Arranged

~Momo~

I hate my parents more than ever today.

They arranged a marriage for me just so that I couldn't see Shoto.

They're more excited than I have ever seen them excited about something before. Today's the day that I meet Tanaka Hideo, my fiancé.

I didn't think it was possible to cry harder than I did on the day that Mom kicked Shoto out. But this...

They're forcing me to marry someone I don't love.

"Momo! Don't dawdle, hurry up. I have some things to teach you about the life of a married woman. Rule one, don't be lazy, you are expected to wake up before him so he can wake up to a nutritious breakfast before work."

Hmm, sexist much? I roll my eyes.

I make my bed and quickly shower. I put on a pale yellow dress and do my own hair before Mom can offer. I'm going to avoid either of my parents touching me for as much as I can.

I walk downstairs, hoping that my posture is okay and they can't see the remnants of tears. I just wish everyone would leave me alone.

"Momo, you are beautiful!" Mom claps.

"Yes, you look very wonderful. Well done, Momo," Dad agrees.

I nod once and go to sit on the sofa, though I can't be comfortable like I want because I have to keep my back straight and shoulders back and head high. It's the most uncomfortable position on this Earth.

"He'll be here in a few minutes, and he's going to stay for dinner, as well! Isn't that exciting?" Mom squeals.

"About as exciting as a heart attack," I mumble under my breath.

~Shoto~

What's going to happen to Momo? I think about it as I go through my day; I've thought about it since I came home after kissing her that one day in the forest.

 I twirl the soba noodles around my chopsticks and pretend that I'm okay, but Fuyumi's looking at me weird.

"Are you okay, Shoto?" she asks.

"Um, sure."

"Very convincing. Shoto, you tell me what's wrong."

"Nothing."

"Alright," Fuyumi tries to look away from me, focusing on the refrigerator. She sips her tea and avoids my eyes.

I can't stand watching her forcibly ignoring me, so I finally open up. "I'm not okay. Momo and I haven't seen each other like we used to for over three months and that's been hard, but lately, I feel like something bad is going to happen to her. Her parents don't like me and it seems like they don't want her to be happy, either."

"Why don't they like you?"

"Her mother didn't exactly get a good first impression of me," I mutter.

Fuyumi takes my hands in hers and says "I wish you would've told me sooner. If anything is going on with Momo, I'll of course help her. But she's with her parents, and it's not our place to tell anyone how to raise their child. So, we'll need proof."

She's right, but I can't help worrying.

--

I hop off of the bus and walk into the hospital. After greeting the woman at the desk, I go to Mom's room and say hello.

"Shoto! Come, sit here." She motions to a chair near her bed. I sit down and she smiles at me with excitement.

"Hey, Mom."

"How have you been?"

"I've been--" I almost say "fine" but I don't want to lie. I haven't been fine. I've been anxious and worried.

"I've been worried lately. About my girlfriend. About Momo."

Mom's face turns concerned as she focuses on me. "What's happened to her?"

"Her father came back after being gone a year, and as soon as he did, he and her mother seem to have teamed up to try making her the heiress to their company. I'm not sure that's what she wants to do, but that's not what worried me. That's pretty much just parent expectations, but lately I've been concerned that there's something worse."

Mom is smiling at me when I'm done talking. "You really love her. You love her so much you can sense when something may be wrong."

She's right, but I never thought about it like that before.

"Well, I don't think you can just charge into her house and rescue her before you know something is wrong. But, hang in there, Shoto. It'll be okay."

Why doesn't it feel like it then?

~Momo~

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Todoroki. My name is Jiro Kyoka, I know Momo from school."

"Hey-- I mean, hi. I'm Ashido Mina, I also know Momo from school."

My parents stare the purple haired earphoned girl and the pink alien-looking girl with disgust and confusion.

"These are my friends, Mama and Papa." Please let them in. PlEaSe.

"Alright," Mom says. 

"They cannot be here for too long. Unless one of you knows how to cook. Momo's fiancé is coming to dinner here, and the first impression is everything."

Kyoka and Mina shoot me glances that say WHAT THE HELL, GIRL?! I pray that my face gives the message "I'll tell you later" and then smile at my parents before leading my friends to my room.

As soon as we get there (with the door open because my parents won't let me shut it anymore) the girls start asking questions.

"Fiancé? What fiancé?!"

"Are you and Todoroki getting hitched?"

"Why would you do that so early?!"

"Are you pregnant, Momo? That's the only reason I can think."

"Either that or Todoroki cheated on you and in a last-minute effort, he proposed to you in hopes of keeping you around? Cause if that's it, don't do it, girl!"

"Nah, Todoroki wouldn't do that. He's lovesick with her."

"Both of you, STOP!" I scream, then quickly tone it down because I don't want either of my parents coming up here to ask about me.

They lean in, eager for answers.

"I'm not marrying Todoroki," it pains me to say the words.

"Then what was your dad talking about?" Kyoka asks.

"I'm getting married to someone else. A man named Tanaka Hideo. Shoto and I were caught here by my Mom, she threw him out, won't let me date him or anyone, and now they've arranged this marriage."

"I knew the first part, but not the arranged marriage part..." Ashido whispers.

"What the hell is wrong with your twisted parents, Momo?!" Kyoka asks.

"Wish I knew, I really do."

"But this is-- this..." Ashido struggles to find words. "She's forcing you to marry! This-- I can't even process this."

I suddenly burst into tears. I'm being forced to someone I don't even know, let alone love. I have to wake up to a stranger every day. Cook and clean for him. Do I have to have children with this man? I don't know him. 

He's not Shoto.

My two girlfriends sit on either side of me and wrap their arms around my shoulders as I weep. They hug me and say nice things to me, probably knowing it doesn't help.

Not only do I not have Shoto, but my parents think they can replace him.

~Shoto~

My notifications on my phone sound.

I pick up the phone and click the news article on my screen.

The title reads "Wealthy Businessman Tanaka Hideo to Marry Heiress of Yaoyorozu's Company"

I spit out the water I was drinking. "What the fuck?!!"

Why didn't she tell me?!

I continue reading.

'Tanaka Hideo, owner of three large companies in Japan, made a deal with Yaoyorozu Genji, one of the wealthiest businessmen in the country. The marriage between Tanaka and Yaoyorozu's only daughter, Yaoyorozu Momo, has such been arranged. We expect the marriage to take place this month.'

I throw my phone across the room and scream with frustration.

Fuyumi comes running and asks "Shoto, what happened?"

"Momo's getting married. Not to me, to some rich stranger," I say through my teeth.

"Oh my God," Fuyumi gasps.

"I have to do something. I have to."

"Shoto, you may not want to hear this, but as much as I don't like this, this is her parents choice and she is technically in their custody." She makes a frustrated face like it pains her to say that.

I slam my fists onto the table and Fuyumi cries silently.

What are we going to do?

~Momo~

I sit at the table.

Shoulders back. Chin lifted.

Trying not to cry.

"You are so beautiful, my dear," Mom says, cupping my face in her hands. She smiles at me, but I don't see love in her grin. Only acceptance.

My father nods his head once with approval, crossing his arms. "Lift your chin a bit more, Momo."

I do so.

The doorbell rings and Takahashi, our night butler, walks to the door and opens it, announcing the visitor. "Tanaka Hideo."

I fight not to cry out.

"Greetings, Yaoyorozu family. Yaoyorozu-san, Yaoyorozu-san. And finally, the beautiful Yaoyorozu Momo."

I force a smile and bow slightly as he bows to me as well. He is handsome, I'll admit, but not like Shoto. He doesn't have the same jawline, heterochromatic eyes, soft lips or multicolored hair like Shoto has.

He sits down and clasps his hands together.

"So, Tanaka? When did you get into business?" Dad asks.

"I inherited the Tanaka Modeling and Clothes Business from my father at 18. I've kept it running for two successful years," he says proudly.

Two years?! 18?! This man is likely 20 years old! I'm only 16! Horror flashes across my face for a second, but then mother looks at me with a hard gaze and I fix my face back to the pleasant, cheerful one.

My father begins to ask Tanaka questions about the companies, money, politics, boring shit, mostly.

Rarely do they mention me, and when they do, they talk as if I'm not even here.

Mom is silent the whole time. Just staring at the two men and occasionally laughing at something said or nodding.

I swear, this is the most boring conversation I have ever had to listen to.

--

Mom and Dad hang back in the kitchen to talk about something (likely more boring trash), leaving me in the main family room with Tanaka.

I am extremely uncomfortable and I move to go to my bedroom, but Tanaka grabs my forearm and says, "Don't go anywhere."

My face takes on a horrified expression. This stranger is touching me and stopping me from leaving.

"I barely got to talk to you," he says.

I relax a bit and nod. "Yes. I realize that."

He smirks to himself and says, "so formal, this one," more to himself than to me. "Really pretty though. I was worried I'd get handed some ugly b*tch, but I was wrong. You're gorgeous. I won't mind having children with you, to be honest."

If not for pure shock and shock alone, I would have gladly made sure he couldn't have children with anyone with just one simple kick.

But shock overcame me and I just stared at him with a face that could only say "b*tch are you serious?"

But the expression on his face says "Yes, I'm 100% serious".

"Goodnight, Tanaka." I turn and run up the stairs to my bedroom as quick as I can.

I fall onto my sheets and cry myself to sleep.

Not only do I have to marry a stranger, but he's a sleazy, sexist douchebag!