Our Hope

Chapter 9

"What do you mean 'suspicious'?" Togami's usual icy expression stared down at Kirigiri.

"The other leaders wouldn't allow Makoto to step foot into the meeting," She huffed a sigh.

My shoulders tensed, "I'll clear this up". As I tried to pass Kyoko, she grabbed my arm, "What?" I was quickly losing my patience. "If Makoto can't have a say, I'll force my word!"

"You aren't a Division leader anymore," she paused, tightening her lips together, "that, and they are including you in the suspicion". Finishing her news, Kyoko released my arm.

A flurry of anger whipped throughout my body. "When Future Foundation was barely an organization, I was watching the world crumble around us when I was recruited. I've been here since the near beginning!" I closed my eyes, trying to halt the adrenaline pumping through my veins. "If it weren't for me, this organization wouldn't have what makes this organization whole," I turned back to face Byakuya and Kyoko. "But if they want to play this game, fine. Once Fukawa and Naegi are back, we'll prove all of them wrong," I crossed my arms, almost as a barrier to keep the frustration inside. For the first time in nearly a year, I finally felt like a Billotte again.

Night crept in quickly as I spent the rest of the day in my room, handling paperwork while mulling over my anger. A brief knock pulled my mind from the agonizing work. "Coming!" I called. I felt like a sledgehammer was knocking against my heart once I saw that Togami was waiting on the other side.

"You look exhausted," His voice sounded stiff.

I stabbed a finger behind me, pointing towards the massive stack of folders. "Makoto got away easy," I had regretted my decision more now than ever. "You came at the right time, though. Want some tea?" I closed the door behind us, giving the warmest smile I could muster.

We sat on the edge of my bed, cups of decaf tea in hand. "I want to talk to you, actually," I couldn't even look at him; what I wanted to say seemed selfish.

He bent forward to meet my averted gaze, "What is it?"

My eyes followed him back to his normal posture. "I know a fair amount about you, so I wanted to talk about myself," A choked laugh floating breathlessly from my lips. We sat in a brief silence. He simply nodded, waiting for me to begin talking. "Byakuya...we've met before, but it was only once and brief". I noticed that his hands froze around the cup I handed him, eyes still glued to mine. "It would've been around five years ago now, I believe; at a dinner party your family was hosting". I hoped that would've triggered some kind of memory.

He shook his head slowly, his eyes searching for some recollection of that day. "I'm sorry...but I can't seem to recall..."

"It's understandable. You barely glanced at me," I could laugh about it now, "Your father invited my father to discuss his latest suit designs for the season, but my father had other intentions".

His brow furrowed, "Suit designs?" Togami took another long sip of tea to process the events.

A dry laugh croaked from my throat, "Does the name Preston Billotte sound familiar?"

All the confusion dropped in his face as the pieces came together. "Wait, you're telling me that you're his daughter? He was one of Europe's most successful male fashion designers," He paused, "That would make you- ".

"The heiress of my family's business. You seem surprised," I grinned.

"Well, I mean- I wouldn't have guessed," He tried to cover the blatant bewilderment.

"I haven't told anyone," My grin fell, my features shrouding in dark memory, "because it would've never become mine". I understood the expression in Togami's face; the feeling of being stripped of what was rightfully yours, especially when you worked your ass off for it. Granted, I'm sure I didn't work nearly as hard as Togami had to become his family's heir.

"Did you have siblings that surpassed you?" His tone seeped in doubt.

"No, I just didn't meet their 'fashion forward' standards," My hands clutched the edge of the mattress. "I wanted to explore new styles, how to incorporate street fashion and high-end fashion, and breed a new line of trends. I wanted innovation, not tradition," The last sentence spat out in venom.

Togami followed without missing a single detail. "So, your father wanted to marry you off to another prestigious family," He nodded, "I understand now why my father disapproved of the request," Togami gave a curt sigh, placing a hand over mine. "Yet, here we are". When he caught my gaze, all my pent-up anger evaporated. His smile could've sucked the breath from my lungs. As if the smile wasn't enough, Togami swept my hand into his and graced the back with a kiss. My heart wept in adoration, a love-struck smile graced my face.