100 One Shot challenge!

Disclaimer: I don't own Mai Hime just using the characters for entertainment purposes.

Title: Gloomy salad days

Summary: Akira is a mad anorexic? and Takumi is a psychologist who wants to help her. Well everything is never as it seems

Genre: hurt/sadness/comfort

Word Count: 2,512

Story no.: 17

"Good morning Akira-sama; its good day, time to wake up!" the orange haired maid enthusiastically greeted her young miss. It's indeed a nice day. The sun is out but the weather is not too hot because of the strong wind. The trees around the mansion is twinkling, brushing of the leaves can be heard which is mysteriously relaxing.

Mai, the orange haired maid opened the heavy forest green curtains so the sunshine could seep in the room. The young miss doesn't seem pleased with it even though she didn't yell or shouted at the maid she knows she can tell because of her frown. Mai almost stepped on the broken glass and plates. So she didn't eat anything again, huh? She thought but didn't say anything though she stared sadly at the green haired girl.

Mai shook her head and smiled. Getting the vacuum cleaner outside of the room and started cleaning. If other maid saw how the room looked they would surely shout but that's how good Mai was at the tender age of 17 she was a regular maid at the Okuzaki mansion that is strangely big but the funny thing is her Akira-sama besides the maid is the only one there.

Mai was trained not to ask anything about the personal lives of her bosses. It's not that she wasn't interested as to why but she wanted to give her young miss a break she didn't have to cry or speak just to let her know that she has gone through enough so she is letting her personal interest aside and wait for Akira to just tell her in time not that she is obligated to tell her maid everything but maybe she is someone that she can talk to.

"You know Akira-sama you know that I am grateful that you approved for me to work and live here because of that I can study and support my brother so I know I am not in the place to tell you this but I am very worried about your wellness so if you need anyone to talk to I am always here" Mai said before putting the last throw pillow in the black sofa. She gave her young miss a one last smile and look before closing the heavy mahogany door at that is located at the end of the hall. The young maid looked around her the mansion was in English style with the marble flooring you could even see your own reflection Mai is so happy that she could manage to clean this mansion not that Akira is actually going out of her room and throwing a party or inviting some friends and go gaga

Mai didn't know if she will be happy that the only room she will have to clean is Akira's room or will be sad for the young miss. She closed her eyes and planned to dust the other rooms before leaving the mansion to meet her younger brother and friends.

-

Takumi is cooking dinner but Mikoto, there cousin insisted to cook because of Nao's tease that she only eats and can do absolutely nothing.

What is the product of letting Mikoto cook?

Half of their apartment is burnt into crisp…

Mai called a cab to go to their apartment when she received a call from her bestfriend Natsuki, she was puzzled. What time is it? Am I late why is she calling? But nether less she picked up "Mai speaking" she said. Natsuki's monotone greeted her "Guess what just happened" The orange haired girl rolled her eyes "Am I late? I'm sorry okay" she said.

The time stopped when Natsuki broke the news. "Are you joking?" she asked angrily. "Mai, Is it my habit to tell you jokes like this?" she countered. "Is Takumi okay? Is anyone hurt?" typical Mai, like a worrisome mother taking care of her children. "Where are you? Can I talk to Takumi?" she requested. Natsuki passed the phone to her brother. "Mai-neechan I'm sorry I didn't know it will turn out like this" the boy started. Mai massaged her temples "No it's okay, how's Mikoto is she hurt?" she asked. She was not angry she could have known better than warning them of Mikoto's capability to be such a problem. "She's okay, were all fine but Mikoto won't stop crying" Takumi confessed. "What should I do nee-chan I'm a psychology and talking her in to it doesn't stop her" he scratched his head in to frustration. "Let me talk to her" Mai said.

Sometimes Takumi can't help but to admire his older sister. He's a psychology for Christ's sake and he couldn't even have a decent conversation with their cousin Mikoto let alone make her stop wailing like a child.

"Really Mai?"
He couldn't hear what Mai is saying but that's all it took to make her stop.

Mai got back at the mansion she just hope that the young miss would let her to have her leave she got to find a new apartment for her family and settle the mess that have been made.

She breathed in and breathed out gaining her courage to ask. "All you have to do is ask" she cheered herself. She is shaking but knocked nether less she knows she will never get an answer. The maid saw her young miss is looking outside of the window it is truly a fine day. "Akira-sama I-" it is hard but she have to try. Akira looked at her maid in the corner of her eyes "What?" she asked quietly. Mai closed her eyes "I would like to take a leave there's an emergency" she said it fast but understandable. That statement stoke the interest of the green haired girl her maid looked nervous is it that bad? She asked herself "What happened?"

"Well our apartment got burned" she said hoping that the young miss would understand "I would like to find a new shelter for them in the meantime" Mai explained.

"Let them in here" Mai blinked at what she heard. "I'm sorry I didn't catch that" I must be hearing things she thought. "I need you here and this house is too big for me anyway I might need new servants so let them live here I wanted my roses to taken care of and I know that one servant isn't enough" the young miss explained.

Mai is loss of words "Thank you Akira-sama! We won't let you down"

Nao looked at the address that her cousin gave her. She rolled her eyes and called Mai again. "Hello, are you sure that the address you gave me is right?"
"Why are you lost?"
"I think so…" she said unsure because all she see is a big mansion. There's no way it's the house that her cousin is talking about, it must be a small buffalo
"Okay what do you see?" Mai asked trying not to lose patient
"Uhhm a big mansion and tress and-" Mikoto cut her
"And a beautiful garden!"
"Mai-neechan?" Takumi said unsure that it was her sister that she was seeing inside of a big house rather mansion.
"Where?, Where? Where?" Nao and Mikoto asked.
Takumi numbly pointed at the gates. They saw the orange haired girl maniacally waving and holding her cellphone.

-

They can't help but to stare at the whole house it is so huge its size is almost big as their school not to mention it's interior is so nice no wonder every weekend when Mai visits them she would always complain that there are people scouting, wanting to film or have a pictorial there.
Mai served them tea the smell is so relaxing because she's the only maid there Akira always let Mai took liberties in eating as much as she want not cutting her salary she was lucky indeed with her so called young mistress.

The trio couldn't help but to stare Mai because it's like she owns the house. Finally Mai finished pouring the tea for them. Mai blinked and suddenly laughed. "Why the three of you are so quiet? Are you worried about how hard the job here? Don't worry it's not hard as you think" Nao rolled her eyes. "It's not that we are just shocked" Takumi said. She just smiled and showed them the servant's quarters.

Like Mai said cleaning inside the mansion isn't hard as they thought. Takumi really enjoys tending the flowers giving them special attention he smiled and decided to bring the supplies back then he felt someone's presence that's when he saw the green haired girl. Staring blankly at the flowers he'll always remember that day, hour, minute and second. Her eyes wants to say something then he decided that it's time to meddle. After the chores he volunteered in bringing the food to the their mistress. Honestly they all want to go especially Nao well curiosity kills the cat right? They found Akira so interesting.

But Takumi won he knocked slowly but he heard no response so he opened the door without the permission he found her staring at the moon. "It's beautiful isn't it?" Takumi said earning her glance "but the view is more beautiful in the garden" then she looked away. Takumi smiled at her tenderly "I am Takumi Tokiha. Mai's little brother, sorry for inviting myself inside your room and thank you for letting us live here Akira-sama" he said politely while preparing the food in the table. "You don't have to thank me besides you did a great job in tending the roses"

Takumi smiled "I am finished in preparing your food I will be leaving then" he leaves the room then surprised to see Mai, Mikoto and Nao standing outside the door. Then they resumed in eating dinner "What did you say to her?" Mai asked Takumi. "It's so great that you converse with her even if it is a short one" she was so proud with her brother normally Akira would not welcome a stranger easily nor talk to them.
"I think Takumi seduced the young mistress!" Nao suggested. Takumi and Mai went red "What seduced means?" Mikoto asked "Can you eat it?" Mai being ballistic as ever covered the clueless child's ears. "Mou! Can you stop saying things like that Nao!" she scolded her friend but she just laughed it off. "Why Akira-sama is alone in this big house? Where is her relative? And why does she lock herself inside her room?" Takumi asked.

Mai scratched her head she doesn't know how to answer those question "I don't know why she's alone but I think she has eating disorders she doesn't eat much and she one time I saw her forcing herself to vomit" They suddenly felt a pang of sadness for their mistress it's not like she's a bad girl but it's like her parents or even her blood relatives abandoned her there is nothing they could do so they just dropped the topic.

-

After two weeks of stay at the mansion they grow accustomed to it. Since Mikoto loves running her job is to sweep the floors, Takumi's job is in the garden, Nao's job to wash clothes, bed sheets, clovers etc. While Mai supervise them, to dust the furniture or ran errands like paying the bills and cooking for them

One time they all have to go out because it is Natsuki's birthday. Takumi volunteered in looking after the house. Takumi decided to cook and bake for their mistress maybe applying what he is learning about psychology. He smelled and took care of the tea. He knocked knowing that the mistress will not answer he invited himself in. "I know it's my day off but I decided to spend my time here with you if you don't mind" he informed her cheerfully. Seeing that she has no reaction at what he is saying he carried her bridal style and run. Takumi could see the panic "What are you doing! Let me down this instant!"

"Not after you see the garden" She felt chills when her feet touched the grass. Akira saw the cake and the tea on the garden table "You planned this" Takumi lead her sit "I know that you should fire me but we are all concerned about your wellness you've been getting thinner and thinner more lifeless each day" He poured the tea. "Do you throw up regularly" Takumi asked. He's going to help her whether she likes it or not. "Are you a psychiatrist who is hired to help me?" Takumi shook his head "I am understudy for that and I just asked because I wanted to be your friend I know that it wouldn't change anything but maybe it would make you feel better if you could share your pain" Akira couldn't help but to wonder just who is this boy in front of her.

Seeing Akira's not eating anything Takumi took the fork, sliced the cake then offered a bite. "I can eat by myself" Akira started eating the cake Takumi just smiled and watched her eating the cake. Their eyes met Takumi blushed and started to eat as well. After that Akira started to walk "Akira-sama" Takumi shouted and chased after her. He quickly removed his slippers and sweater for her mistress to wear. They walked silently until the night came. They stared at it "You always stare at the moon and yet your eyes are so sad whenever you are staring at it if …" Takumi hesitated in continuing. "I… I wanted to remove the moon from your sight so that you will not be sad anymore, maybe you'll smile" Akira looked at Takumi shocked. "but I know it's just a wishful thinking the truth is I wish I could make you smile, make you feel better" Akira closed her eyes "I don't deserve to be happy I let them die. My parents were killed in front of me but still I did nothing but do as they said. I hide inside the closet" Takumi held her hand "You know they must be suffering, your parents!" his voice is cold.

"You shouldn't blame yourself of course they will save you because they love you! But what are you doing? Your making yourself miserable! You think everything will be better? They are not coming back but you should repay them by showing that they made the right decision!" he snapped it was because their parents died too. "Ever since I was young I had a weak heart. My operation is too expensive let alone my medicines but my father didn't gave up he associated with the loan sharks then got killed" he closed his eyes in the memory.

"You are not alone… You're never alone. At least not anymore because I will always be bugging you, we I mean" he said. "Sorry for my outburst I shouldn't have shouted at you Akira-sama. It just made me angry what you are doing at yourself" Akira leaned at his shoulder but didn't say anything.

END

NOTE: Sorry it's kind of boring I am having a writer's block