Izuocha's Love Stories

69 - A CERTAIN STEP

By Ohmytheon

SUMMARY: Ochako knows that she must find a suitor soon in order to help better her family name and this ball is the best opportunity. However, she must fight her insecurities and understand that she is worth more than as a wife. Maybe then, she'll find a match that is worthy of her.

This is another AU that i also liked. Enjoy reading! 

======================

As the daughter of merchants, Ochako knew she was in need of a husband that would help her family rise above their station. They had been in the same business for generations, but money had begun to dwindle in the years before Ochako's birth and she had been born with the knowledge that a marriage bound by love was not in her future.

She had despaired only briefly over this. For however much she dreamed of love, she knew that it was not logical, at least not for a young woman in her position. She was an only child. It was not only her duty to enter a good match, but her family's one hope. Her parents did their best not to pressure her, always reassuring her that they would be more than happy if she were to fall in love, but she couldn't do that to them. She loved them too dearly.

That was enough love for her.

The upcoming ball had Ochako's stomach in knots. This would be her best chance at finding a suitable husband or at least capturing the interest of an appropriate young man. She hoped they would be young at least. Though she was determined to find the best match (or at the very least a decent one), she did not fancy herself marrying a much older gentleman. It would do her poorly when it came to bearing children, not that she wanted to think of that much either.

"You look beautiful," her dearest friend, Tsuyu, reassured her as they made their way to the ball. Tsuyu's family was better off that Ochako's, but they were still considered noive rich. Even worse for Tsuyu, she had two younger siblings. As the oldest girl, she had to marry to befit her station, unless she wanted to rely on her family, seeing as how her brother would inherit her family's estate.

Ochako picked at her dress. "Are you certain? Perhaps pink was too aggressive of a color..."

Tsuyu's family owned a carriage that had allowed them to arrive at the ball in a stately fashion. Ochako did not think she had the heart to show up alone on a horse again. She loved riding and excelled at it, but apparently it was not a trait expected or wanted in a wife. The last time she had done so, men and women alike had sneered at her, which had put her in a foul mood the entire evening, something she did not need help with. She already didn't like rubbing elbows with those in old money. Honestly, she needed to fix her poor attitude or she was like to end up an old maid.

Once they arrived at the Yaoyorozu's massive estate, Ochako and Tsuyu made their way inside. They were late, although not terribly so, but were forgiven because of the recent poor weather. Ochako had been forced to discreetly wipe the mud off her shoes before entering, hoping that the staff hadn't seen her. She had been considering being hired on as a maid to help supplement her family's income, but it would only ruin her chances of finding a suitor if it was found out.

"Do try to dance this time," Tsuyu told her as they stepped into the ballroom. "You're beginning to become known as difficult."

Ochako tensed up. "It's not my fault that those men were too forward with their unseemly intentions."

"You're picky," Tsuyu pointed out.

"I'm only trying to find the best match that will help my family," Ochako murmured stubbornly.

Tsuyu sighed. "You are sabotaging yourself because you are afraid." Her words struck a chord in Ochako's heart and she hesitated as they walked through the room. She couldn't look her friend in the eye, which told the other young woman everything she needed to know. "Do you still dream of finding a match with love?"