The sound of the manor's French doors opening and closing made Yui look up from her binder, ears keenly aware of the footsteps noise echoing against the wall of the large house. Yuto, in turn, was still staring intently at his neat notes, a wild contrast from her messy and inelegant handwriting, ignoring completely whatever happens outside his immediate surroundings.
They were supposed to be alone. Yui is only there because they are supposed to be alone. One would think that the sheng master would be a little more concerned about it, but it appears that he is indifferent about it.
The two of them had been close since she moved into Uruugaoka, due to her father coming to work for his. Due to the significant salary increase and his status as a prized employee of the Uzumaki Group, she was afforded to study at St. Louis High and receive the best education this prefecture has to offer, studying alongside the sons of all main families in the area, Yuto chief amongst them.
The pair met at the library on a Monday afternoon, after school hours. Her home was still in disarray, over the move, and so it was prudent of her to stay some extra hours to study, so she would not be left behind at classes.
Unbeknown to the teen, the tall boy who commandeered the power structures of this high school almost as a playground before greater challenges was hiding from human population there too. His frame was comfortably resting against the chair and a book covered his face, insofar anyone who came into the room would only see a headless uniform sitting on a corner.
Yui, herself, always keen to her surroundings, was only aware of his presence when he stood up and walked off to the bookshelves in light steps, as if he was floating away. The boy, as well, thought he was the only one in the usually desolate space as he allowed himself to loosen his uniform tie and leisurely read a French novel.
They sat in almost opposite positions, like they were facing each other in a half-played chess game. As far into the dark library he sat, the closer she was to the door. He preferred the natural lighting from the window, while the mid-Spring heat was aggressive to her. So, they seemed to naturally hide away from each other, though not for long.
The girl looked up from her textbook when the footsteps got closer, as the class president arose from the depths to devolve the novel to its due place on the shelves. She looked him over with innocent interest, wondering briefly what was that volume about.
Yuto, however, felt those eyes on him, which made him groan internally. How hard was it for him to find peace? He was surprised to see that it was the new arrival, one he had only just welcomed to their institution in the morning, and it pleased him that she was interested in academics. Industrious students were amiable students, and he was happy to know that he might not have to deal with her academic complaints when Summer comes around.
Nevertheless, the loss of his usual haunt would be felt, if she so decided to attend it regularly. Which she did.
Thankfully, however, considering both of them came to find solitude, they were happy in ignore each other, even if not completely. They noticed the companionship, and even came to appreciate at times, even if they exchanged no words.
Increasingly, one step at a time, occupying one seat closer to the territory of the other each week, they began to share studying space in a lukewarm middle ground.
It was around that time, after much observation, that Yuto decided to talk to the girl he found so hypnotising. He is not the timid type, much to the contrary, and he was not afraid of rejection properly considered, but he had high expectations towards the people he acquainted himself with. In that regard, Yui was thoroughly tested, and was eventually deemed approved.
Not that he would ever tell him that. Common sense might elude him sometimes, but even he knew that sort of behaviour was hardly seen in a positive light by the common folk.
After that, they became close friends. They would spend long afternoons in the library discussing the works or walking in town if he could spare the time, or at the school council, if could not. Conversation flowed easily, as she was both fascinated by what she did not know and patient with what he did not know, bridging their social distance with an interesting approach.
Time bequeathed fondness, and that friendship soon turned into attraction, one Yuto tried to hide from the Uzuki family at all costs. Lying to his father was easy, as the man was rarely in the same country as his son, but the help at his home is another matter, especially Kirihara with his strong attachment.
Not that the butler did not like Yui. Much to the contrary, he appreciated the fact that she was a true and loyal friend of his young master. However, he feared what could happen, should he be made aware of the stronger nature of his feelings for the girl.
Yuto wonders whether his aged butler would have a heart attack from the fact that the young master met someone he liked well enough to be that close to her, or if he would murder him in deep embarrassment as he gave them both a long lecture about safety and precautions and DST prophylaxis.
Or, more likely, he would have to endure the teasing smile from Kirihara, as if he knew all there was to know about him. He would have to endure the long poetics about how to treat a lady and how to be a proper gentleman. Not to mention the loss of his dear privacy, as the man would always keep a close eye on them, either in person or through some other mean.
When he explained it all to Yui, she had the gall of laughing at his concern, but indulged him on his precaution measures and conceded on keeping their relation amongst themselves. It was also convenient to her, as it kept gold-diggers like Naomi at bay and her school life as peaceful as possible.
Their dates, then, were mostly within the comforts of the Uzuki house, under either the pretence of foreign language tutoring or sneaking around the corners whenever Kirihara found himself away in some errand.
That afternoon was no different. After Yuto felt her mischievous look burning against his cheek, he lifted his head too. Her small smirk made him realize that the aged butler had indeed left.
The Uzuki heir met her eyes with a matching look, catching what Yui meant. He quickly closed his book, and she did the same with her crowded binder. He rose from his seat and walked towards hers. He cupped her cheek and kissed her lips passionately.
Once she separated, he took her hand and lifted her from her seat. The young master led her to the expansive gardens on the back of the manor, and, for some reason he does not quite comprehend, that made her giggle lowly.
Once out, Yuto started tickling his girlfriend, which prompted her to run away from him. She started running across the lawn and onto the English garden, but before she could reach it, a stray rock made her trip and she rolled on the soft grass beneath.
The boy, watching from a couple meters behind, ran over to her. He gave himself an impulse and was able to reach her in a short amount of time, ending up on top of her, trapping the girl between his muscular body and the grass.
"Sempai, shouldn't we…" Yui tried to argue, but to no avail.
He leaned down and kissed her. "No, we should not."
Yuto lowered his face once again. This time, she lifted her neck and met his lips halfway. The boy moved backwards, still kissing her. They were both now sitting, making it more comfortable for their passionate embrace, even if a rather clandestine one.
They were soon interrupted, however, by a shocked voice coming from the main house.
"Miss Yui and Master Yuto!" Kirihara gasped.
The pair of teens jumped away from the other, alarmed by the butler's voice.
The young master looked at his girlfriend with a sorrowful look, which she responded with averting her gaze in slight shame of herself.
While disaster seemed to loom above his neck, the boy calmed himself down slightly when he noticed her swollen lips and unkempt appearance. Her clothes were soiled with dirt and her hair was all over the place. It made him swell with pride, even if it would not help with their case.
He had done that. It was awfully chauvinistic of him, but he cannot help his little monkey brain to interpret it as an act of marking, of belonging, and he is nothing if not materialistic.
Yuto knew that he probably looked the same, but that was not important right at this moment. He did it, he is happy about it, consequences would be felt in their due time.
Kirihara, in turn, had his own inner monologue, reflective of the evolving perspective of his about the situation. His first instinct was to see if the boy was hurt in any way and shout at the girl for exposing him, who hardly ever messed around in the ground, to the dirt. Then, he thought of demean the young master for such a pitiful example of the Uzuki family. Rolling around seemed awfully infantile.
Then, it came to him like the Revelation. Yuto is a child. It was hard to remember that the young master was only seventeen when he acted like an adult all the time. The butler realized with joy that it was Yui, her influence made the only Uzuki heir forget about his troubles for a few minutes and made him act his age.
In that moment, Kirihara realized that it was fine. Let them have the time to do whatever they wished.
"I will serve the tea outside today, Master Yuto. Is that amendable to you?" The servant elected to say.
"Yes, thank you." The boy thanked him stiffly, realizing what he meant.
Kirihara nodded at the young couple and walked back to the manor. He knew that the two were made for each other, and that he was getting into a deep hole. He, for one, is looking forward to serve the next Madam soon.
Yui looked confused at her boyfriend. "What happened?"
Yuto shrugged. "Does it matter?"
In seconds, they were back at what they were doing.