I originally planned this to be part of a much larger chapter (around 7k+ words in length if things go according to plan). However after I have written what you can see below now, I just decided to post what I have up as a chapter in itself. I did not want to keep any people waiting as well. If things go well, maybe I can get the 2nd half of this chapter to a reasonable length, perhaps in a few weeks.
I feel like I should I try to include as many characters as I can, even if they appear only for a short period of time. The difficult thing is to trying to keep everyone in character. Please send me a PM flaming me if things go horribly wrong.
I think I can finally find a way to introduce Ayumu into the story. Everyone has their favorite snack-eating hamster. Writing a love triangle is hard enough. The situation with Hayate and his possible love interests make things seem more like a love decagon.
I'm not a huge fan of extensive author notes, but including some along the way should help I think.
As always, please enjoy reading and please review. All thoughts, suggestions and criticism are welcome. Sending them by PM is also fine if reviews happen to be not suitable. It really helps.
Sunshine, sunglasses, lotion, and a beautiful maid.
A beach. On such a sunny day, such a pristine and clean beach would normally be crowded with people. During the late hours of the morning, not a single soul was in sight. The waves crashed gently upon the beach whose origins lie beyond the horizon and further than the eye can see if the rising sun did not blind it. Opposite to the waters, the sand gave way to a dense forest, filled not with tropical trees but with trees more accustomed to a colder climate.
John reclined on a beach chair on the sand. He slowly aroused himself from the morning nap he was having and beckoned at the maid who was steadily waiting from afar.
The maid slowly approached him, carrying a tea pot. Her black shoes slowly gathered sand from the beach. Her slow pace tried to minimize the amount of sand that would dirty her shoes and socks.
She greeted him politely, "More tea sir?"
He nodded yes and the maid promptly poured tea into the cup that was waiting on the table beside the beach chair.
Before she could fill the cup to it's brim, her cellphone quietly rang.
She gradually placed the tea pot on the table and bowed in apology, "Excuse me sir."
John nodded again, eyes still closed.
She took a dozens steps away from the waterline and answered the phone.
"Yes?...A visitor?...But Master John said...I see... I'll inform him."
She folded the phone and walked back to her master. She graciously asked him in a sincere voice, "Master John?"
"What is it?" He answered with eyes shut, still attempting to nap.
"You have a visitor sir."
"But it's Sunday," he yawned. "I explicitly said I didn't want any visitors today?"
"Yes, but the visitor was still insistent on seeing you though. He said that he knows you and the business is urgent."
"Fine. Let him in."
A luxury car came to a stop as the morning sun gleamed of it. The private road leading to the beach came to a sudden stop as the asphalt gave way to pristine sand. The visitor quickly got out of the car and strode down the path to the beach. The presence of the brown curly hair quickly confirmed his identity.
John turned around to take a look at the visitor, but quickly turned him away upon seeing his identity.
"Go away," he said.
"Don't turn me away like that!" Gilbert shouted. "I thought we helped each other for mutual gain!"
"Yeah, we did. Now leave me alone, I'm trying to relax here."
"Relax on a beach? Why is it so hot here? Isn't this November?"
"This is November. Why is there a beach in the middle of the mansion grounds that's always in summer? I don't know how the old man did it, so don't ask me."
"Right..." Gilbert recomposed himself. "Anyway, you got your slice of the cake. Where's mine?"
"Hmm... you did do something with the giant robot thing. So... how about 500 million yen?"
"500 million? That's not enough!"
"400 million."
"Why are you lowering it like that!"
"300 million."
"Okay, okay... we can talk sensibly here."
"Take it or leave it."
"Thank you very much Mr. John!" Gilbert bowed in thanks.
"That's better," John smiled. "Go back to the main mansion building. Tell any butler that I gave you 300 million. Don't try to change the amount. I'll know."
"Thank you very much!" Gilbert ran off faster than a sprinter.
"Don't spend it all in one place!" John yelled to the man running in glee.
Free of the annoyance, John leaned back on his chair. He gestured to the maid, "The morning paper please."
The maid handed him a newspaper warm and freshly ironed.
The front page article quickly gripped his attention while his eyes widened in relative shock.
"This shouldn't bother me..." He thought. "But why does it ring so many bells?"
He threw the newspaper into the coffee table and shouted to the maid, "Get the helicopter ready! I'm going to Nerima!"
Hayate parked his bike in front of the building and quickly ran up to his apartment room.
Maria greeted him as he opened the door, "Welcome back Hayate."
She had re-donned the maid uniform and was preparing breakfast for the whole household.
"Good morning," he returned the greeting. "How are you Maria?"
"I'm fine, but are you?" She expressed concern. "You're working day and night. You shouldn't be pushing yourself Hayate."
"Don't worry," laughed Hayate. "It takes quite an effort to support 3 people, but I'm earning a little extra doing the graveyard shift as well. So it's fine. Where's Nagi?"
"She should be in her bedroom, either playing games or watching TV, " Maria said as she transferred the latest batch of fried eggs from the frying pan onto dishes.
"Thanks Maria."
Hayate strode into the room and onto the tatami flooring. Hayate expected to see Nagi holding a game controller and hear generic video game music. Instead, the sounds of a reporter filled the room.
"Good morning mistress Nagi," Hayate said.
"Shh..." Nagi hushed him. "Something important is coming up."
Hayate took a seat next to her to listen to the television.
A female reporter's voice was heard. "Now for today's top story. Many would consider the yakuza to be criminals, but there is a certain degree of tolerance in Japan. The life of a member and the life of an average citizen is usually separate, but have they crossed that line? Several people have claimed they have been extorted over the course of many years. This is certainly a story previously unheard of. Why would the bōryokudan (Name for the yakuza in the Japanese media. Literally means 'violence group'.) exploit the common people? Why such a crime has gone unnoticed and unreported for so long? We go to Tokyo for more details."
"Sounds like something from an anime or a game doesn't it and almost too large for real life. It's like a storyline that is just starting to play out," Nagi remarked.
"These very nice people are usually depicted often in the visual media," said Hayate. "We don't have to look far to see a life that has been changed by them though. Do you remember how I entered your service milady?"
"Yes, your parents sold you off. We met and I paid off your debt to them."
Hayate grasped Nagi's hands and looked long and deep into her eyes. "I do consider myself lucky that I met someone like you who saved me. I am truly grateful for that."
"Hayate..." As expected, her face gained a shade of red. She leaned forward slightly, expecting something romantic shortly after.
Just as soon as eye contact was made, it was broken shortly after. Hayate stood up, sending Nagi reeling backwards off-balance.
Completely obvious to Nagi's previous emotions, Hayate had already moved onto another subject. He plucked a large black phone from his pocket, "I managed to earn enough today for a few cheap mobile phones, one for each one of us. I already subscribed all of them to a monthly payment program, so we can call right now. Is there someone in mind you would like to talk to?"
Nagi crossed her arms and concealed her slightly irritated feelings. "It's only been a week. I'm sure no one would miss me that much."
"A week can be a long time. Your friends haven't seen you at school or anywhere else. They must be worried sick."
"Fine, just call someone."
"As you wish," Hayate said as he dialed a number onto the number pad. He handed the phone to Nagi who reluctantly accepted it.
A few beeps.
A few more passed with no answer.
At last, an answer. "Thank you for calling Express Serial Killer Services. We thank you for choosing our services. As according to our business model, we shall track your number and address and promptly send a professional serial killer to your house or apartment who shall dispose of you in the manner you request. Hopefully it will be painless. Have a nice day." A small hint of a Japanese Kansai accent was heard.
"That joke was lame."
"Yeah it was. I only had a few seconds to think of it. Wait... Nagi?"
"Yes it's me. Surprised?"
"Of course I'm surprised! Where have you been? We've been looking all over for you all week. What happened?"
"It's complicated Sakuya, but I'm fine now. What was with that 'serial killer' thing anyway?"
"Ah... I saw that it was a number I did not know. So I assumed it would be a telemarketer, so I thought I would pull a little prank or something..."
"I see. How have you been doing?"
Hayate left Nagi to enjoy her conversation with her dear cousin. He had another person of his own he wanted to call.
He dialed in Hinagiku's mobile phone number, but the call was immediately redirected to an operator.
"Seems like her phone is off," he thought.
Left with the alternative, Hayate dialed the household phone number. He waited patiently as a few beeps from the earphone passed. It would take a short period for someone to hear the ringing and run to the house phone.
Instead of hearing Hinagiku's voice as expected, a more mellow voice answered the call.
"Good morning, this is the Katsura household. May I enquire whom is speaking?"
"Good morning Mrs. Katsura. This is Hayate speaking. May I speak with Hinagiku?"
Mrs. Katsura took a moment to think. "Hayate... Hayate!You're the boy that stayed over for the night. She's currently doing housework and cleaning the house, but you can speak with her."
She tried to raise her voice over the sound of the vacuum cleaner, "Hinagiku!"
Hinagiku gripped the handle firmly as she swept the nozzle over the carpet for a final time. Her dew-laden sweat dripped down from her hair down to her forehead quickly prompting a wipe with the back of the hand. The constant cry of the electric motor was finally silenced when she flipped a switch on the handle.
Only after the room became relatively silent that she heard her mother calling for her.
"Hinagiku?" She heard her mother call.
"Yes?" She responded and immediately headed to the kitchen where the sound was coming from.
"What is it?" Hinagiku said as she came through the door and into the kitchen.
"Your boyfriend called," Mrs. Katsura said.
"My what?" Hinagiku shouted and was surprised at such an outlandish claim. "I don't have a boyfriend! What makes you say that?"
"But it's the boy you brought home that night. He called this morning asking to speak with you. He must have missed you so much. Did you speak with him last night?"
"A boy I brought over? Hayate? Please hand me the phone Mom!"
Mrs. Katsura delightfully handed the handset to her daughter and walked out of the room to let what she perceived to be a couple in love talk in peace.
Hinagiku did not hesitate to speak into the phone, "Hayate is that you? Are you fine?"
"I'm fine. Why do you sound so worried Hinagiku?" Hayate replied.
The texture of the voice on the phone quickly confirmed for her that it was indeed Hayate on the phone. She felt slightly relieved, but kept her stern tone. "Seriously Hayate... why must you disappear for a week like that? Everyone's worried! What happened?"
"It's complex, a lot happened. But I'm fine, Nagi is here as well."
"You or Nagi didn't come to school after the festival. I tried looking at her mansion but it's locked shut. Where are you right now?"
"I'm currently at a random rented apartment room. Nagi and Maria are here as well. I'm not too sure of the address, but... it shouldn't... be too far from your house..."
"Not far from here? Why did not see me? You know I'm here if you need help!"
"I'm sorry! I guess I was too busy trying to earn enough to get by from part-time jobs."
"Part-time jobs? What happened exactly?"
"It's going to take a while to explain. Perhaps we should talk in person. Here's my current address..."
The group sat in tense conversation in Nagi's bedroom. The TV continued to emanate light but the sound remain muted and no attention was gave to it. There was some slight fidgeting and shuffling, as some people tried to find comfort on the rice straw flooring. Maria poured some more tea for the group as Hayate tried to narrate recent events, and what happened in them and how he and Nagi ended up in a small rented apartment.
Hinagiku nodded as she tried to understand and contemplate what Hayate had just told her. Her house was not far from the apartment, so it did not take long for her to walk and pay a visit.
"So that's how we ended here," Hayate finished. "I think we were lucky that we did not have to spend a night in the streets. We found an elderly couple who took us in for a night. The following day I managed to find some emergency income and found this cheap apartment for rent."
"I see. I'm glad you both are safe," Hinagiku said. "From what you said, seems like John had this planned for quite a while now. I feel guilty as well for not noticing anything. I even approved his class' haunted house."
"You did nothing wrong," Hayate said. "It's my own fault for not being strong enough to protect her when it happened."
"It's not your fault either Hayate," Nagi interjected, who felt equally guilty and down. "If you weren't there to protect me with your own body, I probably wouldn't be here right now."
"Seriously..." Hinagiku said. "If only the Sanzenin family and its relatives would know about your inheritance terms, why would a transfer student from abroad know about it?"
"Speaking of John," asked Hayate. "Where is he right now? Did you see him for the past week?"
"No," Hinagiku replied. "After the school cultural festival last week he suddenly disappeared from school. None of his female 'fans' could contact him. When I looked at your mansion in this city it was locked shut too. The Sanzenin SPs who would normally welcome me barred entry when I tried to get through. I think that shows that John is either at that mansion or the main Sanzenin mansion you once told me about."
"I would like to give him a piece of my mind," said Hayate. "But violence is not the solution. As much as I would like to figure how to get Nagi her inheritance back, it's difficult even surviving today."
"Difficulty surviving?" Hinagiku inquired. "How much money did you have at the time?"
Hayate answered, "Aside from the money we had on us at that time which wasn't much, none at all. We were pretty much evicted from the mansion with nothing but the clothes on our backs."
"You don't have any savings right now?" Hinagiku said with a tone of surprise and disbelief. "Then how are you supporting three people simultaneously?"
"I guess I can say that I have a talent at finding part-time jobs," said Hayate.
Hinagiku said, "Part time jobs? I severely doubt one could make enough money for three people though."
"Well that is true," agreed Hayate. "That's why I need several right now."
"Several?" Hinagiku asked. "Just how many shifts are you doing currently?"
"If I add them all up," said Hayate. "I guess that would be almost all day and night."
"But that's inhuman!" Hinagiku exclaimed.
"I've been thinking about this," Nagi said. "For the past few days I've seen Hayate work very hard. It's only fair that his mistress do her fair share of the work. Say Hinagiku, what do you think of going back and doing a part-time job at the cafe I once worked at?"
"That would be nice," Hayate interrupted her. "But it won't be necessary, I'm fine working on my own. Hopefully if I work hard enough I might be able to afford a school tuition for you."
"Afford a school tuition? What are you talking about?" Hinagiku asked.
"Technically speaking, Nagi could still go to Hakou..." Hayate glanced at Nagi, who said nothing and crossed her arms.
He continued, "Hakou is a little far from here, but I would be happy to drop her off there if she wanted to go. Currently, she isn't very motivated to go though."
"I'll think about it," Hinagiku said. "If you really are too busy, I can maybe pick her up from here and we can go to school together."
"Fine..." Nagi said. "I guess I could go if you guys really want me to."
"Then what would happen after the current semester ends?" Hayate said. "As much as I would like to afford the academic fee for Hakou, it would be too much. I guess if I earned enough, maybe I can afford a regular school tuition."
"Earning enough for a school tuition on your own?" Hinagiku said. "But that's plain absurd! Maybe you could if you had a regular job, but you're working part time and supporting 3 people as well!"
"If I at least get a promotion in one of them, then maybe..." said Hayate.
"Why do you have to overexert yourself so much Hayate?" Hinagiku asked, with a worried tone.
"I don't know..." Hayate said, lowering his head. "I still feel like I have a debt to you, Lady Nagi. I also failed you once, I'm not letting that happen again."
"It's fine Hayate." Nagi said. "I appreciate your effort, but don't push yourself too hard. Do you have work today Hayate?"
"I don't think so," Hayate replied.
"It's Sunday," Nagi exclaimed. "Let's go outside. Hayate needs a little thanks for working so hard all week."
"Good idea," Hinagiku agreed. "I'll call our friends and see who is available and can come. I hope some one can come on such short notice though. Let's head to a cafe or something similar though. It would be hard to give directions to a bland apartment like this one though. Even I had trouble finding this place. A cafe would be much easier to locate. We can call our friends and meet anyone who comes there."
"Watch the house, okay Maria?" Nagi said to the maid as the three prepared to leave the house.
Maria said nothing, and merely smiled and nodded. Her duties as a maid were important, but there was a feeling of longing where she might have wanted to go with the group as well.
As the group put on their shoes, Hinagiku noticed the rather large dent in the wall again. Her mind told her to ignore it and say nothing the first time she saw it. The second time, she could not resist asking about it.
"Erm... Hayate?" Hinagiku asked and pointed to direction his attention at the wall. "What is that dent on the wall?"
"That dent?" Hayate seemed he was trying to avoid the subject for a moment, but eventually answered. "I actually was about to buy the plaster to cover that dent in the wall today, but I can do that tomorrow since we're going out."
"Do-It-Yourself is nice and all, but how did that get there?"
"You really don't want to know..."
"Why? What happened?"
"Did you read the news this morning?"
"Yeah, the front page headline is some crazy story about the yakuza or something like that. Normally the yakuza don't steal from or harass ordinary citizens, but the news stated about how the yakuza crossed the line by extorting ordinary citizens."
"It's exactly that."
"What? The yakuza came here?"
"Three people came, they looked like mafia but I wasn't able to confirm it. Basically they asked for some 'protection money' from us. We didn't have enough so I had to refuse and they threatened us. I was able to drive them off though." Hayate explained.
"What? You should report this to the police!" Hinagiku said.
"Don't worry." Hayate tried to calm her down. "I don't think they'll be back."
"Yeah," Nagi agreed. "After they've seen what Hayate could do, I don't think they want to come back."
"I guess so," Hinagiku said. "I hope you're right, but I have a bad feeling about this."
She shook any uncertainty she had in her away and soldiered on, "Let's go."
The group exited through the wooden door, ignoring the significant dent in the wall as the maid started to do any housework that needed to be done. Cleaning the floor came first, but there wasn't a lot to do. After all, an apartment and a mansion are worlds different in terms of size.
A shadowy figure stood beside a lamp post. His brown hat pulled down and angled forward as much as possible. His trench coat collar was unfolded and obscured his neck and part of his face. His sentry gaze finally caught movement at the third floor of a certain apartment building. His ears agreed with his eyes when they heard the sound of a door slamming shut followed by footsteps. One, two, three steps in quick succession followed by another drum roll of three steps. There were three people walking down stairs his senses told him. He had been alerted many previous times already during the morning but they were all false positives. Random people entering and exiting from their homes were not his target.
His sole mission was to look for a certain young blonde girl. Most likely she would have two long pig-tails and would be shorter than average. To not confuse him with any other person who might have looked similar by coincidence, there would be a blue-haired boy not far behind her. Most likely dressed in a butler's uniform. No mistaking that with someone else. Chances that there is another blue-haired boy in the city dressed in a butler's uniform are very slim.
The footsteps slowly grew louder. They must be walking down the stairs. Very close now. He saw exactly he was looking for.
Young blonde girl. Short. Two-pigtails. Casual clothing. Possible positive on target.
Blue-haired boy. Slightly worn black suit. Butler most likely. Young blonde girl seen confirmed to be target.
Pink-haired girl? Casual clothing. Have to report that as well.
The man slowly whispered into the microphone hidden in the coat's collar.
"Bishop 2 reporting in. Target located. Repeat, target located. Address is..."
