Chapter One-Hundred And Eight: Day Five: Golden Bloom

Christina's Arc: Bend or Break

"It's official. We've wasted our first session because a boy wanted to meet and greet instead of designing his character card," JT chided the group from her desk, still holding my right hand while Kanna held my left.

This didn't feel like a wasted day, so why does she have to be so uptight about it?

"I'm only going to say this because, well, Knox doesn't know. All character cards and background stories must be completed and submitted before the first game, not Session Zero."

JT side-eyed me and pursed her lips.

What a jerk. Who talks badly about someone while still holding them gently?

"Considering that I'm the only one not ready for your precious day one, you could have seriously pulled me to the side and told me. Now, everyone knows, JT."

"Oh, please. Everyone already knew, Knox. It comes with being new!"

I wiggled my hand free from hers. Her stupid pursed lips reduced to a subtle frown, and her eyes drifted from mine. It wasn't like she didn't know this wasn't going to happen once they learned about Christina's hold on me.

I poked JT's shoulder to get her attention because the look she gave me pissed me off.

"What's with you, JT? I'll do all the things you've asked me to do once I get home. So, stop acting like—"

"I just find it interesting that you've asked the other girls for their names and years, but you've neglected mine. Is this your attempt at dividing us, creating a schism before the first session, because anything done out of character doesn't count, Carter?" she rambled.

Holy shit! She gave me the third degree for using Kanna and Mirei's names, and now she's hurt because what? I don't know her name, or I didn't use it, or some shit? This girl is so Ayame right now.

I freed my left hand from Kanna's hand and turned toward JT. I sat as professionally as I could, sitting up straight and locking my fingers because she needed professional help.

"Okay, JT. Break character and give me the goods."

"The goods?" the other girls giggled, causing JT to blush.

She slid her chair from her desk.

"What the heck are you talking about? What goods?"

I smiled, flashing teeth.

"I want your name, age, year, birthstone, zodiac sign, waist size, bra size, shoe size, and life goals."

"What! No, you weirdo!" she shouted, but her blush said more than words.

I slid my chair closer to hers.

"Please, JT?" I cooed.

"N-noo. I mean, why do you need all that stuff, Knox? It's embarrassing," JT whispered.

Pft, I didn't need any of it, but you seemed so hurt by something as stupid as a little attention and a name that I decided to leave you with a little more than you probably… Oh, shit; this is emotional manipulation. I learned about this today!

"Of course, I mean in character."

…

JT's blush vanished.

"But what do I call you when I see you in the halls?" I asked.

JT sighed, fixed her glasses, and returned to her desk.

"My name is Junko Takanashi, and I'm a 2nd—"

I giggled.

…

"Well, what's so funny about my name, Carter?" Junko's face turned red, and this time it wasn't a blush.

"I'm just so happy that I can continue calling you JT in and out of character!"

"Whatever, just remember to complete your card."

I frowned and rested my head on my hand. I didn't know how to complete this card crap, and it wasn't like I could go to Nakamura's house after school.

I glanced at Nakamura, who was collecting her things before the bell, and considered asking her to help me during lunch. If I remember correctly, I think she was excited when she told us about it. She was definitely happy about it in the hallway.

"Um, Carter," Kanna whispered.

I turned to Kanna, knowing a glance wouldn't be enough. She stared at her desk as she had done before, rubbing her hands together. I would have held hands to stop her, but I would soon return to Christina's watchful gaze.

…

"Okay, Kanna. I'll see you tomorrow," I said, standing up.

"T-thank you, Carter," Kanna squeaked out. Her face was red, but I hadn't done anything worthy of thanks or shame. Then she bowed.

I hope this isn't because of Christina's title.

"You're always welcome, Kanna," I said more like a question than a statement. Then Kanna got up and left the room, and she was quick about it.

"Dang! Did you light a fire or what?" Mirei said. "I've never seen her move that fast."

I shrugged because I didn't really do anything.

"Sure, you don't know. All I'm saying is, you'd better be careful, Carter," Mirei said. "Now, I'd better hurry if I'm going to catch Shirogane." Then Mirei hurried out of the door, too.

"Well, it was nice, Mr. Carter. May your travels back to the Kanto region be safe."

And with a bow, Nakamura was gone, too, taking with her any notion of helping me with my character card and backstory.

However, JT just sat there, staring off into space. Then the bell sounded.

"Um, that was the bell, JT."

…

"Yup, it sure was. As the president of the Golden Bloom game club, it is my responsibility to lock the classroom door," JT said in a depressed tone.

Good lord, managing emotions is exhausting. I can't leave her like this, or she'll make this Session Zero shit a pain in the ass. So, why is she sad? What did I do, or maybe she's upset with the girls?

"Oh, okay. Do you need any help fixing up the classroom before I go?"

"Tsk, why would I?"

I circled to the front of JT's desk and slammed both hands on it.

"What's your problem with me, JT?"

She slowly stood up, all five feet and four inches of her.

"My problem? My problem is that guys like you come into spaces like this just to mess with everyone, get a little attention from starved girls who don't fit in, and then you just leave back to your queen and power—like you didn't just… Just go home," she said, fixing her glasses and smoothing back her hair.

…

JT sighed and started adjusting the desk back to where it had been before the club.

I exhaled.

"It's tough, Junko, being an outcast because you don't fit neatly inside someone else's frame. Nothing I could say would change that or make it better. But I refuse to stand here and play the victim role, even though life has forced me into it. I mean, sure, guys can easily enter your space, win your attention, and hurt what's precious to you, and I'm sorry if they did in the past, but I'm not like that."

Junko's body relaxed as she slid another desk into place.

"I'm going to protect my girls, Carter."

"As you should, Junko Takanashi, but you need to change that to club members, because I'm not a girl."

She fixed another desk.

"We will see, Carter."

"By the way, can you, maybe, help me with my card if I call you?"

"C-call me? Like, did you just… But your queen won't like—"

"I'll ask before I call you if that makes you feel better."

***

I shared the hallway with a few students. The club was on the second floor, so I had a way to go before I could meet Christina in the parking lot.

I thought more and more about what JT said in the classroom, and she was right. I could disappear into Christina's world, even if I didn't want it. But that's only if Sakura loses another fight with Christina. Girls fighting should be cute. Like they should be verbal disagreements… but that's not how things work here.

Then again, I wasn't doing Christina any justice, not that she deserved any, but she had changed. Until she brought up her contract with me. Then there was last night. I still don't know what this stupid body did while I was asleep.

I walked to the car, where Christina and her chauffeur were waiting for me. She looked…dirty, and when I was close enough, she smelled dirty, too.

"Hello, hani—"

"Good lord, Christina! Why do you smell like this?"

She lifted her shirt and smelled herself.

"But I don't smell anything."

Yua smiled something stupid.

"Come on, Mr. Carter. Her Grace was working the baseball team out, so the smell is necessary."

She worked the baseball team out? Isn't it supposed to be the other way around?

The car windows were already down, and Sakura was sitting in the passenger seat. Christina opened her arms like she wanted a hug, but the thought of smelling like that was too much.

"There is no way in hell I'm touching you while you smell like that. Why did you put your uniform back on? Now, that stinks, too."

She placed her hands on her hips.

"Well, what the fuck am I supposed to wear?"

"I don't know, whatever the hell you got dirty in, Christina!"

Her face turned red, and Yua stepped between us.

"Okay, okay. She gets it, Mr. Carter. Can't you just—"

Christina pushed Yua out of the way, and she stumbled toward the car. Then Christina walked up to me and stood on her toes.

"Why must you piss me off every fucking day? I did what you asked. I spent time with Sakura's precious baseball team, and I don't even receive thanks!" Christina shouted, causing me to lean back.

…

"Well, shit. Thank you for getting all dirty. Can you please move away from me?" I asked, as her smell beat me into submission.

Then she grabbed my face, surprising the hell out of me, and brought me closer to her face, like she was going to kiss me. But she just stared into my eyes.

"Um, Christina?"

"Did something happen to you because you're staring at me like I had hurt you?"

Not again, face! Brain, do something!

"I, um, I'm scared to ask you this, and I won't until you take a freaking bath."

"Fine!" She shouted, and then she opened the car door for me. So, I walked over there, closed the door, opened it, then got in the car.

"What the fuck, Antwon?" Christina snapped.

***

It was worse than I thought. Sakura also smelled like something foul. Yua, who I was starting to hate, had a no-windows-down policy when driving, like someone was going to throw a bomb through the car's window.

"Please just kill me now," I groaned and clawed at the window. "Yua, just crack it so I can breathe!"

"For the goddess's sake, your parents don't even live that far."

"But they were down before you started the car!"

Everyone in the car sighed.

"We were parked, kid. This is different, and I've already explained it to you."

"Let them throw a bomb. I'll absorb the blast—"

"What if it's a molotov? Then we'd all burn."

"What if I light a match, Yua!"

…

"I-I don't get it," Yua said.

I pressed my face against the window and whimpered, "You wouldn't."

"Knock it off, hani," Christina chided.

"Yeah, just let it rest," Sakura chimed in, but her voice was weak.

The car hit a familiar bump in the road, signaling we were four minutes away.

"Fine, but tell me why you both stink so damn bad. You've never come back from practice smelling like this, Sakura."

Sakura turned around in her chair, looking like she had been dragged through hell itself.

"Well, the queen here decided that we weren't working hard enough. So, she gave a war speech and worked us like soldiers until we'd rather go on the battlefield and die."

"Your—"

"Enough with the jokes!" Sakura screamed before turning back around in her chair.

I stared at her car seat like I could shoot lasers from my eyes and burn a hole in the back of Sakura's brain.

"It's okay, hani. I would open a window if Yua's logic wasn't so sound," Christina said, moving closer to me.

The car pulled into the apartment complex, and I almost cried over being free from this prison.

"The moment we get in there, you are taking the first shower, or one of us is sleeping outside!"

***

Christina had actually taken a shower once we arrived. Like, she didn't even talk to her guards. There was this strange guard, whom I'd never seen. She seemed nice enough, but she was always standing in weird ways that made her feel…dangerous.

I stretched myself out on the couch while Christina was in the shower. Sakura wouldn't come out of her room because I told her to spare my nose. So, she's going to take a shower next.

"So, how was school?" one of Christina's guards said, as she rested her clasped hands on her cheek.

…

"Oh, you don't feel like talking? That's okay. I don't mind talking until you warm up to me," she said, rocking back and forth.

Maybe if I continue to ignore her, she'll piss off.

"I bet you started clubs at your school, which would explain why my little sister was so stinky today. I didn't follow you or anything. I just know that clubs start up around this time. Oh, I call Christina my little sister because we're cousins," she said, blocking her mouth like someone was listening.

….

"Yeah, Masayuki is my uncle. Isn't that crazy? Most people can't tell, because I don't have blue eyes and all, but he is. I remember him before he was married to Trish. Oh, I'm the only one of Christina's royal guards who can mention them by name. So, don't worry, okay?"

I rolled over, facing the back of the couch, and covered my head with a cushion. At this point, my brain might turn off permanently.

"Are you okay? Did you wake up with an angry head monster, and now it's fighting with your brain?"

What's with her? What the hell is a head monster, a headache?

"Do you—"

I rolled over.

"Stop talking! Okay! I don't give a shit who you are related to! I don't care if Christina lets you call her by her middle name, which I don't even know! I don't want to talk to you! I just want to exist in a quiet space for as long as I can."

Her shoulders slumped, her eyes watered, and she frowned. Then she made herself smaller on the couch across from me.

I will not feel bad for you. You have a sword. You are a killer who wouldn't shut up.

Her tears fell silently as she avoided eye contact, and I swallowed something that didn't go down easily.

"Alright, hani. I'm all clean… What the fuck did you do to Natsuki?" Christina chided. She walked up to Natsuki, who wrapped herself around her and cried into her shirt.

"I didn't do shit to her, okay?"

"H-he yelled at me, and I just wanted to know how his day was," Natsuki cried like a baby.

"Antwon!" Christina yelled.

"No freaking way. How old is she?"

"Antwon!"

I sat up and crossed my arms.

"No! I'm not taking this one on the chin. I wanted to lie down and phase out. Then she started talking to me."

"Her name is Natsuki!" Christina yelled again.

"Why should I… Whatever. Natsuki wouldn't shut the hell up."

"It's okay, Natsuki. Since he won't behave, we'll head back tomorrow so you can sleep in your own bed, okay?" Christina said to this adult child.

I stomped my foot on the ground, knowing it would piss off the downstairs tenants.

"It's not okay. Why am I being punished for her?"

"You're being punished for your actions."

I sighed and noticed that Sakura was going into the bathroom. My parents were out on their date night, and it was just the four of us in the apartment.

"Can we, like, talk about this?"

"Scoot over, Natsuki. So I can sit down, too." She scooted, and once Christina was seated, she went back to being a mess.

"Can we talk about this, Christina?"

"You mean, 'Can I talk my way out of my mess?' Let me hear it, but first. I want you to apologize to Natsuki."

You've got to be kidding me.

"Fine, fine. I'm sorry, Natsuki. I didn't mean to yell at you. I should have considered your feelings."

Natsuki peeked from behind Christina's shirt, and I did everything I could to stop myself from rolling my eyes.

"Do you accept my consort's apology?"

She nodded.

"Good, as punishment, you will help Natsuki with tempering herself. Or else we are going home."

Sakura came out of the bathroom, which gave me the escape I needed.

"Whatever, Christina. But I need to call someone about club stuff because they promised to help me."

"Who?" she asked, rubbing the back of Natsuki's head.

"The president of the Golden Bloom club."

…

She frowned, but it turned into a smirk. Then Christina bit her lip. She closed her eyes and swallowed.

"Hmm, excuse me. I think I misheard you. Did you say—"

"Yes, the hell I did."

She laughed so hard that it scared Natsuki out of her arms.

"I-I didn't know you were into that," she said, catching her breath between words. "I assumed you would gravitate to Claim Law, or something more relevant to our relationship. But, sure, call your…call them when you're next to me."

Figures.

"I'm going to shower first."

"Sure, shower, then call your nerd friends," Christina said, giggling.

***

After my shower, we ate leftover albóndigas. Sakura struggled to eat, which didn't give me much confidence. If Christina did the same workout and she was fine, what are the chances that Sakura will win? I taste-tested the food, of course. It's not like being the Queen of Iron means her confidence is iron, too.

Once we were done eating, I washed and dried the dishes, then wiped down the counters to shut Sakura up. Only then did I stretch myself on the couch with Christina's phone to make my phone call. I didn't like having to use Christina's phone, but it was hers or bust.

"Hey, JT. I told you I would call."

"I'm surprised. I was sure your queen wouldn't let you talk with other girls."

"Oh, well. She doesn't consider you guys girls, so I'm clear. Let's talk backstory."

Christina circled the couch and stared at me, but I hadn't wronged her. She had these stupid grey pajamas with a golden fan on the back.

"I got you a pair as well," Christina said.

"One moment, JT. Hey. Sit down and zip it, Christina."

Christina glared at me, but I didn't give her too much attention.

"So, I was thinking of having my character come from a criminal past," I started to say, but an oof escaped me when Christina flung herself onto my chest.

"Are you okay, Carter?" JT asked, but what was I supposed to tell her? I was fine until a little blond monster flung herself onto me and was lying on my chest?

"Ask me in about five minutes."

Christina, who was nestling into my chest, looked up at me. And damn if she didn't look cute while doing it—and damn if I didn't resent myself for thinking it.

"Anyway, JT—you know what, give me a moment."

I muted the phone.

"What the hell are you doing, Christina? Before you say anything, you said sit next to me, and that doesn't mean this."

Christina grabbed my hand, but didn't take the phone.

"Natsuki, come hold Antwon's hand, and do be gentle," Christina said.

"Coming, little sister," Natsuki sang out.

…

She took my hand and immediately started playing with it like it was some new toy, or like she had never seen a hand before.

"Seriously?" I said to Christina, who was still staring at me.

"Are you done with your conversation?"

I slowly brought the phone to my ear.

"Anyway, I was thinking a hardened criminal who was betrayed—"

"Sure, if you want to lean into the fantasy aspect of the game."

…

"But why is my character coming from a criminal background fantasy?"

Christina smirked.

"No one's going to believe your character was a criminal, because it doesn't fit your gender. Now, what we can do is write it so that your character was affiliated with a criminal organization through a forbidden love interest."

I softly exhaled.

"Great, forever under some woman, literally and physically—Ouch! Can you, like, not squeeze my hand so damn hard!"

"I'm sorry," Natsuki whispered.

"There are nicer ways to ask, Antwon," Christina chided.

For the love of someone's good name, why is it so hard to have a conversation on the damn phone?

"I agreed to let you sit next to me, but this isn't sitting."

"Well, you're taking up the whole couch, so where am I supposed to sit?"

…

"You're right. I'm so stupid. I'm lying on the whole damn thing. Let me sit up so you can—"

Christina pushed herself up, which left us in a rather compromising position.

"Um, Christina—"

"What? We're dressed, so why are you getting anxious? Unless you like it?" Christina said, stone-faced.

…

"Let's go with that, JT, but make it tragic. Let's write that my forbidden love interest was killed in a brutal raid on her hideout. Her head was displayed in the town square, and the villagers threw rotten tomatoes at it when they walked by."

Christina scowled and reached for the phone, but I moved it away. She leaned over me, pushing me into the couch, so I grabbed her by the collar of her pajamas and pulled her down, bringing us face-to-face.

I've never actually taken the time to look into her eyes. They're so blue, like an endless ocean.

"If I'd known you were just going to talk shit about me with your nerdy friend, then I would never have given you my phone. Regardless, I have their number saved now. So, I can—I"

Her face moved closer, and for some reason, I was okay with it as strands of her hair fell into my face until it veiled us. But I'm not supposed to feel this way.

Then I felt the phone slip from my hand.

"Asshole! Give it back!"

"No… make me," Christina said.

I wrapped my arms around her and tried to roll her over, and it worked. Now, I was on top of her, but her eyes had pulled me under again.

"Well, you have me."

…

"I do. Why do I have you? Aren't you stronger than me?"

Christina blinked a few times.

"What kind of question was that? You already know the answer."

"So, why did you let me pin you? I don't want your damn charity. In fact, stop treating me like I'm paper."

"Antwon—"

"Don't you 'Antwon me.' Be a…a woman?"

Christina laughed so hard that her face turned red.

"You-you cried out when Natsuki squeezed a little. How the hell am I supposed to treat you like one of the girls?"

Maybe she's right. I knew I was asking for something dangerous, but I wanted to know exactly how much they held back… Where the hell is Natsuki?

I looked around, but couldn't see her.

"Did you change your mind, Antwon—"

"Shh."

I got up and followed the faint sound of chatter to the front door. Then I slowly opened it.

"Yeah, and make his character handsome, with long flowing hair… Right, keep his green eyes, but make them shimmer in the sunlight. Oh, but make them eerie in the moonlight. Like a head monster."

Well, I guess my character creation is done.