WHISPERS OF A BUTTERFLY • Kamisato Ayato

ten. 十

The engagement party did wonders for your reputation. Instead of the elitist, snobby aristocrat you had been scorned as, you were suddenly a sweetheart whose grace and beauty matched tenderly with the man whose heart you were pledged to for life.

If only that were true.

Ayato had been rather cold and distant to you since the fiasco that night, which was odd, because for everything to feel cold and distant, there would have to be warmth and closeness first. You never saw him sparring or idling in the garden anymore, either. Most of the time, he was busy with his work, and you were free to go around Narukami Island as you pleased.

Chisato had sent you an invite to Ritou, saying she wanted to discuss something important. You accepted.

You noticed that the letter came in official-looking invitation stationery instead of being decorated with the cute washi tape your cousin often collected, like she had scribbled it along with other important invitations. Huh. Chisato must finally be settling into her role as head of the Kanjou Commission.

You wondered if this was an insight to the rest of your life: visualizing placid moments to disguise your loneliness and constant agitation. You did not know why either; it wasn't as though you even liked Ayato. It turned out that a kiss hung over everything, no matter how terrible an idea it was. The memory of his mouth on yours shimmered in the air between you.

When you arrived at the Kanjou Commission headquarters, a few of the Tenryou Commission's guards lingered. You skirted around them in search of Chisato. As usual, she stood at her spot on the walkway, but she was not alone. Kujou Kamaji was holding her, and he whispered something in her ear that made her blush a hue that sickened you to the core.

Chisato spotted you. She unwrapped herself around Kamaji and they both stood to attention as you bowed before them. You were expressionless as they reciprocated the action out of respect. Between you and Chisato, you had always been the more irritable and spiteful one of the pair. It came as no surprise that you remained indifferent to Kamaji still.

"F/N, just the girl I wanted to see," Chisato said brightly, but her voice quavered. "I've recently spoken to Ayato, and he didn't seem to know your whereabouts at all."

She nodded at Kamaji and he took it as his cue to go. They shared a look you couldn't understand. You flipped open your fan and pressed it against your mouth to show your disdain for their secrets.

"You seem busy," you said as you watched Kamaji leave, pushing his glasses up his sweating nose bridge and beckoning his guards to follow.

"Not as much as you," said Chisato. "Your mother and father are so pleased, you know, to hear that you've been preparing to get married. Don't you find it a bit... draining?"

Something must have twisted in your face, because Chisato went from nervous to soft.

"Did you and Ayato fight?"

"It's nothing serious," you lied. "I can tolerate it."

"You shouldn't, though," said Chisato. "If it doesn't make you happy, you should walk away."

"I don't seek happiness," you said with venom. "I seek stability. Unlike you and the Kujou boy."

Chisato frowned. "He has a name, F/N, I think he'd like for you to use it."

"What does it matter, Chisato?" you asked. "I'm marrying Ayato anyway, and it's not like you're getting married anytime soon."

Your cousin looked as though you'd slapped her in the face. You instantly regretted your words. It was too early to say such things.