Resisting Temptation (A Kyoya Ootori Fanfic)

Chapter 5

(Seina's POV)
That evening I changed out of my school uniform and into a simple blouse and black trousers.
Then rather than sitting and working at my desk like I normally would, I headed to my mother's study. I knocked and entered, bowing respectfully as she looked up at me from her work.
As a child I loved her study. Books on every shelf in all languages, from all cultures. Maps and photos all over the walls in a haphazard fashion and artefacts slotted into every spare nook. Every visit to her study had felt like an adventure into undiscovered lands.
Unfortunately she had noticed I had broken routine and was now staring intently over her glasses as if I were an interesting foreign artefact.
'Mother I was wondering if I could be excused from the dinner this weekend. You see I have a lot of work to do and I think I'll need that day to get it all-'
'Seina don't lie to me. I'm your mother. If you had that much work to do then you would be at it right now and you would work all night, whatever I said, to get it done. You've always been like that. So. What is really going on?'
I looked at her and winced, laughing nervously. 'I was hoping to spend the day with Karou...'
'Karou Hitachiin?' I nodded. 'But not his brother?' I shook my head. 'You don't normally want friends round Seina.' I held her gaze as she stared at me, trying to unlock whatever secret I was keeping. 'Very well. I don't see why not. I'm sure it won't matter just this once. Miyaki-san will be sad to have missed you though.'
I nodded. 'Please apologise for me. Thank you Mum.' She gave me a warm smile before turning back to the text she was reading. She looked very much the scholar she was.
Later that night I was helping my mother adjust the table settings as she showed our newest maid how she liked things done. I gave the girl a sympathetic smile as she desperately tried to write notes fast enough to keep up with my mother.
I was just about to tell my mother to cut her some slack when I heard one of the other maids greeting someone at the door.
Wondering who could possibly be calling right before dinner I wandered through to the entrance hall. He never stood a chance as I gave a joyful shout and threw myself into his arms. He stumbled back a little, laughing but kept his balance. 'Hello Seina.'
I grinned, 'Oni-san you're back.' I hugged him tighter as if by doing so I could reclaim my brother and prevent him disappearing off on another one of his adventures.
The eldest Kamei was always away from home, traveling the world. I couldn't believe he hadn't yet run out of places to go. I kept hoping he would. But there was a part of me that desperately wanted to go with him, just escape my convictions and responsibilities for a short while.
He was so laid back. I sat ramrod straight at the dinner table, every inch the lady I'd been raised to be but he lounged in his chair, one leg resting on the other as he drummed a beat with his fingers. He never stopped moving or stood still, always anxious to be off again. Perhaps he'd heard of arranged marriage and was afraid we'd tie him down if he stayed in the same place too long. I glanced at him and attempted to swallow my bitterness. However, grateful I was for my position or proud of my achievements, I also resented my big brother for not being good enough, for abandoning me to his fate. Sunny days when I was working, unable to stop were the worst. But I was equally glad he had evaded fate because he was too free spirited to be restrained by duty and obligations, he would have faded into a stranger. Yet who might I have been without my fate?
My mother appeared and enveloped her first born in a tight hug 'My Tatsuo.'
Our little sister and brother then came charging into the room but stopped dead in their tracks when they saw him, evaluating him. Then Ayumi sat opposite him, Sora beside her. She took one look at Tatsuo's chin length hair 'Oni-san you look like a prince!'
Sora noted the stubble on Tatsuo's face in disagreement, 'More like a pirate!' They then began an energetic conversation among themselves.
My father settled into the chair at the head of the table, having entered unnoticed. Dinner was eaten quietly for the most part until Tatsuo opened his mouth.
'So Seina getting married? Big plans ahead. I hope you know I expect to be maid of honour.' His tone was joking and his joke terrible but there was concern in his eyes. He was testing the waters, trying to find out how I felt about the situation.
I met his eyes while blinking back tears. 'I hadn't even thought about those sort of things...'
My mother cut in quickly, 'Well there's plenty of time to work out the details.' I gave her a weak smile and caught my father and brother glaring daggers at each other.
I released a guilty sigh, it wasn't unusual for them to be at each other's throats but this time it was my fault. I considered leaving the rest of my meal and returning to my room but Honey-senpai's lecture on food groups came to mind and so I continued to eat. I wouldn't let my friends down.