33 - Turning point

I’ve always dreamed of being a princess saved by a knight on his steed. He’d gaze at me tenderly while extending his strong hand. With his determination, he’d break the fate's chain that bounds me and show me what freedom truly means.

But I’ve given up on that dream. Because I know it’s nothing more than just a mere fantasy.

I’ve given up on my "freedom".

HOWEVER, if I can just imagine it— if a knight like that were to come someday to take me away... With his unwavering determination— if someone that extraordinary appeared, maybe... just maybe... my destiny could change..?

Back to the present. Yuichi's words had been surprising me. For a moment, I thought... No... Could it be that... Yuichi is the extraordinary knight that i've always waiting for?

"I..."

My hand is still gripping the door handle tightly, caught between two choices. I hesitate to open the door to my room for Yuichi or not, because this is the last barrier between us.

I could be selfish and open the door for her.

I do have hope that Yuichi can change something, just like she did before.

But on the other hand, I also realize that it's impossible. This is on a whole different level.

If I open this door, I would drag her into something that isn't her responsibility. She would experience things that a regular student shouldn’t have to go through.

I don’t want Yuichi to experience that.

"This... is not your role, Yuichi-san," I say in a weak voice.

"AKANE-SAN!" My shoulders reflexively jerk up as I hear the sudden shout from Yuichi.

"Yuichi...san..?"

"I'm sorry if I was harsh. But please... just for once. Let us help you, okay?"

...

Even after all this— you're still so stubborn, huh?

The corners of my mouth slowly rise. I unconsciously put on a faint smile on my face.

Do I really expect them to help me? Even though, in the end, it might turn out badly?

"Okay. But once you decide to help me, there will be no turning back."

"You understand what that means, right, Yuichi-san?" I continue.

"Mhm."

I take off my clothes, then put on a shirt that looks neat. I rub my eyes for a while to wipe away any traces of tears from my face.

Please don't disappoint me. Change my fate like you did once before, Yuichi. I beg you.

I slowly opened the door and found Yuichi standing tall right in front of my room. The corners of her eyes held tears that could fall at any moment, yet her gaze was sharp, as if she wouldn’t give up even if fate itself opposed her.

"Akane-san..." Yuichi called my name softly. She held my hands, i could feel that her grip was very weak, while her fingers were trembling uncontrollably.

I glanced away briefly and noticed Nagi standing right beside her.

He caught my attention and gave me a faint smile, exhaling in relief.

Even Nagi too..?

"Yuichi-san, Nagi-kun, come into my room. There’s something important I need to talk about with you two."

"A-ah! Sure..!" Yuichi responded immediately. But Nagi simply shook his head slightly.

He silently gave me signals with his finger gestures, giving me a message that I barely caught: "This is something only you two can resolve."

I nodded, understanding his intention, then brought Yuichi inside without asking him further.

I haven't tidied up my room since Rion came to school that day, nor did I let any of the servants in, so the room was a mess with clothes scattered everywhere.

"Sorry, Yuichi-san, if the room looks a bit chaotic..."

Yuichi just gave me a small smile. Without replying, she picked up some of my clothes lying on the floor and sat down there.

She scratched her cheek a few times, laughing awkwardly. "Ahaha... Don’t worry, Akane-san. This is what a normal room looks like— well... At least for me..." she said, averting her gaze.

"Pfft..!" I let out a small laugh at how clumsy Yuichi was. Her face turned slightly red when she saw me laughing.

This funny moment brought back a realization— how long had it been, since I laughed like this?

Thank you, Yuichi...

I then picked up documents from the table. Yuichi remained seated, watching me curiously. Without saying a word, I handed her the documents.

Yuichi’s eyes widened as she took in the content.

The documents was a formal statement about my arranged marriage with Rion. It outlined countless conditions and terms that were agreed upon by both parties.

"If one party REJECTS the engagement without a CLEAR reason, that party will incur a penalty."

I didn’t know where the boundaries of “CLEAR” lay. But I knew that simply sulking to my dad wouldn’t suffice.

Both the Yamamoto family and my own, Yamashita family, seemed so determined to bind me to this engagement, didn’t they?

I swallowed hard, then gathered the courage to ask, "Yuichi-san, what do you think? After reading these documents, do you think I still have hope?"

"I know that my role has been set. I have no choice but to follow the script of my life as the main character of my own story. Even if I wish to live like an ordinary person, that’s simply impossible."

"My life was decided the moment I was born. Whether it ends well or poorly, I have to live it because that’s the reason why I exist. It’s my duty as a daughter to bring happiness to my parents—"

"Through this engagement," I continued.

I shared all of this because I was curious about her response. I wanted to know how Yuichi saw me, how she perceived my struggles, and how she planned to save me.

I was curious about that.

Yuichi’s expression darkened as she lowered her head in despair, seemingly unable to answer my question. Her worried face betrayed how much she was struggling now, her trembling lips barely holding back the tears that could fall at any moment.

...

Yuichi...

"Sorry, Yuichi-san. Maybe I’m talking too much—"

"No," Yuichi suddenly interrupted.

She lifted her head, forcing a smile even as her emotions welled up. "I should be the one apologizing. I’m sorry, Akane-san, for only realizing everything just now."

"Eh— huh? Y-you don’t have to apologize, Yuichi-san..! After all, it’s not your fault..." I replied, waving my hands awkwardly.

"Akane-san. You’ve done so well, holding every bit of your emotions all by yourself. But.... I can’t agree with what you just said."

"Mm..!?" My eyes widened. This was the first time someone told me I was wrong.

"There’s no such thing as a role. Humans aren’t actors in a movie. We are individuals who can decide our own lives. We’re not born with roles, nor do we need to play any role."

I lowered my head in fear, unknowingly gritting my teeth, my hands clenching tightly.

Yuichi’s words were true— I couldn’t deny any of them. But her words also somehow frightened me. Why..?

Yuichi continued, "We live because God created us to live."

"Whether it’s spending time with friends or having fun playing games— it doesn’t matter, because it’s all part of life. There are no roles, because we live for ourselves, not for others."

"You don’t need to fulfill a role unless you’re an actor. Because you know? Nobody is born to play someone they’re not."

I couldn’t respond to her words. Yuichi had successfully dismantled all of my bad thoughts. Perhaps I really was foolish.

Unexpectedly, Yuichi wiped away the tears on my face with her finger. I looked at her, confused. Was I worthy of all this? I wondered. But she just gave me a warm smile, while her gaze filled with care.

Ah— I see... I wasn’t afraid of Yuichi’s words. Rather, I was afraid that my own thoughts which I had always believed, were wrong.

I had been hiding behind those words like “role” and “mask” as an excuse to run away from my problems. I was too scared to face the outcome, even though the results might not be as bad as I feared.

I had the chance to change my fate, but I threw it away. Yuichi made me realize that by her words.

Now, I’m determined to change. I can’t let myself be bound by fate forever. This is the time for me to fight back.

"Thank you so much, Yuichi-san." I returned her smile. Your caring nature is the reason why I fell for you.

"A-ah! You don’t need to thank me..! I mean, this is just regular advice. Anyone could have done what I did," she said with an awkward laugh.

Thank you. Even so, since then until now— I can still see someone else’s silhouette in your eyes, even when you're comforting me. I didn’t know who that figure was back then, but now, I can say with certainty that the silhouette... Was Nagi.

It seems I really don’t have a single chance to be in a deeper relationship with you, do I..?

"Akane-san," Yuichi called my name softly.

"Yes..?"

Yuichi gripped my shoulders firmly with both of her hands. "Don’t worry. I— no, we... We will change your fate, and that’s a PROMISE."

"Nagi, Kaito, Chiharu, and all of your friends. We all PROMISE to save you from this shitty arranged married and give that brat Rion a good punches. We promise to make it happen," Yuichi continued. Her gaze was sharp, her expression serious, even as she spoke the final part of her vow. Was she really serious about punching Rion for me..?

I let out a small laugh.

"Once again, thank you, Yuichi-san. Because of you, I’ve regained hope. Let’s work together to fulfill that promise."

I grabbed Yuichi’s hand and linked our pinky fingers tightly.

"We’ll teach Rion a lesson together."

Yuichi froze for a moment. "S-sure..!"

"I’ll make sure you get your part, Akane-san."

"Of course."

TO BE CONTINUED.