Like the leaves of any tree during Autumn, her heart couldn't help but fall.
She remembered it clearly, that autumn season when everything was dry and dying yet breathtakingly beautiful.
There was that weird pleasure hearing the crunchy sound of dried leaves whenever her foot took contact upon it.
The scenery of fallen orange-y leaves in a quiet neighborhood as it showered quietly was mesmerizing. It never failed to entertain her. Even the transition of the temperature from summer to winter was exceptional. The sensation of mixed humidity and stinging warmth of the sun were gradually turning to that relaxing and soft air breeze. And of course, the early arrival of night as the first sign of that season felt giddy yet comforting, like a kid that must hide immediately inside their house to avoid the dark alley and possible nightmare under the moon and be tangled with their parent's warmth.
Some years ago, that autumn season also marked the time when she first met him.
It was enchanting and exciting, that time when her heart felt like spring, blooming and alive, yet autumn at the same time, as she had fallen hard.
Of all times, why did she have to feel the sudden call of nature at this time? Exactly when she was about to meet the father of that kid? The butler of Akashi household thought.
"Can't do anything but to just do it, yes?" beamed proudly by the girl who was standing only up to the level of his waist.
The moment was crucial, if only she knew who she'd be meeting, she won't be thinking of such. How he wished he had the innocence of the little girl.
A black-haired man in his mid 50's sighed.
He looked at her displeasingly as she kept on hopping from her spot, causing stress on the skirt that she wore.
Before she could even meet the family, he wondered if the girl would still be presentable enough as planned.
The head attendant of the mansion furrowed brows, "Really, of all times?" But she was right, it was something she couldn't control.
He crossed his arms and heaved another heavy sigh.
The old man leaned forward to level the girl's height while pointing at the direction of the hallway on their side. "There. Walk straight then left then right before you go left again, okay?"
"Yes Sir!" the girl said with a salute, as if imitating a military officer.
The older man patted the girl's hair gruffly, but keeping enough gentleness not to ruin the hair. "Stop it, you kid." he chuckled at the end. After that, the girl went off.
On her way, she was mumbling his instructions repeatedly, trying not to forget anything. "Uh, then left..." Suddenly, her pace halted.
Lifting back one foot in silence, she narrowed her eyes and tried to register the sound she suddenly heard.
There was one door she passed on her way that seemed to be the source of that sound.
It was like a hush at first, smoothly entering and vibrating towards her hearing forming a continuous melody.
She nonchalantly decided to move slowly and carefully to that direction. As she came nearer, the sound turned into a melody that she couldn't fathom as to what kind.
A beautiful tune, one she never heard before.
It filled her ears and before she knew it she was already standing in front of the door where the sound was coming.
For some reason, it was alluring. She found herself yearning to hear more.
Like a lullaby in the morning light of spring. It was comforting. Her soul seemed at peace and rested. As if the chaos she fought so hard not to show suddenly surrendered and gone for good. A momentarily serenity was produced and experienced just because of that sound.
The girl straightened her body and gulped.
As a kid, she wasn't really aware of the situation she was at, in this place and in this moment. Her father would always tell her that the people he worked for were good people but they never tolerate rudeness.
Would opening this door be considered as an act of rudeness?
Hesitation crossed her mind, but she wanted to see because delaying it further would be like the sudden awakening from a good dream.
What was behind the door? What created that sound?
She closed her eyes. It was still there.
It was indeed soothing yet somehow, the more she listened, the deeper she felt.
What would she call these emotions?
It wasn't happy but neither that sad, could have been more of that or even a mixed of two.
Like the overcome of one's sorrow with unending yearning, perhaps, a melancholic nostalgia.
Either way, she liked it.
She never had the feeling of being understood except to this moment.
'It's okay to be sad. People tend to leave. It's the basic human cycle. But they can live forever as long as you remember them.'
She opened her eyes, hands gradually travelled at the top of the doorknob.
She was about to twist it open when she felt an abrupt light smack on top of her head.
Ack!
Her two slender hands were now on top of her head, grimacing at the culprit.
All of a sudden, her attention was taken away.
Her brows wrinkled, realizing the situation. Uh...
Face-palmed, the butler grumbled. "What are you doing—or going to do?"
It felt like the initial goal disappeared. What nature of call? She wasn't feeling it anymore. Curiosity overwhelmed her.
"There was a sound coming from this room." Mentioning it as normal as that confused the old man, it wasn't what he instructed. The toilet wasn't here. Her purpose wasn't to tour the mansion but to use the toilet so why was she explaining her motives in this manner.
The young girl proceeded on twisting the knob slightly.
"Wait, kid, stop that!" He took her hands off the knob and hushed. "Seijuro-sama is currently taking his lesson, we must not bother him."
Her sight shifted at the old man's agitated figure.
She blinked, "Ohh."
"Don't ohh me. This door is off-limits." He emphasized with a forefinger airing in front of his mouth as he mumbled a long 'sshhhh' one more time.
"Who is Seijuro-sama?"
"The Master's only son. I thought you're going to the toilet? It's on that side. Come with me and I'll show you." he pushed the girl through her shoulders, leading the way.
Nevertheless, her eyes lingered to the direction of the door.
"Geez, you really can't trust kids these days. Their curiosity really is something—?!." he snapped once again when the girl curtly freed herself from his hands.
"What are you—"
Seriously? His fingers cracked up in the air, itching to put some teaching on to the girl's stubborn head.
As it turned out, she heard the opening of that door. No matter what, she really wanted to see what would come out from that room.
She peeked from the corner side of the hallway where they just came and goggled from there.
Heart was beating fast as she saw a kid came out.
With red hair, cute pale cheeks, and a pair of mesmerizing eyes, she was completely in awe.
'My employer has a son. He's about the same age as you. He's a bit of a hard worker but isn't hard to deal. A great kid, I must say.
If one day, you'd get to meet him, I hope you two can become good friends.'
"..the Master's son..."
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Back to the drawing room, the attendant fixed the rim of his glasses before checking on the girl beside. She wasn't paying attention again. Ever since the incident a while ago, she seemed to be in her own world.
"They are coming in few minutes. Let's start." He mumbled before closing his eyes to inhale and exhale a couple of times. It was just like a personal mantra before starting his task. Like a signal to his body and mind that it was time to change into working mode.
Two minutes passed, he placed his hands behind, firmly positioning his self in front of the girl as he raised his chin while plastering the best placid face he could pull off.
From her sight, the old man became a different person, totally professional-like.
"Little miss, I'd appreciate if you would also prepare yourself. They are coming in about..." he paused, eyeing at the main door, 5, ...4,"
"Oh, how could you tell that Mister?" the girl asked in wonder.
"...3...2..." he glanced at her before reverting back at the door. "By experience, Little miss..." "and now." He escaped a breath. Exactly at that moment, the main door opened.
The black haired girl widened her eyes, surprised with the accuracy of the old man's countdown. It was as if a product of magic.
Her bob hair swayed, turning behind to face the arrival of that man.
Her eyes followed, without a wink, registering the overall figure and sensing the aura of authority. It must be why she was somewhat frozen on her position.
"Little Miss, please pay some respect." the old attendant reminded in a whisper, his head still bowing with one hand on chest.
The newly arrived person didn't seem that old. The butler beside her seemed older. Though both wore a black suit, the ambiance was different. Compared to the attendant, that man's clothing seemed more elegant and the way he walked and carried his self had that aura of power which would dominate any person around.
He wasn't alone however. He had his own personal attendant and a child following behind.
She recognized the child immediately. It was him, the one behind those engaging tune.
As soon as the master of the house sat on his chair, the discussion began.
The male child—the young Akashi stood firmly beside, the other attendant was behind the Akashi's family head.
She wanted to greet the kid but the way the other older audience stared at her sent chills all over her body. Like she was being watched, being judged, one wrong move and she would be a goner in this place.
It was something she wouldn't want at the very least. Much to her dismay, the girl had no choice but to stay put and save any praise or any questions for the boy later.
The butler accompanying her began offering another deep bow. Noticing it, she did the same. This people in front of her, they will be the ones she would serve from this day onwards.
Curiosity engulfed her, she wanted to peek once again and look at the boy's face carefully.
Then, the sound of fingers tapping the desk surfaced the room. It was only by then that she noticed her surroundings clearly. The older male—the head of Akashi family owned this room specifically for his self, definitely his working room hence, it was undoubtedly his office.
Now, she knew. It all made sense.
That explained the pile of books in every sides of the room that were neatly stored in the bookshelves that were too tall, almost reaching the ceiling all the way to the floor while completely covering the sides from left to right as if acting as the walls.
There were no windows present as well.
The only one providing light was the chandelier above which was too bright. Those pieces of bulbs were like diamonds flickering simultaneously.
The scenario and sensation she had a while ago caused by the red head changed completely. As she looked at the group of people in front of her, she couldn't help but feel the sudden intimidation especially from the head of the family.
It was the complete opposite of what she felt upon hearing the kid's melody. Also, seeing him beside the older Akashi made him like a different person.
Though it was only a guess based on the sensation she felt from his music. She had not yet known him. He could actually be like this for all she knew.
The desk that separated her and her companion didn't contain anything at the top. She didn't know if it was because he was the kind of man who wouldn't let a day pass by without finishing paper works or maybe there wasn't really any paper works to do.
His elbows rested at the table with both hands clasped altogether, for the time being, she could only see the upper part of his face.
Still, she didn't falter on paying the man with same serious eyes. However, for some reason, the girl couldn't explain where this fear that she had inside her chest was coming from and why was she having it just by looking at this man.
"Good day Sir. Please allow me to introduce this girl with me."
Her eyes didn't leave the old Akashi's gaze as if she was taking the challenge head on. But the truth was, she just couldn't seem to avert, as if she was left frozen on her spot.
She might be young but she clearly understood that any mistake would lead to failure. Those eyes told her that. The girl clearly knew why she was here and what was her purpose for meeting this family.
"I would like you to meet the only child of Sasazaki Family, Sir." The butler introduced.
The older Akashi nodded briefly. "What is her name?"
"Sasaza—"
"Hotaru." she interrupted the butler and introduced herself. "My name is Sasazaki Hotaru..." Boss? Master? Sir? "...Sir"
That was unnecessary, the attendant thought as he raised one brow while eyeing the girl from the corner of his eyes. Interrupting just to personally pronounce her own name was not necessary at all.
"I see."
She fixed her posture before bowing in the front of the Akashis, inhaling deeper as she uttered her reason for being here. "From now on, I'll be succeeding my father's job. Please take care of me!"
No one from her audience smiled or uttered any after that. They all acted as it was something usual, that it was only natural to be said. They didn't care if it took her so much courage to even begin because for them, it was a given.
The mister beside her coughed which stole the attention of everyone.
First, he muttered to the girl,
"Little miss, I'm afraid you have to inform first the scope of how you ended up on that deci—"
"No." The older Akashi spoke, leaning his back at the chair. He seemed to have understood. The judging eyes he had a while ago had left his face.
The girl blinked. Somehow, she was aware that of all people around, there was an unspeakable conversation going on between her and the head of the family.
The mister accompanying the girl swallowed quietly. He was tensed as well, but he already spent almost half of his life in this household, reason why this ambience was way too normal for him now. The only thing that could sometimes make his heart beat tremendously was the facial expression that Mr. Akashi would plaster on his face.
"I have few questions for you, Hotaru, is it?" He asked. "Do you understand where you're coming from? Do you understand where are you going now?" He rested his chin on the surface of his left knuckle with right elbow being placed in one arm of the chair.
The girl nodded immediately as a response.
To that, he slightly smirked, "Good, then that's all I wanted to know."
The butler lifted his eyebrows, couldn't believe how it was all processing as simple as that. "Aoyama, let her know her way around and do teach her of what she would be doing from now on."
He knew how pointless it would be to think what was going on inside the mind of his superior so without any ado, he nodded and offered a bow. "Understood, Sir."
He looked at the girl, "Then, little miss, please follow me."
She lifted her head for the fact that the person beside her was too tall for her. Before she could leave the room, the young girl bowed once again. She also took a short glance to the redhead kid who seemed uninterested during the duration of the meeting.
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The clicking sound of the door when they left the room finally made the two at ease. As if a needle was finally pulled out from their skin.
A really long sigh of relief was produced which contained tension and nervousness. Never once did he not feel all of this when facing the Head of the Akashi family despite being accustomed.
Now that the introduction was all done, the old butler went back to his old façade, still holding his chest as he felt the nervous beating of his heart.
He looked at the girl who was walking beside him.
He noticed it.
She became like this ever since meeting Mr. Akashi face to face. That was not good, he thought. If she was really aiming to work on this household, the first thing that she must learn was how to cope up with the people in this house especially that person.
The day sure was still young but he knew it was going to be a tiring week ahead especially when it included a child as an apprentice.
"What's wrong?"
The girl snapped, as if she wasn't aware the she was still being accompanied by him. "Ah..."
He smiled a little, "Were you actually not expecting that? I'd have to tell you that it's only the beginning. You need to get yourself and mind prepared because there will be a lot of moments more pressuring than that."
The girl looked at him in wary. "Mister..."
"It's Aoyama." He smiled. "I believe I haven't introduced myself yet."
She blinked. Now that he mentioned it. "Ah yes, then, I'm Sasazaki Hotaru!" she paused just to give a bow. "Please to meet you, Aoyama-san."
Aoyama laughed just a little, "No need for formality, we're done with that. Anyway, I have to ask you something. Why don't we sit for a while?"
The two went outside the house, in the space provided for all the attendants and staffs of the mansion. They seated their selves at the porch.
Both of her legs were swaying in the air as it failed to reach the ground. Aoyama could only laugh with the sight.
She could fit to be his own child if only he didn't choose to serve the Akashi family for years and instead aimed to settle down by building his own family. Unfortunately, it was already too late, too late even to find a lover.
"Aoyama-san, I forgot I was supposed to ask you something." The girl mumbled.
"Yes, go on. You may ask everything you want to know."
The way her eyes fell on the old man hinted that the girl was hesitating on beginning the question. He had to assure her that any clarifications or something was allowed.
"Ask me anything Sasaza— or Hotaru-chan, can I call you that instead?"
Her mouth parted. Her late father was the last person she remembered addressing her with that endearment. Somehow, it made her happy. "Yes."
"So, what is it?"
"The kid beside Mr. Akashi, he is Seijuro-sama, right?"
Well, he would never expect the question to be related with the son of the head. He was anticipating it would be about her task or responsibility inside the mansion. "Yes. You're right."
Her forefinger was playing a swirl on the strands of her hair as she smiled shyly upon the newly acquired knowledge.
This was something Aoyama noticed right away. "Is there something—"
"He was the one responsible for that sound." She mumbled.
"Sound? What sound?"
"I heard it, from that room... a while ago."
Oh... "It must be the piano. Seijuro-sama happened to have his piano lesson early this afternoon. What about it?"
Her smile didn't falter, only deepening as she heard that.
"Hmm, Could it be that you also play the piano, Hotaru-chan?"
She shook her head quickly, "I don't but..."
"But?"
"I just...I think it was a very nice sound." She said almost a whisper.
Aoyama smiled. Of course, Akashi Seijuro had always been a gifted child. There were so many things he could do. Not only playing one or two instrument. But that was something she would get to know soon as time went on.
"Anyway, for a starter, Hotaru-chan, all of us here have been working even before Seijuro-sama was born." He glanced, checking if she was listening. Gladly, she was attentively hearing everything. To put it simply, she seemed to be really curious about the younger Akashi.
"Regarding your answer to Masaomi-sama..."
Aoyama was hesitating if it was okay to ask her.
How old was she again? 10 years old? Too young indeed, but he supposed it should be fine.
After all, if he would compare her to the younger Akashi, they were almost just in the same situation. They were even at the same age and Seijuro had been dealing with his surroundings very well.
"Do you really understand the reason why you're here?"
"Yes." The answer was fast and sharp.
He shook his head slowly. "What I'm trying to ask is the 'real reason'." he repeated, emphasizing the last two words.
Hotaru nodded. She turned her head upfront, as if she found something interesting at the garden.
"My father was the previous attendant of Seijuro-sama before the accident happened, right?"
He breathed in. "That's right." There was no easy way to talk about it except being real with what really happened. "Are you really okay with this? You see, you don't need to do this if you don't want to." He watched how her expression would change if there was any. He wondered how she felt deep inside. Of all, he wanted to read her.
The girl pressed her lips in thin line at first, remembering what happened before she came at the mansion.
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Inside their own house in a small town in Kyoto, while eavesdropping at the conversation of her remaining relatives, she heard how no one seemed to be willing to take custody of her. That was until one person joined the conversation, suggesting an option of letting the girl work in place of her late father.
Without second thought, the girl would be very willing to accept the offer. The important part was to have a place where she could sleep and people who would feed her. If her relatives couldn't do it, she would be very happy with anything even if it means working.
We don't think she can already work in that place. She remembered one of them saying as if that person was even willing to accept her. For all she knew, they just wanted the assurance that whatever happens, they wouldn't be liable anymore.
The choice shouldn't be on their hands. Hotaru thought before barging in, interrupting the discussion of her relatives as she accepted the offer on her own accord. She was the only one left, these people around couldn't really careless of her.
"I... " She looked around, in search of the person who brought the idea. Her fist tightened and in a swift she uttered bravely the words she had decided for herself. "I'm very thankful of Masaomi-sama for giving me this opportunity. Please allow me to work in place of my father!"
That moment was the start of her new life under the Akashi family.
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"You know Aoyama-san, my bedtime stories used to be all about Seijuro-sama."
'If one day, you'd get to meet him, I hope you two can become good friends.' Her father used to say that. Finally, she got to meet him.
Hotaru smiled. She could only imagine how he looked life before with the stories her father used to tell. Now, she could finally see him every day. She wondered if they would really become good friends.
The visible wrinkles that the man had around his eyes suddenly softened while smiling a bit to what she had just said. "Oh...were they?"
"My father loves him as much as he did to me." That was right, just like his own son.
He probably wouldn't get it but the opportunity that the family had given to her was something she would forever be thankful of. The memories of her father remained here so she wanted to continue what he had been doing before the accident happened.
It was a fact that he didn't consider before. The loyalty that her father had offered to the Akashi family was known to every staff in the household but only now, after hearing what the girl said, that it became clear. The extent of his colleague's loyalty could actually be compared to his'.
No wonder Mr. Akashi accepted her as the replacement. It was inevitable indeed, accident and such. No one knew it would happen. She must be really strong.
"When you say it that way, I'm convinced. Also, no need to worry, Seijuro-sama would be a good master to serve."
A master... A friend... whatever it would be... she would do her best to her newly found home.