Chapter Text
===PRESENT===
Asuna sat on a very comfortable couch, looking around the spacious conference room that Kazumi has set up with cameras and lights. She looked at the blonde beside her who looked just as confused at her.
Ayaka offered her a soft smile once she felt her eyes linger. Flashing the orange-haired girl a smile before she looked at the photographer who was sitting directly across from them, fiddling with one of her cameras.
Kazumi nodded in satisfaction. Turning to her laptop, she pressed a button before looking at the couple with a wide grin on her face, “So…”
Asuna shared a glance with Ayaka again before looking at Kazumi confusedly, “I'm not sure what we're doing here, to be honest…”
Kazumi then turned her eyes to Ayaka who could only shrug at her.
“So…?” Asuna trailed off awkwardly when the silence started to feel too long for her.
Kazumi crossed her arms and sighed, “This is not starting out as I'd hope…” she murmured to herself, thinking to herself for a little bit. She suddenly straightened up and smirked at her companions, “But to get straight to the point!” she raised her voice slightly, waving in front of her, “How did this start? Tell me everything!” she pointed in between the couple.
Ayaka's lips raised upward as she looked at Asuna with a flirtatious smirk, “How long do you have?” she looked at the photographer with a playful smile.
Kazumi grins, “All day!”
Asuna laughed at the excitement from the other woman at the thought of a scoop, “I think it started 2nd year of middle school?”
Ayaka nodded at the question, looking thoughtful as she recalled the memory as well.
===17 Years Ago | 2nd Year Middle School===
Asuna's POV
Slam!
“I'm up! I'm up!” I sat up from the couch, looking around to see whatever woke me up.
Blinking the sleep away, I finally found my roommate and best friend, Konoe Konoka, stomping her way towards me.
Uh-oh. I thought as she tossed an envelope that I immediately recognized on the coffee table with irritation that is very rare for her.
We’ve known each other since we were 10 when Dean Konoemon – or Konoemon-jii-chan, as he insisted I call him – introduced Konoka to me as his granddaughter and my new roommate. We got along well, and we’ve been best friends for as long as I can remember.
Dean Konoemon, out of the goodness of his heart, adopted me when I was around 4-5 years old when Takahata-sensei brought me to Japan after I was orphaned. He’s been supporting me most of my life, and to not be any more of a burden for him and his family, so I’ve been doing part-time jobs ever since I got into middle school.
“Another one?” I yawned as I focused back on my friend’s pout.
“Argh!” Konoka groaned, plopping herself down beside me, “It's just the deal I made with my father when he agreed to let me study in Mahora.”
“Hmm…” I already knew that, so I just leaned my head on her shoulder, “I can help you sabotage it, if you want?” I joked sleepily. That would be funny. I can already imagine how Konoka's omiai partner would react if we did that.
“That's it, Asuna!” I was pushed away from my comfortable position at her exclamation, excitedly taking the papers from her envelope out.
“Umm…” I was lost.
“We can sabotage the omiai!” Her eyes looked at me hopefully, “We can learn about everything he dislikes! And we can find a way to cut the meeting short with an excuse!”
I blinked.
Then I smiled.
“Okay,” I agreed easily, taking one of the papers from her hand.
This is gonna be fun.
“Hmm… Seems like a pretty simple guy…”
Next rightful heir of a prestigious dojo.
A master of various martial arts.
Travels a lot.
My best friend rolled her eyes, “A simple guy in his 30s, probably…”
I giggled. From what she told me, most of her omiai partners are over 25 with the oldest being 40.
“I will not be engaged to a 30-year old as a 13-year old, Asuna!”
“Do you have an idea how we can sabotage this?” I answered, fully willing to help.
“We have a full two weeks to plan this, I'm sure we'll figure something out.”
===A Few Days Later: A Day Before the Omiai===
“Yes, that'd be all. Thank you!” I dropped the phone after ordering room service.
For the first time since Konoka moved here, this would be the first time that the omiai would be outside the Mahora area so, she was required to stay in a hotel a few cities over which almost ruined our plan. But luckily, Eishun-ji-chan agreed to let me go with Konoka when she asked.
I swiped the paper with her omiai partner's profile from the table and read the words that I've almost memorized for the past few days.
“Maybe if we were 10 years older, this person sounds like a perfect partner.” Asuna mused, putting the paper down.
“Hmm?” Konoka looked up from her own reading.
“For one, he's rich,” I raised a pointer finger up, “and he sounds very strong, look at all the martial arts he can do.”
Konoka smirked, “Not everyone likes older men, Asuna.”
I felt my cheeks heat up so I hit her with a pillow, “That was not what I meant, Konoka!”
I rolled my eyes as my best friend continued to giggle at her joke.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
I ran towards the door excitedly – food’s here!
“Hi ma'am, room service,” He greeted with a bright smile, pushing the cart with our dinner into the room before leaving with a bow.
“Finally! I was getting hungry.” I cheered, removing the lid from the plates, “Itadakimasu!”
Konoka took a seat in front of me and took her food a little more carefully, “Itadakimasu.”
I took a huge bite out of my ramen. Mmm. This is delicious. “What do you think your future husband would be like?”
…
…
…
Konoka turned so red, and she stuttered, “Wha-?”
I waggled my eyebrows, “C'mon! It was just the two of us here,” I slurped more noodles before continuing, “with all the omiais you've attended, you can't tell me you haven't fantasized about it. I won't believe it!”
Konoka shook her head with a shy smile, “Fine…” she took a spoonful of her curry, chewing slowly just for suspense. She knows I hate that.
I focused all my attention on her.
“First off, I would want to be with someone who's my age or at least near my age,” Konoka finally answered.
I laughed, “Well, duh…” I took another mouthful of noodles.
“Then, someone strong would be nice. Someone who'll be able to protect me and our future kids.”
I almost choked on my noodles, Cough. Cough. “You're already thinking of kids?!”
“You aren't?”
“Well, being an orphan,” I started, unfazed, “I just never thought about it, I guess…”
“I understand…” Konoka nodded, not bothered by the usually sad topic since we’ve been open about it since we met, “Then, what kind of person would you want to end up with?”
I looked up for a moment then grinned, “Someone sweet and kind,” I imagined, “and can make me experience different kinds of things.”
“And older,” she teased.
I winked.
Little did we know, we were describing exactly how our future partners would be.
Well, maybe except my age preference…
===The Next Day===
I helped Konoka tie the obi around her waist while a few of her attendants cleaned up on the slight mess we made dressing her up.
“I kinda want pancakes,” I murmured absently as I felt my stomach growl. I patted Konoka's waist after admiring my handiwork.
“Asuna! I have a problem here!”
I laughed, “Don't worry, Konoka. We have a plan-oomph!”
Konoka's hands were on my mouth, shutting me up.
“Oops…” I easily laughed it off, squeezing Konoka's shoulders, “It'll work out, Konoka.”
“I sure hope so,” Konoka whispered, chancing a glance behind her to confirm that no one was listening in.
“We got this,” I winked.
“Konoka-ojou-sama,” An elderly lady stepped closer to us, “It's time to go.”
Konoka nodded before turning her attention back to me, “Good luck.”
I nodded, “See you in a few minutes.”
Ayaka's POV
My parents and I were at a brunch event to celebrate a new product’s successful launch by the Yukihiro Group. I drank the rest of the tea from my cup as I listened to my parents talk to their colleagues about things that a normal teenager shouldn’t know about. But as the only child and heiress of the company’s owner and president, I was privy to a lot of information that goes on in the company.
I turned my head and covered my mouth with a napkin to cover a yawn – I barely slept the previous night as the bed in this hotel felt a little harder than what I was used to. My eyes widened when I saw a very familiar shade of orange. Without making myself look too eager, I tugged on my father's sleeve to get his attention.
“Yes, dear?”
I smiled the perfect smile that I was trained for since childhood and looked up at him, “Can I step outside for a moment?”
Please don't ask follow-up questions. Please. Please.
He nodded after giving my head a pat, “Go ahead, dear.”
I smiled and bowed politely at the other people on the table so as not to appear rude. I briskly walked off to the hallway, looking around as soon as I was out and I immediately saw the orange hair that initially caught my attention.
I rolled my eyes.
Of course, the one weekend that I'm out of Mahora, she would be out of Mahora as well. I walked towards her where she was peeking in the conference room across from where I was just in.
“What are you doing?” I asked flatly.
Asuna-san spun around quickly, almost falling flat on her face if not for my quick reflexes, “Ayaka! What are you doing here? Oh, are you in another one of your parents’ parties?” she rambled nervously, holding onto my arms for balance.
I raised my eyebrows expectantly after helping her get back to her feet.
“Well…” She nervously stuttered, looking around us in the mostly empty hallway before she sighed resignedly, “I'm helping Konoka get out of an omiai.”
I gasped at the admission, glaring at her, “Isn't that a bit disrespectful to the other family?”
We have a… for a lack of better word, difficult relationship. We have been antagonizing each other since we’ve met when she transferred to Mahora – she came in all quiet and when I tried to talk to her, she called me a brat!
The nerve of this girl…
But somehow, she's been one of the constants I've known since kindergarten.
At 15, I know for a fact that my life would be completely different without her.
Now, that's an upsetting thought.
“Forget the other family, I'm just here for Konoka!” She huffed, voice raising slightly, “Will you let me proceed with our plan?”
I inhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of my nose to quell the annoyance that is starting to bubble up, “Fine,” I conceded, crossing my arms, “but I'm staying here to make sure you don't do anything stupid.” I paused thoughtfully, “Or stupider.”
“Fine,” Asuna-san rolled her eyes.
I was thinking of asking her what their plan was, but she caught me off guard when she casually just opened the door and ran inside.
I gaped.
“Konoka! I need-"
I immediately ran in when Asuna-san completely stopped talking mid-sentence.
I wasn't worried.
I’m just not sure how I'd feel if she was somehow injured under my watch.
I completely froze right behind Asuna-san when I saw exactly what made her pause.
Konoka-san, who we were supposed to be saving from this omiai, was comfortably settled on someone's lap. Someone who looked incredibly feminine for her omiai partner.
But I'm not judging.
“Hello Asuna-kun, Yukihiro-kun,” Dean Konoemon greeted with a smile from a table away from the… couple, “Did you girls need something?”
I stopped breathing altogether at the sudden pressure in the room. I can feel my companion moving a little closer to me, grabbing my wrist, “Wrong room!” she shouted before dragging me out of the room and closing the door with a slam.
I was so confused.
So, I hit her arm, “What just happened, Asuna-san?” I asked heatedly.
The only response she could give me was a glare with puffed out cheeks.
She was about to say something stupid. Probably. Half the things she says is stupid, anyway.
Then her phone rang.
“It's Konoemon-ojii-chan!”
“Who?” My confusion multiplied as she handed me her phone and I gasped when I finally realized who exactly was calling her.
I pushed her phone back in her chest in panic.
She made a sour face before finally answering the phone.
“Yes?” I looked at her wide-eyed.
I went beside her and put my ears next to her phone to listen in on the conversation.
“Please come back inside,” the voice from the other end requested, “and you can bring your friend with you.” Were his last words before he cut off the call.
“This is your fault,” I accused before knocking on the door, making sure to not let Asuna-san barge in.
“Come on in.” We heard and I motioned Asuna-san to go first.
Dean Konoemon was right there when we entered the room, looking as calm as he usually does.
“It's good to see you two on a weekend.” He greeted and he motioned for the two of us to follow him to the balcony where Konoka and who I assumed was the person she was… sitting on earlier… now in a separate seat from our friend.
I felt my cheeks heat up as the image came up on my mind again.
“Umm… Konoemon-ojii-chan…?”
“Asuna-kun, Yukihiro-kun,” he started softly, opening the door and leading us outside, “I would like to introduce you to someone that would hopefully be in Konoka's life for a long time.”
“Ojii-chan!” Konoka-san laughed, a slight blush coming up her face.
Her partner doesn't seem to handle embarrassment the way that she does, though. The girl, her gender is more prominent now, with a side ponytail was so red, I'm worried she might spontaneously combust.
“I'll let you youngsters introduce yourselves to each other,” Dean Konoemon gave us a smile and slowly made his way back inside the conference room.
Konoka-san stood up and pulled the other girl up with her. I realize she's a few inches shorter than the brunette which makes her the shortest person in our group.
“This is Secchan!” She introduced happily, gesturing widely at the girl beside her.
“Sakurazaki Setsuna,” The raven-haired girl immediately followed up, bowing right after with a slight frown, “Only Kono-chan is allowed to call me that.”
I take a good look at this Sakurazaki Setsuna after that; and I admit she is quite visually appealing, if not a little too serious.
“I’m Asuna!” My orange-haired companion said, smiling widely at the newcomer, “Are you the martial artist that will inherit a dojo?”
The raven-haired girl frowned once more as she looked Asuna-san up and down cautiously, “Yes.” Was her tight reply.
“Wait…” I knew her name sounded quite familiar, “Sakurazaki? Heiress to the Shinmei-ryu?”
Sakurazaki-san's eyebrow shot up, “You're familiar with the Shinmei-ryu?”
“Anyone who's had even a modicum of training in any martial art is familiar with the Shinmei-ryu.” I answered incredulously.
She nodded in acceptance at my answer – the Shinmei-ryu is one of, if not, the most prestigious dojo in Japan.
“So, how did you two meet?” Asuna-san casually changed the subject back to the… couple(?) in front of us, “From what we saw earlier, I would be worried if you just met today.” She teased.
Konoka-san giggled, “We met when we were 5! Remember the childhood friend I was telling you about, Asuna?”
Asuna-san's eyes lit up in recognition, “Ohh! The Kendo prodigy!”
Sakurazaki-san turned so bright red at the compliment.
“Nice!” Luckily, Asuna-san turned her attention to Konoka-san before the other girl turned a dangerous color of red, “What are the chances?”
“I know!” The brunette grinned and bounded up to Asuna-san for a hug, “I'll give you more details later!”
They separated after a few seconds, both of them looking so happy at each other, then Asuna-san went back to my side.
“We'll leave the two of you, then,” She started, already pulling me away.
“Congratulations!” I managed to get out before the door closed behind us.
“So, Asuna-kun!” It was the dean, now standing in front of us with a taller man wearing glasses with a kind smile.
“What did you think of Setsuna-kun?” the taller man followed up, “It was my idea to set them up.”
Asuna-san smiled widely, “She's a little shy, huh?”
The older men chuckled.
“Her people skills could use some work,” He laughed, “But she is a kind person which is all I'll ever want for Konoka.”
Ahh. This must be Konoka-san's father. We exchanged a few more pleasantries with the older men, at one point introducing me to the only stranger to me before they dismissed us to discuss the details of their kins' betrothal with the Sakurazakis who was patiently watching us talk.
She took another look at the couple on the balcony. She froze for a moment before she pulled me out of the conference room once again.
“What's wrong, Asuna-san?” I asked, slightly concerned about what happened within the few minutes when we were talking with Konoka-san's family.
“I saw Konoka kissing Sakurazaki-san…” she whispered with wide eyes.
I raised an eyebrow despite feeling a little embarrassed myself, “Why? Because no one would kiss you?” I taunted immediately.
“What?!” she glared at me, “That's rich coming from someone who's never even kissed anyone before!”
“Like you have?” I scoffed, feeling irrationally offended even though I started this.
“Well, I’m sure someone wouldn’t want to kiss someone as arrogant as you!”
I didn't quite know what came over me at that moment – I just chalked it up to the fact that Asuna-san gets under my skin like no one else – but the next thing I knew, my lips were on hers as I pulled her roughly by the shirt towards me.
I felt her stiffen for a moment before she relaxed, her lips moving tentatively against mine which made me melt into her.
Mmm.
“Ayaka?”
I immediately pulled away from Asuna with a gasp, I looked around for the voice that called me – it was finally dawning on me that it was my mother's voice. I calmed down slightly when I realized she was nowhere near us but is simply calling for me.
I looked at the dazed Asuna-san – and an unbelievable amount of annoyance filled me so I did the only thing I could think of.
SLAP!
I turned around before I could see her expression, only to see Zazie Rainyday – one of our foreign schoolmates – at the end of the hallway, with her head tilted to the side, looking at the two of us curiously. I huffed and walked away without saying anything else.
===PRESENT===
“You and Konoka essentially manifested what you wanted for partners, huh?” Ayaka smiled, leaning her head on the redhead’s shoulders.
“Oh! I never realized that before…” Asuna grinned, before she turned to look at their friend who was looking at them in surprise, “What?”
“Nothing, I’m just surprised…” Kazumi shook the astonishment out of her system, grinning at her friends, “You two are one of the very first to kiss from our friends, but the very last to actually get together.” She laughed.
Ayaka frowned, “It sounds horrible when put like that…”
Asuna shrugged, still smiling happily, “That doesn’t matter. I’m just really, really happy to be your first kiss.”
Ayaka blushed but nodded with a shy smile of her own, “First kiss and first everything else…”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” Kazumi cut in, eyes twinkling at the prospect of getting more juicy details, “First everything else?”
Asuna and Ayaka laughed.
“We did warn you it’s a long story,” Ayaka said, raising an eyebrow at Kazumi.
“And I meant it when I said that I can be here all day!” Kazumi said determinedly, looking back at her notes and snickering, “Did you actually slap Asuna after the kiss?” she asked amusedly.
Asuna raised a hand to touch her cheek and nodded absently.
Kazumi raised an eyebrow at Ayaka before turning to Asuna, “I didn’t get slapped after getting my first kiss.” She teased.
Ayaka’s cheeks darkened in embarrassment and guilt, “It was an instinctual and normal reaction!”
“You initiated the kiss, though,” Asuna grumbled, “I’m just lucky her violent tendencies lessened in high school.” She added as an afterthought which earned her a light pinch.