Chapter 1- Go Go, Butler-kun~

“Master Yuta, good morning.”

The sound of a soft voice wakes me from an awful dream. I open my eyes to the comforting ceiling of my room. To my right, the smiling face of my grandmother’s head maid. Laying to my right, the sweetest girl I’ve ever known, sleeping peacefully with her arms wrapped around my arm. I gently poke her cheek, watch her stir and giggle.

“Rimiiii~. It’s morning~~~~.”

“Mmmbuh~.” She playfully puts a hand over my face. By now, the maid, a wonderful woman named Tanya, has already left for elsewhere, leaving me to handle this silly billy.

“You can’t say no foreverrrr.”

“Watch me.” She places her other hand on my face, and I finally retaliate, doing the same till she finally gives in, laughing and rolling atop me.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning to you too.” She leans forward, and I feel her soft lips on mine.

So lovely. Like a dream.

It’s such a shame that, in truth, it was.

###

September 19th, 2023

“Good morning butler-kun~.” A voice that brings nothing but malice from my heart raises me from unconsciousness. I open my eyes just enough to glare at the person looking down at me. His short black hair is neatly done, and his red eyes shine bright with the indignant unpleasantness of a demon.

“Good morning, Master Miura…” I speak as best I can while still half asleep, looking over at my little digital alarm clock. 3:00 AM. “It appears to be a bit earlier than the schedule states for-”

“Well, I don’t think the schedule is the one that has to eat, is it?” He looks so satisfied. So, so satisfied. He’s even showered and dressed in his school uniform already. “I’m ready, so why aren’t you, buttler-kun~?”

“My… apologies. Breakfast will be done right away, Master Miura.” With that, he finally leaves, walking down the ladder from the attic to the hallway below. I roll my legs out from under my messily cut up sheet and look over at the other bed, empty of its owner. Guess he’s already hard at work. What an admirable fellow. So amazing. I stand up and begin to get dressed. White button up? Khaki’s? Vest? All check. I look at myself in the mirror sitting against the wall. A wave of ill hits me as I stare at my messy brown hair. I can’t see myself looking back at me. How the hell did it come to this?

“You did yell at a powerful guy…” For good reason, though. Thinking back on it, watching him touch them, it makes my blood boil. I force out a breath. No. Don’t bring this with you. Do the job. Once my face had turned to stone, I made my way down the ladder and pushed it up, watching the attic entrance close. I make my way down the hall and the two staircases to the first floor. My eyes narrowed at the smiling boy, sitting at the dining table and scrolling away on his phone. I quicken my pace into the kitchen, where I can thankfully give into my robotic instincts. Cooking breakfast for my grandma seems to have input into me exactly what I need to do for this brat’s breakfast. A simple plate of eggs, toast, and sausage.

With such a simple task, I could feel my soul moving deep inwards, maneuvering through my mind filled with questions. What’s Rimi doing right now? I hope she’s doing okay at school. Is Mina taking care of her? Surely she is, but is that asshole in the other room fucking with them too badly? What about grandma? I know we had only started getting on the right foot. I want to go back and just talk. I’d like to talk to all of them. How has it only been three days? Am I… really going to be stuck here till I die? Or am I gonna leave and just hope any of them follow me? To think I actually got dad to agree to come, just to not be there to see him. I wonder, did he even make it? Why’d they have to take my phone too?

“Butler-kun, quit spacing out. You forgot my coffee.” I wake from my trance as a plate is snatched from my hands at the table. Despite the annoyed tone in his voice, he was still smiling. I held my hand back from smashing his face into his food.

“Of course, Master Miura.”

###

“Young Yuta, I’m afraid to ask, but are you perhaps unequipped to use the vacuum?”

“... Mister Carson, I can use a vacuum.”

“You can maybe hold one and move one, but last I checked, this carpet wasn’t supposed to still be as dirty as it is.”

“Oh… I just… haven’t gotten there yet?”

“You haven’t gotten to the whole carpet, Young Yuta?” He holds out a hand, and I hand it over, unable to look him in the eye. “No need to look so beaten, Young Yuta. I’m here because of things like this. One day, you’ll be a vacuuming expert, and it all starts today.”

“Y-yes, Mister Carson.” I step out of the way, watching him as he gracefully moves along, uh, making the carpet clean. Admittedly, I can’t see much of a difference.

“You will.” He speaks with a smile.

“Wuh-”

“You’re quite easy to read, Young Yuta. It’s very charming.”

“Uhm, thank you.” I nod along as he waves for me to follow.

“So, were you paying attention? What was I doing that was different than you?”

“Uhm… you were moving a bit slower, I think.”

“Yes. Because of Master Miura’s insistence on wearing his dirty shoes around the house, we need to take our time and pay close attention to get up all the grime.”

“Of course it’s his fault.”

“Not a big fan of the young master, are you, Young Yuta?”

“N-uhm, I have no strong feelings.”

“I admire your desire for professionalism, but you see, Young Yuta, I’m just as well versed in the art of deciphering lies as I am at cleaning these floors.”

“I see… very dangerous, sir.”

“Hehehe, VERY good one.” I find myself smirking as he lets out a dry chuckle. “I’ll let you know, you aren’t the only one to have problems with the young master. You’ve been around the village, I’m certain you’ve heard some very valid complaints. As long as you aren’t causing trouble, or letting it affect your work, you may feel free to voice such feelings between us.”

“I see. Thank you, Mister Carson.”

“No need. I may not be fully aware of your circumstances, but anyone who may help lighten my load is deserving of at least that.” With that, he ended the conversation, the front door opening.

“Oh, buttler-kun~.” I take a breath, turning to face the door while Carson carries on with vacuuming.

“What is it you require, Master Miura?”

“Oh, something very special, just for you.”

“Ah…” I feel my spine freeze up. I mean, how bad could it really be-

###

My whole body aches. I barely keep hold of any thought for long in my mind’s desperate race to erase the sensations' present in my muscles, but it’s a fruitless effort, as I return to groaning. I’ll kill him, I’ll absolutely kill him for this. There’s no forgiving him after that.

“Young Yuta, I don’t believe yard work is really worth all the moaning and groaning.” Somewhere in the small attic bedroom, Carson lets out a grievance.

“He definitely threw all those leaves around. There’s no way there were that many before I got sent out there.” I retaliate at his reasoning.

“I don’t find such accusations very reasonable… or logical.”

“You can’t seriously be standing up for him-crrrrammmmppp!!!” I feel my left leg seizing and I grip it tight, sucking through my teeth.

“Nothing of the sort, I’m merely offering a small counter for what I assure you is not where your feelings are worth putting.”

“Ughhh. I have a hard time believing that when he made it all my problem.”

“Maybe, but I think you’ll find that many such jobs will be coming your way, so it’ll do you better to focus on making the next experience palatable.”

“I guess. Godddddddddddddddddd.” I groan as I roll over.

“It’s only been three days. Give yourself some time to really get the hang of things, ok? I’m sure once the pain goes away, so will the anger… somewhat.”

“... okay, sir.” I can’t bring myself to be too cruel. I know it’s his job. Just focus on sleeping. You’re only going to get so much rest, after all. Try and get your mind off it. Think of… think of…

“Rimi…”

Through the corrosive pain flowing through my mind, I try to picture her soft face. Her sweet yellow eyes staring into mine. Her fingers gently touching my face. I can feel my hand trying to reach out, but just end up touching nothing. Even so, I feel my lips forming a smile.

“I love you… Rimi…”

Somewhere in the room, the lights are switched off, and a quiet voice whispers me a kind goodnight.

###

The older butler makes his way into the dining room to find an older man sitting in front of a bottle of hard liquor, chuckling to himself.

“Ahhh, Carson! Just the man I wanted to see!” His long white locks hang over his brown eyes as he holds out a shot glass.

“Thank you, Master Ying, but I unfortunately have too much to do to join you in a drink.” The older butler bows.

“Oh, such a shame. Ah, well.” He downs the drink, letting loose a sound one could call satisfaction, if it didn’t sound false. “So, how’s the boy doing? Any progress?”

“He’s beginning to show promise. He’ll make for a fine addition to the help here, sir.”

“My, your praise means much to me, Carson. How lucky of me to have found such a good boy then.” Ying chuckles through a raspy throat. Carson’s brow furrows.

“I will say I’d like to know what your reasoning is for adding him to the staff. I am aware it is Master Miura’s doing, but it’s unlike you to keep details from me.”

“Don’t sound so upset, Carson. It simply isn’t all that important. The boy messed with my boy, and is paying off his debt.” Ying shrugs his shoulders before pouring another drink.

“I see…” Carson mumbles those words, Ying showing no signs of hearing or caring for them.

“Why does this concern you, is my question? Does it really matter where your quality assistant has come from?”

“I suppose not. My apologies for all the trouble.”

“You are forgiven, Carson. I’m in good spirits. You would do well to not let your curiosity get you in trouble, however. Some business does not need to reside in your mind.” Ying’s face seemed to change just enough to make Carson straighten his back.

“I understand. I’ll be going then, Master Ying.” With that, the butler gave a deep bow before making his way elsewhere in the house.

And so, another day comes to an end.