Like the dry leaves of any tree during Autumn, her heart couldn't help but fall.
She remembered it clearly, that season when everything was dry and dying yet breathtakingly beautiful.
Some years ago, that time also marked their first meeting.
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Of all times, why did she have to feel the sudden call of nature exactly when she was about to meet the head of this household? The butler of Akashi mansion 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 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, she was already standing in front of the door where the sound came from.
For some reason, it was mesmerizing. She found herself yearning for 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 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 would never tolerate rudeness.
Would opening this door be considered as an act of rudeness?
Hesitation crossed her mind, but she wanted to really wanted to see.
What was behind the door? What created that sound?
She closed her eyes and it was still there—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 be more of that or even a mixed of two.
Either way, she liked it.
It seemed like a pamper to her mourning heart, as if whoever made that sound knew what she was feeling at 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 on the top of the doorknob.
She was about to twist it open when she felt an abrupt and 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.
Even so, the young girl put her hand back at the doorknob and twisted it slightly.
"Ah! 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. 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 is really 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 of that room.
She peeked from the corner side of the hallway where they just turned and watched 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 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, she 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. The people in front of her used to be her father's employer and now it would be her's too.
Then, the sound of fingers tapping the desk surfaced the room. It was only 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.
There were pile of books in every sides of the room which were neatly stored in tall bookshelves, standing from the floor and almost reaching the ceiling. There were no windows present. The only one providing light was the chandelier above that had pieces of bulbs flickering like diamonds simultaneously.
As she looked at the people in front of her, she couldn't help but feel the sudden intimidation especially from the head of the family—Akashi Masaomi.
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.
Akashi Masaomi rested his elbows at the table with both hands clasped altogether.
For the time being, the girl 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 she had inside her chest was coming from and why was she having it.
"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"
A moment of silence filled the room before Masaomi spoke.
"I see."
She fixed her posture before inhaling deeper to say 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.
The mister beside her coughed stealing the attention of everyone.
First, he muttered to the girl,
"Little miss, I believe you have to inform first how you ended up on that deci—"
"No." The older Akashi spoke, leaning his back to the chair. He understood. The judging and careful eyes he had a while ago somehow left his face.
The girl blinked. She was aware that there was an unspeakable conversation going on between her and the head of the family.
"I have few questions for you, Hotaru, is it?" He asked. "Do you understand where you're coming from? Do you understand where you're 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."
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 persona, still holding his chest as he felt the nervous beating of his heart.
He looked at the girl who was walking beside him and noticed how she became silent and serious since meeting Mr. Akashi face to face. That was not good, he thought. If she really aimed to work on this household, the first thing 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 day 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 tell you, 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 smioe at the sight.
She would fit to be his own child if only he didn't choose to serve the Akashi family for years.
"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. He had to assure her that any question would be 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 to 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 to 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 morning. 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 in 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 an instrument but that was something she would get to know soon.
"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. She was too young after all, but he supposed it should be fine.
If he would compare her to the younger Akashi, they were almost just in the same situation. They were even the same age and Seijuro seemed to be doing 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 to the front, as if she found something interesting in 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 it? 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 a thin line at first, remembering what happened before she came to the mansion.
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Inside their own house in a small town in Kyoto, while eavesdropping at the conversation of her 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 would even be willing to accept her. For all she knew, they just wanted the assurance that 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 didn't really care for 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 to 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 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 used to imagine how he looked from 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 Aoyama had around his eyes suddenly softened while smiling a bit to what he just heard. "Oh...were they?"
"My father loves Seijuro-sama as if he's his own kid." 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 for. The memories of her father remained here so she wanted to continue what he had been doing before the accident happened.
It was something that Aoyama didn't consider before. The loyalty that Hotaru's father offered to the Akashi family was known to every staff member 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.