Chapter Text
On an average day at the Togami Estate, two letters were sent by mail to be received by two very exceptional students. Those letters were from the esteemed school: Hope’s Peak Academy. One of the letters was for Byakuya Togami. It was expected that when he was old enough that Byakuya Togami would receive his entry invitation letter to the Ultimate Academy. But, most members of the Estate were shocked when you had been accepted as well. Byakuya had been invited to the school as the “Ultimate Affluent Progeny” and you were invited as well as the “Ultimate Affluent Heiress”.
Now, how did you become accepted into a school like Hope’s Peak Academy with the title “Ultimate Affluent Heiress”? Let’s take it back to the beginning. The beginning of everything up until this point.
You grew up dirt poor on the outskirts of major cities in Japan. Cities like Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo. Your family jumped from place to place and house to house your whole childhood—or well, childhood might not be the right word. That was your life before you turned thirteen.
Before thirteen, you grew up a fine young lady. You were book smart and had good grades. You were friendly and charitable. You were a delightful person with a charming laugh and a beautiful smile on a soft, approachable face. Even though you had grown up poor, you were determined to not let it stop you from achieving wonderful things. You even said at one point that you wanted to become a psychiatrist and study the minds of criminals.
Once you were twelve, your parents had heard from a friend of a friend that the elite Togami family was looking for a wife for their son. Byakuya. Their family was beyond wealthy, whoever was the new wife would, no doubt, be lavished in the riches of the Togami Corporation. That sounded extremely pleasing to you and your family. Who wouldn’t be tempted?
The Togami family were specifically looking for someone gracious enough to put up with their son’s sour attitude. Someone responsible enough to handle large amounts of money and potentially inherit part of his wealth. Someone kind and trained well for the media. Most importantly though, someone extremely good-looking that would look good mixed with the family.
You and your family were in desperate need of cash and you met all the requirements the family had hoped for. It didn’t hurt to try anyways. It didn’t seem like there were going to be any more opportunities to make quick money like that either. So, with the last little bit of money your family could scrounge up, you boarded a train to the center of Tokyo where the Togami Estate was located. That day you were dressed in your most appealing dress with matching heels and a bow in your hair. It was the best you could do for the amount of money you had. But no dress or heels or bow could ever out perform the charming smile you wore everyday.
You arrived at the Togami estate and waited to be judged along with all the other people applying for the role. As soon as you entered the Estate you sat in the “waiting room” which is what it was referred to as. (Really, it was just a living suite that could hold hundreds of people inside the mansion)
There were lots of other girls (and boys) your age inside the waiting room. You sat nervously beside two girls who were gossiping together, as you waited for your turn. The other girls there were absolutely breathtaking. Their parents had clearly prepared them well for today with lots of accessories and expensive dresses. Everybody wanted to impress the Togami family.
As soon as your name was called from the waiting room, you were ushered backstage. Once the girl who had been up on stage left, you were guided to walk up to the microphone in the middle of the stage.
“Introduce yourself.” One of the women at the judge’s panel instructed. “Tell us a little bit about yourself. What do you like to do?” She asked as she smiled at you.
“My name is Y/N.” You said as you spoke into the microphone. You blushed and smiled softly as you spoke to the judges.
The judges at that panel, you later learned, were the head maids of the Togami Estate. You'd also later learn that the woman speaking to you, her name was Kujira. Byakuya’s parents weren’t there that day. They couldn't have bothered to be there to pick out a wife for themselves.
You described yourself, your favorite activities, the way you got ready in the morning, the books you enjoyed reading, your favorite foods. Everything. You told the maids everything about you that was appealing. Everything was on the line, this was the difference between success or moving to the outskirts of another town. This time, farther than Tokyo.
“Have you ever been on television before?” Kujira asked you. You shook your head no.
“What are your grades like?” She continued.
“Oh! Very good, I’m an excellent student.” You confirmed.
“Very well.” She nodded and wrote that down. “Final question, why do you want to be the next Togami heiress?” She asked you.
“Well—” You started then froze. Why did you want to be the next Togami heiress? Why did you care this much? You decided just to go with the truth. You had nothing left to lose at this point, you couldn't embarrass yourself any further. “Well, my family is actually extremely poor. I’ve got several younger siblings that I watch at home. I’d love to have a little more financial support for them. Further, I’ve never had a boyfriend or been in a house this elegant. It’s nice, I’d love to stay here. One day, I’d love to be on television. I have many dreams I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to achieve without the help of the Togami family.” You told the maids nervously, you disguised that nervousness by cupping your hands together at the top of your dress skirt.
“Ah, a truthful answer.” Another maid, Himari commented. That made your face heat up and you giggled in reply.
“I like to stay honest.” You told them.
“You look very lovely today.” Himari told you, which made you giggle even more.
“Do that again!” Kujira yelled as she stood up and slammed her hands on the table. You froze up instantly and your face turned bright pink. You turned away from them shyly.
“No! Seriously! Do that again.” She said, a bit more calmed and relaxed now. So you giggled quietly again and smiled along with it. She then wrote something down on her piece of paper and turned to whisper to the other judges. Your stomach sank once she turned away. You thought you had failed.
“Was I too honest?” You questioned nervously.
“Not at all. Your giggle is just sweet.” She said as she turned back to face you. You were still unsettled by her slamming her hands down. She then smiled sweetly at you, “Thank you! We’ll let you know our decision in a few hours. You’re welcome to go wait outside in the waiting room for when we make our decision.” She said as she ushered you out into the waiting room.
You decided to sit outside in the same chair previously in the waiting room. The gossiping girls were gone, they came onto the stage after you had left. You were anxious that you had ruined your chances of being picked, you couldn’t face your parents and their disappointing looks after that. So, you patiently waited in the waiting room. At least, here, you didn’t have to look them in the eyes knowing that you’d probably never be financially stable.
Several hours later Kujira, Himari, and a third maid walked out into the waiting room where you and all the other applicants sat. The room hushed immediately as everyone turned to stare at the women.
“We’ve made our decision.” Kujira announced. Everyone in the room suddenly held their breaths, nervous to hear who they had picked.
“We choose…” She said as she leaned in to the third maid. She was whispering something in her ear. She nodded repeatedly until she straightened back up. “Ah! Yes, we have chosen... Y/N!” She said as she immediately turned her gaze to you. Everyone then followed suit and turned to face you. All the attention made you blush.
“Oh, me?” You asked shyly, you were unsure whether you heard her correctly.
“Congratulations!” She said, walking through all the other applicants to come shake your hand. “We shall see you in two weeks from now to meet your fiance! You will be married later this year.” She said, nodding and bowing down to you.
All the other applicants started to bow as well. Although most were disappointed, they had enough respect to regard you as the new Togami heiress. You smiled at her once she stood back up and said, “I shall see you then.”
Two weeks later you met him, your soon to be husband. He was young, yet acted like he was much older. You met him inside the Togami Estate where you originally applied. You two were courted in one of the many living suites. You both were only twelve years old, and yet, despite the similar age, you were leagues apart. He was properly educated and media trained while you were just a poor girl from the outskirts of town.
You were unsure of what newly arranged couples were to do together. What was he interested in? Cooking? Reading? Sports? Videogames? You knew that your favorite hobby was to read, and you had heard rumors about the Togami Estate library. So, you asked if he would be inclined to read together and he actually agreed to it. He showed you the previously rumored library inside the estate and you instantly were amazed at how many books you were seeing. You picked one out of the fairytale romances on a lower shelf and he picked out a business strategist autobiography. Together you sat on the floor both reading silently.
Maybe being married to Byakuya wouldn’t be so terrible after all.
As Kujira had promised, a few months later you were married to Byakuya. It was inside a church on a private island. All the guests invited were rich nobles, business partners, or extended family members of the Togami Corporation. The only people who attended the wedding for you were your parents and little siblings. Your family was the clear outliers in the group, not matching the aesthetic of the millionaires and billionaires that the Togami family had invited. Kujira, Himari, and the other maids attended as well. However, they spent most of their time in the kitchen and dining room, making sure the event went smoothly.
The food Kujira and Himari had prepared was delicious, the best you had ever tasted before. However, you couldn’t properly enjoy it because before the ceremony you were being picked and prodded at by all of the maids. Being shoved into a wedding dress that didn’t fit (it was much too large) and slapped with layers and layers of make-up and hair spray. By the time it was time for you to walk down the aisle you didn’t recognize yourself in the mirror.
Your vows were pre-written for you, printed onto paper, and were shoved into your hand for you to read out loud to Byakuya. He was the same, he was given vows to read to you at the altar. You stared into his eyes as he said his fake vows to you. He said them with confidence and grace.
'This boy isn’t too terrible. I’ll learn to love him one day.' You told yourself. Little did you know that once the rings were slipped onto your fingers and the ceremony was over, you wouldn’t have a choice anymore.
After the awkward vows, the rings were brought down the aisle towards you. He slipped yours onto your small ring finger on your left hand. He placed it on his as well and the priest announced you two married. He stared at you awkwardly as you both thought about what was next.
Ew. You didn't want to kiss him. You had totally forgotten that this was part of the process.
But you did anyway. You took a big breath in through your nose and out through your nose before you both just sort of pushed your lips together. It was awkward, and gross, but after you pulled away you turned to the audience of adults and smiled that winning smile that had gotten you here in the first place. Everybody cheered, including your parents.
Instead of attending an actual school, you were homeschooled at the Togami Estate along with Byakuya. Except, he got a smarter, younger, and well-paid teacher. He took lessons from her, alone, inside a proper classroom that was specially built for him inside the large mansion. He was given multiple desks, proper schooling equipment, and received all kinds of help with any topic he was struggling with.
You, on the other hand, were taught in a smaller classroom with a sweet, older teacher. You had always known you were smart, even when you were younger. Your teacher recognized your ability as well. You were extremely fascinated in psychology, crime, homicide, and forensic studies. Too bad those interests aren’t befitting of a young heiress.
Once when you tried to express interest in those topics your teacher scolded you. She told you that you were too beautiful and dainty to investigate crime scenes and the psychology of the minds of criminals. You heavily disagreed though, you had always wanted to become a forensic psychiatrist.
Secretly at night, you would explore the Togami library at night and pick out psychology and forensic books from the limitless shelves. Thank god Byakuya had shown you the library the first time you met him. You had a special spot in the library just for you, it was a small hammock up high with several pillows and blankets. You would read late into the night in the hammock, then would magically reappear back in your room just minutes before it was time for you to wake up for the day.
You especially liked the read about murder cases local to Japan that had occurred and the psychology behind why these cases happened. Byakuya tried to act like he the only one who knew about the 'Genocide Jack' case and introduced it to you once in the Togami Estate. You just nodded along, agreeing with what he said, even though you had already read the file multiple times before.
Both Byakuya’s younger teacher and your old teacher realized that you both were extremely book smart. But, that you both needed to attend an actual high-school where you had the opportunity to meet other kids your age and grow better social skills.
Well—there was only one school for that. Hope’s Peak Academy. As previously mentioned, it was no surprise when Byakuya received his acceptance letter to the high-school. They welcomed him as the “Ultimate Affluent Progeny". It was, however, a big surprise to most of his family and staff when you received your acceptance letter as well. They welcomed you as the “Ultimate Affluent Heiress”.
The only people who weren’t surprised were Kujira, Himari, your teacher, and Byakuya. Kujira and Himari knew that they had picked the right Togami Heiress. Byakuya would never admit it out loud, but he was thankful you were coming with him to Hope’s Peak Academy. At least, you’d have each other, right?