The cherry blossoms bloomed that day. Blood smeared the side of your casket. All I could think was how unfair this world was.
Kyushu, Fukuoka City.
My leg was restless, bouncing since the start of class. I watched the clock with bated breath. Any second now and the bell would ring to signal the end of school. Classmates around me probably thought I was going nuts or something. The glasses girl kept throwing glances at my leg, but stopped when she saw that I was glaring back at her.
Everyone was scared of me. I didn't blame them. They should stay away from me if they know what's good for them. Not that I'd do anything about it. My family, on the other hand...
Ding. Ding. Ding.
I was the first to burst out of my seat and first out the door despite sitting the furthest away. The teacher shouted something at me, but I couldn't be bothered to listen.
As soon as I got to the shoe lockers, a student from my class caught up and blocked my way. I didn't recognize her. Not that I could put a name to any of the faces from my class anyway. She was out of breath, her previously pristine uniform and hair was disheveled.
Her actions took me by surprise. For an uppity all girls school, it was uncommon for someone to just race down the hallway. Appearances were valued above all. I was an exception.
"Kaoru…I didn't mean to stop you. I only wanted to make sure you received this." She had a form in her hands, a career sheet of what we wanted to do in the future. It was probably what the teacher was trying to get my attention about.
I snatched the paper from her and wrinkled it up into a ball.
It looked like it was her heart I crushed. My classmate bowed and joined her friends out the door.
"You shouldn't have bothered. She didn't even say thanks." One of them looked over her shoulder and frowned at me.
"That's right. Even the teachers tell us not to associate with her," another said.
It wasn't until they were gone that I remembered her name was Tamako. Well, not that it mattered. It was better this way.
I changed out of my shoes and found my ride waiting for me at the front of the school as usual. The black limousine that never failed to draw attention, and my chauffeur who always opened the door when I could have done it myself.
"Good work today, young miss." My driver, who was a bald middle-aged man with a dark tan, bowed low.
"Take me to the hospital, Kanda," I ordered.
"I'm afraid I can't do that. Boss wants you home," he said.
I clicked my tongue. "Again?"
Kanda nodded.
We went directly to my father's home which was more of a castle than a mansion. A gate surrounded the building, and a needlessly large yard furnished with a koi pond and sand garden. Parked along the roundabout past the gate was a dozen other black SUVs.
Another clan meeting? So soon?
"This way, young miss." Kanda opened the door.
As we made our way in, other members of the clan bowed and bid me well.
"So he wants me in the meeting. Shouldn't I be dressed for this?" I asked Kanda.
"No time," he said and opened the door into the main chamber.
The large tatami mat room was usually reserved for important meetings. If we're using this room, then it could only mean one thing.
I took a deep breath and entered.
Two intimidatingly large men sat across from each other at a low table, drinking wine from cups too small for their hands. My father wore a simple blue yukata. His long, black hair draped his shoulders. The look on his face was filled with elation until I entered the room. This was in contrast to the man across from him, whose robes were black and white, and was still giggling from something they were just talking about.
"Kaoru. Take a seat." My father gestured to the cushion between him and the other man. The door shut behind me. I swallowed hard and obeyed. He looked to the man across the table and asked, "Do you know who this man is?"
I bowed my head so low it touched the table. "Yes, Father. Kenshiro Sensoukouji, Chairman of the Tono Clan."
"Ogi, you don't have to make your daughter be so formal about this!" Kenshiro filled his and my father's cup with more wine.
Father shook his head. "It has to be this way, Ken. As patriarch of the Makinohara Family, I have to teach Kaoru the proper etiquette if she is to take my place."
It was like someone had taken a bat to my head. Did I hear that right?
"Me? I thought Ryou was going to take your place—" A sharp glare from my father silenced me.
"Ryouichi is still too young. If his health was in better condition and time would have permitted, then perhaps we could have waited," he said.
"He's getting better. I visited him yesterday. We talked a whole lot. You'd know if you paid him a visit." I sat as still as a statue. Already I'd spoken too much, enough to earn a scolding later. Or worse.
Fortunately, the chairman's presence was like a pacifying effect on my father. They continued to drink and trade whispers, but never touched on the subject of my little brother. I was being ignored. Why was I even here? I could be spending time with Ryou. He must be so lonely right now, and I even promised to visit him again.
"F-Father. If I may… If I'm taking over your position so soon, what about you?" I dared interrupt to ask, keeping my eyes cast down at the table.
The chairman burst out laughing, so hard that he snorted like a pig. He reached across the table and planted a hand on my father's shoulder.
"Be proud of your old man. I will be naming Ogi Makinohara the next chairman of the Tono Clan when I retire," he said, still laughing.
My whole world became smaller. This piece of shit dad of mine wasn't passing down his mantle to me out of the goodness of his heart. He wanted to hop into the seat of chairman as fast as he could. If I was left to handle the family in his absence, I wouldn't have time to go to school anymore let alone visit Ryou.
"Oh! What about the other thing?" the chairman asked, leaning over the table with a grin. "I still remember Kaoru in diapers. It would be great to see her in a wedding dress before I bite the bullet!"
"Wedding dress…?" I looked to my father for answers.
Father sighed. "I was saving it for private, but since the chairman brought it up— Kaoru, when you become Matriarch of the Makinohara Family, you will marry Hokuto of the Shinguji Family to bring them into the fold."
I choked on my own spit.
"No," I said.
"What?" Father's tone took a sour turn, but I didn't care.
If I didn't take control of my life, I never will. When Father becomes chairman of the clan, it would just be more orders.
"I don't want to be married. I'm only 16. I don't even know who the hell Hokuto is! I want to— " A hand flew across my face, leaving me with a stinging cheek and a loose tooth.
I brushed my tongue against it, and what little flesh was still attached to it snapped. The broken molar rolled around in my mouth. I was too scared to spit the tooth or the blood out for fear of further angering my father. His wrath radiated at me, and I didn't need to look up to know how angry he was.
"You will do as I say for the family. Is that understood, Kaoru?" His hand came down on my head as though to comfort me.
"I understand," I answered monotonously.
"Good. You are excused," he said.
"Chairman, Father." I rose from my seat, bowed, and left.
Kanda was waiting for me outside. I spat the blood and tooth into an empty vase.
"Young miss?" He hovered over me to see if I was alright.
I grabbed him by the tie and yanked him down to my eye-level. "Take me to Ryou. Now."