Shizuku didn't go to school the day after they announced her marriage candidate. She was in too much of a shock, feeling unbelievably frustrated that the man she thought was a nice and normal guy will be her future husband. Did he approach her because he already knew that they were to marry? It infuriated Shizuku. She felt like she was being deceived by how the boy showed her kindness and his gentle side.
Was all of that just an act for her to end up getting fond of him? Was it part of his plans to get closer to Shizuku for the sake of the marriage? But how is it possible? It didn't look like Shinsuke's from a rich family. How could he be Shizuku's future husband? As far as she knew, all of her relatives got married into influential families. How come she's going to marry someone who doesn't have a splendid background?
Was it all a coincidence that her selfish and ignorant parents would choose a spouse that won't benefit from the household's power and influence?
"Aneue!" Kikyo barged in her room, yelling. "You can just reject it Aneue! You need not get married to someone you're not even in love with!" the little girl protested, hair swinging as she took large strides to reach her sister.
Shizuku gave her sister a forced chuckle, "I can never disobey them while I'm here Kikyo. Maybe I can use this as a chance to get out of this sickening family" the look on her face turned grim as she clenched the piece of paper containing information about their marriage.
"But Aneue, what if you'll marry off to an abusive bastard?! I wouldn't be able to sleep knowing you're with a man! Would't you want to marry someone you lov—"
A stern look from Shizuku stopped Kikyo's words, "Stop being childish, Kikyo, love is nothing but shit in this family." Shizuku's gaze lowered, letting go of the crumpled paper in her hand.
Surprised by her usually calm sister's words, Kikyo sighed, "Aneue, I'm sorry. I just want you to be happy"
Shizuku placed a hand on top of her little sister's head, "I'll be happy when I'm out of here Kikyo." she replied, patting the younger's head before turning her back again, "I need to sleep, I have school tomorrow. Close the door when you go out."
Kikyo hummed a tone of compliance. "Oyasuminasai Aneue" she whispered before sliding the doors closed.
Left again on her own, Shizuku curled up into a ball, pulling her knees closer to her body as she dealt with the frustrations brought by her marriage."Shikuro Yuuji, I will make sure our marriage won't be a happy one" she mumbled to herself, still mad at the fact that he was just wooing her all this time.
And it angered her even more when she remembered how much of his effect was on her. Shizuku battled with her own thoughts. If she did end up marrying Yuuji, she would be able to get away from this family she's born into. But she'd never be happy. Kikyo was right.
Shizuku wanted to marry for love before but living like this has made her unable to believe in that force. Love weighed lesser than power. She can't stand to stay in the shithole they call home any longer. She needed to go through with this to be finally free of her parents. She could always run away after their wedding and never show her face.
'Yes, that's right. I can just do that'
Her intrusive thoughts soon lulled her to sleep that night, but a strange sound of supposedly non-existent crickets in their family house forced her eyes open. Shizuku got up from her bed, which she doesn't remember sleeping on, and dragged herself towards the sliding doors leading to the garden outside her room.
She had no time and patience to put up with the pesky creatures. Shizuku opened the door's stomping loudly as she made her way to the furthest platform. "Makio-san didn't we ask to remove the crick....."Shizuku's yell at their gardener trailed "ets....", slowly fading out as her eyes caught sight of what's in front of her.
A forest.
A dark forest with enormous trees acting as a gateway into an endless pit of black lying inside.
"W-What?"
Shizuku gulped down a forming lump as she headed back inside her room, only to get spooked out again by the interior design inside the four cornered space. This wasn't her room. Scared as to where she is, Shizuku started moving backwards and wanted to make a run for her life.
Did I just got kidnapped?' was the first thought that ran through her mind.
A hand tapping her on the shoulders startled her and Shizuku made a small jump to turn around. Calming down after seeing her sister, Kikyo's face. "W-Where are we Kikyo?" Shizuku managed to stop her trembling.
"Aneue, what are you saying? You even got my name wrong" the girl who looked exactly like her little sister, wore a red flaming robe with a black dress underneath.
"Ha....?" was all that escaped Shizuku's mouth.
"We're going out for a hunt, Aneue! You should go wear your robe and let's go. The whole clan is awaiting your instructions to move ahead that forest"
Under the calming light of the moon, Shizuku watched as her sister's ebony orbs turned red.