It Was All Arranged [R. Sakamaki]

Their Agreement

"Is this really necessary?" Shuu grunted against the silver chains which held his hands to the arms of the flimsy, wooden chair, "It was just a bit of harmless revenge, would you rather I kill her?"

"If you killed her, we'd have a war on our hands," Reiji retorted, pacing before the large window which overlooked the beautiful rose garden. He'd chosen this room for her for good reason.

"You don't care about her," Shuu rolled his eyes, "she's just another piece in whatever plan you're scheming." Reiji raised an eyebrow as he looked harshly at Shuu. "See? You aren't saying anything. Believe it or not, Reiji, but I do know you."

"I do not understand what you are talking about."

"Oh? What about when she tried to kill me? You directed her to my heart - you know I can't die if she stabs me there."

"I don't fancy having two murders in the span of a month."

"Not even the brother you hate?"

"What do you want?" Reiji asked, "What do you gain from this?"

"Why should I tell you?"

"If you want to win her over, destroying her beloved items won't work. She has the heart of a human, you have to woo her."

"So that's what you're doing, is it? What do you want from her, Reiji?" Shu spat, "All you'll end up doing is hurting her. Is that what you want?"

"I wish for peace."

"She made your life a living hell," Shuu said, crossing one leg over the other with a heavy sigh, "you hate her."

"I killed her best friend."

"I'm noticing a trend in your behaviour."

Reiji ignored his brother as he cracked open the sealed window, the icy breeze hitting his thin shirt as he turned to Shuu, straightening his cuffs.

"What do you want with her?" He was seething.

"Isn't it obvious?" Shuu asked, "I want to claim my rightful place on the throne."

"You had your chance."

The girls sat side by side in the cafeteria with matching pink bento boxes loaded with rice and vegetables, made by their beloved chef.

"Ah, Gizmo is a true darling!" Athena beamed as she effortlessly lifted her dark chopsticks. Yui smiled as Athena dug into her meal, swinging her legs excitedly as she did so, "So good!" She glanced at Yui, who had been staring at her for a long while, "You okay?"

"How did you and Reiji meet?" She asked kindly.

"You wanna know about our past?" She asked and Yui nodded, "We met at our engagement party," Athena said, "he called my dress tacky."

"That's not very nice…"

"Originally, I was meant to marry Shuu," Athena nibbled on the end of her chopstick, "Shuu and I would have been a better couple, I suppose. Back then we had a tolerance of one another… though we aren't exactly compatible. Reiji and I are, however."

"Did you choose Reiji?"

"Oh, no. This story is not a romantic one," Athena snorted, pushing the rice around its container, "Shuu didn't want to marry me. Reiji was forced to take the burden."

"Is that why they don't get along?"

"Their history is not my story to tell," Athena said, "but no. Although, it is the reason Reiji grew a hatred for me - I'm assuming. He found out about our engagement the day of the party whereas I'd known for a few weeks."