Always, chapter 3

Always, chapter 3

   Keisuke was quietly working with the orchids in the manor‘s gardens. It was a beautiful day. The sun was shinning, a soft breeze was blowing and not one cloud was staining the endless light blue sky. The young gardener smiled to himself. There was only one thing that was as beautiful as the sky. And her name was Aimi, his mistress. He straightened up. ,,Aimi-san sure is lovely...“ Keisuke thought to himself. ,,Her wonderful long hair, her perfect smile and the most beautiful thing about her are her eyes...“ He sighed. ,,Here I am, poor little gardener, daydreaming about a maiden that I do not even deserve to lay eyes on. Oh how perfect she is... Even now I can imagine her graceful little figure running through the garden full of flowers that only envy her beauty... Wait.“ Keisuke rubbed his eyes. ,,Aimi-san really IS running through the garden!“ He was shocked to see his mistress. He then dropped his tools and went towards her in order to give her his greetings. The gardener was almost by her side when he suddenly saw the look in her eyes. And then stopped immediately. Aimi was in such a hurry she didn‘t even notice her humble servant who was now just standing, stunned. It was only after she completely disappeared that Keisuke finally managed to think. ,,Even though she looks so sad she still is lovely... But if I would not know any better, I would say that my strong-willed mistress was crying. Aimi-san... What happened to you?“.

   ,,Aimi-san! What happe...“ But Sayuri couldn‘t finish as her mistress suddenly threw her arms around the small girl. And before she knew it, Sayuri was being hugged tightly by Aimi who was know crying her heart out on her lady-in-waiting‘s shoulder. ,,A-Aimi-san...“ Sayuri was first shocked, but then quickly caught on what to do and put her arms around her now-shaking mistress. ,,What kind of awful thing could have happened to make my strong mistress suffer so much?“ She thought worriedly while gently stroking the maiden‘s back to calm her.

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   ,,Yo, Aiko!“ Yuna caught up to her friend. ,,Good morning.“ Aiko said while yawning. ,,Hey there, little freckle“ Yuudai smirked to the short girl. Yuna frowned a little and showed her best friend‘s brother her tongue. The three of them were walking in school, the first lesson was about to start. ,,Hey, did you guys see that show yesterday?“ Yuna asked enthusiastically. ,,Hm? What show?“ Yuudai asked casually while opening the class door. ,,Okay, now that I escorted my little sis to the her class,“ the boy bowed demonstrably. ,,I shall be on my way“ And Yuudai went to his own, higher level class, as he was older than the girls. ,,Idiot.“ The dark haired girl said simply. ,,So anyways,“ she continued her story - ,,The show was about this lady, she ATE the sand in the near placed sandbox, and...“ Yuna went on, but Aiko wasn‘t really listening. She was already sitting at her school desk and gazing through the window. It was such a beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky. And there she was, rotting in this stuffy classroom. ,,All right, sit down everyone.“ A tall, middle-aiged, light brown haired man with a funny green sweater walked in his class. Everyone sat down at once. The teacher did the everyday routine of checking whether all of his students were at present. After that, everyone opened their books and prepared for the lesson. But instead of talking about equations or other mathematic things he stood in front of his class, arms crossed. The students all looked up to their teacher surprised. ,,Ok guys, I have some news for you.“ He said while walking to the door. ,,We‘re gonna have two new students from today. Boys, come in“ And the teacher opened the door. Two teens walked inside the class. All of the girls gasped. The new guys were gorgeous. Tall, slim, hands in their pockets in an attractive way, with messy dark brown hair, playful brown eyes, handsome face features and the most mesmerizing smile. But the thing that surprised everyone the most was that they were completely identical. ,,Class, these are Taiki and Takeo Susumu. They will be your new classmates from now on. As you can see, they‘re twins.“ The teacher said casually. ,,Yo.“ Taiki said. ,,Hey.“ Takeo also greeted his new classmates. ,,All right boys. Take a seat.“ And the Susumu twins both walked to two spare seats at the end of the class. The teacher then turned his back to the class and started writing some equations on the board unaware of Aiko‘s and the rest of the girls intense stare at the new boys.

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   ,,Oh, Aimi-san, that is just awful...“ Sayuri said while brushing the maiden‘s long hair. It was now evening and Aimi was getting ready for sleep. After the mistress had told her lady-in-waiting everything and calmed down, it had already turned dark outside. Her spacious room was lit by a few candles only, giving it a soothing shade of yellow light. Aimi sighed deeply. She wasn‘t crying anymore but still couldn‘t believe in everything that her father had told her. Sayuri looked at her dear mistress sadly. Although Aimi might have sometimes acted a little harsh with the little servant, but still, Sayuri loved her. She was like an idol to the small girl. Aimi was only sixteen, one year older than Sayuri was, but she was so much more mature, always protecting people that were weaker than her, always so graceful, beautiful and wise. The way that she immediately jumped at her older sister after she had pushed her lady-in-waiting into the fountain was admirable. Not many nobles were so considarate of their servants as she was. Sayuri frowned. How could Aimi and Rin be sisters and yet so different? Of course, they were both beautiful, but Aimi also had a blooming inside while Rin seemed to care only for herself. Just yesterday, Rin had purposely made Sayuri trip saying that she didn‘t like the fact that the little servants hair was blond, just like hers. ,,Sayuri? Are you daydreaming again?“ Aimi suddenly asked. The lady-in-waiting quickly snapped out of it. ,,Oh, no, mistress, I was just...“ She quickly began to explain. ,,It is all right, Sayuri... I see that you have finished brushing my hair. Thank you. You may go, I wish to sleep.“ The servant girl looked at her mistress with wide eyes. Aimi‘s voice seemed so... Tired. But Sayuri knew she couldn‘t do anything to help her idol as she could never say something against the landlord‘s wishes. So she just gave Aimi one last sad look and bowed. ,,Goodnight, Aimi-san. Sleep well.“ And with that, the little servant left the room. Aimi got up from her mirror simply, put out the candles and walked to her bed. She laid there, eyes closed, but didn‘t sleep. There was only one thing that was on her mind. Marriage. She shivered at the thought. She wasn‘t ready for this, it wasn‘t fair. Aimi turned to one side, gripping the sheets tightly. What hurt the most was that she knew she couldn‘t blame her father. What he said was true, peace with the North country WAS crucial, and this marriage really was the best deal they could make no matter how you looked at it. But that didn‘t change the fact that giving yourself to a man you‘ve never even seen before was painful. Weren‘t you supposed to marry someone you love? She dreamed about it since she was little... And also, that meant the end of her freedom. Aimi felt tears coming from her eyes again but brushed them off angrily. ,,No.“ She said to herself. There was no way she would ever weep for someone who will become her husband against her will again. ,,I swear to myself, I shall never cry over this matter again.“ And as if wanting to prove this to herself she put her right hand to her heart. ,,You will see. And you will be proud of me. Please have a good life in heaven, mother.“.

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   ,,Oh my God, they are sooo hot!“ Yuna squealed. ,,Oh please, I saw them, they aren‘t all that special, little freckles.“ Yuudai said casually. ,,No, they really are...“ Aiko said dreamily. The boy stared at his sister for a while. ,,Not you too Aiko…“ He then demonstrably put his head into his palms. ,,Oh stop it you big show off.“ The girl with the glasses laughed. ,,Still,“ she sighed ,,They‘re just drop dead gorgeous.“ ,,I know!“ Yuna just couldn‘t contain herself. ,,Oh boy, looks like a fan club is forming.“ Yuudai sighed. The three of them started laughing and didn‘t notice when a certain person walked to them. ,,Exuce me? I‘m sorry for bothering you, but would any of you by any chance be Aiko Yotomomi?“ A soft voice came. All of them looked at the direction where the question came. Yuna literaly droped her jaw open. ,,Oh, hey, you‘re one of those new guys, right?“ Yuudai pretended he didn‘t just see his friends actions. The Susumu twin smiled and nodded. ,,Takeo Susumu, nice to meet you. And you are?...“ ,,Yuudai Yotomomi, pleasure‘s all mine.“ The teens shook hands. ,,And this is...“ Yuudai looked at Yuna with encouragement to say hello. ,,I-I‘m Yuna.“ The girl stammered. ,,Nice to meet you.“ Takeo smiled. ,,And what about you?“ He looked at Aiko. ,,A-Aiko Yotomomi. N-Nice to meet you.“ The girl was just staring at Takeo. ,,Oh, so it is you!“ The teen said relieved. ,,You see,“ he began ,,If it wouldn‘t be too much trouble, would you mind coming to the theater studio after school with me and my brother? I heard that you go there often, so I thought that maybe you could show us around?“  He asked with hope in his voice. All three of them stared at the teen. ,,Of cour... S-Sure.“ Aiko finally managed to say. Takeo gave the girl a smile that sent her heart flying. ,,Great! Thanks, see you after school then.“ And the twin walked away. ,,Did this really happened?“ Yuna said after a while of staring into the space where the handsome teen just was. ,,Oh my God, Aiko, you‘ll be walking with the hottest guy in school, and not just one but TWO of them!“ She suddenly squealed. ,,Well, I guess there won‘t be any need for me to walk you home then, eh, Aiko-chan?“ Yuudai laughed, but then turned serious after seeing his sister‘s expression. ,,Aiko-chan?“. But Aiko was already somewhere in her dream world with two knights in shinning armour in it.

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   Aimi was standing outside the main building with Sayuri by her side. She was wearing a beautiful orange-white-brown dress that looked amazing on her slim body. A  simple silver necklase and bracelet were also making the maiden look really lovely. Her clothing looked modest yet noble and she had a smile on her face which made her look heavenly. But Sayuri was sadly looking at her mistress as she knew her smile was fake. Next to Aimi was Masahiro, a proud smile on his face, Naoki also by his side. Then Rin, with a bored expression on her face. Still, she was also very beautiful. Probably not as lovely as Aimi was, but still radiant. Long blond hair, tall slim figure, emerald green eyes and a devilish smirk. The only thing that made her look less appealing was her ice cold attitude.
Behind Rin was a small girl who shook a little from time to time. This was Masahiro‘s elder daughter‘s new lady-in-waiting, who had apparently seen what kind of mistress she got recently. And next to the noble family stood all of the servants – maids, butlers and others. ,,Well, I think this is a fine day to greet your groom, do you not think so too, Aimi dear?“ Masahiro said happily. ,,Yes, father.“ Aimi didn‘t even turn her head, only kept smiling. ,,Father, why do I have to be here? This is her husband, not mine.“ Rin complained to the landlord. ,,My beautiful Rin, Aimi is your sister, do you not wish to be next to her at this glorious occasion?“ Masahiro asked surprised. ,,At the moment I do not know father, nor do I care.“ Rin said coldly. Aimi didn‘t say anything. She and her sister didn‘t get along very well and she knew it, yet now that wasn‘t on her mind. Masahiro wanted to say something else but didn‘t got the  opportunity to do so as carriage sped into the yard of the manor. ,,Ah, my heart is full with joy! My sweet little Aimi, it seems that your future husband has arrived!“ The landlord said happily.