Imprisoned to Love You [Edited]

♦⊱ Chapter 31 - Decisions ⊰♦

Ruka pov:

"Hello? Is anyone here?" I said while entering the fortune teller's shop. It was a moment before an old man trotted out from a door behind a big desk with all kinds of parchment, bottles, and intricately carved boxes placed on it.

"Ah, come in! Come in!" he said, giving us a grin, "I'm glad to see that someone turned up today."

I gave him a wary smile before entering the shop and walking up to his desk. Kichiro sama, Kijima san and Tomoki followed suit and we waited awkwardly. The old man frowned while observing the three men before he took a seat and hummed long.

"These men are not from here, are they? They are from a time much before us, the Edo Period, perhaps?"

My eyes went wide in surprise, "Ojii san, you could tell that with one glance at them?"

"I don't like this old man," Tomoki hissed beside me and I rewarded him with a hard nudge.

"Of course," the man replied, grinning again, "I'm not called a fortune teller for no reason. That man, he's an emperor, is he not? Followed by a faithful minister and another who rebels against his ways."

"Whoa." That was all I could say.

"Well, don't just stand there. Take a seat!" He chuckled at the looks of surprise on our faces. We took seats and were served tea. While the three feudal people eyed their tea warily, I took a sip of it. When we had settled, the fortune teller spoke again, "So, tell me what brings you here. How can I help you?"

"Whatever you said about these three is true, sir," I began.

"It has to be," he agreed.

"Is there a way for them to go back?"

He was silent for a moment, observing the trio. He stroked his chin before he said, "Yes, there is a way. I can take care of the preparations to send them back but it will have to be done at midnight, in a place where there are no watchful eyes."

"I understand. Where will it be done?" I asked.

"I think the best place would be is Paradise Park."

"The abandoned park that's considered haunted? Really?" I mumbled.

"Well, no one will come there." He then eyed me with a wry smile, "Don't tell me you really believe that the park is haunted."

I smiled sheepishly, "No, but rumors have me a little uneasy about it nonetheless."

"Not to worry, not to worry at all," he said with a hearty laugh. "Be at the park's entrance at 11:30 and we'll send these three back to where they belong."

"Tonight? That soon?" I asked in mild surprise.

"Of course! It has to be done tonight or they'll be stuck for at least two months."

"Ah, I see...well, I appreciate your help, Sir. How much should I pay you?" I questioned, reaching for the money inside my purse.

"My first consultation is free so don't you worry about the numbers, alright?"

With a word of thanks, we left the fortune teller's shop. We walked home slowly with the trio still tense and twitching at the slightest sounds they heard. Walking ahead of them, I ignored them and gazed at the sky. The thoughts that had been bothering me before returned – thoughts of what I had to choose now. Was I to stay here in my world with my family or choose to go back to the past with Kichiro sama?

It wasn't a choice I could make easily, let alone so quickly. I would miss my family terribly if I left them but if I let go of Kichiro sama, I knew I'd never be able to forget him and move on. I would never be able to fall in love with anyone again. How was I supposed to choose between two families I loved so dearly?