Hinata's Pov.

A day passed since Arisu's departure, the seat beside me is empty which made me missed her a lot.

I wonder what she's doing in America, wish she can go back here again...

Throughout the class I slept because I found it boring causing me to go to detention afterwards, my life sucks.

Damn...I wish you were here.

•<>•<>•<>•<>•<>•<>•<>•<>•<>•

I walked inside the gym as I was wearing my gym clothes used in volleyball, placing my bag down on the floor and proceeded in practicing.

For some reasons, I can't hit the ball easily as I liked...it's strangely hard to catch right now, making me kind of irritated.

"DAMN IT!" I yelled loudly as I tossed the ball on the ground hard, my teammates looked at me while my eyes glared at the ground.

"Hinata, are you alright?" Sugawara-senpai asked me, I didn't turned to him as I continued to glare at the ground.

"Go and rest, Hinata. You've been practicing for awhile now" I heard Coach Ukai stated, I just nodded and walked out of the gym to chill down.

I walked to the water fountain to wash my face, the cold liquid hit my face as it felt refreshing and nice.

I need to get a grip of myself...she'll come back after she's done, she said that herself, didn't she?

I slapped my cheeks, trying to get a grip of myself, I could feel my cheeks sting and I bet it's all red.

Everything will be alright, it will be alright...just stay calm.

•<>•<>•<>•<>•<>•<>•<>•<>•<>•

Arisu's Pov.

I was getting ready for tonights party, dozens of dresses and gowns are prepared for me yet I can't decide what pair of clothes should I wear.

Wait...why am I so gung-ho? I should think of ways to escape this place!

What if...I didn't get to escape this place and end up marrying the fake Karma? I don't want that!

I felt the surge of my power was being zap from my body as my knees have given up on me, I hit the cement pavements while my chest was filled with uneasy feeling.

I curled myself like a ball as my chin touched my knees, I hugged my legs tightly while I could feel my eyes sting with hot tears.

If I really can't escape this place, I won't be able to go back to Japan anymore...what should I do?

I'm trapped inside this place which seems to be like a prison, I'm surrounded with lots of heavily armed guards which seems to be the warden. Lastly, I'm being watched over by my father which seems to be the judge.

This place seems to be like living hell...I don't know what I can do to escape this horrifying place.

•<>•<>•<>•<>•<>•<>•<>•<>•<>•

>>Time Skip>>

I entered the hall where the party will be held, it's kind of hard to walk thanks to this gown and dress.

This time, I'll let my father know that I'm so against in getting married!

Filled with determination and hope, I waltzed inside the room as I captured some of the people's attention, not again...

"Look, isn't she the Kisaragi heir?"

"I heard she'll get married to Akabane's son"

"Oh really? Kisaragi family would sure have it in easy way"

Rumours do spread fast, people and their infamous eavesdropping...jeez, stop poking your nose in other people's business, get a life.

I'm so pissed about the commotion, and said inwardly to myself that I won't get married to the fake Karma.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I thanked you for coming here despite your busy schedules, we're honored" I heard someone spoke through the microphone as I turned my head and saw my father speaking.

Everyone was silence and turned their attention to him, but I can still hear few side comments and remarks from them, so that's how people whisper, huh?

"So, his the Kisaragi business man? his so young!"

Young? His in his 30's, mam.

"What a handsome man he is"

Well...can't deny that, he is handsome.

"Oh my, can you tell how splendid he is?"

Maybe...he is, I don't know.

And so on and so forth...my father continued his long, long speech, while I was getting impatient.

"May I introduce you my daughter, Kisaragi Arisu" He stated with a huge smile on his face.

Claps rained down the hall as I kept my straight face as usual, then realisation finally hit me.

W-Wait, what? H-H-How could I go up there now....?!

"Lady Alice, over here!" I heard someone whispered/called me, I turned around to see one of our maids.

Hurriedly, I run over there and mentally noted to thank her later, walking up to the stage, I was finally beside my father.

Everyone's eyes were fixated on me as I sweat dropped nervously, they're looking at me with those eyes...

"So, she's the one I'll marry? Not bad if I would say" I heard a creamy voice stated, making me blushed at his deep voice.

W-What's with that voice...it's really manly, can it be--my prince?!

I turned to face this prince, but the moment I did, I felt my breathing halted as if my heart stopped beating.

"Greetings, milady. I am Akabane Ikki, it's a honour to meet you" He stated while bowing down.

H-H-His the same as the picture! He was oversized, freckles all over his cheeks and his currently drooling.

Seriously, how can someone like him has a deep but creamy voice? It made me look like his a good looking guy.

"I am Kisaragi Alice, the heir of the Kisaragi's. It's a honour to meet you too, Akabane-kun" I said with a half hearted smile, he's smaller than me.

He held his hand for me, as I hesitantly shook it while I mentally scolded myself for not wearing gloves.

E-Ew...his hands are sweaty!

Hurriedly, I took my hand back as I get a towel and wipe away the sweat.

"We'll have a dance for the welcoming of these two that will get married to the near future" My father announced as I felt something cold run up to my nape.

They began to hold they're partners as they began to dance happily, which I stood there in shock and disbelief.

No, no, no...I can't accept this, I'm not going to get married to him!

"Father, what did I told you earlier? I know I've cleared myself" I stated as I was really angry to the point I gritted my teeth.

"So, what are you going to about it?" He asked with a playful smirk as my eyes widened.

His...definitely playing with me!

"Shall we dance, Alice?" Akabane asked me as he held his hand for me.

I was about to declined his offer when I saw my father glaring at me with his icy cold eyes.

"We shall" I replied as I held his hand while I bit my lower lip.

I can still protest...I'll really tell him later, but now I have to endure this.

I could feel myself crying as I tried my best to held back my tears, I covered my eyes with the back of my hand as we stopped dancing.

"What's wrong, Alice?" He asked as I shook my head while wiping my tears.

"It's nothing, there is something in my eyes" I lied as I hurriedly wiped it out, I know I'm desperate to cancel the marriage but what can I do?

I just want to go back to my friends...why can't he understand that? Is his fortune really that nice?

"I'm sorry Akabane-kun, I'm not feeling to well, can I get some rest?" I asked politely as I smiled nicely.

"Sure, want me to tag along?" He asked me as I shook my head.

"I appreciate the sentiment but, I can do it alone, I'll be fine" I said as I left the party just like that, it's hard to take all of this.

~•♥️•~

I sat on the grass near my mother's grave, I rested my face on my knees as I cried silently.

"Your ditching the party, huh? That isn't like you" I heard a familiar voice interrogated as I looked up to see my father smirking.

"What do you think is the reason why I was ditching in the first place?" I shot back as he let out a laugh, enjoying himself.

He sat beside me while ruffling my blonde hair, my father can be annoying sometimes, you know?

"Your really that against in getting married, are you really that in love with Hinata?" He asked as my eyes widened and shook while I blushed furiously.

"H-How do you know? I never mentioned him to you!" I blurted in surprised as he laughed again.

"I also wonder why~" He sang with a huge smirk on his face.

He definitely knows something...

Silence filled the air between us as I kept my head down while tears still filled my eyes.

"Say, is this guy you love a dependable one?" He asked me out of the blue as I turned to him.

"Yes, why do you ask?" I said, still confused.

"Tell me something about this guy, I'm curious of this guy your interested with" He stated as my lips curved in a smile.

"He has tangerine coloured hair with matching chocolate brown eyes, he likes to play volleyball, his role in the team is middle blocker" I started identifying his identity.

"Volleyball, huh? That's kind of nice" He commented, letting me continue so I did.

"His reckless, his stupid, and his loud...but his really kind and his the only person that stayed with me so long when I was in Japan" I said as I smiled happily, I could feel my cheeks get warmer every second.

"We learned that we felt the same feeling with each other when I was about to leave for America, he cried" I continued as a hint of sadness is visible in my voice.

That when I realised this was the perfect time to tell him what i want to say to him.

"Father, please cancel the marriage contract, I don't want to get married to Akabane-kun!" I pleaded desperately, I really don't want to.

"Why not? That kid is nice, same goes with his parents" He interjected.

"I have a guy that I love, I want to be with him and not with someone who I haven't met before" I said.

He was in silence as his hair was covering his eyes, he stood up while he tucked his hands in his pockets.

"I'm going back inside, you should come in too, later" He said as he was about to leave when I called him.

"Father, please understand me! I don't want to get married, so please...let me go!" I yelled, tears flowing down from my eyes as I grabbed his hand.

When your not here, I've became a crybaby...didn't I?

"Let go of my hand, Alice" He sternly said, but it didn't made me falter.

"I won't! Not until you've canceled the marriage contract" I said still not letting go as I gripped harder.

You made me cling to the times when we're together, Shouyou-kun...I don't want to lose the bonds we shared.

"Don't even think of making me angry" He scowled as I didn't budged.

I don't want to give up...not just yet!

"Please, I know I'm annoying but I'm desperate right now...why can't you understand me?!" I yelled once again, still don't want to give up.

"Why are you so desperate?" He asked me as I let go of his hand, he turned to face me who was crying.

My lips curved in a smile while tears are flowing down from my eyes, still not wanting to give up.

"I'm in love with him, father" Was what all I could say so proudly.

He was silenced for some moments as I wiped away my tears as desperation floods me.

"I'll think about your resolve, I'll go now" He said as he turned his heels and left me all alone.

Please...make your answer quick, I want to see him again, father.