"Shall we continue the tour Miyuki-sama?"
Hayama's question finally took her eyes off the stairwell her Beloved had descended down.
"Um….yes, please Hayama-san."
They moved over towards the stairway to the left hand side of the upper hall. On the first flight above them stood the portrait of the younger Maya with her arms stretched upwards in a field of butterflies. The smile across her face and the glee in her eyes were radiant to behold. She seemed to be a truly happy child.
"Was she ever really like that?"
Miyuki found it very hard to believe. This was not the Queen of Night that she knew.
Hayama placed his hand on the wall beside the stairwell that the stairway sat within.
"Here is the elevator, should it be required."
The panel retracted to reveal a hidden elevator car within.
"There is another on the other side as well. Shall we take the car up?"
"Um…yes."
Hayama hand blocked the elevator car door for Miyuki and Minami, then entered himself behind them.
The elevator car was clad in dark woods and brass trim. It had been treated with a polish that produced a mirror-like effect. Lightly embedded in the wood were thousands of tiny four-leaf clovers.
Miyuki's attention was next drawn to the buttons on the brass panel beside the door. The top five buttons were blue, and laid out in a zig-zag pattern with three on the right side and two on the left. Under those buttons were two green buttons labeled "1" and "2" and finally a yellow button below them.
Hayama noticed her gaze and explained as the door closed.
"The elevator is a three dimensional model. The three blue buttons on the right hand side represent the floors of the central structure of the residence, with the two buttons on the left side representing the left wing of the residence's two floors. It of course is laid out in mirror opposite pattern in the other elevator. Miyuki-sama may have noticed on the drive up to the front of the building that the wing floors are offset between the floors of the central building?"
She hadn't noticed this, but it was her first time seeing the place and just its grandeur alone was enough of an excuse for not noticing that detail. She swung her head from side-to-side to indicate she had indeed missed that feature.
"The staircases work in the same manner. Behind Toushu-sama's portrait, and Miya-sama's on the opposite side, is a small hallway with the doors opening to either side. This is how one may access the wings' first floors on foot. The pattern continues upwards on each landing, to the central section's top floor. There are also hidden doors allowing servants access under each of the staircases to the working floors below, represented here by the green buttons."
After saying so he pressed the lower blue button on the left.
"What is the yellow button for Hayama-san?"
"Ah, yes. That leads to the underground garage, located under the gardens."
Miyuki now understood why three dimensional elevators were needed. Apparently the garage was located not directly under the residence but further away under the gardens. She was certain this was a security feature, perhaps to prevent car bombs from destroying the residence and those inside? Tatsuya would be able to affirm her conclusions after he inspected the area.
A few seconds later the doors opened in the hallway between the first staircase landing and the lower wing floor.
"This is the first floor of the left wing of the residence. These rooms, and their mirror opposites in the other wing, are intended as guest rooms for visiting non-main branch family members, and Tatsuya-sama's and Miyuki-sama's invited guests."
Once around the passageway she could see along the main wall hiding the stairwell there was a large and stylized Yotsuba family tree, with images of the Family members, living and deceased, in their appropriate places on the branches. A branch split off for every family offshoot. Mashiba, Shizuka, Shiibata, Tsukuba, and the others. Every branch contained its family members' portraits, the living in full color, the dead in monochrome. She saw the familiar faces of Yuuka, Katsushige, Fumiya, and Ayako on their respective branches.
The central trunk of that family tree and the highest branches were reserved for the most familiar of all faces. Mother and father, side-by-side in art, in a way they had never been together in life; and at the very top…..
Above her mother and father sat her portrait, but that wasn't what caused her suddenly shocked expression.
Her hand rapidly covered her mouth, which had been stunned open by what she saw.
Sorrow and joy mixed in a furious cauldron inside her mind.
There at the top was her portrait besideTatsuya's. Already linked in the fashion of a married couple, that had been used below. Small branches intertwined in the shape of a heart.
But Tatsuya's portrait rested on another branch than her own. It was on the branch whose intersection began with Maya.
"Is something wrong Miyuki-sama? Do you need to sit for a moment?"
"May I get Miyuki-sama a beverage?"
Minami and Hayama, dutiful as they were, immediately perceived Miyuki's condition and responded appropriately as her servants.
"Oh no!"
Personally Miyuki liked Hayama. Not only was he always kind to her and her late mother; but he had been "unusually" kind to Tatsuya as well, when all his underlings had joined the Family in ridiculing her Onii-sama. For that he would have Miyuki's eternal gratitude.
But she was instantly cognizant of exactly who Hayama was. He was Maya's personal butler, confidant, and the head of the entire Yotsuba support organization.
He was their aunt's eyes and ears.
"No, my aunt, not Onii….Tatsuya-sama's."
Miyuki inhaled a bit and then moved her hand to present to her worried companions a perfect smile.
A mask, Honami would have been proud of her if she had seen it.
"Tatsuya-sama is my aunt's son and not my mother's. Tatsuya-sama is my cousin, not my brother."
"No I was just…."
"This lie keeps me in his arms. This lie keeps me with my….Tatsuya…forever."
"…..overwhelmed…..when I saw Tatsuya-sama and myself already displayed in this fashion."
Hayama's expression turned from concern to a smile. Minami on the other hand furrowed her brows in suspicion. She already seemed to know Miyuki too well to fully believe that answer.
Hayama too, from age and worldly experience, probably knew Miyuki was covering up her true thoughts. Yet his decorum, tact, and training didn't allow him to show it to her. She knew he knew the truth of Tatsuya's real parentage, and she suspected he believed she also knew that truth; but the veil must stay down or else risk everything. Miyuki feared….her aunt's….true intentions, but to be…Tatsuya's wife….was too great a prize to risk, even in this relatively "safe" company.
"If Miyuki-sama is certain?"
Miyuki nodded with her mask smile still plastered on her gorgeous face.
"Indeed Hayama-san, and please thank Oba-sama for me for having made the beautiful family tree in this fashion."
"I certainly will Miyuki-sama. Shall we continue?"
Miyuki nodded, then turned her eyes down the long and ornate hallway that formed the backbone of this entire floor.
Straight in front of the family tree motif stretched the main hallway of the wing. On either side were several alcoves with doorways in them. Between the alcoves were art pieces and portraits which Miyuki recognized as deceased branch family members. Miyuki could also see near the end of the hallway a large room.
"Each doorway leads to a suite of rooms. Each containing at least one sitting area, office, water closet, and bedroom. Some contain two of everything except for the sitting area as well. There are four 'double' suites, two on each side and four 'single' suites, also two on each side. The totality of guest space in the residence numbers sixteen suites when combining both wings' guest floors. There are two service rooms per hall, one near the stairs and one near the end of the hall. At the end of the hall is a sitting room and tea balcony as well."
Hayama stopped walking and explaining a few steps down the hallway. He turned towards Miyuki.
"Would Miyuki-sama like to see one of the guest rooms?"
"Please."
With a nod, Hayama went to the nearest alcove doorway and placed his palm on the square of translucent material above the door handle. The door unlatched with no need to use the handle. He then held the door open for Miyuki and Minami to enter.
The seating area of this "guest suite" was nearly the size of the living room in their home, and just as well appointed. There were comfortable coaches and chairs with tables and pieces of art work on them and the walls. Miyuki got the immediate impression of a luxury hotel suite in a European spa town or grand capital.
"This is a double suite, for a visiting family. Outside of the sitting room there are two of everything else on each side."
"Are the sitting rooms in the single suites the same size as this?"
Hayama nodded as he answered.
"Indeed, it was Genzou-toushu-sama's intention that no Family member visiting this place should feel any less valued than another. Outside of the need for additional space for underage children, all the rooms are of the same proportions and comforts. Each is equipped with fully functional Home Automated Robot systems and each has independent climate control systems."
Hayama walked towards a tea table near the expansive windows. Miyuki could see the windows of the Grand Hall stretching off to her right side beyond. Below those windows, a huge lawn stretched off down the sloping hillside. A few copses of trees broke up the features of that lawn. Of course everything was covered in white snow, but she could tell it had to be a breathtaking sight in the spring.
"Each window can retract into the walls, with the option for a screen to replace it or simply leave it fully open."
Hayama then turned towards a wall and spoke to it.
"Display media."
The previous sweeping landscape painting there winked out and was replaced by a large visual terminal.
"The media center can link to your devices or to the residence's own external and internal links. You can also use voice command to activate the HAR or have human servants attend."
Miyuki nodded her understanding.
"Each suite has a theme, originally chosen by Yasuyo-sama herself. This one is the Chippendale Room, appointed with features from that decorative style. Other rooms include Victorian, Louis the XV, Art Deco, and so on. I have sent a list of them to your terminal."
With a hand gesture, Hayama indicated for them to proceed towards one of the bedroom suites.
"For particularly large gatherings the sitting room furniture can convert into beds, or portable beds and futons can be deployed from storage below."
He used a hand gesture to indicate towards their left side.
"On the inside wall of the hallway to the bedroom we have the water closet and walk-in closet. On the outside wall of the hallway is the bathroom, and an office room."
Hayama opened the bathroom door. Inside was what looked like a four person soaker tub, a shower that could hold four comfortably, and dual vanities. Another large window graced the wall.
"Both Western and Japanese style bathing is available in each room. As is evident, the Chippendale decorative theme continues in every room of this suite."
"One could take a family bath in that tub, or that shower."
Minami nodded affirmation at Miyuki's statement.
Miyuki's mind suddenly wondered to the memory a night a few days before when Tatsuya promised her to eventually take a bath together. She could feel her cheeks heating up and turned away to try and calm her suddenly quickened pulse.
They next proceeded to the bedroom, which was also in the Chippendale fashion.
"Media access is the same as the sitting room. Each double suite features one room with twin beds and one with a master king bed."
He touched a wall panel and the ornate Chippendale style king bed and frame descended into the floor while its upper pieces separated and retracted into the ceiling. The room was now barren save for a chase lounge, wall art, and the nightstands.
"We can reconfigure the rooms to suit the guests. Should one wish to sleep traditionally, tatami mats and futons are readily available."
Another push of the wall panel and the great bed reappeared from the floor and ceiling.
"Impressive Hayama-san."
"Madam will be pleased to hear you think so Miyuki-sama, but there is more to see yet."
"Miyuki-sama?"
Minami bowed to Miyuki as she addressed her.
"Yes Minami-chan?"
She asked her question still bowed over.
"May this one address a question to Hayama-dono?"
Miyuki whence lightly at Minami addressing herself once again in the third person. Tatsuya and Miyuki had both worked hard to break her of that habit when they were alone together, but Miyuki understood why Minami did it in their present company.
"Please speak up as you like Minami-chan, with no need to ask me beforehand. I want your unfiltered input on everything."
Minami stayed bowed.
"This one will do as you have instructed Miyuki-sama. Thank you Miyuki-sama."
She stood upright, shifted her entire body towards Hayama, and bowed again. Miyuki frowned even more this time.
"This one respectfully would like to ask a question."
Before Hayama could speak, Miyuki gave further instructions.
"While Hayama-san is deserving of your full respect Minami-chan, if Hayama-san has no objections…"
Hayama looked very serious when he indicated with a head nod that he had no problems.
"….let us dispense with the bowing to him, Tatsuya-sama, or myself for the rest of the day."
Delivered with a smile on Miyuki's face, Minami had no choice but to rise up and obey."
"…this one will do as Miyuki-sama has instructed."
Minami's discomfort was plain on her face.
Miyuki's face showed a whence again though.
"And no more third person references please."
"If I may?"
Miyuki nodded to Hayama to proceed. She didn't even notice he had obeyed her command instantly even before Minami could.
"We will of course do as Miyuki-sama asks."
Miyuki smiled to this.
"But if I may humbly offer some unsolicited advice?"
Miyuki nodded again, this time with slight apprehension showing.
"For Minami-san's benefit, Miyuki-sama may need to reissue that order for her should other Family members or Household servants be present. Without pre-knowledge of the situation, they may interpret Minami's words and actions as disrespectful towards Miyuki-sama otherwise."
Miyuki nodded her understanding.
"Of course Hayama-san is right."
They nodded towards each other and Minami, a half beat slower, nodded to both; clearly uncertain if her doing so skirted the boundaries on Miyuki's just issued "no bowing" command.
When they all were upright again, Miyuki and Hayama directed curious glances at Minami, who clearly was becoming uncomfortable at their slightly amused looking gazes.
Realizing what happened, Miyuki spoke up.
"You had a question for Hayama-san Minami-chan?"
A sudden "oh" face came over the young Guardian.
"Yes…my apologies."
Minami was about to bow again, but stopped in mid-start with an awkward motion.
"Hayama-dono, when a Principle is occupying a suite, where is their Guardian stationed?"
Hayama nodded in understanding as he spoke.
"You wish to know where they sleep. That is entirely up to the Principle to decide. This residence, while nothing can compare to the security of the Village and the main residence, is as secure as the Family can make possible. As such, a Principle can have their Guardian assigned to the servant quarters down stairs, similar to when at the main residence; or they can have them here in their suite."
"But…..if in a single suite, where would the Guardian sleep?"
Hayama smiled at Miyuki's obvious concern.
"Entirely up to the Principle's wishes. However, there is a specific accommodation included in case the Principle wishes to have their Guardian nearby."
Hayama, oddly enough, opened the door to the walk-in closet. Drawing curious gazes from the two young ladies.
"This obviously was a feature modification from the original plans, since when the residence was designed the Guardian System hadn't been conceived yet."
He pushed a panel on what looked like a built in dresser and the entire thing moved out into the closet, revealing a single bed built in.
"…..seriously?"
Miyuki's tone was surprisingly angry. Both Hayama and Minami showed surprise to this unexpected reaction.
"Are our Guardians shoes, or blouses; to be stored away when not needed?"
The indignity on Miyuki's face made both the servants with her blink in surprise.
"Minami is certainly not some….POSSESSION…..to be stowed away in a damnable closet! If this is to be our home I will not have it! If any guest in our home tries to put a human being in a closet they will find their backsides sliding across the pebbles on the driveway! I will have Onii….Tatsuya-sama personally escort them out, with force!"
Miyuki turned away with an angry pout and indignantly crossed her arms.
"No, I will NOT have it!"
To Minami's continuing surprise, Hayama's features softened as he listened to Miyuki's emphatic and angry words, and a look of consent and appreciation shown across his face.
"Of course Miyuki-sama's wishes in all things related to the residence will be done. Toushu-sama has given her and Tatsuya-sama carte blanche as far as this residence's operation is concerned."
"Miyuki-sama."
Miyuki turned towards Minami.
"While…I…understand and appreciate Miyuki-sama's position. I would humbly like to point out that there are several advantages to this arrangement."
"WHAT?"
Miyuki's face showed mortification.
"Minami-chan WANTS to sleep in a…closet?"
Miyuki's left hand swept over the single bed in the walk-in as she spoke.
"This one…..I…..humbly think that this location would be the optimal place from which to serve as a Principle's Guardian and servant."
Miyuki couldn't help but look back in utter confusion.
"And…not that this is a criticism in any way….."
She looked at Hayama with trepidation in her eyes when she spoke this. He merely smiled at her and nodded for her to proceed. She did so once refocusing on Miyuki.
"….this accommodation is somewhat superior to where…...I….sleep at the main residence."
Miyuki, stunned, covered her mouth with her hand.
"How….how can that be?"
Hayama answered her question.
"For one thing, it is not dormitory style, there is some degree of privacy here. The bed looks quite comfortable when compared to those in the main residence servant dormitory as well. It also has a circulation system, so it's not very claustrophobic."
Miyuki's stunned state continued as she listened.
"The beds in the junior servant's quarters here are somewhat better than in the main residence, but the lack of privacy is the same, both in bed and bath. In addition, outside of sleeping in the Principle's room with them, this is the best location to protect and serve them from."
Miyuki was now both mortified and confused. She crossed her arms again in frustration.
"But…..It's a CLOSET!"
Hayama seemed to be trying to suppress a grin as he tried to relieve her concerns.
"Perhaps the issue of placing a Guardian here to sleep can be revisited once Miyuki-sama and Tatsuya-sama take up permanent residence here? Maybe Minami-san will be able to convince Miyuki-sama of the utility of this arrangement, and its relative comfort?"
Miyuki's expression didn't seem to indicate she could be convinced of such a thing.
"And is there a closet upstairs for me to shove poor Minami-chan into?"
Her words were sarcastic, but Hayama continued to suppress his obvious enjoyment of her reactions. He, of course, realized Miyuki wasn't being rude or angry at him personally.
"This arrangement is for visitors only, and not intended for extended stays. Upstairs the bedrooms are more like those in a traditional home, all be it with their own water closets and bathrooms. If Miyuki-sama wishes Minami-san to have one of those rooms, you both should find it similar to how Minami-san is presently accommodated in your current residence."
Miyuki relaxed at this news and lowered her arms.
"Forgive my earlier rudeness please Hayama-san."
He smiled at her with a head nod.
"There is no need Miyuki-sama. As Head of the Household, your concern for Household members' living conditions is appreciated by me greatly."
After seeing the guest suite office space they went back into the hallway and down to the end where the sitting room and tea balcony were. Both another stairway, much less ornate but still lovely, and hidden elevator were located right before entering the sitting room.
Inside, the room was well appointed and three sides were surrounded by windows. There was clearly demarcated areas meant for children and adults. The same media options as the suites were available there. The room could even be set up as a movie theater of sorts.
On the only wall without windows, several large paintings were on display.
They were all of the same man.
"When the design was first made, this room was only called a sitting room."
Miyuki heard Hayama's words, but her eyes were magnetically drawn to the painting of the handsome and distinguished man.
"Madam had these portrait paintings commissioned specifically for the residence. The artists had to draw their inspiration from available pictures and videos."
Miyuki was enraptured by the handsome man staring back at her from each of the portraits.
"As a result this sitting room now bears his name."
Before her, looking down at her was Tatsuya.
But not Tatsuya.
The man in the portraits was clearly an adult.
One portrait showed him in his twenties, in an older version of military combat uniform. A very large and antiquated CAD strapped to nearly half his entire left forearm.
Another portrait showed him in his thirties, in a business suit. Miyuki recognized the main residence gardens behind him.
Yet another portrait showed a man in his forties, dressed in a five crested formal kimono. He was seated in traditional style, as if presiding over a samurai family gathering. The crests on his kimono bore the stylized four leaf clover that was the family's unofficial mon.
The final portrait was of him in relaxed clothes, looking down with a smile as his two little twin girls played with their beautiful mother, she sitting in the lawn of the main residence and smiling lovingly back at him.
The woman looked similar Miyuki. She was obviously Yasuyo, her grandmother. The two twin girls were clearly her mother and aunt.
And the handsome man that looked like a fully grown and mature Tatsuya…..
Yotsuba Genzou, their grandfather.
"The resemblances are….quite stunning."
"Indeed they are Miyuki-sama, but if I may say so, there are also many differences as well."
Hayama's words were true enough. Yasuyo was beautiful and radiant, but Miyuki knew she was a notch above her grandmother, mother, and aunt in beauty. This was actually her being modest. Most would judge those three Yotsuba women to be gorgeous, but Miyuki was near goddess-like perfection. She is, realistically, one of the most beautiful women to have ever lived. But this was only inevitable, after all, she had been designed that way.
Genzou, on the other hand, was clearly "prettier" than even Miyuki thought Tatsuya was. Of course Miyuki found him extremely handsome, but most people saw Tatsuya as "normal". Genzou had been a notch above that. Most who saw this man would immediately call him handsome and distinguished. Tatsuya became more attractive to people after they observe his bearing and mannerisms, hear his words and see his maturity. Genzou was handsome enough that he was rewarded these same things from people the moment they first saw him. He was automatically "given" what Tatsuya had to "earn", in this regard. Miyuki imagined Ichigou Masaki was similar to Genzou in this regard, where someone like Kudou Minoru was seen to be on a level closer to her.
Genzou also seemed a bit broader than Tatsuya in the shoulders and chest, which could just be because he was older and fully grown too. If Tatsuya followed the same genetic path as he aged, Miyuki certainly wouldn't mind it in the least.
The portraits of this man told a story of his life. A narrative written in canvas and paint.
Here was a warrior, a businessman, a clan leader, and a family man. Miyuki was certain this was exactly Maya's vision of who her father had been.
"When a parent dies in their children's youth, those children tend to form an idealized and unrealistic portrait of who that parent really was."
These were not Miyuki's words. She had heard them from the lips of her mother, on her own death bed.
Miyuki knew the story these portraits of Yotsuba Genzou was trying to tell had been sanitized, with huge swaths of his less glorious moments conveniently left out.
There was no portrait of the man stalking the halls of the Kunlungfang Institute, killing hundreds with his face alone.
There also was no portrait of a father staring at what he thought was his sleeping daughter, unable to tell her that he was going to leave and never return again. There was no image of him walking out of the Yotsuba main residence with the tear stained eyes of his daughter looking through the closing doorway at his back, with her hand reaching back from the handle.
Memories of a certain day in August of 2092 flooded back into Miyuki's mind. Memories of sad, tear stained eyes; and the tale of a young girl who blamed herself for all her family's problems for her entire life. Actions that had rippled down into all their lives even to this very day, weighing down their souls one generation after the next.
Weighing down the life of her Tatsuya especially harshly.
She looked again at the handsome man staring back at her in that picture.
"You could have changed everything, just by choosing to live."
It wasn't anger for this man she felt. Here was a man that chose death over dishonor. Many would and did glorify that kind of thing, but not his granddaughter. All she could feel for her grandfather was sadness and pity.
"Could you not have bore a little dishonor, to help your daughters to have lived more normal lives?"
She could feel her eyes looking back at his with disappointment and sadness. She was certain this man, weighed down by his own grief, could have fixed everything with a simple, different choice. This man could have broken the chain of sadness started in his own heart before it ever reached his children or their children.
Miyuki vowed she would break that chain for Tatsuya's sake, and in memory of their mother's life of guilt. She would not allow this horrible pain to reach their children, or their children's children. It would end with this generation.
Along with his portraits, several personal items that belonged to Genzou were displayed prominently in this room. Before her now was the same large CAD he wore in the "warrior" portrait.
"Madam informed me that your grandfather wore this CAD for the first years of the War. He was almost as proficient with Systematic Magic as with Mental Interference Magic. He, of course, was mostly involved in covert operations, given his particular skill set. However, he was a front line leader at the Battle of Fukuoka, and later at the Second Defense of Pusan."
This was information Miyuki hadn't heard before. Both were famous battles of the early part of the Third World War, each representing a turning point in the back and forth of that longest, costliest, and most terrible of great wars.
She looked down at the large and scared CAD with a new appreciation.
"Eventually the situation normalized somewhat, but those early battles would eventually lead to victories that saved these islands from dominion by hostile foreign powers."
She turned concerned eyes towards Hayama.
"Did Hayama-san also fight in the War?"
She didn't know his exact age, but he was at least old enough to have fought in the last years of the War. He was also probably a child during the early dark days of the War when the enemy was able to cause havoc even on the home islands, such as the neighborhood these impressive homes now occupied.
"I had the honor to fight for our nation in the last few years of the War. By then victory was inevitable, but there was still some difficulties to bear before the armistice."
He answered her words with courtesy, but she could tell he was uncomfortable discussing it.
"Then we also owe Hayama-san a great deal. I thank you for your service."
She bowed to him then, and he gracefully returned it. Minami also bowed towards him, taking her mistress's actions as permission to violate the recently ordered "no bowing" directive.
"You honor me beyond my deserving it."
She smiled back to him radiantly.
"Your modesty aside, I am sure we do not honor you nearly enough."
Her intention had been to let him out of the awkward topic, so both exchanged sincere smiles and left it at that.
Miyuki, as she looked again at the portraits, began to vaguely wonder what portraits she'd put up in a sitting room dedicated to her own father, Shiba Tatsurou. She had to be honest with herself, she didn't like the potential portrait images of the man she called "chichi" that passed before her mind's eye. She had, this very week, learned to understand "chichi" a bit better, but it couldn't erase how the man had treated her Onii-sama and their mother from her mind.
"Another pity for a pitiful family."
Miyuki earnestly prayed her father could fix his numerous mistakes with his second wife's children. She would certainly be watching to see of that were the case. That, and how he treats Tatsuya from now on, would certainly determine if chichi would ever get back into her good graces again.
"Are you alright Miyuki-sama?"
"…..huh?"
Minami's face was beside her own, probing concern showing through.
"Oh….yes. Just thinking errant thoughts with no purpose."
She smiled to reassure her companion.
Hayama, as if sensing the awkward mood her grandfather's portraits and personal items were putting her in spoke up.
"Shall we proceed to the family spaces upstairs? The rooms there are finished but painted white primmer and unfurnished. Once Miyuki-sama has chosen her preferred wing of the residence she will get to decorate it to fit Tatsuya-sama and her own preferences, but the layout will hopefully give you a starting point."
Miyuki's dark mood improved instantly with his words. After all, this was Tatsuya and her future "home within the residence" she was about to see…..or the mirror of it anyway. She had yet to form an impression of which side of the residence she wanted to live on. She doubted she could make such a choice without seeing the place in springtime and with the gardens in full bloom.
"Yes indeed, let's have a look."
She threw her left arm through the gap formed by Minami's right arm and dragged her only slightly perplexed Guardian over to and up the staircase. Hayama followed immediately behind with a subtle but pleased smile.
"Of course Tatsuya-sama must approve as well. We will make this a home, our home, together."
She thought of the most important person in her world, and wished selfishly he would hurry and return to her side.
Though he lacked mind reading abilities, Tatsuya was certain Miyuki wanted him to hurry and finish his solitary inspection tour as quickly as possible.
One didn't need mind reading ability to know such a thing if one knew Miyuki as he did.
While he walked down the corridor of the second basement level he briefly cast Elemental Sight, and watched as Miyuki pulled Minami up the left wing's staircase towards the "family" area above, Hayama dutifully following.
A small smile creased his face. She was the only thing that could make him sincerely smile with joy.
Elemental Sight had also shown him something else to smile about, and from the very first moment he used it on the residence while they were still in the car.
While Miyuki caused him to smile warmly, this certain thing made Tatsuya's smile seem feral and predatory instead.
Despite his emotional limitations, he still could find little things to take pleasure in.
Through Elemental Sight he knew his target was just around the next corner.
Being well forewarned, when they collided at the corridor intersection, Tatsuya handled the collision with ease.
"OIY!"
The other person, terminal in hand, stumbled and nearly fell; but to his credit he just barely managed to maintain his balance, but his terminal skidded across the hallway floor.
As the other person reached for their lost terminal, he released a stream of vitriol in Tatsuya's direction.
"IDIOT! WATCH WHERE YOU'RE GOING! Don't you know who I am?"
"I certainly do…."
Tatsuya replied as he handed the terminal he reached first back to its groping owner. It was only then the other person got a good look at him, and instantly realized their mistake.
"…my apologies, Aoki-san."
"AH!...Oh!..."
First anger, then confusion, followed by stunned fear and embarrassment. All Tatsuya could do was smile benignly back to the floundering face of the Fourth Butler of the Yotsuba Household.
If there was just one clear cut advantage to having become Yotsuba Maya's son, it was encapsulated in this very moment. The wheel of fate had turned, and this man who had belittled him from the moment they first met, even at the risk of being frozen to death by Miyuki, was now, technically, a servant to Tatsuya.
Tatsuya tried to keep the smirk on his face as polite as he could, but even he was finding that task somewhat difficult.
"Oh…I…I…um…."
This man had always found the words easy when they were laced with criticism and scorn for Tatsuya. Now that he needs to find more polite words, he naturally couldn't access them easily.
"…I…..no, please…it….it is I that must…..apologize to you…."
Aoki took a deep breath then to force out the "painful" words.
"…..Tatsuya…sama."
To Aoki's credit, he was managing to keep the disdain out of his voice for once. Still, his facial muscles seemed to continue to struggle to suppress the old looks of disgust, now mixed with brand new fear.
"I was clumsy and didn't look where I was going, and then I spoke terribly to you. Please forgive me."
At Aoki's bow, Tatsuya decided to take his mental "foot" off this man's neck, just a little bit.
"No worries Aoki-san, it's water under the bridge, as they say."
Aoki rose with a genuine look of relief on his face. The tension of the "new order" of things would undoubtedly be hard to deal with for him in this sudden manner.
"Thank you….Tatsuya-sama."
Still, Tatsuya wasn't just going to let it go at that.
"I looked for you at the Family Gathering. It's not like you to miss such an important event. Hayama-dono informed me you were on an important assignment for…mother."
Only the slightest of twinges to Aoki's right eye lid occurred at Tatsuya's final word being pronounced. This man had to image now that every time he ridiculed Tatsuya, his "mother" had made a black mark against the name of Aoki, to pay him back for it when she was ready to publicly acknowledge her "son". Clearly Aoki was far overestimating this particular woman's "motherly love", but Tatsuya had no intention to disabuse Aoki of that notion.
"Um…yes, Toushu-sama wanted the Kanto residence as near to ready as possible for…her son's inspection."
A valid reason to be absent from the New Year's Gathering, for sure. It also probably helped Aoki have more time to change his attitude before facing Tatsuya. True, they seemed to have come to a form of understanding between themselves when Tatsuya's new mother sent Aoki to haggle over the ownership rights to Pixie last spring. Yet it was still not at the level of "understanding" that it, by necessity, must now be at. Now Aoki was clearly subordinate to his former subordinate.
"Did Aoki-san oversee the construction of the residence?"
Aoki seemed relieved that Tatsuya redirected the awkward conversation.
"No, nothing that grand. I handled my usual duties in relation to the residence's construction and future ongoing operations."
By this Aoki of course meant that he had handled the financial aspects. This was his specialty, so it was natural this would be his area to oversee.
"Who had overall direct control of the project?"
Aoki only looked slightly put off by this question.
"Hanabishi-san has overall direct control of the project with assistance from Kuroda-san and myself in our respective fields."
This also made sense. Hanabishi was the Second Butler of the Yotsuba and the resource manager for all Yotsuba physical assets. Aoki, as Fourth Butler, was responsible for Family financial assets while Fifth Butler Kuroba handled all non-Village property management.
Tatsuya didn't interact with Hanabishi often, since their two areas of responsibility rarely crossed. He rarely heard anything about the man, but what he had heard had indicated extreme competence and dedication to his work.
As for Kuroba, outside of sharing his cousins' family name Tatsuya knew even less about him. He vaguely remembered the man assisting their mother in the purchase of their current home many years ago.
"I see."
Tatsuya delivered that with as much disinterest as he could muster.
It had the desired effect.
Aoki became nervous again, especially as Tatsuya continued to wordlessly stare at him with a blank expression.
"Your move Aoki-san."
Tatsuya had to admit to himself he was enjoying this moment in a rather "perverse" way; but since he felt that his unique perspective on most things was indeed perverse, he decided not to chastise himself too much for this.
"Um…so…."
Indeed, Aoki broke the awkward silence first.
"Did….is, Tatsuya-sama satisfied…so far….with the residence?"
The nervous and awkward expression Aoki asked this question with was very satisfying to Tatsuya for some reason.
He intentionally kept staring at the squirming Aoki with the same intense look as before.
A full seven seconds after having been asked, he replied to Aoki's question.
"So far."
Tatsuya had been as stand-offish with this response as possible, but Aoki seemed to deflate in relaxation despite Tatsuya's deadpan response.
"But I'm not done quite yet with the inspection."
Aoki nodded in relief. Tatsuya half expected him to take out his handkerchief and wipe his brow.
"Of course Tatsuya-sama. If you find anything that concerns Miyuki-sama or yourself, please do not hesitate to inform me of it and it will be fixed immediately."
Tatsuya couldn't detect anything obstinate or condescending in Aoki's response. All the snarky and stuck-up attitude that he had, even at the beginning of this very conversation, seemed to be entirely gone now. He even seemed genuine in his desire to fix their issues for them.
Tatsuya couldn't help but admire Aoki's adaptability.
"And we did apparently make some progress over our negotiations for Pixie."
Thinking this, and seeing Aoki's contrition on display now, Tatsuya judged at this moment there was nothing to gain from torturing the man further but a return to enmity on Aoki's part. Unless something dramatic happened he'd need this man's cooperation to some extent in his future dealings.
"We certainly will Aoki-san. Don't allow me to distract you any further from your work."
Aoki bowed again.
"No distraction at all Sir. I am happy to serve when and where I can."
Tatsuya nodded at him and they moved their separate ways.
"Oh…excuse me Tatsuya-sama."
Mildly surprised Aoki wanted to continue speaking to him, Tatsuya turned at these unexpected words.
"Yes Aoki-san?"
"May I offer my congratulations to Miyuki-sama and yourself on your recent engagement?"
He bowed again, so Tatsuya had time to cover his sudden smirk.
"Thank you Aoki-san. I'll be sure to tell Miyuki your kind words."
Aoki nodded with an awkward smile and turned to leave.
"And may I also congratulate you as well, Aoki-san?"
As he was turning Tatsuya saw Aoki come to a jarring halt with a brief flash of terror on his face, instantly replaced by a nervous smile.
"I….I thank you Tatsuya-sama…."
Another bow followed.
"…..yet…I am not certain why I deserve Tatsuya-sama's gracious congratulations."
Tatsuya mildly cocked an eyebrow with a confused look on his face that certainly did not match his internal state of mind.
"Does Aoki-san not remember?"
Aoki was becoming more concerned with each passing moment.
"I…am afraid I do not Tatsuya-sama."
Tatsuya released a light smile towards the concerned and confused man.
"Your bold prediction at FLT's Third R&D Division, when last we met there?"
Concern and confusion shown on Aoki's face, but after sudden realization a look of pure dread followed.
"You predicted Miyuki would be the next head of the Yotsuba, you were correct."
Now Aoki looked truly mortified.
"I must be a cruel and warped person, to continue to torture a defenseless creature in this way, even after I resolved to stop doing so."
Tatsuya only mildly rebuked himself as he continued to speak.
"A bold, but eventually accurate prediction. Your forecasting and projection skills must be superb. No wonder mother turns to you for financial matters."
Aoki, though continuing to smile, looked like he had been slapped hard across the face by his master, and was waiting for the next blow.
"Um….my thanks….Tatsuya-sama."
Tatsuya nodded as once again Aoki almost put his head between his legs in a bow. Yet it was now Tatsuya's turn to be stopped before completing his movement to continue on his way.
"This one….must….."
Aoki hadn't risen from his bowed position. Instead, to Tatsuya's surprise Aoki descended to his knees and stretched himself flat on the corridor floor.
"….dogeza?"
Even Tatsuya couldn't hide his shock at this unexpected turn of events.
"…there are no excuses worthy of Tatsuya-sama's ears, for the way this one has poorly treated him in the past."
"An…apology?"
Tatsuya was blinking to make sure he was awake and not imagining this.
"This one was wrong to do so, and though this one does not deserve nor foolishly expect to have your forgiveness; he must make contrition to Tatsuya-sama."
This was certainly an unexpected act from the arrogant and spiteful Aoki.
"Tatsuya-sama, I humbly offer my apologies to you. I was wrong, and my behavior was intolerable!"
By the end of this obviously difficult task, Aoki was practically screaming at the floor.
Tatsuya recovered quickly after hearing Aoki's apology. He was only able to see threats and non-threats. Aoki, though rude and condescending to him until today, had never graduated into the realm of threats. He wasn't even close to a threat on Tatsuya's internal assessment scale. This man lacked the confidence and resolve to become a threat. Though he could bark out orders with the best of them, he needed someone else's authority to back those orders up first. He saw himself as a leader, but at heart he was a follower, the "perfect" middle-manager type. He was incapable of taking the risks needed to become a threat.
Now all Tatsuya could feel for him was awkward embarrassment. Tatsuya may judge himself to have a perverse and warped sensibility; but in reality he was very humble, and had a conventional and conservative attitude towards most things. He had never seen himself as being above others; which went against the natural arrogance his amazing talents and abilities should have given any other youth his age, and instead aligned perfectly with his harsh childhood training.
Seeing this proud man humble himself before him only made Tatsuya feel the need to stop this display immediately. Even alone with Aoki, Tatsuya didn't like drawing attention to himself. Another aspect of his years of hard training.
Tatsuya walked up to the prostrate Aoki and put his hand under Aoki's upper arm.
"Stand up man, there is no need for this."
Aoki rose with mild surprise on his face, but allowed Tatsuya to assist him to his feet. Tatsuya was surprised to see Aoki's suit still perfectly clean, despite having laid down in a service corridor. Since neither had invoked magic to do this, Tatsuya impressively realized the floors were just that clean.
Looking the confused Aoki in the eyes, Tatsuya spoke again to reassure him.
"You were obeying my mother's exact orders, and to proficiency. As long as you serve Miyuki just as perfectly, then I will have few reasons to find fault in you going forward."
Aoki smiled awkwardly but the relief he felt was obvious. He brushed himself off, despite there being no need to do so. An obviously subconscious action on his part.
"I….thank you for saying so, Tatsuya-sama."
Tatsuya merely nodded his acknowledgement back.
Tatsuya also, thanks to that warped sensibility of his, realized this wasn't Aoki apologizing because he actually was sorry and wanted Tatsuya's forgiveness. Aoki's display just now was not targeted for Tatsuya, but the camera in the hallway ceiling. It was targeted at the people he truly feared. Tatsuya's "mother" and his fiancée, the current and future leaders of Clan Yotsuba.
Miyuki was a long term project for Aoki, but in this man's mind Tatsuya's mother was the immediate threat. This had all been a display to make amends to her. Even if she wasn't watching through the camera, or even going to see the video eventually; Aoki probably expected Tatsuya to inform his mother of the events in this hallway someday. Again, Aoki had overestimated, this time it was the bond between Tatsuya and his new "mother" that was overjudged by this man.
He was so satisfied with this result that he thanked Tatsuya again, and promptly left; either not realizing that Tatsuya hadn't in fact accepted his apology, or he simply didn't care anymore after achieving his true objective.
Tatsuya could only shake his head at that back of Aoki's retreating form with that wry smile of his showing through.
"…obeying orders."
He whispered these words once Aoki was well gone, as he also continued on his way.
Aoki obeyed his orders to perfection indeed, so much so that Tatsuya suspected he enjoyed belittling him all those years. Orders that Tatsuya had only recently learned had first been issued by the late head of Clan Yotsuba, his great uncle Eisaku. Orders that both of Tatsuya's mothers faithfully continued and followed after his death. Even Aoki, a relatively recent addition to the Household, probably was unaware of the origins of Tatsuya's well rationalized subjugation.
Perhaps Aoki believed he had put everything behind him with this act of contrition. If so, it was a foolish notion on his part. Tatsuya had no use for forgiveness; but he certainly would never forget Aoki's actions, and would judge those actions against him in every interaction they had in the future. Maya obviously wouldn't care one way or the other. It wasn't in the woman to concern herself with the personality failings of her servants, so long as they didn't irritate her and obeyed her orders to the letter. As for Miyuki, for those that offend her by opposing her Onii-sama, there was rarely forgiveness and never forgetfulness. Aoki had climbed a few steps and smiled thinking he had reached the top of this particular "hill", not seeing the "mountain" before him called Miyuki's Heart that he simply was not equipped to climb.
With these final thoughts on the matter, Tatsuya buried thoughts of Aoki once more into the back of mind. The man was a sycophant and no threat before. Now, being forced to become Tatsuya's sycophant as well, he was even less of a threat than before. One of Maya's pawn could now be manipulated into working for Miyuki and Tatsuya's benefit, should the need arise. Being pressured from two sides he would now need to both please to maintain his position, men of weak will as Aoki could be made to rationalize betraying one side to protect themselves from the other. This could potentially provide him a wedge to use against "mother", if or when it should be needed.
Satisfied with this turn of events, Tatsuya decide to hurry up and conclude the inspection. He knew Miyuki was waiting for him even more so now.
He had made short work of the rest of the residence. The remote underground parking garage, storage spaces, and even what appeared to be a fully equipped magic laboratory designed with him and his work in mind, were all satisfactory. He then followed the path that Miyuki and company made earlier, going through the left wing of the house and eventually crossing over to the right wing where he knew Miyuki was now in the family suites upstairs.
On the way there, on the second level of the central building, Tatsuya noticed that this area was reserved for servants, with a lounge, break room, and the offices for the senior on-site staff. The floor above contained a family game room, and a more "intimate" formal dining hall than what was available downstairs in the Grand Hall. The mahogany table featured space for twenty four persons and looked like it could be expanded to thirty two spaces if needed.
"'intimate' is indeed a relative term."
Tatsuya said these thoughts to himself as he looked out of the large windows and doors that led to a snow covered semi-circular balcony above the front entrance portico. The view of the city skyscrapers beyond, despite the light grey skies and the world being covered in a blanket of white, was still very impressive. He was certain it would be even more impressive in appropriate weather. As he walked out of the room he noticed within the mahogany tabletop there was numerous hundreds of carved four leaf clovers.
"No detail spared, huh 'mother'?"
Then he realized that like a great many things in this place, perhaps it had been his grandparents and not his mother that had commissioned this work. Perhaps this massive table had sat in a warehouse in the Yotsuba Village all these years as well.
Having seen through Elemental Sight that the lower guest floor was identical in layout and equipment to the left wing guest floor, Tatsuya elected to skip a physical inspection and only scan it once again with Elemental Sight, so he could proceed directly to the right wing family floor, where Miyuki was waiting for him.
He could detect something was "off" about her at this moment, and moved to be near her side as soon as possible.
Just like the family floor he had examined in the left wing, the right wing version was left unfinished. Depending on which wing Miyuki preferred, she would get to paint and decorate the rooms to her delight. Hayama had already transferred to their data terminals a full list of the equipment and decorations their grandparents had hoarded away for the residence almost half a century before. Miyuki would have first pick of them. Of course she could also buy all new items if she preferred something else. The Yotsuba lacked for nothing.
He saw the three of them were standing on the tea balcony beyond the living room at the end of the hall. Despite being outside, none had retrieved their winter coats. This didn't alarm Tatsuya in the least, since he could tell Miyuki was manipulating the temperature around them. He saw this in Elemental Sight, but had he not, he would have known by the melted snow around their feet.
Tatsuya stepped through the doorway and received instant bows from Hayama and Minami. When Hayama, instead of inquiring about his inspection, instead cast a concerned expression to Tatsuya, Tatsuya knew that the physical vitals he detected from Miyuki a few moments ago matched her current mood.
She didn't even turn to greet him, which indeed was a rare occurrence. Yet she still needed him. The evidence of this was when she reached her left hand behind her. Tatsuya moved to take the offered hand in his right one.
He kept his warm eyes on her, he had no need to see what was causing her trouble. He already knew.
Her eyes were directed over the lawns of the back of the residence. To their left was the bulk of the central building of the residence, encasing the Grand Hall. Beyond the Grand Hall was a large reflecting pool which was iced over, it's fountains off during the freezing temperatures. The pool was surrounded by the formal patios and gardens, all covered in snow. The informal lawns beyond, dotted with the occasional copses of trees, had snow covered rolling stretches that went all the way to the half century old magic engraved stone wall beyond that demarcated the extent of the property.
Miyuki's concerned eyes were directed over and beyond that wall, towards the neighboring property at the bottom of the hillside. To its own formal and informal gardens, numerous out-buildings, and in particular to the equally ornate and massive backside of that residence, whose front side had equally impressed her on the drive here. Even at over a kilometer away, it was still as massive and impressive as before.
"Do you think they know already?"
Tatsuya smiled gently at his concerned fiancée's gorgeous left profile. Even when she frowned or even cried she was mesmerizingly beautiful.
"How can normal people without my training possibly resist her when I myself can deny her nothing?"
Only when she directed those concerned eyes briefly at him did he realize he had fallen into her unintentional hypnotizing powers once again.
"He certainly knows. Mother released the details to the Ten Master Clans on New Year's Day."
She of course knew that he wasn't referring to either of the Saegusa sister's elder brothers, but to their father and the head of Clan Saegusa.
Without changing positions, both their eyes went to the back of the Saegusa residence.
"As for his three daughters, it's highly unlikely, as Ten Master Clans members, that this information has not reached them by now."
At his words, Tatsuya felt a slight readjustment by Miyuki of her handhold with him. She clearly was dreading the fallout from their identities being revealed this past week. Everything was going to be different from now on, especially this coming Monday. The return to school was going to be difficult for both of them and Minami as well, and they had less than two full days left before facing this new challenge.
"How long can we keep THIS secret from them...um...him?"
Tatsuya knew THIS was referring to the residence that now dominated the hill about the Saegusa family home.
Tatsuya exchanged a brief glance with Hayama, who only smiled slightly back and nodded understandingly. Again Tatsuya appreciated this man's tactful and understanding nature. A lesser man might have been insulted that Miyuki seemed to be questioning his early words on this topic. Hayama clearly knew Miyuki only wanted to be comforted by hearing the same words from her Beloved.
"Of course it is ultimately up to mother, but so long as she doesn't change her plans, I am certain Saegusa-dono will continually be thwarted in his attempts to identify this residence's owners."
He could feel her relax slightly, but then a new concern crept into her mind.
"Could they be….monitoring us right now?"
She was concerned about surveillance and being identified through that method.
"Could Mayumi….or one of the twins be looking at us right now?"
Tatsuya had already cast Elemental Sight on the Saegusa residence, a hidden request from his mother during this inspection. While walking his interior inspection, he had also filed a report to Hayama on all the monitoring devices, both electrical and magical, that were being pointed at their future home, not just from the Saegusa property but from several other locations as well.
He also saw the devices and methods the Saegusa used to protect their own home. He would not reveal those either. He had a well defined sense of privacy rights.
"It is a possibility…."
Miyuki shrank back a bit at these words, mortification on full display across her perfect features. He quickly moved to relieve her concerns.
"….yet none seem to be adequate to break through the defenses of the residence."
Miyuki followed Tatsuya's eyes back towards Hayama, who added details to the explanation.
"We have installed and deployed multiple layers of surveillance denial features to the residence. Even optical intrusions either from long range cameras, telescopes, or even familiars would find this place impregnable. Even now, no one down there can even see us on this balcony."
Miyuki, with a smile that never changed the look of concern in her eyes, thanked Hayama with a nod. Then she turned those eyes back towards the Saegusa mansion.
"Monday…will be hard."
She trembled slight as she said this, despite her using magic to keep the cold away from them. This was a chill she couldn't dispel with magic.
Tatsuya exchanged the hand he was hold her hand with, then wrapped his right arm around her waist. Once he had pulled her into him, she laid the left side of her face on his shoulder with a sigh.
"Yes….but we will face it, as we have faced everything before now, and will face the challenges of the future….together."
After exchanging warm smile and glances, then returned their eyes down the hillside.
He knew it wasn't specifically Monday that Miyuki was dreading. She dreaded their new status. She dreaded the loss of their anonymity, which THEIR MOTHER had drilled into her mind, was their most valuable asset and defense.
Down the hillside, the Saegusa represented all she truly dreaded.
Now they had to take their places at the head of this nation's magical community beside the Saegusa sisters, Shippou-kun, Ichigou-san, Minoru-kun and Juumonji-senpai.
Now they had stand in the glare of the public eye.
Now….they were Yotsuba.
Now….they were of the Ten Master Clans.
Nothing would be the same for them ever again. Now they would have to stand at the pinnacle of the magic world. Those that stand at the pinnacle, though the best equipped to defend themselves, also became the most recognizable of targets.
"We have played so easily into 'mother's' plans."
Tatsuya shook off the shame he felt at being so well manipulated by the woman he now had to call Okaa-ue.
They stayed on the balcony taking in the view until Miyuki was ready to go home.