^^Hikari!
Oh no.
Oh, please no, Hikari thought so bitterly as she didn’t have the chance to react as the social butterfly of an extrovert sister came bouncing over like an over-excited puppy. Hikari was not a morning bitch, alright? And to have an excited, bouncing for joy sister literally running up to her, showing that bubbly personality, well not only was it a nightmare, but Hikari was envisioning putting a rock in her mouth to shut her the fuck up.
It took every ounce of courage not to actually do it, because Izzy had all called them here for a reason, and Hikari would hate to ruin whatever it was that she was about to tell them, for the sake of gutting her own sister.
Her eye twitched, and Hikari gritted her teeth as she tried to behave. She didn’t, couldn’t move away from her, without really causing a scene. How would that look for dear ol’ Izumi, who had sisters that couldn’t behave themselves?! The followers she had gathered would turn their noses up, and they’d be a laughing stock, and if Hikari was respectful about one thing, it was their honor — their honor that Izumi was attempting to restore.
“アイカ、ダーリン” — Aika, *darling,* the shrimp of a sister would coo in a voice of venom, acting the part of a loving, cheerful sister, when her voice suggested otherwise, like a mother trying to control her children with that ‘you’re ass is mine when we get into the car’ tone of voice and facial expressions.
“お会いできてとても嬉しいです..” — It is *so good* to see you. It wasn’t, though, was it? Cool that she was still alive and kicking, she supposed, nodding her head towards Taro himself as Hikari smiled towards her sister. An emotion that looked (and felt) weird on her face, so much so that she wondered why she had even bothered.
“ええ、実は以前、水場で出会いました。” — Yes, actually, we ran into each other earlier, at the water hole. Part of that honor that was shoved so far up her ass? It left Hikari disliking leaving questions unanswered. A curse, really.
Their sister began to speak to this collection of strangers; like coins collected from off the side of the street. Hikari knew none of them, but was a little impressed that they, as her siblings, were introduced. A sea of blue guided its way towards Izumi as Hikari glanced towards her, tilting her head.
Oh? Did she intend for the entire lot of them to lead this Dynasty, since she went ahead and also gave them their entire life story, as if this was some sort of group therapy session that Hikari didn’t ask for? That no one asked for.
And how does this make you feel?
Why else would she give them a pity me, so join us spiel? Hikari quickly found that controlling emotions was not meant for her to do, so she didn’t. Izumi stepped towards the crowd, and Hikari had half the mind to push her towards the sharks, but with Aika being so close that Hikari could practically tell what she’d had for lunch, Hikari swallowed her pride and also took a step forward, but also remaining behind her sister.
And then the pledges started, and Hikari bit back a laugh.
“私たちは本当に誓約する必要はありませんよね?” — We don't really need to pledge, right? Why were they pledging? Was this some sort of cult? Actually, yeah, it probably was, come to think of it.
And, come to think of it, Izumi had already said that they were helping her on this journey, meaning a pledge from them was not really a requirement. Akira, though, proceeded to give them all verbal diabetes. Hikari grimaced, forcing herself to hold back from gagging in front of the crowd.
It was the arrival of Thomas that caught her from actually gagging and throwing up right then and there. He came right up and bowed to them, likely bowing to Izumi, but they all stood at her side, and Hikari had never seen such a perfect specimen before. Her eyes felt like they glittered as she looked at him with an arched brow.
“Where would any of us be without the love and support of our family? Izumi has told you all of our story. In this strange, new world.. family is all we have left, but it is in our paws to make something of it. We are finally together, after what has felt like eons.
And with your cooperation, as our newly wedded..?” Hikari paused briefly, unsure if this was the correct term, but going with it anyway, “..family members, we will travel these great lands in unity, giving honor back to the Fujiwara name, and creating an honest, protected, safe haven of second chances to those who are deserving; of those, like us, who have nothing left to give.”
^^