Tokyo Ever After: A Novel (Tokyo Ever After #1)(64)
Some rules are just made to be broken.
THE TOKYO TATTLER
Breaking News! HIH Princess Izumi caught with imperial guard
May 15, 2021
In an exclusive story, The Tokyo Tattler reveals Her Imperial Highness Princess Izumi’s affair with imperial guard Akio Kobayashi! The two have been secretly cavorting all over Tokyo and Kyoto. Our sources reveal sparks flew the moment they met.
It all started with a heated discussion between the two when HIH Princess Izumi arrived in Japan. HIH Princess Izumi had an unscheduled stop in the airport to use a kitchen restroom.
Busboy Denji Kanroji remembers witnessing a tense discussion between the princess and her guard. “It was clear they did not like each other,” Kanroji says.
So how did these enemies turn to lovers? The turning point happened one night in Tokyo. The princess escaped for a night on the town and got into some trouble. In pictures obtained exclusively by The Tokyo Tattler, we see HIH Princess Izumi being carried, obviously inebriated, by her imperial guard out of a karaoke club. The two grew even closer while in Kyoto, our palace insider says.
Then, of course, who can forget the hospital incident a week ago? Here, Kobayashi appears to be covering HIH Princess Izumi after a cart was knocked over. “He held on to her for way too long,” our palace insider says. “Even after the threat had passed, he hugged her tightly.”
Lastly, at the emperor’s luncheon, the two were caught dancing and kissing in an empty ballroom.
Who is this imperial guard who has caught the princess’s eye? His name is Akio Kobayashi, and his father is a former highly decorated imperial guard. Despite his family legacy, Akio was set to enlist in the Air Self-Defense Force. “His father was devastated when Akio chose not to follow in his footsteps,” an anonymous family friend says. “It wasn’t until Akio’s mother grew sick and his father retired that Akio begrudgingly decided to become an imperial guard. The boy has always had his head in the clouds. Wanting to be a pilot one day, now the princess’s consort!”
“He’s overreached,” imperial blogger Himari Watanabe says. “I feel awful for the princess. It’s clear she’s been taken advantage of. Kobayashi should be fired, to say the least. It’s such a shame. The princess deserves better.”
Others don’t see things as clearly as Watanabe. “Both are to blame,” a source within the Imperial Household Agency says. “The princess courted the guard’s attention. She’s a romantic at heart—much too American. Brash, bold, and headstrong. Both overstepped their roles.”
The Imperial Household Agency declined to comment.
27
The next morning, I wake to my phone thrashing about on my nightstand. I stretch and grab it. There is a slew of text messages from Noora and the girls. The last says: Are you okay? An article is attached. I click it open. Headlines flash before my eyes, words burning an imprint.
HIH Princess Izumi.
Affair.
Imperial guard.
My hand flies to my mouth. It’s all very tawdry. Very salacious. Akio is the villain. I am the American upstart. Even worse are the photos—from the karaoke bar, outside the restaurant in Kyoto, the hospital, and, finally, from the emperor’s birthday. Those photos are fuzzy, as if taken from far away. The angle tells me they were snapped from the doorway. Someone was spying on us.
Pieces click into place. Palace insider. You don’t belong here.
The Shining Twins.
They must have orchestrated this, and have probably had me followed this whole time. I played along, practically handing them the story that would be my own downfall.
Immediately, I think of Akio. The thought that he might be hurting is more than I can bear.
I find his phone number and ring it. Disconnected. I text. Call me. It bounces back undelivered. I try again. Same thing. WTF. The sounds of voices carry through the palace. I slip on a robe and wander to the living room. Mr. Fuchigami is there along with Mariko, two other chamberlains, and a gaggle of assorted imperial staff—secretaries, publicists, and guards. No Akio. No Crown Prince.
“Hey,” I say. My voice is a bit shaky. My body, too, for that matter.
The room quiets. Eyes meet mine, then flicker away. I take stock of myself. Wild hair. Bathrobe. Tears fracturing my vision. This is bad. This is Death Star–exploding, Thanos’s Infinity Gauntlet bad.
“Izumi-sama.” Mariko says.
I go to Mr. Fuchigami. “I can’t get hold of Akio.”
Mr. Fuchigami ignores the ringing phone in his hand. “Your Highness, we have much to discuss. Perhaps you should dress for the day. We will sit down and strategize.”
“We’ll have to deny everything,” Mariko says behind me.
Mr. Fuchigami’s smile is placid. “Impossible. The damage is done. We’ll be playing up the Tokyo Tattler article. The princess was taken advantage of.”
“No,” I blurt out, squeeze my hands into fists. “Just … no. Akio. Where is he? I need to speak with him.”
Mr. Fuchigami looks at me, as if he’s surprised I’m still standing here. Didn’t I tell you to go? “Mr. Kobayashi is no longer employed by the Imperial Guard. You will be assigned a new guard who understands their position.”
Fired. Akio’s been fired. This is my fault.