Draping gently around porcelain shoulders, the cascade of obsidian hair rivaled even the loveliness of her kimono. She was a magnificent work of art, a picture of bright silken robes framed by ebony ribbons, snaking slivers of smoke lending her image a deeply mysterious aura.
From your place behind the sliding screen door, you swayed happily, an admiring spectator.
"Magnificent! You look so beautiful, Yuuko-samaaa!" you whispered, albeit somewhat loudly, unable to contain your overflowing joy.
It wasn't usual that you snuck about the shop, spying on your mistress when she was holding audiences with her clients, but today she was truly spectacular.
Yuuko always looked wonderful no matter what she wore, of course, but she looked so incredible today that you couldn't help but suspect that she was dressing up for the customer. Were they important enough that she wanted to create an impression? You peered at the person in question.
A gangly high school student, dressed in a clean, starched uniform, shouting disbelief and discontentment and flailing about. Strange, certainly, but not so very interesting.
You turned your visage back to Yuuko, who had begun to tell a fortune. All of this, for nothing but a simple fortune-telling? As if that young man had the right to trouble your mistress for such a common task! Now fuming, you shook your head rapidly, trying of make sense her actions.
It couldn't be that…she liked that boy?! The realization struck your heart like an arrow, piecing your very soul. Outrageous! Preposterous! Unthinkable!
"It can't be…" you lamented, sinking slowly to the floor. Tears of sorrow obscuring the wood paneling of the floor. You were not sad enough to stop eavesdropping, however, and you leaned closer to the slight opening in the screen. Such dedication in the face of adversary was admirable!
Suddenly, you heard the familiar sound of soft, falling footsteps, skipping towards your position.
Screaming internally, fearful of the prospect of being discovered, you leaped away from the doors. Managing to land (mostly) silently. You slid limply to the floor in relief.
'Safe…'
Maru and Moro closed the doors behind them, twirling as they did so. Upon discovering you, each twin smiled and hooked an arm around yours, dragging you away.
"She's spying!" "Spying!" They giggled, pulling you off who knows where.
"Tch! Who's spying? I'm just, eh, looking out for Yuuko-sama!" you stuttered, struggling half-heartedly. For your efforts, they laughed openly.
After a short ways, you were dumped unceremoniously on the floor. From your upside-down view, you realized where you were.
"The storeroom?" You picked yourself up, dusting off lightly and glancing at the twins. They looked at each other, back at you, and handed you a small object. It was made of wood, and possessed simple adornments. Opening it carefully, you saw a piece of metal, glittering dully in the half-light, a rustic device that swung from a chain. An old watch. Again, not so interesting.
"Is this 'compensation'?" you asked, taking their nodding into account and understanding your role at once. Taking a step ladder from behind the door, watch in hand, you strode up it's steps and blew dust off of the special objects stored here. You slid the parcel to the back of one of the higher shelves.
It stopped ticking at once, you noted. Interesting.
"So, who's this new client?" you asked nonchalantly, turmoil hidden beneath the surface of your calm expression.
"April first!"
"Eh?"
"April first! April First!"
If they were going to be like that… you decided to stop pursuing the subject.
The walk back to the parlor was much shorter now that you weren't being towed like an anchor, and as you walked, your small companions parodied you skulking about. On tip-toes, dramatically impersonating some sort of sneak-thief. Any other time it would have been amusing, but you really didn't want to get in trouble.
"Silently, silently!" Maru pulled an imaginary pair of binoculars out and looked at you.
"Quietly, quietly!" Moro cupped her ear and leaned in, listening intently.
"Come on, now…" you tried to reason, but they took your hands once more and propelled you into the lovely room with sliding-doors. Yuuko didn't seemed surprised or angry at your sudden intrusion, but she spared a second to glance at you knowingly for a moment. You tried to smile innocently, but managed to look like a grimacing fox.
Yuuko returned her attention to the young man. The stuttering, panic-stricken young man. A bead of sweat dripped past his glasses and landed lightly on the tatami covered floor.
The twins danced around, but it didn't lessen the tension.
"And so, you'll work part time here to work off your debt!" Yuuko shouted, much to your dismay.
Your eyes widened in shock, the prospect of sharing your position (a cherished, special job!) almost too much to bear. Without sparing him a glance, you turned quickly and sped out of the room.
"He's not worthy! Yuuko-sama, whyyy?!" you cried hysterically, and to the bemusement of several spectators outside, collapsed in a dramatic fit.
Finally recovering, April first pointed accusingly a Yuuko.
"You planned on this from the start, didn't you!" Watanuki screamed indignantly.
Maru and Moro clasped hands and chanted merrily.
"Janitor! Janitor!"
Everyone ignored your agonized shrieks.
And the Witch of Dimension took a long drag from her pipe, perhaps dreaming of the amusing exploitations to come.