Snippet #2044985

"Are you sure about this, mistress?"

That bothersome question. She had heard it over a thousand times, it seemed, over the past few days. As she swept her silvery hair out of her eyes, she turned her amber gaze about on the one who had insisted on asking that same thing yet again.

"I've told you already, Akio," Yuki said rather irritably as she spun about. "My mind is made up. Even if I attended the academy, as father originally planned, I would learn nothing new. The only purpose of schooling at such a place is to give me bragging rights to impress people who might want to hire me, and I'm not going to need those in the least as CEO of our company. On the other hand, I feel it would be profitable, and a good learning experience, to interact with 'normal' individuals of my own age, so as to get a feel for how exactly I am supposed to perform in a social situation. Hence, my choice. Besides, I can keep a closer eye on business while residing here at the Mashiro House than if I went to some overseas institution for a prestigious schooling."

"I understand that, miss. But your father-" The old butler - her warden and temporary CEO of Mashiro Entertainment Enterprises - began, raising a gloved hand placatingly. She could see the sweat forming on his brow just beneath his graying hair, however, which meant even he didn't really care about what he was saying.

"My father left you with orders to ensure that I abide by his wishes. I understand that," Yuki interrupted, giving a sigh of annoyance as she spoke. "However, I have determined that this course of action will be far more useful to both myself and to the business in the long run. This fulfills father's greater wish, even if it might go against ancillary plans he may have laid." Oh, how badly she wanted to simply say "Damn the old bastard! I don't care what he wanted!" But she restrained herself. Growing angry over a man who was already dead and gone was pointless, and would only serve to anger one of the family's longest-standing servants. While Akio held no particular loyalty to the old man, he took pride in following his instructions, which meant that even if he didn't agree with her father's wishes, he would abide by them nonetheless.

"I see. Very well, then, mistress. If you insist."

"I do. Have you gathered my things?" Yuki replied calmly. He nodded, and held out to her a small black school bag. This contained all of the books and supplies she would need for her classes, so even if she probably already knew everything in them, it was important to have them with her regardless.

"Good. I want you to get a car ready to meet me in the front drive in five minutes. After that, I leave you to do as you see fit in matters of business in my absence, but I expect you to report fully to me all of your actions once I return this evening. That is all."

"Very well, mistress," He responded, bowing respectfully. As he turned and left the room, Yuki sighed. Everything was in order. She had eaten breakfast, thoroughly cleaned herself from head to toe, and her new school uniform was in perfect order. Despite that, however, she couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy. Transferring into a new school was doubtless going to be troublesome at first. She'd probably be accosted by a herd of would-be "friends" who wanted access to her resources, asked a few thousand awkward questions, and worst of all, she'd be forced to treat all of these offending advances with courtesy and respect in order to accomplish her original goal.

Oh, how she was going to hate this. She just hoped the awkward phase of immersion in the school's student body would pass quickly. But, it couldn't pass at all unless she began it, and it was time to leave. Sighing yet again, she gathered her things and made her way down to the courtyard, the hallways empty and silent aside from the occasional member of the cleaning staff and their respectful greetings as she passed by. She responded with a curt nod to each and moved on. By the time she reached the courtyard, the familiar hum of the exotic black car's engine was already audible as it emerged from the garage. As a man stepped out, opening the door to allow her in, she steeled herself.

It was time to go.