Shiriku, undeterred by the gravity of the situation, met Ayaka's gaze with a question. "You called, and is this really the last?" His voice carried a hint of concern, his eyes searching hers for answers. The subtle breeze in the garden rustled the cherry blossom petals, creating a gentle backdrop for their conversation.
Ayaka's gaze held his, her eyes reflecting the melancholy that lingered within. She knew the question went deeper than the surface, and the weight of the moment pressed upon her. Shiriku pressed further, his tone serious as he asked, "What's he like?"
Ayaka, feigning innocence, tilted her head with a questioning expression. "Umm, Shiriku-sama, who are you referring to?" Her attempt to deflect the question was met with Shiriku's resolute response. His tone remained unwavering as he clarified, "Your fiancé."
A subtle, knowing smile played on Ayaka's lips as she looked at Shiriku. The smile didn't quite reach her eyes, hinting at the discomfort that lay beneath. "Did Aoi tell you?" she asked, her voice carrying a touch of playful curiosity. Shiriku nodded, his expression unyielding. "Yes, she told me, but not everything, since we ran out of time." The air between them was thick with unspoken truths, the atmosphere heavy with the knowledge that more revelations were to come.
Ayaka's smile grew nervous as she continued to address Shiriku, her voice softer but still maintaining an air of cheerfulness. "Shiriku-sama, since you've asked, I'll tell you," she said, her words carrying a sense of resignation. The cherry blossoms above them continued to sway gently, their delicate petals drifting down, as if to mark the gravity of the impending conversation. Despite the serene setting, the sense of unease was palpable, as if the garden itself sensed the emotional weight between them.
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Flashback: Ayaka tells the story about her fiance "Lelouch Kageno"
A young Aoi stood at the entrance to the Kazahana estate, her posture straight and her demeanor respectful. She greeted the visitor with a formal bow, her voice calm and collected as she said, "Welcome, Kageno-sama. Are you here to see Ayaka-sama?" Her tone carried the professionalism expected of her position, each word carefully chosen to convey respect.
Lelouch Kageno, a charming young man with an air of confidence, returned her bow with a slight nod. A subtle smirk played on his lips, hinting at his playful nature. "Well, yes. I'm here to see my best friend, Ayaka. Where is she now?" he replied, his voice light but with a hint of mischief.
Aoi, undeterred by Lelouch's charisma, kept her expression neutral, though the slight twitch in her eyebrow suggested she wasn't entirely amused by his demeanor. "Ayaka-sama is currently in her family's garden," she answered, her words clipped but polite. "Should I guide you there?"
Lelouch's smile widened, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Well... Let's shall," he agreed, his voice laced with playful charm. Aoi gestured for him to follow, her steps measured and deliberate as she led the way through the estate's winding paths.
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Location: Kazahana's Garden
In the serene ambiance of the Kazahana Garden, a young Aoi approached Ayaka with a graceful bow and a respectful greeting. "Ayaka-sama, Lelouch Kageno-sama is here to see you," she announced dutifully, her voice carrying the formal tone expected of her role. Ayaka, intrigued by the news, brightened with a smile, her eyes lighting up with recognition. "Kageno-kun?" she asked, her tone brimming with warmth.
Lelouch Kageno entered the garden with a friendly wave, his beaming smile illuminating the tranquil setting. "Hello, my dear friend," he exclaimed joyfully, his voice cheerful. As Ayaka prepared to charge at him for a hug, she abruptly stopped, reminding him with a playful pout, "Ehh, I told you to call me Miss Ayaka." Lelouch chuckled and apologized, his laughter a mix of mischief and charm. "Oh, right, ahaha, sorry. Miss Ayaka, I'm still not used to calling you that."
Ayaka, displaying a blend of playful pouting and forgiveness, replied, "Well, I forgive you. After all, it's you." She extended an invitation to both Aoi and Lelouch to join her in the garden, setting the stage for a cheerful interaction.
However, when Lelouch expressed his thirst, Ayaka, ever the gracious host, called for the butler to fetch some juice. As the butler approached with a tray of glasses, Lelouch intervened, placing his hand atop his glass with a sly smirk. "Wait, I want Aoi to pour me my juice," he said, his tone carrying a hint of playfulness.
Aoi, standing poised and disciplined, acquiesced with a respectful response, "As you wish, Kageno-sama." Ayaka, attempting to redirect the situation, mentioned that the butler could handle it, but Lelouch, with a serious tone, insisted on having Aoi pour the juice. Ayaka relented, a slight hint of unease crossing her face as she instructed the butler to step aside.
As Aoi poured the juice, Ayaka and Lelouch's childhood friendship seemed harmonious, but beneath the surface, a darker dynamic had begun to take shape. The Kazahana mansion echoed with the laughter of their childhood games, but after Ayaka's mother passed away, Kageno's behavior changed. He became cold and cruel, his once-friendly demeanor overshadowed by his disdain for what he deemed weakness.
In Ayaka's absence, Kageno's true colors emerged. His mistreatment of Ayaka grew, targeting her vulnerability as she grieved the loss of her mother. Aoi, a loyal friend and employee, witnessed Kageno's harshness but was unable to intervene, respecting Ayaka's wishes to remain silent.
As time passed, Kageno's cruelty persisted, and Ayaka found herself trapped in a toxic dynamic. The situation worsened when Ayaka's father revealed the arrangement for her marriage—to none other than Kageno. Despite her fear, Ayaka wore a brave smile, believing it was her duty to support her family.
Kageno, proposed a challenge—a chess game that would determine the fate of their arranged marriage. Ayaka, unfamiliar with the intricacies of chess, faced defeat after defeat, each loss furthering Kageno's grip on her future. His smirking victories filled Ayaka with dread, yet she endured, hoping for a way out.
Years later, Ayaka entered high school, where she encountered Shiriku, a boy from a family of geniuses. Unlike Kageno, Shiriku was a beacon of kindness and sunshine, his warmth a stark contrast to the darkness Kageno brought into her life. Though the Kazahana Garden remained beautiful, it now held the echoes of a past that Ayaka struggled to escape, a past that her new friend Shiriku might help her overcome.