Chapter Text
Guren Ichinose had his phone to his ear as he walked down the hallway to his apartment. Fishing his keys out of his pocket as he gathered up his mail. “Dad, I promise, I’ll be back home this weekend.” Guren cursed under his breath as he accidentally dropped his keys. He kneeled down, scooping them back up to get them into the lock and turned it. The room was dark when he stepped in, pulling his key out and kicking the door shut behind him. “It’s not like I really have a choice.”
“This old man just enjoys spending time with his son.” Guren laughed softly under his breath as he reached over and flipped on the light. Sakae sighed on the other end, “I know you’ve been avoiding the Hiragi family, but Guren… I promise that things have been looking up.”
“Those bastards are awful.” Guren groaned, dropping his mail down onto the counter, “I’m eighteen, Dad. I just want to live my life without those bastards in it.”
Sakae chuckled. “It was part of the reason that we kept the apartment after you graduated.”
“It’s not that I wanted to leave home.” Guren replied, “It’s just… easier continuing university if I’m here rather than having to travel that much.”
“I know, Guren.” Sakae replied, “Besides, it’s Lord Shinya and Lady Mahiru’s wedding this weekend. The Hiragi family will think something is wrong if you aren’t present for your own best friend’s wedding.”
Guren sighed, “I know.” He whispered, “I’m his best man.”
He was looking forward to it, but at the same time, he was dreading it. The entire Hiragi family was going to be in attendance. Which was obvious but Guren really didn’t want to have to deal with them. At least, he’d have Shinya and all of his friends there, so he wasn’t having to deal with the bastards alone.
“Want me to pick you up from the station?” Sakae questioned.
“I’ll be fine.” Guren replied, “I have my own way there. I promise that I’ll be home.”
“I’ll see you then, Guren.”
Guren looked over to the calendar on his wall, a slight smile coming to his face as he read what was there. “I love you, Dad.”
“I love you too, son.”
Guren gave a quick goodbye as he lowered his phone away from his ear, hitting the end button before dropping it onto the counter. He sighed, running his hands over his face as he leaned against the counter. This was going to be a long weekend.
A bout of nausea hit him as he stayed there. He had been feeling weird off and on for a few weeks. Just out of the blue. It would come and go and didn’t last long, so he didn’t really think much of it. He was certain that it was just anxiety and nerves between waiting on University acceptance letters and the upcoming wedding that he had to be in attendance for.
He turned his attention back down to his mail, going through it as he stopped on one. Guren felt his heart skip a beat. He had been waiting for this. He tore into it, pulling the letter out and read it quickly as he felt the excitement hit him.
LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE
Ichinose Guren, we are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted into the University of Tokyo.
Guren felt the smile break out onto the face. The Omega felt the excitement hit him, but it didn’t last long as his phone went off again and he looked down at the caller ID to see Kureto Hiragi flashing across his screen. His smile got a bit bigger as he picked it up, accepting it and bringing it up to his ear, and saying, “Hey there, stranger.”
“You’re sure peppy.” Kureto said back. “What’s got you so excited?”
“Nothing.” Guren replied, grabbing up the letter and the rest of his mail to put up before moving further into his apartment. “Are you on your way back already?”
“Don’t really have a choice.” Kureto replied. “All of us have to be in attendance.” The Alpha sighed on the other side before adding in, “The only reason I’m going is because you’ll be there.”
“You make it sound like you actually like being around me.” Guren said back. “Miss me already?”
“Did you get the package I sent you?”
Guren frowned for a second. He didn’t recall seeing one. “What are you talking about?”
“Go check for me.”
Guren sighed, dropping down what he had in his hands before heading towards his door. “I didn’t see anything when I got home.” Guren stated as he opened up the door. The Omega blinked in shock as he opened it up and Kureto was standing on the other side. He lowered his phone, ending the call as Kureto stood there smirking at him for the moment, “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be at the Hiragi compound.”
Kureto shrugged, slipping his hands into his pockets as Guren stepped back to let the Alpha in. “I got bored.” Guren didn’t have the chance to say anything back as the Alpha’s lips pressed into his and his back had gotten pressed into the wall. The Omega found himself melting into it as Kureto’s scent reached his nose. There was something so intoxicating to him about Kureto’s scent. A mixture of holly and tea leaves.
Kureto Hiragi was the next in line for the Hiragi family and the business that his father ran. The Hiragi family and the Ichinose clan had a long history of bad blood between the two of them. The Ichinose clan was a low branch of the family, serving underneath them, but they were treated less than garbage. Humiliated just because they could be. Tenri was disproving of the Ichinose clan. Making the point to Guren more than once that he was nothing but dirt and unworthy. Guren would never understand.
The two of them had been seeing each other since Guren had started at First Shibuya High School. A school that was owned and ran by the Hiragi family. He had been forced to attend, but he honestly never thought he would end up like this. Kureto was different. He didn’t care about the senseless feud between the Hiragi and the Ichinose. He was practically relentless in his pursuit of him and Guren had found himself falling for him. They had been together in secret ever since. Tenri Hiragi would never approve of Guren. Guren knew that all too well. It was just better to keep a secret until neither of them had to hide it anymore.
Guren just didn’t know when that day would come.
In a way, he didn’t even care.
This was his secret to keep.
Kureto kicked the door shut behind him as his hands found Guren’s waist. The Omega found his mind going completely blank as the spark shot down his spine. Kureto took a step back and Guren had followed without a second thought. Guren shoved at Kureto’s jacket, pushing it off of the Alpha’s shoulders. Kureto pulled it off, letting it fall to the floor without so much as breaking contact with him. An arm looped around his midsection, pulling him flush against the Alpha as Guren reached up to let his palm settle against the side of Kureto’s face.
Guren barely recalled them getting back to his bedroom. All he could focus on were clothes being pulled away and the heavy scent of lust and arousal that he could smell in the air now.
Guren’s back hit the bed as he could feel the heat creeping up onto his skin. Kureto pulled away from him, his lips moving to his neck as the Alpha nipped at the skin there. It made the shiver go down his spine.
“Don’t be putting fucking marks on me.” Guren gasped out, “I don’t want to have to explain that shit.”
Kureto just smirked.
That smug asshole. Guren’s eyes fluttered shut as the heat started to build up in his stomach and the pleasure started to go through him. He just really didn’t want to have to explain a damn hickey and at Shinya’s wedding of all places. Shinya would never let him live it down. This was supposed to be a secret after all. No one could know.
But at that moment, Guren didn’t have a care in the world. All he cared about was Kureto. A part of him wondered how he got so lucky. Outside of the typical cold and abrasiveness that Kureto could show, he was kind. There was always a side of Kureto that only Guren got to see. The side of him that the Omega could even say that he had fallen for. This was so stupid. If they got caught, it could mean really bad things for them. Well, him. He didn’t even care. Kureto was smart. Strong. He didn’t give a flying fuck about what anyone thought.
Kureto had this compassion for him. Guren could hardly ever get an actual read on him. When it was just them behind closed doors, it didn’t matter what the world outside was like. It was just the two of them. There was no Hiragi or no Ichinose. No leader and follower. Just Kureto and Guren.
It was their little secret.
That’s all it was.
No one could ever know.
If there was one thing that Kureto liked was watching Guren sleep. It would be creepy to most people, but he didn’t have a care in the world. Guren was fast asleep, curled up into his side and his head laying on his chest. Kureto actually didn’t know where any of their clothes had ended up. He knew it started at the door and some pieces ended at the edge of the bed.
His arm was looped around the Omega’s shoulders. Cherry blossoms and lotus flowers. That’s all he could smell at the moment. Guren used to be so self-conscious of his scent. Kureto’s family loved to poke fun at the fact that Guren had such a floral scent. Honestly, it was Kureto’s favorite aroma.
There were a lot of things that Guren either didn’t like about himself or other people didn’t like that Kureto couldn’t get enough of. All of them made the Omega Guren.
He hated everything about this senseless bad blood between their families. Kureto didn’t care. He would gladly parade Guren around on his arm and show off the fact that he got him. That Guren was his. He held no shame to the fact that the person that he wanted to be with was Guren Ichinose. But that wouldn’t be the smartest idea. Kureto’s own father would just take it out on Guren. His father could be an incredibly cruel man and had no problems taking anything out on anyone that he deemed necessary.
Honestly, if he had it his way, he would have asked Guren to run off with him already. Run off with just the clothes on their back and start somewhere else. Maybe get hitched and do all the things that couples actually do. It would be something Guren would never go for. Guren didn’t want to leave his father behind. He wanted to stay close. Guren also had friends. Shinya being one of them. Guren could never leave them behind.
And Kureto would never ask him too.
But this is just what it was.
Guren was so smart. So beautiful. Attitude and all. He was beautiful inside and out. Everyone had their flaws, but Guren was perfect to him. For him. Kureto didn’t want anyone else. He would give everything if it meant that the two of them didn’t have to hide anymore.
Kureto was tired of hiding.
He had thought long and hard about it. What the hell could his father possibly do to them now? He was already getting what he wanted with Shinya marrying Mahiru. His perfect little angel was getting married. It wasn’t like Tenri actually cared about any of them.
Kureto turned his gaze to Guren’s peaceful face. Only he got to see moments like this. They didn’t happen often, but ever since they graduated and Sayuri and Shigure moved back home, they got to do it a bit more. Though, Guren’s friends still came over a lot. The two Alpha women still technically had apartments right next to Guren’s. They were home for the break between high school and university. Guren had stayed.
Kureto couldn’t sleep, so he had decided to get out of bed. Much as he didn’t want too, but the need to go to the bathroom unfortunately won out. He easily found his boxers and his pants. Slipping into them on his way to the bathroom. His phone was in his pocket, and he wasn’t surprised to find the bombardment of messages that he had from his father about not being at the Hiragi Compound. It was his little Princess’ wedding weekend. He was up everyone’s ass about being there. Kureto rolled his eyes, swiping away the messages. Aoi was covering for him. Saying that he had business to handle.
Which he did.
And it was Guren.
He made the quick stop at the bathroom, doing his business before venturing out to Guren’s kitchen. It was the middle of the night. Because of the wedding, no one should be dropping in on Guren until the afternoon. He would leave in the morning.
Kureto went straight for the cabinet that he knew Guren kept things for him and opened it up. It was easy to find the box of black tea that he kept there, and the Alpha had pulled it out. Next, he went for a mug and the tea kettle and started it up. He probably should get some sleep, and he would eventually, but it was always that bit of a rush that he got out of the blue. He would never not take the chance to just look at the Omega. Even when Guren didn’t know he was looking.
Kureto walked over to his jacket as he waited for the water. He picked it up and slipped his hand into the pocket, pulling out the velvet box that was there. A slight smile came to his face. Even if they had to be a secret, they could be a secret together. No one could tell them what to do. Why did it truly matter if a Hiragi and an Ichinose got together? Kureto didn’t care.
And he knew just when to do it.
Kureto paused for a second as he heard soft footsteps. He quickly slipped the box back into his jacket, throwing it over the chair that was at the bar and going back to what he was doing. He made up his cup of tea, taking a drink from it and enjoying the warmth of it.
Just as he did so, Guren came around the corner in Kureto’s button up, scratching at the back of his head with sleep filled eyes. The Omega walked over to him, looping his arms around his midsection and his head settled between Kureto’s shoulder blades.
“You weren’t in bed.” Guren sounded almost grumpy. His voice was tired, clear that he had just woken up. Kureto was sure if he looked behind him, he’d see the pout gracing Guren’s face.
“Couldn’t sleep.” Kureto stated as he turned, leaning back onto the counter. Guren only pulled away long enough to let the Alpha move before he was leaning back into his chest. He placed down his mug, looking down at the Omega.
Guren was barely staying awake. Just leaning there. Though, he did reach out and take a drink from Kureto’s tea. “Come back to bed.”
Kureto just chuckled, pushing off of the counter and looping his arm over Guren’s shoulder. He placed a kiss against the Omega’s temple as they went back towards the bedroom. “You’re going to wrinkle my shirt.”
“Then take it off of me.” Guren muttered back.
Kureto hummed, “That sounds appealing.”
“You’re doing all the work.” The Omega said, tilting his head back as a sly smirk came to his lips.
“You’re insatiable.” Kureto scoffed, the amusement going through him from seeing the twinkle that came to Guren’s eye.
“Says the one who came all the way here for it.” Guren mused.
Okay, Guren had him there. Though, Kureto just wanted to see him. Even if they always typically ended up falling into bed together. And Guren knew it. Kureto kneeled down a bit, curling one arm behind Guren’s back and the other under his legs. His own smirk got a bit bigger from seeing the red tint that came to Guren’s face and the sudden curse that came from him. Guren’s arms had ended up looping over his shoulders in the process as the Omega looked at him.
“We only have until morning.” Kureto shrugged.
“And I’m the insatiable one?” Guren gasped out.
“What can I say?” The Alpha said back, “I know what I want.”
Guren just smiled, leaning in and pressing their lips together.
It might be a secret, but if Kureto really had his way, it wouldn’t be for much longer.
The next afternoon, Guren had gotten on the train home. The Omega could feel his stomach doing twists and going into knots. The nausea had hit him as he breathed through it. He had summed it down to just nerves about having to deal with the Hiragi family. Kureto had left in the early hours of the morning, taking a car back to get there. If they had gone together, questions would have happened and that was something Guren wasn’t going to do. Even if he had technically been a retainer of Kureto since his first year of high school. He just wasn’t going to deal with it.
He had his earbuds in his ears, listening to the song that was playing. He hummed along to it whenever the train doors opened, and he stepped out onto the station. The platform was full of people, but he ignored all of them. If Sayuri or Shigure had it their way, they would have accompanied him. He cared for his friends, but sometimes, he really just needed to be alone.
He walked out of the station, catching sight of the red Rosso Bia Lamborghini Aventador. Guren rolled his eyes the second that he saw the door pop open and go up and Shinya waved at him. The Omega pulled his earbuds out of his ear, stopping the music app that he had been using. The silver-haired Alpha gave him a wave with a piece of bread hanging between his lips and a muffled, “Good afternoon.” Came from him.
“Why am I not surprised.” Guren stated as he walked up, placing a hand on his hip as he cocked his head to the side. “Where did you even get this thing?” If he remembered correctly, this was an expensive car. He was sure he knew, but the look on Shinya’s face told him everything.
“Wedding present.” Shinya replied as he pulled the piece of bread away from his mouth and finished the bite, “Nice, huh?”
“It’s perfect for an impractical guy like you.” Guren shot back. “What are you doing here? I thought Mito and Goshi were picking me up.”
Shinya shrugged, “I told them to leave it to me.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be doing brunch with the Hiragis?” Guren questioned.
The silver-haired Alpha waved his hand, laughing it off, “Mahiru is covering for me. Besides, I would much rather come pick you up instead.” Shinya stopped, sighing as he looked around, “I could care less about some stupid brunch. We’ll be having a Bachelor night tonight anyway.”
“You’re still doing that?” Guren questioned, crinkling his nose.
“Mahiru insisted. The girls are going to do a Bachelorette at the same time. Mahiru wanted to treat them all for having to come home.” Shinya replied as he got out and rounded the car to pop open the passenger door, “Come on. Get in.”
Guren rolled his eyes, but still felt the smile pull on his face as he walked over and slipped in. He closed the door behind him as Shinya went back around and got back into the driver’s seat. With them buckled in, Shinya put the car into drive and pulled out.
Guren turned his attention out the window. Watching the scenery go by as he tapped his fingers against his knee. He could feel his stomach twisting again as he leaned back in the seat. He could feel Shinya’s gaze on him. Moving to him every so often. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.” Guren replied, turning his head to look at his friend. Shinya didn’t look convinced but put the smile on his face anyway. “Just really don’t want to be here, but I’ll suck it up.”
“Your best friend only gets married once, Guren.” Shinya snickered, pushing his forearm against Guren’s shoulder.
The Omega snorted, shaking his head, “Technically—”
“You know that the Hiragi family would kill me if me and Mahiru ever divorced.” Shinya sighed, “But… I lucked out. My girl actually likes me.”
“I wonder why.” Guren mused as he leaned his head against his hand and balanced his elbow on the door. Mahiru and Shinya had been officially together about a year after Guren and Kureto got together. It did make him happy. He was glad. The two were good for each other. He would rather them actually be happy in their forced marriage rather than miserable and forced to be together. Guren sighed, looking back out the window, “Where are we going tonight anyway?”
“Well, I don’t actually know. Goshi—” Shinya started.
Guren groaned, closing his eyes as he leaned his head back against the seat. “You let Goshi pick?!” He exclaimed. The Omega turned his head, looking back to Shinya who was now wearing a smile of amusement. “The idiot probably picked a damn strip club.”
Shinya just shrugged, “It wouldn’t be the worst.”
“It’s Goshi.” Guren whined.
“Then you should have picked.” Shinya shrugged.
The Omega inhaled sharply, “I hate all of you.” Guren grumbled, “But it’s not my Bachelor party, so who cares.”
Shinya howled out a laugh, shaking his head, “If the girls were coming with and if we did, you know they’d try and get you on stage. Just think of all the nosebleeds you’d cause.”
“I would never.” The Omega quickly said back, “Good for the people who can but that is something I would never in a million years do. You’d have to kill me first.”
It made Shinya laugh again as he shook his head, “I actually think that Goshi and Mito both came up with the idea. I think we’re supposed to meet up with the girls sometime in the night.” Shinya then turned his gaze to him momentarily, almost wiggling his eyebrows as he said, “What? Don’t want to see women in fancy lingerie?” Guren gave him a quick glare before Shinya laughed again, “Oh, right… You prefer men.”
“I will end you.” Guren retorted, “Wedding or not.”
“You’d make Mahiru cry.” Shinya replied, feigning the pout on his face. Shinya then shrugged again, “I dunno, I think Mahiru would pay to get a lap dance from you.”
Guren felt the heat rise up on his face as he growled out, “Shinya.”
“Just kidding.” Shinya chuckled. “I have to joke about my future wife having a childhood crush on my best friend. It just comes with the territory.”
“We were five.” Guren shot back, “And that doesn’t matter anyway.” They fell in silence for a little bit for the drive. Guren could feel the nausea hitting him again that he was breathing through. Taking in a deep breath through his nose before releasing it out of his mouth. Guren had decided to change the subject, looking over to Shinya as he said, “It’s hard to believe that it’s already time.”
“Time sure does fly, doesn’t it.” Shinya said back, “I’m actually… excited. I never thought she’d actually fall for me.”
Guren felt the smile on his face again, “It would be kind of hard not too. You’re not actually half bad when you aren’t being annoying.”
“You wound me.” Shinya gasped. He went quiet for a moment before he was laughing softly and adding in, “I think… I think she only actually gave me a shot because of you, Guren.”
Guren shrugged, humming softly under his breath. He remembered. The Omega gave Shinya a side glance, seeing the smile that was playing on his face. He still remembered how happy Shinya got whenever Mahiru had asked to make it official between the two of them. No pretending. Just a real relationship.
“Sometimes, people just need a little push to get their heads out of their asses.” Guren replied. “Have to make the best of a shitty situation, right?” Shinya made a humming noise back to him in a reply. “Despite what the Hiragi family is making you do… You two deserve to be happy.”
He saw Shinya’s smile get a bit bigger, “Sometimes, I wonder what our lives would be like if those bastards didn’t control everything we do.” Shinya turned a glance to him, giving him a smile, “You deserve it too, Guren.”
Guren shrugged, “Marriage is overrated. Who needs a damn piece of paper to tell you who you are in love with. Bond marks work just the same.”
Shinya laughed, a bright smile coming to his face as he put his attention back on the road, “Oh, please. You’re the kind of guy who would probably get hitched in secret and not tell anyone and we would all just find out later.” Shinya shrugged, “Some people kind of like that thing. It’s less of a hassle than bonding is.”
Guren gave a soft laugh, shaking his head, “I guess you’re right about one thing.”
“Who wouldn’t want to be married to the person they love?” Someone who couldn’t be. “At the end of the day, it is a union. It’s official in its own way. Traditional.”
“Having people stare at you while you seal a relationship with a kiss.” Guren said back, shaking his head, “Not really my cup of tea.”
“You have got to stop being so bashful, Guren.” Shinya teased. The Omega gave him a glare that didn’t really have anything behind it. “Watch you be the next one of us to get married.”
“That is not going to happen.” Guren retorted, shaking his head.
The Omega felt it hit again as his stomach twisted. He tapped his fingers on his knee again and waited for the second that it went away. “Are you sure that you’re okay, Guren?”
“I just want this weekend to be over with.” Guren whispered. The nausea hit him a bit more as he quickly said, “Shinya, pull the hell over.”
“Wait,” Shinya gasped out, “Are you sure that—”
“Pull over or I’m going to throw up all over your brand-new ass car.” Guren snapped. He didn’t mean to get sour, but he could feel it coming. The wave had hit him harder than before.
He was practically holding his breath as he could feel his breakfast coming up. Shinya got the car pulled over and Guren barely had time to throw open the door before he was releasing the contents of his stomach onto the ground. The Omega gagged. Coughing as the sting hit his throat. It took a few minutes before he could control it. Shinya’s hand was on his back, rubbing circles into the surface.
“Holy shit, Guren,” Shinya laughed, “I’m the one who is supposed to have wedding jitters.”
Guren just groaned shaking his head, “Shut up, moron.”
Shinya laughed slightly, almost like he was just trying to lighten the mood again. “What? Are you going to tell me I’m going to be an Uncle or something? You have a bun in the oven or something?”
“I’m not pregnant, Shinya.” Guren hissed out, panting as he made sure that the wave passed.
“Right,” Shinya said back, “You need to fuck someone for that.”
“I will actually throw up in your car.” The Omega grumbled.
“Hey now!” Shinya gasped, “Let’s not do that.” Once Guren was sure it had passed, Shinya had handed over a napkin to him that he wiped his mouth with. He had accepted it, leaning back in the seat as he closed the door. “Why don’t we stop at a convenience store so you can get ginger ale or something? Don’t your pre-heats or whatever cause you to get nauseous like this?”
“Would you shut up?” Guren groaned out. Though, stopping at a store might be a good idea. “It’s not even time for that. I probably just ate something bad.”
Shinya chuckled, “Without Sayuri or Shigure to watch your back, you probably don’t even watching what you’re actually eating.”
“I’m on a strict diet, Shinya.” Guren replied, tilting his head to look over to the Alpha as Shinya pulled back onto the road.
“I’m just joking around.” Shinya stated, “Let’s get to a store. I’m sure you’d like to clean up.”
“You’re just worried I accidentally puked on your car.” The Omega shot back. The silence he got back told him everything as he found himself laughing, but the nausea didn’t go away. It had actually made him feel slightly worse.
It would be fine.
He would just get through the weekend.
It was nerves. That’s all it was. There was no way that he was… that. Nope. Not at all. It was just the idea of being stuck in a large room with the entirety of the Hiragi family and having to pretend.
He hated pretending. He hated hiding. He hated the Hiragi family, but what the hell was he supposed to do? His acceptance letter came back to mind. At least he had something to look forward to and that would be an excuse to stay away from the Hiragi family longer. He would tell his friends after the wedding. Right now, this weekend was about Shinya.
Whenever Kureto had arrived at the brunch, he had noticed the absence of the groom immediately. Mahiru was sitting towards the head of the table by Tenri and the spot for Shinya was left open. Kureto wanted to say he was surprised but he was more amused that Shinya actually had it in him to skip out on the event. He was already technically running late, but no one seemed to kick up a fuss as he slipped into his spot by Mahiru.
He leaned over a bit, whispering out, “Where the hell is brother Shinya?”
Mahiru laughed softly under her breath, reaching out for her wine as she whispered back, “He ditched to go get Guren from the station instead. He was excited to drive his new car.” That definitely explains it. Shinya would take any chance to ditch the Hiragis for Guren. Those two were thick as thieves. Mahiru smiled behind her glass, motioning to a very aggravated looking Tenri. “He is not happy about it, but he won’t say anything because it’s my wedding weekend.” Kureto scoffed under his breath, reaching out for the wine that had just gotten filled for him. Mahiru leaned back in again, adding in, “Where have you been?”
“Business.” Kureto said back as he took a drink of his own and set it down.
Mahiru gave him a knowing look, mouthing, Sure, before she took another drink. The Alpha woman set her glass down as she turned her attention to their father, “You’ve been very generous, Father. I saw the set up and it’s beautiful.”
“It’s my little girl’s wedding.” Tenri stated, taking a drink of his bourbon. “Only the best for my little girl.”
Kureto had to contain the snort that threatened to leave him as he covered it up by taking another drink from his own. They were technically not at the legal age to drink, but the Hiragi family had so much reach that no police department would bust them for serving those who were underage. To get through this, Kureto felt like he would need something a bit harder.
At least, he’d get to see Guren at the wedding. Aoi was in all technically his date for it. He would just have to be seen with her and then he could go off on his own. Aoi had no problems covering for him. She knew that Kureto had no interest in her, but if it came down to it, she was a good cover story for him if he needed to get Tenri off his back.
From what he knew, Guren didn’t have a date to go with him. Kureto didn’t even ask. He was sure his two retainers would be following him around anyway and would be stand ins if he wanted it. Guren would probably spend time with them anyway. He wasn’t expecting to see much of Guren throughout the night since he would probably be swamped by his friends.
Kureto and Seishiro were technically apart of Shinya’s groomsmen. It was him, Seishiro, Norito Goshi, and Guren as the best man. Mahiru had her own bridesmaids which were Aoi, Yumi, Sayuri, Shigure, and Mito. Shinoa was an honorary member of the bridal party, but she was in technicality, Mahiru’s flower girl. Tenri had decided that they would have a more Westernized wedding. Which, neither seemed to make a fuss about. Mahiru got to plan it to her heart’s content all on Tenri’s money. He did know that Mahiru got a bit spiteful and went full out.
“I’m excited.” Mahiru replied, “The day is finally here.”
Kureto knew she was playing it up for their father. Tenri smiled, looking a bit smug as he leaned back in his chair, “And then you can give me grandchildren.”
Mahiru gave him a smile, looking slightly uncomfortable but not speaking on it. It was no secret to any of them that Mahiru wanted to have a baby. Kureto couldn’t imagine the pressure she felt. Forced into marriage after being engaged since she was a child to having a baby. Kureto would rather just go with the flow. Shinya was a suitable mate in Tenri’s eyes. Only the best for his little girl.
Kureto didn’t miss the look that he had gotten from Tenri, but he ignored it in favor of downing the rest of his drink. He almost hated how the spite came to mind. A baby. His father would hate that. Guren would never go for it, and he’d never force him into it either.
“Hopefully,” Mahiru said, finally cutting through the tension, “You know how hard it can be for two Alphas to have a baby together.” She smiled, sighing softly as she looked at the ring on her finger, “When it happens, it happens. I want a baby, but I’m not sure if I’m quite ready for that yet. Me and Shinya talked about finishing University first and going into the business and then we’d try.”
Tenri seemed pleased with the answer as his glass was refilled.
“Watch you get knocked up on your wedding night.” Seishiro snickered as he took a drink himself.
Mahiru gave him a quick glance, smiling as Kureto noticed the movement. Seishiro let out a pained hiss a second later as Mahiru said, “My sex life is none of your business, brother Seishiro.”
Seishiro laughed, rolling his eyes as he motioned to Kureto, “Knowing our luck, brother Kureto will be the first one. With his competitiveness, he always has to try and beat you to something.”
Kureto narrowed his gaze, following Mahiru’s actions and hitting Seishiro’s other shin with the tip of his boot. Seishiro let out a curse as he sputtered on his drink. Kureto gave Tenri a glance as he saw his father looking at him. Kureto just hummed, taking another drink before saying, “My sex life isn’t any of your business either.”
“I was kidding.” Seishiro groaned out, “Take a joke.”
“Your brother needs a mate for that first.” Tenri cut through.
Kureto felt the tension in his shoulders again. There it was again. Tenri had been trying to pressure him into finding someone. It got brought up every time they were in the same room. Kureto just gave a shrug, “I’ll let you know when I find one.” He had but Tenri didn’t know that.
Kureto took another drink. He just wanted this weekend to be over with. Then his life could go back to normal. There was only so much of his family that he could take.
Mahiru laughed next to him, giving him a slight smile as she said, “Knowing brother Kureto, he’s going to come home with a someone and already have a baby.” Kureto deadpanned as Mahiru laughed. “Alright, enough picking on brother Kureto. Why don’t we start lunch? It smells so good.” It had worked and the conversation eventually moved on and Kureto could breathe in relief.
This was definitely going to be a long weekend.