𝐌𝐈𝐃𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐄 • k. ayato

22

☄. *. ⋆

Much to [Y/N]'s surprise, the birthday of her brother raised the ambient soul of the community to a broad shared smile. This party wove the crowd together, and she was rather stunned to see so many happy faces in the Kamiyama estate. It had always been so gloomy, but perhaps Asahi's speech gave everyone expectancy for a brighter future.

Except how truthful are the words of someone like him?

She watched as he talked to various clan heads, exchanging smiles with them. Surely they were trying to suck up to him since he was the heir? She was all too familiar with that.

She stood in the dappled moonlight, her hand cradling a glass of champagne. Her eyes fall to it as her ears took in the many whispers of the crowd. The glass barely reflected her expression. She couldn't tell whether she was smiling or not.

She turned her eyes back to her brother. This time he was walking away from the nobles, to a somewhat secluded part of the garden. She guessed he was tired from dealing with the pesky men bothering him all night, so she decided to follow him. She did have some queries for him after all.

She excused herself, placing her glass on a tray one of the servers was carrying.

"Brother," [Y/N] smiled, walking up to stand beside him. He was observing the great Sakura tree. He was very fond of it from what she remembered.

He shifted his eyes to meet hers, taking a sip of his drink, "Sister... Lovely as always."

"Happy birthday, Asahi. It is a delightful party," she folded her hands neatly, trying to look as harmless as possible.

Asahi smirked, "Of course it is. I planned it."

[Y/N]'s eye slightly twitched, "Delightful indeed. Perhaps... too delightful?"

"Whatever do you mean, sister?" His eyes widened scarcely, feigning oblivion.

At his clueless expression, [Y/N] sighed, "Why did you host such an extravagant birthday party? You are very well aware of the murderer that still hasn't been caught. The common folk will be enraged by you. They have already begun to doubt us, and-"

"-And how is that my problem?" He asked, raising a brow, "It is you and your people that are failing at catching one insignificant criminal. Are you saying that because of your imprudence I should bask in despair and disallow myself any joy? If anything, what people need the most right now is merriment and relaxation. Any more stress and they'll collapse from exhaustion."

[Y/N] frowned, "You too are quite tactless. Cease acting as if this does not concern you."

"I am not acting. All crime and the well-being of Inazuma rests in the Tri-Commission's hands, as well as the detective agency's. You are a part of it, and I am not. Therefore I shall act however I please," He twirled his glass around, his expression being that of complete disregard, "Now if you'll excuse me. There are other matters I need to atten-"

"Are you trying to ruin our family, brother?" A pit of anger began arising in her stomach. Anger that she had begun to forget. He was acting so nonchalant about something that very well involves every clan in Inazuma. He had no right to lecture her about anything.

"What?" He stopped in his tracks.

"Our Kamiyama clan is responsible for the well-being of our servants as well as the entirety of Inazuma as well. The killer concerns you too. You are the heir. It is your duty to uphold the safety of our Nation. If not for the people, then for the Shogun... If not for the Shogun, then for our family and pride," She hoped to talk some sense into him, but all she was met with was the eyes of someone who did not care for anything she listed.