ɴɪɴᴛʜ.

She sat still while trying to understand everything written on the documents. It was her first time and yet, she felt like she did something wrong to the person across from her. She didn't know what happened until her twin brother broke the news to her. She saw the Seventh Prince coming, making her get up from the seat. She forced a smile and accepted the hug he gave her. It was awkward. Indeed awkward. She didn't expect it to happen. 

"Hoku-chan, I think we should talk about things first." She mumbled while pressing her fingertips against the documents. 

"About what? Unless someone is pursuing you aside from me." He said and she slowly nodded. As for her twin brother, he was just watching everything at the side. 

"I'm pursuing her. Don't you know about it?" The Third Prince, who is also the internal Director of the museums and galleries handled and owned by the Yamamoto Empire, said while staring at them with a serious look. 

"I didn't know about that but now, I already know. I didn't expect that you're interested in her. I've been with her since we were in grade school." He said and he reached for her hand to hold it gently. 

She looked down but didn't hold his hand back. She wants to go home now. The Third Prince already explained earlier what the documents contain, so she just needs to sign it. She took her favorite pen from her handbag and signed the papers but when she stood up, she felt another hand on hers. She looked so troubled between the two men, so the Eighth Prince decided to take her away from them. 

"I'm not gonna give my sister to any of you. If you really like her, don't force her to choose between both of you. Let her fall in love with the person she wants to stay by her side." Her twin brother said to the two men and she gripped tightly on his shirt with her back facing them. 

She doesn't know how she will look at them and at the same time, she is confused about what she really feels. She buried her flushed face on her twin brother's chest while thinking about her decision on letting the Third Prince court her despite the fact that there is a possibility that her grandfather will decide on arranging a marriage for her and the youngest son of the President of the Yoshino Group of Companies. Indeed, the lives of wealthy families are far more complicated than the lives of simple and ordinary people. People like them barely have the chance to choose to marry the people who they love. 

She went inside the car and heaved a deep sigh of relief. With the things that happened earlier, she wished that nothing would be sacrificed, specifically, their friendship. She doesn't want to lose a friend. The older one looked at her with a smile and ruffled her hair. She slapped his hand away and he just laughed softly. He couldn't believe that she got two men who were willing to ask for her hand. 

"Let's get some fried chicken." He turned the engine on and started driving. She smiled widely and nodded. It's been a month since the last time she ate her favorite food. She was busy with school activities. 

"Will we finish a bucket?" She asked but then, she felt her phone vibrating inside her handbag. She took it and saw that the Third Prince sent him a message. 

She bit her lips lightly while trying to suppress her smile. She quickly replied to his message and after a few seconds, she received a photo from him. Her eyes glimmered when she saw one of Frankenthaler's abstract paintings, Mountain and Sea. It is one of her favorites. She doesn't know how he was able to have the painting since it is currently in Washington, D.C. 

She appreciated the way he is doing to catch her heart. Only her family and close friends know how much she loves painting. Though only her twin brother knew her love for Van Gogh's paintings. She received another message. He asked her what she would do later at night. It seemed like he would invite her for a dinner date. She replied and she was right about it. He invited her for a dinner date. 

"Nii, can you help me cook later?" She asked, feeling shy on what she is planning to do later. She barely holds any kitchen utensils because they always have someone to make food for them. 

"Why? You will cook for someone?" He asked back and she nodded. She focused on her phone again and replied that she doesn't want to go out for dinner. Her phone rang and she answered the call. 

"Gomen, Sho. Maybe you would like to go to my house instead? I'll cook dinner." She was nervous because it will be her first time cooking for someone. 

They finally arrived at the mall. After the call with the Third Prince, she called their head maid to ask what are the remaining ingredients in the fridge. They will go to the supermarket to buy the other ingredients. She still doesn't know what she will cook but she is thinking of simple recipes. She scanned everything in the supermarket to have some recipe ideas but she just ended up with fried food. 

"He might not like the food I will cook." She pouted while holding a bag of bread crumbs. She was about to put it back to the stall but her twin brother grabbed and dropped it in the cart. 

"You said you'll cook fried chicken for him. We even had pizza and mojos instead of chicken because you'll have it later." He said and she pouted it even more. He was the one who invited her for fried chicken but she decided to have it with the Third Prince. 

"Are you mad? We can have the chicken tomorrow." She said, holding his arm while gently tugging it. He pinched her cheeks lightly and grinned. 

"Why would I get mad? I'm just worried that you might poison him with the food you will cook." He teased her and she puffed her cheeks, punching his arm gently.