Haikyuu!! x Reader AUs

A Turn of Events {Sakusa Kiyoomi}

The shrill, beautiful cries of violin strings travelled through the air reeking of cologne and perfume, and filled with chatter. The subtle scent of flowers assaulted your nose, lingering on the necks of the beautiful women who fluttered past you like butterflies. Their elegant, graceful movements in their long, flowing evening dresses were so calculated yet effortless. Regality was in their genes, which was why they fit so perfectly into their surroundings, and why they were always the subject of many adoring gazes.

While the grand architecture of the ballroom felt comfortable and normal to every high and mighty guest contained within its heavily decorated walls, you wondered what horrible crime you'd committed in a past life to be trapped within its confines. The polished wood beneath your feet shimmered in the bright light raining down from extravagant chandeliers, and the lanterns lining the garden outside twinkled through the curtain-framed windows. Oh, how you longed to be outside rather than stuck in this beautiful prison, hyperaware of how little you felt you belonged despite your royal title.

The event eating up your night was one in which princes and princesses from all over Japan gathered to seek out eligible partners and forge alliances with other royal families. Your parents, who always made scathing remarks about the absence of a man in your life, had sent you on a train to the location where the occasion was set to take place in a heartbeat. So, here you were, at Itachiyama Palace, thoroughly cursing your existence. While most girls would've killed to have been raised in a royal family, constantly swathed in beautiful, luxurious gowns while men and servants tended to their every desire, you would've killed to have a normal life.

Your parents had always joked that you'd been born into the wrong family, since you didn't take well to the limelight or constant attention, unlike your older sister--who was the shining example of a perfect princess. You were her antithesis at heart, but your feelings didn't matter much, since you still had to attend all the stupid, frivolous events around Japan anyway. It wasn't that you hated the life you led, it was just that you despised the ways of royals. The fake facades of kindness and politeness they put up while flaunting their wealth, beauty, and power just didn't tickle your fancy. All their material possessions were just filler for their vapid personalities, and hearing them talk ceaselessly about themselves made you want your eardrums removed, but you had to act interested to win their favor and please your family.

Because of your duty to your parents and to the people under your family's jurisdiction, you hadn't put up a fight on your way to the lavish residence they'd purchased in the hills less than thirty minutes away from the palace, or while your traveling assistants glammed you up for the party. You'd hoped that maybe, just maybe, something nice would happen to change your perception of the elite, but, so far, your views hadn't shifted. A few men had spoken to you earlier, but mainly to spout off their own triumphs. When the conversation had moved to any other topic, it didn't take long for awkwardness to set in, prompting them to slip away and "grab a drink," only to disappear into the throngs of more socially apt women at the center of the room.

Stifling a yawn with your gloved hand, you watched the pairs of beautiful men and women glide around the ballroom floor in perfect synchrony, as if they were made for one another. A butler who appeared at your side with a tray of fresh appetizers was your only beacon of hope, for he had been singlehandedly feeding you the entire night. In fact, he made it a habit to wander around the perimeter of the giant room to find you each time he emerged from the kitchen with another round of snacks or drinks. He never said anything, though, and simply left you alone, which was all you could ask for, really. You appreciated him.

When the butler moved out of your view, someone standing in a corner opposite where you were caught your eye. He was rather hard to miss since his tall, athletic form was cloaked in a yellow overcoat with lime green and white accents. The fitted, black pants he wore on his long legs were tucked neatly into his matching boots. Jet-black waves of hair spilled over his head, framing his annoyed but handsome face--half of which was covered underneath a white mask.