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It had only been a few days and I was already burning with an unknown passion for her. There was something about her that made me feel calm - unsettlingly so - but all I ever showed her was bitterness and anger. I hadn't noticed it yet but the feelings grew steadily like rose buds around my heart. Her face was innocent, tainted only by the piercing scarlet of her eyes. She was short enough for me to place my chin upon her head comfortably. But the one thing that always held my gaze were her lips. The way my name left those soft pink lips made me pine for more than words. Only later did I realize that I wanted to press them against mine in a heated kiss, but there was one problem: she is the one person I could never have - my older sister.
“Corrin” Ryoma called. Her head turned to greet the stern voice with a smile, “Yes, Ryoma?”. “I need to discuss something with you”. He pressed his hand to the small of her back as they started to walk away towards his chambers, making my stomach turn as I stared. They looked like a picture perfect couple painted by the Gods themselves, if it weren't for the fact that I knew we were siblings I would feel angry. Deep down I knew there couldn't be anything between them; we are siblings through and through. Yet I couldn't help but wonder if there was a piece missing, something I just didn't get. His hand always fell to her lower back, almost caressing it like she was his lover.. I knew it wasn’t the case, it was only my imagination, but I still felt something was wrong.
“Lord Takumi!” I was snapped out of my stare by the call of my retainers: Hinata and Oboro. Hinata had his obi loose - again - but I chose to ignore it due to Oboro’s rather intense gaze. Some days it was endearing and yet nearly... disturbing, how deeply they revered me. “Your presence is required by Lady Mikoto” Oboro stated - still staring. Behind her the servants were running around setting up decorations and the like. I wonder what the fuss is all about, better go see mother. Maybe it's got something to do with the decorations.
I arrived at the throne room greeted by my siblings, Yukimura and mother. She wasn't really my mother but I loved her as such nonetheless, my father married her shortly after my mother died. “I was just telling everyone that you, Takumi, and your sisters will be escorting Corrin around the stalls until we are prepared for the ceremony”. The ceremony. I forgot. Crap. And she's only telling me NOW that I have to babysit my sisters? Great, sensational. I must have had a sour look on my face because the room was filled with laughter. Corrin was practically beaming as she chuckled to herself. Look at her smile … “Now now Takumi.” Zoning out twice in one day? New record. I hope this isn't becoming a habit. “You should be glad you get to spend time like this with Corrin. You were only a child when she was taken from us.” Yukimura chimed in. An awkward silence filled the room. It was a touchy subject even now that she returned to us. “L-let's go already! Corrin has so much to see and I want to eat some fried sweet potato!” said Hinoka, who practically dragged us out of the room stomping towards the outer doors.
As we reached the plaza my sisters began to sample every type of food there was available. Azura had joined us as well but I cared little for the girl, and when Corrin tried to get us to talk
I ran up to Hinoka and teased her about eating too many sweets. “Sweet potatoes aren't sweets! They’re the food of the Gods!” she declared, “I agree, these are quite delicious” chimed Azura. “Yeah, Gods of diabetes.” I laughed. A well deserved smack was placed on the back of my head and my eyes lingered on Corrin’s expression as she walked past, smiling wide, laughing with our sisters. I caught the scent of wild roses as she passed and I tried to brush off the lingering feeling. It was in vain for the scent had took hold in my mind, but I had no idea at the time that those roses would soon have sharp thorns wrapped around my heart.