Efflorescence
chapterfive
Natsume never really appreciated his surroundings.
As the son of an elite school's principal, his life had been planned every step of the way – this in fact happened years before he turned the intended age to perform these tasks. He didn't like the feeling of soft carpet underneath his feet, nor did he appreciate the tall, lavishly decorated walls of his house.
Even though he had lived there all his life, his home didn't actually feel like a home to Natsume.
It was why he preferred to escape the pestering maids and his strict mother in the evenings, as he seated himself on a park chair facing the bay.
The utter simplicity of his surroundings allowed him to think about things.
And on that particular day, his mind could not divert itself away from the thought of the maiko.
Despite all, he for once didn't feel dishonoured. In fact, what she did hadn't affected him at all.
Natsume didn't feel angry – he felt smug.
He couldn't recall a time when he had been so amused by a mere lady before – but he immediately corrected himself, as geisha were not mere ladies, but the only honourable women he was aware about.
However, there was still something which bugged him, as he leaned his elbows on his knees.
Why did she force herself to smile when I mentioned my father?
The sonorous toll of the bell brought him out of his reverie – telling him that it was about time that he returned home for a night's rest. Despite his purpose for an early rest – he was preparing to take over as the school's principal, as his father's health was starting to deteriorate – his mind once again led to ideas which he wanted to undertake during the time he still had.
I'm going to visit the okiya again. I need to somehow get Koko or Kitsu to suggest it first. Because I'm definitely not the one's who's going to say it– damn this, why am I actually thinking about going again?! I'm turning into a man with no shame.
Natsume reached the tall gate of his expansive land, and was about to toll the small bell until the gate suddenly opened. He assumed that the maids had already seen him approaching, but a small hooded figure hurriedly wedged through the small space opened between the two gates.
However, as the figure started to break into a run, they crashed into Natsume's chest.
"What in the wor-" Natsume snarled, but was cut off the forceful push the figure gave him and their eventual escape, all executed while keeping their face hidden from the crimson eyed man's sight.
He was bewildered by the sudden turn of events. As he stared after the retreating figure, he recognised their slim figure - from then, he guessed it was a woman.
But it was all eventually forgotten, as soon as he entered the house.
A/N: 500 Word Length Chapters. That's the style I'm using, and I'm not really planning to change it. So basically, I can't make these chapters longer.