Good night

"Welcome back Master Nogi-sama, Who have you brought to dine with us today?" a request came from the well mannered noble butler waiting at the establishments entrance.

"hmm? well, friends of course! Allow me to introduce you to the illustrious, the fair! Anne abe! and this 'gentlemen' is her stalwart protector Jun-kun!"

"Hello, I'm Anna abe, nice to meet you!" Anna had always been clever, so she read the room with ease and replied politely to the introduction.

"yeah" Jun'ichi was the stark opposite, whose bangs had covered his face that presented a neutral expression with both hands nestled in his pockets.

Either through luck or indifference the butler named Sebastian made no show of insult or offence but proceeded to walk up to Anna in a refined manner. He extended his open hand out expectantly.

Anna had been confused at first, but it instinctively came to her as she remembered the courtship practices of European royalty. 

She came across this during her young obsession with learning about the Kings and Queens of the world, especially princesses. Anna would often fashion herself as a princess of a make believe kingdom in her youth much to her present day shame.

ugh, why bring up that memory Anna! 

She didn't say a word but merely dangled her hand over his, bracing for what she knew would come next. 

Sebastian didn't hesitate, he gently grasped her hand, drew it close to his lips and planted a gentle kiss to the area just above her knuckles. He wasted no time to release his lips from her hand and return to an upright posture slowly all the while his sky blue eyes gazing into hers for signs of displeasure.

Anna did all she could to avoid his gaze, her face grew warm. Whether it had been because of the embarrassment or something else she could not say. What she could say was that somewhere deep down a young Anna was ecstatic at the idea of being treated like a princess and by someone so handsome, so princely.

What's with today? did I die and enter Ikemen heaven? I'm sorry Nogi-san another Ikemen guy has caught my eye.

Noticing her lack of displeasure, Sebastian remembered his manners and returned her hand then bowed deeply, this time in apology.

"My sincerest apologies for my impertinence Milady, I had been so captivated by your beauty and your most extravagant azure eyes that I lost myself briefly."

Anna's face had only reddened and the warmth grew in intensity.

I can't do this! my heart feels like it's going to explode!

"ううん (no), It's alright" Anna meekly replied 

Before such an event were to progress a voice spoke to breach the moment between the two, unsurprisingly it came from Jun'ichi.

"Mr. Butler, I'm hungry. Do you have food inside?"

Anna despite her initial reluctance in that moment, it quickly grew into frustration.

Baka Jun'ichi!!! read the room! Understand a maiden's heart a little!

"Forgive Jun-kun's rudeness Sebastian! These two are no doubt weary from the day's events!" Nogi added swiftly oddly to the defense of Jun'ichi.

"There's no need, It was in my err. Of course Master Jun-kun, we have a booth already prepared for all three of you. Please this way." Sebastian was just as quick to offer apology to the trio. 

He lifted his open hand and extended up and outwards to indicate towards the now open entrance to the establishment.  

"Jun'ichi" this time it was Jun'ichi who fired a word back at Sebastian as he began to enter the establishment.

"Pardon?"

"You can call me Jun'ichi, only people close to me get to call me Jun" Jun'ichi voiced stopping on his way to make sure to give Sebastian a look as he directed his words towards him.

"It is as you say, Master Jun'ichi-san. Please this way." Once again Sebastian made no show of the evident friction between them.

Anna who had just watched this interaction moved from frustration to befuddlement, Looking upon Jun'ichi his body language didn't change much nor did anything indicate this sudden behavioral shift however she could have sworn for a moment that a change occurred.

Just for a moment she swore his eyes glowed red through his bangs and a frown was presented briefly on his face where only neutrality was before.

Is Jun'ichi mad? why? I don't get it

It must have been my imagination.

*gurr*

*gurr*

Not AGAIN!!! In front of another cute guy! just end me already!

"Please this way Milady, No doubt you must be famished." Sebastian explained in what seemed like a concerned voice.

Anna simply nodded and walked shyly in too. Nogi spryly followed after.

With that the trio was ushered into the established. 

The establishment was soon to be revealed as an butler café and the interior looked much like the interior of a European mansion, one in which no doubt European nobility would reside in on most days.

Being late at night the butler café was bereft of life and the emptiness only made the *tip* *tap* of Sebastian's dress shoes on the floor all the more louder as he guided his late night customers past the various seats of the café.

The trio was directed to the booth in the back with a sofa, where upon being seated Sebastian began to place napkins at each of the trio's laps just after voicing that intention. 

Nogi took it in stride.

Anna had maintained a shyness around Sebastian and tried not to react to the placement of the napkin.

Jun'ichi fidgeted around to exacerbate the placing of the napkin onto his lap. With just one look from Nogi and a few choice words Jun'ichi relented.

"Ordinarily we would not serve this late, however due to Master Nogi-sama sizeable donation as well as his agreement in undertaking the managers humble request, we are in his debt. We have prepared your meals as requested by Master Nogi-sama"

"For Milady the 'Anne-Marie Antoinette', Shortly I will bring out the dessert trolley so that you may take your pick of 6 desserts. This is served with complimentary tea, What tea may I prepare for you today Milady?"

Anna was aghast, She didn't even get to order and yet... 

The order was completely what she would have ordered anyway! 

Nogi-san are you a God? How did you know? It doesn't matter! Bless you Nogi-san! Yay! Dessert!

Nogi as if hearing her thoughts through her body language let out an short audible chuckle to himself. No doubt he had been pleased with himself at his sound judgement of Anna.

"Ah! What tea would you recommend Sebastian?" Anna said composing herself, doing her best to hide her excitement.

"I would recommend our special blend of Earl grey, with a dash of milk. It's quite popular with the lady clientele. Though I'm sure adding milk to tea may seem odd, where I'm from it's actually looked on quite fondly"

"Where you're from? where are you from Sebastian?"

"It's been sometime since I've been but I'm from England. I came here with my sister, she's quite fond of Japan."

"No way! All the way from England?"

No way! Really? a real butler from England!?!?!

"That is correct Milady, though once again I shame myself, the lateness of the day seems to have also loosened my tongue. Your choice of tea Milady?"

"Ah! Earl grey sounds good!"

"Excellent, a splendid choice"

Having finished getting the order confirmation from Anna, Sebastian then turned to Nogi. 

"For Master Nogi-sama the 'Morgan le Fay' a full course meal which comprises, of an entrée, a choice of soup, 2 main dishes, dessert and of course a complimentary pot of tea. We already received your order for the 'buddha jumps over the wall' soup days ago though you have yet to decide your choice of tea Master?"

"Lapsang Souchong would be divine!"

"A most excellent choice Master!"

Finally with the order almost reaching completion, Sebastian turns to Jun'ichi.

"For Master Jun'ichi-san, the 'Caligula' this is-"

"Do you have yakiniku?" 

Anna was once again aghast, except this time she wasn't the only one. It had taken much to bother Nogi however whether it was the lack of reading the room or the fact that Nogi could not read Jun'ichi as well as he thought, one could not say. All the same Anna shared the same shocked look at Jun'ichi.

Despite this Sebastian still wore the mask of servitude well, and replied in the fashion one of his dignity would.

"I'm afraid we lack the facilities to provide you yakiniku Master Jun'ichi-san may I sugge-"

"Ah... do you have anything with meat then? I only really like eating meat" Jun'ichi was at it again.

"Jun-kun, おまえ(you)..." came out from a most vexed Nogi, in the form of almost inaudible words under his breath.

"It's quite alright Master Nogi-sama, We do have quite the selection of meat dishes. I can also inform the chef to prepare something more to your liking. What is your preference for meat Master Jun'ichi-san?"

"oh? hmm..." After Jun'ichi finished his response his face looked pensive.

"..." He now looked as if deeper in thought, with his face slowly drawing a picture of the seriousness of the thoughts that resided within his cranium. No doubt without the use of his words one would be hard pressed to glean what thoughts waged war.

"Anything is fine" with the answer finally vocalized, Jun'ichi's face had been dispelled of his previous expressions returning to an almost vacant neutral face once more.

Though not apparent to Jun'ichi, Nogi had took great pride in his abilities of discernment. Naturally this meant when someone were to come along and cast doubt on his abilities, he quickly becomes rattled. This time this took the form of a thought, not too dissimilar to the one Anna was having at this very moment whom previously marveled at Nogi's deductive reasoning.

Now is the time you decide you're not picky!?!?!?

"Most splendid, I'll see to your orders right away" and so too did Sebastian see to it, disappearing into the kitchen. Ever the stoic.

The wait had not been long after all almost all the meals were prepared before hand. Thankfully the Chef was kept on during these late hours just incase any meals were to be made to order, meaning Jun'ichi didn't have to wait long either for his meal.

"I believe that will be all Sebastian-san" Nogi mentioned to the stoic butler, relieving him from duty for the moment.

"Very good Master, If you should require anything else please don't hesitate to use this bell. One ring and you will find me here posthaste" these words once uttered had ushered the end of Sebastian's current task for the night unless otherwise notified leaving behind only a stray gaze and a kind smile directed at Anna.

The bell was ornate and what looked to be made of gold, however in the midst of the meals prepared on the table it faded into the background of what looked like a veritable feast.

Nogi had been surrounded by numerous plates all holding expensive delicacies which was accompanied by the aroma of black tea.

Anna was similarly encroached on all sides by desserts, some foreign to her and others which maintained great taste despite it's simplicity such as coffee jelly.

Jun'ichi had a very large meat on the bone on his plate. like one would often find in manga.

A feast this big would be something fit for royalty, however the only one who savored it as such had been the noble Nogi. The other two devoured the food, acting as if this would be their final meal and only a barely audible "ITADAKIMASU" between the two of them before the massacre occurred.

 After a short while nothing of the feast had remained, with the only evidence of such being the content full bellies of the trio. They basked in the afterglow of the meal.

"What else goes with fine food better than fine company! A toast to such fine company!" Nogi said in high spirits.

Both Anna and even a surprisingly cooperative Jun'ichi raised their fancy teacups no doubt to follow through with the toast, and so they did.

Nogi was the first to finish his cup and used the momentum to take advantage of an opening.

"Speaking of fine company! What is the nature of your relationship with one another? could it be... you're lovers?"

In response to this most innocuous question both Anna and Jun'ichi couldn't help but show an immediate and extreme reaction. 

Jun'ichi ending up swallowing too much tea and began coughing profusely.

Anna spit out her tea.

They both recovered and raced each other to answer the question first before anyone got the wrong idea. 

In the end it was a draw with an answer coming out from them in tandem

"No way! She's just a client!"

"Impossible! He's just a friend"

Both then turned to look at each other shocked at the realization of what the other had said, only then to their gaze away.

So I'm just a client...?  for some reason It hurts, this feeling hurts. I hate this.

we're...friends? 

The café went silent as they became pensive, sensing a mood shift Nogi spoke again direct the conversation to what he really was trying to understand.

"If that's the case, it is curious. Curious that you both have become the product of a soul binding ritual"

"Soul binding ritual? What do you mean Nogi-san?"

"The butterfly mark emblazoned so boldly on both your faces, It is apparent to everyone with the aptitude that such a ritual has taken place."

"EHH!?! I have a mark on my face?" 

Anna hurriedly pulled out her smartphone to get a better look at herself. Now that she had put some thought into it, she didn't get a chance to do so before having been swept up in the moment.

"EEEEHHHHHHH!?!?! my eyes! my eyes are blue now! I've always had plain brown eyes!"

"Yes, I'm sure. No doubt because of your awakening as a witch"

"EHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!?!?!?! I'm a witch!?!?"

You should have said something sooner Nogi-san! This seems like something important!

Almost as if Nogi had read her thoughts with deftly he responded

"Indeed, I wondered why when I had mentioned it before you seemed to have a more... subdued reaction"

"Nogi-san what does this mark mean!? are we in danger? wait! does this have anything to do with grandmothers heirloom?" A whirl of questions swam in Anna's head and they had all fought to come out as once as she stood up in a moments hysteria.

"I can't speak to the specifics however if I were to hazard a guess, both you and Jun-kun's lives are now linked. So if one of you were to expire the other would follow suit. As for your heirloom I must see someone expert in the craft to be able to speak on it with any degree of certainty."

Anna couldn't respond, she simply gulped.

Jun'ichi didn't say anything simply deciding to follow the conversation silently.

Anna was overwhelmed even more so as it dawned on her.

Her very own harrowing realization.

This is too much, in all the recent normalcy I almost forgot all that occurred. 

And what I did to Jun'ichi.

I caused this I just know it.

Anna said nothing now and sat back down on the sofa seat with a torn expression on her face. 

It was Jun'ichi who broke the silence just as before, this time to ask what he wanted to know since the beginning of their excursion.

"Why have you brought us here Nogi? A guy like you doesn't do anything without a reason"

"You wound me Jun-kun! Can not an honest man like me simply want to entertain such fine company such as yourselves?"

"Nogi, What's this special request you accepted?" Jun'ichi's tone grew serious and matter of fact in the manner to which he responded to Nogi's usual evasiveness. 

"My my Jun-kun, what you may lack in table manners you certainly don't want for in perceptiveness. 

Very well, to cut to the chase there have been a string of disappearances around this time of night near this very butler café. The gracious manager of this establishment requested we look into the manner as it's been affecting business lately. People are frightened. Young woman and middle-age women have been vanishing without a trace, never to be heard from again."

Anna overhearing this couldn't help but think back to the pervert monster who had attacked her not too long ago.

Every part of me wants to run away again. 

I can't now can I? 

I've really done it this time.

She bit her lip at that thought.

"How do you want this done?" Jun'ichi continued.

"Quietly, I've arranged for you to work undercover as a butler here and our fair lady undercover as a customer, Sebastian will be apprise you on your day to day dealings as a butler. Living quarters have been prepared at the café. Find the weed in the garden and pull it."

"Understood"

"Well then! Now that our business is concluded, I'm sure you both can't wait for a good nights rest! And I must see someone about our enigmatic knife!" Nogi returned to his jovial self and rang the bell which had beckoned the return of Sebastian.

"My good butler your guests are weary, no doubt they wish to retire" Nogi said flippantly.

"Very well, If you would both follow me to your accommodations" Sebastian replied not letting on whether he overhead anything said prior.

"As for me, I have business elsewhere. Au revoir my friends! And Jun-kun? do this and the landlady shall receive her due." With that said, Nogi stood up and glanced mischievously once again at Jun'ichi and left the café to places unknown.

"Tch, that guy has always been the same."

Anna didn't say anything and just tried to process everything that had been thrust upon her.

I'm going to be in danger again aren't I?

She looked at Jun'ichi's stalwart expression and was relieved in some small way. At least she knew her grandmothers knife worked in some fashion and she had a protector. Yet she felt a nagging sensation eating at her.

This feeling though, is it guilt?

They both stood up and followed Sebastian to their temporary abode. Two rooms were prepared for each of them but they were explicitly prevented from sharing either room with anyone let alone each other. Anna received the Queen's suite with all the luxurious a queen could ever want,  a walk in closet with looked to be many changes of clothing as well as a nightgown for sleep wear. Not to mention an en suite bathroom whenever natures call would occur at an inopportune time.

Jun'ichi had been given a standard room with a basic bed, a butler uniform and a thin but tall closet. For his purposes it had been sufficient at least to him.

They both retired for the night.

Yet neither could get any sleep.

Though she would never say it out loud, Anna felt safe around Jun'ichi and to be separated made her feel anxious especially with knowledge of what lurks out there whilst the world was asleep.

もういい!(enough already!) I can't sleep! it's pointless! I wish I could stop thinking about everything!

Anna sat up in her queen size bed garbed only in her new nightgown and her panties. Her thoughts didn't cease despite her incessant desire for it to be so. 

especially when I...

Her thoughts trailed off into her perspective as she drove the knife her knife into Jun'ichi's heart. Her mind hyper focused on his shocked expression and his vacant face as he 'ceased'.

He was only trying to help and yet...

As if she had unconsciously beckoned his presence she heard his voice just outside her door, twisting the doorknob as a sliver of light entered her room.

"Abe-chan? can we talk?"

"Ah! WAIT! I'm not dressed!" Anna rushed to the door, slammed the door in his face while positioning her back to the door in an attempt to barricade his impromptu entry.

No doubt this dope would've just walked in on a indecent lady without a care in the world!

"We can talk through the door Jun'ichi!"

"Ah, thats fine. Abe-chan about before"

"hmm? before? what do you mean?" she knew what he meant but she played dumb hoping he'd admit to it instead.

"You're not just a client"

"Ah I see, I'm not just a client. Then what am I to you?" She didn't mean to sound so hostile yet that painful feeling spoke with her voice and she knew it wouldn't go away unless she knew.

"You're my friend too"

"Ah I see, that's good" she leaned her head onto the door and couldn't help but to break into a smile. for some reason she was really happy to hear that from him. 

Not that she'd let him see her in that state.

"In that case if were friends then call me Anna-chan got it?"

"I understand Anna-chan"

"Jun'ichi-san, …can I call you jun-kun?"

"yeah..."

She didn't know what overcame her after hearing his answer, she couldn't stop smiling, Anna was ecstatic. It took all her strength not to bounce off the walls in delight. Still she couldn't figure out why.

Despite this there was one question she needed the answer to. It was unfortunate it was the one question she was afraid to ask especially knowing where he stood now. She stopped leaning her head on the door and began to look down at her bare feet in a shame she hoped he'd never have to see.

"Jun-kun, Do you hate me? for stabbing you?"

"...No"

"What about forcing the soul binding ritual onto you?"

"No"

"What if I'm in danger and your forced to risk your life because of me?"

"It doesn't matter, I'll protect your life as if it was mine."

"How can you be so cool with everything, it's alright to hate me even if its just a little bit."

"I guess the reason I'm ok with it is if those things didn't happen I wouldn't have gotten to have you as a friend"

"...Good answer, I guess you can say something cool sometimes"

"...?"

"Don't worry about it"

"We should probably head to bed, we have got our mission set right?"

"You're right, I better head back"

She could see the shadow of his figure from underneath the door begin to leave, but for some mysterious reason she couldn't see him leave without saying something.

"Hey Jun-kun?"

"...?"

おやすみ(Good night)