Chapter Text
“Look, you can’t keep rejecting each new suitor I find for you.” Ei said, rubbing her temples. This was the fifth suitor Kunikuzushi had rejected and she was getting desperate, very desperate.
It was less about Kunikuzushi rejecting the suitors and more about how he was doing so. Every time Kunikuzushi met a suitor, the poor girl would be running out of his room crying within the first week of meeting him never to return.
“So?” Kunikuzushi retorted sarcastically “You didn’t have to marry anyone so why should I? I bet it's so that you can gain more power-”
“Kunikuzushi '' she cut him off “We’ve been over this, marriage isn’t for me. You will be inheriting this nation soon, and our people have always had 2 people to rule over them.” she stopped for a second “In my case I had my sister Makoto to rule alongside me, that's why I never need to marry.”
Kunikuzushi wanted to snap back but he knew better than to discuss his aunt Makoto to his mother, after all it was a painful spot for the both of them. His mother and aunt were very close, but after the sudden passing of his aunt, Kunikuzushi was now going to be given this nation much sooner than previously discussed. It didn’t help with the fact that his mothers was closing herself away from her nation (and her son) out of grief of losing Makoto.
Ei continued, “Look Kunikuzushi I wanted to let you choose who you wanted to marry but your rejection is hurting your nonexistent reputation.” she looks over at him “This marriage is to help the people trust you more and, I'm down to one suitor so I'm not going to let you reject this one and that's final.”
Kunikuzushi clicked his tongue in annoyance and stormed off to his room. It wasn’t his fault he wasn’t well known by his people, he didn’t ask to have a weak body that would get sick from the slightest temperature drop.
Ei sighed and mumbled to herself “Makoto what am I going to do. You always knew him better than I did.” She looked over at the picture of her on the counter “I know we promised we would let him choose but he is getting out of control. What should I do?”
Kunikuzushi slammed his door shut. Initially when aunt Makoto passed, Kunikuzushi shared the grief his mother felt towards his aunt’s death. However he's grown to resent his mothers grieving, sure his mother and aunt were closer than him and his aunt, but he was grieving too so how could his mother simply abandon him in favor of shutting herself away to grieve. Sure she performed her duties but whatever warmth Kunikuzushi felt from her was gone. All she is now is a puppet like a husk of herself.
Even trying to argue with her felt debilitating, it chipped away at himself. Every time she tried to push him away it would hurt more and more. He sat down on the floor, the world felt like it was spinning, he could only cradle himself while burying his face in his arms. His tears were flowing down his cheeks.
“I miss you, Aunt Makoto.” He whispered to himself “You wouldn’t abandon me if mother died... she only cares about herself, never about me. I hate her so much” He could feel his shirt getting wet, but did he care? Not really.