Chapter Text
7-year-old Yuu didn’t like the fact he was getting dolled up, being showed off to the world like some prized possession. He didn’t enjoy the fact that there were so many unfamiliar faces in the crowd of guests, all of which came with gifts of gold, platinum, silk, and so much more that Yuu was pretty sure he wouldn’t be using them anyway. Probably best to give them away to others.
The manor’s ballroom was filled to the brim with decorations, tables with silk cloths were all around, butlers were working through the sea of guests, and there was loud ––incessant–– chatter. Music was blasting through the speakers, he was pretty sure someone was running through the buffet, and cameras were everywhere. Everywhere he looked there were just more and more unfamiliar faces. It made him a tad bit claustrophobic.
This wasn’t how Yuu wanted to spend his birthday. He didn’t like being surrounded by cameras, constantly smiling until his cheekbones ached. He didn’t like the constant sea of reporters, nor did he like talking to other people. They all seemed so…evil. Like they were all lying. They were lying, he could tell.
And though it was nice he was seeing some new faces, and even interacted with others ––the Shroud’s were nice people, it was nice talking to Idia-san. He didn’t like the fact that they didn’t know the concept of…umm..personal space as his Sofu would put it. They were re all so pushy. And speaking of Sofu, he wondered where his grandfather went. He was one of the reasons he agreed to wear this annoying suit in the first place.
Sofu promised him they’d eat cake together…
Hatsuko lightly patted her younger brother's back. “Smile, don’t answer any questions. Just smile.” Hatsuko whispered into his ear as his father greeted another family. He was curious about their ears, they looked so fluffy. He wasn’t really sure what their name was though. Honestly, at this point, he just wanted to go back to his room and eat cake while watching some Cardcaptor. He was done.
He politely thanked the family, who had given him a small box that housed cuff links before giving them to one of the butlers, who had placed their gift on the huge pile. His eyes darted to the child who was behind the tall woman ––who was currently talking to his mother. He smiled at the guy, who also looked like he didn’t want to be here. He tried getting the other guy’s attention. He waved his arms frantically, motioning to him.
He celebrated internally as he finally got the other guy’s attention. The guy sighed as they approached him. “What do you want?” They asked him rather brashly, and for a moment, he wanted to pout, but he decided on responding to the guy instead.
“This place is boring isn’t it.” He whispered to him, and now that he was closer, he noticed that his ears looked fluffy and soft too. They kind of looked like… a lion?
The guy beside him chuckled, their tail ––his eyes widened when he saw their tail–– wagging a bit. “Funny hearing that from the birthday celebrant.” They replied.
Yuu’s urge to pout overtook the small voice in his head that constantly reminded him of his sister’s words. So he did, he pouted, crossing his arms. “It’s not like I wanted this. I just wanted to eat cake with Sofu and Hatsuko-niisan. But then okaasan went on and on about tradition, and then Fùqīn said we had to host something. And now we're here.” He huffed.
This seemed to amuse the guy. “I understand that. During my birthday I was forced to wear these big robes, I even wore a small crown. It was heavy, and I didn’t like it. I would rather just lock myself up in my room. Play chess or something.” They said, moving their hands around to emphasise how big the robes were. Their ears twitched, as if annoyed. It seemed they had something in common, a detestation for formal gatherings.
Yuu giggled. He liked talking to this guy. He had a comforting presence, but he also seemed intimidating at the same time. Not to mention he seemed pretty strong, and he seemed interested in what he had to say. The grown up's here didn't seem to care for him in the slightest, so it was kind of refreshing.“How old are you, anyway?” He asked, curiously.
The guy shrugged, his ears dropping down slightly. Did he not like being asked his age? “I’m eleven.” They answered shortly. So he was older than Yuu, that made sense.
Yuu’s eyes widened. “Wow, you’re eleven and you’re taller than niisan. That’s so cool! Even niisan finds out you younger and taller, she might actually cry.” He exclaimed, pressing his hands together in delight. “I’m only seven, but I think you know that..” He trailed sheepishly.
They chuckled, nodding. “I guess that’s cool.” He paused, his tail wagging, curling around Yuu’s leg, tickling him a bit. “What else...I guess I can do magic too…” He said reluctantly as if the fact he possessed magic was something he wasn’t supposed to disclose.
Yuu’s admiration for him shot through the roof. He had magic? He was tall? he had lion ears! He was amazing. He was everything. “C-can you teach me how to use magic?” Yuu paused. “Wait, I don’t even know who you are…” Yuu trailed sheepishly. He was getting carried away. It was common sense to ask for a person’s name. He was such an idiot.
The guy smirked. “Leona Kingscholar. That’s my name.” He answered confidently. His tail swishing around in what Yuu could only decipher as excitement. Maybe confidence too.
Yuu smiled. “Well then, you already know my name, but it’s polite and courtesy to introduce yourself so…I’m Yuu Eshima!” He said, sticking his hand out for the other to shake. The latter took his hand and shook it gently.
Yuu was about to say something but a hand clamped down onto his shoulder. “Yuu, what did I say?” Hatsuko said as she moved, smiling at the other. Leona growled at her, a scowl painting on his face. He was usually pretty respectful towards women, but she just screamed “asshole”.
Yuu whimpered slightly, and he felt Leona’s tail flick at his feet in some sort of reassurance. “I-I just wanted to talk to him…he’s nice…besides, it’s not like I’m committing a crime right?” Yuu countered.
Hatsuko bent down to whisper into his ear. “I’m just doing what’s best for you… there are many rumours surrounding Leona.” She paused, glaring at the lion. Leona snarled at her, very clearly sensing that she was a threat of some sort. “Now let’s go, the Asim’s are greeting you. They came all the way from the land of the hot sands. And they have a child just around your age, I'm sure you'll like him.” She said as she forcefully turned Yuu.
Yuu almost lost his balance. He pursed his lips in both fear and annoyance. He just wanted to talk to someone, what was so wrong with that? He could feel his sister's grip on him tighten even more. His sister would never hurt him…right? He turned back to look at Leona, who was still snarling at his sister. He would’ve chuckled if he weren’t in his sister’s arms. Especially when her grip on his shoulder was tight enough to possibly dislocate it. Break it, even.
“Now let’s go, you’ve got a long night ahead of you. Maybe you can make some more friends.” Hatsuko said as her grip on him loosened. “Just don’t be friends with that cub. His magic is deadly. He’ll only hurt you.” She whispered into his ear.
Yuu gulped, swallowing down the lump in his throat. But Leona seemed nice…was he lying? No, he doesn’t have any reason to lie right? Besides, he was with that nice family. As he turned back to Leona, he saw Leona’s ears drop in disappointment, his tail drooping. He felt his eyes soften.
He waved a sad goodbye to the older, and he saw them wave back before sauntering back to his parents. He felt his lips pull into a small frown. Hatsuko glared at him, and he returned the smile on his face. She told him to keep on smiling after all. Smile, and smile throughout the night.
As he greeted the Asim’s and thanked them for the presents, his mind wandered back to Leona. He didn’t seem like a bad guy, in fact, he was quite polite. He was fun to talk to too, and his tail was fluffy. Yeah, he seemed like a good guy, but…maybe he should trust Hatsuko in this.
After all, Hatsuko knew best.