Momo was in a hurry to finish her work. She heard news that there was going to be a huge dinner party for the ladies at the grooming school the coming weekend and it would be open to invited guests. Chiyo had told her about it the past week. The 'First Love Night' was held every 6 months in the grooming school which was owned by the Hitsugaya household.
The 120 girls who have been groomed will be attending the dinner along with specially invited bachelors who will pick any girl they like as their date for the night. If a girl is chosen she will pack her bags and leave, signifying her graduation from the school. Remaining girls who were not picked up would stay and continue to improve their skills for the next First Love Night. (First held in June and the second held in December.)
When Momo first stepped into the doors of the Hitsugaya household she expected to be enrolled into the school. She had read the news that the Hitsugaya Company was the most established in the business, having over 30 years of experience. To her disappointment, she found out that she had been given a job title as maid in the private residence of the Hitsugaya family instead of being in the school!
"Well, at least I'm now nearer to my goal of becoming a student in the school although this is a little too hard to believe. I'm a maid?" Momo thought to herself. Slowly she began to learn her way around the private residence from her senior and fellow maid Chiyo who also became her friend.
The school was just a short drive away from the private household. The school was looked after by the teachers and other matrons who would be in charge of the dorms. There were no maids as the girls who came in would learn how to do chores and keep the school clean. The school's mission was to nurture young girls into mature ladies.
Each girl would be learning a host of skills and develop a sense of individuality so that they would be ready to take on the world upon graduation. Momo later learnt that the school board chose the girls by their looks and background. After all, they would be match made so looks were more vital.
There were two stages in learning at the school. Firstly, the girls will learn basic skills in the 'Maid rank' which involves domestic affairs; culinary, housekeeping, first aid. The second stage would be the 'Princess rank' which lets the girls focus on improving themselves. They would attend language classes, make-up classes, fashion style.
Momo hurried to the pantry to join the rest of the maids for lunch after she had finished wiping clean the windows.
"I heard that he's still hung up over her." "Really? How long has it been? A year?" "I guess so." As she walked in she could hear the other maids gossiping. She sat down next to Chiyo and asked her what was going on.
"Didn't you know? The young master is still not over Rena. She was a former girl at the school." Chiyo told Momo. She went on with her tale. "Rena was an outstanding student and she was Hitsugaya Toushiro's first love. I heard that he was always rejected by her. There were also many suitors vying for her attention on the 'First Love Night' but she rejected them as well. Suddenly one day, she packed up her things and left! Heard that she left a note saying she found her true love and will leave the next day. There's a rumor that Toushiro has a room filled with presents that Rena returned."
"Wow. He must have loved her a lot. Rena-san must be really something." Momo thought to herself.
After lunch Momo resumed her cleaning activities, she was about to clean the dining area when she saw an older woman. Her dressing was elegant and she moved around with a sense of sophistication which suit perfectly in the house but she looked lost. Momo approached her and asked if she could help her.
"Yes dear. I've been away too long and it seems like Toushiro has made changes to the house again. Do you mind escorting me to his study room?" the lady said. Momo smiled and led her to the study room.
The two shared some small talk and out of curiosity Momo asked:"Are you a teacher?" To that question, the lady laughed heartily and said:"Do I look like one?"
"Not really. But I think the reason you came here was to look for the girls at the grooming school." Momo replied thoughtfully.
The woman smiled and nodded her head. "Then perhaps you are a mama-san? Because this weekend will be the 'First Love Night' event. Are you here to pick out girls?" questioned Momo.
The room was filled with laughter in a second.
Just as the lady could reveal herself, the door opened and Momo heard a man's voice calling out. "Is that you mother?" and Toushiro walked in.
Realizing her mistake, Momo bowed as low as she could, "I'm sorry I didn't realize who you were earlier. Please forgive me for my rude behavior. I shall take my leave now." She told the lady hurriedly and left.
"Gosh, I've made a fool out of myself! In front of Madam! I'm so dead!" Momo shook her head and muttered to herself.
"What? Mama-san?" Toushiro said in a loud voice. "She didn't know anything and I didn't even have a chance to tell her my real identity. Anyway, she was such an endearing girl. I think she would be a good match with you." His mother said cheerfully.
"Mother! I've already told you not to interfere with my affairs. Besides… work has been keeping me busy, I don't have time for dating and that sort." He retorted. "You better be true. It's been quite awhile so don't tell me you're still hung up over that girl." His mind switched off as his mother rattled on.
It wasn't like he was over her, yet at times he felt like giving up whenever the result that came back was nil. He knew he was torturing himself by being unable to get over Rena.
"Damn it." He cursed in his mind and told his secretary to find the girl that led his mother into his study.
"What? You saw him? How did he look? Was he cute? I heard he's only 25 though." Momo was bombarded with questions by Chiyo after she told her what happened.
"I- I don't know. I guessed he looked ok. The point is that I embarrassed myself in front of his mother! How am I ever going to face her? Ahhh!" Momo wailed.
At that point, a knock sounded at the door of their room. It opened and the secretary stepped in looking for Momo and said:"You are to report to the young master's study room now."
"Speak of the devil." Thought Chiyo as her friend was led off and watched the door close.
Note: I initially wanted to use the romanji for certain words but decided to put everything in English as it would be easier to understand.
First Love Night - Hatsukoi no Yoru
Princess rank - Hime rank
to the readers: sorry for leaving my previous story as a cliff hanger, i've got to find time to return to that finish the loose ends up.
in the mean time, here's my new work!