@arfi: Minami is really nice in this fic! It's not just Atsuko who'll be falling for that~
Here's chapter 3~ This chapter will include short moments between two other main pairs~ Also, Minami's reason for not participating will have a simple explanation here. An in-depth explanation will be made by Minami herself in a future chapter.
Chapter 3
".....I'm waiting for an explanation," Rena looked at her three friends who just got back from their mission. Atsuko, Jurina and Tomomi were supposed to kidnap the princess in order to get the Takahashi to back down but they instead went back with... cake?
"You're not going to tell us that these cakes are actually the princess, are you?" Yuki was tapping her foot on the floor impatiently.
"We're not going to make up some stupid lie like that," Jurina replied with an annoyed tone. She knew that their other comrades had every right to be disappointed that they failed the mission but that didn't mean Jurina would simply accept the way they were talking to them.
"We're waiting," Sayaka sighed. She didn't want a fight to break out so she just decided to remain calm and hear them out.
"We couldn't bring ourselves to take her," Tomomi looked away when the other three looked at her weirdly as she said that.
"Wait," Yuki was just confused at that point, "It's not that you failed to bring her but it's that you couldn't bring yourself to? So you could have taken her but you didn't?"
"Let me talk first. I was the one who was with her the entire time," Jurina smiled at Tomomi before turning to the other three, "I first met Takamina when she left her room-"
"Takamina?" Atsuko repeated.
"It's her nickname, don't ask," Jurina shrugged Atsuko off before she continued, "She didn't show any form of hostility at all. I was cautious of her at first but then she treated me so kindly so I really couldn't see her as my enemy at all. She invited me to walk around the castle with her. She even went ahead and hid my necklace in my shirt and advised me to wear my hood while we walked! I managed to walk around the castle in the open with no sort of trouble happening. We got some tea and sweets and went back to her room. I know you're all disappointed that we couldn't do what we were supposed to do but could you really kidnap someone who treated you with such hospitality? We weren't treated anything close to kidnappers. We were like guests there!"
"I agree with Jurina," Tomomi stepped in, "Even when Atsuko threatened her with a knife, she remained calm and didn't fight back. She peacefully backed down and asked us to take a seat. She was doing everything to avoid a conflict. When she and Jurina came back, I felt guilt all over just thinking that I tried to kidnap her yet she was there pouring us some tea. I just.. I couldn't betray that smile. She didn't even consider us as enemies! Heck, you guys said it yourself! She never participated in any of our wars. She didn't do anything wrong."
Sayaka, Rena and Yuki looked at each other, seeing that everything their comrades told them were true. Tomomi and Jurina were difficult to fool so if that Takamina wasn't being genuine, they wouldn't defend her like that. But of course, there was the risk that they were brainwashed so they turned to Atsuko.
"What?" Atsuko wasn't in the mood to talk about it but she knew they wanted to hear from her as well.
"What do you think about all this?" Sayaka knew that Atsuko's magic would have alerted her if any sort of manipulation was casted on the two.
"It's nothing like what you're thinking of," Atsuko answered in low spirits, "I... I honestly doubted her. I thought she was playing around with us but I can't deny what these two are saying. She was being gentle with us. She didn't show any form of disdain for us... She was just completely amiable... I didn't sense anything coming from her so I doubt she used any form of magic on them.. I... Ugh.."
"Are you alright?" Yuki voiced out her concern for their princess, "You looked down ever since you returned."
"I... I can't get her question out of my mind," Atsuko shook her head, "She.. She asked me if we were enemies just because she was a Takahashi and I'm a Maeda. She asked me if she was my enemy for the sole reason of our families being in conflict.. She.. She didn't do anything... I've always felt nothing but hatred for that name but... I'm not a monster to hate someone who didn't do anything wrong. I've always been angered by the mention of Takahashi ever since they took down both of my parents but.. I don't know anymore."
"I see," Rena smiled softly, "Okay. I understand everything you three said. If she really is as you described then she must be a wonderful person. Thank you for telling us everything."
"Rena-chwaaaaan~" Jurina went over and hugged Rena who was trying her best to get the other girl off,
"I knew you'd understand~"
"I get it, I get it!" Rena struggled to get her off but gave up at one point and let Jurina hug her, "Gee.."
"So now what do we do?" Yuki asked but no one could answer. Kidnapping Minami was the only plan they had thought of. They never expected it to go the way it did.
"For now, we should anticipate the attack on Hearota," Atsuko got up, "Back then, the war would usually have a long grace period but the Takahashi have been pretty active, taking over 3 countries for the past six months. There wasn't even enough time to recover after each attack. They aren't wasting time so we need to be ready at all times."
"I agree," Tomomi took Atsuko's hand and squeezed it, "But before that, you should get some rest. You've been stressed out lately and a good sleep would help."
"....Right..." Atsuko pulled her hand away from Tomomi, leaving the meeting earlier than everyone else.
When she closed the door behind her, she leaned on the door for a moment, Minami's words echoing in her mind, "What.. What exactly are we having these wars for..?"
She shook her head, trying to snap herself out of it, pulling herself back together. She wasn't in the condition to be thinking too deeply. She sighed, heading to her room.
…
"It's been a while since I saw Atsuko like that," Rena sighed as she sunk back into her chair, "Seeing her dejected about our losses is one thing but… I've never seen her act that way in regards to the Takahashi."
"That's because we aren't talking about the Takahashi," Jurina shook her head, "We're talking about Takamina and those are two very different things. All they have in common is the last name!"
"Wow, you sure speak highly of her," Rena spoke, not noticing the annoyed tone she let out.
"Aww," Jurina stood behind Rena's chair, hugging the girl from behind, "Are you jealous of Takamina, Rena-chwan? You know you're the only one for me~"
"W-What?!" Rena blushed slightly, "I'm not! What are you even saying?!"
"Get a room," Yuki stared at them with a blank expression, "I don't need you two being all lovey-dovey here."
"Isn't it fine?" Sayaka laughed. She always found it cute how Jurina would cling to Rena and how Rena always reacts harshly out of embarrassment, "Speaking of love…"
"Hm?" Yuki turned to Sayaka, curious. Sayaka only pointed at Tomomi, not saying anything else. Rena and Jurina also found themselves looking at the girl.
Tomomi seemed to be distracted. She was just staring at the opposite wall, not speaking, not moving. She appeared to be in deep thought. Honestly, she was. She couldn't stop thinking about the small princess. There was just something about her that Tomomi couldn't quite understand. She had only talked to the girl in a while but she already felt drawn to the girl.
"Look at those eyes," Sayaka whispered, "I'm sure we all know that look."
"Oh my," Jurina smirked, "That's the eyes of someone who's in love~"
"Wait," Yuki had a shocked expression but she kept her voice down, "That's the exact same look she had when she was talking about that Takamina person…"
"Well, duh," Sayaka rolled her eyes, "That's because she's totally into her."
"But they just met!" Yuki had less problems with Minami being a Takahashi and more about the fact that Tomomi had fallen head over the heels for some girl she just met, "That's way too fast!"
"Huh?" Tomomi finally came to, looking over at them, "What were you guys saying?"
"I don't think that's an issue, Yuki," Jurina slightly tightened her hold on Rena, "I'm pretty sure it was love at first sight when I saw Rena-chan~"
"Shut it..!" Rena hid her face in her hands. Jurina's affection just isn’t good for the heart.
"Oh you know," Sayaka walked over to Tomomi, patting her shoulder, "We were just talking about how this Takamina seems to have gotten a whole lot of your attention."
"O-Oh," Tomomi couldn't stop her face from reddening, "Is that so.."
"Mhm~ I've never seen you space out like that before. Even though you're usually so focused."
"Y-You're imagining things, Sayaka…"
"Oh, believe me. I don't think so."
Tomomi got up, "I'm probably just tired."
"Ah," Jurina grinned, "She's trying to get away."
"I'm just really tired okay!" Tomomi rushed out of the room before any of them could stop her. She ran to her room, hoping that the fast beating of her heart was just because she was running.
In the country of River…
Minami was spacing out on her bed as usual. She prefers to stay inside her room but she does go out from time to time. She got along well with everyone that lived in the castle. All the maids, the guards, the soldiers and all that worked and lived in there loved her. Being the complete opposite of the war's nature,
Minami was kind. She was caring and passive. The people admired how she could remain so calm and refused to participate in any battles. Her hand has never done harm to anything.
She rarely left her room, but it was even rarer for her to leave the castle. Even so, on the few times that she did leave the castle, she already caught the hearts of the citizens of River. Her aura made people feel safe. It made them feel all warm.
On simple terms?
River loved Minami. She was considered as the gift amidst the war. She was someone who did not use what she had to hurt other people but instead gave care to them. But as gentle and kind as she is, she knew when to be stern. She knew exactly when she should tolerate something and when she shouldn't.
She was the exact type of ruler that the people of River wished to have.
They always thought that it was a shame that Minami was only known in River. They honestly think that if the world were to know about Minami and what type of person she is, they would be begging for her to be the new ruler.. But sadly, Minami herself wasn't interested.
The kind and gentle girl, when in came to the war, was filled with hatred.
She didn't want the power. She didn't want to be a princess. If she could just be a normal person who could walk normally in the streets while she lived a normal life, she would take it. She was born with the burden of this endless war. As a child, she was told that she had to rule over everything. They told her the same thing everyday that she wondered why she wasn't brainwashed yet.
She never liked the idea of leading everyone into war. She didn't like what was happening at all. Among all things, she hated her parents.
The king of the Maeda was ruthlessly killed by her father and from what she heard, the queen was currently in a comatose. Right now, the Takahashi army is leading in the war because her father had taken advantage of the fact that the Maeda were lost. Without their leaders, they couldn't properly defend themselves.
Seeing how desperate Atsuko, Jurina and Tomomi were when they attacked her made her hate her father much more. Her father was showing no mercy even when his enemies are so young. They were operating, trying their hardest to save themselves with no guidance.
She was angry. She had never felt so bad for being born. She didn't want to be a part of this war. Not the war that her father had created... because unlike her grandfather who had dreams for the continent, Minami knew her dad more than anyone. His eyes didn't look for the greater good. He just wanted power.
He just wanted to be above all else.
Snapping her out of trance, Minami sat up when she heard a knock on the door, "Come in."
The door opened and a girl peeked in, "Can I really?"
"Of course," Minami laughed. Though she was often thought of as incredibly friendly, Minami is somehow known for having those moments where she really wants to be alone. She found it cute that the other girl was trying to make sure it was okay.
"If you say so," the girl entered the room. The girl's name was Sato Amina. She was one of Minami's closest friends and one of the most powerful members of the Takahashi Army. "I know you've told me a hundred times that you don't want to but can you at least attend our meeting once?"
"No," Minami fell back on the bed, "I don't want any of this war thing, Amina. You know that better than everyone."
"Can you at least see us?" Amina pouted, "We don't get to see you anymore."
There it was. Minami was weak to this pout. Ever since they were kids, Amina would use it on her and she could never resist it. Not even once, "Oh come on."
"You don't have to do anything," Amina pleaded, "You don't have to join the conversation! Just being in the room is good enough! Please...?"
Minami sighed, "Alright, fine. I'll just sit down, though."
Amina nodded with a smile, "That's okay!"
. . .
Minami entered the meeting room with Amina, the others looking at her in awe. Much like the Maeda, the Takahashi also have a group of their strongest individuals who lead in the frontlines: Ooshima Yuko, Kojima Haruna, Shinoda Mariko, Watanabe Mayu, and Minegishi Minami. If you know how this goes, Sato Amina is also a part of this group... and so is Takahashi Minami.
"Woah," Yuko ran and gave Minami a tight hug, "Is it a blue moon tonight?! Takamina?! In the meeting room~?!"
"Yuu-chan," Haruna walked to them and softly hit Yuko on the head, "If you keep acting like that, she might never come back."
"Aww~" Yuko let go of Minami, hugging Haruna instead, "I'll just hug you then~"
"Yuu-chan! What are you touching?!" Haruna tried to break free from Yuko but she small girl was just too strong, "Yuu-chan! Be careful where your hands are going!"
"But Nyannyan~" Yuko laughed, "I can't help it! My hands just move on their own!"
"Your blatant flirting aside, I can't really blame Yuko," the other Minami, who they called Miichan, giggled, "I was starting to think that Takamina and meeting room were two things that would never work out. WMinami lives."
"Don't forget about the Chibis~" Yuko laughed, finally setting Haruna free.
Minami sighed, "I only came here to see you guys. Amina told me I can just watch."
"That is more than enough," Mariko chimed, "It hard enough for us to just get you in here. Simply having you in the room makes a big difference."
Mayu nodded, "Somehow, it feels so much better when Takamina is in the room. It makes us feel more secure in a way."
"Agreed," Yuko signaled for everyone to go to their seats, "Everything just feels like it will be just fine when you're here."
"Enough with the flattery," Minami moved her chair closer to Amina's, leaning her head on the other girl's shoulder.
Amina was a bit surprised but she didn't complain. It was just as everyone said. Even if she didn't want to be, everyone in their group relied on Minami.
"Anyways, we've got a problem in our hands," Mariko started, "The king is being hasty. I know we don't have the right to ignore his orders but his last order was out of hand."
"Why?" Yuko tilted her head.
Mariko paused for a moment, looking at them one by one.
"The king wants us to attack all the cities and towns of Hearota all at once."
-----
So the other main pairs to be introduced is WMatsui and Kojiyuu! Kojiyuu was already shown in chapter 1 but they didn't really have much of a romantic moment~ This chapter only included a little preview of their flirting but I'm going to be putting more of them in future chapters~ Also, with this, I've introduced all of the main characters. Of course, I'm still thinking of adding other members from other sisters groups like HKT and NMB!