered a bit as she said her name, and Kirari had to stifle a laugh.
“I’m coming to your house,” Kirari stated. She shuffled her shoes on as she stood at the door, going to call her driver after her call with Sayaka ended.
“Y-you are?” Sayaka sounded shocked.
“Yes? Is that a problem?” Kirari asked.
“No! For dinner?” She heard shuffling from the other end of the phone, probably Sayaka cleaning up. She was sure there was no reason for it. There was no doubt in her mind Sayaka’s room was perfectly organized.
“That would be nice. I am hungry,” Kirari admitted.
“Alright, then I’ll see you, I suppose.” She could hear Sayaka take a deep breath out.
“Goodbye, Sayaka,” She smiled.
She called her driver and hopped into the car, informing him of Sayaka’s address.
When she got there, she observed Sayaka’s house. It wasn’t small, but it definitely wasn’t as big as hers. There was a small garden in the back that she could see a glimpse of from where she was standing. Done with waiting around, she rang Sayaka’s doorbell.
“Are you Kirari?” A middle aged woman with black hair answered, smiling at her.
“Yes, I’m here to see Sayaka.”
The older girl nodded and let Kirari in.
“She should be in her room,” Sayaka’s mother told her.
Kirari thanked her as she walked upstairs and to where the woman had told her Sayaka’s bedroom was located.
She knocked before entering on her own.
“Sayaka.”
“President!” Sayaka almost screamed, clearly surprised. She cleared her throat, “Kirari, sorry. I didn’t hear you come in.”
“It’s quite alright.” Sayaka’s room was small, and, just like she had predicted, incredibly neat. She had a shelf full of different textbooks for different subjects, and her walls were painted a navy blue.
“Your room is lovely,” Kirari complimented.
“Thank you,” Sayaka blushed. “Why did you want to come over?”
“Ririka is at Mary’s house, and I was bored. And, of course, I’ve always wanted to see where you lived.” Kirari walked around Sayaka’s room, taking all of it in.
Sayaka gulped. “My mom is making dinner now. It should be ready soon.”
Kirari stopped her little exploration to walk over to Sayaka. Placing a hand on her cheek, she began to talk, “You seem nervous. Tell me, why?”
“Sorry. I don’t have people at my house ever,” Sayaka admitted.
“Oh? And why is that?” Kirari questioned.
“I just don’t have anybody to invite or any free time.” Sayaka’s eyes darted over to where Kirari’s hand was placed, but she quickly made eye contact again.
“Well, I’m happy to come over whenever you’d like,” She said before giving Sayaka a quick kiss and smiling.
Sayaka’s face burned a deep red as she nodded quickly.
“Do you know what my mother told me?” Kirari started, holding both of Sayaka’s hands.
“No, what was it?” Sayaka encouraged her to go on.
“Ririka’s wedding is in two months. I’m supposed to go.” Kirari looked away, out Sayaka’s window.
“Two months?”
“Yes, can you imagine? She’ll have just turned eighteen. Far too early, in my opinion. But alas, what my mother wants, my mother gets.” Kirari chuckled at that, but she wasn’t happy.
“I’ll be able to save Ririka, though.” She seemed determined like she was stating a fact.
“I’m sure you will, Kirari.” Sayaka supported her through everything, it almost made Kirari laugh. Sayaka was so amusing in every way. It was a part of the reason she loved her.
“I heard your mother say dinner is ready. Should we go?” Kirari let go of Sayaka’s hands.
“Yeah.”
Kirari smiled at Sayaka. The fact that her mere presence could bring joy to Kirari was something the girl couldn’t fathom. Why was it that this one person made her so happy? It was so unlike her, and yet it couldn’t feel more right.
Sayaka was someone she could never understand, yet that was what was so great about her.
She was going to enjoy her time with her now, because she knew her future was predetermined just like Ririka’s was, ornately crafted by the aggressive hands of their parents.