Chapter 1
I took a deep breath resting my forehead on the cool tinted windows of the fancy BMW. I slowly let it out as I looked at the passing scenery. There is nothing quiet like the forested Scenery of Japan's mountains. But this only let me wonder about why we were here in the first place.
It was rare that my grandfather asks of me anything, we are not on the friendliest of terms- but to ask of me to be well dressed on a Saturday early morning (6 am to be exact) I was quiet baffled to what called on such a troublesome situation.
"I'm starting to get car-sick, do we still have long to go?", I mumbled to the old man sitting stiffly next to me in the back of the car.
"We should be getting there soon", he said dryly as I gave him a slight glance.
"Can't you even bother letting me know where we are headed first?", I scoffed loudly as I placed my forehead comfortably once more onto the glass. Feeling more and more dizzy as I watched trees pass by.
"We....are meeting a family friend", he continued.
I didn't respond, the idea of meeting yet another old man irritating me.
"But I do ask of you to be on your best behaviour", the old man continued, him also taking a look at the otherside of the road.
I quietly closed my eyes, there was no room for argument. I was sleepy, dizzy and exhausted.
"That's all you expect of me anyways don't you", I said quietly as I slowly drifted off to sleep.
As the car came to a hault, Into a large Japanese style mansion. I admired the beautifully built walls and well maintained garden, not that ours was any different, but when you don't go out often- even the simplest things enchant you.
I got out of the car as some bodyguards opened the door for me. As I pulled myself out I adjusted my formal fitted red skirt and black top, slowly flicking my hair to fall naturally behind my back as I took a look around. Our mansion was large, but I give it to this 'family friend' for having indeed a larger mansion than ours.
As my grandfather slowly came out of the car in his traditional kimono, He moved infront of the car towards me before he twisted his head when we heard an old voice with a strange accent.
"Arashiro! My old friend!", the voice that came from an old man, coming towards us.
As he approched my grandfather it was hard for me to digest. My grandfather- a traditional Japanese old man, was shaking hands with the opposit of him, a man who had blonde hair also wearing a kimono, but having no features resembling that of a Japanese man.
I couldn't believe my eyes as the man opened his mouth once again, speaking to my grandfather in fluent Japanese.
"It's been a while Arashihiro! You look well!", the blonde man said patting my grandfather's arms in a friendly manner. What was most surprising was that he stood there, allowing this man to treat him this way. Now I've seen it all.
"And you too Volkov, long time no see", my grandfather responded light-heartedly.
In an instant the blonde man's gaze had shifted to me as his eyes grew wider.
"This cannot be- The tigerlily of the Arashihiro family?", he said gleefully as he cheered at me.
I bowed respectfully as he approched me,"Hello, I Am Tsubaki Arashihiro, the youngest grand daughter of Toshiro Arashihiro, nice to meet you!", I said politely as I pulled myself back up from my bow putting a fake smile on my face.
" my oh my, Arashihiro, you sure have a beautiful young lady here!", he continued to smile at me.
I continued to smile in return, ugh if there is something I hate more than old men, it's flirtatious old men. I tought.
As we went through the house, I admired the building once more. It was emaculate, built with all respect to Japanese traditions.
We were seated into the sitting area, and served with tea and desserts. I politely took a seat next to my grandfather as he and his friend continued to talk.
"How do you like this house? I bought it particularly because it was such a traditional Japanese style house!", the Blonde man, Valentino as my father called him, said cheerfully as I took a sip of my tea.
O this old man has money, I tought.
"I wish you treat it well then Volkov", my grandfather said sternly.
"How does the young lady like it?", he turned to me.
It took me by surprise as ussually all I need to do is sit still and look pretty.
"It is quiet a lovely house!", I said politely as I smiled at him.
"I'm glad you like it!", he chuckled.
"Tell me about yourself! It's quiet refreshing to see such a charming young lady in a house full of men", he said cheerfully.
"Well that is just kind of you to say, I'm finishing my last year in university", I continued to smile. Ugh my cheeks are starting to hurt.
"That's such a shame if you were a few years older I would have asked you to marry me!", he laughed obnoxiously as I shuddered. No thanks you disgusting old man!
"But what are your plans after, there must be things you wish to do?", he giggled ad he looked more serious.
This was the first time that someone had considered to ask me such a question.
I silently paused.
"....leaving Japan". I said firmly as I looked at him.
All just so I can get as far away from my grandfather as possible. Just like my mother did.
Volkov smiled at me. This time seeming more genuine.
"I see the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree, right Arashihiro?", he chuckled at my grandfather who gave a slight smile.
They continued to talk more as I just sat there zoning out, occasionally being asked one of two questions that I would just answer with a smile.
For some reason I felt like I was being watched, and instantly heard a clicking sound. It caught my attention. Something didn't seem so right about this place.
"If I can be excused I would like to use the restroom?", I interrupted as the old man chuckled.
"Ofcourse one of the guards will escort you", he motioned to one who stood up instantly.
I bowed slightly and moved ahead.
I followed the guard as he moved ahead of me.
After I was done refreshing myself and going back to the room. We crossed an opening that looked at the garden. It was getting dark and I started wondering if it was really worth it wasting my day for such a useless thing. Not that I had anything better to do.
Letting out a sigh I noticed a car coming into the driveway. Coming to a hault as I just stood there watching.
From the car a man with dark hair and pale skin and sharp features emerged.
He was easily taller than me, much taller. And his features again were not Japanese, yet there were not as western as the guy called Valentino. I continued to stare at him as he pulled out and lighted a cigarette that he took a long puff out of. I continued to stare at him speechlessly. It was slowly hitting me who this Valentino guy was. A foreign man with all this security being able to afford such an expensive building. Unless he is some sort of diplomat which I doubt would be related to my grand father, he was probably-
I was pulled back to reality when I finally noticed the young man, dressed in all black was directly staring at me as he smoked his cigarette, and me being in a red skirt was probably clearly visible in the darkness.
His eyes were dull, the didn't shine, him just staring at me quietly as he continued to smoke.
I was called onto by the guard who finally realized I didn't follow him, and I was led back to the room.
"You took quiet a while? Was it too far?", Volkov laughed as he said.
I just laughed awkwardly, now just wanting to leave.
As I sat down the door slid open once more. This time a tall figure standing through it.
"Ah! Dima! Come in and sit! Took you long enough!", Volkov cheered as he called the young man over.
I continued to look at him as he walked over, his face not changing.
"This is my grandson! Dima! He is the same age as you! You two should get along!", Volkov cheered as he patted the young man's arms.
The young man, Dima was stoic and jut responded by giving the fakest smile as he could and letting our a low "nice to meet you" in fluent Japanese.
I automatically bowed my head slightly reciprocating the fake smile with my fakest in return.
You don't need to be so obvious that you didn't want to be here! I tought as I looked away at the guards who were now bringing in all sorts of food.
What caught me was that there was a stench of smoke in the air, but well I knew from where it came exactly.
As the elders started eating and chatting away, I slowly munched at the food quietly, distancing myself from the trio, but not helping that my western counterpart wasn't enjoying his meal as the rest of us.
I glanced at him once, the idea crossing my mind but me not entertaining it.
" Dima! You should try the food! It's incredibly delicious!", his grandfather laughed loudly as he nudged his son who just stared at the plate.
"Perhaps you would be more comfortable with a fork and spoon?", I mumbled. Which everyone, especially my grandfather, the traditional Japanese man, stared at me.
"I mean, he might not be used to using chopsticks yet.... its only natural, he can use different utensils if that will make him more comfortable", I smiled stiffly not expecting anyone to take what I said seriously.
His grandfather chuckled,"you are very right, Lucien hasn't been in Japan for a very long time, so it will take him some time to adjust! Thank you for being so understanding".
Instantly a pair of a utensils were put down beside him, which when all was settled he began to eat, first rolling up his sleeves quietly and then quietly eating.
He gave off the vibe of a very mild mannered man. Yet something didn't seem so right.
Eventually as dinner was over. Volkov and his grandson escorted us towards the car. I was getting tired and my mouth was starting to drop the fake smile. I covered my mouth as I tried to hold back my yawn.
"Well then! It was such an honor to see you finally! Tsubaki!", i flinched as the old man came towards me to greet me, taking my hand and landing a cheeky kiss onto it.
"The pleasure was mine! Thank you so much for inviting me!", I gave a small bow as I took my hand away.
"Now, tell me before you leave, do you plan on being nothing but a display flowers? Or do you prefer to be a Tiger lily?", he said, his lips smiling but his face showed a firm assertion.
I didn't understand what he meant. And even when we met he called me a tigerlily. I didn't understand.
I took a while staring at him calmly before I subconsciously said," a tigerlily", I mumbled as he took it and started chuckling.
"The perfect response!", he patted my shoulders as I chuckled fakely too.
What does that even mean? Tigerlily?
Dima just gave a slight bow as I bowed back. And we were back in the car again on our way back.
