[Mei-chan no Shitsuji] IzuKiba; Day in the life of
5:00AM
The door opens, and a bright, tenor voice fills in the room. Good morning, lady Izumi, it chirps. It's time to wake up, lady Izumi.
Lying still beneath the warm, woolen comforter, Izumi counts silently. One, she thinks.
Two.
On three, there is a tinkle of glass, followed by a flow of stuttering apologies.
Good morning, Kiba, she finally says.
5:50AM
Izumi pauses to frown at the score. That section again. The one frustrating section. She can hear the melody in her head, the quick staccato beats of the running notes that almost seem to trip over each other in their haste, but her fingers cannot - no, simply, refuse to follow.
Kiba, she says then. You're hovering.
I'm sorry, her butler says instantly.
Perhaps you should leave, she tells him. I will call if I need you.
A beat, then her butler bows at just the right angle and takes his leave.
6:30AM
There is a knock on the door, and some mention of baked lobster - her favourite dish.
Fifteen minutes, she says.
6:48AM
Astounding, lady Izumi!
Such vast improvement, lady Izumi!!
Simply breathtaking, lady Izumi!!!
With a smile, Izumi lowers her violin.
Now I am ready for breakfast, she says.
Her butler's smile lights up the entire room. Right away, lady Izumi.
8:40AM
Lessons are bothersome. Her classmates don't seem to get along very well -- and they continue to act like they don't, even when they do -- and of course, none of the teachers have the courage to put a stop to the nonsense.
With a sigh, she raises her voice a notch.
Kayama-san. Shinonome-san. We are in the middle of a lesson.
The two girls look vaguely disappointed to have their argument interrupted, but they cease immediately, heads turning away with similar huffs. Beside them, their butlers exchange identical looks of disdain for each other.
Izumi accepts her teacher's grateful smile with a nod.
Honestly. If that was any indication at all, ranks don't mean a thing.
There is a rustle beside her as her butler leans over to flip her textbook to the next page.
4:15PM
Pansies are such hardy flowers, she thinks, as she lightly brushes snow off a violet petal. In cold, six degree weather, it continues to thrive, in spite of its delicate features.
I hope they are to your liking, her butler starts to say beside her. An aura of nervous tension radiates off his very, very straight back.
They look wonderful, Izumi tells him. Thank you, Kiba.
Her butler blushes.
8:00PM
Wordlessly, Izumi hands her butler a book.
He blinks.
Is there a chapter you wish for me to read to you, lady Izumi?
It's for you, Izumi tells him. Then, she drifts gracefully out of the dining room, leaving her butler to stand by her empty seat with a look of utter confusion.
8:06PM
Her butler is so happy, his tears and snort cover his words of gratitude until he's practically blubbering like a drowning puppy.
I told you I liked it, he sobs. I told you it was my favourite as a child.
Kiba, Izumi says. My bath, please.
S-S-S-Sorry, lady Izumi!
He disappears into the bathroom. Then, there is a sound of running water, mixed with noises that sound like suppressed hiccuping.
9:00PM
Good night, lady Izumi.
Good night, Kiba.
Thank you again for the book, lady Izumi.
You are welcome, Kiba.
I will read it many times, lady Izumi.
I'm glad to hear that, Kiba.
In fact, I will have the book placed under my pillow so I--
Good night, Kiba.
Good night, lady Izumi.
The door closes quietly behind him.
Beneath the covers, Izumi smiles.