Tokyo Ever After: A Novel (Tokyo Ever After #1)(77)

Mariko dusts a final coating of blush on my cheeks. The interview will appear in print, and pictures will accompany it. The photographer snaps a couple of warm-up shots. It’s been agreed all pictures will be approved by the Imperial Household Agency. We’ll have a chance to preview the article, but not for approval—whatever Women Now! says, goes. “Are you sure this is what you want to wear?” Mariko bites her lower lip. This is the fourth time she’s checked my wardrobe choice.

I smooth a hand down my navy skirt and check the pearl buttons on my cardigan. Underneath, I’m sporting my Riots, Not Diets T-shirt, though it’s hard to see the writing. That’s okay. I know it’s there.

Yui bows low. “Thank you for this honor, Your Highness.”

I incline my head, then stick out a hand for her to shake. A beat passes before she takes it. Her grip is strong and self-assured. Self-doubt kicks in. I question my choices here. My sanity. What am I doing? What have I gotten myself into? Instead of pushing my fear away, I allow it in to roam free, sniff around, see there is no danger as long as I tell the truth.

Yui settles onto the couch. An assistant hands her notes. I haven’t seen any of the questions ahead of time, and neither has Mr. Fuchigami. Mariko steps away. When we start, there won’t be any interruptions—also agreed upon. The first half will be just me. In the next half, my father will join us.

The photographer raises his camera. I paste on a smile. My posture is strong. God grant me the confidence of someone having an entire conversation on speakerphone in public.

“Ready?” Yui asks, eyes shrewd. She won’t go easy on me. I don’t want her to. I’m up for it. I’ve stepped out of the Mount Shasta lane, skipped over the princess road, and on to a path of my own making. From here on out, I’ll blaze my own trail. It won’t be easy to balance imperial responsibilities, uphold traditions, and stay true to myself. But it can be done. I will it to be so.

I nod. “Let’s begin.”



* * *



The interview took most of the morning. Yui asked some hard questions. I think I answered well. We’ll see when the magazine hits the stands in a few days. Summer has descended on Tokyo, sticky and sweet. Despite the afternoon heat, I decide to take a walk. Guess I’m not so adverse to using my two feet after all. A girl has a right to change her mind. Don’t try to paint me into a corner. Evolving is part of life.

Mom and Dad are having lunch in the city. A restaurant has been shut down for them. NDAs were signed, it was a whole thing. I was invited to join them, but I declined.

Instead, I trudge through the property, new imperial guard behind me. I’m deep in exploration when footsteps pound behind me. The Shining Twins approach. They wear coordinated running gear. Their hair is slicked back into sleek ponytails. They glisten with sweat, and their cheeks are an appealing shade of pink. They brake in unison. Still so creepy. I’ll never get used to it.

“Cousin,” Noriko says.

“Heard you gave an interview this morning,” Akiko says.

I know what’s around the corner. A threat. Noriko runs a tongue over her teeth. “If you said anything about our mother…”

I’m kind of over the whole family feud thing. “Yeah, yeah, you’ll destroy me. Seems to me you’ve already done your worst, though.”

They look at each other, then focus back on me. “What do you mean?” asks Noriko.

She must think I’m totally clueless. “I mean, snapping pictures of me and Akio. Giving them to the Tattler has got to be a new low for you.”

Akiko’s face screws up. “We didn’t give pictures to the tabloids.”

“Right.” My voice is loaded with sarcasm. I cross my arms. My imperial guard stands by, hands folded in front of him. The Shining Twins also have a pair of guards close. Wonder what they would do if we threw down.

“Seriously,” Noriko says.

“I totally believe you.” I totally don’t, and it’s clear by my tone.

Akiko says. “Ugh. You think we’d actually talk to the tabloids? They’ve been horrible to our mother. To us. We’d never subject someone to the same treatment.”

I cast an eye at both of them. Their posture is relaxed. They’re certainly not acting shifty. Either they have a sociopathic level of dishonesty, or they’re telling the truth. It does make sense.… I remember how protective they were of their mother on the emperor’s birthday. Maybe they really do hate the tabloids.

After a while, Noriko speaks. “We almost felt sorry for you.” She says it like she finds it very annoying. You know, being a human and all.

“Believe us or not, we didn’t rat you out,” Akiko says.

They trot off, bony shoulders bumping into me as they go. Their imperial guards follow.

“If you didn’t do it, then who did?” I holler after them, rubbing my shoulders.

Noriko turns, jogging backward. “No idea.”

It’s all the help I get from them. I watch until they disappear. I pop out my phone and text the AGG right away.

Me

Just ran into the Shining Twins. They say they didn’t sell me out.

Hansani

What?

Noora

You believe them?

Me

Yeah, they were all like, we’d never do that. Have you seen what the tabloids have done to our mother?