Chapter Text
“If you so much as dare to embarrass the Itadori name, I will forever pray that you'll be cursed.”
The quietness of the morning was shattered, broken by the pebbles of speech his mother—the title he refrained from ever saying out loud, only ever referring to her by name if he could—had thrown at him. Yuji averted his gaze, continuing to hold his head high, a small sign of defiance before catching her eye in the hand mirror. Kaori scowled, white powder creasing in the newly formed wrinkles of her brows. She muttered something to one of the young servants, exhaling as she eyed Yuji's profile. It was enough to make him lower his head. Her hand swiped something nearby and she exhaled audibly, the servant flinching as the object they were holding was snatched.
Voice strained and barely holding back her contempt, she roughly pulled on Yuji's hair, lips pursed as she spoke, “this ceremony will be the last chance I give you, do you understand? I will not have your insolence or ill-favour drag my name through the mud, not any more so than it already has, with your damned presentation and what not.” Specks of white appeared at the corner of Kaori’s red lips. Yuji nodded, not wanting to displease his mother with an inappropriate answer.
A calmer sigh whistled through her nose as she placed the comb down, her elegance returning as quick as a wrist flick to unfurl a fan, motioning for the servant to pick up where she'd begun to style.
Deciding she'd said her part, getting everything she was feeling off her chest, Kaori took one last glance at Yuji, briefly speaking to the few servants scattered around the rō before departing through the shoji doors. The suffocation slowly dissipated, yet the unnerving tensity remained, nestled deep within the foundation like a termite. It would never leave, for as long as Kaori remained.
That feeling didn't lift as they traveled across the land, some hours of rough traversing, great views of the scenery unfolding before Yuji's eyes. It was magnificent, far more beautiful than anything he'd ever seen before, and different to the last journey he'd taken to the ceremony. However he couldn't enjoy it to the fullest, not knowing the extreme labour the bearers were under. It disturbed Yuji to the point he felt queasy. Perhaps it was the constant rocking of the palanquin, or so he tries to convince himself of.
The lurching of the palanquin surprised Yuji and he clutched onto the side, trying to balance himself. He heard a few hushed shouts, muddled with commands and boisterous voices. He caught himself fiddling with the hem of his sleeve, silently cursing at himself for letting him get carried away and forget what he was wearing. He heard Kaori's voice, unmistakable even with the added noise.
Hesitantly, his hand wavered before him, out stretched and ready to pull back the viscose curtain shielding him from the rest of the world. He'd have preferred it if he could remain inside, enclosed and safely protected, like a pearl in an oyster. Yes, he'd have preferred that much more to the alternative. As his thoughts ran rampant of the things he wished he could do, the door was pulled open. Unfortunate was the first word that popped into his head as the light burst inside his cocoon.
Greeted by the gentle swirl of a cold breeze, Yuji put on a neutral face of serenity, carefully exiting the palanquin with the help of a servant girl. The brilliant sun caught him by surprise and against his better judgement he raised his arm, shielding his eyes from the dazzle. It was a beautiful day, one where he'd have preferred to have played in a nearby stream—as he had done a few times as a child—or quietly read underneath a shaded spot of a tree.
Filling his head with small daydreams, ones that didn't interfere or deepen to the point of adorning an absent gaze, he followed behind Kaori. She hadn't looked in his direction once, the back of her head an all too familiar sight and one which Yuji preferred. Being in his mother's shadow wasn't uncommon, it had dwindled since his secondary trait presentation significantly, but he was always beneath her in some way. It didn't bother him any more than an irritating fly buzzing around your head. Infuriating, but something you could ignore with enough will power.
Eyes focused on the train of Kaori's mo, a stark white against the plum of her jūnihitoe. Unwanted thoughts of earlier arose, how his mother had quickly whispered words into the servants ears and disappeared. Not long later Yuji had discovered what she had spoken about. She'd instructed the servants to fashion him in a pale green jūnihitoe, layered with only three itsutsuginu and without a decorative karaginu.
While it had surprised him at the lack of clothing, he didn't mind. He just disliked the fact that many eyes would be on him, and he'd draw more attention by the little respect he would be showing. It was his mother's way of showing her punishment, possibly a form of amusement for herself as well.
Yuji's eyes caught on the large expanse of garden, not realizing how much he'd missed on his way in. He blinked, dispersing the remnants of the trance that clung to his mind. Everything was in its place, not a leaf nor weed ruining the perfect beauty of the grounds. Yuji wanted to run among the budding greenery, feel the life emanating with every footfall, never looking back. Oh, curse the geta he was wearing.
Casting his gaze back into the ground at the sound of Kaori's voice, he was brought back to what lay ahead; an exhausting day of keeping up a façade to please his mother.
Away from hungry eyes and drawn out conversations, Yuji was finally able to breathe. He lowered his fan, stretching his fingers to ease the ache settling in his joints before sighing.
The seclusion was a great reprieve, to get away from the throng of people, the incessant use of pheromones to seduce and subdue, a frowned upon action that should never take place within the presence of nobility, yet it ran rife among them today. It gave Yuji a headache, a dull throbbing behind the eyes, only increasing with each self centered colloquy he was roped into, all to eventually sidle up to his mother's side to gain her approval.
The calm of this far away haven was a blessing. He needed time to think, to choose appropriately, to please his mother. He hung his head, allowing for his hair to slip over his shoulders, flowing gracefully, as if it was black water cascading over a rocky ledge. He allowed for his eyes to close, his heartbeat thumping against his eyelids.
A sudden cough caught him by surprise and he lifted his fan, body tense, holding it in place before lifting his gaze. He was greeted by a warm smile and familiar black iris’. A wave of embarrassment washed over Yuji as he regarded who was in front of him.
“Yoshino-sama, you startled me,” he paused, watching as the man opened his mouth to retaliate, cutting him off instead. “What if we had been accompanied? There are many watchful eyes here today. We cannot be impudent.” There was silence, the sound of muffled voices carried on the wind, a spark of truth in what had just been voiced.
Junpei shook his head, a smile breaking out onto his face. “Itadori-kun, how many discussions like this have we entertained? I would never put you at risk. Never. And what's with the formality?” Yuji felt his cheeks warm. He watched as Junpei stepped forward, his shadow falling onto him, enveloping him in a cool embrace. The distance between them was socially viewed with disfavour, an obvious thought would certainly arise from anyone who noticed them.
Keeping his eyes lowered, he took in the brilliant blue of Junpei’s sokutai, the hō reminding Yuji of the crystal blue waters that glittered in the sun, the embroidery of an even lighter blue truly made it almost like a replica. Memories of playing with Junpei by the pond's of Kaori's residence brought a soft smile to his lips, hidden from Junpei's view.
Casting a slight glance to the side, his heart skipped a beat. Yuji caught sight of someone. Stepping back, he lifted his fan, an apologetic look gracing his eyes as he gazed at Junpei, eyes locked in hope. Understanding washing over his face. Yuji noticed his features seemed almost taught, pained in some way as he acknowledged the time had passed and that someone was nearby. Something neither of them could risk, no matter what.
His mind went back to the situation at hand. Someone was with them, not directly, but to the side, minding their own business. White hair was what caught Yuji's attention first. A red pattern of a concave circle decorated the strands midway, stark against the whiteness, like blood on snow. It was an unusual marking. Ritualistic perhaps?
Yuji blanched when he was caught staring, their hard gaze catching his, eyes sharp as steel. It was unnerving, and it caused him to look away, feigning a smile as he brought his attention back to Junpei, who was far too at ease.
“–Itadori-kun? Did you hear me?” nodding, Yuji tried to regain his earlier mindset, shifting slightly when he felt Junpei's hand graze his sleeve. “Not here, Junpei-kun.” Something sparked in Junpei's eyes, a familiar dilation of pupils reminding Yuji why they shouldn't be so close. It was hypnosis at the worst possible time.
“Itadori Yuji, you foolish little–oh, Yoshino-sama, what a surprise! I hope Itadori hasn't been giving you any trouble?” Kaori's voice was like a whip, a sudden slash before reigning in as if nothing had happened, still leaving behind a nasty sting in its wake to those it touched.
Yuji let his face rest, his displeasure barely hidden at his mother's poor attempt at covering her mistreatment. “Of course not, Kaori-dono. We were just discussing old times, were we not, Itadori-sama?” Junpei's voice was respectful, an obvious ploy to relax Kaori. It worked, as they conversed for a while, letting Yuji contemplate the gardens again.
“Itadori-san, we have much to attend to. You running off has caused quite the ruckus for your poor mother,” she paused, letting out a forced laugh before giving Junpei a wide smile, black teeth shining on display. A show of her authority. “Come, you must choose today, it's far too important to waste. Isn't that right, Yoshino-sama? It's an important day for you as well, is it not? You must be busy trying to woo who you desire, another beta, perhaps?” Yuji tensed.
That was a warning, a stick thrust into the side of a wounded animal to see if it would still snap its jaws.
Junpei gave a smile, brief and unconvincing to Yuji, but enough to ward off Kaori's attempts at insulting him once more. “Of course, Kaori-dono. Though my efforts to court haven't gone to plan recently.” That sentence alone brought a scary look upon Kaori's face and her lip twitched. Yuji knew nothing good would come out of the two if things continued this way.
“Junpei-kun, I wish you the best of luck with your courting. May your wishes be fulfilled. I must take my leave and escort my…mother.” The word left his mouth harsher than he intended and it presented a sour taste in his mouth. It was just his mind playing tricks. His mother gathered herself, turning her shoulder, refusing to look back.
Yuji sighed, his wrist aching from holding his fan. He just wanted to leave, run away. He looked back at Junpei, his eyes glassy, emotions rampant within their depths. It was enough to make Yuji want to voice his discomfort. To propose they run away together, leave everything behind, start anew. But the look was gone in a blink, a reserved, almost sad smile decorating Junpei's face in place of what he'd just witnessed. A sign Yuji took to leave.
He turned his back, ready to walk, a niggle of regret already forming in his mind. In a quiet voice, he spoke, “Jun, I'll find you later. We can talk, freely, once all this is over.”
Peaking over his shoulder, Yuji saw the glow on Junpei's face, a bright shine to his eyes. It was enough to make Yuji grin, a sad one at that, for he knew there would most likely never be a later for them.
He could only hope.