Seeing her arranged match, Airi was certain her father cared nothing for her.
"Excuse me, how old is Roppongi-san?"
"Twenty-seven."
"I see."
Akanori's age stunned her. Eleven years older, from the fellow Jūhachi Hoshū clan Roppongi—reeked of a political marriage.
"(He's not thinking of me at all.)"
Their bond was never strong, but Airi had clung to a fantasy that her father wanted her happiness. That illusion shattered today.
"If you and Akanori-kun marry, I can entrust Ichizoku to you with ease."
"Too soon to call you father-in-law."
"(What's this talk? Like the marriage is already decided…)"
Airi yearned to flee but glanced at her kimono—running was impossible, and the car was her father's. Could the head maid be trusted?
"(Because I'm Ichizoku? A Jūhachi Hoshū daughter? I'd rather be born ordinary. I don't need high magic power. If I could choose my partner freely, I'd trade status and honor!)"
Without action, she'd be wed to Akanori. Her father and he were set on it—her protests or tears wouldn't stop them. Unless she had someone else…
"(I envy Shiba Miyuki… Her blood tie only hinders in moments like this. Otherwise, it's just a reason to stay close…)"
Airi didn't know Miyuki faced similar, if not worse, restrictions on love. Both loved the same person. Miyuki could be with Tatsuya constantly; Airi could barely see him.
"Excuse me."
"What? You're not allowed here."
"Understood. I'm delivering the young lady's forgotten item."
"Mine?"
The head maid held Airi's phone, likely dropped in the car. Airi reached for it.
"It's been ringing, so I brought it."
"Right… Airi, deal with it quickly."
"Yes…"
Checking the phone, Airi saw an unexpected caller.
"(Why him…?)"
Another call came. Hesitant, she answered.
"Airi? It's Tatsuya."
"Tatsuya-sama… Why call me?"
"Karen and the others emailed me. Said you're in a forced arranged meeting and need help. What should I do?"
Exchanging contacts at the Nine Schools dance party paid off. Airi nearly cried with joy. Email exchanges were rare, but it felt natural with Tatsuya at a different school.
"Where are you, Tatsuya-sama?"
"In Ishikawa for some business."
"Where exactly!"
She hadn't expected him nearby. A plan formed hastily.
"(I've relied too much on Karen-san… My ideas aren't coming together…)"
"Pardon, Miss."
"What?"
"I have an idea."
Airi seized the head maid's suggestion.
"Tatsuya-sama, how soon can you get here?"
"Close by. Less than ten minutes."
"Please, can you?"
"Not thrilled, but for a friend, I'll do it."
His "friend" label stung, but Airi knew being acknowledged at all meant something, given his circumstances.
Ending the call, she returned to the room to execute the plan.
"You're late."
"Sorry."
"Now, about the wedding date…"
They'd advanced that far in minutes? Airi barely restrained a scoff.
"Sorry, but cancel this. Don't decide for me."
"What are you saying, Airi? This is for your—"
"Lies. You only care about yourself. Do you really think marrying him will make me happy?"
"Of course! Marrying a Roppongi will lead to Ten Master Clans status—"
"Your idea of happiness isn't mine. Don't force it on me!"
Airi bolted from the room. It was scripted, but her outburst was raw—words she'd long wanted to hurl at her father.
"Wait, Airi!"
A binding spell lunged at her but dissolved.
"What's happening!?"
"Goodbye, Father. I'm staying with friends. I won't return to Ichizoku until you change."
She hopped into the waiting car, speeding away. Her father's face in the mirror would stay with her forever.
"What now?"
"Karen-san's family will shelter me. That old man will have to rethink things. I'm Ichizoku's only daughter."
With no branch family heirs, Airi was the next head. Her runaway scandal would tank Ichizoku's reputation.
"Oh, right."
She dialed her savior.
"Was that enough?"
"Only you could do it, Tatsuya-sama."
Only Tatsuya could wield the counter-magic "Spell Dissolution," misnamed "Spell Dismantling" by Airi. Without it, a binding spell would've caught her.
"Would've preferred you swooping in on a white horse—or a big bike—to whisk me away."
"That's too much… I'm just a high schooler."
His flimsy excuse didn't fool her, though she didn't know his true reasons.
"Well, I'm off. Good thing you've got friends to help, Airi."
"You're one of them, Tatsuya-sama."
The arrangement fell apart, with Roppongi lodging complaints against Ichizoku. Airi stayed with the Tsukuzaki family until the storm passed. Her repentant father fetched her just before summer break ended.
(No White Horse… Just a Prince on a Big Bike)
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