Reika

DAY 1 NIGHT

The room drank in foreboding darkness, hiding all it's features from sight. All that could be made out to be audible by an unseen guest in this room would be the sound of quiet discussion in the floors beneath and the clanking of cutlery in use.

The click clack of heeled shoes can be heard approaching the entry to this seemingly forlorn room. The door knob slowly turns, allowing light to illuminate the drab room painting the room it's full vivid hues.

The door finally reaching it's end of it's destination revealed many more things about the room. The room finally had bared all it's secrets to the individual who actioned it's reveal. This individual would then gently flip the switch which would light the wall mounted ornate lamps illuminating the room in it's entirety.

In doing so, much as the room had bared it all so too did the appearance of the individual. The individual was notably tall, with blonde hair and a noble air to him. The name to which many referred to him as was Sebastian. 

Sebastian had garbed himself in his usual butler attire for his craft. 

His hands were lost in the white cotton gloves he had been wearing, though not for long as he began using his free hand to loose each finger from the gloves only to gently bite the gloves off of his hands. 

Then mirrored the movement for the other glove.

He removed his dress shoes and placed them neatly at the entrance of the room. Now with both gloves in hand he gently placed them on the bedside table.

He moved his hands up to his necktie, loosening it. 

"I am returned dear sister."

"..."

Though no audible sound could be heard Sebastian had continued regardless as if still in conversation.

"I'm quite alright though I admit the days events have made me weary. I mean to run us a bath."

"..."

Just as he continued conversing, he too made no motion to stop his undress as he removed his vest, then his suit jacket placing them neatly on a hanger in the old western style wardrobe. Pausing momentarily, he looked around at the state of the room.

The Kings room has been the de facto presidential suite of the café. It had been furnished by a kings sized bed, wardrobe, en suite facilities, a kitchen, and a piano. 

Though initially not having been here, it had only been due to his outstanding excellence as a butler to the cafes female clientele and the immense success that followed his good work here that allowed the manager to expand the café.

Despite only being for the cafés 'extra curricular activities' with the clientele, the manager had been pleased enough with him as his star butler that he allowed him a more permanent placement here. 

His eyes wandered to the king sized bed he so neatly made this morning. 

When one would look at a bed one would most likely imagine what restful slumber one could achieve with such a large bed. This had not been what Sebastian saw looking at the bed, for him it had not been a place for slumber but instead a place of laborious activity.

What played for him before his eyes looking at the bed were all the ladies he had lain with. How each looked at him, how each hungered for his taste, longed for his touch, gasping intensely at their union. 

How he hungrily returned that passion, countless times with many different faces, though as shamed as he was to admit, he couldn't recall any of their names even in their final moments.

Not that he cared enough to recall them but with the exception for one...

A final face forced itself to the front of his thoughts.

Except her... who are you that I always see you everywhere?

He forcefully pushed that face out of his mind as best as he could.

"..."

His dear sisters words had snapped him out of the wander his mind went on.

"Of course dear sister, I will make haste"

He undressed his upper body completely and neatly put away his clothing as he made for the bathroom.

Entering the lavish bathroom he turned the faucet of the large old fashioned bathtub, which caused the outpour of water filling the bathtub.

The rushing of water, he hoped, would drown out his recent errant thoughts.

Sebastian impulsively turned to check his appearance in the bathroom mirror just above the wash basin. A habit he picked up in a trade where many eyes would be on him.

Only to see no-one to return his gaze in the mirror.

But of course I have no reflection, with all that's happened lately I feel as if I'm losing myself more and more if only for small moments.

Sebastian had always been a taciturn person ever since his turning. Very little seem to phase him and the mask he put on had been unmarred by worry. Without prying eyes however, a frown began forming on his face belying his troubled thoughts.

The thirst is emerging again

Then why is it that the thought of drinking that sanguine wine makes my stomach churn? 

Ever since then... has my appetite diminished? No that's not it. A deep melancholy stills me but from where does it originate?

"..."

"I'm aware you are famished dear sister but I humbly ask that you endure it and make do with your sweets."

"..."

Though not apparent to anyone but Sebastian, the unseen guest had been pouting at his dismissal. Sebastian paid her no heed and coldly returned aboard his train of thought.

How long has it been since last we slaked our thirst? 2 days maybe 3? This could be a problem. In a couple more days the thirst will reach it's apex and it would make things... complicated to say the least.

Though there are too many eyes on us right now, what with our new guests and Nogi's dutiful undertaking of the managers problematic request. There is no room for our maneuvering unmolested.  

Effectively our hands are tied.

Sebastian stood as tall as an oak tree locked in thought, like any tree it requires nourishment though not in the form he might have wished as hot water began seeping into his socks as too came the revelation that he lost track of time and in doing so, the water began leaking all over the bathroom floor.

For all the things Sebastian had been, he wouldn't be perturbed for long as he let out an exasperated sigh and removed his now wet final articles of clothing into a nearby basket shortly after turning the bathtub faucet to stem the downpour of water.

It would be much to the envy of many of his admirers to catch the sight of him fully in the nude that became the reality for him in that lonesome bathroom. 

A toned body which looked the figure of one to which endured many battles, both in the bedroom and those outside of it. Battles which would ordinarily had left it's scars however this body was one that hadn't been affected by such in either avenue.

"Forgive my impertinence my dear sister but I'm going ahead first, solely to test the waters of course"

He had his cheeky moments too.

His body began to submerge into the hot water which filled the old fashioned bathtub causing water to downpour each time a part of him entered. First his left leg then his other then he slowly descended his torso into the submergence his lower half now occupied.

Sebastian let out an extended exasperated sigh as if soaking in the bathtub had caused the expulsion of all the tension and fatigue that had accrued over the course of the day.

And what a day it was.

"Ahhh I desperately needed the reprieve, some peace and quiet at last"

"...?"

"I didn't say anything dear sister, feel free to step in at any moment. The water is absolutely divine"

She didn't action a response, which for Sebastian was odd. His dear sister had always been forward and needlessly clingy, despite everything they endured together in this unfamiliar land he wouldn't have thought her to be so suddenly bashful. After all he wasn't ashamed of what he had.

He didn't pursue that line of thought, he wanted to wash clean his worries and anxieties just as he cleansed his toned body. 

The days end has come at last. I was counting the minutes after having to act the mentor for that uncouth simpleton. what was his name? Jun'ichi was it? I'm expected to make that pauper into a gentlemen of dignity? I may be exceptional at the craft but I can not perform miracles.

Much to his chagrin his mind was forced back to the days events which were weighing upon his mind.

Was not there a famous novel with the same premise? …bah! the name escapes me!

Even so, the clientele were at first taken aback with his rough around the edges approach but it would seem some were enthralled with his more diminished emotional expression in his duties, perhaps his lack of presence adds to his mystique? either way at least it's not entirely hopeless.

The simpletons charge certainly was having the time of her life as a customer, Anna abe. All on the managers coin no doubt. Over the course of the day, I had been the one to entertain her and keep her company he couldn't help but notice her eyes and how her eyes glowed as the morning sky, even I had been momentarily ensorcelled by her gaze. I was also surprised with how she was familiar with court etiquette, her fingers were small and dainty untarnished by violence, could she hail from nobility?

Though it was a surprise when I kissed her hand to find the nature of her blood I found more than I expected. Her blood smelled like a special vintage, like a fine aged wine. It would have been enough to drive me to madness if I had not been in control.

As obtuse as the simpleton appears, I suspect he noticed. I didn't need to see him to know his eyes were focused on me the whole time. I'll need to be careful to not let anything slip around him.

Nogi... I simply can't read him. He always wears that mischievous look on his face as if he's up to no good. His moves on the chessboard have severely hindered us, does he somehow know? It's far too coincidental.

Each thought that previously weighed upon him had been considered and cleansed from his mind with his eyes beginning to close as the fatigue made way for drowsiness. 

In this moment teetering on the edge of wakefulness and sleep, it was this vulnerable time his mind escaped to where it truly desired to go.

To the source of his melancholy his unconsciously wished to avoid.

Memories and images of her began playing before his eyelids.

Her name...

"Sebastian, Look! it's the beach! isn't it wonderful?"

Her face was blocked out but her raven hair swayed as he recalled what he said then, the stasis of sleep hadn't set in to stop his mouth from mimicking the words.

"Yes, you are..."

but what was her name...

"Sebastian say ahhhh~"

Her face was slightly less blocked this time, ever so slightly forming a clearer picture of her. This memory of his first time eating coffee pudding at a popular desert parlor she had being dying to try. The pudding was her favorite.

"Ahhhh"

She put the spoon in his mouth and his test buds erupted in sweet flavor. He hadn't been overly fond of sweets but in that moment, with her, it was the sweetest pudding ever.

"it's good right?"

"it's delicious"

Why can't I remember it?

The dam broke and a wave of memories and images came rushing to meet Sebastian's closed gaze.

"_________, the moon is beautiful tonight isn't it?"

This was the moment he and her watched the stars together amidst the snowfall during their hot spring trip away.

"Eh?! Sebastian are you aware of what that phrase means?"

"I am aware, ________ I want you to be by my side, always"

Each time more and more of her face was revealed, as if Sebastian was desperately trying to reveal what his mind locked away from him. The true source of his melancholy was near.

"Sebastian..."

Their first union together as she gazed up at him expectantly.

Why is it starting to hurt, what am I forgetting?

"Sebastian"

"Sebastian!"

"Stay with me tonight, Sebastian"

"Eh!? Sebastian?"

"Sebastian, promise me..."

Innumerable memories and images converging on one another with her face, her hair, her mannerisms at the focus each growing clearer at every memory interval until

"it's you, isn't it? my prince?"

Darkness, an absence of memory. He couldn't recall anything past those words.

What happened? why can I not remember anything?

Finally as if forcing his mind to pry open the hidden box where he unwittingly put his treasure away in, he recalled his final memory of her.

This was it, he could feel it. The deep-seated melancholy which burrowed deep within him.

This time her face was as clear as day, but bloodied, her eyes beginning to glaze over. She didn't call out to him like every other time, she only tried to raise her hand to touch his face. 

I don't understand? what happened? did I do this? did I lose control?

I didn't do this! I would never! not to her!

He instinctively held her hand with both of his as he always had. There was too many questions and too many things he wanted to say that it overwhelmed him and no words came out.

He couldn't accept what was happening before his eyes.

Please _________ don't leave me! Stay with me! Don't go! It wasn't me! I wouldn't do this!

I can't lose you!

You made me whole! without you I'm...

The words couldn't come out, if he were to vocalize them then for the very first time he would accept fear. Something so previously so alien to him.

His fear that it would become real, that he was going to lose her.

Reality is cruel however, It does not wait for anyone.

Bloody tears began welling up in his eyes, He knew what was to come next and he couldn't help but feel the burden of what he had done to women like her previously. It should have been like all the other times, performative.

Yet this was not the case, he knew deep down he was going to lose something precious, she would go to a place where he could no longer reach. Somewhere along the line, the performance became the truth for him.

Her eyes glazed over and his tears began to rain onto her face.

He lifted her into his arms for the final time and rocked back and forth cradling her now lifeless body.

Confusion, Panic, Anger, Loss, Fear

Melancholy

All welled up inside of him until Sebastian had reached his breaking point. He shouted but one word in his despair.

I remember, I remember her now

He finally reclaimed the precious part of him that he had unconsciously buried with her name.

her name was...

"麗花(Reika)!!!!!!!!!!"