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“What do you mean you haven’t said ‘I love you’ to her yet?” I had to hold in a laugh at my sister, who had pulled me aside in the mansion and tugged at my sleeve like a child. My sister, Kirari, who always told me nauseating details about her girlfriend Sayaka Igarashi, had never spoken those three simple words.
“I haven’t… I don’t... you know I have a hard time being direct, Ririka.” Kirari sighed, looking gloomy. I couldn’t allow her to be this frustrating, so I indulged her woe.
“Okay, so when and how do you plan on telling her?” I lifted one eyebrow at her and she put a hand close to her face deep in thought.
“Well, I had another building in mind. If all the necessary preparations are made it could finish construction in about 6 mo-” I put my hands on both of her shoulders and shook her before she could conclude the thought.
“Just… Tell her…. How you feel!” I couldn’t hide my frustrations at her any longer. “You’ve already built a tower for her… you already jumped 5 stories with her from the exact same tower… if she doesn’t already know how you feel about her I would be surprised.”
Actually I wouldn’t, you’re both oblivious dorks.
“That’s not nearly as fun Ririka! I can’t be so bland.” Kirari removed my hands from her shoulders. “Anyways, how did you say it to Saotome?”
“That’s… I…” I stuttered and blushed at the sudden probing questions into my love life. I held my hands balled in tiny fists in front of me before blurting it out. “She and I were at school having lunch when she pulled it out of me. I had been extra quiet that day and she wanted to know why. I… shouted it.”
“You’re not one for subtlety anymore, are you, Riri? Letting that crass girl work you up so easily.” Kirari chuckled at me.
“You’ve never been one for subtlety, Kirari. You built a tower for a girl you liked.. Well love now.” I stuck out my tongue playfully. “Why don’t you invite her to a nice dinner?”
Kirari rubbed her temple thoughtfully. It worried me that she was this deep in thought about saying three words. There was no way this could end well. She pointed one finger up as a new idea graced her head. Oh no.
“How about we have a nice family dinner at home tonight, Ririka? Like we used to with grandmother. I’ll invite Sayaka, you can invite Mary. I’ll let the cooks know to prepare something exquisite… but there is also one more thing.”
I couldn’t help the groan I let out.
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I wanted to fade into nonexistence, while waiting near the front door. In fact, I reached for my mask and put it on just to feel like a shadow for the time being. Mary would be over any minute and steal the mask away again. She’d say something about wanting to see my face and proceed to steal my heart next with a kiss. It was the only part of tonight that I was looking forward to, as I was knee deep in collaborations with Kirari, who could not be worse at displays of love. Fortunately for her, I knew Sayaka Igarashi would eagerly adore whatever Kirari had planned.
Kirari refused to tell me the specifics of what ‘one more thing’ meant. I was afraid that Kirari was about to embarrass me in front of Mary. Sayaka had already been over a fair share of times visiting the manor. Kirari would take her on walks through the peach fields and overzealously show her the different aquariums and ponds on the property. Sayaka never seemed especially overwhelmed by it, but she was so desensitized to all things extravagant the moment she became Kirari’s secretary.
This would be Mary’s first visit to the mansion, however, and her first time being around both me and my sister. Would this classify as a double-date? Probably the last double-date I would ever allow.
The doorbell rang and I let out a yelp, as if I had never heard the doorbell ring before. It was so easy to startle me, with all the nervousness Kirari had managed to add to this situation. I knew Mary would calm me down, though. I opened the door to another face staring at me, however. Violet eyes looked into my own, and I could see the pang of nervousness in her face as she took in my masked face greeting her.
“S-sorry vice president. Kirari told me we’re having dinner?” I moved over to let her in, and glanced at one of the grandfather clocks in the entrance room. It displayed: 6:00 PM , the secretary was always punctual, eager to please Kirari with not a minute out of place. I motioned at her to come in, staring out the front door a moment longer in hopes of Mary coming not far behind. I hated being the third wheel to the two of them.
Kirari strolled down the grand staircase, always one to hold up appearances, while Sayaka removed her coat and shoes.
“Sayaka, I hope you are well?” Kirari asked when she got to the bottom, holding out a hand for Sayaka, who presented her hand sweetly. Kirari held her girlfriend’s fingers and planted a firm kiss on the hand. Already? I took my gaze off of the two of them and decided to leave them alone entirely, opting to wait outside for Mary instead. I hoped that Mary wasn’t put-off by the idea of dinner with Kirari, but I wouldn’t blame her if she was. Kirari operated on some other level of existence. If she weren’t my own twin sister, I would be inclined to ask if she were human sometimes.
I saw blonde hair in the distance, and the grand gates of the estate opened to let her in. Mary’s face revealed nervousness, but she looked more reassured upon seeing me, even masked. She made her way up the cobbled path towards me.
“Ririka, please…” She held out her hand for the mask, and I obliged, revealing my face to her. I smiled, and she smirked back. “You always hide your pretty face… anyways.”
“Mary… welcome to the Momobami estate.” I greeted. Mary smirked, and I put a hand on her face as I closed the space for a quick, yet sweet kiss. We pulled apart and Mary began to look around her.
“You really live… here?” She finally began to take in the grandiosity of the property. I nodded shyly. I felt like an awful host, but I made an attempt to point out all of the amenities around the outside of the property. The most important being the peach orchard that encompassed the entire backside.
“Your last name makes a lot more sense now.” Mary mused, and I opened the front door for her.
“Sayaka is already here as well. I can take your coat…” I heard the faint noise of laughter in the library as Mary removed her shoes and handed me her coat. She’s such a flirt… I thought, hearing my sister’s voice carry.
I wanted to warn Mary about Kirari’s motives for the day, but I could already hear shuffling and doors opening. Too late for warnings, and I would not be the one to ruin Kirari’s surprise (whatever it was). The other two made it to the foyer and assessed Mary and I.
“Saotome, I’m overjoyed that you accepted our invitation! Please make yourself at home.” Kirari gestured further inside the house. “Since everyone has arrived, let’s proceed to the main event, before dinner.”
Before dinner? I felt myself grow suspicious, and Mary caught on to my mood when she gazed at me. She fell in line next to me and proceeded to hold onto my arm. I would tell you not to worry but I’m also worried.
Kirari opened the door to a room we mainly used for music. I had two basses in this room, one electric and one upright. They were nothing compared to the luxurious golden harp that belonged to Kirari. It sat right in the center of the room, presumably moved this morning.
“That harp is so beautiful…” Mary commented low.
My sister enjoyed many things, but often hid this one interest to just herself and I. Sometimes I would sit in this room and simply enjoy the soft sound of her nimble fingers on the harp. She played with grace and beauty, although no master, she took lessons twice a month for leisure.
“Yes, I’ve always had a love for harp. I wanted to play a little game, however.” She pulled up her stool and sat behind the harp, playing a few notes before continuing, “It’s a guessing game. Whoever can name the song I played after I finish playing will win a prize.”
We sat down, and Kirari tossed a small blue box onto the table, a cute white ribbon tied over the top.
I tugged on Mary’s arm a little bit as we sat on the large couch in front of the harp, hoping she’d get the idea to not guess. I wasn’t sure if she was familiar with classical music or not, but I didn’t want to risk her accidentally winning this game. My grip on her arm tightened a little bit.
Kirari nodded at us, before beginning to play the intended tune with grace. She plucked and the notes reached the far ends of the room, which reverberated the sound elegantly. I glanced over at Sayaka, the person the song was being played to, and she seemed deep in thought. The wheels turned in her head, and her desire to win my sister’s affections was all too clear in her expression.
The tune was familiar, but I couldn’t remember hearing Kirari play it on the harp before today. She must have been learning it secretly, or playing it when I wasn’t around. A realization hit my head: Ahh, the flower duet. How fitting.
I was surprised at the sincerity of this display. Uniquely Kirari was this: playing a harp to her girlfriend while pretending to play a ‘game’ with her sister and sister’s girlfriend. Then my thought went to what was inside the little box on the table.
Don’t tell me…
My brain stopped on thoughts of rings and engagements. Kirari wasn’t the type of person to be that impulsive, right? I began to doubt for a moment, but realized she was exactly the type of person to propose while saying “I love you”. She finished playing, and I started to feel perspiration on my forehead. Sayaka clapped lightly at the conclusion.
“Any guesses?” Kirari asked. I stood up quickly, beginning to blurt out the answer. My intentions were to stop whatever madness Kirari was up to. Specifically a proposal. Kirari looked at me expectantly as I began to speak.
“It’s the…” Mary tugged my arm so hard that I immediately sat back down.
“Hey, shouldn’t you let the guests answer first?” Mary grinned mischievously. She wasn’t quick enough to answer, however, as Sayaka began talking at the quickest pace I had ever heard from her.
“The Flower Duet from Lakmé by Léo Delibes.” Sayaka Igarashi answered confidently.
“My, Sayaka, you’ve really been studying opera lately, haven’t you?” Kirari smiled at the victor. “You are correct.”
She handed over the small box to Sayaka, who blushed. It felt like Mary and I were no longer in the same room as them as Sayaka opened up the box to reveal a jewel encrusted fish necklace. I sighed in relief. At least it’s not a ring.
“Kirari It’s beautiful!” Sayaka’s face became a sweet grin and reddened further as Kirari began to take the necklace out of the box.
“It’s a Melanotaeniidae, my dear Sayaka. One of my favorite fishes, for my favorite fish.” She walked around Sayaka and fastened the necklace around her girlfriend’s neck. Kirari placed arms around Sayaka in a hug before lowering her mouth next to Sayaka’s ear and breathily saying: “I love you.”
Mary tugged my arm again, and I saw the equally disturbed look in her eyes at the exchange going on before us. I cleared my throat and pointed at the door and we agreed in silence to leave the two of them alone again.
“....” I sighed as we got far enough down the hallway to be out of earshot of them.
“They’re… quite the pair, aren’t they?” Mary laughed.
“Quite the pair indeed.” I agreed.