I scoff silently. Hideo had no problem punishing me–with words or with a cane–if I so much as thought of stepping out of line.
Mei opens the door a hair more, her gaze meeting mine. She seems as surprised as I am at her father’s words.
The thought of anyone hurting her sends a scalding rush of anger through my blood. I don’t care who it is–her father or someone else–no one is going to touch a hair on her head.
“Can you do this for me? I admit I sent her to you when I was particularly upset, and we parted ways on bad terms. She just doesn’t understand that our lives aren’t fairy tales or those silly books she likes to read. Mei must understand her future consists of marriage and creating heirs. Not romance.” His voice hardens. “I’ve tried to impress that upon her, but she’s willful. Running away. Visiting places she has no business being.”
“Like the men’s university?” I ask.
“Exactly.” He groans. “When I found out that’s where she’d went, I had to pay off a dozen people to keep it quiet. Otherwise, her reputation would be ruined, and then I wouldn’t be able to secure her an advantageous match. All these things are really a mother’s place, but she and her stepmother aren’t on good terms. So I’ve done the best I can. It wasn’t good enough.”
I’m taken aback. Hideo’s said more in the past five minutes than he has in years. Mei clearly strikes a nerve for him. I can relate.
“She’s safe here.”
“I have no doubt of that, even with the Ito business. But I need you to take her firmly in hand and show her that her life of fantasy isn’t real. Put her feet firmly on the ground, Kaz. When that’s done, send her back to me. I have suitors already lining up to meet her.”
I grip the phone so tightly the plastic cracks. Hideo sent her to me to get her in line. I’ve already decided she’s perfect just the way she is. Her father’s been putting all these wrong ideas into her head. And marrying her off to some asshole suitor? Not on my fucking watch.
“Will you help me?” Hideo asks.
“Yes.” I smile and lean back in my chair. “I’ll educate her, Hideo. Personally.”
When I glance at the door, I see a flash of dark hair and then hear running footsteps. Mei is gone. But she can’t escape me, especially not now that I’ve been given free rein. I have plenty of plans in mind for her, though I doubt any of them are what Hideo envisions. No, definitely not.
8
Mei
Overhearing the conversation between my father and Kazuo had a flame of hope blooming in my chest. At first I thought that all this time I’d misunderstood my father and that he actually loves me but has his own way of showing it.
In the end, though, what mattered to him was the same as always: me serving my duty to the family. That would always matter more to him than anything else. I think I knew that, but I had this ridiculous feeling that his love for me might win in the end. I think his plan worked faster than he intended, because hearing those words took that last bit of hope I had when it came to him.
It didn’t help that Kazuo went and agreed with him, stomping on any thoughts I had of him being independent or actually liking me. He seems more than willing to do my father’s bidding. I shouldn’t be surprised. Everyone always is. Except me. I’m probably the only one that my father hasn’t been able to control.
When I make it back to my room, I know leaving in a fit right now isn’t the best plan of action. I’d be caught before I made it ten feet out the door. I’ll have to bide my time. Figure out where I’ll go and how I’ll survive. This is no longer a game. I won’t be handed off as some virginal bride to a suitor of my father’s choice.
I wasn’t lying when I told Kazuo death was a fate I was willing to face to have my freedom. I will not marry a man I do not love and have his children just so those little girls can one day face the same fate as me. I would never allow it.
“Mei.” I don’t turn at the sound of Kazuo’s voice, not wanting him to see my tears.
“What?” I ask.
I don’t hear him move from the door, but I feel the heat of his body come up behind me. I take a few steps forward before he can try to touch me. If he even does.
“I was sure I’d find you up here packing.”
“You don’t know me, Kazuo. I don’t know you either. It’s best we don’t make presumptions about each other.” It’s hard to keep the quiver out of my voice.