Yoshinaga Ayami, a 18-year-old ballerina, had been dancing almost as long as she could remember. Her journey began when she was just 5 years old, and for a thirteen years, she had shone brightly on stage, capturing hearts at countless shows and competitions. Ayami's dedication to ballet had taken her around the world, allowing her to learn from the best in various countries.
Despite her deep love for ballet, Ayami had another passion that often clashed with her disciplined dance life: rock music. She loved exploring different kinds of clothes, hairstyles, makeup, and music.
However, her parents, Yume and Kyo, had little appreciation for her eclectic tastes. Both highly successful professionals—Yume as a finance executive and Kyo as a lawyer—they valued traditional, "noble" pursuits. For them, ballet was acceptable because of its prestige and the discipline it instilled.
Ayami's parents had high expectations for all their children. Although her siblings, Riyu (13) and Kazu (8), were still young, they were already being groomed for success. The strict household meant the children were well provided for, spoiled even, but only as long as they adhered to their parents' strict rules. Any significant misstep would lead to severe consequences, including the loss of their privileges.
Ayami and her family were gathered around the dining table, enjoying a rare dinner together. The atmosphere was uncomfortable and intense, with the soft clinking of cutlery.
"Aya-chan, I've heard from Takenaka-san that you're performing well in your studies," Otosan said, looking at her with a proud smile.
"Really, Father? I'm shocked," Ayami replied, acting surprise. She knew the truth—she had been overworking herself to balance her studies and ballet. Being homeschooled meant she had to manage her time meticulously.
Otosan laughed heartily. "As expected of my daughter, a true genius."
"So, how is the preparation for the Ishizuka show going?" Okāsan asked, shifting the conversation. The Ishizuka were the most famous auctioneers in Japan, drawing many influential people, politicians, and the elite.
"The practice starts next week, so I'll be heading back to Tokyo soon," Ayami said. She lived alone in Tokyo, in a high-security apartment complex called 'Kogone Towers.'
Even though her parents were strict and preferred to keep their children under close watch, they also recognized the importance of giving them the freedom to grow. They had reluctantly agreed to let Ayami live alone in Tokyo, under the condition that her every move would be monitored.
“What show are you performing?” Otosan asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.
“Good. We might come to watch,” Otosan said, nodding approvingly.
Ayami smiled, pretending to be excited about her family watching her perform. After dinner, she retreated to her room in the annex house. She had chosen this side of the mansion so she could practice ballet in her free time, away from prying eyes.
“Hello, Miss,” Mai greeted her as she entered. Mai had been working with Ayami for two years and was now 20 years old.
Ayami and Mai were not friends; Ayami had set clear boundaries with her staff from the start. Ever since she was betrayed one of her maids. Despite this, Mai understood Ayami’s needs and had become adept at managing her routines.
Ayami sat down on the sofa, exhausted from the dinner. Being around her family often felt suffocating.
“Mai,” Ayami called out.
Mai nodded and moved to the kitchen to prepare Ayami’s secret meal. Despite the strict diet Ayami’s parents imposed on her, which included only eating vegetables in their presence, Mai had been secretly cooking more nutritious meals for Ayami.
While Mai prepared the food, Ayami went to take a bath. She changed into her ballet outfit afterward, a routine she followed to maintain her form.
This secret arrangement had started after one of Ayami’s previous maids was caught cooking non-diet food for her. The maid had been fired, and Ayami’s mother had imposed a stricter diet. It had taken years of secret therapy for Ayami to recover.
Ayami sat down on her chair, savoring each bite of her meal, while Mai stood nearby, silently observing Ayami's routine.
"Mai," Ayami finally said, breaking the quiet.
Mai knew exactly what Ayami needed. She returned promptly, placing a cigarette in Ayami's mouth and lighting it for her.
After finishing her meal, Ayami sipped on some tea and made her way to the ballet studio to work off what she had eaten. She started with a light warm-up, focusing on stretching and breathing exercises. Afterwards, she brushed her teeth meticulously before heading back to her room.
"Have you packed already?" Ayami asked as she entered.
"Yes, Miss," Mai replied promptly.
"We'll be staying there for about a month or so," Ayami informed her. "I'm looking forward to getting back to Tokyo."
Mai smiled. "I'm excited too," she admitted.
Ayami nodded, acknowledging Mai's enthusiasm. Mai bowed respectfully to Ayami and bid her goodnight before leaving.
Alone in her room, Ayami turned off the main light, leaving only her study lamp on. She settled into her favorite chair with a book, intending to read, but soon found herself dozing off.
𓈒⠀𓂃⠀⠀˖⠀𓇬 PICTURES 𓇬⠀˖⠀⠀𓂃⠀𓈒
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EIYU ACADEMIA
⋆.˚♡⸝⸝ (sorry for the grammar and typos. I'll check it again after ;) please don't forget to comment and like my story)
— sidenote • hi, i might used fictional shows name, but ofc i'll include the og (nutcracker, giselle, swan lake, and so on) • i am not familiar with ballet and i have zero knowledge but eh, i'll try my best • for NARRATING i'll be using the japanese word for mother and father, but for CONVERSE is just the english word
