[MACCHAN CREATIONS] Chapter One: ZUTTO
Title: Zutto
Pairing: Hikaru YaotomeXOC, Yabu KoutaXOC, Takaki YuyaXOC
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama, romance, tragedy
Summary: Nishihara Akira is a daughter of the famous Nishihara Tadashi, a business tycoon. Hikaru's father, who was happened to be Akira's butler, died in heart attack. Akira's father trusts Hikaru's father so much and as a promise, he asked Hikaru to live in their mansion, he will continue to go to school but on one condition, he will be Akira's personal butler in exchange of his late father.
Word count: 3, 071
Author’s note: Sorry for some minor grammatical errors. English is not my primary language. >.<
If you're interested to read the prologue. Click here.
ONE
Three years ago...
“Young mistress, you have school today.”
She slowly opened her eyes. At first, she really didn’t want to. She has so many reasons on why she didn’t desire to open her eyes. First, she is tired of seeing the same thing in the morning-the chandelier made of 24K gold with diamonds in it, the wooden chair from a certain European country and a line of maids with his personal butler waiting for her to wake up.
Second, she is tired of doing the same things everyday-studying in a private school from 7 o’clock in the morning until 4 o’clock in the afternoon, on Mondays after school, she have her personal English conversation lessons with an American whose only known to her as Mr. Smith, afterwards, she will have her piano lessons and ballet lessons which will take until 10 in the evening. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, she is learning French, Italian, and German conversation with a certain European lady who was said working to the former queen of Great Britain; cram school on Wednesdays and tea ceremony lessons on Fridays.
At first, she thought that she is free during weekends. But she got it wrong, why? Because on Saturdays, she has her violin and harp lessons in the morning and in the afternoon, she has her Taekwondo class. On Sundays, she doesn’t have anything to do except during evening, her father’s business partners from different countries usually come so she is forced to be with her father all the time since she will be the heiress of Nishihara Company.
She slowly crawled out of the bed and got up. A certain maid got her robe and put it to her. Another maid got her slippers and went to the bathroom. They put rose petals in the elegant bathtub with an aroma of another sweet scent of chamomile. As the butler explained what kind of bath she will have for today, Akira interrupted and said, “I know what it is. If you don’t mind, I’m going to take my bath now.”
The maids put the towels as everyone went out. She took a deep sigh as she took off her clothes and went to bath.
After bath, she was wearing her robe and a towel which covers her hair. A massage therapist went to massage her arms while the other one put nail polish on Akira’s nails. Her feet were being massage, too. Afterwards, the maids went inside. Each one carrying certain things she needed for school. The other one carries her uniform, the other one is her bag.
As she dressed up, she sat in front of the mirror where her personal hairstylist came. She blow dried and ironed her hair with curling irons. Afterwards, they put make-up on her face.
She finished her everyday way of preparation for school. As she was going downstairs, her personal butler, Yaotome Satoshi, gave her schedule. Akira wasn’t paying attention at all. She is really bored of what she’s hearing for the past 17 years.
Downstairs, she went to the dining table where her father was sitting on the other edge of the long table.
“You’re going to have Italian pasta for breakfast,” the butler said.
“Thank you, sir,” Akira smiled. As her personal butler bowed, her father spoke.
“Are you doing well in school?” her father asked without even looking at her.
“Yes, otou-sama,” she replied with a smile on her face.
“You need to keep up the good work. Next year, you’re going to be in college. I want you to take a business course in Keio University. After that, I’ll send you to USA to have your master degree. You need to have a perfect knowledge about our company since it is known worldwide. I don’t want you to be a shame in our family like your older brother did,” he said with a serious face.
My brother was not a shame.
She wanted to say this but due to fear, she couldn’t say it. Nishihara Tadashi has a cold heart. He only cares for money and the company. Akira’s mother died because of an accident but her father didn’t even shed a single tear after her mother’s death. Akira didn’t admit this for a long time-she hated her father.
After taking breakfast, her father went to his limousine without saying goodbye. Next is her, she went inside the black car with so many body guards guarding him. The butler was in the front passenger seat while she was alone at the back.
“Are you okay, young mistress?”
“Eh? Yes, I am. Why?”
Yaotome Satoshi has been her personal butler since birth. Originally, he was her mother’s butler but after she died, he remained loyal to the Nishihara household and took care of the young lady, Akira. That was why; he knows whenever Akira is upset.
Satoshi cleared his throat and said, “Never mind what Nishihara-sama have told you a while ago about your brother. I’ve met your brother. And he is a good person.”
Akira smiled and said, “Thank you, Yaotome-san.”
Arriving in school, her butler opened the car door for her and said, “Take care.”
Akira bowed and said, “Thank you very much. You too, Yaotome-san, please take care.”
As she entered school, she went straight to their classroom. She belongs to class 3-A. As she sat down, the class have started and got her notebook and pen to take lectures.
Lunch break came, Akira went to the canteen. It seems to be a first class dining which is compared to a five-star hotel. She sat alone in the table until someone came and asked, “Why are you alone in here?”
She looked up; it was her classmate and the scholar student, Yabu Kouta.
“Ah, Yabu-kun!” Akira smiled.
“Would you mind if I sit with you?” he asked. Akira smiled and nodded. Yabu sat with her. Everyone eats with the cafeteria food but she noticed that Yabu has his own bentou.
“If you don’t mind, don’t you like the food in our canteen?” Akira asked. Yabu laughed a bit and said, “How could I like the food? It’s so expensive. I can’t pay 20, 000 yen just for a meal. And that 20, 000 yen is my food for two weeks, that’s why it’s impossible.”
Akira smiled and said, “I see.”
“Maybe, a young mistress like you thinks that this food is strange, right?” Yabu asked holding an onigiri. Akira had a bitter smile and asked, “If you don’t mind, what is that?”
“Just like I thought,” Yabu laughed, “This is an onigiri. Would you like to taste it?”
“Then, itadakimasu,” Akira said and tasted the commoner’s food. Akira’s eyes widened and said, “It’s delicious!”
“See? That’s why I don’t need to spend a 20, 000 yen. A 500 yen food like this can make my stomach full already,” Yabu smiled.
“Cool,” Akira said and had a thought, “I know...I’m going to bring my own bentou, tomorrow, ne?”
“Sure, that will be great. Let’s eat together again tomorrow,” Yabu smiled.
“Okay,” Akira smiled.
After eating, the both of them went back to the classroom together until someone with his friends blocked their way, it was Takaki Yuya.
“Yo! Hanging out with a pauper?” he smiled as his friends laughed.
“Yabu-kun is not-”
“Maybe I’m a pauper and I don’t have money. But at least I could think well than you do, right?” Yabu smirked.
“Are you saying that I’m stupid?” Takaki asked as he grabbed Yabu’s collar.
“Hey stop!” Akira said. The bell rang signalling for the next class. Takaki pushed him and said, “Don’t think that we’re already finish, Yabu.”
As they entered the classroom, Yabu asked, “What’s up with those people?”
“I don’t know,” Akira said.
“Nishihara-san finds it really hard, ne? Having him as your future husband,” Yabu said.
Akira didn’t say anything. It is true that she is engaged with a guy like him. But she couldn’t accept that fact. She disliked Takaki since she first met him. He is rich but he acts like a kid. The only reason why her father wanted him to be engaged with him is because of the company.
After school, she found it strange that Yaotome-san, her personal butler didn’t fetch her. As she entered inside the car, she asked the driver where Yaotome-san is, the driver said that he was rushed to the hospital due to heart attack. Because of this, Akira got worried and asked the driver to go to the hospital.
“But you have your cram school-”
“Please, I need to see him. I’m worried about Yaotome-san!” Akira yelled.
“I...I understand,” the driver said as they went to the hospital.
Akira went down to the hospital but before that, the driver chased her and asked, “Please don’t be late! I’ll be fired!”
“I know!” Akira said as she ran inside the hospital.
She is a young mistress. She knows that this is awkward. Why is she worrying over a poor butler? It is because she treats him as his father. She knows that this poor butler loves her, too as her daughter. For years, he was always by her side, guiding her to grow up not only to be the heiress but also to be a better person. That was why she was extremely worried about her.
She went to the nurse station and asked where Yaotome Satoshi was. The nurse said that he was in the Intensive Care Unit, battling against death. Akira said her thanks and went to the second floor wherein the room was located. The lights were on inside the room and she was extremely worried. She sat down and was staring at her lap, worried about what will happen. She didn’t know that two seats away from her, there was a young man, sitting and waiting for the same man whom Akira was waiting for.
The young man looked at her, curious why she is waiting for Yaotome Satoshi, too. He wanted to ask but the light from the Intensive Care Unit were gone. The doctor came out -the both of them stood up.
“Are you a family member?” asked the doctor, looking at the two.
“He’s my personal butler.”
“He’s my father.”
The both of them said together. With a strange look from the doctor, the both of them glanced at each other and turned their look into the doctor.
“Uhm...may I ask what happened to Yaotome-san?” asked the worried Akira.
“He is in critical state. He had heart problems before and had history of heart attacks. This time, it’s different. If you don’t mind, miss, can I talk to his son for a while?” the doctor asked. Akira bowed and said, “Excuse me.”
Akira sat down for a while. Worried, tears were rolling down onto her pinkish cheeks. After talking to the doctor, Yaotome Satoshi’s son sat two seats away from her. Akira was crying quietly but he heard her, sniffing.
He sighed. He got his gray handkerchief and said, “Here.”
Akira looked at him. She slowly got his hanky and said, “T-Thank you...”
Akira was wiping her tears. He looked at her and said, “So you’re Nishihara Tadashi’s daughter, I suppose.”
Akira nodded and gave the handkerchief back, saying, “Thank you.”
“No problem,” he said.
“By the way, I’m Nishihara Akira, pleased to meet you,” Akira said as she bowed her head.
“I’m Yaotome Hikaru, thank you for accepting my father in your household,” he bowed back.
“N-no...thank you. Because of your father, I am who I am right now,” she said.
“Eh?” he said.
“He was like...my father,” she said.
“I see,” he replied.
There was another awkward silence between the two. Akira was looking at her lap, worrying about what will happen to his father-like butler. Hikaru, on the other hand, looked at her, thinking why she is worried over a butler. Akira was like a princess while his father was just a butler. He didn’t expect that someone who is so rich will worry over a commoner like his father. Smiling, he thought how kind Akira is.
The emergency bell suddenly rang from the Intensive care unit. Nurses and the doctor rushed inside. The both of them went inside and asked what happened.
They got the pumping apparatus and yelled, “Clear!”
“There was no pulse, sensei,” the nurse turned into the doctor.
“Once again,” the doctor said and tried to regain his pulse, but it was too late.
The doctor sighed and turned to us, “I’m sorry.”
“Yaotome Satoshi-san, died of heart attack. Time of death 16: 45,” the nurse said while the other nurse recorded it.
Akira was covering her mouth because of shock as tears rolled down unto her cheeks again. Hikaru went closer and tried to wake his father up.
“Hey, father!” he cried as he knelt down and sobbed. Akira came closer and said, “Why is this happening?”
Akira’s driver went inside the intensive care unit and said, “Akira-sama, it’s time for you to go back.”
“Wait,” Akira said, “Can’t you see that-”
“I’m afraid that your father is already calling me,” the driver interrupted.
“It is okay, Nishihara-san,” Hikaru suddenly said as he stood up. Without looking, he added, “I can manage this by myself.”
“But-”
“Cut it out! I said I want to be alone...” he said as he looked back to his dead father.
“Let’s go, Akira-sama,” the driver said.
“Yes,” Akira said as she walked away the room. She looked back to her dead butler then took a glance on his son. Akira bowed her head, felt the sadness, and walked away.
She was in the car, staring out the window. The lights of Tokyo were slowly turned on, sign that it was already evening. She missed cram school.
She went back home. The maids bowed down to her. As she was going upstairs, her father was waiting for her.
“Where have you been?” he asked.
“Ya...Yaotome-san...died a while ago,” Akira said, trying to control her tears.
Her father sighed and said, “We’re going to send our condolences tomorrow. Right now, there is an important thing we should do. Change into your kimono.”
“Yes, otou-sama,” Akira said as she went back to her room.
“Akira,” her father said. Akira looked back and looked at her father.
“People come and go. So do not be lonely about it. We’re going to get you a new butler. So don’t worry,” he said. Akira bowed and went into her room with two of her maids. She took a warm bath for 20 minutes and change into her pink and red furisode kimono with crane patterns in it. Her personal hairstylist put kanzashi hair accessories in her hair making her look prettier.
“Akira-sama, your father and the visitors are waiting in the living room,” the maid bowed.
“Visitors?” Akira asked, “Who?”
“I am not the one who is supposed to tell you that, young mistress,” the maid bowed as she asked Akira to follow her. Akira went out into her room and went downstairs and saw his father talking to three people-Takaki Yuya, his mother and his father.
Akira’s eyes widened and said, “Why?”
“Don’t be rude, Akira,” her father said. Takaki’s father bowed and said, “I want to have a formal meeting with your father, Akira-san.”
Akira bowed back and sat beside her father. Takaki was sitting between his parents.
Their parents were talking about their future. Akira was starting to get bored. She looked at the clock; it was already 6 in the evening. Afterwards, they ate together and still, the same topic is being talked about.
“I’m planning to pursue college in America,” said Takaki.
“That’s great,” Akira’s father said.
“Akira-san, what about you?” Takaki’s mother asked.
“Eh? I’m going to...take a business major in Keio university. Afterwards...”
“She’ll have her master degree in America,” her father interrupted.
“That will be great; your company will be saved then, ne?” Takaki’s father said as they laughed together. Akira gave a plastic smile and continued eating.
Akira went out after dinner for a walk. She looked at the fountain in their garden. She sighed and sat on the bench. Someone suddenly came, it was Takaki.
“What are you doing in here?” Takaki asked. Akira glared at him and said, “It’s none of your business.”
“It will be my business soon,” Takaki said, having a smirk in which Akira took it as an annoyance and insult.
“I won’t let that happen,” Akira said as she walked away but Takaki held her wrist tighter and said, “And I won’t let you ruin it, Nishihara Akira.”
“It hurts! Let me go!” Akira yelled until the front door was opening, Takaki released her and whispered, “Don’t take me as an easy foe. You’re going to be mine soon.”
Akira started to shiver with fear down to her spine. She didn’t want to be with a cruel man forever. She didn’t want that kind of fate.
Night came, she tried to sleep. There were so many things running in her head. First, her personal butler’s death whom she treated as her father; second, Takaki’s cruelty-she was scared to be with him forever. She didn’t want him to hurt her friend, Yabu Kouta, too. Since they have met, whenever a guy comes to Akira, he gets rid of them. But he didn’t want it to happen to Yabu since he is a good person. And third, for some reason, she was thinking about her butler’s son, Hikaru. It was the first time she saw him and it was her first time to see a person with vexatious tears. For some reasons, she was worried about him.
The next morning came so fast, she didn’t even know what she slept. Normal preparations for school were done again. As she went downstairs, her father was waiting for her in the dining room.
“You are going to have an authentic Japanese food for breakfast,” a familiar voice said.
“Thank you,” Akira said. As she was taking a bite, she stopped. She looked at that man, it was her butler’s son, Hikaru. He bowed at her and said, “I’ll be your new butler from now on, Akira-sama.”
She looked at her father. Her father gave her a nod and continued eating.
She didn’t know that time, that will be the start of a change in her life.
Pairing: Hikaru YaotomeXOC, Yabu KoutaXOC, Takaki YuyaXOC
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Drama, romance, tragedy
Summary: Nishihara Akira is a daughter of the famous Nishihara Tadashi, a business tycoon. Hikaru's father, who was happened to be Akira's butler, died in heart attack. Akira's father trusts Hikaru's father so much and as a promise, he asked Hikaru to live in their mansion, he will continue to go to school but on one condition, he will be Akira's personal butler in exchange of his late father.
Word count: 3, 071
Author’s note: Sorry for some minor grammatical errors. English is not my primary language. >.<
If you're interested to read the prologue. Click here.
ONE
Three years ago...
“Young mistress, you have school today.”
She slowly opened her eyes. At first, she really didn’t want to. She has so many reasons on why she didn’t desire to open her eyes. First, she is tired of seeing the same thing in the morning-the chandelier made of 24K gold with diamonds in it, the wooden chair from a certain European country and a line of maids with his personal butler waiting for her to wake up.
Second, she is tired of doing the same things everyday-studying in a private school from 7 o’clock in the morning until 4 o’clock in the afternoon, on Mondays after school, she have her personal English conversation lessons with an American whose only known to her as Mr. Smith, afterwards, she will have her piano lessons and ballet lessons which will take until 10 in the evening. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, she is learning French, Italian, and German conversation with a certain European lady who was said working to the former queen of Great Britain; cram school on Wednesdays and tea ceremony lessons on Fridays.
At first, she thought that she is free during weekends. But she got it wrong, why? Because on Saturdays, she has her violin and harp lessons in the morning and in the afternoon, she has her Taekwondo class. On Sundays, she doesn’t have anything to do except during evening, her father’s business partners from different countries usually come so she is forced to be with her father all the time since she will be the heiress of Nishihara Company.
She slowly crawled out of the bed and got up. A certain maid got her robe and put it to her. Another maid got her slippers and went to the bathroom. They put rose petals in the elegant bathtub with an aroma of another sweet scent of chamomile. As the butler explained what kind of bath she will have for today, Akira interrupted and said, “I know what it is. If you don’t mind, I’m going to take my bath now.”
The maids put the towels as everyone went out. She took a deep sigh as she took off her clothes and went to bath.
After bath, she was wearing her robe and a towel which covers her hair. A massage therapist went to massage her arms while the other one put nail polish on Akira’s nails. Her feet were being massage, too. Afterwards, the maids went inside. Each one carrying certain things she needed for school. The other one carries her uniform, the other one is her bag.
As she dressed up, she sat in front of the mirror where her personal hairstylist came. She blow dried and ironed her hair with curling irons. Afterwards, they put make-up on her face.
She finished her everyday way of preparation for school. As she was going downstairs, her personal butler, Yaotome Satoshi, gave her schedule. Akira wasn’t paying attention at all. She is really bored of what she’s hearing for the past 17 years.
Downstairs, she went to the dining table where her father was sitting on the other edge of the long table.
“You’re going to have Italian pasta for breakfast,” the butler said.
“Thank you, sir,” Akira smiled. As her personal butler bowed, her father spoke.
“Are you doing well in school?” her father asked without even looking at her.
“Yes, otou-sama,” she replied with a smile on her face.
“You need to keep up the good work. Next year, you’re going to be in college. I want you to take a business course in Keio University. After that, I’ll send you to USA to have your master degree. You need to have a perfect knowledge about our company since it is known worldwide. I don’t want you to be a shame in our family like your older brother did,” he said with a serious face.
My brother was not a shame.
She wanted to say this but due to fear, she couldn’t say it. Nishihara Tadashi has a cold heart. He only cares for money and the company. Akira’s mother died because of an accident but her father didn’t even shed a single tear after her mother’s death. Akira didn’t admit this for a long time-she hated her father.
After taking breakfast, her father went to his limousine without saying goodbye. Next is her, she went inside the black car with so many body guards guarding him. The butler was in the front passenger seat while she was alone at the back.
“Are you okay, young mistress?”
“Eh? Yes, I am. Why?”
Yaotome Satoshi has been her personal butler since birth. Originally, he was her mother’s butler but after she died, he remained loyal to the Nishihara household and took care of the young lady, Akira. That was why; he knows whenever Akira is upset.
Satoshi cleared his throat and said, “Never mind what Nishihara-sama have told you a while ago about your brother. I’ve met your brother. And he is a good person.”
Akira smiled and said, “Thank you, Yaotome-san.”
Arriving in school, her butler opened the car door for her and said, “Take care.”
Akira bowed and said, “Thank you very much. You too, Yaotome-san, please take care.”
As she entered school, she went straight to their classroom. She belongs to class 3-A. As she sat down, the class have started and got her notebook and pen to take lectures.
Lunch break came, Akira went to the canteen. It seems to be a first class dining which is compared to a five-star hotel. She sat alone in the table until someone came and asked, “Why are you alone in here?”
She looked up; it was her classmate and the scholar student, Yabu Kouta.
“Ah, Yabu-kun!” Akira smiled.
“Would you mind if I sit with you?” he asked. Akira smiled and nodded. Yabu sat with her. Everyone eats with the cafeteria food but she noticed that Yabu has his own bentou.
“If you don’t mind, don’t you like the food in our canteen?” Akira asked. Yabu laughed a bit and said, “How could I like the food? It’s so expensive. I can’t pay 20, 000 yen just for a meal. And that 20, 000 yen is my food for two weeks, that’s why it’s impossible.”
Akira smiled and said, “I see.”
“Maybe, a young mistress like you thinks that this food is strange, right?” Yabu asked holding an onigiri. Akira had a bitter smile and asked, “If you don’t mind, what is that?”
“Just like I thought,” Yabu laughed, “This is an onigiri. Would you like to taste it?”
“Then, itadakimasu,” Akira said and tasted the commoner’s food. Akira’s eyes widened and said, “It’s delicious!”
“See? That’s why I don’t need to spend a 20, 000 yen. A 500 yen food like this can make my stomach full already,” Yabu smiled.
“Cool,” Akira said and had a thought, “I know...I’m going to bring my own bentou, tomorrow, ne?”
“Sure, that will be great. Let’s eat together again tomorrow,” Yabu smiled.
“Okay,” Akira smiled.
After eating, the both of them went back to the classroom together until someone with his friends blocked their way, it was Takaki Yuya.
“Yo! Hanging out with a pauper?” he smiled as his friends laughed.
“Yabu-kun is not-”
“Maybe I’m a pauper and I don’t have money. But at least I could think well than you do, right?” Yabu smirked.
“Are you saying that I’m stupid?” Takaki asked as he grabbed Yabu’s collar.
“Hey stop!” Akira said. The bell rang signalling for the next class. Takaki pushed him and said, “Don’t think that we’re already finish, Yabu.”
As they entered the classroom, Yabu asked, “What’s up with those people?”
“I don’t know,” Akira said.
“Nishihara-san finds it really hard, ne? Having him as your future husband,” Yabu said.
Akira didn’t say anything. It is true that she is engaged with a guy like him. But she couldn’t accept that fact. She disliked Takaki since she first met him. He is rich but he acts like a kid. The only reason why her father wanted him to be engaged with him is because of the company.
After school, she found it strange that Yaotome-san, her personal butler didn’t fetch her. As she entered inside the car, she asked the driver where Yaotome-san is, the driver said that he was rushed to the hospital due to heart attack. Because of this, Akira got worried and asked the driver to go to the hospital.
“But you have your cram school-”
“Please, I need to see him. I’m worried about Yaotome-san!” Akira yelled.
“I...I understand,” the driver said as they went to the hospital.
Akira went down to the hospital but before that, the driver chased her and asked, “Please don’t be late! I’ll be fired!”
“I know!” Akira said as she ran inside the hospital.
She is a young mistress. She knows that this is awkward. Why is she worrying over a poor butler? It is because she treats him as his father. She knows that this poor butler loves her, too as her daughter. For years, he was always by her side, guiding her to grow up not only to be the heiress but also to be a better person. That was why she was extremely worried about her.
She went to the nurse station and asked where Yaotome Satoshi was. The nurse said that he was in the Intensive Care Unit, battling against death. Akira said her thanks and went to the second floor wherein the room was located. The lights were on inside the room and she was extremely worried. She sat down and was staring at her lap, worried about what will happen. She didn’t know that two seats away from her, there was a young man, sitting and waiting for the same man whom Akira was waiting for.
The young man looked at her, curious why she is waiting for Yaotome Satoshi, too. He wanted to ask but the light from the Intensive Care Unit were gone. The doctor came out -the both of them stood up.
“Are you a family member?” asked the doctor, looking at the two.
“He’s my personal butler.”
“He’s my father.”
The both of them said together. With a strange look from the doctor, the both of them glanced at each other and turned their look into the doctor.
“Uhm...may I ask what happened to Yaotome-san?” asked the worried Akira.
“He is in critical state. He had heart problems before and had history of heart attacks. This time, it’s different. If you don’t mind, miss, can I talk to his son for a while?” the doctor asked. Akira bowed and said, “Excuse me.”
Akira sat down for a while. Worried, tears were rolling down onto her pinkish cheeks. After talking to the doctor, Yaotome Satoshi’s son sat two seats away from her. Akira was crying quietly but he heard her, sniffing.
He sighed. He got his gray handkerchief and said, “Here.”
Akira looked at him. She slowly got his hanky and said, “T-Thank you...”
Akira was wiping her tears. He looked at her and said, “So you’re Nishihara Tadashi’s daughter, I suppose.”
Akira nodded and gave the handkerchief back, saying, “Thank you.”
“No problem,” he said.
“By the way, I’m Nishihara Akira, pleased to meet you,” Akira said as she bowed her head.
“I’m Yaotome Hikaru, thank you for accepting my father in your household,” he bowed back.
“N-no...thank you. Because of your father, I am who I am right now,” she said.
“Eh?” he said.
“He was like...my father,” she said.
“I see,” he replied.
There was another awkward silence between the two. Akira was looking at her lap, worrying about what will happen to his father-like butler. Hikaru, on the other hand, looked at her, thinking why she is worried over a butler. Akira was like a princess while his father was just a butler. He didn’t expect that someone who is so rich will worry over a commoner like his father. Smiling, he thought how kind Akira is.
The emergency bell suddenly rang from the Intensive care unit. Nurses and the doctor rushed inside. The both of them went inside and asked what happened.
They got the pumping apparatus and yelled, “Clear!”
“There was no pulse, sensei,” the nurse turned into the doctor.
“Once again,” the doctor said and tried to regain his pulse, but it was too late.
The doctor sighed and turned to us, “I’m sorry.”
“Yaotome Satoshi-san, died of heart attack. Time of death 16: 45,” the nurse said while the other nurse recorded it.
Akira was covering her mouth because of shock as tears rolled down unto her cheeks again. Hikaru went closer and tried to wake his father up.
“Hey, father!” he cried as he knelt down and sobbed. Akira came closer and said, “Why is this happening?”
Akira’s driver went inside the intensive care unit and said, “Akira-sama, it’s time for you to go back.”
“Wait,” Akira said, “Can’t you see that-”
“I’m afraid that your father is already calling me,” the driver interrupted.
“It is okay, Nishihara-san,” Hikaru suddenly said as he stood up. Without looking, he added, “I can manage this by myself.”
“But-”
“Cut it out! I said I want to be alone...” he said as he looked back to his dead father.
“Let’s go, Akira-sama,” the driver said.
“Yes,” Akira said as she walked away the room. She looked back to her dead butler then took a glance on his son. Akira bowed her head, felt the sadness, and walked away.
She was in the car, staring out the window. The lights of Tokyo were slowly turned on, sign that it was already evening. She missed cram school.
She went back home. The maids bowed down to her. As she was going upstairs, her father was waiting for her.
“Where have you been?” he asked.
“Ya...Yaotome-san...died a while ago,” Akira said, trying to control her tears.
Her father sighed and said, “We’re going to send our condolences tomorrow. Right now, there is an important thing we should do. Change into your kimono.”
“Yes, otou-sama,” Akira said as she went back to her room.
“Akira,” her father said. Akira looked back and looked at her father.
“People come and go. So do not be lonely about it. We’re going to get you a new butler. So don’t worry,” he said. Akira bowed and went into her room with two of her maids. She took a warm bath for 20 minutes and change into her pink and red furisode kimono with crane patterns in it. Her personal hairstylist put kanzashi hair accessories in her hair making her look prettier.
“Akira-sama, your father and the visitors are waiting in the living room,” the maid bowed.
“Visitors?” Akira asked, “Who?”
“I am not the one who is supposed to tell you that, young mistress,” the maid bowed as she asked Akira to follow her. Akira went out into her room and went downstairs and saw his father talking to three people-Takaki Yuya, his mother and his father.
Akira’s eyes widened and said, “Why?”
“Don’t be rude, Akira,” her father said. Takaki’s father bowed and said, “I want to have a formal meeting with your father, Akira-san.”
Akira bowed back and sat beside her father. Takaki was sitting between his parents.
Their parents were talking about their future. Akira was starting to get bored. She looked at the clock; it was already 6 in the evening. Afterwards, they ate together and still, the same topic is being talked about.
“I’m planning to pursue college in America,” said Takaki.
“That’s great,” Akira’s father said.
“Akira-san, what about you?” Takaki’s mother asked.
“Eh? I’m going to...take a business major in Keio university. Afterwards...”
“She’ll have her master degree in America,” her father interrupted.
“That will be great; your company will be saved then, ne?” Takaki’s father said as they laughed together. Akira gave a plastic smile and continued eating.
Akira went out after dinner for a walk. She looked at the fountain in their garden. She sighed and sat on the bench. Someone suddenly came, it was Takaki.
“What are you doing in here?” Takaki asked. Akira glared at him and said, “It’s none of your business.”
“It will be my business soon,” Takaki said, having a smirk in which Akira took it as an annoyance and insult.
“I won’t let that happen,” Akira said as she walked away but Takaki held her wrist tighter and said, “And I won’t let you ruin it, Nishihara Akira.”
“It hurts! Let me go!” Akira yelled until the front door was opening, Takaki released her and whispered, “Don’t take me as an easy foe. You’re going to be mine soon.”
Akira started to shiver with fear down to her spine. She didn’t want to be with a cruel man forever. She didn’t want that kind of fate.
Night came, she tried to sleep. There were so many things running in her head. First, her personal butler’s death whom she treated as her father; second, Takaki’s cruelty-she was scared to be with him forever. She didn’t want him to hurt her friend, Yabu Kouta, too. Since they have met, whenever a guy comes to Akira, he gets rid of them. But he didn’t want it to happen to Yabu since he is a good person. And third, for some reason, she was thinking about her butler’s son, Hikaru. It was the first time she saw him and it was her first time to see a person with vexatious tears. For some reasons, she was worried about him.
The next morning came so fast, she didn’t even know what she slept. Normal preparations for school were done again. As she went downstairs, her father was waiting for her in the dining room.
“You are going to have an authentic Japanese food for breakfast,” a familiar voice said.
“Thank you,” Akira said. As she was taking a bite, she stopped. She looked at that man, it was her butler’s son, Hikaru. He bowed at her and said, “I’ll be your new butler from now on, Akira-sama.”
She looked at her father. Her father gave her a nod and continued eating.
She didn’t know that time, that will be the start of a change in her life.