Chapter 136 - Abysmal

"Isn't she the victim in all this?"

Suzuki Aki's words felt like a huge slap on the face.

"Emi was forced into a life she didn't want, trained to be someone who was like a glorified prostitute – even raised to produce a child or children she didn't choose to have because it was what was expected of her position. Now, she's been cast aside, demoted to a mere servant, but still treated like someone so disposable. Even if it's all for my sister, looking at it in her point of view, isn't she so pitiful?"

Hearing this, Kazehaya Gin suddenly looked conflicted, then guilty. He knew that of course. Still…

"I apologize. I know that you have your reasons whatever they may be. Also, it's your clan matter. But, I can't help not saying anything even if Ara comes out as the favored party, knowing that someone had to suffer like that for her sake… It just feels… awful."

Suzuki Aki looked like he couldn't find the correct words to use that wouldn't sound too bad. Kazehaya Gin didn't mind anyway. He was right.

"There's no need to apologize. You're part of the family now. You're entitled to voice your opinion. Besides…"

Kazehaya paused as if to search for words. "Besides, you are not wrong. We are…"

The Homura International CEO had his reasons why he hated the Makuras in general. But, it's a glaring fact that to specifically hate Emi was very abysmal and unreasonable of him. He had always known in his heart that the Makuras were not at fault. It was the system itself that corrupted the minds of the women and forced them into that position that was to blame. But…

But if he let go of this hate, he wouldn't know how he'd be able to cope with his cursed existence.

He was thinking this when the phone is his breast pocket rang. He quickly took it out and frowned at the caller ID. "Ryuu?"

"Gin-nii, do you know what the exact words of the prophecy were?"

Ha?

"No. I was just three years old back then."

"I see. Can you ask around then?"

Kazehaya was at a loss as to what the Koutaishidenka wanted with the information but agreed anyway. "I'll deal with it after the conference," he said and ended the call.

"Anything wrong with Ryuu?"

Kazehaya Gin shook his head. "He was just asking if I remembered the prophecy."

Of course not. When the lady of the Homura House got pregnant, Gin was still very young and was living in Hakone.

"What did he want it for?"Aki asked in confusion.

Kazehaya snorted as an idea crossed his mind. "He probably wants to show it to Ara to score points."

"Points?"

The atmosphere between them lightening, Gin placed his hands together dramatically as he mimicked Ara's voice. "Oh Ryuu, you are correct, there's a prophecy. We were really fated to be together. Kyaaaaaa!"

By this time, both the members of their companies had joined them in their seat and heard the last part of the Homura International's CEO's drama and were dumbfounded.

"Er… Gin, I think the conference will start," Aki reminded him so the other would stop and sit properly.

Oh… 

"Sorry," Kazehaya Gin smiled at the people as he straightened in his seat and behaved.

=====

Ara watched as Kou laughingly disappeared from her sight.

"Silly husky papa," she muttered under her breath, thinking it was only audible to her but she was wrong.

Emi and Yayoi finally couldn't stop the mirth and snorted, but they had recovered fast and covered their mouths with their hands.

Suzuki Ara didn't notice though. Her thoughts still lingered on her fiancé. She had noticed again how handsome he looked earlier and when he wiped his sweat…

"We apologize for the Young Master, Miss Ara. I hope you don't mind. He's almost always in control but there are times he can't rein in his temper," Yayoi was telling her, but she was still far beyond hearing, except her next words. "Please be patient when sometimes he's like a volcano...."

Ara absentmindedly nodded. "Yeah, he's like a volcano. So hot – no I mean – urgh…"

What did she just say?

Ara prayed she was not heard – but of course, that was wishful thinking. She turned to Emi, Yayoi and the other servants who avoided her gaze, but not after she'd seen their dancing eyes and knowing looks before they suddenly became so interested in the wooden floor.

Errr…

Heat crept up her neck to her cheeks in embarrassment. "Please forget you heard that," she deadpanned.

This time, Yayoi, the old lady who was a total fan of Ryuu and Ara broke out in laughter. Her melodious voice rang in the dojo for a few seconds before reigning in her mirth.

"I'm so sorry for laughing Miss Ara," she apologized.

Ara crouched on the floor then as she hid her face behind the wiggling puppy. "That was embarrassing," she declared.

"Oh no, no, no," Yayoi shook her head as she stepped forward to assist Ara back up on her feet. "Miss Ara, appreciating your husband isn't embarrassing at all. In fact, it's a very nice thing – and if the Koutaishidenka knows what you think about him, he would be very happy."

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

"Oh no, please don't let him know," Ara quickly begged her, as she held her arm.

Who knew what that newly turned perverted husky papa would do or say if he found out?

"Please don't tell him."Ara made everyone who was there promise not to tell Ryuu about what she said before she started to relax.

They were still highly amused by their future lady of course, but Ara didn't care as long as they wouldn't say a word to Kou. She then turned, and her eyes swept the room and rested on the target several meters away from where she was standing.

Oh…

Interest sparkled in her gray orbs as she noted the arrow in the middle of one of the targets.

"The Young Master shot that arrow earlier Miss Ara," one of the servants informed her with pride.

The lady they were trying to impress with their Young Master's archery skills, however, grinned mischievously instead of looking impressed. They all awkwardly tried to guess what was on her mind.

"Emi, can you take Byakky for a while?"

She handed the wiggling puppy back in Emi's arms and searched the room for the things she wanted, and her eyes glistened as she spotted them in the hands of one of the servants. 

"Miss Ara?" Yayoi asked as she watched Ara cross the room and run towards the servant to get the bow and arrow from him.

The servant hesitated before handing the items to Ara. He looked like he didn't want to, but he had no choice since she was the Lady of the House.

"Miss Ara, do you know archery?" Yayoi sounded really worried as she and Emi followed after her.

After all, they were talking about real bows and arrows. Although they were at the correct place, it's not wise to use them when one had no idea how. 

"Of course," Ara answered proudly, although the way she held the bow and arrow told them she'd never touched one in her life, and they started feeling nervous.

The servants were in a panic. Ara was not in the correct gear, and she looked clumsy the way she held the bow and arrow that one of them finally ran to fetch the Young Master. If anything bad happened to the Lady, they would all be dead.

Ara, on the other hand, was oblivious to the chaos around her. She was too absorbed on the bow and arrow, trying to place the projectile into the correct position, when her finger suddenly let go and accidentally shot.

THWIP!

The arrow pierced the floor a few meters ahead, destroying the wood.

She smiled sheepishly. It seemed she was out of practice.

Ooooops.