Chapter Text
The lotus flower symbolizes spiritual rebirth, enlightenment and resilience. Starting its life in mud and murky water, it grows, even in an environment where other plants have perished. Despite the harsh life that the lotus has been given, one day, it will bloom and thrive.
Emi and Isamu
1972
Emi looks out of the window and sighs. She has ten more minutes of class, and then she can head downtown with her friends. Currently enrolled at an only-alpha boarding school, she plans on venturing into the city with one thing on her mind: to see pretty omegas. Geto Emi enjoys many things. She enjoys riding her horse back in her hometown. Enjoys learning about ancient civilizations and artifacts. Enjoys swimming and being outdoors.
But what does she enjoy the most? Omegas. Any size, any shape, women or men. She enjoys making them smile, making them melt in her arms. She enjoys how they feel, how they smell, and especially how they taste. Currently, she’s seeing five. But she thinks she can fit one more into her rotation.
The bell rings and she immediately stuffs her book in her bookbag and sprints out of the classroom. In the hallway, she bumps into her best friends, Amaya and Koji. The three head back to the dorms, where they will change and soon head out. Luckily, their school is just a 10-minute walk from central downtown, so they don’t have to worry about missing the last train.
After taking a shower and getting dressed, Emi looks at herself in the mirror and smiles. She knows she is far from ugly; at 6’3’’, she is tall for a dominant alpha. Beautiful bronze skin and almond-shaped eyes in the color of black brown. Broad shoulders, sturdy hips and thick thighs. Deep peach lips that cover prominent canines. Her dark brown curly hair is slicked back into a half-up, half-down hairstyle, leaving out enough hair for a side bang. She tucks her button-up shirt into her blue jeans and slides on her dirty Converse shoes.
She goes to leave but turns to grab her gold caps from her desk. For as long as she could remember, Emi's elders on her mother's side wore gold over their canines as a symbol of their status and dominance in the Philippines. Once she had reached puberty, she was gifted her own pair of gold caps and has worn them ever since. After sliding them over her canines, she grins. Then she’s heading out the door.
Emi, Amaya and Koji head to the skating rink to hang out. The alpha does her usual; since she’s a great skater, she glides around the rink to impress the omegas. She’ll get a few numbers, maybe kiss some in a secluded corner. If she’s feeling really bold, she’ll sneak them back into the dorm to spend the night. She’s headed to the concession stand for a soda when she notices him. He is smaller in stature, with skin in a light peach undertone. A slender waist and long legs. He’s wearing a polo tucked into a navy blue skirt with matching stockings. His long black hair is slicked back into a neat bun. But what really caught Emi’s eyes were the omega’s eyes; hazel in the most beautiful shape, surrounded by long black eyelashes.
He is the prettiest thing that Emi has ever seen.
She immediately makes a beeline for the omega. She’s just about to say hello when her skate catches onto the rug, causing her to fall right against a trash can. Everyone around laughs except for one person. Emi awkwardly chuckles along and goes to stand on her feet when she sees a hand extended to help. Looking up, it’s from the pretty omega. “Are you okay?” He asks. She takes his hand. Once standing, she clears her throat. “Thanks. I meant to do that,” she says, and smiles. The omega snorts. “No, you didn’t.” Emi sighs in defeat, giving up on the act. “Okay, I didn’t. But I got so caught up in looking at you that I got distracted.”
She then skates forward and slightly bends over to meet the boy’s gaze. “You’re very pretty.” The omega turns to skate away. “You say that to everyone in here?” Emi quickly follows and glides beside him. “Maybe. But I’ve never fallen into a trash can trying to talk to someone before, so you're the first for that.” It causes the man to laugh, a soft blush showing on his cheeks. She skates in front of him, moving backwards with ease. “My name’s Geto Emi. Can I have yours, pretty boy?” She’s caught off guard when the omega speeds past her and then skates backwards. “Zen’in Isamu. Catch up, pretty girl.” Emi’s heart beats faster as she races towards Isamu, and the two continue to skate together until the rink closes. Before they part ways, they exchange numbers and make plans for the next day.
The next afternoon, Isamu is sitting by the fountain, waiting for his date. He opens his compact mirror to check his hair and lip gloss. The night before, he met Emi, and she was on his mind all night. She was charming, funny, and smart. He laughed the entire time they were together. She was attractive. She was the most attractive person he had ever seen. So he was pretty excited when they made plans for the next day to go to the park for a walk and ice cream.
He sees the alpha on the path and turns to wave, but stops. There is Emi, looking as gorgeous as ever. However, she’s not alone. Beside her is another omega. Isamu frowns. He was hoping to spend some alone time with Emi before he became part of the roster. He shakes his head and then stands. The duo reaches the omega at the bench. Emi smiles. “Hi Zen’in. This is Mori Kenji. Mori, this is Zen’in Isamu.” Kenji looks at Isamu and gives a smile, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. Isamu knows what that means. Kenji is the main omega, who tagged along to see the new person who caught Emi’s attention. He’s pulled out of his thoughts when a large hand reaches for his. He looks up and sees soft brown eyes. “Are you ready?” Emi asks.
The date is a disaster. It doesn’t help that Kenji is there, interrupting every conversation. But by Isamu only knowing Emi for a day, he couldn’t keep up with their inside jokes or small facts about the alpha. After he finishes his ice cream, he stands up from the table. “I think I am going to call it a day. Mori, nice to meet you. Geto, good luck with everything.” As he walks down the sidewalk, he hears Emi running after him. His wrist is gently grabbed to stop him. “Zen’in wait! Where are you going?”Isamu turns around. “I’m going home. This isn’t going to work.” Emi frowns. She thought they all were having a nice time. “Why not?” He snatches his hand away. “Do I not deserve my own date before you pair me up with other omegas? Am I not interesting enough for you?”The alpha freezes. “I didn’t mean it like that.” Isamu sighs. “I know. You’re an alpha. That’s what you do. But I’m more than just an omega. I’m Isamu. At least give me enough respect to know me as a person first.” With that, he turns to head to the train station.
Emi lies in bed the next morning, looking at the ceiling. She barely got any sleep, tossing and turning from thinking of her date. An omega has never spoken to her before in the way that Isamu has spoken to her. The thought of him not feeling respected by her doesn’t sit well in her spirit. Of course, he is more than just an omega. Then again, how would he know that if Emi didn’t show him differently? She places a hand over her eyes. It’s something about Isamu that pulls her in. She needs to talk to him again. Quickly, she grabs her address book and leaves the room to use the lobby phone. After she plops into a seat, she finds his number and dials it. She’s excited when he agrees to see her again.
Now, it’s Emi’s turn to wait for the omega at the small hole-in-the-wall restaurant. She’s fumbling with her shirt when Isamu greets her. “Hi, Geto,” he warmly says. “Hi Zen’in,” Emi says. They soon are seated in the back of the restaurant, in a small booth in the corner. Under the dimmed lights, the two share a meal. Isamu is funny and keeps up with the alpha’s banter. His gorgeous hazel eyes sparkle from the warm lanterns on the wall. His voice is smooth and kind. He’s intelligent and exciting. When he smiles, it makes Emi’s chest tighten. When a soft hand reaches for hers, it makes her dick hard.
After an hour, Emi realizes she has a problem. A BIG PROBLEM. “I wanna see you again,” she blurts out. Isamu lifts an eyebrow. “We’re not even done with this date yet.” Emi leans closer to his face, her eyes looking at his plump lips. “I’m a pretty decisive person. I know what I want. And what I want is to see you as much as possible.” She feels a hand slide to her chest. Isamu leans even closer. “I want solo dates.” “Whatever you want.”
For the next two weeks, Emi sees Isamu every day after her classes, and longer on the weekends. Every date is a solo one. This is very unusual for the alpha, since she generally splits her time with multiple omegas. What really throws her friends for a loop is that she hasn’t kissed Isamu yet. Does she want to? Absolutely. Does she know Isamu is toying with her? Yes, and she’s enjoying it. She likes it when fingers run through her hair and down her chest, before the omega pulls away. How their lips are so close she can smell the watermelon lip gloss on Isamu’s lips, but the teen never leans forward. She’s never been teased before, and she heavily enjoys it.
Finally, it happens. They’re leaving the movies, and her arm is around Isamu, who is talking about actors from the film. She’s walking him to the train station while holding the umbrella, since it started raining an hour ago. The wind quickly picks up, blowing the umbrella out of her hand. The two run for it down the street, laughing as the downpour soaks them. Emi sees the umbrella and reaches for it, but slips and falls in a puddle. Isamu hysterically laughs, causing Emi to follow. When a pale hand reaches to help her, she grabs it and pulls the omega down. Isamu falls against her, and her hands hold onto soft hips.
“I’m crazy about you, Isamu,” she whispers, the first time she uses his given name. Hazel eyes gaze into soft brown, and butterflies grow as the omega leans closer. “Oh Emi,” he responds before his fingers graze over peach lips. Under the streetlight and the downpour of night rain, they share their first kiss. The next day, Emi drops the other omegas and asks for a courtship with Isamu. He says yes, and the two agree to tell his parents the following week.
The Zen’in clan hates Emi. While she’s a dominant alpha who can provide for and protect their child, they don’t like her background. Not only is she half Filipino, but she also comes from a working background, living in the Gifu Prefecture. She is rough around the edges and comes from a liberal clan, compared to the strict, traditional Zen’in clan.
Along with her upbringing are her liberal beliefs. The omegas in the Geto clan had control over their body autonomy. They worked if they wanted to. They received an education. They were allowed to cut their hair and wear pants. They only submitted if they chose to, and even then, they were always allowed to change their mind. They held high positions of leadership, including being held in high regard as elders.
Whereas in the Zen’in clan, the omegas had children, whether they wanted to or not. They were not allowed to work. They still believed in arranged marriages if they were necessary for the success of the clan. Isamu hasn’t been to school since the age of 12.
He is forbidden from seeing Emi ever again.
For the first time in his life, Isamu disobeys his parents. He wants Emi too badly to let her go. So, their secret courtship begins. The omega lies to meet Emi at the arcade or the skating rink. They set times to talk on the phone, and he sneaks the phone into his room late at night to call the boarding school. They have a secret area in the park, where they drop handwritten letters off if they can’t meet.
One day, he walks into his home after coming from the park. “Is anyone home?” Isamu asks. He hears his father call for him from the parlor. Quickly, he heads to the room, but freezes at the doorway. Isamu’s parents, Kiyoshi and Aya, stand up. Beside them is an unknown alpha. Isamu bows. “Hello.” “Come here, Isamu,” Kiyoshi commands and the omega walks toward his father. His father places his hand on the curve of his back to steady him. He looks at the young alpha across from him. Short black hair that’s slicked back. Bright blue eyes. Tall and broad. Isamu’s mind goes to Emi. This alpha didn’t look as strong and muscular as the girl. He feels a pinch on his back, causing him to focus back on his father.
Kiyoshi frowns. “Introduce yourself, Isamu.” The omega bows again. “My name is Zen’in Isamu. Pleasure to meet you.” The alpha bows after. He tilts his head up and smiles. Even though his eyes are bright blue, there's something dark about them. It's concerning, and alarm bells go off in Isamu's mind. He immediately gets creeped out by this man. “Hello, Zen’in. My name is Gojo Seito.”
As the evening progresses, Isamu's heart sinks deeper. While the alphas make conversation, his stomach hurts more and more, now understanding why Gojo is in his house. Once the visit is over, Kiyoshi informs him that his courtship with Seito officially begins the next day. An eventual marriage between the Gojo and Zen'in clans would strengthen ties in Tokyo and also be good for their real estate endeavors.
The Zen'in clan wasn't originally from Tokyo like the Gojo clan. Their power and influence didn't span multiple generations in the area. Fortunately for them, they had the wealth and structure to easily form alliances with the other conservative clans. This helped to keep bloodlines and secondary systems structured and in tact.
Isamu's courtship with Seito would bring the Zen'ins more notoriety and give the alphas more opportunities to rub shoulders with members of society who were deemed elite.
Without thinking, Isamu says no. He doesn't trust Gojo at all, and has a terrible feeling that his treatment there will be worse than if he just stays home. Not only that, but he doesn't want to date him at all; all he wants is Emi. His parents immediately look at him with shock and disgust. “Isamu! How dare you show such disrespect to us?” Aya asks. He goes to answer but is suddenly yanked by his arm. Being petite compared to his father, he's practically lifted off the ground.
Kiyoshi squeezes his bicep, causing him to scream. “Does this have to do with that Geto girl?”The young omega blinks tears away. He bravely nods. “She’s the partner that I want, Father. Please let her court me instead.” Aya steps forward, concern apparent on her face. Her courtship and eventual marriage to Kiyoshi were arranged as well. Her clan decided for her who met their standards. The same is true for the Zen'in clan. “She’s not good enough for you. We’ve told you this already," she says. His arm is let go, and immediately, he rubs it, attempting to soothe his bruised skin.
Isamu goes to defend Emi. “But Mother, she treats me well. She’s kind and gentle. She’s-” “Enough!” Kiyoshi yells, causing both omegas to jump. He steps to get closer to his son’s face and glares. The sour smell of disapproval hits the teen's nose, and it causes Isamu to tremble. “The Zen’in family will not share blood with a bunch of brown farmers who don’t respect the laws of nature. What, Geto wants you to work? Go to school? Have your own dreams? Your dreams are to extend the bloodline the correct way and make your parents proud. That’s it.” Isamu opens his mouth to speak but stops. He already knows this conversation is over, and decides to give up for now. Instead, he lowers his head. “Yes, Father.” He is sent to his room, where he plans when he can use the phone to call Emi.
Emi sits on her motorcycle that’s parked a few blocks away from the Zen’in estate. She checks the time. 9 pm. Her dorm closes in an hour. She has to make it back in time before the teachers start their rounds around campus. Someone is running towards her bike, so she turns to face them. A smile grows on Emi’s face when she sees that it’s Isamu. She opens her arms, and the omega falls into them. She greeted with a kiss, petite arms wrapping around her neck. The alpha smiles when Isamu pulls away. “Hey, pretty boy,” she whispers. The omega kisses him again. “Hey, pretty girl,” he responds with. After his disastrous evening with Gojo, Isamu had called Emi, and she suggested to come pick him up. The omega happily agreed, sneaking out for the first time in his life.
Isamu soon climbs onto the seat behind Emi, and she gives him her helmet for the ride. In a few minutes, they’re on the alpha’s school campus, having to sneak into the dorm. She unlocks her door and ushers Isamu in. When the lamp turns on, he looks around. It’s the first time he’s been in her dorm room. Actually, it's the first time that he has ever seen an actual school in real life.
The small area offers a glimpse into Emi's life. A large bookcase full of philosophy books and vinyl records of Japanese and Filipino artists. Sketchbooks and art supplies are stacked underneath her raised bed, since she enjoys sketching with charcoal in her free time. A guitar rests beside the closet, an instrument she decided to take up just a few weeks ago.
Isamu's heart flutters yet sinks. Although he loves seeing Emi's interests and passions, it is a difficult reminder that he has never been allotted the freedom to try new hobbies. Emi helps him remove his jacket before hanging it on the back of her desk chair.
“What do you think?” The omega turns and smiles. “I love it.” And then a frown grows on his face. “I wish I knew what high school was like.” Large hands pull him close. “Baby, once we’re together, I’ll help you finish school.” Hazel eyes light up with excitement. Emi has been the only person in his life who cared that he wanted to continue his education. Then again, anything that was important to him meant that it was worth her fighting for.
Isamu pauses, thinking of what is important to Emi. Her family. Her culture. He wants to know more and wants to grow with her. “I want to learn Tagalog. Can you teach me when I’m back in school?” The alpha smiles and squeezes on a slender waist. She gives her flirtatious smirk, looking mischievous as ever. Isamu knows that look. The look of a lover girl.“I can teach you a few words now.” Her soft lips graze against his soft neck, connecting to his skin. He feels a shiver down his spine as he attempts to collect himself. "Malambot, soft," Emi whispers. She tilts her head and her canines nibble along Isamu’s jaw. He practically stops breathing, too excited to respond. “Makinis, smooth.” She flicks her tongue across plump lips. The taste of his lip gloss hits her gums as she runs her tongue across her teeth. “Masarap, delicious.” Emi’s hands slide down and squeeze Isamu’s ass. He's shorter than she is, so the squeeze causes him to lift off the ground, forcing him to stand on his tiptoes.
Brown eyes pierce into his, full of love and desire.
"Sa akin, mine.” Isamu forcefully grabs her face, and he moans as he connects to her lips once more. The alpha lifts him, and slender legs wrap around her broad torso.
He runs his fingers through her hair, curls soft and smooth to the touch. Over the years, Isamu was taught that his body was meant for two things: to pleasure an alpha and to bear children. He never thought much of it before. The omega was the perfect child, so he really didn't think of what he wanted from his own life. Wants were fleeting, and Isamu basically went with the flow when it came to what he had in life.
That changed when he met Emi. She was special. Funny. Kind. Beautiful.
He'd find himself blushing just thinking about her. His palms would sweat if he knew that they were about to hold hands.
He loves her. Desires her. He wants her body against his and wants to burn under her fingertips. For the first time in his life, his body wants to actually feel.
Soft curls brush against his face and the smell of her coconut conditioner makes him gasp. Emi is excited, panting in his ear as she tries to control herself. He's still in her arms, secure and safe as she guides them to her bed.
When they reach it, she places him on top of the blankets. She pulls away, but Isamu whines and pulls her back. “Come back,” he pants. Surprised, Emi's eyes grow large before she smirks. “My, isn’t someone greedy?" she jokes. Isamu leans forward, grabs her shirt and yanks her back. She yelps. Black eyelashes flutter. “Stop teasing me, Em.” She kisses soft lips. “I’m not teasing you, pretty boy. I was just going to get up to turn off the light.”
Isamu turns bright red and he looks away. He's embarrassed to even mention this, but, well, he kind of wants it. From his experience with the alpha, if he wants it, then most likely Emi will give it to him. “What if I want the light on? What if I wanted us to see each other?” Emi tilts her head, curls falling over her shoulder. She was so pretty that Isamu almost couldn't stand it. “Mr. Zen’in, you’re full of surprises.” Her hands run up Isamu’s sides. Her eyes focus on his lips as she runs her tongue along her canines. “You wanna be full with something else?” The alpha asks.
To her surprise, soft hands grab her throat. “Such a dog,” he whispers. If anyone else uttered those words to her, Emi probably would have knocked their teeth out. But it was something in the way that Isamu said it; his words weren't laced with venom as a means to attack her. In fact, she liked the teasing. It was something about being an animal, being feral on the verge of losing self control, that she likes.
Emi whispers on his lips. “Yours, baby.” She shoves her tongue into his mouth, running it along his teeth and sucking on his tongue. Her hands slide up his shirt and under his bra. Isamu moans as the alpha pinches and pulls on his nipples. Emi feels blood fill her dick, and she starts to slowly grind against him. Soft hands hold onto her shirt like a lifeline, and she feels slick starts to soak through their pants. She moves her hands to begin undressing the omega, leaving Isamu only in his panties. Her half-lidded brown eyes scan over the man’s body. Large hands slide under pale knees to spread his legs open. Emi licks her lips and then bends down. She presses her nose against his soaked panties and inhales so deeply, her entire body shakes.
Isamu, shocked and caught off guard by Emi's actions, covers his eyes with his hands and nervously giggles. "I didn't know people did that," he mumbles.
Thick fingers hook on the elastic of his panties, and he hears the alpha chuckle as she pulls the fabric down.
"Did what? Sniff each other?" "You know what I mean!"
The panties hit the floor and she stares into his eyes. Hers are already half-lidded with dilated pupils. "Well," she says, voice an octave lower and laced with hunger, "I always like to smell my meal before I eat it."
As if she hasn’t eaten in days, she shoves her head between his thighs and sloppily kisses Isamu, alternating between sucking on his clit and lapping up as much slick as possible.
A moan escapes his lips, and his hands shoot to his mouth to muffle the sound.
Her long tongue slides inside and flicks against warm walls. She buries her face in it, causing thighs to squeeze around her head. Eventually, he cums on her face, and she finally pulls away to catch her breath. Emi stands up by the foot of the bed, breathing heavily and staring at Isamu with a look that he's never seen before. Sweat covers her forehead, and slick is smeared from her nose to her chin.
He doesn't know what causes him to do it, but he wants to show her what's hers. Wants to showcase himself underneath the warm lights of the dorm room. Hazel eyes glaze over and he opens his legs even wider, inviting the alpha in. While still maintaining eye contact, she starts to unbutton her shirt. It falls to the floor, revealing a patch of brown chest hair on a chiseled chest. Various scars lie on her body from working on the farm and playing outside. She then unbuckles her jeans and pulls them down with her underwear. A brown happy trail starts from her belly button down to the base of her large dick. A tattooed snake is wrapped around one of her muscular thighs. The outline of her family crest covers her broad back. She strokes herself as she crawls on the bed towards Isamu.
For the first time, the omega decides to release his scent, and Emi's nostrils twitch when she smells soothing lavender in the air.
Now, on top of him, she stares at him, while he tucks a brown curl behind her ear. “I’ve never done this before,” he nervously admits. Emi has been his first for everything, even a kiss. There had never been anyone before her to garner his attention in this way. Brown eyes soften. Although she has experience under her belt, this moment meant more than anything previously. It was something that she didn't take lightly. “If you’re not enjoying yourself, tell me immediately, okay?” He nods. "Isa, baby, I need to hear your words." "I will tell you."
Emi slides one of her hands across his knee to bend his leg and reposition herself. Then she grabs her dick to align it with his slicked entrance. Slowly, she slides in, and the further she goes in, the more Isamu’s back arches. Once she’s to the hilt, she kisses his face and scratches the smooth skin on the curve of his hips. “You’re doing so great for me, baby. I knew you could take all of me. You’re such a good boy.”
At the praise, Isamu moans, and as if by magic, his legs widen even further.
Emi bucks her hips as she begins to fuck him into the mattress.
He doesn't know what spell has been placed upon him, but the omega is speechless. His mind is hazy. For as large as the alpha was, in all aspects, she didn't physically overwhelm him.
Her body covered his entirely, yet he wasn't afraid. Her body temperature runs cooler than his, and it sends shivers down his spine and causes his toes to curl. And, although it does hurt, it feels better with every thrust. Gentle kisses cover his face as a tear falls from the corner of his eye.
Emi growls as Isamu digs into the flesh of her shoulders, the skin breaking as he leaves his mark.
Sounds of the omega moaning fill the space, and he looks at her, hazel eyes full of adoration and blush on his cheeks. “Is it alright? Do I feel okay?” He asks.
For her answer, Emi repositions her feet on the mattress so she can thrust even further, even deeper. Goosebumps cover her body, and for the first time in her life, she whimpers.
“You’re so fucking perfect, baby. God, Isamu, you’re everything.” Emi wraps her muscular arms around him, her pace quickening. Slender legs wrap around her torso to pull her even closer. Isamu’s hands hold her face as they kiss.
Both lovers, overwhelmed and emotional, begin to cry. “You’re everything, Isamu,” Emi repeats in between sobs.
“You’re my everything.”
Before the sun rises, Emi and Isamu sneak off campus and head back to the Zen’in estate. She parks her motorcycle a few blocks away and turns it off. Isamu gets off and then turns to his lover. He jumps into her arms once more. He feels large hands rub his back and kisses are placed on his neck. He pulls away to stare into sad brown eyes. “After I graduate, I’m taking you back to Gifu with me,” Emi promises. Isamu nods. The alpha only had a few months left of school, and then they plan on running away together. He knows that he will continue to see her in secret until then. “I will follow you anywhere, Emi.” She looks down at his hands before placing them to her lips. Then she places them over her heart. She fondly looks into his hazel eyes.
“Mahal kita.”
Isamu becomes misty-eyed. She didn't need to translate it for him to know what it meant.
“Mahal kita.” I love you.
He gives her a soft kiss and strokes her cheek before she turns to run down the street.
A few minutes later, he climbs through his window. Luckily, his room is on the first floor of the main building. He sighs and smiles with relief. Isamu turns to head to his closet and freezes. Standing in front of the closet door is Kiyoshi, holding a leather belt. The omega screams and he raises his hands to shield himself as his father charges towards him. The sounds of leather hitting flesh echo down the hallway as it cracks the teen across his arms and face. He cries out in pain when the belt pops his eye, causing him to stumble backwards and hit the dresser. Kiyoshi drops the belt on the floor and then grabs his son by the front of his shirt. The force causes it to rip, revealing hickeys on his collarbones. “You reek of the scent of amber! Not only do you disobey me, but you’re also ruined!”
When the omega hears that, something stirs in his chest and rattles through his bones. Isamu, with his face bruised and hands covered in welts, does the unthinkable.
Isamu fights back.
He grabs at his father's hands, clawing at the fingers still gripping onto his shirt. With one hazel eye now swollen, the other eye glares at Kiyoshi.
“I’m not ruined, Father! I’m loved!”
A choking sound is heard as his father grabs him by the throat. The alpha then drags his son out of the room.
"No one cares about love! You will become a Gojo, whether you like it or not!” At the end of the hallway, Aya waits by the basement door. Isamu continues to fight back, trying to get out of his father’s grip. The omega has never fought so hard before in his life. He fights so hard and is so defiant that Kiyoshi has to stop in the hallway to smack him.
As Isamu scratches and flails, he's struck in the face. Ignoring the beatings, he attempts to still break away. Finally, his father has had enough. By his shoulders, he lifts the omega off the floor and frantically walks to the basement door.
With hatred in his eyes, Kiyoshi glares at Isamu.
“If you want to associate with that mutt, then we will treat you like one!" With that, he tosses the omega down the stairs to the dark basement and locks the door. Isamu hits the stairs as he falls down, tumbling to the ground, but adrenaline causes him to jump on his feet and sprint up the steps.
His hands shake the doorknob. Like a caged animal, he pounds on the door and shrieks. Tears pour down his eyes but instead of sadness, he’s filled with rage. “Father, please! I love Emi! Please don’t do this to me!” He continues to pound on the locked door for hours and screams until he loses his voice. Kiyoshi and Aya have instructed the staff to ignore the caged omega.
No one comes for him.
Emi sits in her homeroom, looking out the window. She has barely slept the last two nights, worried sick about Isamu. They haven't spoken since she brought him to the dorms. She went to their spot in the park and there wasn't a letter. She walked around downtown to their usual hangouts, and nothing. The alpha also talked to people who hang out with Isamu, and no one had heard from him. If she doesn't hear anything by the next day, she has decided to go to the Zen'in estate to see if he's alright. Koji runs to the desk with a surprised look on his face. “Geto, look.” He slams the newspaper on her desk. When she reads the headline, her heart drops.
Gojo Seito, 20, is set to marry Zen'in Isamu, 17, this weekend at the botanical gardens
It seems that, after Isamu came home and was accidentally scented by Emi, the Zen'ins skipped the courtship entirely. Emi snatches the newspaper and stands. “What about school?” Koji asks, but she's already out the door to head to her motorcycle.
Speeding through the streets, she gets to the estate in record time. She barely parks the bike before hopping off and running to the main gate. Emi begins banging on the gate while yelling for her lover. “Isamu! Isamu!” The gate opens, and out steps Seito. As he walks closer, Emi snarls her teeth. “Where is he?” She asks. Seito looks at her with disgust. “He's no longer permitted to see you, per Mr. Zen’in's orders…and after this Saturday, mine.” She gets in his face. “And you think I'm going to let you force Isamu into this?” Seito gets in her face right back. “I have the Gojo and Zen'in clans on my side. I want Isamu, so I will take him.”
Seito's eyes begin to water when Emi releases a strong wave of amber. She stares daggers into his soul and runs her tongue along her gold-plated canines. “The moment he is yours, I'm going to beat you to a pulp to submit you.” Seito, although frightened, attempts to smirk. “Good luck finding me. The moment the wedding is over, we're leaving the area. You'll never see Isamu ever again. And security won't let you close to the event. Give it up, Geto. I've won.” With that, Seito turns and heads into the estate. She leans her head against the gate and closes her eyes. “Isa, please know I'll fight for you,” she says, holding back a sob. An idea pops into her head. Never one to give up so easily, Emi runs back to her motorcycle to drive out of the city.
The neighborhood kids are outside, playing now that school is out for the day. Some of them are playing jump rope while others are challenging each other with spinning tops. Most of them are in the middle of the street, playing a game of freeze tag.
Eumir, the youngest of the ten Geto children, is drawing with chalk on the sidewalk. He hears the sound of a motorcycle and turns his head. His brown eyes light up and he jumps to his feet.
"That's Emi!" He yells, with a slight lisp from missing his front teeth. When the other siblings hear the name, they stop playing and run to the Getos' front yard.
Soon, the motorcycle appears in everyone's view and Emi jumps off before it even comes to a full stop. Her siblings crowd around her, asking her questions. The kids from the neighborhood also run over. Emi is the only one who left the area to go to school, and the children missed seeing her. She was a huge presence in the community; she watched the kids from the area, becoming everyone's babysitter. Kids loved her and would flock around her like ducklings to hear her stories from school or to receive gifts that she would bring back from Tokyo.
However, from the look of her disheveled school uniform, this isn't a regular visit. Her motorcycle helmet is soon tossed to the ground as she walks down the path to the porch.
The front door swings open, and her mother, Leilani, steps outside. Her dress and hair flow in the wind as she runs to the yard. "Emi? Why are you not at school?"
The teen alpha never shows up unannounced, especially since the drive from Tokyo to Gifu on her motorcycle is over three hours. She always called before she left the city and at a halfway point to tell her parents that she was safe on the road.
"Mama," she says as her voice begins to break. "I need you and Papa." Leilani's eyes grow large. Emi never needed help with anything. Her mother turns to the children. "Family meeting, now." The siblings shoo the other children back to their homes and then they run after Emi and Leilani, who are heading to the backyard.
By the shed, a dominant alpha is chopping wood for the family's stove. His long salt and pepper hair is pulled back into a braid, and the radio plays as he swings down the axe.
Clan Head Geto Shigeru turns when he hears the commotion approaching him. His ten children, along with his wife, are running to him. His eyes latch onto Emi, and immediately, he drops the axe and runs to her.
"Em? What's wrong?" Everyone falls silent when Emi drops to her knees, placing her forehead on his shoes. She wasn't the type to beg or plead for anything, always too prideful and headstrong to admit needing help. Shigeru and Leilani are even more shocked when their daughter begins to sob.
"Please help me. I'm begging you to help me. To help my Isamu." A gentle hand touches her shoulder, and a larger one lifts her head. Shigeru and Leilani are kneeling in front of her. Her father smiles and it puts her at ease. "Do not lower your head, sweetheart. Asking for help is nothing to be ashamed of. What's the issue?"
Emi tells her family about Isamu.
"So you care for this boy?" Leilani asks. Emi nods her head. One of her siblings is wiping away her tears with the sleeve of their shirt. "Yes, Mama. I love him."
Shigeru strokes his chin, deep in thought. "Does he want to be saved, Emi?"
He knows of the conservative clans and their abuse that's conveniently labeled as their family traditions. He also knows that, although many want to leave, if they are not ready, they will return to their families.
Emi looks into her father's eyes. "Yes. Isamu wants to be saved."
Her sister, Eika, kneels beside her. "Papa, if he gets married off, he'll die. We have to save him."
Eumir steps forward, standing on the other side of Emi. Even with his alpha sister kneeling, she's still taller than he is at his current height. "You can't let him be taken away! Wouldn't you want someone to save us if we were in his shoes!?"
Leilani places a hand on Shigeru's shoulder. The clan head had already made his decision. From the moment Emi said that she needed help, he knew he would agree to whatever she needed. That was his job as her father, after all.
However, his children seem to think he still needs convincing, because all of Emi's siblings start pleading and talking over each other.
Shigeru stands to his feet and holds his hand out to help Leilani. Then he snaps his fingers. Immediately, all of the children quiet down and stand on their feet.
He looks over at his wife and kisses her hand. "Sweetheart, please go inside and place a call to the elders." She nods before running into the house.
Shigeru steps forward and places his hand on Emi's shoulder. He smiles once more, his gentle brown eyes meeting hers. "Come. Let's go inside and get ready for the meeting."
Isamu stares out of the window at the clouds above. In a few hours, his wedding will start. The omega is exhausted. He was locked in the dark basement up until that very morning. He continued to fight until they locked him in a room in the main building where the event is being held. Isamu practically fist-fought his mom and servants as they dragged him out of the basement. It took Kiyoshi tying his hands and carrying him over his shoulder for him to leave the Zen'in estate.
However, the omega doesn't care. He's never asked for anything in his entire life. Emi's love is the only thing he's ever wanted. He wants her so badly it hurts. Isamu knows that as soon as he's married, he'll leave Tokyo and never see her again. Although the Gojo clan's primary estate is in Tokyo, they had houses in a few prefectures. Seito plans to leave the area with Isamu, where he would be trapped in a new house with no way of breaking free. Once he leaves for the airport, he may never be seen or heard from again.
So, until he's thrown on that plane, he's going to fight. For now, though, he is sitting trying to regain his strength. He was hungry and his muscles ached.
Wearing the finest furisode that money can buy, he sits looking out into the gardens for any sign of Emi. “She's not coming,” Aya says after entering the room.
Isamu doesn't look her way. He feels her pin his wataboshi over his black hair. His hazel eyes stare at the bird in the tree, right outside the window. He smiles as the bird leaves the branch to take flight.
“I know, in my heart and soul, that she'll come for me.”
The wedding begins, and Seito stands in front with the priest. Kiyoshi walks Isamu down the aisle, as the enforcers stand by the main door, so he doesn't turn and run. The omega looks down, refusing to look at the guests in their seats. Soon, he's at the front, across from Seito. The priest begins speaking, but Isamu can't hear anything through the sound of his beating heart. His throat goes dry and his eyes begin to water. The couple is instructed to turn towards the table, where they will begin the sake sharing ceremony. He stands in front of the expensive porcelain and shakes as he slides the tray forward. He reaches for the sake but freezes. Looking up, he stares out the window on the other side of the priest. Through the open window and past the flower beds, he hears something.
“Sa akin!”
The omega's ears perk up.
“Sa akin!”
Isamu's eyes begin to water.
Mine.
“Isamu, what are you doing?” Seito asks impatiently. Isamu frantically looks around, trying to find something to cause a distraction.
“Sa akin!”
He looks back at the table. Before Seito says another word, the omega picks up the porcelain tray, one that was previously holding the cups of sake, and smacks the alpha in the face with it.
Seito screams in pain and staggers backwards, holding his broken jaw. The guests start to scream and Kiyoshi yells.
With all of his might, Isamu runs past the priest to the open windows.
He jumps.
Seconds later, his body hits the ground, and he twists his ankle.
Isamu jumps to his feet. Quickly, he kicks off his shoes and runs across the botanical gardens in just his socks, limping on his sore ankle.
“Emi!” He screams as he yanks the wataboshi off his head and throws it on the ground. Scratches are on his face from the fall and his makeup runs, revealing his black eye. “Emi, please help me!” He yells as loudly as he can. Being unable to run at full speed, he knows it's only a matter of time before Kiyoshi catches him.
In the distance, someone is running towards him. Curly, brown hair blowing in the wind. Broad shoulders. Thick legs. Emi starts to run faster, holding out her hands. “Isa! I'm here!”
Isamu loudly sobs, stretching his arms out as far as possible. When they reach each other, the omega collapses in her arms. Emi immediately lifts him to carry him bridal style, and then starts running to the parking lot. The sounds of security and alphas from both the Zen'in and Gojo clans are right behind her.
As a highly dominant alpha, Emi could fight them all and win. But she couldn't fight and also get Isamu to safety. If they're caught, the omega would be snatched away and she would have to fight for her life. She decides that her lover's freedom is more important than her ego.
Meanwhile, Isamu is buried into her neck, sobbing. "They're coming, Emi!"
Emi pulls him closer, her focus straight ahead. She cuts through the flowers, jumps over benches, running as fast as she can to get her lover to freedom. Her speed never falters, even as Isamu holds on with everything that he has and frantically cries from fear. Even as she hears Kiyoshi curse her name and clan.
Finally, her feet hit the pavement of the parking lot and Isamu looks up as they head towards a pickup truck. While holding the omega in one arm, Emi grabs the keys from her pocket and unlocks the driver's door. She gently slides Isamu over, who is still clinging onto her arm and hysterically sobbing. She starts the truck and slams down on the gas, speeding as fast as she can through the parking lot. Once she hits the main road, she drives straight out of town.
An hour later, Isamu has calmed down, but is still desperately holding onto Emi’s arm. She's lightly humming to the radio, her eyes on the road as she continues to drive. Isamu clears his throat. “I thought we were going back to your school.” “Dropped out.”
Days ago, when she went to her family for help, they had set a plan in place. While the Gojo clan had influence in Tokyo, the Geto clan had influence in Gifu. Her family knew that they couldn’t protect the teens outside of their territory, so they withdrew Emi from the boarding school and instructed her to leave Tokyo as soon as she left the botanical gardens.
In Gifu, the Geto clan would protect Isamu until he became a legal adult, and then he would be free. If he chose to, he would never see the Zen’in clan again. After hearing this information, Isamu frowns. “But what about your education?” Emi glances at him and smiles. “I’m almost done with my senior year anyway, so I’ll just finish it at the school back home.” Before he can interject, she adds, “and the clan will provide you tutors so you can get your high school equivalent.” Isamu’s mouth drops, causing Emi to laugh. “You can afford that?” The alpha nods. "Just because I don't flaunt my money, it doesn't mean that I don't have any."
The Geto clan had power and influence not only in Gifu but also in the Philippines, where Emi's mother is from. However, instead of using their power to submit others, her clan uses it to give back to their communities, helping to change local legislation and support the youth.
It was one of the reasons why Shigeru immediately decided to help; not only would he be saving an omega, but a teenager. Under Shigeru's protection and Leilani's guidance, Isamu will be able to live out his remaining youth in peace.
Isamu smiles. Emi's family sounds absolutely wonderful.
“But won't you miss Tokyo?” He asks her. Emi shakes her head, quickly glancing his way. “Nah. I’m a country girl at heart. And I’d live anywhere, as long as it’s by your side, Isa.” She then tilts her head, motioning to a bag in the back seat. “I packed you some new clothes, food and some water. I filled the tank so we won’t have to stop unless it’s for the bathroom. We’re driving straight to Gifu.” Isamu grabs the bag and changes into the front seat, wearing a t-shirt and, for the first time, pants. He grabs napkins and water to clean off his face and hands. Unpinning his bun, his black hair cascades down his back. The wind from the open window blows through his hair, and the soft scent of lavender tickles the alpha's nose once more. Emi whistles. “Look at my pretty boy.”
The omega grins and then latches back onto her arm, kissing her cheek. “I knew you would come for me. You’re so tough.” “No, you’re tough. I can’t believe you jumped out of a window.” He laughs. “I heard you through a small opening. You’re a genius for speaking in Tagalog. I was the only one who knew you were calling for me.” The road is currently empty of other cars, so Emi slows down the truck in the middle of the road to turn and kiss her lover. The omega melts and falls against him. “I love you with all of me, pretty girl,” he says as blush coats his cheeks. Brown eyes soften. “I love you, too, baby. More than you’ll ever know.”
She clears her throat and readjusts her pants before smirking. Then she continues to drive down the road. “Let’s get to Gifu, and then I can welcome you properly.”
Isamu kisses her cheek before pulling away. He taps his chin with his finger. "I think…I might want to be knotted. Tonight."
The car comes to a screeching halt as Emi hits the brakes. Her face turns bright red as she looks at the omega. "Really?"
Isamu pauses before he happily nods. He already has his woman, so he knows what he wants. After gaining her composure, she snorts. "Well, it might be a little difficult, with my parents and siblings being there." Then she chuckles. "But then again, I do love giving you anything that you want."
The car drives down the road once more, now that the shock has worn off. She glances over at Isamu, who is still smiling. "Fair warning, though. If I knot you, we gotta get married," she jokes, but not really.
Isamu slides closer, pressing his nose on the curve of her thick neck. From the moment that he met her, he already knew that he wasn't going anywhere. “Geto Isamu? Sounds wonderful.”
Emi grins, her gold-plated canines showing. “That sounds way better than Gojo Isamu. At least we never have to hear that name again.”