𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐂𝐔𝐓, BONTEN.

02. REGRET AND MISTRUST

CHAPTER TWO! BEFORE ALL OF THE WINDS OF REGRET AND MISTRUST.

FIRST-PERSON
point of view,

It was already past midnight when I noticed their arrival at the Estate.

They weren't hard to recognize despite our lack of interaction with each other these past few months. They still kept that ridiculous hair color I dared once last summer which makes them stick out like a sore thumb. It surprised me—if you truly despised someone, wouldn't you erase every trace of them? Because I did.

I twirled the caramel strands of my hair that were once dyed blonde when the sight of Ran Haitani, fixing his suit before settling down on his chair, caught my sight. His eyes fixed on me for a little while before he averted it to his younger brother, Rindou who had done the same. I licked my lips, trying to stop myself from bearing annoyance to this supposedly perfect evening.

"You look like you could use one."

Shuji returned with a glass of wine in his hand and a plate of apple tarts. His lips were tugged a little as he spared a look at the people across us.

"Look at them," he murmured, a sly grin playing on his lips as he settled into the seat beside me. "Stealing glances when they think you're not looking." He let out a low whistle, his gaze drifting over me slowly, as if I were some rare painting he'd stumbled upon in a quiet gallery. "Not that I blame them."

I groaned, only taking a sip of the wine he got for me. I found myself wishing they'd never set foot on our estate, but the summer ball was an unbreakable tradition—a centuries-old gathering that bound the nine families together each year. There was something about this customary event that always made me feel delighted once, seeing the nine upscale households of Japan in one frame but this night above them all was the most implausible that I had experienced so far. Only because I wasn't on good terms with some of these people.

"Dear."

"Mom," I muttered when she called out for me to the other side of the people where the other eight families reside. I've been steering clear of their table for a while now—not because of their sons, but because I can practically see the questions bubbling up in their minds. I know the moment they catch sight of the boy beside me, they'll be all too eager to pounce, each question more pointed than the last of who is Hanma Shuji and why was he my escort instead of their own son.

"I honestly don't wanna go," Shuji gave out a light chuckle at my suffering.

"I'll be here if they try something, doll."

Taking a deep breath, I stride over to the table where a small group of women—mothers, friends of my mother—are gathered, their eyes widening in delight as they take in the sight of me, Keiko's daughter, now grown.

It's been years since we last saw each other, so I understand their excitement as they fawn over me, each greeting warmer than the last. I make my way around the table, exchanging kisses on my cheeks, feeling their hands linger on my face and back as if to hold me just a second longer for some probing questions. But no one could do it when Mochi's grandmother eagerly wanted to embrace me. She clasps my hand firmly, as if unwilling to let me slip away again. Her grip is surprisingly strong, and I can't help but smile awkwardly, glancing over her shoulder. 

Just a few feet away, I catch Mochi laughing with his girlfriend, both of their eyes crinkled with amusement, watching the whole scene unfold. I rolled my eyes and spared a look at Aiko, Mochi's girlfriend, to take action before my legs wobbled out of balance from the awkward position of hugging the elder.

"It's good to see you again," Aiko mumbled from our embrace. "You did a wonderful job with the party."

My lips tugged softly at her compliment, "I did my best. For them." I spoke, eyes drifting off to my mothers who were still caught in conversation with their friends.

"[Name], psst." The voice was soft but insistent, pulling my attention over to Emma. She sat awkwardly a few seats away, glancing around like she'd rather be anywhere else than surrounded by her brother's friends. I turned back to Aiko, hoping a quick conversation might spare me from whatever Emma was trying to pull me into. But just as I started to say something, I heard it again—"[Name]," a little louder this time.

I sighed inwardly, trying to act oblivious. Emma should've known by now: I don't go near her when her brother and his friends are hanging around.

"I think Emma's calling you," Aiko murmured, fighting back a giggle as Emma's voice rose again. This time louder than she probably intended.

"Ignore her."

I clutch my phone and send her a message. One that states 'Call my name again and I'll send that one embarrassing video you have to Draken'. It wasn't life threatening but Emma had me swear to never send that video to anyone, especially to that tall braided guy. They were still in the talking phase, so I guess she's playing safe for now. 

Seconds later, my phone made a sound. I expected a response from Emma but what I got was a message from Shuji saying that as much as he would like to stay, he's got to go home now. A familiar frown creased my brow, knowing all too well the reason behind his urge to go home. Excusing myself from the table, I go over to my mother and tell her that Shuji is going home now.

"Wait, tell him to spare a few minutes." Mother tells me quite a bit aloud that a few of the people from the table spared a look at us. "The photographer's here already. I'd like him to have a picture with you."

I hesitate. "I'm not sure, Mom." I think he really needs to go home now.

"We'll do it," I jumped back upon hearing a deep voice from behind. Shuji.

I instinctively looked toward the table where my former friends sat, and as expected, their eyes were glued to him. I could almost feel the weight of their scrutiny boring into Shuji, and I suppressed a scoff, rolling my eyes as I redirected my focus to the man beside me.

"What are you doing here?" My tone suggests that I'd rather have him wait outside rather than step into the lion's den.

"It's getting boring back there," He replied, nodding toward the crowd of giggling ladies who had surrounded him like moths to a flame, clearly vying for his attention.

I sighed, feeling the tug of conflicting emotions. Part of me wanted to pull him away from their prying eyes, to protect him from them. But another part—a foolish, selfish part—wanted him to be my side. To show them that I could fill the void they had left, just as they had so easily cast me aside.

"Great! This will only take a minute, Shuji." Mother was pleased, her arms now tangled with Shuji while Yui clasped mine into hers. "Well then, ladies. If you'll excuse us."