So this chapter is reeeeeally long (more than three times a normal chapter) i thought on split it, but I thought that as a reader I will prefer to know everything for once, so we can continue with the principal story, I think that next chapter is going to be more long too (but not as crazy as this one), so maybe I will late more too, hope you like it
THROUGH TIME - CHAPTER 25One two and three times were the times that the Young maid had to knock the door, just like protocol suggest, her hands were shaking and she had to make a big effort so the silver tray she had on her hand didn’t fall, her little experience was playing against her, and her nerves began to increase when she could hear the steps from behind the door, that indicates that she was coming closer to the door.
When the door opened she couldn’t helped her eyes to turn down to face the floor, the simple fact of looking the young prince boots was enough for her to forget why she was there.
“What do you need?” The deep voice from the 15 years old girl that carry on her shoulders with the most important inheritance possible, asked for a word from the young maid that could barely stand in front of her without faint.
“I bring you your breakfast Jurina-sama” She finally managed to say.
And without say anything the young prince took the tray from the girl in front of her with one hand
“You can already leave” The young prince ordered her.
The novice maid sighted on relief when her eyes, that were still facing the floor, saw the prince’s steps going away, but when she lifted up her head again, she couldn’t avoid this time that her eyes met the with the 15 years old girl, that stare her without any kind of expression.
“It is a bad manner not to look people in the eyes” She said before went back again to her room.
The young maid couldn’t produce any kind of sound, now she understands why most of the workers just refuse to attend any need from the prince, it wasn’t that this one treat them bad or something like that, the real problem is that every single one of them hate to see the state in which Matsui Jurina was.
The young girl barely eat or sleep, nightmares hunt her every single night, so much that some times and if you focus, some workers said that they could hear her screams form the first floor, her alimentation neither was the best, and you could notice it in her pale skin and that she clearly had lost weight.
But what the most frightened thing were her eyes, there wasn’t a drop of life on these deep brown eyes, and that was something that from the most veteran to the most novice worker hate to see, on special to the first ones that have been seeing her grown.
“How is Jurina?” Was the most mention sentence that you could hear around the castle, and this time was Shinoda Mariko’s turn to ask.
“What can I say, I guess same as always” And was one of the most veterans the one who answered, Aiko.
These two women were the most closest to Jurina, and so were the ones who were most worry about her, Jurina simply refuse to have any kind of conversation with any one, she only accept to say a word if it was with any of these two, but is not like she said too much either.
“What are we going to do with her?” Aiko couldn’t help but let her worry self to talk for her, it hurts her to see the state in which the girl that she raise like a daughter was.
“Let’s give her more time, she has to move on at some point” Answered Shinoda not really sure about her own words, almost wanting to believe that someday Jurina will recover from the lost that she had to witness on her last birthday that took place a couple of months before.
“Is Ichijo-sama really coming for the next month?” Aiko tried to change the subject, because she knew that wasn’t a lot more to talk about Jurina.
“Yes, he’s going to stay here for some months while he instruct me on everything that I have let to know” Answered Shinoda.
“It’s a blessing that he’s here to help you” Added Aiko.
And indeed the kingdom had to presence how a new leader take the throne, because after the tragic death of their King, Shinoda Mariko had to take the throne be being the only daughter that was in conditions to make it, even though she still wasn’t on conditions to manage a kingdom, and that’s how Sakae’s Count Ichijo Yudai offered his help, and all because he was the best friend of her late father.
“I don’t want Jurina to know until he comes, I’m afraid on how she can react” Shinoda knew that her young sister didn’t want any stranger around the castle, and because Jurina didn’t knew pretty well her Father’s friend, it won’t be a surprise if she denies to let him come in.
“I know, but you have to talk with her” Answered Aiko, to which Shinoda only nodded with her head in agreement.
“I will talk about him to her until the day he comes, like that maybe she will accept it” Shinoda shared her plan.
And just like Shinoda said she will, every single day she visited her young sister’s room, who hardly went out from there. At a beginning Jurina barely answered with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ when Shinoda asked something to her, but with the past of hours and days Jurina finally could start a conversation, even so there wasn’t a bit of any kind of personality, reminding an empty container without any emotion.
“Jurina, do you remember the man that I’ve been talking to you?” One month had already past, and it was time to see if Shinoda’s plan worked and Jurina will accept Ichijo Yuidai entrance to the castle, sure that Shinoda didn’t need her permission, but Jurina’s mental health was the most important for Shinoda.
“What happen with him?” Reply Jurina without taking off her gaze from the book that she was trying to read.
“He will come tomorrow, and he will stay for a few months to help me with the kingdom” Shinoda went for all or nothing.
She didn’t had an immediate answer from her sister, who just slightly moved her book so she could locked their eyes, and when that happened Shinoda thought that she will never get use to the lifeless gaze that Jurina had now, she was a completely different person.
“Do you trust him?” Sound the monotonous voice that Jurina now use to have.
“I do” Shinoda felt getting excited when it seems that the young prince was going to accept easier than she though.
“Then do as you want” After saying that she retuned her gaze to book in her hands.
“Fine, and I need you to present properly to him ok?” Shinoda thought that maybe she was asking for too much, but she didn’t lose anything by trying.
“As you say” Answered sharply Jurina. Shinoda couldn’t be more satisfied and happy, because even if it didn’t seem like a great goal, this means that Jurina trust on her, and there wasn’t anything else that she could ask in that moment.
The next morning came and everyone in the castle were getting ready to receive their most important guests, everything was perfectly in place, butlers along with maids lined up at the main entrance to welcome the Count. The doors opened giving its way to a tall figure along with someone else that seemed like a young women, they both walked slowly and firmly. For some reason everyone seemed astonish, and not because of the Count presence precisely.
“Jurina stand straight” Shinoda asked her sister who was standing looking on a blank spot outside the window, while Shinoda tried to fix her suit “I can’t believe that you slept so much, I told you that he will come in the morning” Shinoda scold her for the nth time
“Are you done?” Jurina ignored completely, showing at the same time with her tone, that she was already tired with her older sister brushing her hair and retouching her suit.
“Please behave even if it’s just for five minutes” Shinoda was afraid that Jurina’s attitude could bring her any problem with the Count.
The door opened behind them, drawing Shinoda’s attention, who immediately took off her hands from Jurina’s messy hair, and Jurina didn’t even trouble to turn her head to see who came through the door
“Yudai-san is a pleasure” courteously Shinoda greeted the man.
“Hello Mariko, it’s been a while, how have you been” Answered with a deep voice and a little bit hoarse the men that came in to the office.
“Fine thanks, is good to have you here” Said Shinoda a little bit curious be seeing that he wasn’t alone “Jurina, come here please” She said the most discreetly possible, and thanked that Jurina did as she asked without complaining “Yudai-san she is Jurina, I don’t know if you remember her, Jurina he is Ichijo Yudai and…” Shinoda’s words stopped when she didn’t knew how to present that girl that was standing beside the count.
“Ah yes of course I haven’t present her, she is my daughter, Ichijo Honoka” The girl that seemed like 16 or 17 years old didn’t say a word, she just was hardly staring the prince, who at the same time just looked at her nonchalantly and without any kind of interest “I’m sorry that I didn’t inform that she will come too” Continue saying Yudai when he notice that neither his daughter nor Jurina were going to say something.
“Don’t worry, I’m sure that Jurina will love to have someone around her age here” Shinoda had to draw her sister’s attention, and with an eyes gesture she asked her to present.
“It’s a pleasure I’m Matsui Jurina” Said Jurina plainly and without a special interest making a small reverence with her head.
“The pleasure is mine, right Honoka?” The tall man had to tap her daughter’s shoulder, because this one seemed like in a kind of trance, in which she couldn’t take off her eyes from the prince.
But in a quick movement, Honoka gave a step forward approaching Jurina, and lay a quick kiss on Jurina’s cheek, act that surprised everyone in the room, except to Jurina, who with great tranquility just moved away Honoka by slightly push her away by the shoulders.
“I think that we will get along really well Jurina” Honoka’s eyes seemed to be shinning, like if she had just find the most brilliant diamond.
“Honoka please behave” The count had to reprehend his daughter “I’m really sorry Jurina” He apologies by Honoka’s behavior.
“I must retire, excuse me” Jurina simply said, leaving speechless the other three persons in the room. Seeing this Shinoda let it past, she knew that what Honoka did upset Jurina, who doesn’t like to have any physical contact with anyone, even though she acted maturely, doing just what she asked her to do, and that was enough for her.
It was already the next morning, and the peace that can be find in the dark of the night, was now replace by the somewhat accelerated steps of the people that lives in the royal castle. Just a single room remain calm in every single moment, and is like that like it must remain, every single worker knew it, and none of them dare to wake up to Matsui Jurina.
Only two persons dare to knock her door in the morning, one of them is already busy preparing to take the throne, that’s why in that morning it was the turn for one of the most veterans in the castle.
Aiko knocked three time the prince’s door, she waited a few seconds so she could confirm that indeed she must went in when she didn’t had any answer. She opened the most slowly and delicate way possible the door, thinking that the most possible is that the young prince was still sleeping, a big surprise she got when she found the girl completely awake, at the same time that she wasn’t alone.
In the room was her new guest, clearly invading Jurina’s personal space, who could only move away whenever Honoka was about to cross the limit line.
“Why is she here Aiko?” Wondered an obviously annoyed Jurina, you could see how she was frowning for miles away, signs that her patient was almost over.
“I don’t know Jurina, I’m surprise too” Answred honestly Aiko. Seeing how the young prince was almost begging at her with her eyes, to please take Honoka away from her, Aiko tried to approach Honoka to please ask her to go out the room.
But her plan didn’t make it too far, because she couldn’t even say a single word when Honoka changed her expression, and began to staring at her with an intimidate glare, like if she just changed her personality in less than a second.
“I want to stay here Aiko, you can already leave” Demanded Honoka without take off her eye from Aiko.
Without not even knowing why, Aiko was unable to refuse or even to say something else, she didn’t know well her new guest, but something was out of place with that girl, she seemed dangerous, and in the most terrible way.
“What have you just done?” Asked Jurina serious when she saw Aiko leaving the room once that Honoka told to, never had Jurina saw Aiko following that kind of orders so easily, and a lot less if it wasn’t from herself or from Shinoda.
“I just wanted to be alone with you Jurina” Honoka went back to cling to Jurina’s arm, Jurina was already tired trying to move away from her, that’s why this time she didn’t tried it any more.
She just looked at Honoka in the eyes, trying to find out with that girl was up to, but without having any answer.
Two weeks went by and the problems increased, it doesn’t matter how many times Jurina ran away from Honoka, this one always managed to find her, Honoka was with her even when she had her personal classes, which didn’t allow Jurina focus. At a beginning Jurina though that at some point Honoka was going to get tired, but it was all the contrary, Jurina’s indifference towards Honoka seems to motivate her more, making that Jurina’s personal space will be seen invade for Honoka more and more.
Jurina’s patience was getting to its limits, there wasn’t anything that she appreciate more than being alone, but since Honoka arrived, every effort for calmness was in vain. Without can handle it anymore, Jurina had to confront Honoka directly, regardless who her father was.
“What do you want Honoka” Her cold tone and direct question, made Honoka realize that somehow, she managed to get the prince’s attention.
“I think that it’s pretty clear what I want” Honoka said on a small tone and walking towards Jurina who didn’t react nor change her countenance “I want you Matsui Jurina” Whispered on Jurina’s ear seductively and crossing her arms around Jurina’s neck that was taller than her.
“Then let me tell you one thing…” Began to say Jurina on the same way that Honoka spoke, approaching too to Honoka’s ear to finally said “I’m not interested” And then she released herself from Honoka’s arms to resume her way.
Anyone in their right mind will feel offended for such terrible rejection, but in the case of Ichijo Honoka it was the contrary, this kind of reactions from Matsui Jurina made that she liked her even more, no one had ever dare to reject her, every person she wanted felt on their knees for her whenever she wanted to, but Sakae’s prince didn’t show any interest in her, making that for the first time Honoka face a challenge, she wanted to have Jurina, who will probably be her best trophy.
Jurina went out the bathroom after a long shower, she was ready to get in bed and sleep immediately, and just as she wished, her head only had to touch the pillow to fall on a deep sleep.
Her dreams were disturb by the grind of the door, Jurina thought that maybe it was her head playing games on her, but she knew it was real when the mattress got slightly dented behind her. Jurina remind calm, she thought on the worst situation, and that maybe it was someone trying to hurt her badly, it wouldn’t be the first time; that’s why when she saw the perfect timing, she spin her body on a quick movement, immobilizing the other person who now was pinned under her body.
“What are you doing?” Jurina couldn’t dissimulate any longer her anger when she saw that the person beneath her was Honoka “You know that I could call a guard now and you will be on trouble” She was about to move away from their compromising position, but her movement become immobilize by the other girl who wrapped her legs around Jurina’s waist.
“C’mon Jurina, I know that deep down you want it too” Honoka’s hand found its way to the back of the prince’s nape, bringing her closer to her lips “Just let yourself go”
At this point and maybe because they were so close, and Jurina accepted that she was weak on the nights, that’s why she was having an intern battle with herself, she didn’t have any kind of feeling for Honoka, but she couldn’t deny that physically Honoka leaved her speechless, so she was fighting against her fleshly desires and with every kind of moral lesson that she had been taught.
“Why are you hesitating Jurina?” Honoka pressed even more her body to Jurina’s, and the thin clothing that she was wearing didn’t help too much either.
“I can’t be yours, at least not as you want” Answered Jurina with the few control that she had over herself “I can’t love you” finally concluded.
“I don’t care if you love me or not” Honoka’s grip tightened even more “I don’t care your heart Jurina, I only want your body, so you can use mine too” She began to temp Jurina by kissing the bare sink in her neck.
And it looks like that was the only thing that Jurina needed, she thought that maybe for that night she could made a truce with the other girl, she didn’t wanted to think anymore, maybe Honoka could make her forget about Mayu’s absence, maybe the night will be shorter this way, Jurina didn’t feel like if she could make her by her own any more.
“I will play to be yours for some hours” Jurina’s hands began to feel free over Honoka’s body “But when the suns come out you’ll lose me again” And that’s how Jurina gave free rein to her fleshly desires.
Finally Honoka was witnessing how her plan starts with the best way, she thought that it was the first step from her great plan, which actually had started to long ago, even before she met directly with Jurina for the first time. She firmly believed that it was matter of time for Jurina to be on her knees for her, she will take advantage of the weak state in which the prince’s heart was, and this way she will make Jurina one more of her vassal, soon or later Jurina’s heart will be hers, and this will be the easiest path to take the throne.
“Where is Jurina?” Wondered a frenziedly Shinoda, her young sister disappeared again for the third time this week, situation that has been repeating for the last three months.
“She’s just arriving in her horse Shinoda-sama” Answered nervously the butler when he saw the queen’s face turning red, insinuating that she was about to explode from anger.
Without saying anything else Shinoda head her steps to the main entrance, even in her steps you could sense that the Queen wasn’t on a good mood.
However on the other hand, Matsui Jurina was riding her horse with completely calmness, her head was killing her because she didn’t had any sleep on the night, the only thing she could wish in that moment was to take a shower and go straight to bed so she could sleep all day, because at some point her body watch changed, living in the night and sleeping in the day.
“Thank you” Said sharply to the worker that approached her to receive her horse, she didn’t had to put one feet inside the castle to already find her old sister ready to interrogate her.
“Where have you been…?” Asked Shinoda on a high tone “…Again” emphasizing this last word.
“And I tell you again, that is not of your business” Jurina was already use to this situation, even if she tried to came into the castle for another entrance to avoid meet with Shinoda, this one always end up finding her, if not one of the guards and they obviously will call her sister.
“Of course it is, you go out for the nights and you came back the next morning like if nothing happened” Shinoda could already feel how Jurina’s rebellious personality was increasing, and something on the back of her head told her that all this was because that person “You were with Ichijo Honoka right?”
“Maybe yes maybe not, you don’t need to know that” Answered ambiguously Jurina heading her steps to her room.
Even though Shinoda didn’t need to hear it from Jurina to know that between them was happening something, even if Honoka and her father already left one month ago, Shinoda has been seeing the girl around the castle on various times.
“I forbid you to go out more” Shinoda didn’t wanted to get to this point, but something can happen to Jurina in one of her outs, she didn’t wanted to point it out but Jurina’s clothes always smell to tobacco and alcohol when she came back, it looks like the young girl forgot that she was Sakae’s prince.
“Yeah, that’s not going to happen” Jurina turned her body on the door’s frame to face one last time to her old sister “You can’t give orders to me, you’re not my mother” Saying this the prince closed the door, leaving outside an astonish Shinoda.
A bittersweet giggle came out from Shinoda’s lips, she was losing control over Jurina, and her sister was right, she wasn’t anyone with the right to give orders to Jurina, Shinoda wondered if only Jurina knew that nothing connect them as family, even if she knew that she will have to tell her soon or later (better soon), Shinoda didn’t wanted to give up on Jurina, even if their weren’t blood sisters, she found on the young girl the family Shinoda always wanted. The queen knew that the Jurina she had in front of her wasn’t the real one, and something had she to do to bring her sister back home.
“Aiko can you please make me a favor” Asked to the old woman that was waiting on the corner of the hallway, obviously watching from a far the argue Shinoda had with the young prince.
“Of course, just tell me what you need” Answered with total willingness Aiko, because she too wanted to do everything she could to have back at least a pinch of what the girl Matsui Jurina used to be.
“Can you please write a letter to the Shimazaki family?” By that moment Shinoda got back her serenity, and like this she could think clearly.
“But Shinoda, she isn’t supposed to come until Jurina turns 18” Wonder a surprised Aiko, she was waiting everything but not this.
“I think that the situation warrants it, with Yuki disappeared who knows where my job becomes double, I can’t have an eye on Jurina all the time neither you” Shinoda explain herself “Besides I think that this is already getting out of my hands, this is my last card” Had to accepted Shinoda much to her regret.
“Like you wish Shinoda” Aiko then head to write the letter for the Shimazaki Family.
This family had been serving to the royal family by generations, serving like counselor to all king and queen that the Matsui Family had had, the only one that had got that position without being from their family was Kashiwagi Yuki, who was personally chosen by the new Queen, that’s why the person who was supposed to serve to Shinoda, was reassigned to the young prince.
“Who is she?” Jurina couldn’t helped but ask, Shinoda called her to her office, and she was ready for another lecture from her old sister, but this time she found another girl in the room.
“Nice to meet you, my name is Shimazaki Haruka” The girl presented herself with an small bow, any feeling could be found on her voice, the same with her eyes that just looked directly, trying to find something that with a bare eye can’t be seen.
“She will be your counselor from now on Jurina” Shinoda finally clarified the real question.
Shinoda couldn’t feel more secure about this girl who had the must to guide the path for her sister, she listened from her parents that Haruka had that something that allows her read other people perfectly, her honesty was another thing that stand out as one of hers values, and with just looking at the new girl to the eyes, despite that she maybe has a difficult personality, Shinoda knew that Shimazaki Haruka was a nice girl that maybe can help Jurina.
“And what’s that supposed to mean” Jurina inspected the girl she had in front of her, at the same time that Haruka didn’t bother for the piercing glare that Jurina was giving to her.
“You’ll find out” Said Shinoda “I hope you both can get along” Shinoda knew that the most possible situation, was that Jurina didn’t accept it at a beginning, but in this occasion, Jurina didn’t have any more options that do it.
At a beginning Jurina didn’t though that the arrival of the new girl was a problem, this one didn’t seem like she will bring her trouble, she seemed weak and maybe a little bit timid, Jurina barely could listen her voice, the only thing that maybe worry Jurina about the new girl, was her cold and piercing eyes, she somehow felt exposed to these ones.
It wasn’t need a lot of time for Jurina to realize that Shimazaki Haruka in fact will bring her a lot of problems, it doesn’t matter where she goes, quiet footsteps that reminds the stealthy a cat always were behind her, without saying a word, like if she were a kind of personal guard, but her presence was always remarkable.
“You don’t need to follow me everywhere, you know right?” Jurina tried to be kind, she will not win anything be being rude if this was the first time they talk, it wasn’t advisable for her to have a bad relationship with the new girl.
“Well I think it is need, I already know that you’ve been disappearing, and it wouldn’t be good for me not to know where you are” Answered Haruka determinedly, which gave to understand to Jurina that it wouldn’t be easy get rid of her.
“Don’t worry, I can take care of myself” Jurina rushed her steps to get away from Haruka, but quickly she realized that Haruka wasn’t as weak as she thought “Listen, no one will know if you don’t do your job or whatever, I’ll take care of that, besides I can make that you get an extra money” Jurina didn’t wanted to get to suborn her, but on the past months Jurina learned that money can make magic.
“That kid of things don’t work with me, so don’t even bother” What kind of person is this? Was the only thing that could wondered Jurina, besides on how to get rid of her.
“Are you even following me outside the castle?” Asked Jurina amused be seeing that Haruka didn’t stopped her steps once Jurina came out from the castle main entrance.
“You shouldn’t go out at night, you know that” Even if Jurina already heard that a lot of times coming from Shinoda and Aiko, listening from the girl she had in front of her made those words sound more serious.
“Yes I do know that” But Jurina needed this kind of adrenaline, she needed to keep her mind busy and she couldn’t find another effective way.
After walking for the dessert streets on the dark of the night, they got to an alley, in which was a small door that could barely be seen because of the poor illumination.
“Put on this” Jurina handed Haruka a mask before they went in the place “Don’t ask why just do it” Specify when she saw the hesitating look that Haruka had, this last one didn’t had another choice than do as Jurina said.
The interior of the place was completely different from its outside, the place was full of people using mask the same way they both do wearing expensive suits and dresses, that tell how exclusive and fancy the place was. There was a strong smell to tobacco and alcohol, and it was logic if there were several people smoking and a counter were drinks were served; and it looks like the most attractive part of the place was the wager that take place in the middle of the room.
Haruka immediately knew that this was the place that Jurina has been attending by seeing how easily she was getting on through the narrow hallways, like if she knew them as the palm of her hand, even it seemed that some people recognize her even if she was wearing a mask.
Easily they crossed that whole place through the hallways to get to the last room.
“You can take off the mas already” Jurina informed her before opened the door to find only two persons inside, like a personal room for Jurina and her companions.
“Who is she?” Asked a girl that Haruka recognized immediately as the Count’s daughter, everything was going just as Shinoda suggested, the girl in fact was directly involved with Jurina’s outs.
“She’s supposed to be my counselor Shimazaki Haruka, but don’t pay attention to her” Jurina let her body fall on ones of the sofas besides Honoka.
Haruka was simply looking around her, now everything made sense in her mind, she had been informed about every single detail about Jurina’s life since Haruka knew she will be the prince’s counselor. That’s why she could freely deduce what was Jurina looking on her escapes to this place, after this night it was time to get down to work, and find a way to take the prince out of all this mess life she was heading, and by seeing how the count’s daughter and how she seemed to realize Haruka’s intentions, Haruka knew that she was the root of the problem.
Honoka took away the prince from her new counselor so she could talk to Jurina alone, she didn’t like at all the new girl, because she felt that if she let her be by Jurina’s side, the counselor will destroy everything that Honoka build all these past months.
“You have to get rid of her Jurina” She whispered to her ear.
“Believe me that I’ve tried” Answered Jurina on the same way “But it’s impossible” Said finally.
“But you have to do something” Honoka insisted, for the first time she thought on someone as a menace, Haruka didn’t got intimidate not even a bit when Honoka send her a death glare, which turned on all alarms on Honoka’s intuition, she knew immediately that Shimazaki Haruka wasn’t a normal person.
From afar Haruka was seeing how Honoka whispered on Jurina’s ear, probably telling her that she needs to get rid of her, it wasn’t any surprise to Haruka; so she just decide to redirect her attention to the girl that was sit on a corner of the room who seemed lost in her thoughts, so without having anything else to do, Haruka decided to approached her.
“Hello” She tried to be the most friendly possible, even knowing that it wasn’t her strong point. The other girl didn’t anything more than smile at her, which somehow gave tranquility to Haruka, she prefer people of few words “Did you came with Honoka?” Haruka tried to inquire.
“Yes, I’m just one of her servants” Answered the girl with a hint of sadness in her voice, which made Haruka sense that Honoka probably didn’t gave her the best of the manners.
“What’s your name?” Something on the other girl called Haruka’s attention, few times she felt comfortable talking with strangers, but the other girl incite Haruka to want to know more about her.
“Yokoyama Yui, it’s a pleasure” The girl called Yui extended her hand which Haruka didn’t hesitate to take faster than she usually would.
“I’m Shimazaki Haruka” For some reason Haruka couldn’t hide her interest for Yui, and not just because through her she could get information about Honoka, but because when their hands touched her heart beat become irregularly faster, almost like if she were nervous by this simple skin touch.
Two weeks went by, in which Jurina’s outs become even more frequent, and Haruka ended up going with her, she didn’t figure out how Jurina can handle that style of life, when she already felt exhausted. Haruka use that time to get to know Yui, she found out that Yui serve Honoka because of a debt that her parents had with Ichijo family, more specifically with Honoka, and Yui told her that every day was harder than the previous one, because Honoka was seemed to be the typical spoiled girl that gets everything she want, it doesn’t matter what she has to do.
Going out with Jurina helped Haruka to confirm what everyone in the castle imagine, Honoka control Jurina as if she were a puppet, Honoka didn’t take off her eyes from Jurina, and when she saw something she didn’t like immediately she called Jurina, and with some words whispered to the prince’s ear (Like if it were the same devil), Jurina succumbed to wherever Honoka asked. In some occasions both disappear, to then appear suspiciously after a couple of hours with their clothes made a mess.
It wasn’t the need to be a genius to conclude that Matsui Jurina was throwing her life, or at least giving it to Ichijo Honoka, and that’s what Haruka must correct and avoid to continue happening. Keeping this on mind the night fall again, and another escape from the castle was waiting for Jurina, but this time Haruka stopped her by standing in front of the door, it was time for work.
“Are you going out again?” Haruka asked even knowing the answer.
“Since when you make stupid questions?” Answered Jurina contemptuously “C’mon move” Jurina ordered her, but Haruka didn’t move a single inch.
“You’re not going anyway until you came back to yourself” Haruka was not altered by the sudden aggressiveness on the prince’s attitude, who was clearly losing her patience.
“Look…” Jurina took a deep breath “Now that I look at you, you are pretty cute…” When the prince saw the determination that Haruka had, she had to use the plan B, something that Honoka ordered her to do when she first met her counselor so Jurina could get rid of Haruka, but since this one didn’t say nor do something that could bring Jurina on trouble, she let it passed and let Haruka continue accompany her.
Seductively Jurina dangerously approached to Haruka, who remind on her place and without reaction on any way to Jurina’s provocations, the younger one tried to sneak her hand to the back of Haruka’s waist, but in blink and without knowing how, Jurina end up with her face against the floor with her arm folded on her back, somehow Haruka knocked Jurina down on a single movement.
“Don’t you dear to touch me again with bad intentions” The soft and low voice that Haruka used to have become deep and threatening, which gave Jurina shivers through all her body “Guards” Called Haruka, to what two big guards came to lift Jurina up, but treating her like if she were a criminal, with her hands in her back and pushing her to somewhere.
“We’re really sorry Jurina-sama” They both apologies to then continue pushing her to one of the most forgotten and dark room in the whole castle.
“What does this mean, let me go!” It doesn’t matter how much Jurina struggled, the guards didn’t allow her to escape from their strong grip “When Shinoda find out, you’ll regret this Haruka” By this moment Jurina’s face bas completely red of anger.
“Don’t worry Shinoda is pretty aware of all this” Replied calmly Haruka who follow them from behind.
Jurina was throw to a room with few illumination, and with just the necessary things.
“Take me out of here now, it’s an order” Claimed Jurina as her last hope, but no one seemed affected by the prince’s words.
“You’ll stay here until you get back on yourself Jurina” Even Haruka that was the one who thought on all this plan, had to admit that she feel sorry for the young girl, Haruka somehow knew that Jurina wasn’t like that, and that all her behavior was because of all the pain she had to went through that she lost herself, and of course she had the bad lucky to had met Honoka in the worst of the time “Believe Jurina, everyone around you is suffering too” A last look to the prince was the only thing that Haruka made before closing the door.
The prince’s shouts were heard, demanding with all her might to take her out, even in the guard’s faces could be seen that they were having a hard time, be being unable to help the prince, but even them knew that if Jurina keep on with that kind of life, the consequences will be worst, and that’s why they had to keep on with their work, bearing Jurina’s shouts until she fall sleep.
“She reacted just as I thought she would” A bittersweet giggle could be hear coming from Shinoda almost hitting the sadness tone, she ran her hands down her face and bit her lip trying to avoid the tears fall “You know, she have never liked dark places” She commented without can holding back her tears anymore.
“Thanks for trusting me Jurina’s care” Haruka was beginning to feeling nervous for the first time in her life, she really wanted to help Jurina, but the path seemed harder than she thought “I’ll give my all”
“Just do what you have to make her react” Shinoda patted Haruka’s shoulder before heading her steps to her office, there wasn’t anything else she could do, more than trust on Shimazaki Haruka.
“And well? You don’t plan to eat?” Shimazaki Haruka took a seat in front Jurina, who didn’t lift her head, keeping her face hide between her messy hairs, just two days went by, but it look like if it were a month.
“What are you trying with all this” Jurina’s voice was worn, and she was massaging her temples, signs that she hadn’t sleep enough “In what kind of slave have I become” Her words seemed to throw knifes.
“You tell me” Haruka reply “Late night outs, alcohol, women, bad use of your money and power on wagers, and who knows what else, that’s the kind of slave you’ve become” Haruka didn’t bother on measuring her words, this was the only way to bring her back to reality.
“That’s not your problem, besides I have everything under control” For some reason, not even Jurina herself could believe in her own words.
“Rather is Ichijo Honoka who has you under her control” Haruka went to the point she was most interest “How is that she torment your mind to make you do whatever she says” Haruka knew that somehow, Honoka wasn’t playing fair on Jurina, she was sure there wasn’t any kind of love between them, then what takes Jurina to succumb to Honoka.
A sarcastic laugh was hear coming from Jurina, letting Haruka know that she hit the nail on the head.
“You wouldn’t understand it”
“No, I won’t if you don’t tell me” Haruka felt that Jurina was about to give in, her eyes say she wanted to, Jurina was internally screaming for help.
“Leave me alone” And there goes another opportunity to get to the inner Jurina, Haruka always get to this point, but she never could catch her.
“You know, I just need to keep my mind busy” Commented Jurina laying on the bed while facing the roof “So talking with you isn’t that bad after all” Haruka was facing a dead ending, it was already the fifth day and Jurina seemed to be ignoring the situation, talking about every random thing apart from the real problem.
“If so, I want you to tell me something” Haruka couldn’t continue any longer with Jurina’s game “Who is Matsui Jurina?” This was her last ace up her sleeve, and she couldn’t fail anymore.
“Sakae’s prince” Answered Jurina as if it were the most obvious answer “What a silly questions you make Paruru” Haruka diced to ignore the nickname Jurina gave her, this wasn’t the moment to argue, the prince already used that trick once.
“Well for me, Matsui Jurina is a pathetic person unable to confront reality” Said Haruka giving an answer to her own question, and it looks like that was what brought Jurina back to the serious conversation.
“And what do you want me to do? Reality is unbearable” And then again Haruka found herself in the same point, in front of the gates of who Matsui Jurina really was.
“Is unbearable for everyone, and as you can see we don’t run away from it” Haruka had to cautiously pick her words, she couldn’t lost any more chances.
“But I can’t, I can’t” Haruka was seeing how in front of her Jurina was finally breaking, that façade that she put to protect herself was finally falling “I don’t know the answers to how confront it, I thought that I was doing the right thing, but I have no clue to what to do nor what choices should I take” In Jurina’s eyes could finally be find her true thoughts, desperation, regret and most of all sadness could easily be seen.
“That’s why I am here” Haruka approached to Jurina and lay her hand on the prince’s shoulder “Trust me, I’ll take the decisions that you can’t, and I guarantee you that I’ll take the right ones, just leave it to me, that’s my work after all” Finally she saw the light at the end of the tunnel, finally she was witnessing how the real Matsui Jurina take control again, a Matsui Jurina that isn’t more than a teenager wrapped in fear.
“I need to talk to Mariko” Jurina’s sister was the first thing she request, and Haruka knew that it was just what they both needed.
Shinoda was cursing how big the castle was, when a guard came running to her office, she immediately knew that it was about Jurina, five days had passed that she didn’t hear any news about her sister, and it was Shinoda the one who asked to not get any news at least that something important happened, that’s why if they called her, is because an important change just happened.
Shinoda saw Haruka standing outside the room, like always her expressions didn’t tell her nothing, so she has to be the one who look for the answers.
When she came into the room, she found Jurina sit at the edge of the bed, she couldn’t see well her face because of the poor illumination that the room had, Shinoda thought that Jurina should had had a really bad time in there.
“Jurina…” Called her sister’s name, Shinoda didn’t knew what to expect when this one stood up from the bed and walked to her, standing just in front of her, looking at her with red eyes “Do I have my sister back?” Her voice trembled with each words.
Jurina only bend her head for a second to then simply nod while tears began to inevitably fall all over her face.
“I’m sorry that I made you worry” Said Jurina between sobbing, Shinoda didn’t think on anything else more than hug her sister while she softly patted her head.
“It’s ok” Shinoda couldn’t help but to feel how her tears began to rolled down her cheeks, finally she had by her side to the only family she had left.
Haruka saw from a far feeling proud of her work, it had only been a month since she began to serve the royal family, but she already has to face this kind of situations, even thought that means that she wouldn’t have time for a rest, and a lot of work was waiting for her.
“Shimazaki-san some is demanding Jurina-sama’s presence” A guard informed her, Haruka immediately rushed her steps to the entrance hall, already having on mind who could possibly be.
And just what she was thinking was sit on the sofa like if it were her house, Honoka didn’t show the best of her expressions when the one she saw coming was Haruka and not the prince.
“Hi Yui” Haruka greeted kindly to the companion “What do you want Honoka?” But she didn’t hesitate to demonstrate her displeasure for the last one.
“Believe me, talk to you is not one of them” The room now seemed like a battlefield between the two girls “I want to see Jurina, I haven’t seen her in a week and I want to know what happened to her” Honoka pretended to be worry for the prince, but Haruka knew that the truth was that Honoka was realizing she was losing control over Jurina.
“Then let me tell you that you will not see her again, you won’t be able to control her as you wish” Proudly said Haruka, she had never felt so good for helping someone, and seeing Honoka’s frustrating face made her enjoy it even more.
“I want to hear that coming from her” Honoka didn’t even bother to deny that in what she was interested was on controlling Jurina.
“I’m telling you that-“ Honoka’s words were stopped by a hand that was placed in her shoulder, when she turned her head was Jurina the one she found “Leave it to me Jurina” Haruka said, being aware that the prince wasn’t in the best conditions yet to confront the witch.
“This is something that I have to do” Replied Jurina sure of herself, and Haruka couldn’t make any more than take two steps back, knowing that the Jurina she had in front wasn’t the same from the past months.
“Jurina, I was worry for you” Honoka put on back her façade of good girl, but no one in the room believed her acting anymore.
“I want you to stay away from me, I don’t want to see you around here anymore, so please just leave now” Jurina didn’t late to say, thinking than while more time passed her conviction will debilitate.
“What are you saying Jurina- thi-“
“Get out!” Jurina raised her voice making Honoka realized that she hadn’t anything else to do than leave the girl in peace, for now.
“Like you wish, but remember that…” Honoka whispered something to Jurina’s ear, that just the both of them could hear, but judging by Jurina’s pale face and how she froze on her place, Haruka and Yui, that were the only ones in the room, knew that it wasn’t anything good.
“You win this time, but it hasn’t finish” Honoka directed her words to Haruka along with a death glare, but to Haruka it didn’t affect her not even a bit, she was ready for whatever Honoka threw her because she wasn’t afraid of her “Let’s go Yui”
With the mention of Yui, Haruka felt that if she let her go, she wouldn’t see her again, and for some reason just think about it made Haruka’s heart ache, so without think about it twice she took Yui by her wrist to stop her steps.
“You have to don’t go, you can stay here” Haruka asked here, she didn’t want to leave Yui alone on Honoka’s claws.
“She can’t, I think you know she has a debt with my family” Honoka couldn’t be more delight by knowing that she had something that Haruka wanted.
“We will pay her debt, so she is free to work for the royal family if she wants” Jurina intrude in the conversation after came out from the trance in which Honoka’s last words left her.
“Do as you want” Honoka had to resigned and went out of the castle, she didn’t wanted to loose anymore of her pride.
“Take it as a thanks, for everything” Jurina said to Haruka, because she knew that Haruka become close with the other girl the time she was accompanying her in her outs, and if it weren’t because of Haruka’s help, she may couldn’t manage to come out from the dark side of her head.
“Sure, but can I know what was the last thing that Honoka told you?” Haruka couldn’t hold back her curiosity, she felt that precisely what she told her, was what allowed Honoka to have Jurina under her control.
“I’m sorry, that’s something I don’t want to say” Jurina apologized, keeping the secret just between Honoka and her.
Until this moment Haruka still wonder about those magic words, which can have a great power over Jurina, so much to make do whatever you say, even if Jurina wasn’t anymore under Honoka’s control, Haruka was sure that those words still haunt her until these days.
Topic: THROUGH TIME (WMATSUI) COMPLETE (Read 59754 times)