𝓕𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓵𝓲𝓴𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓻𝓼 ~ Hikaru Hizashi x oc ~ Beyblade Burst

Chapter 16

Suisei Pov:

The sitting room's grandeur felt oppressive, every polished surface and gleaming artifact a testament to their mother's relentless pursuit of perfection. A grand chandelier hung above them, its crystal droplets catching the light like shards of ice. But the coldest thing in the room was the woman seated before them.

Their mother's icy blue eyes cut into Suisei with surgical precision, framed by perfectly arched brows that conveyed both disapproval and an unwavering sense of control. Her platinum-blonde hair was swept into a flawless chignon, not a single strand out of place, and her tailored charcoal-gray dress fit her like armor. A silver necklace, deceptively simple yet undoubtedly priceless, rested against her throat like a warning: tread carefully.

"Akira," she said, her voice smooth and detached, her gaze flicking to him. "You haven't stopped this nonsense yet."

"Nonsense?" Akira asked, his tone carefully neutral, though Suisei could see the tension in his shoulders.

"You're the heir," she continued, as if explaining something obvious to a particularly dense child. "Love is a luxury you cannot afford. Your responsibility is to produce another heir. Quickly."

Akira's knuckles whitened as he gripped the armrest of his chair. "Mother, I've told you—"

"You've told me nothing but excuses," she interrupted sharply, her tone cutting. "It's time for action."

Her gaze shifted to Suisei, and Suisei felt like a butterfly pinned under glass.

"And you." Her lips curved into something resembling a smile, though it lacked any warmth. "You know the rule. Only Akira marries. Your role is clear: you charm, you socialize, you forge alliances. Nothing more."

Suisei bristled but bit her tongue. The last thing she needed was to provoke her mother further.

But then her mother leaned forward, her piercing gaze locking onto Suisei. "Bring the boy, Suisei."

Her heart stumbled. The boy.

"Hikaru," her mother said, her voice soft but venomous. "He's useful. I've seen his potential. If you care about him—and I believe you do—bring him to me. Or I'll fetch him myself."

Suisei's pulse raced. "You can't—"

Her mother raised a hand, silencing her. "I can. And I will. Don't mistake my patience for weakness, dear."

"Mother—" Akira began, his voice firm.

She turned to him with an arched brow. "You do know what defiance means in this family, don't you?"

Akira's jaw tightened, and Suisei felt the air thicken with unspoken threats.

"I've said my piece," their mother declared, sitting back with an air of finality. "You have until the end of the week. Don't disappoint me."

The dismissal hung heavy in the air. Akira rose first, extending a hand to Suisei, who followed him wordlessly. Her legs felt like lead as they walked out of the room, the weight of their mother's ultimatum pressing down on her chest.

The moment the door closed behind them, Suisei exhaled shakily.

"Don't listen to her," Akira said quietly, his voice steady but his expression dark. "We'll figure this out. Together."

Suisei nodded numbly, her mind spinning. She couldn't drag Hikaru into this—not when he trusted her so completely. But how could she defy her mother without putting him at risk?

As they stepped outside into the crisp afternoon air, Suisei stopped abruptly. A figure stood near the hedges by the driveway, partially hidden but unmistakable.