Chapter 3:
Three weeks has passed as the Iwazuka Kingdom become more busy each days as it is now the season where all the fruits and crops all fruiting, and also the merchants from other countries come to the kingdom to sell their products such as clothes, foods and animals. And it also has been three weeks since Makoto seen her dearest best friend Haruka and also the man called Sousuke.
"Mako-chan, your father is calling you." Makoto blinked to her mom words and look back to the now tidy shelves of book.
"But mom, there's still a lot of things still need to do…"
"It's fine it's fine dear. Go to your father alright?" Makoto only nodded in response and went to her father study room without complaining.
"Father, I'm coming in." Makoto call out only answer by a short 'yes' and she opened the wooden door softly, greeted by her tired looking father.
"Ah, Mako-chan! I need your help with something." Her father expressions lighten up as Makoto stepped into his study room with a soft smile.
"Yes father, what is it?"
"Ahh, can you go to the castle's library and borrow few books there? Here's the list of the books," Doctor Tachibana handed Makoto a piece of paper as she accepted it and scanned over the paper with interest.
"Father, these is really rare books isn't it? 'Mixtures for Medicines', 'Mysterious part of human Body'… Wow, there's a lot. Are you sure there's these book in the library?" The doctor gave his daughter a shrug as he look down on his papers again.
"I hope there is. I already asked the king permission to borrow the books for medical purposes, so there will be no problem. Just show the librarian Tachibana's emblem then they will know." Makoto gave her father an understanding nod and left the study room after bow and went to the castle.
xXx
Makoto piled up the books on the table and let out a tired sigh then scanned over the paper again and began to scanned over the shelves for the last book. It took her few minutes and as soon she found it, the grin turned into a frown.
"Why does it have to be on the highest one…" She mumbled under her breath as she took a ladder and positioned it on the spot. After she stabilized it, she began to climb up the ladder carefully, not noticing a cracking sound as heard every time she took a step by step. As she reached high enough, she began to stretch out her arm.
"A-Almost...! There!" She shouted happily as she finally grabbed the book but suddenly a loud cracking noise reached her ears and the ladder broke.
"W-Whaaa!" Makoto stretch out her arm, hoping that she can grab one of the shelves but her body falling down and she closed her eyes tightly, ready herself to welcome the pain.
"Makoto!"
…
She didn't feel any pain or impact, instead she felt soft yet warm arms wrapped around her. She slowly opened her eyes and gasped.
"S-Sousuke-sama!"
"Idiot… What if I wasn't around…?" He let out a worried sighed as they heard footsteps running towards them and two men came into the view and let out a surprised gasp.
"Yamazaki-sama! Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Sousuke took Makoto's wrist and notice scratches on her forearm and let out a low groan. " and get me the medical kit."
"Yes!" Sousuke look towards the other man then to the broken ladder.
"Check the other ladders and report to me immediately if there more broken ladders. I don't want for other people who use this library get harm."
"Yes!" The men dismissed themselves to their respective errands then Sousuke look down on the woman he held.
"You alright?" Sousuke asked worriedly while Makoto's cheeks turn redder as Sousuke's gripped on her waist and wrist become tighter.
"I-I'm fine but can you, umm…" Makoto uncomfortableness alerted the bigger man as he quickly let go of her and he let out an awkward cough.
"I'm sorry that you have to experience this because of our carelessness …" At this, Makoto let out a giggle which cause the man blushes.
"Don't worry Sousuke-sama, it's not anyone mistakes. The ladder is just too old anyway." Makoto waved her hand and Sousuke nodded, still feeling bad which cause the woman to laugh lightly. She stood up and dusted off her robe.
"Thank you so much for saving me. I'm positive if you weren't here, I might have broken bones already." Makoto bowed and Sousuke let out a relieved sigh.
"It's fine Makoto, let me take a look on the scratch."
"E-Ehh but it just a sma-" Sousuke ignored her protest as he took her wrist and his eyes landed on the scratch, ignoring her redden face. He looked up on the shelves and then the broken ladder.
"It must be by the wooden shelves…"
"A-Ahh, might be…" She whispered lowly as she staring Sousuke's big hand around her wrist. His hand is so big that it fully wrapped around her wrist and she's aware that she's a big boned woman, which resulting her height. He gently examined her hand or arm to make sure there is no other scratches or anything which cause her to stifle back her laughter. Just looking at his furrowed brows over such a small thing is really cute to her.
Cute…
"A-Ahhh Sousuke-sama, y-you can let go of my wrist now…" She softly asked then the male let go of her wrist, leaving a ghostly heat on it which caused her wrist suddenly cold.
"Yamazaki-sama, here's the medical kit…" The librarian returned then he handed the kit to Sousuke. Sousuke muttered a soft thanks and lead Makoto to the table and sit her on the chair then he sat on another. He opened the kit and took out a cotton ball and a small bottle of alcohol and put the alcohol onto cotton. He gently took her hand and began to rub the cotton filled alcohol on her scratch which caused her to wince by the sudden contact.
"Relax," he muttered as she gave him a nod then let the man continue his work. Sousuke silently treat her as he felt her soft skin. Her light tanned skin is flawless even though he can feel her dried palm, must be because her busy work as he noted.
He look over on the table and noticed few medical books neatly arrange on the table.
"What's with the books?" He asked as he put back the bottle inside the kit and took out a small bandage and put it on her scratches. Makoto look over the books and let out a nervous laughter.
"My father asked me to borrow some book from here." Makoto answered as she rubbed on her now covered scratch with a smile. Sousuke nodded as he closed the medical kit then helped Makoto to gather the scattered book on the floor then Makoto took the last book she needed and walk towards the librarian counter with help from Sousuke carrying all the heavy books.
xXx
"Please let me carry some books Sousuke-sama…" Makoto pouted as Sousuke lightly chuckled on her adorable expression.
"Nope, these are too heavy for a woman like you to carry, Miss Tachibana." Sousuke teased which cause her to let out a small groan. Sousuke gave her a small smile then look to the books in his hands.
"These books look so darn hard for me to understand…" He frowned which cause her to laugh.
"How can you understand if you never study it?"
"Good point…" Silence began lingering as Sousuke took a glance on Makoto, clearly feeling the awkwardness tension coming from both of them.
"Sousuke-sama, are you sure people won't see us? I mean… you escorting me..." Her voice becoming lower and lower until it become a mere whisper but Sousuke who has a sharp hearing heard her worried whispers.
"It's fine, people around the castle really busy right now so they won't notice. You worry too much. Besides, I can't let you carry these books can I?"
"But…"
"I said its fine so it is fine, now stop worrying." He snapped which cause her to shut her mouth until Sousuke realized what he just did. Shit… he just snapped didn't he?
"S-Sorry… Didn't mean to snap at you…" He only got a nod as an answer which he right now having an urge to face palm himself. The tension around them build more and more as Makoto began to rub her arm awkwardly as Sousuke avert his eyes somewhere else. The echoes of the footsteps in the hallway the only one fill up the silence between them.
"Mako-"
"Makoto? What are you doing here?" The blinked and turned around to meet the newcomer and Makoto's eyes brighten up.
"Haru-chan!" Makoto hugged Haruka as Haruka kept her stoic expressions.
"I told you to drop the –chan," then her frowned turned into a smile. "and nice to see you too."
"I miss you Haru! I'm sorry I can't come visit you like I promised!" Makoto look to her shorter friend as Haruka shakes her head.
"It's fine, we've been busy. Anyway," her blue eyes moved from Makoto to Sousuke who stood behind the olive head, the queen expression clearly show annoyance. "What are you doing here with Yamazaki?" Her question caught the two of guard as they began to fidgeting under her dark gaze.
"U-Ummm, Sou- Yamazaki-sama help me carrying the books to my horse. Since the books is heavy and all." Makoto briefly explained as Haruka scanned over the books.
"Your father needs them?"
"Yes, he wanted to discover some new medicines, that is what my mother told me though." Makoto answered and Haruka gave Makoto an understanding nod. Haruka took a glance from Sousuke then to Makoto and she blinked. Somehow, she felt something different from these two… And it's something that cause the raven to smirked.
"Makoto, you seem really happy today. I wonder why?" Haruka asked which cause the taller woman to flustered then she took a glance on Sousuke then on Haruka again.
"I-It's nothing!"
"I wonder why Yamazaki is the one helping you though…"
"H-he was there when I need help!"
"Really? Meeting Yamazaki of all people? Fate must love playing with you two…" At this, both Sousuke and Makoto cheeks redden which cause the queen to smirk in satisfaction.
"W-Why are you teasing me?!" Makoto whined and Haruka arc her brow upward.
"What are you talking about? I didn't say anything to make you both all flustered am I?" At this, Sousuke gave the queen a glare which made Haruka smile with pride. Who won't if you had made the famous man known for his serious and stoic to blushing like that?
"O-Oh Haru, where are you heading to?" Makoto ask as she noticed Haruka holding a book in her hand. Haruka look down on the book in her hand and let out an annoyed sigh.
"I'm on my way to the meeting hall. Rin told me someone," Haruka glared at Sousuke which he clearly ignored "has been missing so he had me to fetch this book from his office. He also told me he needs me for the next meeting." Haruka explained and Makoto eyes soften then gave Haruka her signature smile.
"You've becoming a great queen Haru." Makoto praised and Haruka just let out a chuckle.
"Well, Rin becoming a greater and wiser king now since Her Majesty is there by his side." Sousuke interrupted and they burst out laughing.
"I better get going, don't want to make the King get angry. See you guys later. Oh, and say hi to your family Makoto."
"I will, good luck Haru." With that, the queen left the two alone then they went to the entrance gate. A quiet sigh escaped from the olive head lips which caught Sousuke attention.
"You alright?"
"Y-Yeah, it just…" Makoto look down on her hands, a sad smile appeared on her lips.
"It's been a while since Haru and me hanging out. I miss the old time." She confessed to the man as he stared down.
"A-Ah! But I know she's a busy woman now! I-I don't mind at all!" Makoto pull off a big grin then a light chuckle heard from the taller man.
"Well, if you don't mind… We can hang out?" Makoto eyes widen at his words as her cheeks slowly redden at his words. Both of them? Hanging out together?
"W-Well, if you don't mind…"
"Nah, I don't mind." He gave her a smile as she gave him a shy grin as a reply which cause the man heart to skip faster. Makoto took her horse from a guard and took the books from Sousuke's hand and put it into the bags beside the horse.
"Thank you so much for helping Sousuke-sama. I guess I'll be going now." Makoto spoke up as she carefully climbed up on the horse back, helped by Sousuke.
"It's fine. By the way Makoto," Sousuke look up at her and gave her a small smile "shall we meet again?" At this, Makoto gave a small chuckle and nodded.
"Sure, let's meet again soon. I'll be going now."
"Be careful on the way back." And with that, the horse carried Makoto away, leaving the man alone at the entrance of the castle who is staring in awe.
xXx
"Onee-chan! We so sorry…!" Both Ran and Ren apologized as they bow, asking for their sister forgiveness. Makoto let out a loud sigh as she wiping the coffee off the study desk. Her notes and works now all stained, luckily the books and scrolls didn't, much to her relieve. Makoto gave the ball back to her brother and patted both of their head with a smile.
"It's fine, it's fine. Now be careful when playing the ball. It'll be better if you go play at the field."
"B-But your work…" Ren peeked behind her big sister and his face turning pale seeing her ruined paperwork. Makoto blocked his view, the smile haven't faded from her feature.
"Now now, I'll be fine. I need to redo the works anyway," she lied to comfort the twins and she kissed the top of their head.
"You sure onee-chan?" Ran asked and Makoto gave her an assuring nod.
"Now go play with your friends alright? And make sure be back before dawn."
"Haii!" At this, the twin ran out with the ball, leaving the tired Makoto with her now ruined room. She look to her broken window and peeked out, seeing the twin and their friends walking away towards the field then she let out sigh. Well, one of them must have a really strong leg to have broken her window this high…
"I do really need to rewrite these notes…" She muttered under her breath as she throw away the shattered glass into near garbage can then the now ruined worked. After cleaning up the room, she went down to throw away the garbage only to meet with her worried looking mother.
"Mako-chan, I heard something broken just now. I thought it was a thief, or some rapist, or some evil magi-"
"Mother, there's no such thing as magician. And it's fine, it just that the kids broke the window and my cup." Makoto explained which cause the mother let out a worried sigh. Makoto just smile at her mother and throw the garbage as her mother gaze followed Makoto's movement.
"Mako-chan, dear how about you go do your studies in the castle's library?" Makoto blinked at her mother suggestion then Mrs. Tachibana continues, "They have a lot of books you can refer to, and more relax don't you think?" Makoto rubbed her chin in thought. If she went to the castle, she might have a chance to meet Sousuke again right? She nodded in agreement.
"That's a great idea mother."
xXx
Red brows twitched as Rin eyes read over the writings on each letters and records then signed on them and repeat again, and again. He let out a frustration growl as he scanned around on his big desk and let out a tired sigh.
"Sousuke, send this documents to the administration and tell them I already signed them. Then go fetch some records from the library."
Silence….
Rin blinked as there's no response from his advisor and look up to see that the taller man staring outside of the window and a vein popped out from Rin's forehead.
"Sousuke…" No response.
"Oi Sousuke, bastard…" No response and he clenched his teeth then grab a nearby scroll.
"Sousuke!" A scroll were thrown and hit on Sousuke's head which cause him to wince in pain.
"Ouch ouch ouch…! What was that for idiot?!"
"I've been calling you for many times already dammit!" The king groaned as Sousuke let out a low grumble under his breath as he rubbed his throbbing head. He just can't help it, it's been three days since he met Makoto, and he began to miss her deeply which had drag him into this situation.
"You so lost in space Sousuke…"
"I do not lost in space…" At this, Rin snorted and sorted out the documents and pass it to Sousuke.
"Whatever you say Sousuke. All I see is a man that who is madly in love." The king smirked as red hue slowly crawled on Sousuke's cheeks, glaring at Rin.
"I do not." Rin rolled his eyes and continue reading the records.
"Yeah yeah, I can totally see it Sou. But as much as I love to tease you my dear advisor, we need to finish this work. Now go send this to documents to the administration and tell them I already signed them. Then go fetch some records from the library. Here's the list of the records. Next tell the head chef I want meat tonight, lots of it. And tell Haru that I need her help with these works." Rin commanded and Sousuke rolled his eyes as he took the documents into his hands.
"Such a slave-driver…"
"What is that?"
"Oh nothing Your Highness, I'll go do the work now. See you." Sousuke waved then closed the door behind him. Rin let out a sigh and his eyes wander to the scenery outside the window.
"I really need Haru right now…"
xxxxx
So, how's chapter 3? I'm sorry for the slow update. Please RnR. I'm so happy if you do so. Anyway, for the next chapter, will be very slow update since I'm so busy with assignment and project. Wish me luck.