Chapter Text
There are many instances when someone does something they won’t normally do. Generally speaking, this happens when they are faced with situations that are anything of the norm. An event that happened upon them for the very first time, with such suddenness that they don’t have much of a time to react to it, impulsively going through this event without giving it too much thought.
Still, more often than not, such notions have little to no repercussions, and only hang around for some time, depending on the context of the event. So when it happens, it happens. Life then goes on without dwelling on it, as it does with many things.
However, there are occasional slip ups. The random encounter or event that sticks longer than it should, the random reaction that causes a follow-up chain reaction that proves to be equally as chaotic as the first one that started it.
And when such a happening involves someone as well-known as Hoshimi Miyabi, it doesn’t tend to slide that quickly. Especially when the rumors have it that she is engaged.
In her office, Miyabi sighed as she reviewed footage of Ethereal activity in Hollow Zero on a small tablet. Though her eyes are watching the video, the subtle twitch of her ear shows that she is actually in deep thought about something. Something that happened a day or two prior that stuck around in her mind much longer than it probably should have.
Her hand tapped the table unconsciously as she watched the video, yet her mind wandered.
‘Fiance. A very unfamiliar word to me. One that I know the meaning of, yet know nothing about all the same.’ She thought to herself, her eyes slowly starting to wander off the screen.
‘I’m not blaming Wise for saying that. In fact, I feel thankful he did, otherwise the misunderstanding with those people would’ve made life much harder. And truthfully, I wouldn’t know what to say if I was in his position. The fact he got me out of it is already a blessing.’ She thought to herself, her eyes wandering to the hollow observation screen on the side wall of the room.
‘Yet, why can’t I shake it from my head?’ She narrowed her eyes ever so slightly. ‘Why do his words…..stick so much? Is there a part of me deep down that wishes for it? Perhaps, a part of my innermost feelings holding onto those words tighter than my hand can hold my blade?’
She gripped the table slightly as the thoughts swirled in her head, before sighing. The tension released in an instant, Miyabi leaning back on her chair. ‘Alright, there’s no point in waiting it out. I’m fairly certain he doesn’t mind my company, and I do find being with him to be more serene than anything else right now. Maybe just behind resting at home with father.’
‘His video store is one metro trip away.’ Miyabi looks up at the clock, watching as the hands signal that it is already clocking out time. As evidenced by the fact that Asaba is already heading out of the room, his desk clean and empty while Soukaku is munching on a cookie. Yanagi could only look and shake her head.
“Hmm.” Miyabi hummed in thought for a second. “Yeah, I think I’ll do that. Tomorrow is a weekend after all, and perhaps it would be nice to fully explore my thoughts with him and see how it goes.” She casually spoke to herself, getting up to leave.
Yanagi turns to look at the chief. She herself has, for once, finished the paperwork for the day, so she has all the time in the world to clock out at the normal ending time. However, watching Miyabi leave her desk, a recent rumor that has gotten to her ears pop up. One that involves the chief and a familiar Proxy.
“Chief Miyabi? Can I ask you something for a moment?” Yanagi asked, stopping Miyabi in her tracks.
The shorter chief turned her head to Miyabi. “Yes, Yanagi. You may, what is it that you’d like to ask?”
“I’ve heard some rumors from the general population, namely those who call themselves our ‘fans’ of some sort.” Yanagi fixed her glasses. “There’s been talk going around that you are……engaged.”
Yanagi crossed both arms on the table, leaning forwards slightly. “Is there something you’re not telling us? Or…are these perhaps baseless rumors?”
“That is an interesting question.” Miyabi pondered for a moment, hand on chin in thought. “I’ll leave it as tentative for now, there’s something I wish to further see for myself before I can give you an answer whether or not I am engaged.” She adds, much to Yanagi’s confusion as Miyabi turns and heads towards the exit of their office.
“Well, I'm off now. Take care, Yanagi.” Miyabi says, walking out. “I’m going to get a few things ready, I have a plan I wish to execute this weekend as part of my training.”
“Training again? Don’t go too hard on yourself chief. Especially on a weekend.” Yanagi replies, raising her voice so Miyabi can hear her.
Miyabi paused right as she was about to round the corner. She turned to Yanagi with a rather casual-emotionless face. “Not to worry. From the book I read about it, it’s not that difficult and it shouldn’t be that taxing for me physically. I’ll be fine, bridal training doesn’t sound so hard.”
“Ah, alright. Have a good weekend!”
“You too.”
As Miyabi’s footsteps echo in the room, Yanagi turns around in her office to neaten up some files before she too goes home. Miaybi’s words echo in her mind for a second before, without warning, she drops the file of paperwork she’s holding. All of the hard work is undone, yet Yanagi couldn’t be bothered so much as she froze on the spot, her eyebrow twitching ever so slightly.
“B-B-Bridal training?!?!?”
—---------------------------------------------------
“Are you sure about this?”
“I am, I am!”
Wise could only sigh as he placed the new tapes back into the box. “Alright, I suppose this is good enough. I’ll have them placed on the racks by tonight. Hopefully we get to see some new customers with these.”
Belle giggled, giving her brother a wink. “Thanks Wise! You’re the best.”
Random Play isn’t the most crowded place at this time of the day. With office hours closing however, people tend to start piling into the store. Usually people after work, looking for tapes to unwind in the night or to store up a series over the weekend. All that’s needed are for them to start exiting the metro and arrive in their destinations.
As such, both Wise and Belle are behind the counter, helping their Bangboo set things up. With it being a Friday, traffic would usually be higher than normal as people run in to find tapes for their enjoyment. Their store is included in the list of places that can give affordable entertainment in the Ridu Tour after all.
However, the first person they see coming into the store is not one they expected; especially with what she’s carrying.
The store bell dings as someone enters, prompting Wise and Belle to look up.
“Ah, welcome to- eh?”
Only for the pair to pause mid-sentence.
“Hmm. Good evening you two.”
In the doorway, coming into the door, stood Hoshimi Miyabi. She adorns her usual Section 6 outfit, all prim and proper with her blade by her side. What is odd however is the fact that she’s carrying a large duffel bag that is filled to the brim with something over her shoulder, setting it down beside her as she closes the door behind. “Pardon, I hope I’m not intruding.”
“M-miss Miyabi!” Wise was quick to take her bag, carrying it for her. “Not at all.”
Belle half chuckled at her brother’s surprisingly quick speed. Ever since the Bringer incident, these two have been visibly sticky to one another without realizing. She joined Wise a moment later. “Yeah, not at all! What brings you around here? Want some tapes?”
“Ah, no. Not right now.” Miyabi stood aside in case a customer wanted to enter the store. “I have a very important training to do this weekend, and I was hoping that I could ask for assistance.”
“Training?” Wise raised his eyebrows. “What sort of training? Hollows?”
“Nope. Non-Combat.” Miyabi responded, before looking up at Wise. “it…particularly concerns you, Wise. After what happened at Lumina Square a while ago.”
Wise could feel Belle giggling behind his back, before she patted him on the shoulder and went to the side to listen to them. “I-in what way, if I may ask?”
“As the two of you know, rumors about Section 6 have always circled around New Eridu. Especially within the so-called Fanbase, whatever that is.” Miyabi explained, stopping wth a small frown when she mentioned the Fanbase word. “I have no idea what that means, even if Yanagi has explained it to me.”
Belle had to stifle a laugh while Wise gave an awkward smile.
“In any case, Wise.” She looked back up at him in particular. “You remember when you….prevented a massive misunderstanding with that fan by pretending to be my Fiance?”
Wise inwardly groaned, Belle shooting him a sly smirk.
“I’m sure he does~” Belle teased, much to Wise’s slight annoyance.
“Yes, I remember. I’m….sorry about that but that’s what came up in my mind.” He replied.
Miyabi gave a small wave of her hand. “There’s no need to apologize. Your quick thinking actually made solving that misunderstanding very quick, very easy, and not much of a hassle. I should thank you for that more than I have, actually.”
“But it appears that a rumor has indeed spread amongst the outside people that I am indeed getting engaged.” Miyabi crossed her arms. “How this information has spread in such a way is beyond my comprehension, and such a notion of me getting engaged is truly false. I haven’t been proposed to, and from what I heard the men are to propose to the women after all.”
“See, Wise? She’s giving the green light- hhmph-”
Before Belle can continue, Wise shoves his jacket with his free hand into her face to prevent her from saying anything else more embarrassing. “A-anyway- ahem- yes, do continue.”
“Uh…..okay.” Miyabi took a second to continue after that. “In any case, while the rumors are false. A part of me is….intrigued by the idea.”
Wise gulped, while Belle grew a side smirk after she pulled Wise’s jacket off her face.
“A part of me became curious about it, and after doing some research, I came to a conclusion. Learning about the ins and outs of becoming a proper wife could also become part of my training. Bridal training, I think it was. Something that perhaps my mother went through when she was engaged to my father.” She looked up in solemn thought for a second before turning back to Wise. “And for some reason, I couldn’t think of anyone else but you in that regard.”
“Ah….haha…..I see…” Wise scratched the back of his head with some awkwardness.
He can feel that Belle really wanted to laugh out loud at all this. Luckily, Belle knew not to ruin the mood right now. Not every day a Void Hunter hits on her brother.
“In any case, I couldn’t get the thought out of my head.” Miyabi sighed. “I’m sorry, but is it alright if I trouble you with this for this weekend? If you’re busy or have plans, I suppose I can pick a better time later.”
“Not at all!” Belle answered quickly before Wise can throw any words out of his mouth. “What plans do you have? Wise and I are free!”
Wise threw her a sideways glare, one that Belle clearly ignored.
Miyabi breathed a sigh of relief. “I’ll be honest, I can’t think of anyone else I’d want to do something like this with aside from Wise after that happened. I hope you don’t mind, Belle.”
“I’ll be happy to accomodate!” Belle responded even quicker still.
Wise had no say in it, not that he really wanted to oppose the idea. Miyabi is already here after all, and he does find her company nice. He can’t just turn her away.
“......” Miyabi’s ears perked up a bit. “Is that so? Thank you, it feels like I have obtained the family approval, much like how Wise has obtained mine when y ou two visited my estate some time ago.”
“Haha, I guess.” Wise scratched the back of his head again, trying to not look too awkward, “So….what exactly do you have in mind, Miyabi?”
“Simple. If….I may be so bold to ask, I have gained permission from my father to stay with some friends this weekend. He was shocked, yet pleased to hear that and allowed me to do so without a moment to think.” Miyabi paused, looking aside. “I bet he has some ulterior motive, but I can’t quite get my mind around it.”
“Anyways, my personal….albeit slightly selfish request is that, if I may, Wise.” She particularly talked to him; the Proxy sibling she held a very close relationship with.
Belle, sensing the question coming and already knowing what it is, peeled off to the counter to manage the store. All while she gave Wise the ‘Good luck and don’t mess up’ look on her face. One that Wise tried, but failed to ignore.
“Can I stay this weekend with you here?” Miyabi asked, her ears twitching slightly from the question. “You’re someone I cherish, more so than others in fact. I was thinking about doing my training while joining you on weekend’s respite too, as Yanagi suggested. She always told me weekends are best spent with those you cherish after all.”
“.............” Wise looked at Belle for a second. Deep down, he knows she wouldn’t say no. In fact, she’d push Miyabi to do so if any doubt lingered on her mind.
Belle merely gave a thumbs up with a knowing smile. He is so going to be teased to bits later down the line, he knows it. That’s the face she makes when its going to happen after all.
He gave a short sigh. “It’s no problem, we indeed have no plans this weekend after all.”
Sensing the short gap between his reply and her question, Miyabi sighed. Inwardly she knew that perhaps this was too selfish a request for her to her Proxy after all. Her ears dropped ever so slightly. “If….if you do find it troubling, you don’t have to say yes just for me, Wise.”
“W-wha- no, I mean.” Wise cleared his throat. If Miyabi ended up not staying, he wouldn’t hear the end of it from Belle either. All in all, he knows what the best course is right now.
“Miyabi.” Wise says, his tone slightly stronger this time, prompting the Void Huntress to look at him, eye to eye. “It’s quite alright. There’s no trouble, and I’ll be honest it's perhaps the best you try some of these things with someone you’re familiar with, rather than making things awkward with someone else. Or worse still, with people who sought to take advantage of your status what not for their gains.”
“We’re free this weekend, so Wise is all yours.” Belle shot Miyabi a wink, much to Wise’s detriment.
Miyabi blinked a few times, taking his words in before looking away and clearing her throat. No one noticed the faint redness on her face. Before anyone could however, she cleared all visible emotions from her face.
She turned to Wise and gave him a single, yet meaningful nod. “I accept your idea, and your thoughts align with what I see is true. Therefore, for this weekend, I’ll be in your care.”
Belle gave a silent fist pump at the success. Wise could only chuckle.
“Still, life here won’t be much the same as how it would be back in your estate. I saw it myself when I visited your family back then.” Wise rubbed the back of his head, looking around the store. “I really do hope you don’t mind.”
Miyabi pondered his words for a moment before looking around the store. After taking the atmosphere in and thinking about it, she turned to him again to answer. “A noble concern on your end, though one that I fear is pointless. While I am aware of the differences, I’m not one who is overly concerned by all the fancy things in life.”
“Even so, I believe I have nothing to be concerned about.” Miyabi says as Belle retreats to the staff room to manage a call- likely from a customer. Miyabi continued the conversation with Wise. “There’s you with me, and that’s enough to keep my mind at peace. As long as the living conditions are sufficient for you, it shouldn’t have any problems for me.”
“I see.” Wise nods slowly in response. “Alright then. In any case, rather than staying here and getting rushed by customers when the evening shift rolls around, do you want to head upstairs and settle in?”
“Sure. Do you perhaps have a spare bedroom?” Miyabi asked curiously. “If not, since this is my request, I can sleep in any place you deem fit for me.”
“Ah…..no. Maybe you can bunk in with Belle?” Wise suggested.
Miyabi tilted her head slightly. “Why not with you? I find comfort in being around you, and you said the same. Is there something wrong with being with me?”
“N-no…..it’s just………” Wise was at a slight loss of words at that.
It seems Miyabi did not fully find it off-putting after all. In her sense, since Wise is someone she appreciates being with, there should be no trouble at all if she has to sleep with him, be it in the same room, or even the same bed. Besides, it is just sleeping. Doing anything else is another matter; another bridge that they’ll cross when they get there.
And Miyabi knows they’ll get there someday. Somehow. She’s not bothered by it, so long as he stays with her, it’s all good.
“Eugh….alright.” He sighed eventually. One more thing he notes is that if Belle knows about this question, she is definitely going to force Miyabi into his room, and not take a no for an answer. Either way, between Miyabi’s request and Belle’s tendencies, he has no choice but to accept. Still, it wouldn’t be so bad. She’s been into his room before after all to watch some videos. She even found his couch a bit too relaxing.
In fact, Miyabi found herself already feeling too relaxed right now, as evident by one of her ears drooping slightly. Noticing, she quickly cleared her throat, straightening herself before becoming a little too unbecoming of herself.
“Pardon. This place and your presence seems to have the very odd effect of making me feel a little too at ease.” Miyabi shakes her head. “My apologies, that is very unrepresentative of me.”
“Uh. Miyabi. This is just our store and home after all, not the middle of a Hollow.” Wise shrugged. “You can do as you please, and don’t worry about being relaxed. Isn’t that what you’re here for? To feel relaxed?”
“A….solid point. I’ll have to take that into consideration.” Miyabi nodded, her ears perking up slightly.
Wise looked at the clock for a second. There’s still some time before the Friday evening rush to put Miyabi’s things up into his room and perhaps let her rest up there while he and Belle manages the evening rush. Miyabi is here to relax after all, and not much else.
“Say, Miyabi.” Wise turns back to her. “Shall we go up to my room then? Put all your things there for now and fix them up later. The store tends to get an evening rush in 5 to 10 minutes and I might not be able to become a good host for you.”
“There’s no need to become a good host towards me. You being my host is as good as it gets.” Miyabi replied quickly before nodding at his idea. “Nevertheless, let’s move up. Being caught in a sea of people going to rent videos is one idea that I wish to not entertain in reality.”
With that, Wise and Miyabi both moved up to the second floor. Belle was silently watching from the staff room, the door slightly ajar. She giggled to herself happily, pleased that, for once, it seems her brother landed himself a girl that he can understand somewhat. Better that than having no experience with one after all.
Wise opened his room door, making way for Miyabi to enter fist before he followed her in. her eyes wandered around the familiar room, taking in the cleanliness and neatness of the place. It all looked so distinctly Wise-like, from the colors to the contents of the room. Even better for her, she found it to be quite comfortable inside, between the nice and relaxing atmosphere or the calming color scheme of the room.
“I must say, although I’ve been here before, this room gives me a sense of calmness that I seldom find anywhere.” Miyabi admitted as Wise put her bags down beside the couch. “Not even at my own home sometimes.”
“Well, as long as you find it comfortable to be in for the weekend, I guess it’s fine.” Wise says, watching as Miyabi scans the room top to bottom. “You uh…..did tell your family you’d be over here this weekend, right?”
“Of course.” Miyabi nods as she turns to him. “That’s a given. It would be rude of me to stay over someone else’s home for a weekend without informing my family beforehand. Though, in a sense, when my dad caught wind of who it was, he had a laugh.” She added, Wise sensing her sulking ever so slightly.
“And why is that? If I may?” He asked, curious though careful as to not get into private details that Miyabi wouldn’t want to disclose.
Miyabi sighed, but responded either way. “He says that it’s like I’m simply staying over at another family member’s home, so he isn’t worried. Ugh, pardon him sometimes, Wise. He can be a bit much.”
Wise gave a slightly nervous chuckle, scratching the back of his head. “Right…it’s quite alright, I suppose.”
“Mmm. Maybe next time…..hopefully when father’s mood is less….eccentric, you can come on over and stay at my place.” Miyabi says, turning around and walking to the window. “That way, it's fair for the both of us since we have stayed at one another’s.”
Wise took a moment to think. Living in the Hoshimi estate for a weekend would be a drastic change in culture for himself, but perhaps if Miyabi is there then it wouldn’t be so bad. So long as he keeps himself decent, it should be fine. Right?
Food for thought for another day.
“I guess….” He answered with some hesitation.
Miyabi turned back to face him from looking out the window. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure it would be a wonderful stay, the same way you’re making this feel comfortable for me thus far.”
Wise exhaled, sighing to himself. What has he gotten into now?
The sound of customers below breaks the pair out of their conversation. Wise cleared his throat first. “Ah, looks like the rush is in.” He looked at her with slight regret. “I’ll have to help tend to the store, will you be alright on your own?”
Miyabi nodded. “Thank you for your trust in me. Don’t worry, I won’t pry into privates.”
“Honestly Miyabi, with you, it’s fine. I think we’re close enough for that already.” Wise gave her a smile. “Just organize yourself in the room as comfortably as you can, I’ll be back when the rush dies down and Belle can handle it on her own.” He adds as he passes her to the exit of the room. “You know where everything is so there shouldn’t be an issue anymore.”
“Mhm. Will do, take care down there and do call for my assistance if you need it.” She responded.
Wise paused by the doorway, chuckling as he turned back to her for a moment. “Miyabi, with you down there, people would only grow more chaotic. You know how your fans are, right?”
“They want me to step on them?”
“Exactly. Catch you in a bit, and we can have some dinner.”
And with that, Wise walks out the room and down the stairs. Miyabi’s sharp ears listen as his footsteps gradually fade as he walks down the stairs to the first floor, mixing in with the hubbub of the customers below. Up here in his room however, even with the door slightly ajar, she found peace of mind.
She looked down at her blade, before casually placing it aside. Not very often you find Hoshimi Miyabi being able to casually put her trusted sword aside, but when she does, it’s only in places she finds to be very safe from evils.
And the video store has somehow become one of those safe places.
Looking around, the room gave her an unbeaten sense of peace, only rivalled by perhaps her own bedroom at home. But the essence of being in Wise’s room in particular didn’t slip her mind, Miyabi finding it perhaps almost too comfortable. It won’t be long before she accidentally treats his room like her own, though she thought that perhaps Wise isn’t too against that idea.
Still, she’s a guest, and the last thing she wants to be is to be a terrible guest.
So, while waiting for him and Belle to clean up the customers below, Miyabi gets up and opens her luggage for the weekend, set on making as little of an annoyance of herself as possible.
In truth, she didn’t need to try. Wise didn’t mind her one bit after all.