The next morning, I found myself in an unfamiliar bed, shaken from my nightmares by the dawn sun. It took me a second behind closed eyes to figure out where I was and what happened the night before.

After recalling our deal with Meiko vividly, I became considerably more awake and got out of my new small bed. The room was simple and standard. The only objects breaking its uniformity was a pile of sheet music on the nightstand and my sleeping best friend on the other bed opposite the nightstand.

A bell rang off from behind the closed door to our room. I registered it must be for the servants' breakfast and promptly kicked Yuka's bed. She yelped as the mattress bounced and groaned heavily.

"What time is it?" she moaned.

I glanced at the clock hanging on the wall, "Six AM."

"Ha ha, that's very funny. I could have sworn you had woken me up at six in the morning but that would be crazy."

I kicked her bed again. "We wake when the servants do, now get up!"

"No."

I sighed and pushed her whole body onto the floor. She dragged the blanket along with her and gave another signature groan.

"Fine."

I smirked in victory and, realizing no one had brought our clothes yet, exited the room.

The servant dorms were in the basement. A small set of stairs led to the servant dining area, which then led to the kitchen. I followed this path, running into the valet, Gumi, on the way.

"Oh. Hiki-san. Why are you here?" She questioned prosaically.

I nervously laughed. "Yuka and I are living here now, evidently, on Meiko's request."

She nodded knowingly. "Good luck, then."

We walked to where most of the other servants sat waiting for breakfast silently. The only missing people were Yuka, Len, Miku, and Kaito of course. The other domestics' reactions were more animated than the valet's.

"Mayu-san!" Rin exclaimed, "What are you doing here?"

"I'm surprised Meiko hasn't told you, but Yuka and I are staying here from now on…"

"Really?! That's great. I can't wait for Len to come up." She said the last sentence darkly. Those present greeted me on all different enthusiasms on the spectrum.

I suddenly became more self-conscience about my appearance and quickly combed my hair with my fingers as Rin directed me to an open seat next to Luka and across from an empty spot.

Heavy footsteps emerged from the stairs as a late-comer apologized and sat next to Rin. Len didn't seem to notice me yet, so I didn't say anything, my heart beating a little faster than before.

Rin coughed to get his attention.

"Yeah?" he asked.

She sighed heavily. "Greet our new household member, idiot."

He blinked a few times, searched the table, and when his eyes landed on me, blushed profusely.

"W-what are you doing here?" he asked.

"I've been asked that a lot recently, and I'm starting to question it myself."

"Huh?"

"Her Majesty's orders, I mean, request. Ms. Yuzuki and Ms. Hiki will be staying." Gumi answered for me.

Len gulped. "So that's what she offered you…"

"Yes. She offered it."

A huge yawn interrupted us. Not to my surprise, Yuka was the source.

"When are they getting our stuff? I need my clothes!" she complained.

"You can sit next to Mayu," Rin responded.

"'Kay."

The violinist plopped down next to me and drowsily looked around the table. Her eyes lingered on Len for a while, making him uncomfortable and causing her to smirk.

"This should be interesting," she said under her breath.

The last member of the staff appeared in the kitchen doorway, hauling a large steaming pot with difficulty. The woman's long cyan locks shook around as Miku tried to find her footing. Gakupo stood up and helped her finally. They served a small stew for our meal.

"Thank you," I told Miku sincerely.

She looked worse for wear, like a phantom with her paler-than-snow skin and baggy eyes. The short span of time she went without her fiancé must have felt like years.

My free time was spent playing the song that had plagued me since the night before. It felt good to get angry and forget about the drama this household offered.

After screwing up for possibly the five-hundredth time, I was beyond exasperation; I was outraged. Clenching my fists together, willing myself to not scream, I released a shaky breath and began the piece once more, telling myself for the umpteenth time that this would be my last try.

My hands glided across the keyboard naturally. The measure came faster than expected and-

"YES!" I leaped from the seat as soon as the song was over. "YES, YES, AND YES! TAKE THAT MOZART!"

My stomach dropped as I turned around and noticed I was not alone. Not only was there another occupant of the room, it was the worst possible person.

"Hehe," I brushed my skirt off, "Hi, Len."

"S-sorry, I was just passing and I wanted to hear you play-"

"No, no, it's fine, it's just…that was really embarrassing."

I was dying. Why him? Agh, why am I so stupid?

"No, congratulations on finally getting that piece," Len replied hastily, turning away in his ever-present blushing.

I sighed in relief. He didn't think I was completely weird. "Thank you."

"Can I ask a question?" Len spoke again. He seemed rather talkative for a change.

"Sure."

He hesitated. "When we first met…" This can't be good. "That man called you Hidari not Hiki, why was that?"

My jubilant mood died quickly, and I sat back down. I can't tell him.

"Because that's my name." And here I am, telling him.

Len looked at the ground, waiting to see if I would elaborate. I won't continue.

"I ran away from home about a year ago so, I don't want people recognizing me." And here I am, continuing.

What was this boy doing to me?

"I see. I won't tell anyone then."

I smiled. "Thanks, again."

He still wasn't exiting the room. I waited for him to say anything else.

"D-do you…" he trailed off.

"Hm?"

"Would you like for me to maybe pay for a meal or something in celebration of getting your piece." He spoke quickly and braced for impact.

I went over what he just said in my head. Did he just…No, he couldn't have asked me out…

"S-sure!" I squeaked. "Would tomorrow work?"

The footman finally looked into my eyes and smiled. "Yeah."

He opened the door and swiftly exited before I could change my mind. I laughed when I heard a faint, "Yes!" come from behind the wall.