𝑬𝑴𝑷𝑰𝑹𝑬 𝑶𝑭 𝑮𝑶𝑳𝑫 ⇢ Gojo Satoru

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐗𝐗𝐗𝐕𝐈𝐈𝐈 - 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐘𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐀 𝐊𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐑

KINZOKU MIKAZUKI AVERTED HER EYES, looking away from the full body mirror that now depicted her half-naked form. The sight didn't disgust her per se, however, the image of foreign hands running through her body was not pleasant, even if those hands belonged to a skilled seamstress. They reminded her of another time – one she'd rather not think about, much like the rest of her past. All of that was far away now, and she wouldn't let it ruin her present, besides, she was capable of doing that on her own.

"I assume she'll be wearing black." The seamstress asked, draping the small yellow measuring tape across her abdomen, calculating the length of fabric she would need to create the perfect kimono.

Mikazuki gave a curt nod, realizing only seconds later that the question wasn't meant for her but for her mother who was sitting comfortably in the armchair, her lips pressed into a tight line as she watched her being fitted for the ceremony. The woman did not look pleased, then again, Hide was rarely satisfied with anything regarding her daughter these days.

"Yes." Kinzoku Hide answered, her voice devoid of any emotion, her green eyes just as empty as her daughter's soul. "She will also be wearing gold, the clan colours."

Of course, not only did her family want her to parade around as a pseudo debutante, basically screaming the words I am ready to marry to the world – no, they also wanted her to do it while advertising the clan. It was such a Kinzoku thing to do, Mikazuki wasn't even surprised, rolling her eyes at the comment. The seamstress nodded, stepping down from her stool and writing down Mikazuki's measurement on her notebook. The sorceress slouched, now free to move around while the seamstress measured the multiple pieces of fabric draped all over the room.

The trio was currently standing in the main house, where the elders could keep an eye on Mikazuki – in case she tried killing anyone else, which, although unlikely, was not improbable either. The sorceress didn't mind, whatever sliver of guilt she could have evaporating the moment four Doors decided it was a good idea to attack her. Fools, as if they could take her on.

The seamstress turned, this time her focus on the young sorceress, lips pursed.

"I assume you share the same flowers as you brother."

Before being assigned to Mikazuki, Nina Hopkins had been Keisuke's personal tailor, tasking with making his outfits from scratch. It was an expensive service, but nothing was ever expensive enough for the Kinzoku. The question had no ill-intent, Mikazuki could tell through the veil of her Endless, but even then, it felt like a punch to the gut. Hide didn't even flinch, like the seamstress hadn't just spoken about her dead son.

Mikazuki bit her lower lip, fisting her hands at her sides and containing the wave of golden fury she could feel humming under her skin. It wasn't uncommon for twins within the family to share their signature flowers – Niko and Katsuro had shared the golden suncup, a bright yellow flower that bloomed in the weirdest of places, and the twin's flower was the dandelion, the ones that grow in the desert in late march.

"Actually, I don't." the sorceress said instead, keeping her tone low, eyes far away from her mother lest she accidentally behead her in her rage. "Mine are peonies."

Like the clan flower, minus the suffocating thorns. Not hydrangeas, like Keisuke's had been before his death. Mikazuki didn't think she would ever be able to look at the flower again without feeling like someone was twisting a knife in her heart, without seeing Keisuke's large golden eyes staring back at her, the word jump – whatever the hell that was supposed to mean, falling from his lips.

Nina clapped her hands together.

"Peonies it is, then." The seamstress nodded, holding up a beautiful black fabric and handing a piece of it to both women. "I believe this one will do nicely."