♦♦♦ A few minutes ago ♦♦♦
"Welcome to the Edomae residence." — the double line of maids greeted us at the entrance.
Even in her second house, she has a lot of maids. But compared to their main house, this one is smaller. Don't get me wrong, though — it's still a big house.
"Feel free to make yourself at home. If there's something you need, you can ask me or any of our maids." — Akane-san said.
"Thank you, and sorry for all the trouble we're making." — Dad said.
"Fufu~ don't worry. After all, it's important to help each other, especially when it's someone close to you." — Akane-san said.
For some reason, Mom was the only one who didn't react well to that statement.
"Haruka, I think you're overthinking." — Aunt Mizuno whispered to her.
"You're right, sorry." — Mom said.
"Let me show you your rooms first." — Then she turned to Sasaki-san. — "Sasaki, could you arrange the table?"
"Yes, madam."
She showed us our guest rooms. Basically, one room would be for my father, mom and my aunts, while there was another one for my sisters and me. Not gonna lie, it feels like going to a five-star hotel, though I've never visited one.
After this, she invited us to have a little snack and drink some beverages ordered by her.
While we were heading to the dining room, Hiyori-chan called me.
"Tomoki, look! How much do you think this costs?"
"This beautiful flower in this well-ornate vase? You'd better stay away from it."
"What's the deal? Do you think I'll blunder and drop it?"
"If you break it, you'll need to sell your kidney to pay for it."
"This smells so nice. It's really easing my mind... ah... ahhh..."
"Hiyori-chan, just move away from there."
"You're too worriesome. I'm not that— ACHOO!" — She sneezed.
Because of that, she accidentally bumped into the vase with flowers, which started falling.
"MY KIDNEY!"
"Not on my watch!"
SPLASH
I was able to catch the vase before it fell to the ground. However, this vase had a good amount of water and got me drenched.
Because of the sound we made, everyone rushed toward us.
"Tomoki, are you okay?" — Mom asked.
"Yes, I'm fine." — So I looked to Akane-san. — "Sorry, madam, we almost broke your flower vase."
"Don't worry about that. What matters is that you're okay." — Then she turned to Sasaki-san. — "Sasaki, provide some clothes for him."
"I can use my spare clothes—"
"Madam, the only male clothes we have are the butler uniforms." — Sasaki-san interrupted me.
"Then buy some new brand clo—"
"No! It's okay! I accept the butler uniform." — I interrupted before she decided to buy it.
"If it's okay for you, then I won't say anything. Sasaki, please."
"Yes, madam. Morikawa-sama, please... this way."
So I followed Sasaki-san until we arrived in a room where there were a lot of uniforms. Then, she handed me a butler uniform and I changed my wet clothes in a small cabin.
After I put on the butler uniform, I thanked Sasaki-san for the help and she took my clothes to wash and dry them.
When I met with everyone again, they were staring at me and complimenting my looks.
"You look elegant, Morikawa-kun. Does it fit well?" — Akane-san said.
"Yes! Thank you for lending me these clothes."
"Don't worry. Now that everyone is here, feel free to sit down, we'll serve you the snacks and drinks. I'll just call my daughter, if you excuse me—"
"Madam, is Ayame-san in her bedroom?"
"Yes, but why are you asking?"
"Please, let me call her."
I can't let this chance escape. Time to wake up the princess.
...
♦♦♦
"...and now I'm here." — Tomoki-kun explained.
"So everyone's in the dining room?"
"Exactly."
"Okay, let's go there."
Then we started heading to the dining room. But I remembered what I should have said earlier.
"By the way, Tomoki-kun. You look cool as a butler."
"Thanks, Ayame-san. I guess it was wothy to be soaked."
"Fufu~ Yeah, maybe,"
When we arrived there, everyone was already drinking and eating the snacks provided by my mother.
I greeted each of Morikawa's family members. Though, the only one who didn't seem to like me was Tomoki's mother, Haruka-san. Even though she smiled and greeted me normally, I could sense that she was on alert toward me and Mom.
I wonder if Mom said something that could provoke her.
Well, it's my chance to get to know everyone better and maybe give a good impression to them. Let me sit—
"Excuse me, Ayame-san, let me pull the chair for you... here, feel free to sit." — Tomoki-kun suddenly acted like a gentleman from western movies.
"Thanks..."
What was I trying to do again? Oh right, I need to give a good impression to everyone, especially Haruka-san.
And to do that, I need to show how I care for the well-being of Tomoki-kun.
"Tomoki-kun, if you need something, feel free to ask me. And don't feel shy to eat the snacks, we have enough for everyone."
"Thanks, I'll definitely get more then. But rather than me, did you already have breakfast? I don't know what you usually have, but you don't need to force yourself to accompany us. After all, we kind of barged into your house."
"Fufu~ Don't worry, I will ask Sasaki-san to bring my usual meal."
It makes me happy that he's considerate toward me, though I'm having mixed feelings since I need to show my good side to Haruka-san.
"So everyone, did you enjoy the Ryokan from my parents? I hope my daughter was able to meet your expectations." — Mom asked.
"Yeah! It was really incredible, and your daughter did an excellent job." — Masaru-san complimented.
"He's right, such a young age working like that. Your daughter is impressive." — Serina-san commented.
"She looked cute with a yukata!" — Mizuno-san added.
"In her age I just slacked off. She definitely has a promising future." — Sayori-san commented.
"As a customer, I was satisfied." — Haruka-san said.
"And how about you... Morikawa-kun?"
"She went beyond my expectations, madam. She can attend customers, can cook, maintain composure and not to mention her academic achievements. She's perfect at this point."
"Fufu~ glad to hear that, so... would you take her as a wife?"
"Mom!" — What is she thinking?
"Madam!" — Sasaki-san was startled too.
Everyone went silent because of Mom, there was an awkward air in the room.
But... I want to know what Tomoki-kun thinks.
"Madam, I wo—"
"Excuse me, but I think it's too soon to bring up this kind of conversation to my son... Edomae-san." — Haruka-san interrupted Tomoki-kun.
"Sorry if it made you uncomfortable. But as a mother, it's natural to think about the future of my child and to whom she'll have a relationship. Especially, around their age."
"I agree with you, and I know your daughter will be able to find another boy to be with."
"Fufu..." — Mom smiled.
"..." — Haruka-san replied with a smile too.
Everyone didn't dare say anything. Seeing everyone's faces, I could see they were smiling but clearly uncomfortable with the situation. And Tomoki-kun's sisters, although they were eating the snacks, weren't too eager to talk with each other.
As for Tomoki-kun's reaction, he was smiling but started staring at his mother, like trying to say something to her. If I had to guess, it was to stop making this conversation uncomfortable.
Since he's trying his best, I should do the same.
"Mom, Tomoki-kun is my friend and I hope to stay like this. Haruka-san, don't worry, I will keep my promise to treasure this friendship."
Haruka-san breathed in and then replied.
"If you're saying this much... Sorry, I said too much." — Haruka-san were looking to Mom.
"No, I was wrong. Sorry, not only to you but to everyone too. I beg for forgiveness." — Mom bowed her head.
"Oh no! You don't need to bow your head. Look, let's pretend it didn't happen."
"If this is fine for you. Thank you."
Now everyone started to show signs of relief and the heavy tension around the room disappeared. They started eating, drinking and sharing their opinions about the snacks and beverages. This time everyone was genuinely smiling.
"Tomoki-kun, did you like— Tomoki-kun!? Why are you crying?"
"I'm not crying... It's just this sweet is so delicious that it's making me cry. See? I'm smiling."
Most of the time I can grasp what he's thinking, but sometimes I don't have any idea what's going on in his head.
I mean, what would he be sad about?