Fate's Cruel Little Game [Akashi Seijuro Fanfiction]

Prologue

As if life wasn’t fair enough.

Her younger sister being one of the only things that could make her smile genuine. And she was her little sister’s inspiration. That thought alone made her strive towards tomorrow and live.

Her father was strict, serious, and harsh; her mother was kind, though sometimes indifferent about things, but she just wasn’t her. Her grandparents were most caring about her, taking care of her and nurturing her throughout harsh times. The servants often played with her during her childhood, smiling with her as she read books, or drew pictures, or played an instrument. Because of her frail health, her sister was often at the hospital, so she was never really expected of anything. She was basically the joy of the family, always smiling and happy.

 She, on the other hand,  was expected many things. Her expectations started from a young age; at age five, she was expected to know all the basics of learning. Age seven, to write paragraphs or summaries neatly and detailed. Age nine, she was to know how to do the basics of algebra and so on.

 It wasn’t easy for her, but she had managed to do it. Every day she would study and study, also having to make time for her sister. And with her father breathing down her neck, it was more difficult than ever.

 The only times that she could really relax was when she visited her grandparent’s home in Hokkaido. It was definitely breathtaking; the scenery, the peace, the homey feeling. It made her want to just stop the time and live there forever. Who wouldn’t? From beautiful lakes, to towering mountains to relaxing hot springs, it was the perfect place for someone who simply wanted peace.

 But of course, with his company at stake, her father would never allow it.

 She usually would only spend two weeks in Hokkaido, and then she was whisked back to Tokyo. It wasn’t peaceful there at all, being the large city it was. With the many tourists and people there, there wasn’t really such a thing as peace and quiet there.

 She was often accompanying her father and mother at business parties, where it was loud and required much socializing. And although she never did like doing that, each time she went to these parties, she found herself perfecting a perfect fake smile that not even her parents saw through. And she wanted it to stay that way.

 Her aunt and uncle were also one of her favorites. They always supported her in any way, helping her with schoolwork, instruments, and even painting.

 They were known doctors, world famous for their surgical successes and such. She had always admired them for that, how they were always able to save lives without mistake, even if the person has done something wrong. She viewed them as superheroes in her younger days, a humorous thought that never failed to make her laugh.

 They once told her, that even though they’ve done wrong, we’re all human, and every life is worth the same, therefore worth saving.

 If she was actually free of all her duties, her first job of choice would be a doctor along with her cousin, just like her aunt and uncle. She wanted to save lives so that no one would have to suffer from any sorts of pain like she did, from emotional to physical.

 It was a monotonous life.

 As she grew up, her father’s standards became harsher and harsher. By the time she started her third year in middle school, she was already smarter than a graduating high schooler. Keeping up with all the work wasn’t easy in any way. He had given her paperwork to do every couple of weeks so that she would ‘get used to the business world’.

 It was horribly monotonous to sit in a room with paperwork the whole day.

 She was now only allowed to visit Hokkaido during Christmas, birthdays, and New Years; not to mention she hated not being able to see the landscapes, and not be able to eat her grandmother’s heavenly cooking. She was the one who taught her how to cook after all.

 

Maybe moving to Kyoto wasn’t that bad of an idea after all.

 It definitely had the air of an ancient city of traditional lifestyle. With beautiful gardens and lakes, geishas and maikos strolling down the streets while tourists came and went. The houses ranged from modern to traditional. The variety of things was not really found in Tokyo, where it’s loud and full of people.

 She had been forced to separate from her friends at her previous school, and now attended another prestigious school. It was another one filled with rich snobs and jocks, the kind she hated. She only wished to attend a normal school. One with average people and average standards. She didn’t want to spend a year with rich kids flaunting their power and wealth.

 Her name was well known, so expectantly, people were crowding around her. From the annoying snobs to the normal snobs, they were all the same to her. They asked her the same questions over and over again.

 

‘Do you want to hangout with us?’

 ‘Hey, dude! She’s hot! Hey! Akiyama! Wanna go out with us sometime?’

 ‘You’re sooooo pretty! Why don’t you come with us?’

 ‘Have a guy, yet? No? Hell ya!’

 ‘Heh. She’s probably a slut.. Hey! You, Akiyama! Don’t you dare take my man, got it?!’

 Had they seriously thought that she would care about such trivial things like that? She had much more important things to do, like paperwork for instance. Probably something they’ve never really done.

 For the rest of the year, she was quiet, calm, and serious. Only talking when needed or with her sister. Ignoring and rejecting all the boys that tried to flirt with her. Ignoring and brushing off all the threats she received from stupid girls who were simply jealous of attention.

 She then became known as the ‘Stone-hearted Heartthrob.’

 She would definitely want to go to a normal school, now.

 This was definitely annoying and monotonous.

 

As if monotony was constantly chasing after her, her father enrolled her into Rakuzan, one of the most prestigious schools in Japan. It was said that only one out of fifteen people make it into this incredibly famous and wealthy school. Mostly geniuses or rich people attend even with the entrance exams cutting them from attending. There was more than 300 people in Rakuzan, surprisingly enough.

 Her first thoughts about the school? Same as all the others.

 She wasn’t going to let her guard down. She wasn’t going to let people in easily. She wasn’t going to damage her family’s reputation either.

 But little did she know, that she would soon turn her back on those words.

 Little did she know that she would be stripped of her facade.

 Little did she know that she would make life time friends as well as enemies.

 Little did she know that Rakuzan would turn out more interesting than she thought.

 

Especially a meeting with a certain red emperor just right around the corner.