"Yo, Kiku!" Alfred called as he came running up to his Japanese friend.
"Alfred-san, how are you?"
"Dude, Kiku, how many times have I told you to just call me Alfred." The 17 year old said with a smile.
Kiku smiled back and looked back at the flowers that he was tending to. It had been 11 years since they met and 2 years since Kiku became the gardener. His father passed away 2 years ago leaving the estate with no gardener. Despite Alfred's protests to his own father to let Kiku leave, the man decided to keep the boy and make him work. Alfred comforted his friend for his loss and tried to keep his mind off it and for the most part he was successful.
The Japanese boy still did not know that Alfred was the son of the owner. Alfred planned to keep it that way. He was afraid that if he revealed the fact, then Kiku would be afraid of him and try to stay away. So he created a routine, where he would disappear for an hour or two to go hang out with Kiku. He father never knew of his whereabouts anyway, so he never had to come up with lies to cover himself.
They talked about many things over the course of their time together, some of which included facts about flowers and which was their favorites. They talked a little about what was going on with their daily life, which Kiku listened to intently. He knew so little of Alfred while the American seemed to know so much about him. Despite this, however, he loved to be with Alfred and talk with him. There were no other gardeners, leaving the Japanese boy alone with the flowers.
"So Kiku, what's this beauty here?" Alfred asked, referring to a purplish-blue flower. He had come to know all of the flowers in the garden because Kiku had told him what they all were. This one, however, was new. His father must've ordered these recently.
"This is a Blue Columbine." Kiku said happily. He pulled weeds out from around the plant with great care.
"You do a great job as usual." The American patted his friend on the back. "Well I have to go."
"Okay, dewa mata." Kiku waved happily. No matter how often Alfred reminded the Japanese teen that he couldn't speak his language, Kiku would still talk with it. "Oh, sorry, I mean, see you later."
Alfred smiled and began to walk away, but stopped and turned back towards Kiku.
"Did you need something else, Alfred?"
"I was just wondering... would you teach me some Japanese?"
What ever Kiku was expecting, it wasn't that. His shocked expression slowly changed into a smile. "Hai!"
"Great, thanks!" Alfred hugged him causing the smaller teen to blush.
"N-No problem," stuttered Kiku.
Alfred waved goodbye and once his friend was out of sight, he went inside. He wasn't sure how much longer he could keep the fact that he was heir to the estate from Kiku, or from his father for that matter. One slip up and it would all be over. He walked to his father's study and knocked on the door twice.
"Dad, are you going to join me for dinner?" Alfred already knew what the answer was, but he always asked just in case his father changed his mind.
"Not tonight, son. Maybe some other time."
Alfred sighed and walked to the kitchen to see what Francis was cooking.
"Francis, what's for dinner?"
The cook looked up from the stove to see Alfred smiling at him.
"Well, to tell you the truth, left overs. I don't have many ingredients right now, so I'll have to get something from the fridge. I'll run to the store tomorrow and get something, but for now you'll have to make due."
Alfred nearly laughed at Francis for trying to justify what he was doing. "Dude, I don't care. You food, fresh or left over, is always good."
Francis smiled at the complement and served the food. Alfred sat down to enjoy his dinner, while the Frenchman disappeared back into the kitchen. He ate his meal quickly and left the dining room, giving his dishes to Francis. He retired to his room and read for a while. The reading tired his eyes and they soon began to droop. Before long, he was asleep.
The next day, he sat up in his bed and looked at his clock. It was about 9am. Rubbing his eyes to fully wake himself up, he slipped out of bed and dressed himself, getting ready for breakfast. He left the overly large bedroom and encountered his father. It was rare for him to leave his study so Alfred was ecstatic. Mr. Jones saw his son and called to him.
"Oh, Alfred, I need to talk with you."
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Kiku had gotten up to begin working, but the new tools that were ordered were inside the mansion. He was in the midst of looking for them, when he heard voices. It was the owner of the estate.
"Son, we need to talk about what will happen when you take my place."
'Mr. Jones is talking with his son right now?' Kiku thought. 'I wonder what his son is like. He is probably stuck up and spoiled. Isn't that what all rich kids are like?'
Before he could answer his own question, an all too familiar voice came in.
"Yeah, dad, I really don't know if I'm ready to be thinking about that."
Kiku paused in his musings. Was that Alfred? It definitely sounded like Alfred. The Japanese teen was having trouble understanding what was going on. Just then, Alfred and Mr. Jones came around the corner. Kiku's eyes widened at seeing this.
He snuck away without turning back. Once he was back in the garden he stopped to think. Alfred was Mr. Jones' son?
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Yeah so I usually have something clever or fun to say right here, so yeah... Don't forget to review~!
