Now although I was not from a reputable background, it did not mean that the Kuruma family did not like me, but they did see me as more of a very close friend to Fuyu than a possible son-in-law. I was invited to some of their parties or other get-togethers, but most of them were on days that I could not attend, most likely intentional on their behalf. I was in the kitchen cooking dinner for me and my sister, as well as Fuyu, and Haru, as they came over frequently, and sometimes stayed the night, taking my room away from me. I was not inclined to share a bed with Fuyu, as it might upset her parents, and I would also be quite bashful in a situation like that. So most nights I was left on the couch. Once I finished up dinner and had set the table, the girls got to their usual talks. What boys they thought were cute, or what teacher was their favorite that day, the usual drama. I sat quietly and studied a book on the mechanics of building a car.
"Tristan, would you like to attend a ceremony of some of the highest standing officials in the world?" Fuyu asked politely.
"When and where is this event?" I responded, I would always go if I could, and since summer vacation had just started, I most likely could.
"Tomorrow, at my family's mansion, I know it starts at 9 am, but I was never told when it would end" She explained, but she looked a little sorry that she didn't know when it would end.
"Sounds great!" I yelled enthusiastically.
A smile returned to her face and she went back to eating. Since it was such a big event, and there were a lot of reputable people there, maybe I might be able to get on the good side of some of the larger corporations and get in a good position. I daydreamed of all the possibilities that would open up for me if such a thing was possible. After we were all done eating and had discussed the plans for tomorrow, Fuyu and Haru went home, while me and Shurui sat on the couch and watched some news.
"When are you going to ask her?" Shurui asked me.
"You know I can't do that sis, her background and everything is too much for someone like me, something like us would never be acceptable" I explain to her.
Shurui knew very well that I liked Fuyu, and that Fuyu liked me back. But she was still too naive as to believe in the phrase 'love conquers all'. Haru also knew about her sister's struggle, and luckily kept her mouth shut about it.
"Well, we have a party to go to tomorrow, we should get plenty of sleep tonight." I told Shurui.
"Didn't you listen bro? Only you will be able to go, not even Haru would be able to attend, you're pretty lucky." She told me, sounding a bit upset but giving me a little nudge that suggested something else.
"Why is that?" I asked. I was a bit confused as to why I would be invited if not even Haru would be able to go.
"Apparently it's going to be like some sort of coming of age party, but Fuyu said she didn't know anything more about it, but her parents and all the other important figures agreed that you could come," she stated, "apparently it's because some important family didn't have some kind of hier and so there was one spot missing for a kid, and when the Kurumas suggested you replacing that family, there were no objections." she added.
I was slightly taken back. The Kurumas suggested I take the place of some influential family? And what's more, none of the other top families objected to that idea? I didn't know how anybody in the Kuruma family viewed me, or how anyone else saw me, but now I felt like I must be quite the individual to not raise any objections to such high members of society.
With a wry smile on my face thinking it was too good to be true, I went to bed.
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The next day I got up and dressed in my best clothes. Aka some black sweatpants and a slightly skin tight long sleeve shirt. I wasn't bulky, but I guess you could say I had one of those slender builds, strong, but not the gym type muscles. I could handle myself in a fight, and since I had recently acquired an 8 pack and moderately sized chest muscles, why the hell not show it off to the families. I wasn't normally so confident, but the fact that I was invited to such an important seeming gathering boosted my self-esteem quite a bit.
It was 7 am and the Kuruma house was about an hour and a half away, walking distance. I quickly ate some breakfast, consisting of a bagel and an egg, and jogged over to the Kuruma residence. I arrived 30 minutes early, but there were still a few very luxurious and expensive looking cars parked out front. I even saw a helicopter land in the Kuruma's family backyard! I walked up to the door that was guarded by two very buff and mean looking men. I thought I could walk right up and pass as I was invited, but their movement said otherwise.
"Get lost kid, this isn't the place for a lowly commoner like you!" the darker skinned man yelled, blocking my path.
"If your looking to sell your boy scout food, go pester somebody else boy!" the paler man added.
"As a matter of fact, I was invited here by miss Fuyu, so if you would please step aside I would be very grateful." I calmly replied. These men were only doing their job, and I wasn't quick to anger, and regardless if they did pick a fight with me, I was confident enough to be able to beat both of them.
"As if Lady Fuyu would ever even talk to someone so low as yourself, get out of here before I kick your ass kid!" the dark man yelled again.
It didn't look like they were going to move at all. One thing you should know about me, is that I have trained every fiber of my body to be able to do anything I want. And if there is one thing that people can sense, it is danger, or the killing intent of another. Most time this sense saves us, like someone about to be assassinated in their sleep, waking up at the last possible moment, or someone jumping to the ground just in time to dodge a sniper. But in the end, the best assassins, are able to hide their killing intent until the very end, when it is too late. And it is this sense that I have used to my utmost advantage, to escape any conflict.
"I will only ask this one more time, please step aside lest you want me to be late" I replied coldly, letting out a miniscule amount of my intent. Yet it was still enough to see both men cower in fear, and take two steps back.
"W-we are not afraid of you boy" The pale man got paler but still manage to speak.
"Such a lowly commoner like yourself dares to speak out against the Kuruma family, INCEL!" the dark man roared.
I looked up swiftly, eyes shining with murderous intent. I was about to spring into action when a soft and familiar voice rang out.
"Thomas! Dwayne! What do you think you are doing to our esteemed guest!" Fuyu yelled.
Both men looked at her and simultaneously replied "We did not know such an individual was held in such high regards, we deeply apologize and are fine with any punishment." they said, then bowed.
Fuyu's eyes lit up, and both men were scared that they may lose their jobs, or worse, their lives. Before Fuyu could say anything, I piped up, "It's alright Fuyu, they were only doing their job, and besides, do you really think I was in any danger?" I said, adding that last little question.
Fuyu blushed, "O-ok, keep up the good work boys, and no Tristan, I believe it was them that would have been in trouble." she replied, giggling at the end.
Both men froze in their place, they were probably thinking along the lines of 'who is this young man?' or other things like 'are they dating?'.
I was always good at reading people, so it was pretty easy to see what these two were thinking. I walked up behind them quietly and whispered to them, "I am Tristan Chishiki, first place holder in all martial arts contests in Japan, except for Sharia, in which I placed second, I am also the top most scorer in all academics in all of Japanese history, and no, we are not dating, and I assume you know why, so for now boys, stay out of my way.".
I strolled up to Fuyu and took her hand and gently held it, "Thank you Ms.Kuruma for inviting me into your home, it is an honor" I said. She blushed and I glanced back at the two guards who seemed to be in a state of shock. Judging from their expressions they were terrified how well they were read, and also terrified at the young man in which they just insulted. They could have died if Lady Fuyu had not intervened. They both looked at each other and silently got back to place, neither realised the wet spots that were visible on their lower regions.