Hey guys! As promised, this is one of the imagines about arranged marriages. This one will take place in old Japan, where rules and traditions were much different - Edo Period. I just decided to make something different so I hope you like it, if you don't then I won't update it (please let me know!). The second imagine is going to be called 'Happy Couple' and it's gonna take place today and Michael will be famous. I will update that one soon too!

Hope you'll enjoy!

Japan, 1605

"I'm gonna catch you Sachiko!" she was running after the two little girls. Her presence was filling the entire garden and her beautiful smile made her face glisten with an enchanting sparkle, making everything around her, the delicate cherry blossoms, the flowers, even the grass, look somehow happy... Her laughter filled the air and sounded like music to my ears that were accustomed to the wails of suffering and I felt as if bells from paradise were ringing and making the air seem so... so lively and happy, if this was possible.

The grass caressed her bare fate, the wind blew through her long hair, fondling each strand and making it float in the air as she run after the kids.

"NO! You never will, Shizuka!" the little girl yelled back, laughing and running from her but I couldn't hear nor see the child because my eyes were entirely focused on... Shizuka.

The sun caressed her smooth skin and made it glisten. Shizuka. She stole my heart and this was the very first time I see her. I've only listened about her from my father but today when I saw her...

Her eyes were full of life, light and purity. I haven't even spoken to her yet and I was ready to say 'yes' to this crazy deal.

Few days ago I despised the idea of it but now that I got a glimpse of her, even though it was through this window, my eyes got addicted to her.

"So, Michael..." my thoughts got interrupted by the voice of her father. "What do you think?" I turned around to look at him. Next to him was my father, they both had smiles on their faces, obviously satisfied with the fact that I liked her.
"What does he think?" my father jumped in, not giving me a chance to speak "It's obvious what he thinks... he likes your daughter, right son?"

The thought of this marriage not happening, the thought of this beautiful girl and the thought of me not being around her after she bewitched my heart so easily, sent goose bumps all over my skin, telling my instincts to reply as fast as possible so as to not make them change their minds, so I shyly nodded my head in approval with my father's words.

"Hahaha! See, Richard, I told you this was gonna work out!" I ignored them and turned my head to the window to look at her again "We're gonna plan a wedding really soon!" they hugged each other in a manly way, satisfied with their achievements.

"Excuse me..." I jumped in "but I would slow things down a bit. Let's not forget, she doesn't know anything yet. She hasn't even seen me..." I reminded them.
"Don't worry, son.. can I call you son?"
"Of course you can!" my father replied for me again. "We're gonna be family soon!" didn't they hear what I just said?
"Son, " Richard walked over to me and placed his hand on my back "Don't worry about it. It's time for Shizuka to get married, she can't wait to get 20! No one would want her then and she knows it! Besides, mine and your family are the only ones with roots in America. I don't want my girl marrying a Japanese man and your father doesn't want you to marry a Japanese woman either. They are different from us.. Although I've been living here for more than 20 years, I could never get used to this country and their habits..."
"But Shizuka was born and raised here... she probably doesn't see things this way!" I reminded him.
"Yes she was but raised as an American!" he corrected me "She'll  soon turn 18 and is still not married. I'm really worried about it, people will soon start to gossip about her and when my mother comes this winter to visit us, and asks why is she still not married... what am I gonna say?"
"You are right, Richard." my father couldn't keep his mouth shut "My son has also reached the limit and can't wait any more.. he's almost 30! People are already whispering things about him! We have to plan the wedding as soon as possible!"
"I agree!"
"So what are we going to do?" my father asked and I had to admit, I wanted to know too.
"You'll come to dinner tomorrow and I will introduce Michael to her."
"Perfect!"

Introduce me to her!!?? Oh God... why was I so afraid?

Shizuka's POV

"Shizuka!! SHIZUKA!!!" I heard my dad yelling at me to return home for the hundredth time.
"Coming dad!"

I honestly didn't know why would he always do that! Every time when I went out to play with the kids, he'd begin calling me to return home, and I have to stop my fun and follow his will!

"Sachiko, Ichiro, I have to go now but I will see you tomorrow guys!" I told the kids in Japanese.
"Hai, Shizuka, see you tomorrow!" their high pitched voices sounded so cute to me. I loved children so much, especially these.

I remember them when they were little babies, I would go to visit the neighbors and play with them, they're practically the brothers and sisters that I never had. When they grew up, we begin going out, running around the town, going to the meadows to play and have fun. However, lately my father has started to dislike the way I spend my spare time. As soon as the sun begins to disappear, he'd start calling me to return home. I hated it.

"SHIZUKAA!"
"I am here, father, you don't need to yell again!" I said from in front of the house and after I took off my shoes, entered the living room. "Good evening, father."
"Shizuka..." he was sitting in front of the table, waiting for dinner.
"Yes?" 
"I don't like the things you've been doing lately."
"But father, I've been doing them ever since I remember myself!" I protested.
"You're a grown woman now, not a child anymore!" oh no... not this again! "You need to start thinking about your future and cut out the childish games!"
"But they're fun and not childish!"
"Don't reply to me!"
"I'm sorry..."
"Dinner's ready!" my mother said, walking in the living room, carrying plates. I immediately jumped up and got to her to help with the food. "Thank you dear!" we sat around the table and begun dining.

"Leila, " dad turned to mom "tomorrow night, we're gonnna have company."
"Really, dear? Who?"
"Joseph, his wife and son. Since they are the only American family in town, I decided we should stick together and help each other!"
"That is very nice, dear!"

The Jacksons.

They moved here recently. They came from Hokkaido to live here and were one of the most honorable families in town. People respected them and it was obvious they were rich. However, I didn't like them. There were rumors about them, saying they were doing illegal things but what kind of things exactly and if those rumors were true, I didn't know.  

"Shizuka, I expect you to be here on time for dinner and not only this but I also want you to wear the finest kimono (traditional Japanese clothing)! The one that I recently bought, you know... that very expensive one!"
"But why do I have to wear it for just guests?"
"What do you mean why!? They're our guests and Americans! We have to be excellent hosts and impress them! Honey, tell her please!"
"You father's right, Shizuka! We have to look good. You'll also help me with the tea and dinner!"
"Alright, if that's what you want. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm done eating. I'll wash and go to bed."

My father wasn't the type of person who liked inviting people over or having lots of friends, therefore, it really surprised me to hear he wanted us to welcome them in such way. Maybe it was because they were from America. Anyhow, I didn't really care. I closed the door of my room behind me and opened my medical books to read for school tomorrow.

I was one of the few girls who went to school and the only one that wanted to become a doctor. This was my only dream, to help and cure people. Unlike everybody else, I believed that education was very important, especially for girls. It was unfair that only boys got to go to school and then university... I was going to change that once I've become a doctor! I even wanted to establish a school meant for girls only so as to stimulate parents to send their daughters to school and give them the education they all deserved to receive.

Nowadays' society didn't approve of school. They believed girls' only purpose of life was to get married, have children and take care of the home. Well, I wasn't the type to do that. I wanted something more out of life! Something greater! Study, see new things, travel around the world as a famous doctor and when I got old, maybe teach at university for girls! I wanted to change this society and show people that men and women were equals and that girls were smart and deserved to get access to education!

Michael's POV

"Are you ready, Michael? Michael?"
"Yes?"
"Didn't you hear me? I've been calling you!"
"I'm sorry father... I was just thinking."
"Yes, obviously, about Shizuka maybe?" he giggled and I didn't say anything. "Finally we have found a girl that has caught your attention! I'm glad." he said. "You do like her, right?"
"Yes." I whispered and felt my checks burn red.
"You're as red as a tomato, son!" he laughed at me and I didn't find it to be funny at all! After all, I haven't had experience with women before. I've never been married, this was going to be my very first time. I was never really interested in girls before, never been in love, never found the one that intrigued me until I saw her today... It has always been work, work and only work ever since I remember myself...
"I'm glad that we've finally found you a bride. You'll get married soon and you'll have a family of your own and when my hour comes, I'll die happy, knowing my son has everything a man wants in his life."
"I wouldn't be so sure about the wedding..."
"Why, son?"
"She hasn't said yes yet."
"That's not a problem, besides, she will. She won't find a better man for herself. Our family is respected, we have good reputation and can provide her with careless life. What more could she possibly want out of life!!?"
"What if she finds out about what I really do...." i felt shivers down my spine at the mere thought of it.
"She won't. Men's work and business has nothing to do with the wife! Now where's your mother, I'm starving?"
"Coming!" she walked in with the dishes and placed them on the table. "I can't wait for Michael to get married so I can finally rest! I will be so happy when my daughter-in-low takes over the household!"
"Soon, dear."
"So tell me, son, did you like her?" my cheeks turned red again and i lowered my head down in embarrassment.
"He did but he's embarrassed to tell you so don't ask him. You'll see for yourself tomorrow!" my dad replied for me.
"I can't wait! Is she beautiful?"
"Yes, she is. She's perfect for Michael. Young, beautiful and very lively."
"Wonderful! She'll do all the housework and bear healthy children for Michael!"
"Amin."
"Tomorrow, we'll get up early, we need to prepare the gifts for the family!" my mom said.
"Yes and i want you all dressed up when we go there for dinner!"
"Of course dear, no need to remind me of this!"
"Now, let's eat!"

Author's POV

After cleaning the dishes, Leila laid down next to her husband in the tatami bed.

"Richard?" she begun.
"Yes?" he replied without opening his eyes.
"Don't you think we should tell her that Joseph's son is gonna be her husband before the dinner tomorrow?"
"No, I think it's better to wait. Let her see him first because I'm sure she's gonna like him."
"I hope she will... how are we gonna make her forget about the medicine and doctors? I'm worried and scared that she might say 'no' to the Jacksons..."
"She won't. If she does, she'll be the biggest fool in Japan! Girls are dying to be married in a family like Joseph's... respected and rich! Besides, Michael seems like a good boy, he'll treat her well."
"You're right..."
"I won't allow her to ruin her life by not accepting his proposal! He's everything that I want from a husband for my daughter."
"Me too. I hope everything goes well tomorrow..."