Side Story 1: What Happened That Summer
A few days after Ruki approached me with his proposal, he brought another idea to me.
“Ruri won an award at one of her junior piano recitals. You might think that’s a ludicrous reason to throw a party next weekend, but—”
“No, not at all,” I interrupted. I understood completely his love for his younger sister and his desire to celebrate her achievements. “What could be a more fitting cause for celebration? Despite her frailty, Ruri not only persevered but triumphed in her recital. You must be over the moon.”
His eyes crinkled fondly—thinking of his darling sister, no doubt. “Indeed, I am.”
That look of pure affection… Print it, frame it, put it on an event CG, and no doubt it would make every girl who has ever wished for a doting older brother swoon their heart out. This guy never missed a day to prove his worth as the main love interest.
“But you still haven’t answered my question,” I said. “What role do I have to play in all this?” I tilted my head in confusion. He hadn’t mentioned anything about a fiancée yet, had he?
“Right,” he replied. “As it turns out, Ruri is rather mortified by the idea of a party centered around her. So, I told her that if she agreed to it, that might be her chance to see her beloved big sister Mio again.”
“How…uncanny…” I muttered.
Eerily reminiscent of what had happened with Miyu, Sports Day, and the operation. Coincidence? I think not. To my knowledge, a similar event never transpired in the game, which made it likely that this was some scheme Ruki concocted based on precedence after seeing what happened with Nonoka. He probably thought he could get me to agree if he set up a similar scenario as if the key to getting me to do anything was to invoke the word “sister.”
It was just too bad that the magic word was actually “Shizuku.” If it was anyone else’s sister and they tried to hamper my efforts for Shizuku, I wouldn’t hesitate to throw them under the bus. Though on the flip side of that, maybe Ruri wasn’t off the table as long as she didn’t get in my way?
Then the crucial question was: Was she in my way or not? I wasn’t sure I had a good answer, considering how far off we’ve veered from the game’s storyline at this point. This seemed like an ask Shizuki for advice kind of deal.
“Do you mind if I hold off on my RSVP for now?” I asked.
“Of course not. But do try and tell me by the day before.”
“I will. Just need to check my schedule.”
Later that night at home, I went to see Shizuki who was back from overseas. I told her all about Ruki’s party for Ruri; she looked rather unamused as she took everything in.
“Do you want to attend, Mio?” she finally asked after I had finished explaining.
“I’m not sure I would say I want to, but you did assign me the task to accept, no? I still don’t understand why you wanted me to agree, but still…”
Sure, I hadn’t pressed her immediately for details, but I hadn’t done so because I trusted she would clarify in due time. Now, the situation necessitated that I seek more context to make an informed decision. What about that was strange enough to warrant me that look?
“Yes, you’re right, I did tell you to accept that, but this is…” Shizuki began.
“What?”
“Never mind. This is a golden opportunity. I want you to figure it out for yourself.”
“Wait, huh? Did I miss something?”
Well, that was cryptic! And scary! I racked my brain to see if I had overlooked some crucial detail, but she interrupted me before I got very far. “If you’re wondering, the fiancée thing is completely fine. Ruki doesn’t have a lot of choice in the matter.”
“He doesn’t?” I replied. “Is this about the game’s restoring force, or whatever?”
“Right. I mentioned before how Nonoka can’t just waltz into Ruki’s life and marry him, yes? Just as how one might need to trigger a condition or hit a certain requirement to clear a mission in a game, one must gain the Yukishiro family’s approval before they can even consider marrying Ruki. However, therein lies the notable exception of—”
“Him taking a fiancée as a performative deterrent…”
A decoy could be very useful in warding off unwanted advances—it seemed like the only relevant option. It seemed like a significant matter, but Shizuki’s calm demeanor assured me that this probably wasn’t as big of a deal as I thought.
“We don’t live in a game, Mio,” Shizuki continued. “Do you know why I’m not worried if Ruki takes a liking to you instead of Nonoka?” She looked at me straight in the eye.
“Because in real life, Ruki could easily have a change of heart?” I ventured.
“Precisely. Fictional romance takes certain liberties when it comes to depicting relationships. Real life isn’t nearly as dramatic. People’s feelings are transient, often changing for reasons that seem inexplicable.”
“Right…”
While readers of the genre would despise a story with a fickle love interest, reality was replete with them. But why was she telling me this now? The only possible reason I could think of was…
“Are you worried about me?” I asked.
“I don’t want you to get hurt any more than necessary,” she replied quickly.
Everything clicked into place. Her earlier question about not worrying if Ruki liked me was a veiled warning. She wanted me to realize the inevitable outcome if I let my heart get entangled: heartbreak.
“You’re right,” I asserted, my voice gaining strength. “Ruki’s incredible. Every day, I’m reminded of why he’s the main love interest. I think he’s attractive, considerate, an all-around catch.”
“Mio…”
I shook my head, cutting her off. “But so are you. I think you’re stunningly beautiful, and you never even boast about it. You’re the kindest person I know. You’re an amazing sister, one who I love with all my heart.”
She studied me for a moment. “Are you trying to tell me you love Ruki as a friend, and nothing more?”
I didn’t answer directly, just smiled vaguely. “I love Rikka, Nonoka, even Sayaka and Asuka. They’re all dear friends to me. But make no mistake—” I straightened, my eyes fierce. “I may have many friends, but I only have one real sister. When it comes down to it, my choice is clear.”
This was my declaration of determination. I wasn’t saying I wouldn’t be hurt or that everything would be fine—just that I was prepared. I understood the risks, and I knew that with my intentions hidden as they were, I didn’t deserve to call myself a true friend. But for my sister, I’d face whatever came my way.
“The closer you get to someone, the harder it is to hurt them,” Shizuki conveyed. “You understand this as well?”
“I do,” I answered instantly. “If they say, ‘You tricked us!’ I’ll smile in their face and respond, ‘Yes, what of it?’”
Seeing the villainous grin that had spread across my face, Shizuki’s own composure cracked. “Very well,” she replied with a wry smile. “It seems you’ve thought things through. In that case, go—attend the party. Do me proud, won’t you?”
“Of course. I won’t let you down.”
And so, my new mission was officially sanctioned, and my presence at the Yukishiro’s party was confirmed. A few days later, I received a package from Ruki.
“Well, this is definitely a ball gown,” I muttered to myself, holding up the garment. It was a passionate, scarlet affair. While strapless, its layered fabric made it not as revealing as one might expect. I quite liked it—which only made me wonder how he managed to buy me something so in tune with my tastes.
“Not to mention my size, as well…” I muttered, holding it up to myself.
“I heard the dressmakers at SIDUKI received a request for a custom ball gown,” Shannon noted as she helped me get dressed.
“That makes sense. I didn’t know they made gowns as well. Wait, they just give out my measurements to anyone who asks?” I glared suspiciously at Shannon, but she didn’t so much as flinch.
“Of course not,” she replied. “Master Ruki’s order was to have a dress made in your size, everything after that was handled in house.”
“Ah, okay. I guess that’s fine, then…”
It still seemed a bit off to me, but if this was how the elite did things, then who was I to question it? I’d heard it wasn’t exactly rare for clothing to be gifted either.
“Did you know, milady?” Shannon continued. “When a gentleman gifts a lady a garment, it carries with it the implication that he wishes to undress her from it later,” she said as dryly as possible.
I looked at her with an eyebrow raised in amusement. One thing was for sure: Whatever talents Shizuki saw to hire Shannon as her right-hand woman, acting certainly wasn’t it. “Did Shizuki tell you that if that line were to rattle me, you should stop me from going? Has she always been such a worrywart?” I gave her a teasing smile.
Her eyes fell away slightly. “Only when it comes to you.”
“Yeah. I know.”
She had every reason to be. Though recently, I couldn’t help but feel she was being just a touch overprotective. I mean, I had signed on to face my downfall in the first place. Shizuku’s life depended on it. So any care between now and then just felt kind of…unnecessary?
But then, Shizuki’s words from a few days ago echoed in my mind:
The closer you get to someone, the harder it is to hurt them.
Could it have been that she was actually telling herself that? If so, how could I ease her pain? Simply telling her I would be fine would be easy, but it seemed like a hollow reassurance, especially given that we were both well aware of what awaited me.
I felt a little helpless. Though, maybe there was nothing I could do but take things one step at a time and see this mission through. Fortunately, I could do just that with this new task at the party. Succeeding in it would bring us closer to our goal. Yes, that was it. Striving to face my doom with dignity was the best way to repay Shizuku’s kindness.