Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

The sky was overcast, the kind of day that invited people to retreat into their homes and spend warm, quiet hours with their families. Of course, the same could not be said for Kojiro.

Kojiro was one of the samurai who served a wealthy and well-known lord. Among both common folk and warriors, he was known as Joe, and nearly everyone -especially women- admired his physique and strength. 

From a young age, he had received rigorous training in many disciplines, and throughout his life, he had lived up to the expectations placed upon him. And now, because of that very life, he found himself faced with a rather small, though arguably not so small, problem: marriage. 

He was nearing thirty, and his family had grown insistent that he settle down and build a household of his own. It was precisely for this reason that Kojiro despised his days off. And today, one such day, his mother delivered that all-too-familiar, equally irritating yet entirely predictable news. She had spoken with a newly arrived family and, once again, arranged a meeting for him without warning.

“I won’t go,” Kojiro said curtly, attempting to end the matter there. His mother refused to yield.

“My son, please… will you break your old mother’s heart?” the elderly woman pleaded, her voice trembling with practiced emotion. Kojiro was far too perceptive to fall for such theatrics. With a quiet shake of his head, he turned away and stepped outside before she could press him further.

He knew exactly which family she was referring to. His gaze drifted toward the detached house across the way, its lights already glowing. From what he had heard, the elderly couple had both a daughter and a son, though no one seemed to know where the son was. No one had ever encountered him. Some claimed he worked far from home in the central regions; others believed he did not exist at all and that the family had fabricated a son to preserve appearances.

Frankly… Kojiro did not care.

On the other side, Kaoru, the so-called mysterious son, was not mysterious at all. He was simply mistaken, time and again, for his twin sister Kaori. Those who saw him assumed he was the daughter and, without engaging much further, disappeared from his face just as quickly. Though this irritated Kaoru, he also enjoyed the peace it afforded him. 

Since childhood, he had delighted in imitating his twin sister just to provoke her, and over time, he had become remarkably skilled at it. Even now, whenever the mood struck, he would slip into her mannerisms just to annoy her.

Kaori, for her part, was quick-tempered and preferred to remain shut away from others as much as possible. Their family found this deeply troubling. They wanted her married and out of the house as soon as possible. Kaoru, however, enjoyed spending time with his sister and was entirely supportive of her remaining unmarried, a stance that only further aggravated their parents. In their eyes, neither of their children knew how to live properly within society. Both were disappointments.

And at this very moment, they were continuing to prove it.

Kaori refused to attend the arranged meeting. Their father had not yet returned home, which made her defiance easier, and she hoped to enlist Kaoru’s help. “The meeting has already been arranged!” their mother raised her voice. At that very moment, rain began to fall outside and within seconds, it turned into a heavy downpour. 

Kaori merely shrugged. “Then cancel it… Besides…” she averted her gaze. “There’s… someone I love already.”

Kaoru’s eyes widened in surprise. She had never mentioned such a thing before. He raised a brow at her, but Kaori simply shrugged again.

Their mother hesitated. “And why are we only hearing about this now?” She didn’t even allow Kaori to respond. “We will speak again when your father returns. Still, you cannot go back on a promise our family has made. At the very least, you must go and see him tomorrow. You may even come to like him. He earns quite well and will take good care of you. From what I’ve heard, he isn’t particularly interested in romance either. You could maintain a marriage simply by ignoring one another.”

“Or…” Kaori threw herself onto the bedding. “As a woman who likes someone else, I could simply continue my life separately from a man who doesn’t want a relationship.” Kaoru nodded in agreement, earning a sharp glare from their mother.

Unwilling to prolong the argument, the elderly woman scolded them lightly once more and returned to the kitchen to prepare dinner. As soon as they were alone, Kaori grabbed her brother and pulled him into her room. “I’m not going,” she said flatly.

Kaoru laughed. “I don’t know how long father will tolerate your defiance, Kaori. Still… I’m on your side.”

She giggled. “You’re surprisingly likable when you’re not being insufferable.” He rolled his eyes, while she sighed. “I don’t want to go.”

Kaoru sat on her bed, crossing his arms. “Hmm… how about trying to drive the man away once you meet him? It might work. Or just tell him outright. Mother said he doesn’t want a relationship either, didn’t she?”

“Do you think that would work?” she asked, a hint of tension creeping into her voice. When he nodded, she closed her eyes. “But I really don’t want to go… Can’t you help me somehow?”

“I don’t think there’s much I can do about this,” Kaoru replied.

Kaori shoved him lightly and flopped back onto the bed. “I don’t want to!” she whined, kicking her feet. Only around Kaoru could she act this childishly. For all the ways he annoyed her, he had always been indulgent toward her. 

Then, suddenly, Kaori sat upright, as if struck by inspiration. “You love imitating me…”

Kaoru frowned as he realized where this was going. “No.”

“Oh, come on… will you really leave your poor sister in such a difficult position?” she pleaded, wrapping her arms around him. “Please!”

“No. Have you lost your mind? If anyone finds out, we’ll both be in serious trouble.”

“I trust you! If you do this, I’ll help you with your work for a whole week and I’ll even call you ‘big brother’ like you’re older than me.”

“Hm… you really do know how to tempt me…” Kaoru ruffled her hair. “Still, this could cause serious trouble.”

“He doesn’t even want a relationship!” Kaori insisted.

“Then go and settle it yourself!” Kaoru rolled his eyes.

“Please! I don’t want to meet some random man… it’s uncomfortable. It’s frightening.” That, more than anything, made Kaoru understand her reluctance. Unable to refuse her, he relented. After all… what could possibly go wrong?

Just as Kaori threw her arms around him in delight, the door slid open. Their father stood in the doorway. As he prepared to reprimand her, Kaoru stepped in without hesitation. “She’ll attend the meeting tomorrow,” he said.

Their father, deprived of a reason to scold them further, grumbled and called them to dinner.

That evening, the table was cloaked in its usual silence. The meal ended quickly, and as the hours passed, each member of the household retreated to their room.

The next day, their father left for work once more, while their mother went out to greet the neighbors, eagerly announcing that her daughter would be attending a marriage meeting. Seizing the opportunity, the twins gathered in Kaori’s room to prepare Kaoru for the role. Kaori styled his long hair and dressed him in one of her kimonos. Fortunately, their height and build were nearly identical. As Kaoru winked at his reflection, Kaori laughed softly, kneeling before him to apply a light touch of makeup. He was already blessed with delicate, striking features, so she did not need to do much.

When he was ready, Kaoru cleared his throat, struck a few poses in character, and laughed. For a moment, even he admired the transformation staring back at him in the mirror.

Once they were certain everything was in place, they left the house together. Kaori slipped away to hide somewhere in town, while Kaoru made his way toward the samurai’s residence.

The wind carried the dry rustle of bamboo through the garden, slipping into the room itself. The paper-paneled sliding doors trembled faintly, shadows wavering in the dim light. Everything was as it should be: orderly, quiet, restrained.

Kojiro sat on his knees, watching the steam rise from the tea before him. No matter how firmly he had insisted he would not attend, it had made no difference. This was the third meeting his family had arranged, and he was certain it would be no different from the previous two. The same silence, the same expectations, the same inevitable conclusion.

Marriage. A heavy, suffocating word. He liked women, but only for passing time. He had never once considered a long-term relationship, nor did he believe he needed one. Unfortunately, his family did not share that view.

The door slid open. Footsteps followed.

Kojiro did not lift his head immediately. Only when the woman entered did he raise his gaze from the drifting steam.

Long pink hair cascaded over "her" shoulders, softly waved and elegant. She wore a simple yet refined kimono. She bowed her head; even in shadow, her face seemed flawless. Kojiro’s brows drew together ever so slightly.

“My apologies for being late,” she said, her voice controlled, low. Assuming she was simply shy, Kojiro gave a short nod. “It’s no problem.”

She knelt gracefully. Her movements seemed almost rehearsed. Not once did her hand tremble as she poured the tea.

Kojiro watched her intently. Neither of them spoke, and the silence stretched on. It was clear from her demeanor that she had little interest in conversation.

At last, Kojiro took his cup but did not drink. “Your name?” he asked bluntly.

She hesitated for a brief moment. Realizing his tone might have been too sharp, Kojiro straightened, about to apologize, when she answered. “Kaori.”

He nodded and introduced himself in return.

She lowered her head again, avoiding eye contact. It was normal… and yet something felt off. More than usual.

Kojiro raised the cup to his lips. The taste was ordinary. “You don’t seem fond of these meetings,” he said suddenly.

Disguised as Kaori, Kaoru traced his fingers lightly around the rim of the cup. Then, at last, he lifted his gaze, locking eyes with Kojiro for a long, lingering moment. A smile followed. Knowing the man before him had no interest in romance, he felt at ease, free to play his role a little.

Kojiro was caught off guard by the sudden meeting of their eyes, by the softness of that smile. The corner of his lips lifted faintly in return. His gaze lingered. There was something there.

In her eyes burned a kind of fire he had never seen in any woman before. Without realizing it, Kojiro leaned forward slightly.

Kaoru noticed and nearly pulled back on instinct, but stopped himself just in time. The wind struck the bamboo once more. Kojiro’s curiosity deepened. She was not like the others, one of the rare few who did not try to impress or overwhelm him. Yet it was something beyond even that. Something he could not quite name. Interesting, he thought.

Kaoru lifted the cup to his lips, never once breaking eye contact.

And in that moment, Kojiro understood. This meeting would not be like the others. This woman had captured his interest.

Chapter Text

It was the evening of the arranged meeting. Some time had passed since everyone had returned to their homes. The night had fully settled, yet both households seemed to glow with excitement and quiet hope, especially Kojiro’s.

The moment the meeting ended, Kojiro had been cornered by his mother’s eager questioning. Without realizing it, he had let slip that he found the “woman” he met… intriguing. The instant his mother heard this, she threw her arms around him in delight. As Kojiro silently cursed himself, his elderly, weary father joined in, only making matters worse.

While Kojiro was forced to sit through his father’s long-winded advice about marriage, his mother disappeared into the kitchen to prepare his favorite dishes in celebration. Kojiro had no real thoughts of this marriage, and his family’s behavior unsettled him deeply, yet he had no idea how to put an end to it.

Spending the entire evening on this subject, he had been left restless. Seeking to clear his mind, he decided to head to a nearby town. As soon as his family fell asleep, he slipped out into the night.

It was late. When Kojiro lifted his gaze, the sight of the moon and stars, washing the world in pale, silver light, took his breath away. He couldn’t even remember the last time he had stood alone and simply watched the sky. Drawing in a deep breath, he embraced the cool wind and set off toward the town. He chose to walk rather than ride, not wanting the sound of hooves to betray his presence. His only companions were the moon and the stars.

He wasn’t sure how long he had been walking, but when the trees began to thin, he knew he was close.

The soft clinking of coins in his pouch brought a faint grin to his lips. He had brought enough to entertain himself tonight. After such an absurd day, he deserved to rid himself of this tension, didn’t he?

At the entrance of the town, Kojiro stretched lightly, lacing his fingers behind his head. His gait shifted; his posture straightened, his grin widened.

The town was larger than he had expected. Wooden houses, slightly raised from the ground, lined the streets, their roofs made of tile or thatch. Yet despite its size, it felt more like a village than a town. And it was silent. Only one house showed any sign of light.

Kojiro frowned, wandering aimlessly for a while. When he found nothing open, disappointment settled in. With a frustrated kick at the stones along the dirt path, he decided to return home.

By the time he reached home, he paused at the door. His eyes drifted, almost involuntarily, toward the new family’s house. It was dark. Like the others, they must have gone to sleep.

And then, without realizing it, his thoughts returned to her. There was something about the woman, something he couldn’t quite grasp. A presence that didn’t match what was shown on the surface. For a samurai like him, it was an unmistakable feeling… yet he couldn’t define it. That uncertainty gnawed at him.

The wind picked up, sending a chill through him. He would think on it later. For now, he needed rest.

He slipped inside quietly and collapsed onto his bed. Outside, the wind grew stronger, its low howl wrapping around the house. With that sound as his lullaby, Kojiro drifted into sleep. But his sleep was not deep. What had once been a soothing hum slowly turned into a grating noise. 

The wooden window frame rattled, and thin streams of cold air seeped into the room. Kojiro’s brows furrowed in his sleep. Then his eyes snapped open. For a moment, he stared at the ceiling, disoriented. His breathing was uneven, his heart beating faster than it should. 

The wind was still howling… but that wasn’t what had woken him.

He had heard something. He tilted his head slightly, listening. At first there was nothing, just the wind and the night.

Then there was a faint crack. Kojiro’s gaze sharpened instantly hearing it. He rose silently, movements controlled, fluid, honed by years of discipline. His hand instinctively reached for where his sword should have been… but it wasn’t there. He had left it elsewhere in the house. Even that small detail irritated him. He moved toward the door.

Outside, darkness reigned. The moon slipped in and out of the clouds, its light unstable, shadows shifting with every passing moment.

Kojiro stepped out. The ground beneath his feet was damp. For a while, he saw nothing. Then there was a movement. His eyes snapped toward it. Behind the new family’s house, there was a shadow in the darkness. It wasn’t clear. Kojiro narrowed his eyes.

The shadow paused for a moment… then moved and quickly fled.

Kojiro took a step forward. “Hey-” But his sentence remained unfinished. The shadow had already disappeared. Silence returned. There was only the wind.

Kojiro stood there for a while. He didn’t take his eyes off that spot, as if expecting the shadow to appear again. But nothing happened. He slowly exhaled. Normally, a villager wouldn’t be outside at this hour. This was weird.

After standing outside a bit longer, he went back in. As he closed the door, he looked back one last time. The darkness was calm, as if nothing had happened. Kojiro lay back down, but this time sleep didn’t come easily. There was only one thing on his mind. This village and its people had changed more than he had expected.

As for the shadow Kojiro saw… it was Kaori.

When the young woman stepped outside, the wind was stronger than she had expected, but she saw it as an opportunity. She slowly closed the door behind her, managing to mask the faint sound of wood brushing against wood. When she heard no sound from inside, she was sure she had gotten out without a problem.

Everyone seemed to be in a deep, heavy sleep. Inside, everything remained in place with the false sense of peace left from the morning.

Kaori closed her eyes, slowly exhaled, and turned her back. She gathered her hair from her shoulders and tied it up. Her long pink hair, which had been carefully left loose and perfectly combed throughout the day, was now hastily tied at the nape of her neck.

She quickened her steps, turned onto the narrow path behind the house.

The ground had softened after days of relentless rain; with every step, a faint sound rose beneath her feet. 

As the moon appeared and disappeared between the clouds, it lit her path in fragments, her shadow stretching and shrinking between the trees. 

Kaori continued forward with quick steps, as if she were late. As if someone was waiting for her, and she didn’t want to keep them waiting.

Her heart sped up, as if keeping pace with the wind. As the cold struck her face, that familiar warmth inside her grew.

When she reached the edge of the town, she slowed down. She looked around; it was dark everywhere. But in the distance, unlike the others, there was a single light still burning. She immediately directed her steps there. With each step, the tension inside her turned into something else, something softer.

As she reached the door, she stopped. She took a deep breath and raised her hand. She was about to knock when she saw the shadow inside, and her fingers remained suspended in the air. She waited like that for a moment and the door opened from inside. Light fell on Kaori’s face.

“You’re late,” said the person inside, their voice low but clear.

Kaori’s lips curved involuntarily. “It was hard to get out. Would I keep you waiting that long willingly?"

They stood at the doorway for a while. The distance between them was small, but carefully maintained. As if both of them knew what it would mean to cross that line. Their gazes examined the other’s face as if trying to memorize it.

“How was… today?” the other asked.

Kaori’s expression froze for a moment. The softness in her eyes withdrew. “It was tiring,” she said. She didn’t say more; she couldn’t.

The wind blew hard again. A few strands of Kaori’s hair fell onto her face. The other person raised their hand without thinking to brush them back, but stopped just before touching her, their fingers hanging in the air.

That thin line between them… remained uncrossed.

Kaori noticed. Her gaze lingered briefly on that hand, then returned to the other’s eyes. She didn’t say anything, but she didn’t leave either. 

They talked a little longer about mundane stuff. Kaori complained about not wanting to be married off through an arranged marriage. But she knew she didn’t have much time, so she had to cut the conversation short. She lowered her head slightly. “I need to go.”

The other person wanted to say something. They needed more time with Kaori. They wanted to take her into their arms right then and run away with her, save her from that lunatic family who didn't know how to appreciate smart woman like her. But they had neither the strength… nor the courage.

Kaori turned her back. Her steps on the way home were slower. As if she didn’t want to walk that path again. Because of this, it took her much longer than usual to reach home.

When she reached the back of the house, there was a storm. The trees rubbed against each other, branches clashing in the dark. As Kaori approached the door, she instinctively looked around.

And in that moment, she felt something. As if someone was watching her. Her body tensed instantly. She slightly turned her head, hoping to catch something. There was a faint movement in the darkness.

The moon slipped out from behind the clouds. The shadow became clear for a brief moment. A tall, well-postured figure was watching her. Kaori’s heart pounded hard for a moment. Without thinking, she stepped back and blended into the shadows.

Kojiro’s voice reached her through the darkness. “Hey-” But Kaori had already disappeared. She moved quickly along the narrow path. She only released her breath when she entered her home. She slowly unclenched her fists. Her hands were trembling.

This was bad. She couldn’t be sure who had seen her, nor even if she had truly been seen, but it created a deep unease within her. This… was not part of the plan.

To avoid further risk, she opened the door more carefully this time and stepped inside. She walked on her tiptoes to her room. When she entered, she was met with a surprise waiting in the darkness.

“Where did you go at this hour?” Kaori slowly turned her head. Kaoru stood in the corner of the room. The moonlight illuminated only half of his face; the other half remained in shadow. His eyes were fixed directly on her.

Kaori cursed inwardly. “…You’re awake.”

“Oh, am I?” Kaoru said, his voice sarcastic.

Kaori shrugged. She was used to Kaoru’s endless sarcasm. “I went out to get some fresh air.”

Kaoru’s gaze didn’t change. “Through the back path?”

Kaori didn’t answer. The silence was enough for Kaoru to know the truth. He took a few steps forward. “Were you with that person? That mysterious love you mentioned yesterday?” Kaori looked away. “Kaori,” Kaoru said, his voice turning serious and firm.

Kaori took a breath. “Keep your voice down.”

“Answer me.” Kaoru insisted.

They faced each other in silence. “…Yes.” The word hung heavy between them. Outside, the wind howled.

Kaoru’s jaw tightened. “You’re doing that at this hour? Really?”

Kaori’s gaze hardened. “When would you prefer I do it? In daytime?”

“This isn’t a game,” Kaoru snapped. “Something could’ve happened to you. You can’t just wander around like that alone in the middle of the night as a woman... You are so reckless.”

“I know,” Kaori exhaled, tired. She dropped onto her bed, pulling her knees to her chest.

Kaoru’s expression softened just slightly. He was still worried and angry. “You don’t act like it.”

Kaori pouted. Then it hit her again suddenly. Someone might have seen her. Her breath caught in her throat. This wasn’t a game, she realized it again.

Kaoru sat beside her, then pulled her into an embrace, gently running his fingers through her hair. “I don’t know who is the person you love,” he murmured, “but I don’t want you doing dangerous things for them. Like you used me yesterday, you can use me for this too.”

Kaori felt her throat tighten. She held onto her brother just as tightly. Whoever had seen her… whatever trouble it might bring… she didn’t know. But Kaoru was there. And for now, that was enough.

Chapter Text

It was early in the morning. As the sounds of animals echoed around, the Sakurayashiki family, just newly awake, were startled by a knock on their door. The elderly couple hurriedly got up, straightening their clothes. The twins’ father had already taken his usual place in his corner, while his wife prepared herself to open the door. The unease of being new to the village still lingered over them.

The old woman slowly opened the door. When she saw Kojiro’s mother standing there, her face lit up, and she bowed respectfully in greeting. Kojiro’s mother returned the gesture with a gentle smile, bowing just as politely.

"Please forgive me for disturbing you at this hour. I couldn’t contain my excitement." she said, her smile widening so much that her eyes nearly disappeared into the wrinkles on her face.

“Oh, not at all!” the twins’ mother replied, laughing warmly.

“I have very good news!” Kojiro’s mother clapped her hands together lightly. “It seemed like my son showed interest in your daughter. If we arrange a few more meetings, perhaps a spark will form, and we can bring them closer together.”

“Oh! Are you serious?” The twins’ mother’s eyes sparkled with anticipation and joy. “What wonderful news, and such a lovely thought. I would very much like them to meet again. To be honest, I was worried since my daughter didn’t tell me much… but perhaps she was just shy.” The elderly woman smiled broadly at the story she had already begun building in her mind. “I’ll speak with her again and let you know, if that suits you?”

“Of course!” Kojiro’s mother nodded eagerly, taking the other woman’s hands and squeezing them with happiness. Then the two mothers bowed to each other once more in polite farewell. 

When Kojiro’s mother returned to her own house and disappeared from sight, the twins’ mother closed the door and turned back toward her husband. After briefly informing him, she made her way upstairs with light, excited steps toward Kaori’s room.

Without even bothering to knock, she pushed the door open abruptly, only to find the twins asleep, wrapped in each other’s arms. She wanted to scold them for still being asleep, but the sight of them like that brought back memories of their childhood. A soft smile spread across her face, her eyes filling with emotion. She quietly stepped back out of the room and gently closed the door behind her. “They’re not children anymore to be sleeping together like this…” she murmured, though the smile on her face betrayed her words.

She went downstairs and began preparing breakfast. Soon, the kitchen came to life. The crackling of the fire on the stove blended with the soft murmur of boiling water; the scent of fresh rice, tea, and lightly sautéed vegetables seeped into the wooden walls, filling the house. The chill of the morning still lingered inside, but the warmth rising from the stove slowly chased it away.

The twins’ mother moved with practiced ease. Her hands worked without thought, placing everything where it belonged with the rhythm of years of habit. But her mind was elsewhere.

The smile still lingered on her lips. Every now and then, she would pause, forgetting the task in her hands, staring into nothingness before lightly shaking her head and resuming her work. “Maybe it really will happen…” she murmured.

She cast a brief glance toward the room where her husband sat. He remained quiet, not disturbing the calm of the morning. But in his eyes, too, there was a shadow of the same expectation.

The house… seemed filled with a sense of anticipation it hadn’t known in a long time.

Upstairs, time moved more slowly. The pale morning light filtered through the curtains, slipping into the room like a thin line, stretching silently across the wooden floor. Dust motes drifted lazily within the light, accompanying the stillness of the room.

The twins were still lying as they had been. Without realizing it, Kaori’s arm was draped over Kaoru’s shoulder. Her face was turned toward him.

When the light touched his face, Kaoru’s eyelids fluttered, then slowly opened. For a while, he lay still, staring at the ceiling. Then his gaze shifted slightly to the side. He looked at Kaori. She seemed to be sleeping. Her face looked calm, peaceful. The sharp, defiant expression from last night was gone. It was as if nothing had happened.

For a brief moment, Kaoru considered waking her but he decided against it.

Carefully, he removed Kaori’s arm from his shoulder. His movement was so controlled that the bed barely shifted. He slowly sat up. When his feet touched the floor, he paused, as if to suppress even the faintest sound.

From downstairs, the sounds of the kitchen could be heard. Morning had clearly already begun for the rest of the household.

Kaoru stood up. His hair was messy from the night, but he didn’t bother fixing it, he simply brushed it back with his hand. Then, without saying a word, he opened the door and stepped outside.

A few seconds after the door closed, Kaori’s eyes opened. She didn’t move for a while.

She looked at the door Kaoru had left through, then at the ceiling. She exhaled. She wasn’t asleep. She had only… kept her eyes closed. She was about to let her thoughts drift when a voice from downstairs interrupted her.

“Kaori! Are you awake yet?” It was her mother’s voice, and it sounded unusually cheerful.

Kaori’s eyes opened again. “…Yes,” she called back. This time she sat up in bed, quickly put something on, and went downstairs for breakfast.

Steaming tea, small bowls filled with prepared dishes, the warm scent of freshly cooked rice… everything had been carefully arranged. The twins’ mother looked around one last time and nodded in satisfaction. Everything looked perfect.

As Kaori took her seat at the table, her eyes met her brother’s. Kaoru was sitting across from her. He was quiet, staring at the teacup in his hand without drinking. Kaori was sure he was still thinking about who her secret lover was. At the same time, she knew he was worried about her.

“We received very good news this morning!” their mother said, unable to hide her excitement. Their father lifted his head slightly but said nothing.Kaori’s fingers tightened slightly around her cup. Kaoru’s gaze immediately shifted to her. “The lady of the Nanjo family came, Kojiro’s mother...” the woman continued, her voice rising. “Apparently Kojiro was very pleased with your meeting yesterday!”

Kaori lowered her head a little more. “I see…” She secretly shot a questioning glance at her brother; Kaoru seemed just as surprised.

“Yes! In fact, they want you to meet again. If you meet a few more times… we’re hoping something might develop between you!” The woman was so pleased with her own words that she could barely contain her smile. “What do you think?” their mother asked expectantly.

The silence at the table grew heavy for a moment. Kaori took a breath. “You know I don’t wan—” she began slowly, but her mother cut her off before she could finish.

“Oh! I’m so happy!” The woman clasped her hands together excitedly. “You’ll see, this will work out!” Kaori frowned, ready to argue, but stopped when her brother nudged her foot under the table. Their mother spoke again, this time with pride. “Besides, Kaoru’s job is settled as well. Everything is falling into place.”

This time Kaori’s expression softened. “Really?” she asked, genuinely curious. He hadn’t told her about this.

Kaoru lowered his head slightly. “I’ll be working as a clerk, handling affairs for a lord.”

A small smile appeared on Kaori’s lips. “Really? That’s good for you,” she said. “You needed some stability. With everything that happened where we used to live and then moving here… it feels like you’ve drifted away from yourself in all that chaos.”

Kaoru’s gaze softened for a brief moment. “And what is it that you need?” he asked.

Kaori let out a short laugh. “I don’t need stability.”

“Clearly,” Kaoru said.

The twins began to bicker playfully. The house was lively throughout breakfast. 

After it ended, Kaori moved to help her mother. Their father pulled Kaoru aside and started commenting on his hair, saying that the way he tied it looked too “feminine,” and that if he kept it up, he would never find a wife. He didn’t forget to add that even his sister might get married before him.

As soon as Kaori finished helping her mother, she rushed to rescue her brother, jumping onto his back. Kaoru spun her around and carried her toward his room, both of them ignoring their father scolding them.

Kaoru stepped into his room, pulled the door shut behind him with his foot, and let his sister down.

“Kaoru~,” his sister began sweetly.

“Oh… no… I’m scared,” Kaoru said, raising one eyebrow at her. “Don’t tell me you’re going to ask me to go to that meeting again.” Kaori pouted, but all she got from him was a firm shake of the head. “No.”

“Kaoru, please. Please, please, pleeease!”

“I just got a job, are you trying to ruin my life already? Besides, I won’t even be here starting tomorrow. I’ll be going to the city for work. I won’t be able to be by your side all the time for things like this…”

“I know… but this is the last time! Please! And… this is kind of your fault, isn’t it?”

“Excuse me?”

“You were the one who went to the meeting. You made the man like you, didn’t you?” Kaori winked, a wide grin on her face. “So you fix it. Just tell him you’re not interested, that’s enough.”

“You can do that yourself,” Kaoru said with a tired sigh. Not this again... He felt like he kept repeating himself.

“Yes, but… even going to meet a man makes me feel like I’m being unfair and unfaithful to the person I love.” Kaori lowered her gaze. “I know it might sound exaggerated, but that’s how I feel. That’s why I need you.”

“When do you not,” Kaoru muttered, rolling his eyes. “Fine. Have mother arrange the meeting before I leave for the city. I’ll meet him one last time and put an end to this. Let’s just hope we won’t have to see him again.”

Kaori jumped with happiness and nodded, immediately running off to tell their mother. It seemed Kaoru would have to get ready once again for that gorilla looking man.