WHISPERS OF A BUTTERFLY • Kamisato Ayato

three. 三

The carriage bumped with every nook and cranny on the path. Turbulence was never something you'd known on the trip from Ritou to the Kamisato Estate, but here you were, sitting next to Ayato, both of your eyes trained firmly out the windows, unwilling to look at each other. You'd visited his house many times, but that was out of your own free will. Not under these circumstances.

After all, you'd be the prime consort of the house soon. Second only to Ayato and third only to his sister.

A pressing weight panged your chest when you realized that that was indeed your reality. Your future. In a few months' time, you'd no longer be property of the Kanjou Commission and you'd be expected to serve as a loyal officer of the Yashiro Commission.

Kamisato F/N . The very thought of signing papers with that name made you want to vomit.

Eventually, your thoughts radiated loud enough for Ayato to break his staring contest with the yumeru trees outside. He kept glancing at you, though you didn't know why. You found this incredibly annoying. Was he trying to spite you by making you believe that something was on your face? You crossed a leg over the other and scooted away, though there really wasn't much space.

"I can feel you staring," you said irately. "Why?"

"Why what?" Even though he knew what you meant. He couldn't help it. Pushing your buttons was what Ayato was best at.

"Oh, shove a bug up your ass, Kamisato," you grumbled. "You know exactly why." 

Snickering quietly to himself, Ayato shook his head in disbelief as you turned your eyes on him. "What a piece of work," he muttered. "You haven't changed at all, F/N. Would it kill you not to act like a sulking child for once?"

"Ah, so I'm the child now, am I? Is that the best a man who owns pet beetles for his amusement can manage?" You glared at him, and if your mother knew, she'd faint, but thankfully the only person in the carriage was Ayato. "I had thought inheriting such a class position made you above immature insults."

Ayato simpered, an unfazed smile playing on his lips. "I recommend you don't create accusations based on my hobby choices when I am not the one who throws the proverbial punches first."

"I threw the first punch?" you demanded. "If I remember correctly, I didn't start anything by signing agreements with the Kanjou Commission!"

"But you always regard me with such animosity that I can't help but want to get that inevitable argument over with," he shot back. "So yes, I start with you first, only because no one else can deal with it!"

"No one else can deal with it? Don't make me laugh," you scoffed. "Out of all the men in Inazuma and beyond, you really think there isn't a better match for me than you? I'd kiss a thousand other people before ever wanting to be in the same room as you."

That shut him up. His ears burned red, which you recognized as anger. A scowl formed on his face as he leaned back in his seat. You did the same, but in place of the tension that had built up, you only felt hollow. Something like regret flooded you when the clarity hit, and you were both left in silence once more.

That unfortunate day replayed in your memories again and again. You could never fully remember the sequence of events. Only a few key scenes.

While Ayato was thrust into the spotlight of the Yashiro Commission, you were sidelined as the dispensable child of the Kanjou Commission. You were not born to be a warrior like Kujou Sara. You were not familiar with the common folk like Kamisato Ayaka. Where did that leave you standing?

For Inazuma's part, they spoke nothing but praises for Ayato, fawning over his strength in restoring the Yashiro Commission to its glory. On the other hand, you hailed from the cruel family who abused outlanders from entering the country. In comparison, you were a stain on his clean record.