Side One Hundred And Thirty-Six – Takatsukasa (Fukumoto) Hinata

Side One Hundred And Thirty-Six – Takatsukasa (Fukumoto) Hinata

“Is this champagne?” Mayumi asked her, and Hinata smiled impishly, pleased at eliciting surprise from her friend.

“Yes, it’s a good vintage too. Courtesy of our deal with LVMH.” She puffed out her chest, looking proud. “Don’t worry, I brought some for Kira-sama too, and also your parents. I do have good manners, you know.”

Mayumi snorted. “I suppose you do, but you are still as cheeky as always.” They were in Mayumi’s house on the grounds of the Ichijou mansion. Mayumi had her own cottage-style apartment, separate from the rest, where she could host those few she considered her friends and generally be at peace. Well, it is hard being the daughter of one of the Three Great Houses. Don’t I know it? Regardless of that, Hinata was more than happy to shoulder that pressure, as she had always dreamed of being fairly recognised, like her cousin Sakura. While I think about Sakura...

“I’ll open up the champagne.” Mayumi said, her strength after Chirurgery more than up to the task. As the cork popped and cold steam left the icy bottle, Mayumi searched for a pair of long glasses and poured in the cold, bubbling liquid, as she had dismissed her servants for the night. “Here. A toast, to my cheeky junior!”

“To friends!” Hinata returned, and the glasses clinked together. Taking a sip, Hinata was pleased by the flavour. It’s definitely good stuff. Mr Arnault is sparing no expense. Well, he did buy a miracle, so...

“I really would have liked to invite Miyu-san and Honoka-chan here, as well as Sakura-san...” Mayumi mused, enjoying the champagne while they lounged on antique furniture inside the smartly decorated sitting room, both of them in informal, casual clothing they could only wear in private or with those they trusted. “I think now things have been stirred up, it’s time to reevaluate how us daughters of the major families do things. Hanafubuki could use a shakeup, don’t you agree?”

Spoiler

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“Oh, definitely” Hinata smiled. “Of course, you want to still be at the top, right?”

“Well, I am the oldest... no, that’s not exactly true is it? Miyu-san can be rather forgettable, so I often discount her, but she’s changed. Do you know much about that?”

“I do, of course. Miyu is a good girl.” Hinata proudly called her without honorifics, due to the circumstances in which Miyu became Akio’s vassal. “It’s impossible to remain timid and shy when Akio and Shaeula are pushing you constantly to be better. Besides...” her smile was wicked. “... her Divine Favour is amazing. It really helps with constructing the Territory. Apparently she has a combat-focused dance too, but Akio says if we are ever in the situation we need that, we’ll be in real trouble. She’s still undergoing some training though, just in case.”

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“That Boundary, as you call it, is rather impressive, I admit.” Mayumi’s eyes sparkled, and Hinata had a bad feeling.

“Uh, Mayumi, you’ve not been exploring the Boundary by yourself, have you?” It would certainly be possible. With Chirurgery and the networks Akio and Shaeula are currently giving out, gathering the aether to enter is trivial. “Akio’s Territory may look safe and fantastical, but I’ve heard all the stories. They’ve almost died a number of times forging it out of nothing. Most of the Boundary is full of dangerous creatures and worse. I don’t want you to die or be horribly injured just because of your whims.”

“Oh, are you worried for me? How sweet, and how cheeky.” Mayumi smiled, though her face and ears were red. “I... can’t say I haven’t considered it. Isn’t it exciting, a whole new world waiting for exploration, for conquering? Ichijou house should surely be at the forefront of claiming this shadow of Japan!”

“Well, you can set your Chosen that Ichijou house has gathered to do it, right? Kira-sama would grieve and all the girls of Hanafubuki would be heartbroken if our beautiful, proud Mayumi was scarred and mutilated due to her own stupidity and carelessness.”

“Oh, are you worried about me? How sweet. But I can’t help but detect...” Mayumi said, smiling, as she took another gentle sip of her champagne. “...that you threw in a few insults there.”

“Me? Surely not. I genuinely would hate for you to do something stupid, Mayumi. After all, you’re my best friend.”

“Yes, I am, aren’t I? I still find it hard to believe, but you always had something about you. Charm, ambition... only your pedigree was lacking, and even then, well, we could make an argument that was just misfortune. But if I was hurt, you’d ask Akio-san to heal me, right?”

“I don’t know. What would you be willing to pay?” Hinata smirked, and Mayumi shook her head.

“I know you don’t mean that. Besides, he already has a ten percent stake in Ichijou Heavy Industries. What more could he want?”

“That stake isn’t enough for what he’s offering.” Hinata said firmly. “But really, he did it partially for my sake. I feel bad...” she admitted. “I was such a child about it. I wanted to be accepted by everyone in the nobility, but by you most of all, Mayumi. As an equal, a friend as I view friendship, not through the narrow lens of the nobility. So he was prepared to offer concessions to bring us closer together. Now you work with him on this joint project, we’d have ample time to meet.”

“How sentimental. Well, I don’t hate that.” Mayumi said, before her smile matched Hinata’s in slyness. “And here was me thinking that Akio-san had taken a liking to me, and just wanted to keep me close. I am quite the catch.”

“Dream on!” Hinata snorted. “He has no interest in you in that way. If he wanted more noble brides and ties, he’d probably ask Miyu. He likes her.”

“I don’t see it. Besides, Miyu seems very close to her bodyguard, that Michiru, the flashy ninja. It’s not so unusual, our school is full of such emotion.” Tonight both of their bodyguards were at the main house, so that the two of them could spend time together freely.

“Oh yes, Michiru and Miyu are definitely in love.” Hinata smiled. “But Akio would hardly come between such things. And just because they love each other doesn’t mean they couldn’t love someone else. It would solve a lot of her problems, even a marriage in name only where Akio didn’t touch Miyu would allow her dignity and the freedom to pursue love without damaging Fujiwara house. I don’t see it happening though. Akio is worried he’s splitting himself too thin, and he’s not even thinking of all already under his care.”

“Oh? Interesting, do go on.” Mayumi said, enjoying the gossip as they drank.

“He’s looking after the Chinese girl, Daiyu, as you know, and I think they’ve worked things out. Also, he’s finally made things clear with Kana. So there’s those. But he hasn’t even realised that he’s already married.” She laughed as Mayumi raised one eyebrow, shifting her bare legs under her to change position on the sofa.

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“You’ve been to the terrace on top of the Tree a few times now, right?” At her words, Mayumi nodded.

“Well, if you speak to Asha, she’ll tell you they shared a kiss, which she can only give once.” Hinata giggled wickedly. Poor Akio. If he will go around saving people from dreadful fates, he has to expect that he’ll win hearts and minds. Really, I see why Eri is having such a hard time. Shaeula was clever, pushing the status of first wife onto her. Well, we’ll all help out where we can...

“I see. Fascinating.” Mayumi laughed. “Well, back on the subject of marriages... what about Sakura? I know you want to get along better with her, since she’s your cousin... well, no, now she’s your sister.”

“Yes, it’s frustrating. Our roles have reversed. Before, she was exasperated and worried by me and my actions. I understand she was looking out for me in her own way, even if she was so insufferable about it. Now... now things have changed, and I am the one concerned about her. I want her to be happy. She’s not lost anything, she wouldn’t have been heir anyway, but she can’t accept how our statuses have diverged.”

“That’s being a noble daughter. We bear a burden for our privileges. Hmm, more champagne?” she asked, and Hinata nodded, as Mayumi refilled it for her, something unthinkable only weeks ago. “Sakura is a model daughter, polite and refined, but she isn’t good at dealing with matters that cross the boundaries of noble culture. I found it a shock myself. And it’s mostly down to you.”

********

“So, Hinata-chan, thanks for coming to spend time with Mayumi. She appreciates it.” Kira-sama had come to Mayumi’s cottage, letting himself in.

“Grandfather!” Mayumi said, embarrassed by his words, but Hinata merely giggled.

“I know. She’s not honest. But she’s getting better. Well, with Akio and a lot of the others away, I was at a loose end.” Her grin was mocking.

“Don’t make it sound like I’m an afterthought, cheeky girl.” Mayumi snorted. “So, grandfather, what do you want?”

“Nothing much.” He looked down at the blueprints and documents on the table, as well as the empty champagne bottles. “I see you’re looking at the latest details. Quite the surprise when I heard from the chairman of BAE. Well, old rivals working together for mutual benefit is a good thing. Akio-kun certainly has been busy. Do you miss him?” He grinned, and Hinata found it a little annoying, but she nodded.

“Of course, Kira-sama. With Akio away with Motoko, Natsumi and Hyacinth, and Shaeula back at the Spring, it’s quieter, certainly. So it was the perfect time for a visit. I hope you enjoyed the champagne.”

“I did, it was rather nice.” He grinned. “My son and daughter-in-law are enjoying some now. Don’t worry, your bodyguards are being entertained. So, what of the others?” he asked, and Hinata shrugged.

“Shiro is taking them all out tonight. She’s meeting up with some of her friends, but didn’t want to leave Eri or Daiyu alone, considering their circumstances.” She paused, smiling. “Shiro seems to have fit into the mother role, a little. If you tell her that though she only gets mad.” She shouts that she’s still a young woman, and that she’s only looking out for us as we’re younger than her. It’s surprisingly adorable for such a cold-looking woman. Well, she’s far more expressive when Akio is around.

“I see. So, I hear you made quite a killing off your last round of Healing?” Kira-sama asked, sitting down in the vacant seat, smiling.

“Yes, we did.” Hinata agreed happily. “Hence the champagne. We got sent a number of dresses and accessories too for everyone. We’ll all play dress-up at some point, it’ll be fun.”

“I’m sad I missed out. It was very profitable, referring miss Lindiwe.” Mayumi sighed.

“That’s why you missed out. You got too greedy! Next time, make a good referral and take a modest profit, and I’ll allow it...” Hinata paused as her phone beeped. “Oh, it’s Akio. A photograph... huh...”

Wait, that’s Princess Eleanor, that was part of the plan, But... the Queen? And what is Natsumi and Hyacinth doing? As she looked at the photograph, stunned, Mayumi leaned over, curious.

“Is that from the United Kingdom? Let me see...?” Mayumi paused, blinking.

“Oho! Very bold.” Kira-sama said, also looking. “Three at once? How domineering. So, her Majesty looks rather impressed, don’t you think?”

“Wasn’t the plan supposed to be for Motoko-san to be having her engagement debut?” Mayumi asked, puzzled. “So why Natsumi? The maid makes even less sense. Though I have to admit, she looks rather gorgeous in that flashy dress.”

“I’ve never seen Hyacinth wear something like that.” Hinata agreed. “I’m jealous.” She leaked a long sigh.

“Wishing it was you, Hinata-chan?” Kira-sama teased her, and she nodded.

“Of course. I said I was jealous, didn’t I? But... my turn will come. I’m happy for Natsumi as well. Hyacinth too.” She frowned, thinking. It’s not like Akio to be so proactive, unsubtle. Something must have happened to provoke him, or there was a need for it... “I’m guessing he felt the need to make a statement.”

“And quite the statement it is. Legally speaking, he’s entitled to marry them all now, so...” Kira-sama mused. “If I had to say from looking...” he appraised the photograph with his long years of political experience. “The Queen looks as dignified as ever. This is Prince Henry, he looks a bit uncomfortable, but... his girlfriend, and Princess Eleanor, they are trying to hide it, but they both look unhappy. Of course, as people used to being in the spotlight, their expressions dissemble rather well. Only old heads such as Shige and I would notice. No, this is a fabulous endorsement for Motoko-chan and Natsumi-chan.”

“So, how will I top this for my debut, grandfather?” Mayumi said slyly, as she tapped away on her own phone. “Send me the picture, Hinata, I’ll send it to some of the other daughters, let word spread.”

As Hinata sent the picture to her, Kira-sama laughed loudly. “So you want to top that, huh? I’ll see what I can do. Are you in a rush to get married then, my dear?”

“No, not especially.” Mayumi shrugged. “In fact, I’m having far too much fun now. After all, it’s not just this world up for grabs, right Hinata?”

At her words, Hinata smiled, and Kira-sama looked at them with a sparkle in his eyes. “Not just this world? I see you understand well. So, if you’ll forgive this old man for intruding, why don’t we talk more about our joint ventures? Is that fine with you both?”

It isn’t like I can refuse you Kira-sama, but I do want to progress a few plans. Ten percent is going to be selling us woefully short. A deal is a deal, but if I can make another on top... “Of course Kira-sama. I’d be happy to. As you are aware, we have big plans...”

“Well, if Hinata doesn’t mind, I’ll allow it, grandfather. But this is my fun time with Hinata, so at least be useful!”

“I bet you don’t talk to your grandfather so coldly, Hinata-chan?” Kira-sama joked.

“Only when he’s being annoying.” Hinata replied, earning another chuckle.

“Well, I’ll try to play nice. So, now that we have interest from overseas companies, and Mayumi here has secured good access to raw materials at a cheap price, the question is, how can we maximise profit and minimise costs?”

“That’s a good question.” Hinata said, smiling. “Ideally, we want to further increase the ether density over the site. There’s three ways to achieve that, with the second Rank of the Ether Density Anchor Spire, which is in progress, and also by upgrading the Boundary to Material Connection to Rank 3. The cost of that would be significant, and delay our push to Territory Rank 4, which would be the biggest boost of all and the final method, but...” Yes, even if we are splitting the profits for this venture, if we bear the costs such as the Alchemy Devices, ether and power generation, then I should be able to make our share a much larger slice of the pie...

“Careful, grandfather. She has a hungry look in her eyes...” Mayumi laughed, and Hinata didn’t deny it.

“Of course I’m hungry. After all, I need to show my good side, don’t I?” Spending time with Mayumi is fun, now I’m on her level and can be genuine friends. But it’s even more fun, planning the empire we’ll build, through Japan, the Boundary, the Fae Realms, the United Kingdom and the whole world... Hurry home, Akio, Motoko, Natsumi, Hyacinth. There’s so much more fun we can have, dreams we can realise...