34.

Moving In

"Look, I consider myself a modern guy, but I gotta ask," Yuuichi looked around, "Why is it that the lesbian couple seems like the most well-adjusted?"

Reito looked at Nao, "I feel like we should feel insulted. What do you think?"

"Oh, we should definitely feel insulted," Nao grimaced, "Yo, Tokiha, you want to chime in here?"

"I'll reprimand him properly after I get the kids situated," Mai replied, "Besides, setting you two aside for a moment, I do feel like Shizuru and Natsuki are probably the most well-adjusted of all the married HiMEs."

"Well, I for one don't hold their successful relationship against them," Reito said, "I just feel that Nao and I should also be included in the list of well-adjusted relationships. But speaking of Kuga and Fujino, I feel their relationship works because of their initial adversity. They had to come through a good deal in order to realize that what they wanted most in the world was each other, and then having to fight to have it."

"Oh, come on," Yuuichi sighed, "What about the adversity that Mai and I went through? I got killed, for crying out loud. And by the way, that hardly seems fair. My life got put on the line because two girls made contracts about me without my permission?"

"Well, to be fair, Nagi didn't exactly tell either of them that it was you they'd be risking," Reito reminded him, "And when Mai formed her contract, it was technically Takumi who she was risking. But a girl's heart can change over time, and she came to love you more than anyone else. So, rather than complaining, you should celebrate her love."

Yuuichi sighed, "How is it that you always manage to make it sound like I'm being unfair about the whole thing?"

"Well, after all, I ended up the unwilling, unwitting host to a being from another world," Reito shrugged, "But now, I'm not. I could dwell on the unfairness of it, or I could celebrate the fact that after a few false starts, and a solid 'no' from Mai, I found a delightful young lady who didn't want to murder me for things outside of my control."

"Well," Nao grinned, "I'm certainly not one to hold grudges."

Mai dug out her cell phone, "You want me to call Akira and Takumi and ask for their recollection about that?"

Nao's grin grew, "Oh, but that was years ago, and I haven't said or done anything about the incident where my poor eye was gouged out. Whereas you, Mai, are digging up dirt from almost eight years ago, now. So, I ask you, which of us is holding grudges?"

"Now, now," Reito smiled placidly, "I'm sure Mai was simply bringing it up in context to the current conversation. After all, she's matured a good deal, herself. I hear your cake shop took a huge order for Shiho's backstage event."

"Oh, yes," Mai turned a dangerous smile on Yuuichi, "That. Well, I admit that I had some…encouragement on that."

Yuuichi set down a few boxes, sighing, "Does Natsuki's dog actually have a doghouse out back that I can just put myself in, or will I be asked to build one?"

888888

Meanwhile, just north of Fuuka, Shizuru was introducing Natsuki to the servants who ran the household for their new estate.

"And you will treat Natsuki with the same deference and respect you are expected to show me," Shizuru spoke in the clipped, measured tones of the aristocracy, "If any of you have a problem serving in our household under these conditions, speak now. Your years of service will be taken into consideration, and I will write you a reference for your next employer. If you remain silent, it will be assumed that our relationship is a non-issue to you carrying out your regular duties. Anyone I am forced to dismiss afterwards will not be given any sort of letter of recommendation, nor any severance. Is this perfectly clear?"

"If it pleases you, Fujino-san," a tall, thin man with very little hair bowed before her, "The staff have already had this conversation with your parents. Those who were bothered by the arrangement have already left. We stand ready and able to serve you, as we have for so many years."

Shizuru turned to Natsuki, who spoke in what she hoped was a polite manner, "I come from a wealthy family, but due to…circumstances, I was not raised in a household like this. I am not accustomed to being waited on. I understand that you have jobs to do, and I mean no insult to anyone. I merely have something of an independent streak due to those circumstances. If I'm in the way of you doing something important, politely tell me. It isn't my intent to cause trouble for you by my ignorance. If I dismiss you from a chore, it's not a comment on your performance or skill, but merely my own habits of self-sufficiency. In time, we'll learn to work with and around each other. Also, I am given to moments of…brooding. I don't want any of you to think that seeing me in such a state is a comment on your job performance. It's just my own personal habits."

A man dressed as a security guard stepped forward, "Begging your pardon, Ma'am, but you and I have met before. And may I say that your combat proficiency was…admirable. I am given to understand that you still practice your skills?"

"I do," Natsuki said, "I don't want to be idle."

"Then let me be the one to show you our dojo. Several of us train there in the morning, and we would be honored if you joined us. The story of the day you defeated three seasoned guards is a well known story, here."

Natsuki smiled at him, "You're not hoping for a rematch, I trust."

"No, ma'am," He said simply, but earnestly, "A professional doesn't hold grudges. If you only get mad when you're defeated, you will never learn anything."

"Oh, I like him, Shizuru. He stays, for sure," Natsuki returned her attention to the gathered servants, "Also, my mother will be moving in, as well some…extended family. My mother is wheelchair bound, so she will require some extra assistance. And I will need to train you all with some of her medical equipment. My mother has been through a great deal, and her manner is a bit stern due to her hardships, but I promise you, she will not be as taciturn as Saori Tatsunoko. I'm sure some of you were proud to serve under that woman, so I don't mean to speak ill of her, but as I'm sure you're all very aware, she spoke ill of my dearest Shizuru, your beloved Oujo. So understand, there is no love lost between me and that woman."

"If there is nothing else for any of you to discuss," Shizuru finished, "You're free to go about your duties. Please coordinate with the movers as they bring in our belongings."

After the servants quietly vanished to their respective corners of the house, Natsuki embraced Shizuru, "Well, we're moving in. How do you feel?"

Shizuru looked around the estate, "I'm unsure. This place held many memories for me. Some good. Some…troubling. But for good or ill, it is our home."

"Well, we'll just have to make sure that it's for good, then," Natsuki kissed her, "Oh, and Midori is coming to visit next week."

"Ara, Midori?"

"Yeah. I'm writing a fictionalized account of the Festival from three hundred years ago for my next novel, and I thought I'd ask Midori to be my historical consultant. Some details may be changed, though. Like giving the Festival back then a much happier ending."

"I look forward to reading it," Shizuru smiled, "And of course, to seeing our old teacher, again. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go ask the servants to ensure that there's no alcohol on hand for the duration of her stay…"