Mayumi is currently sitting at the engawa of the Amagi house, reading a book about the laws the 12 families needed to abide by. She must study and memorize everything as one mistake can lead to a significant consequence. Just imagining what her father might do to her already brought chills down her spine.
It's been a while since she began to live here. Shima Sumi came from time to time to help her adjust to the suddenness of responsibility shown to her. She likes the traditional design of the Amagi residence, but it's too big, and the only one here is her, her auntie, and the staff. She is somehow glad that her auntie is here to help her out because she'll be lost if not.
"Mayumi, why don't you rest for a bit? Here you can eat some snacks!" her auntie said, suddenly appearing from her side. She smiles and thank her as she eats the food she brought.
"I like that you work hard, but please be sure to take care of yourself, okay?"
"Yeah, I'm sorry. It's just I'm overwhelmed right now!" She said, scratching her head with an awkward smile. The older girl smiles at her.
"Yuzuyu-san, do you think I'll do good as the head? Dad doesn't want me to be the head since he raises me normally, so I don't know much about the 12 families, but do you think I'll do good?" She looks at the older girl with a doubtful expression.
"Mayumi, you will be the next head of our family. I know that you will do good just like your father!" the young girl looked at her, confused.
"But he raised me differently. Are you sure I can do this?" the older woman looks at her with a smile.
"Yes, I know you can do it! Besides that, I hope fate will lead someone to you like what happened to your father before! After all, your father changes for the better because of your mother. She made him a greater person than he was before. I wanted you to have it too!" Mayumi smiled, hoping it to happen to her too. But she wasn't sure if that'll happen, especially with what's happening right now, or maybe she is wasn't fated with Shihou.
"Oh, I forgot! Yuzuyu-san, I have a question!" the older woman looks at her, confused.
+++---+++---+++
"Mom, Dad, I'm home!" Mayumi yelled, walking inside the house.
Her auntie Yuzuyu let her have a night in her parents' house today; it made her happy. She misses her parents so much, after all! When she looked up, she saw her father's angry face. What did she do to make him mad? Mayumi asks herself, confused.
"Yuzuyu, inform me that she let you have a night here for today, and the school already ended 3 hours ago. So could you give me your reason you come home late? Huh, Mayu?" he asks, clearly mad. Mayumi looks down at the ground awkwardly, unsure how she should tell his father about it earlier. He'll be furious for sure!
"I was with Tennou. He drags me to this cat cafe near the school..." Mayumi said in a low voice.
"Are you two dating?!" Seichi asks, clearly mad.
He's glaring at her like he wants to kill someone. Looking up with her eyes wide, she quickly shook her head no. Why did he ask that? Mayumi won't ever date Tennou! He's not her type, but she thinks maybe he'll be a great friend? Mayumi sees the relief expression on her father's face after hearing her answer. Only to glare back at Mayumi; this caused the poor girl to feel a shiver run down her spine and tear up.
"Remember this! I don't want anyone dating you without MY PERMISSION. Do you got it?!" the threat in his voice didn't go unnoticed by her.
"Yes, dad!" Mayumi said, smiling awkwardly at her father.
"Good, now let's eat!"
+++---+++---+++
"Brother?" Sayuri said, peeking through the room.
"Sayu?" Shihou is doing his homework when suddenly Sayuri enters his room.
Does she need help with her homework? He thought as she approached him. Little did he know Sayuri had a plan with the help of Sumi. She'll make sure to make it a success!
"Hey, brother, since we don't have school tomorrow. Can we go to the amusement park? I wanted to go since I couldn't go there, not even once!" she said happily. At the same time, she was bouncing up and down in front of her brother.
"Eh?! But-" He couldn't finish himself when his sister suddenly cut him off.
"I already got permission! So what is it?" she said, smirking hands on her hips and confidently looking at her brother.
"Fine!" he sighs, smiling slightly.
"Yehey! I'll invite everyone!" Sayuri cheers as she leaves the room. The word everyone takes his interest.
"Everyone? Who are they?" he asks, curious by what she meant.
"That's a secret!"
+++---+++---+++
"Bye, mom, dad! I'm going out with my friends today!" Mayumi said as she put her shoes on. Yesterday Sayuri texted her if she wanted to come with them to the amusement park. Since she missed the little girl, she gladly took her offer.
"Okay, take care, Mayu!" her mother said. Mayumi smiles while hugging her mother before leaving. As soon as she got out of their house, she saw Hikari standing outside with paper bags with her.
"Hikari-san, why do you have that? Aren't we going to the amusement park?" Mayumi asks, confusion on her face. She flinches when the girl suddenly holds her wrist and drags her.
"Let's go!"
Mayumi startles when she suddenly drags her, and it turns into confusion when she sees the house that Hikari dragged her into; it's one of Shima Sumi's houses. She doesn't know what's going on. Hikari and Sumi talk to each other as they continue to ignore the poor girl. Hikari and Sumi are thinking of a perfect dress for Mayumi to wear.
"Guys, what are you doing? You're scaring me!" Mayumi wailed, making both women look at her. Hikari smiles slightly and glances at Sumi, seeing her with a smile too.
"We're going to do a makeover for you, Mayumi-sama! We'll make you so beautiful that Shihou will notice you and compliment you!" Mayumi blushes. They'll do a makeover to her to make Shihou notice her?!
"W-what do you mean?!"
"Don't deny it! You like him, don't you? Mayu!" Sumi said, clearly teasing the poor girl, and Hikari nodded in agreement.
Mayumi began to think. Even though she had feelings for the boy, it doesn't mean that he feels the same. But what if he did?! What would she react?! She needs to make a move now! If Shihou doesn't want to move first, then she'll do! She's going to make a move first. She's going to make him fall for her. With a look of determination, she looks at both of them.
"Okay! I'm ready!" the response makes both of them smile. At least she was cooperating with them.
+++---+++---+++
"What's with that outfit, brother?! Change to something nice!" Sayuri complained, seeing his brother's outfit.
"Sayu, we're only there to hang out, didn't we? So I don't see any reason to dress up!" the boy sighed, looking at his pouting little sister.
"Brother!" Sayuri complains, glaring at him with a pout, tears forming in her eyes. Shihou sighs again and gives up.
"Okay, okay! Just don't cry, okay?" he said, giving her a slight smile. Sayuri returns it with a bright smile, which she always gives to her big brother.
Arriving at the amusement park, Shihou wasn't surprised to see Rokuhiko. He already expected it when Sayuri said everyone, but he's surprised to see Benihime here. Since when were they, friends?
"Aren't we going to go inside now?" He asks, looking at her little sister, who is smiling happily.
"We're still waiting for someone!" she said excitedly.
"Who?"
"Oh, she's already here!" Rokuhiko said, waving his arm to get noticed.
"Mayumi!" Benihime yelled, making Shihou's eyes widen hearing the name. He slowly looks behind him, only to stand there frozen. The beauty of Amagi Mayumi right now is so mesmerizing. Even the boys around her stop what they are doing to look at her beauty.
Shihou is mad at the boys looking at her. But he's aware that he doesn't have the right to get angry. He is looking at Mayumi right in front of him with her beauty. All he wants is to hug her and shout to the boys around her. To say 'back off and 'she's mine!' but can he do it?
"Sorry, I'm late!" Mayumi said, smiling apologetically.
"It's okay, don't worry!" Rokuhiko said with a grin.
"You're blooming today, Mayumi!" Benihime said, smiling.
"Eh?! Am I?" she asks, embarrassed while holding her cheeks.
"Yeah, you're so beautiful today! Right brother?" Sayuri asks Shihou, winking. Shihou's blush went unnoticed by the others but not by the Sayuri.
"Let's go!" Sayuri said to everyone cheerfully. Rokuhiko agreed as they began to walk. Mayumi giggles at them; watching her happy makes Shihou's heart melt. He really can't help but admire the girl; he regrets ignoring the poor girl.
"Let's go now, Mayumi. Before they left us alone!" he said, a genuine smile can be seen on his face. Mayumi blushed. She blushes not because of his smile. She blushes because this is the first time he calls her by her first name. She had a chance; she knew it! She nods, a smile on her face.
"Yeah! Common, let's go!" Mayumi said with a nod and a smile taking his hand and beginning their walk.