Chapter 8 – When a good idea turns bad
***
T4 followed the chubby servant all the way down the basement of the mansion, all the while listening to the lively chatter of the middle-aged woman.
"I believe Miyo-chan has brief you about the Fujiwaras and its rules and regulations here, in the mansion. Oh! By the way…" The servant suddenly spun around, catching T4 in surprise. "Since we don't provide lodging for part-time housemaids, please come by the back entrance the next time you girls report for work. You girls are lucky that Madam wasn't here but anyway the main entrance is meant for the family members and their guests."
Without waiting for the girls to reply, the servant continued her way down the hallway of the basement with her lively chatter at the same time Sakurako decided her patience has reached the maximum.
"That's what we are in the fir… itai!!" Shigeru immediately elbowed Sakurako at her ribs when the servant turned around. "I beg your pardon?"
"Nootthing…" Shigeru then gagged Sakurako with her hands as she looked ready to retort.
*Sweatdrop* Tsukushi and Yuuki shared a knowing look. Finally they reached a room with the word 'Laundry' on the door. Stepping in, they found all eyes settled on them as they followed the servant down the room. The room itself is divided into several sections: Washing, Drying, Ironing, Storing, and Stitching. They reached the Storing section where the clothes are neatly pressed and stacked at the respective corners for collection.
"Here are your uniforms, girls!" the servant passed their uniforms to them one by one from one of the stacks. Sakurako took the uniform with a disdainful look while Tsukushi turned to Shigeru with a whisper, "Are you sure it's okay for us to do this?"
"Trust me, everything will be fine!" Shigeru murmured with an Ok sign.
"What you girls waiting for? Now get your butt moving and go get changed before I assign you the tasks. The servants' changing room is just around the corner. Just go straight down and turn left." The servant closed the door behind her after shoving them out of the room.
"What do we do now?" asked Yuuki nervously as they strolled down the hallway. Man! She has never been in this type of embarrassing situation before! Fancy being misunderstood as a housemaid when they are supposed to be guests!
"Didn't you hear the lady? We are going to get changed now." replied Shigeru nonchalantly as she skipped down the hallway.
Sakurako straightened her shoulders. "I say we get out of here. I don't like the idea of apologizing to Fujiwara Sakiyo using the face-to-face method anyway. It might just make matters worse." She then shoves her uniform to Yuuki in a disdainful way, not wanting to hold on to something that is considered 'beneath her'.
Shigeru stopped in her tracks abruptly. "Get out and do what?"
Sakurako feels utterly irritated with the whole conversation. "I don't know! We'll figure something out!"
"Lower down your voices!" Tsukushi interferes, thinking they are getting too loud. Both S & S turned to look at Tsukushi simultaneously.
"Okay, Makino senpai, since you're the one who started this, you make the decision." Sakurako spoke with a hidden menace in her.
"Leave… or stay?" Shigeru added, her menace not anywhere lower than Sakurako.
"Uhh..?" with two pairs of eyes looking earnestly at her, Tsukushi turned to Yuuki for help, who then turned to the two.
"I say we stay."
"Yes!!" Shigeru cheered. Sakurako couldn't believe her ears. "Yuuki-chan!"
Yuuki quickly seeks to pacify Sakurako, who has multiple veins showing already. "I mean since we are here…" Shigeru immediately took the chance to chime in, "And it's not easy to get out."
Sakurako gave it a thought. She did remember seeing a couple of SPs around with CCTVs and sensors situated at almost every corner of the mansion. But still, that doesn't convince her to stay. She looked at Tsukushi for one last hope.
"I'll stay."
Sakurako *fell* "You guys are hopeless!"
A playful smile spread across Shigeru. "Come on! It will be fun! Just take it as an escapade!"
Sakurako's eyes widened in disbelief. "You call sneaking around the Fujiwara mansion fun? Have you gone nuts?!"
Shigeru could feel her patience running out. "So you're coming with us or not?"
Sakurako hesitated for a moment. "Fine. I'll stay."
~*~*~
Carefully turning the doorknob, Shiori pressed herself against the oak door to make it ajar. Then she squirts her eyes to take a peek of the inside.
Silence.
And everything seems to be in place.
"So how was it?" inquired Sanako stealthily while tugging at Shiori. "Let me have a look!"
Peeping her head through the door along with Shiori, both Sanako and Shiori found Sakiyo in her colossal cozy bed… sleeping.
Simultaneously, both turned to each other in doubts to verify what they had seen.
"Do you think she's sleeping?" whispered Shiori.
"I don't know…" whispered Sanako. Her eyes shifted to the stock-still body that is lying on her side. "At least she looks like she is sleeping."
Both girls got the answer then.
In unison, S & S straightened their shoulders and strides right into Sakiyo's bedroom. Approaching the bed, they found Sakiyo asleep but at the back of their minds, they know she wasn't.
Sanako then took the initiative to climb onto the bed and snuggles herself under the covers beside Sakiyo. Shiori followed suit.
"Are you thinking about Ken?" asked Sanako bluntly.
No response.
"Ken cares a lot for you…" Shiori begins. "In fact a lot more than…"
"Shut up, Shiori." Sakiyo finally interjected, knowing who Shiori is going to mention.
With her eyes still closed, silence resumes. Minutes gone by peacefully until Sanako recalls about the slapping incident.
"About that girl, Makino Tsukushi… we plan to put her on hold until we are free from those idiot scumbags. What do you think?"
"Forget it." Sakiyo's answer was as quick as a bullet, making Shiori and Sanako go "Eh?!"
"I said forget. it."
Shiori and Sanako sat up, thinking something was not quite right. The way Sakiyo reacted about the whole thing is too cool. Her eyes were closed all the while she spoke and the way she spoke is terse to the extent Sanako and Shiori knew she, too is affected by the tiff with Ken just now.
Sanako cogitates for a while. "Whatever pleases you."
~*~*~
At a corner of the mansion stood T4 nervously in their uniforms, facing the servant as the oba-san narrowed her eyes.
The obasan finally settled her eyes on Sakurako. "You. Bathrooms."
Sakurako widened her eyes in exasperation. "Nani?!"
"Didn't you hear me? I say you'll be cleaning the bathrooms… with me."
"EH?!" Sakurako exclaimed. She really couldn't believe her day. Shigeru then tugs on Sakurako to remind her of their purpose here, which somehow managed to shut her up. The oba-san then looks at Shigeru.
"You. The guestrooms at the west wing. Look for Kumiko-chan there." Shigeru nods, thinking the fun starts here.
Just then, the Butler came by with a tray of food in his hands. He gave the four girls a quick glance before turning to the servant.
"Yano-san, can you do me a favor by bringing this up to Sakiyo-sama?"
Taking the tray, Yano arched her eyebrow in question upon seeing the sumptuous meal in front of her. "That child has not been eating again?"
The Butler nods helplessly. "If you excuse me, I need to attend to Kiyoshi-sama now."
When the Butler was gone, Yano turned to Yuuki. "Sakiyo-sama's bedchamber is at the east wing, the first room to the right. Don't confuse it with Sakuyo-sama's bedchamber, which is the last one to the right too. Make sure you take the right stairs to get to the right room." Looking at Yuuki who turned dotted-eyed, Yano shakes her head helplessly. "If only I had the time… but anyway, ask around if you are lost."
After handling the tray over to Yuuki, Yano turned to Tsukushi. Rubbing her chin, she thought for a while.
"You go help Hara-san to clean the fishponds. He's at the garden in the backyard now. Ok, now… go! Go! Go!"
~*~*~
At one of the bathrooms…
Sakurako took the toilet brush at the tip of her hands while biting her lips disdainfully. Yano gave a push on her shoulders. "What are you waiting for?! Get down to work! We still have ten over bathrooms to scrub!"
Sakurako gapes, speechless. This is going to be the biggest secret she's going to conceal for the rest of her life.
I'll get you for this, Shigeru-chan!!
~*~*~
At the west wing of the mansion…
Shigeru wonders around, popping her head at every corner possible. She thought it was strange as she couldn't find the Kumiko-chan that Yano-chan mentioned a while ago.
"Forget it." murmurs Shigeru. "I'm not here to work anyway."
One thing she gotta admit is that the Fujiwara mansion is indeed an impressive huge mansion as it is known to be. One look at it and Shigeru knew this mansion is much bigger than hers and she thought that if she didn't live in a mansion too, she would probably get lost in this unbelievably big maze. Just then, her eyes caught sight of a room at a corner, which the door was slightly ajar.
Shigeru decided to check it out.
Pushing the door gently, she saw a young man's back. His shoulder blades revealed a hidden determination that Shigeru can't really make out.
The man immediately noticed the intrusion and turned around to look at Shigeru. Surprised that the guy in front of her could detect her presence ever so quickly, all Shigeru could say is a weak "Hiii..."
"You're not a housemaid." The man commented.
How he know?
As if Shigeru said it out, the man answers, "Coz you wore a necklace… and a pricey one for that."
Shigeru immediately clutches her necklace in one of her hands. He is right. That necklace is a birthday present from her father. So far, she is the only owner of such necklace.
"You're right. I'm not a housemaid."
"So who are you? And what are you doing here?" The man probes, advancing a few steps towards Shigeru.
"My name is Shigeru. Okawahara is my family name."
"Hmm?"
Although his response is casual, Shigeru could sense the surprise in him.
"So ka. I'm Hayashida Kenichi."
"So desuka?!" Shigeru's eyes widened in surprise.
~*~*~
At the start of the hallway…
Yuuki stared ahead at the long corridor in front of her with a tray of food in her hands, feeling breathless.
"Now… could it be this one?" asks Yuuki to herself as she leans to the room to her right. She was lost a while ago in the mansion, mistaking quite a lot of rooms.
~Just take the stairs at the corner! ~
"She did say the stairs at the corner…" While Yuuki was lost, she met one of the housemaids who pass her by in brisk steps. Yuuki managed to catch her attention with the tray of food in her hands.
"Is this the food for Sakiyo-sama?" inquired the housemaid.
"Hai."
"Then why are you standing here? Lost?"
Yuuki nods her head in embarrassment. The housemaid signs, "That Yano-san didn't tell you how to get around?"
"She said I can ask around if I'm…"
"Oh my God!" the housemaid interjects, looking at her watch. "I'm so late for my errands!"
And away she goes, leaving Yuuki on her own with her instructions in the air.
~Just take the stairs at the corner!~
Yuuki signs, thinking she still end up in square one. There are so many stairs that is situated at the corners and Yuuki has tried almost all of them. As Yuuki kept track, this is the second last stairs. Taking a deep breath, Yuuki knocks on the door politely.
No response.
Oh my! It's not this one!
"Are you alright?"
Yuuki gasps in shock of a voice behind her. She spun around, upsetting the milk she had on the tray. Unfortunately, some of it had spilled onto the girl that stood right behind her.
"Gomen nasai!! Oh my God! I didn't mean to…"
"It's alright."
Sakuyo then take a good look at the girl in front of her. She thought she had seen her somewhere but not in her residence, that's for sure. Though she didn't talk as much as Sakiyo, she can sure recognize almost all the people in her residence. She focuses on the food instead.
Yuuki is deciding whether the girl in front of her is Fujiwara Sakiyo or Fujiwara Sakuyo. Judging from the way Tsukushi describes Sakiyo, Yuuki finally assumes the girl in front of her is Sakuyo. But she thought it doesn't hurt to ask.
"May I know you are Fujiwara Sakiyo or Fujiwara Sakuyo?"
Sakuyo looks up. "Sakuyo." When she notices Yuuki staring at her in an I-know-you manner, her suspicions begin to grow.
"Sakiyo's room is right down the hallway, the first room to your right." Sakuyo said instead.
"Ohh… thank you."
Sakuyo then smiled in response before passes her by to open the door to her bedroom.
Eh?! She smiled? At me? That was beautiful.
Instead of making her way down the hallway, Yuuki took a peep of Sakuyo's bedroom, which Sakuyo had left the door ajar. Yuuki thought she heard something tinkling pleasingly. Without realizing what she is doing, she pushes the door open to find Sakuyo in the midst of changing clothes and a collection of wind chimes hanging loosely near the window, tinkling against the soft breeze that blew in ever so soothing.
Yuuki then realized Sakuyo is staring at her in surprise.
"Uhh… sorry.. I can't help myself upon hearing those pleasing sounds made by your wind bells. They're beautiful."
"What's your name?"
"My name is Yuuki. Matsuoka Yuuki. In fact we met at the…" Yuuki stopped herself in time, relieved she didn't spill the beans.
"Dango shop?" Sakuyo finishes it off, making Yuuki somehow afraid.
"Yees."
Just then, Sanako and Shiori drop in.
"Saku… Eh?" Shiori looks at the tray of food before settling her eyes on Yuuki.
"New here?" asks Sanako.
Yuuki smiled awkwardly.
"I believe Sakiyo is waiting for you." interjects Sakuyo.
Yuuki then made her bow before leaving the trio on their own.
"I swear I saw her before." Shiori remarks, rubbing her chin to figure out her suspicions.
"She is Tsukushi's friend at the dango shop." said Sakuyo.
"So desuka?! No wonder I find her so familiar! What is she doing here?"
"Can't you see? She works here too." butts in Sanako. "Poor people.."
~*~*~
Yuuki knocked on the door, hoping to get rid of the food she's been holding for so long.
"What is it now?!" came a disgruntled reply, which made Yuuki gulps in sweat. She's going to face the legendary Fujiwara Sakiyo right now. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she was about to turn the doorknob when she saw it turning itself and before she knew it, Fujiwara Sakiyo stood right in front of her.
Both stared at each other for a few seconds.
Yuuki thought she seen this person a few moments ago.
Sakiyo thought she has never seen this person before.
"New here?" asks Sakiyo finally with a frown.
"Yeess."
Sakiyo's initial intention was to give a telling off to whoever is disturbing her but when she saw the look on Yuuki, she softened. She focuses on the food instead.
"Don't tell me this is for me..?"
Yuuki nods her head.
"I don't want it." And Sakiyo turns away, leaving Yuuki standing at the doorway. Yuuki thought for a while before stepping into the room.
"But the Butler said you haven't eaten for the whole day."
Sakiyo took a seat on the couch nearby. "If the Butler said I died, would you believe him?"
"Eh?"
Sakiyo smirked lazily but when she realized Yuuki is still standing there, looking at her, she thought it was strange. So far, no housemaids in this mansion dared to stare at her for this long and Yuuki has aroused her curiosity.
"What?"
"You shouldn't curse yourself like you did just now."
Sakiyo arched one of her eyebrow. "So ka? And who are you to say me?"
"I'm Matsuoka Yuuki, if you want to know who I am."
Interesting… she got guts. Sakiyo thought.
"Matsuoka Yuuuuki…" Sakiyo drawled. "You're so lucky."
"Eh?"
"Aren't you tired carrying the tray of food? You can put it over there." Sakiyo gestures with a wave of her hand.
After Yuuki placed the tray on a table nearby, she turned around to find Sakiyo studying her.
"Is there anything weird on me?"
Sakiyo breathes in hard. "Looking at you reminds me of an idiot."
Yuuki kept quiet.
"Her name is Makino Tsukushi." Yuuki lights up but Sakiyo mistook it as curiosity. "You know what? That stupid woman gave me a slap this afternoon for no reason and unbelievably, I let it pass." Sakiyo shakes her head lazily. "If it was the past, she might have already gone crazy."
Yuuki gasps in shock.
"The same goes for you." Sakiyo then rests her head casually on her hand. "Aren't you afraid?"
"No." was Yuuki's reply.
"Why?"
"Because I'm facing the present you."
Sakiyo didn't expect such an answer from Yuuki. She is beginning to earn Sakiyo's respect. "That's why I say you're so lucky."
Yuuki thought Sakiyo wasn't as scary as Sakurako made her out to be. Thus, she took one big step…
"Actually… I'm Tsukushi's friend."
that proved to be fatal.
"Eh?" Sakiyo stood up abruptly, revealing her surprise as she scowls. "What did you just say?"
Yuuki took a deep breath again. "I'm Tsukushi's friend and she is very sorry for that slap… she is here too… to apologize to you for that slap."
"Really? Then where is that woman?" Sakiyo folded her arms but at the same time, she realized Yuuki was wearing the uniform of the housemaids.
"Wait a sec… if you girls are here to apologize, then why you are in the uniform of a housemaid?"
"Uhh…"
Oh my God! What have I done?!
"Okaayy… I get the picture. Makino Tsukushi is here alright… posing as one of my housemaids. Now… am I right?"
Seeing Yuuki rendered speechless, Sakiyo continues, "I don't see that as a way of apologizing. In all my years of education, I call that trespassing of private property or to make it simple for you, you're illegally intruding my residence which I can call for the police."
"No! That was not our idea in the first place! We got misunderstood and Shigeru-san…"
"Shigeru-san?" Sakiyo interjects. "So there are more than just two of you. You better come clean as to how many of you are lurking in my mansion now or you face the consequences."
Yuuki signs, thinking she has ruined everything. Sakurako is right. Coming to the Fujiwara mansion will only make matters worse.
"There are four of…"
Suddenly the lights went out.
Yuuki gave out a short scream while Sakiyo is plain shock. Within a few seconds, the lights came back again.
"What happened?" asks Yuuki timidly. "The mansion is experiencing a blackout?"
Sakiyo rolls her eyes. A blackout like this is impossible. Though she never seen or heard of a blackout in the mansion, she is certain a blackout isn't like this. The lights couldn't possibly come back in just a mere few seconds, given the size of the mansion and the procedures that came along with it.
"Someone has triggered the switch."
***
Yo! This is my chapter 8. *sign* I'm so sorry!!! If you have noticed, I missed out Tsukushi and the twins' brother… AGAIN! I got too engrossed in writing this chapter that it's getting longer and longer and I guess you guys are tired and find it boring to see such a long chapter.
Hehe… I promise… really promise that the next chapter to be more intensifying than this one! Coz the female lead is going to be in the limelight again!