"And now," my father's voice boomed on the mic "we are not only celebrating our daughther and only heir of the Shinomiya Group of Companies' 18th birthday. We are all gathered here to celebrate the engagement of my only daughter and the Hamada Industries' only heir, to be held at the end of their schoolyear!!!"

Loud cheers erupted after my father's overexcited engagement announcement. Funny considering even I, the bride, am not aware of my own bethrotal.

That was typical of him, to drag me into his business proposals. My hands tightened, my knuckles growing paler with increased pressure. I was livid, but I was calm on the outside. I felt a hand on my shoulder, slightly squeezing it for comfort.

"Shiro" it was all Hiromi said, but his eyes spoke volumes. He wanted to comfort me but he can't in front of all these people.

So I just nodded and smiled faintly at him.

"I'm fine" was all I said.

He removed his hands from my shoulder and instantly, I felt alone. My mom had no doubt been a part of this. The only thing my parents loved more than their own daughter is money. Don't we have enough of those already?

In my internal rant, I didn't even realize that my father was not quite yet done with his little speech.

"And now, the groom to be, Hamada Yusuke!"

At this, the large crowd parted to reveal a young man in my age wearing a tuxedo, and walking completely composed towards the podium where I, Hiromi, and my father is at. My mother had been among the sea of people blindly cheering for a death parade.

"Everybody give him a round of applause!" My father's voice boomed on the room. Everyone started cheeering louder, the whole room filled with laughter and excitement for the destined affair.

Once the Hamada had reached us, he walked calmly to the middle and spoke through the mic.

"I am honored to be chosen as your only daughter's husband. May we prosper and give you grandchildren in the near future" he said with a straight face.

At this, the room fell completely silent, my face in flames. I looked at Hiromi at my side to see him grinning like an idiot. The idiot had the audacity to find humor in my misery!!!

"What?" was all he said. I want to strangle him right now, I swear.

Then my father smiled and clapped.

"Indeed! Thousands!" Then everyone is in cheers again.

The Hamada walked to me unblingkingly, grabbing my hand once beside me. My face became redder than it already was.

"What do you think you're doing?" I said, trying to sound as menacingly as possible with a tomato face.

The Hamada just looked at me boredly and said "holding my fiance's hand"

I didn't talk to him after that.

After the little speech, the emotionless Hamada walked to the middle podium holding my hand and raising it. The whole room erupted in cheers once again before we went down and proceeded with the party. The Hamada has let go of my hand then. I resisted the strange urge to grab his.

This party was suppose to celebrate my birth not my wedding. How could they do this to me!?!

I sighed heavily. This seems to attract Hiromi's attention.

"Aww cheer up Shiro! I'll even be your best man!" Hiromi said teasingly.

I know he was joking, but it hurt to even think that I wanted him not as my best man... I wanted Hiromi as my groom.

Hiromi had been with me since we were kids. At six, he started coming here and playing with me in the gardens. We've been so much together that I wondered if Hiromi liked me as much as I liked him.

But it hurts because I feel he sees me only as a liability. A sister at most.

"Glad you can find the humor in this situation." was all I said.

"I need some fresh air" I mumbled before walking off to the balcony. Hiromi frowned and looked like he wanted to say something but I just raised my hand and said "Don't even bother"

Everyone was too busy to even notice the reason they were here is outside being a grump.

Once I reached the ledge, I rested my arms and sighed for what felt like the millionth time.

"What's wrong neechan?" said a childlike voice from my back.

I looked back to see a kid with an icecream cone at hand looking at me with wonder. Even the kid is looking at me with pity!

"Aaah hahaha. It's nothing." I tried to say with a smile "What's your name little boy?"

I crouched down slowly with my yukata skirt constricting my movements.

"I'm Futaru, Nee chan!!"

I smiled at him and patted his red head softly. "What a nice name Futa-kun"

The little boy blushed lightly and proceeded to enjoy his head being petted. His ice cream was long gone as he finished it with glee. I always wanted to have a little brother. Sadly, my mom could not. Both physically and mentally. Besides, I wouldn't want to bring my brother if I ever have one into my world. It would be too much for him and I dont want him going through what I did.

"Neh nee chan, what's wrong?" Futaru said with his eyes twinkling adorably. He was so cute with his innocent face and red locks.

"Futaru kun, nee chan is getting married to a man she barely even knows." I said with a sigh "Of course nee chan would be sad" I wanted to say livid but meh... Futa kun is only a kid after all.

At this, the kid hugged my hips tightly, saying "Futaru will save nee chan!"

Awwww. So kawaii....

"Futaru will order Kaito and Keiran nii chan to stop the wedding!!!" Futaru had actual tears flowing down his cheecks now while screaming. Must be his brothers he was talking about.

"Daijoubo Futaru kun" I placed my hands on his cheeks, and gave him a small kiss on his forehead. "Nee chan will be fine."

Futaru just stared blankly at my face, blusing wildly. "Wakata nee chan" he mumbled faintly.

"Futaru! Where are you you little fart!" a boy my age came screaming down the balcony, muttering a few curse words when he stumbled over the carpets.

"Nii chan!" Futaru shouted with glee beside me. He reached out his hands towards the stranger as the stranger connected his eyes with mine. Immediately his eyes held suspicion.

"What the hell are you doing to my brother!"

My eyes widened a fraction. "Excuse me!?" I asked with equal force.

"BAKA KEIRAN NII CHAN! NEE CHAN IS NICE AND WONDERFUL YOU BAKA!!!" Futaru had suddenly screamed while running to the stranger and pulling at his ears.

"Ow ow ow okay! Let go Futaru!"

Futaru looked back at me smiling, before saying goodbye.

"Kaito nii chan is looking for me! See you soon nee chan!" And with his hands around his brother's ears, he's gone.

Wait, I got it! I need to find Hiromi!!

I guess it was time to return as well.

"Hiromi!!" I called as I spotted him over by the refreshments table. His head turned to mine before he smiled and walked to me.

"Shiro"

"I know what to do Hiromi." I held his hands in between mine looking into his eyes determinedly "I'm gonna stop this marriage!"

Hiromi seems to be taken back, before he smiled back mischievously.

"Count me in Shiro."

Hopefully by the end of tonight, I'd have a clear plan to get me out of this mess I call marriage.

With the help of Hiromi, I believe anything could be possible.

A/N

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-datnekokid