Ｎｏ．２７ あなたのために

9498 　\n――You have such lovely hands.――\k
9499 That was the first thing Lady Ruriko said to me.\k
9500 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0001.ogg,8;"You have such lovely hands."\k
9501 The beautiful lady across the counter said that all of a sudden.\k
9502 I must have misheard.\nSurely she was calling the item I'm wrapping right now lovely...I believe it's an expensive teacup and saucer set.\k
9503 This is the fifth floor of the Isegoe department store, general service counter.\k
9504 I work part time in the mail-order department, so normally I spend my time in the back, wrapping large orders of items for Bon gifts or golf competitions and whatnot.\nI don't usually deal with customers directly.\k
9505 We happened to be short-handed today, so they had me work out front. I'm a little nervous.\k
9506 At any rate, since this is a classy department store, many of our customers are comprably refined and wealthy. As someone unaccustomed to customer service, this was a much more difficult task than dealing with hundreds of boxes.\k
9507 The lady in front of me was no exception. She was wearing expensive furs - I couldn't even imagine how many zeros were on the price. She was buying a teacup, so expensive that even if I sold all my worldly belongings I wouldn't be able to afford it, casually, 'as a present for a friend.' That's how rich she was.\k
9508 I don't think a commoner like me is capable of making conversation with a lady like her.\nBut, it'd be rude to just ignore her.\k
9509 I had a name tag on my chest, however hastily it might have been made before I went out on the floor.\nIt says 'Customer Service: Mizoguchi.\k
9510 It was proof that my boss trusted me with this post.\nI want to meet his expectations, but...\k
9511 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0001.ogg,7;"Oh, yes. This teacup is very lovely. My, you really do have an eye for these things."\k
9512 I was anxious about whether my flimsy response was the right thing to say after all, but the lady's eyes went wide for a second and then she started laughing.\k
9513 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0002.ogg,8;"Ohohoho. No. I said your hands are lovely."\k
9514 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0002.ogg,7;"M-My hands? You're too kind...all they ever handle is paper so they're quite ragged...oh, no, did you mean that in the sense of cleanliness? Then, yes, they are. And they can wrap things neatly. That's my one point of pride."{ugh, so  means both 'pretty' and 'clean' I was thinking about swapping 'lovely' for 'neat' but it's a little too slangy for Ruriko, so I'm not sure...}　　\k
9515 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0003.ogg,8;"You're an intriguing fellow. Then let me rephrase it. 'You have beautiful hands.'"\k
9516 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0003.ogg,7;"O-Oh..."\k
9517 While I was talking, I had neglected my work.\nI had been looking at the lady's hands and face up until then, but now I was unconciously fixated on my own hands.\k
9518 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0004.ogg,8;"Might you be a student?"\k
9519 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0004.ogg,7;"Oh, yes. I'm attenting college presently."\k
9520 I hear that most customers like to chat with the staff while they're shopping.\nI realized that the lady here fell into that category.\n\k
9521 I can't make fashionable conversation, but I can talk about myself at least.\k
9522 Talk about boring, everyday life might be kind of novel to a rich person, so I tried expanding on the topic.\k
9523 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0005.ogg,7;"I'm working here to pay my way through school, but the draw of money is pretty strong. I've ended up working more days than I go to class."\k
9524 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0006.ogg,7;"To tell the truth, I'm skipping school to be here today. I don't think I'm going to have enough credits. Haha."\k
9525 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0005.ogg,8;"You're paying your way through school? How admirable."　\k
9526 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0007.ogg,7;"Thank you very much. But, there's nothing partiularly admirable about it. I was only allowed to go to college if I agreed to pay for it myself. I really should become a white collar worker to make it easier on my family, but..."\k
9527 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0008.ogg,7;"I keep skipping class, so it's kind of contradictory. I shouldn't be doing that."\k
9528 I tried my hardest to maintain a jovial tone, as to not darken the customer's mood.\k
9529 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0006.ogg,8;"You're working hard for something. That's why I said you have 'lovely hands.'"\k
9530 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0009.ogg,7;"Beg pardon?"\k
9531 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0007.ogg,8;"I mean no offense, but...aren't you living a comfortable life? Isn't it hard on your family?"　\k
9532 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0010.ogg,7;"I guess you're right. It wasn't like that when my father was still working, but he wrecked his body... Now, my mother is working a factory job. And then, with my and my brothers' meager incomes we scrape by somehow."\k
9533 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0008.ogg,8;"I see."\k
9534 After she gave that simple response, the lady just hung her head and went silent.\nI guess I went overboard with talking about my pathetic life.\n\k
9535 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0011.ogg,7;"S-Sorry, I ended up talking just about myself. Oh, I finished wrapping it. Is this alright?"\k
9536 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0009.ogg,8;"Why not come work for me?"\k
9537 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0012.ogg,7;"Huh?"\k
9538 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0010.ogg,8;"Someone just quit and it's been most inconvenient."\k
9539 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0013.ogg,7;"Uh, um...what?"\k
9540 We get many company and shop owners as customers here.\nI've heard all sorts of anecdotes about our more powerful customers.\k
9541 But, I've never heard of employees being head-hunted like this.\nAnd for it to happen to a mere part-timer like me...\k
9542 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0014.ogg,7;"I, uh...I'm happy for the offer, but... I don't have any special skills or knowledge. All I know how to do is wrap packages... I don't think I'd be of any use to you..."\k
9543 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0011.ogg,8;"Oh not at all. You can acquire skills and knowledge later. I think you would be most suitable for the position."\k
9544 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0015.ogg,7;"I really, truely appreciate the sentiment. But, I really can't do..."\k
9545 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0012.ogg,8;"If you have some reason you can't leave, I won't force the issue. Like if your boss saved your life or if you can't quit because you're being held hostage or something."\k
9546 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0016.ogg,7;"That's not the issue, but..."\k
9547 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0013.ogg,8;"What if I triple your current salary? I can pay more once you get some experience."　\k
9548 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0017.ogg,7;"Whatt!?"\k
9549 It was an offer I couldn't refuse.\k
9550 Someone who lives in a totally different world from me, is offering me, of all people, employement at such a high salary.\nThough, it is true that my current salary is pretty meger.\k
9551 If I can make things easier for my family...\k
9552 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0018.ogg,7;"...Can I ask what kind of job it is?"\k
9553 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0014.ogg,8;"Being a servant at my estate."\k
9554 ...Servant?\nThat's like domestic work, right?\nI'm having a hard time imagining it.\k
9555 But, I did realize that I actually had a lot of responsibilities.\k
9556 I just kind of made a sour face.\k
9557 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0015.ogg,8;"Oh my, could it be that you distrust me? Do you think I'm some sort of human trafficer or lady grifter?"\k
9558 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0019.ogg,7;"I-I would never, that's ridiculious! I just don't really understand what's involved in the job, so I was thinking about it..."\k
9559 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0016.ogg,8;"I don't know all the details of what our manservants' work entails, so even though I can't tell you about it right now, our butler can fill you in."\k
9560 Manservant? Butler?\nI've only seen those words in novels.\k
9561 I knew it was a real job, but it just didn't feel like I could really have a job like that.\k
9562 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0017.ogg,8;"Oh, that reminds me, our butler says it's 'support work'."\k
9563 'Support work'...\nSomething about the phrase tugged at my heart.\n\k
9564 I felt that there was some larger implication behind that one phrase this butler person summed up himself with.\k
9565 If he can put it so definitively, maybe it is worthwhile.\k
9566 When I realized that, I said,\k
9567 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0020.ogg,7;"I'd like to try it...I don't know how well I'll be able to do, but I'll try to be useful."\k
9568 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0018.ogg,8;"Hehe. Good answer. I appreciate it. I'm Ruriko Kamishiro."\k
9569 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0021.ogg,7;"Toyoharu Mizoguchi. Thank you for the opportunity."\k
9570 And thus, I left my job in the mail-order department.\k
9571 Because Lady Ruriko spoke directly to my superiors, they didn't give me any trouble for leaving, in fact, it was more like they gave me a star sendoff as a sort of 'star pupil of the department.'\k
9572 Later, I learned that Lady Ruriko's husband was such a big name in his industry, even people only tangentially involved in it knew who he was.\k
9573 The Kamishiro estate, in which a major cog in the financial sector resides, became my new workplace.\k
9574 And, it seems that my job would be to serve that great man.\k
9575 I had thought it would just be Lady Ruriko, but when I heard that I'd be serving her husband, I had the urge to just say 'I don't think I'm capable after all' and run away.\k
9576 But, I thought about it a bit.\nThere probably wasn't anything I, a man, could do to serve a woman like Lady Ruriko.\n\k
9577 The Kamishiro estate was situated in a so-called residential area.\nBut, the area was an order of magnitude bigger and more intimidating than you'd think from the term.\n\k
9578 This must be what it would feel like if a giant meteorite landed in the middle of a city.\k
9579 For a while, I was overcome by the strange sensation of terror mixed with excitement.\k
9580 When I set foot on the grounds, that strange sensation just got stronger. I couldn't stop looking around.\k
9581 But, there's no going back now.\nI quit my old job, and I don't want to let Lady Ruriko down after she gave me such a huge opportunity.\n\k
9582 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0019.ogg,8;"Well then, ask the butler for the details."\k
9583 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0022.ogg,7;"Uh..."\k
9584 She left me alone there.\k
9585 If Lady Ruriko were here, she might motivate me again...\k
9586 I waited anxiously for a while, when finally, a man in a black suit greeted me.\k
9587 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0001.ogg,7;"Pleased to meet you, I am Anzai."\k
9588 The gentle demenour of this Anzai fellow dissolved the tension a bit.\k
9589 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0023.ogg,7;"O-Oh, nice to meet you. I'm Mizoguchi. By any chance are you...the butler?"\k
9590 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0002.ogg,7;"Yes. I am in charge of managing and training the manservants and caring for the estate." \k
9591 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0024.ogg,7;"Uh, um, I, uh...I was moved by your words, Mr. Anzai, about how this was 'support work' and that's why I'm here now."{: 'support work' okay, so this isn't really an inaccurate translation, but I guess it needs to be more ~poetic~ sounding, 'support' is pretty accurate for  imo since it covers both the literal, holding/proping up someone/something aspect and the more figurative, like 'backing up' someone or supporting them emotionally/politically/etc, but 'support work' doesn't sound like something profound or poetic enough to have such a huge impact on Mizoguchi... gotta think about this one some more} \k
9592 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0003.ogg,7;"My, did you hear that from Milady?"\k
9593 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0025.ogg,7;"Yes. And I'm here for my livelyhood...because the pay was good..."\k
9594 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0004.ogg,7;"Heh. You're an honest one aren't you?"\k
9595 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0026.ogg,7;"S-Sorry..."\k
9596 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0005.ogg,7;"Oh, I meant no offense by that. It's quite fine. If you have some reason or goal in being here, it affects how much you care about your job. I would be more suspicious if you spoke of duty and loyalty from the start."\k
9597 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0027.ogg,7;"But, practically speaking, I don't really know what I can do...is there some way someone like me can be useful?"\k
9598 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0006.ogg,7;"That is entirely up to you. There is a wide variety of work to be done here. Which reminds me, you know this is a live-in position, correct?"\k
9599 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0028.ogg,7;"Oh, yes. I think it's more convenient that way. Now my brothers can have more space. And they'll have one less mouth to feed. I promised to work hard and send money back. ...Oh, sorry for bringing up money again..."\k
9600 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0007.ogg,7;"Heh, I don't mind. While we're on the subject, there is one problem."\k
9601 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0029.ogg,7;"Uh, what is it..."\k
9602 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0008.ogg,7;"However set on you Milady may be, I am in charge of the male servants. As butler, I have an obligation to vet your character."\k
9603 I tensed up again at his sudden turn for the serious.\k
9604 What Mr. Anzai said was pretty normal though.\nnWith any job it'd be normal to check out who you're hiring.\n\k
9605 Basically, this is an interview.\nI don't really think I have the right personality to be working here though...\n\k
9606 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0009.ogg,7;"I have several questions for you."\k
9607 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0030.ogg,7;"Y-Yes."\k
9608 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0010.ogg,7;"Do you have any tatoos?"\k
9609 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0031.ogg,7;"...Uh? No, I don't."　\k
9610 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0011.ogg,7;"Do you have a lover?"\k
9611 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0032.ogg,7;"No. I just had a non-serious girlfriend in high school..."\k
9612 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0012.ogg,7;"Are you fond of alcohol and/or cigarettes?"\k
9613 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0033.ogg,7;"I have a modest interest in those things."\k
9614 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0013.ogg,7;"Have you ever been in a fist fight?"\k
9615 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0034.ogg,7;"Yes."\k
9616 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0014.ogg,7;"Recently?"\k
9617 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0035.ogg,7;"Umm, a few months ago a friend begged me to help him take revenge for someone stealing his girl from him. But taht's about it. I did fight with my brothers when I was younger quite a bit though..."\k
9618 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0015.ogg,7;"Thre are 94 questions remaining, is that acceptable?"\k
9619 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0036.ogg,7;"Oh, sure."\k
9620 When I answered, Mr. Anzai started to giggle a bit.\k
9621 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0037.ogg,7;"U-Um...? Did I say something strange...?"　\k
9622 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0016.ogg,7;"No. Thank you very much. That's all for the questions."\k
9623 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0038.ogg,7;"Huh? I thought there were 94 still to go..."　\k
9624 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0017.ogg,7;"That was one of the questions. I must appologize for testing you like that. I hope I didn't offend you."\k
9625 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0039.ogg,7;"Huh? Why would I be offended?" \k
9626 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0018.ogg,7;"You thought this was an interview or a test, didn't you?"\k
9627 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0040.ogg,7;"I thought it was an interview. You did say you wanted to vet my character."\k
9628 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0019.ogg,7;"You're the first person to respond like that. Normally, if one thinks this is an interview, one would try to cover up his bad points to make himself look better. Particularly, the point about starting fights and whatnot."\k
9629 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0041.ogg,7;"I-I didn't think it through that far..."\k
9630 It seemed like he was rejecting me.\nHow am I going to tell my family...\n\k
9631 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0020.ogg,7;"Further, I asked you several meaningless...or even rude questions. But, you didn't bat an eye or ask me why I wanted to know those things."\k
9632 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0021.ogg,7;"Normally, upon hearing that there were a hundred more questions, most people would react in surprise and ask 'that many?' ...But, you accepted it as a matter of course."\k
9633 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0022.ogg,7;"This wasn't an interview or a test. I do this to all the new hires as a bit of a personality test. You are very obedient and honest. You'll make a wonderful servant."\k
9634 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0042.ogg,7;"Huh? Then..."　\k
9635 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0023.ogg,7;"Yes. Please, work hard from here on, Mizoguchi."\k
9636 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0043.ogg,7;"Thank you very much! I'll do my best, Mr. Anzai! I appreciate the opportunity!"　　\k
9637 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0024.ogg,7;"Well then, shall we go to greet Milord?"\k
9638 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0044.ogg,7;"Huh? Milord...?"　\k
9639 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0025.ogg,7;"The proprieter of this estate, Lord Hajime Kamishiro. Oh, don't worry so much. We're just going to pop in. You just have to bow and that's it, Mizoguchi."\k
9640 I followed Mr. Anzai to the lord's room.\k
9641 There's no way I couldn't be stressed about this.\nHe's someone I'd never even get near if I were living my normal life.\nThe person I'm going to serve.\n\n\k
9642 I wonder what he's like...\nIs he scary or kind?\n\k
9643 If I don't make a good first impression, he might fire me on the spot.\k
9644 I was regretting my poor choice of clothing now.\nI should at least straighten out my clothes and hair while I'm walking and get my expression sorted.\n\k
9645 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0026.ogg,7;"Please, wait right here."\k
9646 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0027.ogg,7;"Excuse me, Milord."\k
9647 Mr. Anzai went into the room ahead of me, probably explaining my presence.\k
9648 After a bit, the door opened and I was invited in.\k
9649 The second I entered the room, Mr. Anzai introduced me, and I immediately lowered my head.\k
9650 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0028.ogg,7;"This is Mizoguchi. I will take responsibility for training him."\k
9651 How long am I supposed to keep my head down for a polite bow? I only just realized that I didn't know.\k
9652 I didn't have any othe rchoice but to keep my body in this position until I was told 'that's enough.'\k
9653 How long had I been bowing for?\nFinally, a strong-willed voice fell upon my head.\n\k
9654 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0001.ogg,7;"Hey, raise your head."\k
9655 I did as I was told and stood up. There was a stern-faced man in front of me.\k
9656 So this is Hajime Kamishiro...\k
9657 He seems kind of terrifying.\nHis sharp eyes were trained on me, it was far from comfortable.\n\k
9658 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0002.ogg,7;"That Ruriko, she never gets tired of finding one after the other. I wonder how many days this one will last. Well, whatever. Do as you like. I'll leave him in your hands."\k
9659 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0029.ogg,7;"Thank you very much."\k
9660 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0030.ogg,7;"Mizoguchi, that was a wonderful bow."\k
9661 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0045.ogg,7;"...I don't think I was very well received. Seems like he could tell I wasn't very useful just at a glance..."\k
9662 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0031.ogg,7;"Oh, you're quite mistaken. You'll come to understand the lord's personality shortly."\k
9663 I wondered if Mr. Anzai and the lord too, could have been testing me to see if I'd get cold feet.\k
9664 Either way, it was clearly not a cheerful meeting.\nI just felt more anxious about what was to come.\n\k
9665 Mr. Anzai guided me to the servants' quarters annex.\k
9666 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0032.ogg,7;"There are eleven live-in manservants, yourself included. I am the butler. There are eight maids. Emiko Yamagishi{check reading} is the head maid in charge of them."\k
9667 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0033.ogg,7;"We also have cleaners and gardeners who commute. Just learn their names and faces little by little. Here, the mens' quarters are over here."\k
9668 They were all scattered about right now, and not everyone was there, but I exchanged greetings with my now collegues.\k
9669 I felt welcomed, but I don't know how much it did to ease my anxiety and tension.\k
9670 They were all so kind.\nAnd seeing their pride and confidence in doing the work of manservants, and their stylish attire, made me really want to be like them.\n\k
9671 I was assigned to a large room which housed four servants.\k
9672 And I was given one other thing.\nA black suit made of fine cloth.\n\k
9673 It was just a temporary one, but it fit like it was made for me, and once I tied my necktie, it really felt like I'd started this new job.\k
9674 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0034.ogg,7;"It suits you well, Mizoguchi."\k
9675 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0046.ogg,7;"Thank you very much! I feel kind of like I've been reborn."　\k
9676 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0035.ogg,7;"Hehe. What a capricious fellow you are. I'll have your official uniform made another day. As far as the dresscode goes, during the day we wear neckties and in the evening we wear bowties."\k
9677 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0047.ogg,7;"Yes, Sir."\k
9678 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0036.ogg,7;"We have no specific regulations about hairstyles, so please, ust use common sense in that regard."\k
9679 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0048.ogg,7;"I'm rather ignorant of fads, so I'm sure I'll be fine."\k
9680 Mr. Anzai smiled and then the door flew open.\k
9681 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0020.ogg,8;"My, it does suit you!"\k
9682 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0037.ogg,7;"M-Milady!? You shouldn't be here...!"　\k
9683 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0021.ogg,8;"Didn't I tell you I wanted to see him all made up?"\k
9684 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0038.ogg,7;"Yes, but, did I not tell you I would bring him to you...!"\k
9685 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0022.ogg,8;"What's the difference? I just couldn't wait. Heh. I like it, Mizoguchi, it suits you."\k
9686 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0049.ogg,7;"Thank you very much."\k
9687 I felt releived when I saw Lady Ruriko's face.\nIn the formal mansion, Lady Ruriko's bright, unpretensious personality was like a breath of fresh air.\n\k
9688 But, however open Lady Ruriko's personality might be, and even if we are servants, to so easily enter a man's room like that, she must have some troubles. \k
9689 She seemed pleased with me, but Mr. Anzai let out a big sigh like he wasn't so happy about it.\k
9690 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0023.ogg,8;"Anzai, I'm sure you know how this works already, but don't keep Mizoguchi too busy."\k
9691 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0039.ogg,7;"Understood."\k
9692 Lady Ruriko just said that and left the room, leaving a faint trail of perfume in her wake.\k
9693 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0050.ogg,7;"What did she mean just now...?"\k
9694 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0040.ogg,7;"This is probably why she was so insistant on hiring someone with so little experience. I believe Milady wants you as a tea and conversation partner."\k
9695 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0051.ogg,7;"Is that alright? Don't I have work? Plus, wouldn't a woman be more appropriate..."　\k
9696 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0041.ogg,7;"It's fine. Regardless, it's much too soon for you to be serving in the dining room. You won't be too terribly busy to begin with anyway."\k
9697 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0042.ogg,7;"However, she is a bit of a wild one...I do worry that she might try to manipulate you, Mizoguchi." \k
9698 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0052.ogg,7;"I like Lady Ruriko."\k
9699 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0043.ogg,7;"That's wonderful. However, you should refer to her as 'Milady.' You are part of the Kamishiro estate now, Mizoguchi."\k
9700 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0053.ogg,7;"Yes, Sir."\k
9701 When Mr. Anzai spoke, I felt like my body tensed up a bit.\k
9702 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0044.ogg,7;"Oh, yes, I have one important duty to give you while you're not busy, Mizoguchi."\k
9703 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0054.ogg,7;"What is that?"\k
9704 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0045.ogg,7;"You're a college student, aren't you, Mizoguchi? Do you think you could continue your studies while you're working here?"\k
9705 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0055.ogg,7;"Uh, I'm sure it's possible, but...dropping out isn't really..."\k
9706 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0046.ogg,7;"I hope you will take as many credits as you can and graduate. I would have rather hired you after you graduated, but..."\k
9707 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0047.ogg,7;"There are many opportunities in education. Surely, you were pursuing a degree to learn something in particular, Mizoguchi?"\k
9708 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0056.ogg,7;"Well, it's kind of vague, but... I guess I like to learn. I've been enjoying my German and mathematics lessons."\k
9709 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0048.ogg,7;"I'm sure those skills will be useful in the future. You may be a live-in servant, but please, think of this as a dormitory and go to class. If you give me your schedule I can plan around it."\k
9710 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0049.ogg,7;"Do you think you can fulfill your duty?"\k
9711 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0057.ogg,7;"Yes, I think I can manage that. Thank you very much."\k
9712 I didn't have class every day, and on the days I did, I'd leave in the morning and be back before the sun set. It really wasn't very hard at all.\k
9713 In fact, compared to when I was working at the department store, I had both money and comfort in surplus.\nMy double life was no trouble at all.\n\k
9714 That was four days later.\nMilady had yet to call on me.\n\k
9715 On my first day, I just collected my toothbrush and other toiletries, my pajamas and underwear and whatnot, put my things in order and went to bed.\nI felt like I got to know the other people staying in my room a bit better too.\n\k
9716 On the following day, Milady went to a friend's for a house party, and knowing that she wouldn't call for me, I devoted my time to learning the layout of the estate.\k
9717 Milady seems to enjoy parties.\nOn the third day as well, gay music flowed through the estate from moring to night and many guests came and went.\n\k
9718 Mr. Anzai allowed me to walk the premises to steal a look at my collegues' work and get a better feel for the atmosphere.\k
9719 Of course, on the condition that I stay away from the kitchen and where the guests were so I wouldn't get in the way.\k
9720 Which reminds me, I did run into a guest who had left the group to get some fresh air.\k
9721 They asked, 'Could you get me something cold to drink or something?' and when I told the others about it, they said that was my first job.\k
9722 I was a little freaked out at how sudden it was, but I remembered to respond, 'Understood, just one moment please.'\k
9723 When I told Mr. Anzai about what happened he praised me, 'You seem to have no trouble with your conversational judgement.'\k
9724 Today too, I was quietly walking the grounds to get a feel for the mansion.\k
9725 According to the morning meeting, there wasn't any party planned today.\nIt was so quiet it made all of the hustle and bustle last night seem like it never happened.\n\k
9726 The maids were cleaning the halls, so when I met someone new I introduced myself on the spot.\k
9727 Milady had gone out.\nIt was unfortunate that I hadn't had the opportunity to see her, but the sooner I can learn the ins and outs of the estate, the better.\n\k
9728 The times and places I could look around were restricted, so it seemed like the point when I'd have a perfect grasp of this huge estate was still pretty far off.\k
9729 I'd at least gotten which rooms belonged to which servants in the annex memorized.\k
9730 Suddenly, I heard some nice music echoing in the quiet hall.\k
9731 It was quiet, but I could tell it had a jaunty melody.\nI was sure the piece coming from one of the rooms was by my favorite jazz composer.\n\k
9732 When I heard that song, I just kind of opened the door to the room.\k
9733 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0003.ogg,7;"Hm?"\k
9734 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0058.ogg,7;"Oh!"\k
9735 Oh no.\nThis is Milord's room?\n\k
9736 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0004.ogg,7;"Why are you here? What do you want?"\k
9737 When I noticed that he didn't seem to be mad, I went on to explain why I'd just interrupted him.\k
9738 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0059.ogg,7;"U-Uh, I'm sorry. I didn't know this was your room, Milord...I just heard my favorite music and I just..."\k
9739 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0005.ogg,7;"You know this piece?"\k
9740 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0060.ogg,7;"Yes. It's Duke Evanson. He's my favorite."{Duke Evanson: obvs a play on Duke Ellington}\k
9741 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0006.ogg,7;"You know a lot for your age."\k
9742 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0061.ogg,7;"I get it from my father. I'm also  fond of Grey Miller, Mile Jones, and Stan Gata and..."{yeah I tried with the names, but either they're plays on more obscure jazz guys or just butchered a lot more, so idk who they're supposed to be if anyone in particular}\k
9743 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0007.ogg,7;"You've got good taste. I've got 'em all."\k
9744 Milord faced the shelves along the wall.\k
9745 When I looked over, thsoe were rows of records, weren't they?\k
9746 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0062.ogg,7;"Woah, amazing! You have so many! Oh! You have Elite too! I love 'Love Song'!　The record's so valuable, I could never save enough to get a copy..."　　　　　\k
9747 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0008.ogg,7;"Haha. You really do have good taste. Do you know about Chanson too? Well, I only have one of his albums, Ruriko likes him."{: Chanson, guessed on the name, I don't think he's talking about the musical genre, but that's another possibility http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chanson}\k
9748 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0063.ogg,7;"Oh. Milady is rather pretty isn't she? I've always thought she looked like a young Michio Okura."{小倉みち代: check reading; don't know a lot about old Japanese actresses so not sure what the reference is}\k
9749 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0009.ogg,7;"Aha! She's a pretty old actress... Shouldn't someone your age be talking about Miss Mary or Miss What's-her-name?"　\k
9750 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0064.ogg,7;"I'm not well acquainted with fads..."\k
9751 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0010.ogg,7;"You're an interesting one. Mizoguchi, right?"\k
9752 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0065.ogg,7;"Yes, Toyoharu Mizoguchi. I'm honored that you remember me."\k
9753 I didn't realize it until I said that.\nI didn't think I made a good first impression, and that it had been a rather trivial event, and even though I had barely seen him since then, he remembered my name.\n\k
9754 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0011.ogg,7;"Mizoguchi, how's Ruriko?"　\k
9755 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0066.ogg,7;"Huh? She hasn't called on me yet."　\k
9756 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0012.ogg,7;"Honestly, I don't really have any expectations of you."\k
9757 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0067.ogg,7;"......"\k
9758 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0013.ogg,7;"This is one of Ruriko's bad habbits. When she finds men she likes, she hires them as servants right away. It's kind of troublesome. She dragged you in like that too, didn't she?"\k
9759 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0068.ogg,7;"I-I..."\k
9760 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0014.ogg,7;"I don't know how many she's gone through already. You're going to want to quit once you tire of Ruriko's selfishness anyhow. When that time comes, just quit, no need to be overly concerned."\k
9761 I really don't think he's just pressuring me as a test.\nIt's all probably true.\n\k
9762 I knew why Milady headhunted me.\nI'm sure it's becasue that little talk about my every day life caught her interest.\n\k
9763 I wasn't really hired as a manservant.\nBut, I'm definitely not particularly cultured, talented or skilled. I understood that I was here to entertain Milady.\n\k
9764 But that's fine.\nI'm still getting paid. And at least, someone needs me. And if there are no expectations, that makes it a bit easier.\n\k
9765 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0069.ogg,7;"Milord."\k
9766 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0015.ogg,7;"Hm? Are you mad after all? You're Ruriko's plaything. I don't mind if you're not particularly loyal to me. So if you have something you want to say, don't hesitate to say it."　　\k
9767 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0070.ogg,7;"I hate losing. I think what you told me backfired a bit. I won't quit until I'm fired."\k
9768 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0016.ogg,7;"Ahahaha! You really are an interesting one! No one's ever dared to talk to me like that!"　　\k
9769 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0071.ogg,7;"I'm sorry. I'll endevour to learn proper polite speech."\k
9770 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0017.ogg,7;"That's not what I meant, but... Well whatever, you amuse me."\k
9771 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0072.ogg,7;"Milord, you asked if I was mad, but... my dream is to be useful to someone."\k
9772 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0018.ogg,7;"Oh?"\k
9773 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0073.ogg,7;"It doesn't matter where, or how small a role I play, I just want to be indespensible. So, I'm happy that Milady has given me a unique job. I'm not angry at all."\k
9774 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0019.ogg,7;"...Pfft. That Ruriko may have made a nice find this time around. I think you'll entertain me as well."\k
9775 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0074.ogg,7;"Huh?"\k
9776 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0020.ogg,7;"What. You can talk to me about jazz like this. I'm gonna listen to a few more, so if you want to listen you can do it outside."\k
9777 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0075.ogg,7;"Y-Yes. I'm terribly sorry for disturbing you. Excuse me."\k
9778 I bowed over and over and left the room.\k
9779 The music stopped for a moment when I left, and then from the other side of the door, I could hear Elite's 'Love Song' playing.\k
9780 Even though I guess what he said to me was pretty cruel, I couldn't bring myself to hate Milord.\k
9781 After I appeared evening meals a few times, relayed a few messages, and was coached by Mr. Anzai in speaking, I finally felt comfortable in the estate.\k
9782 And this was the first time Milady called on me.\k
9783 Even if Milady had called on me, I was a bit hesitant to enter a lady's room.\k
9784 Just thinking about how beautiful the room must be made my heart pound.\k
9785 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0076.ogg,7;"M-Milady, it's Mizoguchi."\k
9786 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0024.ogg,8;"You may enter."\k
9787 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0077.ogg,7;"......"\k
9788 The first thought that came to mind:\n'She must have called me to clean.'\n\k
9789 I'm not particularly tallented at cleaning, but I'm not terrible at it either.\nI think I can manage something.\n\k
9790 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0078.ogg,7;"Don't worry, just leave it to me."\k
9791 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0025.ogg,8;"? I haven't asked you to do anything yet."　\k
9792 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0079.ogg,7;"You didn't want me to clean?"\k
9793 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0026.ogg,8;"Oh do stop! You must be kidding! Why would I call you to clean!"　　\k
9794 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0080.ogg,7;"I-I'm so terribly sorry! I misunderstood! I, uh...thought you might need a man to rearrange your furniture or something...!"　　\k
9795 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0027.ogg,8;"I like it the way it is. It calms my nerves like this. I like to be surrounded by beautiful things. Never clean it. I've never thought it needed it."\k
9796 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0081.ogg,7;"Understood! I'll burn that into my mind...!" 　\k
9797 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0028.ogg,8;"...Pft. It's fine. Everyone says that. 'Doesn't this need cleaning?'"\k
9798 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0029.ogg,8;"More importantly, today I'd like to leisurely enjoy some tea. Keep me company, would you."\k
9799 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0082.ogg,7;"Of course, with pleasure. Then, I'll go ask for tea to be prepared."\k
9800 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0030.ogg,8;"Oh, don't worry about it. I asked for it to be brought after you got here, Mizoguchi."\k
9801 After she said that, a maid came in with tea.\k
9802 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0031.ogg,8;"Thank you."\k
9803 The maid had a blank expression as she bowed and left immediately.\k
9804 I guess conversation is what Milady was after afterall.\nI sat down, and she immediately pressed me to talk about this and that about my school life.\n\k
9805 I don't think there's anything particularly unusual or interesting about it, and I'm far from eloquent, but Milady seemed to enjoy listening to me talk.\k
9806 She seemed particularly interested in the story of how, in my high school days, we started a huge fight with students from another school - I took a bit of dramatic license with the story to avoid getting into anythign too vulgar.――――\k
9807 Well, if this is the sort of stimulating conversation she was hoping for, I guess a woman probably wouldn't have sufficed.\nI started to feel like I knew what she wanted from me.\n\k
9808 During a pause in our talk, Milady said,\k
9809 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0032.ogg,8;"Mizoguchi, I wonder if you know about the roses in the garden."\k
9810 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0083.ogg,7;"Oh, yes. There is a small field of flowers out back with roses in it."\k
9811 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0033.ogg,8;"When spring comes, the beautiful white roses will bloom. They're my treasure."\k
9812 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0084.ogg,7;"Huh. I can't wait for spring then. I'm sure they're beautiful."\k
9813 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0034.ogg,8;"Heh. Yes, they're very beautiful. I always decorate my room with them. Don't you just think cutting those big, beautiful flowers is a deliciously cruel and sinful act?"\k
9814 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0085.ogg,7;"...Huh?"\k
9815 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0035.ogg,8;"Mizoguchi, what do you notice when you look around this room?"\k
9816 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0086.ogg,7;"Uh, I don't want to clean it anymore."\k
9817 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0036.ogg,8;"There are butterflies on the walls, pictures, and even my clothes and accessories. Aren't they lovely?"\k
9818 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0087.ogg,7;"...Oh, there really are butterflies everywhere... I didn't want to be rude and gawk, but...there really are a lot of them... I think they're very lovely."\k
9819 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0037.ogg,8;"Thanky you. I love butterflies. They call me Madam Butterfly around here."\k
9820 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0088.ogg,7;"Well, it's a very appropriate nickname."\k
9821 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0038.ogg,8;"What do you mean by that?"\k
9822 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0089.ogg,7;"You're so beautiful and you're always wearing dresses that flutter like wings. I think it's perfect..."\k
9823 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0039.ogg,8;"Hohoho! Coming from you, Mizoguchi, I can believe that's how you really feel and it's not just flattery.""　\k
9824 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0090.ogg,7;"That is how I really feel?"\k
9825 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0040.ogg,8;"But, that's not why they call me that. Like the butterfly that lives by sucking the nectar of beautiful flowers, I am a sinful butterfly who sacrifices beautiful things to make myself more beautiful."\k
9826 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0091.ogg,7;"Surely you jest."\k
9827 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0041.ogg,8;"All the beautiful things in the world exist to adorn me. To be plucked and die for me."\k
9828 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0042.ogg,8;"I flutter about freely, moving from flower to flower on a whim...only stopping on a flower to rest my wings. I enjoy my constant search for flowers. That is why they call me Madam Butterfly." {>she wants to fuck}\k
9829 She startled me when she gave something close to a lacivious smile.\k
9830 What she just said seemed indicative of what Milord had mentioned earlier, about how she keeps finding herself manservants who aren't really manservants.\k
9831 And my job, of course, is to entertain Milady.\nI felt like Milady was trying to emphasize that.{is that really waht you got out of that, Mizoguchi?}\n\k
9832 If you have even the faintest of expectations for me, I'll have to work hard...\k
9833 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0092.ogg,7;"Please, don't worry. If you enjoy these stories of mine, I have plenty more where that came from."\k
9834 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0043.ogg,8;".......You really are an interesting fellow..."\k
9835 After that, I was frequently called to Milady's room.\k
9836 We mostly talked, or read poems and sometimes she had me sing.\k
9837 I love singing, but I'm no good at it, so I couldn't sing anything terribly refined.\k
9838 Milady smiled even though I'm sure my time was off, but...I guess I she was having fun.\k
9839 There were still many areas of the estate I was unfamiliar with, but I'd largely memorized the names and faces of the other servants by now.\k
9840 I had a good idea of who was in charge of what, so I had more opportunities to relay messages.\k
9841 I still wasn't allowed to appear before guests or serve in the dining room, but before long, I was given the task of serving Milady wine when she drank alone.\k
9842 Milady didn't just liek butterflies, but wine as well. She had quite a variety in her collection.\k
9843 But, I don't think she was enjoying herself, once she started drinking, she wouldn't put her glass down until she was completely drunk.\k
9844 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0093.ogg,7;"Milady...maybe should slow down..."\k
9845 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0044.ogg,8;"Oh shut up! If I tell you I want another, you give me another!"　\k
9846 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0094.ogg,7;"But, it's bad for your health...hey!"\k
9847 She threw a pillow at me.\k
9848 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0095.ogg,7;"M-My apologies, I'll pour another glass."\k
9849 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0045.ogg,8;"Ugh, there's not enough left! Bring me another bottle! Tell Anzai to bring up a bottle of '64 Christon Rosé!"　　\k
9850 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0096.ogg,7;"Very well."\k
9851 This is how she gets when she's drunk.\nShe loses her cool and conducts herself in a bit less refined manner.\n\k
9852 I'm glad she's still on pillows.\nThe other day she was throwing shoes at me.\n\k
9853 Perhaps my dodging them offended her, because she sent nearly all of her beautiful shoes flying through the air at me.\k
9854 I said, 'you're going to ruin your shoes,' and she finally stopped, but, unable to release her drunken, targetless anger, she just pouted for a while. \k
9855 But - although she did hurl all manner of verbal abuse at me - she never said anything to the effect of 'just quit already' or 'I don't need you anymore.'――――\k
9856 If Milady thinks of me as someone she can just be herself with me, I couldn't be more happy.\k
9857 Plus, she really is a wonderful person considering that this is the worst Milady ever seems to get.{double check}\k
9858 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0046.ogg,8;"Mizoguchi, accompany me shopping today."\k
9859 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0097.ogg,7;"Huh? Me? ...Are you sure?"　\k
9860 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0047.ogg,8;"What. Am I inconveniencing you?"\k
9861 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0098.ogg,7;"But, wouldn't that involve walking through town? Lots of people would see me, right? I'm not allowed to show my face in front of guests yet. Wouldn't it embarass you to be seen walking with a servant, Milady..."　　\k
9862 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0048.ogg,8;"Oh ho ho ho! What do you think you're saying? You have my seal of approval, don't you? Have a bit more confidence."　　\k
9863 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0099.ogg,7;I-I'm honored."\k
9864 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0049.ogg,8;"If you're that worried about it, I'll give you a bonus. You're just going to be carrying my things. Don't worry about doing anything else. I don't think you can fail at such a task."\k
9865 That's what Milady said, but...\k
9866 When we arrived at the street lined with fancy shops, Milady popped into all sorts of shops, enthusiastically purchasing clothes and accessories.\k
9867 My hands were already more than full and my vision was blocked by the pile of boxes I was holding.\nI don't think failing now would be all that surprising.\n\k
9868 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0100.ogg,7;"M-Milady~...What if I went back to the car to drop off your things just once~? And then we can take the chauffer along too~"～～　～\k
9869 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0050.ogg,8;"Oh my, no. Who would guard the car? I want to hurry to the next store."　\k
9870 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0051.ogg,8;"Plus, I want to bully you a bit, Mizoguchi."\k
9871 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0101.ogg,7;"But..."\k
9872 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0052.ogg,8;"I'll treat you to a meal later."\k
9873 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0102.ogg,7;"Huh! Really!? I can have anything!?"　　\k
9874 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0053.ogg,8;"Sure. Is there something you want to eat?"\k
9875 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0103.ogg,7;"U-Um...I've always wanted to try eel..."\k
9876 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0054.ogg,8;"Oh ho ho ho! Sure, sure, I don't mind. I know the perfect place, I'll take you later."　\k
9877 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0104.ogg,7;"Yay! I feel like these boxes suddenly got lighter!"　\k
9878 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0055.ogg,8;"Oh ho ho ho!"\k
9879 After we were done shopping, Milady really did treat me to eel.\k
9880 I'll never forget the sweet glaze and the flavor of the tender eel.\nI lost myself in the flavor.\n\k
9881 Milady pointed out that I had rice stuck to my cheeks and it made me blush horribly. Not only were my appearence and speech still unrefined, but I still hadn't learned proper table manners.\k
9882 I guess I ended up embarassing Milady after all...\k
9883 But, rather than getting angry, Milady laughed and forgave me.\k
9884 I think I might be the happiest man in Japan to be able to work under such a kind woman.{I think you're just intensely M}\k
9885 A month had passed before I knew it.\k
9886 My official uniform had been made, so now I was a full member of the Kamishiro estate's staff. My enthusiasm for the job grew further.\k
9887 As always, Milady went out capriciously and called on me similarly.\k
9888 As I had no other duties, I had plenty of time to devote to my studies.\k
9889 Aside from going to class and taking ettiquite lessons from Mr. Anzai, I spent most of my time reading.\nI tried to stock up on topics to amuse Milady with, while learning how to properly use beautiful language.\n\k
9890 That said, since I'd miss out on any changes to the estate if I just holed up in my room the whole time, I was allowed a day to survey the premises.\k
9891 I watched my collegues working, and eventually learned the basics of what was involved in a manservant's work.\nNot that I'd ever actually gotten near any of that work though.\n\k
9892 Sometimes, I could hear jazz coming from Milord's room.\k
9893 Milord has never asked anything of me, but whenever we passed each other in the hall, he'd jokingly say, 'still havne't quit yet?' That was more than enough for me.\k
9894 Nothing else really changed.\k
9895 I wasn't involved in the frequent parties either.\k
9896 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0050.ogg,7;"I am amazed at how much you've grown, Mizoguchi. I guess my lessons weren't for naught. You've skillfully juggled school and work. But, you shouldn't work yourself too hard. If you need anything, please tell me."\k
9897 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0105.ogg,7;"Thank you very much. I'm fine. Even though you're so busy, you find time to teach me all sorts of things, Mr. Anzai... I'm truely greatful."\k
9898 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0051.ogg,7;"I've quite enjoyed myself. I've never had a new hire meet my expectations so well."\k
9899 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0106.ogg,7;"I'm very happy to hear you say that, Mr. Anzai. You're my role-model, Mr. Anzai. I want to be like you."\k
9900 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0052.ogg,7;"Oh, you're embarassing me. I'm happy to hear you say that too, Mizoguchi."\k
9901 Mr. Anzai's smile had a strange power.\nHis gentle kindness calmed me down.\n\k
9902 That said, when he's angry he turns into a demon straight out of hell...\k
9903 The manservants came into the dining room and called for Mr. Anzai.\k
9904 A guest had arrived.\k
9905 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0053.ogg,7;"Thank you. I'll be right there. Well, Mizoguchi, I have to take care of this." \k
9906 Mr. Anzai left the dining room in his graceful gait.\k
9907 As busy as he was, Mr. Anzai found time in his schedule to teach me.\nI want to repay him by becoming a useful employee as soon as possible.\n\k
9908 He had just been teaching me the basics of napkin placement and folding and how to set flatware.\nMr. Anzai's example was on the table.\n\k
9909 I'm still learning table manners, but if I can memorize this and think about how the guests use them, maybe I'll be less confused.\k
9910 Maybe the day when I'll be able to help prepare for dinner parties isn't that far off.\k
9911 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0054.ogg,7;"Please, wait! You're being unreasonable!"　\k
9912 ...?\nI heard Mr. Anzai's voice, but he should be with the guest.\n\k
9913 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0055.ogg,7;"Milord!"\k
9914 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0021.ogg,7;"Oh, Mizoguchi."\k
9915 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0107.ogg,7;"W-What happened?"\k
9916 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0022.ogg,7;"I have a favor to ask."\k
9917 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0108.ogg,7;"Huh!?"\k
9918 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0023.ogg,7;"I've got a guest in my room right now. He's an old friend of mine. Bring us something to drink and a light snack."\k
9919 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0109.ogg,7;"Whaa!?"\k
9920 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0056.ogg,7;"Milord, it's too soon for Mizoguchi to do that. Let me bring it..."\k
9921 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0024.ogg,7;"I asked Mizoguchi. You don't lift a finger to help him, alright? I came to ask in person for a reason."　\k
9922 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0057.ogg,7;"But... I can't make any guarantees..."\k
9923 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0025.ogg,7;"Mizoguchi, listen up, don't get advice from anyone. I wanna see what you can do on your own."\k
9924 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0110.ogg,7;"M-Milord, I'm terribly sorry, but, what Mr. Anzai said is correct, I..."\k
9925 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0026.ogg,7;"Whatever, just do it. You have ten minutes."\k
9926 Milord just said that and returned to his room.\k
9927 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0111.ogg,7;"...M-Mr. Anzaiii..."\k
9928 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0058.ogg,7;"...Milord's orders are absolute. Do as he said..."\k
9929 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0112.ogg,7;"Y-You're gonna help me, right...!?"\k
9930 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0059.ogg,7;"Milord will know i fI helped you."\k
9931 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0113.ogg,7;"B-But, I don't know anything. I don't know what Milord likes. I don't know what kind of food goes with which drinks...  I don't even know how to carry or present something like that...! What do I do, what do I do...!"　\k
9932 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0060.ogg,7;"He said I was not to give you advice, so this is just me thinking out loud."\k
9933 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0061.ogg,7;"No one is perfect from the start. If one happens to fail, so long as he did his very best, his feelings would get through. Do the best you can, without cheating."\k
9934 This is the first time Milord has asked me for anything, I don't have time to celebrate.\k
9935 I thought about what Mr. Anzai said.\k
9936 That's right. Figuring out how to behave properly isn't what's important here, it's the sincerity of my feelings.\nIt's all for Milord and his guest.\n\k
9937 I mean, I can barely figure out how to use a napkin properly if I imagine how the guests use them.\k
9938 My speech and mannerisms are still immature, but I can't pretend to be more capable than I am. Mr. Anzai taught me that it's most important to give it my all, as I am.\k
9939 He said his guest was an old friend.\nI'm sure the atmosphere in the room is light and cheerful then.\n\k
9940 As far as the food goes, I think it should be something easy to eat that won't impeed talking.\k
9941 Some kind of confection that you can eat in one bite... but then again, maybe he asked for food because they were hungry.\k
9942 Plus, he might not be fond of sweets.\nMaybe fruit would be good?\n\k
9943 I've never made tea before.\nJust thinking about spilling something hot on someone and burning them was enough to make me shudder.\n\k
9944 I decided it'd be safer to avoid hot drinks since, even if I carried them slowly, they'd be ruined if they cooled off.\k
9945 If it were me, when talking with an old friend, I think a bit of alcohol would help grease the wheels of conversation a bit.\k
9946 But, if I bring an excessively expensive spirit, it might reflect poorly on Milord.\k
9947 I thought and thought but couldn't reach a conclusion. I just wasted time.\nMilord wanted it in ten minutes, so I'll just have to start moving.\n\k
9948 I went into the kitchen and borrowed a card.\nI went through the cupboards and the refrigerator, even though I didn't have permission to touch them yet, I didn't really have time.\n\k
9949 The chef and the maids seemed to have been apprised of Milord's order so they didn't interfere.\k
9950 When I finally got to the room, I was five minutes past the time Milord had set.\k
9951 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0114.ogg,7;"E-Excuse me. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."\k
9952 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0027.ogg,7;"You're l-a-t-e."\k
9953 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0115.ogg,7;"My most humble apologies!"\k
9954 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0028.ogg,7;"See, this is that Mizoguchi fellow I was talking about, Ruriko's latest victim."\k
9955 Milord said to the man who was with him.\k
9956 \a;\oKAKO_001_SKZO_0001.ogg,7;"...Your wife's still at it I see. Poor thing."\k
9957 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0029.ogg,7;"No, this one's pretty tenacious. He's been here for a month already. I'm kind of interested in seeing what happens with him."\k
9958 The two of them went back and forth without hesitation, he must be Milord's friend.\nHe was slender and tall, and from his face I get the impression that he's hard to please.\n\k
9959 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0030.ogg,7;"Mizoguchi, why are you just standing there. Where's the tea?"\k
9960 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0116.ogg,7;"Y-Yes, Sir! U-Um, I didn't know what you liked, so..."　\k
9961 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0031.ogg,7;"Relax, I've known this guy since I was in school. He'll overlook any minor mistakes you make, Don't worry." \k
9962 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0117.ogg,7;"T-Thank you very much."\k
9963 I had borrowed the covered cart.\nEncouraged by Milord's kind words, I energetically lifted the cover.\n\k
9964 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0118.ogg,7;"I'd be most happy if something you like is among these."\k
9965 Ultimately, I ended up putting everything I could think of on the cart.\k
9966 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0032.ogg,7;"...Heh, hehe...Ahahahahahahaha!! I didn't think yould bring all that!! Ahahaha!!"　　\k
9967 Milord laughed for a while.\nI wanted to laugh along with him, but I didn't have the guts to.\n\k
9968 Milord's friend sat there blankly, eyes wide, looking back and forth beween Milord as he laughed and the fully loaded cart.\k
9969 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0033.ogg,7;"Heh, hehe. You brought so much, I don't know what to go with. Alright, give me some alcohol. Take some brandy and chocolate...oh just give me the bottles, I'll do it myself. Hehe, hehehe..."\k
9970 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0034.ogg,7;"Oh and some cheese too. You pick for me. Haha. You want something to drink too?"\k
9971 \a;\oKAKO_001_SKZO_0002.ogg,7;"I don't drink. Do you have any coffee?"\k
9972 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0119.ogg,7;"If you don't mind it cold..."\k
9973 \a;\oKAKO_001_SKZO_0003.ogg,7;"Sure. ...Hm, and some of those pastries."\k
9974 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0120.ogg,7;"Y-Yes."\k
9975 He might be upset with me later, but he seemed to find things he liked. My chest filled with joy and a sense of accomplishment at being able to please him.\k
9976 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0035.ogg,7;"Hey, Mizoguchi. I want something salty, what do you have?"\k
9977 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0121.ogg,7;"Umm, I have rice crackers and pickled vegetables and..."\k
9978 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0036.ogg,7;"Uhahahahaha! You have everything don't you!! It's like some kind of magic trick!"　　\k
9979 \a;\oKAKO_001_SKZO_0004.ogg,7;"Magic, huh? Seems oddly apt I was a little surprised, but it seems like a novel and rather logical method. Quite interesting."\k
9980 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0122.ogg,7;"T-Thank you very much."\k
9981 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0037.ogg,7;"...Pffft. Oh, I can't stop laughing."\k
9982 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0123.ogg,7;"...U-Um...Would you like me to leave the left overs here? Or would you rather I tkae them away?"\k
9983 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0038.ogg,7;"It can stay. You too."\k
9984 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0124.ogg,7;"Huh?"\k
9985 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0039.ogg,7;"You've finally got a chance to serve a guest. And with this guy, it doesn't matter if you mess up, remember? Of course, I won't mind either. You're still learning after all."\k
9986 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0125.ogg,7;"Oh..."\k
9987 I seem to have misunderstood Milord.\nI just thought he was testing me.\n\k
9988 It seems more likely that he called on me to amuse his guest with my ineptitude.\k
9989 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0126.ogg,7;"I-I'm honored! I'll do as you wish and stay here!"　\k
9990 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0040.ogg,7;"Sorry, Saku-Saku. I thought he'd be perfect with you here."\k
9991 \aSaku-Saku;\oKAKO_001_SKZO_0005.ogg,7;"No, I don't mind. I wish you'd stop calling me that."\k
9992 \aSakuma;\oKAKO_001_SKZO_0006.ogg,7;"My name is Sakuzo Sakma."\k
9993 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0041.ogg,7;"That's why you're Saku-Saku though. Oh, let me introduce you. I might ask you to do 'magic' for us again. This is my legal advisor, Sakuma. Well, we've known each other so long, it doesn't really feel like we're professional collegues." \k
9994 \aSakuma;\oKAKO_001_SKZO_0007.ogg,7;"I'm Sakuzo Sakuma. Nice to meet you. You're Mizoguchi, right?"\k
9995 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0127.ogg,7;"Yes. Toyoharu Mizoguchi. It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Sakuma."\k
9996 After that, Milord had me perform my 'magic trick' when he had guests over.\nLord Sakuma was among them, along with one of his senior-classmates, Lord Machinashi.\n\k
9997 Of his guests, many of them said 'is this manservant of yours pretending to be some kind of peddlar?' upon seeing the over-filled cart, but the 'trick' itself seemed to go over favorably with most of them and Milord always laughed agreeably.\k
9998 With the help of Mr. Anzai's intensive training, I think I managed to handle making tea with no trouble.\k
9999 There were still many things I needed to learn.\nNo matter how much I study, I'll never catch up.\n\k
10000 I felt excited, like I was climbing a mountain with the summit still long out of sight...\k
10001 I can't thank Milady enough for giving me the opportunity to have this job, where everything is entertaining, enriching and deeply rewarding.\k
10002 ...On top of that, I was being paid so well it practically made mye eyeballs jump out of my head.\k
10003 I asked Mr. Anzai several times if it might be a miscalculation, but he said it was no mistake, it was an appropriate compensation for my work.\k
10004 I immediately sent the money to my family.\nAlong with a letter telling them I was doing well.\n\k
10005 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0042.ogg,7;"Oh, Mizoguchi, still haven't quit yet?"\k
10006 One day, Milord called out to me as he always did.\k
10007 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0128.ogg,7;"I haven't been told to resign yet, so here I am."\k
10008 This exchange had already become a sort of greeting between the two of us.\k
10009 But today he seemed a bit different.\k
10010 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0043.ogg,7;"What time is it?"\k
10011 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0129.ogg,7;"Um...Two thirty."\k
10012 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0044.ogg,7;"Come to my room at three o'clock on the dot."\k
10013 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0130.ogg,7;"Understood."\k
10014 Normally, we'd just pass each other like this, Milord rarely stopped me becuase he needed something from me.\k
10015 I don't believe there are any guests coming to visit today.\nThree o'clock is when Milord takes tea and a snack, isn't it?\nMaybe it means he's acknowledging me as a manservant now. \n\n\k
10016 I thought I'd go tell Mr. Anzai that I was finally granted the honor of a regular job.\k
10017 But, I couldn't find Mr. Anzai anywhere, he must be busy. Too bad.\k
10018 I patiently waited for three o'clock to come - though, I couldn't calm my excitement.――――\k
10019 It felt like ages.\nBut finally, three o'clock came.\n\k
10020 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0131.ogg,7;"Milord, it's Mizoguchi."\k
10021 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0045.ogg,7;"Yes, come in!"　\k
10022 ......?\nFor some reason, I get the feeling that it's kind of noisy in the room.\n\k
10023 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0132.ogg,7;"Wha!?"\k
10024 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0062.ogg,7;"...Nn!? M-Mizoguchi...!?"　\k
10025 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0133.ogg,7;"Wh...Wha..."\k
10026 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0046.ogg,7;"Mizoguchi, don't just leave the door open. You really have no sense do you."\k
10027 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0134.ogg,7;"Uh, oh, s-s-sorry!"\k
10028 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0047.ogg,7;"Mizoguch, this is an order! Watch from over there! Look at the butler you look up to so dearly in this unbecoming state!"　　\k
10029 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0135.ogg,7;"...Uh...Uhhh..."\k
10030 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0063.ogg,7;"Ahhhh!! No...Milord stop...Uahhh!! Mizoguchi...Please, don't look...nn...ahhh!!"　　\k
10031 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0048.ogg,7;"Heh...Haha! How's it feel, Anzai! This worked out well didn't it!? How does it feel to be watched by the innocent little subordinate you care for so dearly!?"　　　\k
10032 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0064.ogg,7;"Milorddd! Please forgive me...! You promised that you wouldn't involve Mizoguchi...! This is...Nnn, uhhh!! Guahh! Milordddddd!!"　　　　　\k
10033 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0049.ogg,7;"I'm not involving him. That's why I'm just having him watch. Ahh...this is amazing, you're squeezing me so tightly...! Your insides are really healthy...!"　\k
10034 I had no way of understanding what was going on.\nWhat is the meaning behind what Mr. Anzai and Milord are doing...\n\k
10035 I was desperately trying to think of a response, and trying to sort things out in my head, but all I could do was stand there, dumbfounded, watching the scene unfold before my eyes.\k
10036 Their figures, expresions, voices, sounds, movements, smells, temperature,\nevery bit of it\nwas something I'd never seen or heard or felt before...\n\n\k
10037 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0065.ogg,7;"Ahh...Mizoguchi, please, don't look...! I'm so sorry...I'm...ahhh! Uhh, uhh, ahhh! Ahhhh!"　　　\k
10038 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0066.ogg,7;"Ah, ah, ah, uhhh! Fuahhh...! Please, stop....Nnn ahhhhh!! No...you mustn't...Milord, you mustn't! Ahh, ahh...it...hurts there, Milord...it hurts...!"　　　　\k
10039 I couldn't understand.\nWhy is Mr. Anzai so, so, unbearably sensual...\n\k
10040 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0050.ogg,7;"Heh...Anzai...I'm gonna cum inside you...!"\k
10041 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0067.ogg,7;"Ahhh! Milorddd! Please...give it to me...! I'm already...Uuh, ahh, ahhhh!!"　　　\k
10042 I just followed Milord's order to watch...\nIf I hadn't, I think I wouldh ave run in an instant...\n\k
10043 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0068.ogg,7;"...I'm sure you want to quit now, don't you?"\k
10044 After I was finally released from watching that torrid love scene, Mr. Anzai called me afte he returned from the bath and said that.\k
10045 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0136.ogg,7;"......"\k
10046 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0069.ogg,7;"I wish I could have spared you from seeing that, Mizoguchi... But, even if you despise me now, please, don't hold anything against Milord."\k
10047 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0137.ogg,7;"I would never despise you..."\k
10048 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0070.ogg,7;"...I don't think what we were doing is wrong... Milord has many troubles in addition to his work. He bears a burden we couldn't possibly fathom."\k
10049 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0071.ogg,7;"Even if the method is a bit strange, I think anyone needs an outlet for mental and physical stress to stay healthy..."\k
10050 Mr. Anzai's explanation was completely unnessecary.\nI didn't hold even the smallest fragment of distain for Milord or Mr. Anzai.\n\k
10051 I mean, watching the two of them in the throes of passion caused a certain change to a particular part of my anatomy after all...\nHow could I condem Milord?\n\k
10052 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0138.ogg,7;"...Honestly, I was a bit surprised that Milord has such interests. But, Milord's interests and my work are entirely unrelated. I don't want to quit..."\k
10053 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0139.ogg,7;"...Mr. Anzai, you don't want to quit, right? Even...Even after he did all that..."\k
10054 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0072.ogg,7;"I'm sure you can understand this, Mizoguchi. Just how happy one can be, knowing that, regardless of the form, he is being useful to someone...and has a place. It doesn't matter what he does to me."\k
10055 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0140.ogg,7;"......"\k
10056 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0073.ogg,7;"I'm greatful for your concern. But, I'm fine. Other than myself, there aren't many servants who stayed upon finding out. Even if you're startled like that again, please, don't do anything to hurt Milord's feelings..."\k
10057 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0141.ogg,7;"...Of course. Mr. Anzai, I wish you'd have more faith in me."\k
10058 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0074.ogg,7;"...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you... You're a much stronger person than I'd thought, Mizoguchi."\k
10059 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0142.ogg,7;"That's not true... I'm always trembling..."\k
10060 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0075.ogg,7;"Mizoguchi...please, don't worry. Milord has promised me that he'll never make you perform 'that duty.' ...Even though he did end up making you watch that scene and hurt you mentally..."\k
10061 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0076.ogg,7;"I will never allow him to harm you physically, Mizoguchi."\k
10062 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0143.ogg,7;"...Yes, Sir..."\k
10063 ...Mr. Anzai called it a 'duty.'\nIsn't that an act usually performed by lovers...\n\k
10064 I don't have any intention of disparaging homosexuality, but...I guess it's just something I can't understand.\k
10065 It wouldn't let me sleep that night.\k
10066 Because of that stimulating image burned into my brain, I couldn't calm down enough to go to bed, so I wandered around the estate that night, pretending to be on patrol.\k
10067 As I was checking that everything was locked up in the hall, Milady came walking toward me and called out to me.\k
10068 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0056.ogg,8;"You sure are working late."\k
10069 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0144.ogg,7;"It's nothing, really. Milady, could you not sleep either?"\k
10070 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0057.ogg,8;"'Either'?"\k
10071 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0145.ogg,7;"Oh, nevermind..."\k
10072 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0058.ogg,8;"Would you come by my room for a bit to chat?"\k
10073 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0146.ogg,7;"Certainly, with pleasure."\k
10074 I don't mean to be rude, but I thought that speaking of Milady would take my mind off things.\k
10075 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0059.ogg,8;"You saw didn't you?"\k
10076 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0147.ogg,7;"Huh..."\k
10077 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0060.ogg,8;"His little hobby, consorting with Anzai..."\k
10078 I thought this would take my mind off of what happened. I never imagined Milady would make me revisit it.\k
10079 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0061.ogg,8;"He called you in the middle of his disgusting game, didn't he?"\k
10080 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0148.ogg,7;"...Milord did indeed cal for me, but...I don't think anything of it. I just stood there like he ordered me to..."\k
10081 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0062.ogg,8;"Mizoguchi, I want to show you something."\k
10082 Milady said that and, I couldn't believe it when she started to undress.\k
10083 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0149.ogg,7;"M-Milady...!? What are you...!"　\k
10084 I immediately closed my eyes, turned around and started groping for the door.\k
10085 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0063.ogg,8;"No, turn this way."\k
10086 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0150.ogg,7;"I-I'll call a maidservant if you want to change clothes...! I'm sure they're all still awake...!"　\k
10087 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0064.ogg,8;"Whatever, just look at me! That's an order!"　\k
10088 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0151.ogg,7;"...Y-Yes..."\k
10089 I had no idea what Milady was thinking.\nI timidly opened my eyes.\n\k
10090 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0152.ogg,7;"...Nn!? Wha...What happened!? Those wounds...!?"　　\k
10091 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0065.ogg,8;"Hoho...Amazing aren't they? These are all marks he gave me."　\k
10092 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0153.ogg,7;"Wha!? Milord, he... Impossible...!"　\k
10093 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0066.ogg,8;"You saw it with your own eyes, didn't you? He's sexually bent. He even plays with me, his wife, like a puppet to satisfy his lust."　\k
10094 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0154.ogg,7;"That's..."\k
10095 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0067.ogg,8;"His favorite thing is strangling me. The marks still haven't faded. That's why I always wear a scarf to hide them."\k
10096 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0068.ogg,8;"Hoho. This isn't love. He just thinks of everyone other than himself as tools to satisfy his desires. Even though I've taken many men myself, he doesn't care."\k
10097 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0069.ogg,8;"Well, most of them run when they see my body. I wonder what you'll do, Mizoguchi."\k
10098 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0155.ogg,7;"...I'll treat you. I hear horse meat is good for bruising. I'll prepare some right away..."\k
10099 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0070.ogg,8;"Don't leave."\k
10100 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0156.ogg,7;"But..."\k
10101 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0071.ogg,8;"...You see, I'm barren."\k
10102 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0157.ogg,7;"Huh..."\k
10103 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0072.ogg,8;"Exams confirmed it. I can never carry a child. Figures. I have no value except as a sex slave."\k
10104 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0073.ogg,8;"But, he won't let me divorce him. It was a political marriage after all. I was sacrificed to erase the bad blood between the Kamishiro zaibatsu and the Tanabane{check reading} zaibatsu. We're not bound by mutual love and affection."{zaibatsu: I think this is in common enough circulation in English to leave as-is? 丹羽: Ruriko's maiden name, gotta double-check the reading but meaning-wise it's "vermillion wings" interesting, right?}\k
10105 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0158.ogg,7;"......"\k
10106 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0074.ogg,8;"So, it doesn't matter how many men I bed. I've chosen to drink the nectar of many flowers and enjoy all their delights. I told you, didn't I? I'm a sinful butterfly."　\k
10107 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0159.ogg,7;"...You shouldn't say such things about yourself..."\k
10108 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0075.ogg,8;"Mizoguchi, come closer."\k
10109 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0160.ogg,7;"Milady...I'll go get some medicine."\k
10110 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0076.ogg,8;"Say my name. I am me. I was a person before I became his wife. Don't deny my individuality."\k
10111 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0161.ogg,7;"Lady Ruriko..."\k
10112 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0077.ogg,8;"You don't need the 'lady' part."\k
10113 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0162.ogg,7;"I'm sorry, I cannot obey that order..."\k
10114 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0078.ogg,8;"Mizoguchi, I'm cold. So very cold."\k
10115 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0163.ogg,7;"If you would like me to add more wood to the fire, I'll go tell some one right away."\k
10116 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0079.ogg,8;"No, I'm cold."\k
10117 Milady took a step toward me and wrapped her arms around my neck.\nI turned away to avoid looking at her naked body as much as I could.\n\k
10118 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0164.ogg,7;"Just wait a moment. I'll get firewo..."\k
10119 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0080.ogg,8;"Couldn't you warm me up...?"\k
10120 I pulled my neck from her arms and picked up a nearby dressing gown and put it on Milady's shoulders.\k
10121 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0165.ogg,7;"...You must be very tired, Milady. I think you should get some rest."\k
10122 I couldn't grant Milady's desire.{gaaaayyyyyy}\k
10123 ...I knew what she wanted.\nBut, I think that's not something that should be a 'duty.'\n\k
10124 The unbecomming image of Milord and Mr. Anzai came to mind again.\k
10125 I don't think Milord thinks of people as tools...\nI wanted to believe that they had joined their bodies because there was love between them.\n\k
10126 Mr. Anzai had been working in the estate for over twenty years already.\nThere should be deep, master-and-servant love between them.\nThat's what I believed.\n\n\k
10127 After that, Milord called me in the midst of the act and ordered me to watch again.\k
10128 It wasn't just with Mr. Anzai, but also that maid who's always laughing, and that lovely, beautiful maid too,\k
10129 my senior collegue who's always a bit terse in speaking, and the quiet, brainy guy, and even the cleaning lady whose only merit was her earnesty...they were all hired to serve Milord in the bedchamber.\k
10130 Sometimes, he ordered me to touch their genitals.\nUnable to disobey Milord and regarding it as a show of affection toward my comrades, I couldn't do anything but move my hands as he requested.\n\k
10131 I told myself it was out of love for my coworkers and somehow managed to fulfill my duty.\k
10132 Milord never touched me.\k
10133 And Milady appeared naked before me again from time to time, openly propositioning me.\k
10134 I felt that, accepting it all and becoming her partner in that regard would have ruined something...and because I felt that way, I never fulfilled her desire...\k
10135 But, even though I couldn't fulfill her order, Milady never fired me.\k
10136 She exclusively called me to keep her company while she drank tea and alcohol - though I never drank.――――\k
10137 I can't deny that something changed, but I don't know what exactly it was, and the estate continued it's busy, dazzling days as if nothing were out of the ordinary.\k
10138 Now that I think about it...perhaps it was just my childish naiveté that made me want to believe that Milord loved Milady in her beauty and kindness.\k
10139 The months and days sped by, and before I knew it, I'd been a servant at the Kamishiro estate for nine years.\k
10140 I got lost in my work...though perhaps I should say that I was so busy, I had no time to think about anything else.\k
10141 I even forgot my own birthday. I wasn't even sure how old I was anymore.\k
10142 My frantic efforts weren't for naught as there were more opportunities for me to be useful.\k
10143 \k
10144 But, nothing major changed.\k
10145 Milady had frequent, florid parties and enjoyed talking with me over tea.\k
10146 As usual, on occasion jazz flowed through the premisis.\nEspecially Elite's 'Love Song.'\n\k
10147 I took the opportunity to talk to Milady about Elite when Milord put Chanson on on a whim.\k
10148 Milord's eccentric hobbies continued unchanged.\k
10149 I still wasn't used to watching other people make love or touching their genitals, though.\k
10150 I tried not to look at anything but Milord's happy face, and filled my heart with nothing but the fact that I was being useful.\k
10151 I was sure that, even if his hobbies were a bit strange, Milord was, without a doubt, a great man of great refinement with a big heart.\k
10152 I didn't lose my pride as a servant.\nI made it my mission to always provide the best service I could.\n\k
10153 \aSakuma;\oKAKO_001_SKZO_0008.ogg,7;"Mizoguchi, I haven't seen you in a while."\k
10154 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0166.ogg,7;"Welcome, Lord Sakuma. It truely has been a long time since your last visit."\k
10155 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0051.ogg,7;"It's been crazy lately, and he's had a lot of outside work lately. Sakuma, let's relax and chat today. Let Mizoguchi handle it."\k
10156 \aSakuma;\oKAKO_001_SKZO_0009.ogg,7;"I guess I'll take you up on that."\k
10157 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0167.ogg,7;"If you ned anything from me..."\k
10158 \aSakuma;\oKAKO_001_SKZO_0010.ogg,7;"Oh. I realize how unreasonable it is to ask you to do this, but..."\k
10159 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0168.ogg,7;"If I can be of use, please, don't hesitate to ask."\k
10160 \aSakuma;\oKAKO_001_SKZO_0011.ogg,7;"I brought my son along t oday. Could you watch him until I leave?"\k
10161 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0169.ogg,7;"Happily."\k
10162 \aSakuma;\oKAKO_001_SKZO_0012.ogg,7;"Maybe I'm just biased because he's my kid, but I think he'll make an even better lawyer than me in the future. I've been trying to get him used to the outside world lately."\k
10163 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0170.ogg,7;"...Oh. Do you want me to teach him anything...?"\k
10164 \aSakuma;\oKAKO_001_SKZO_0013.ogg,7;"No, it's meaningless if he doesn't figure these things out on his own. Just play with him."\k
10165 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0171.ogg,7;"Understood."\k
10166 \aSakuma;\oKAKO_001_SKZO_0014.ogg,7;"He's probably wandering around somewhre nearby. Just say something when you see him."\k
10167 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0052.ogg,7;"He's a well behaved kid. I don't think he's gotten far. Last I saw him, he was looking at the paintings in the foyer. Maybe he's still there?"\k
10168 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0172.ogg,7;"Yes, I'll go greet him immediately."\k
10169 I went down to the first floor, and just as Milord had said, there was a boy looking at the paintings and decor.\k
10170 I think most boys of his age would be totally engrossed in whatever caught their attention and try to touch it.\k
10171 But, this boy who was Lord Sakuma's son, stood up straight, a step away from the pieces and was properly appreciating them with a sweet expression on his face.\k
10172 Lord Sakuma must be raising him very carefully.\nHe seemed like a refined boy, who gave even me a refreshing feeling.\n\k
10173 I am supposed to be looking after a child, but I get the feeling he'll be easier to take care of than what I imagine the majory of children are like.\nActually, I'm probably more childish than him.\n\k
10174 I didn't want to scare him by calling out to him suddenly, so I quietly walked over to him and said,\k
10175 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0173.ogg,7;"Are you fond of paintings?"\k
10176 \a;\oKAKO_001_SKSY_0000.ogg,2;"Oh..."\k
10177 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0174.ogg,7;"I hope I didn't frighten you. My name is Mizoguchi."\k
10178 \aKyoichi;\oKAKO_001_SKSY_0001.ogg,2;"Pleased to meet you. I'm Kyoichi Sakuma. I just became engrossed in all of these beautiful objects."{note: Sakuma basically always talked like a butler, even when he was little}\k
10179 He responded in a confident, adult tone. He didn't seem childish at all.\k
10180 \aKyoichi;\oKAKO_001_SKSY_0002.ogg,2;"I know this isn't a place for children like me, so I'm sorry my father brought me along to his place of work. I promise I won't get in your way."\k
10181 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0175.ogg,7;"Oh no, you're no trouble at all. I'm honored to have met you, Lord Kyoichi."\k
10182 \aKyoichi;\oKAKO_001_SKSY_0003.ogg,2;"Thank you very much. I'm happy to have met you too, Mr. Mizoguchi."\k
10183 Does he really need a babysitter?\nWhat should we do to pass the time? Everything I've learned so far isn't of much help in this area.\n\k
10184 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0176.ogg,7;"There are many other beautiful works of art throughout the estate. If you'd like, I can guide you through them. Or would you prefer tea and snacks?"\k
10185 Lord Kyoichi thought for a moment and then answered,\k
10186 \aKyoichi;\oKAKO_001_SKSY_0004.ogg,2;"I'd like to eat some snacks."\k
10187 I felt a little relieved at seeing a bit more age-appropriate innocence from him.\k
10188 We chatted a bit over milk tea and cake.{oh now I want cake... ;^; }\k
10189 We knew that Lord Sakuma would be bringing Lord Kyoichi along today, a cute, rabbit shaped cake had been prepared.\k
10190 Honestly, I wanted to eat it too, so with Lord Kyoichi's permission we split the cake.\k
10191 We started talking about the rabbit cake first, and then Lord Kyoichi's friends and what books he liked, it was all rather light-hearted...\n\k
10192 Staying cooped up, chatting in a room the whole time would be dull so I invited Lord Kyoichi on a tour of the grounds.\k
10193 Amidst the usual tour, we played games with the patterns on the wallpaper and in the grain of the wood, stacked up stones, and found all sorts of diversions around the mansion.\k
10194 I was worrying about whether he'd enjoy the same things I was, but...\nLord Kyoichi opened up to me just a bit.\n\k
10195 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0177.ogg,7;"If you do this, in this spot...take a look: you can make shadow figures on the wall. Now, what could this be?"\k
10196 \aKyoichi;\oKAKO_001_SKSY_0005.ogg,2;"A fox."\k
10197 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0178.ogg,7;"Now, what about this one..."\k
10198 \aKyoichi;\oKAKO_001_SKSY_0006.ogg,2;"Oh, wow. A duck."\k
10199 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0179.ogg,7;"Hmm...I was trying to make a swan though..."\k
10200 \aKyoichi;\oKAKO_001_SKSY_0007.ogg,2;"Alright, let me try this time. ...What do you think this is?"\k
10201 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0180.ogg,7;"Oh, a butterfly, right? How lovely."\k
10202 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0081.ogg,8;"Oh my, you two seem to be having fun."\k
10203 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0181.ogg,7;"M-Milady...! Pardon my rudeness...!"　\k
10204 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0082.ogg,8;"I don't mind. He just had some booze brought to his room. If he's drinking they're not talking about work. They're just chatting. So you two should play to your hearts content."\k
10205 I'm sorry.\nI was playing myself too...\n\k
10206 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0083.ogg,8;"Kyoichi, thanks for coming by. You've gorwn a lot."\k
10207 \aKyoichi;\oKAKO_001_SKSY_0008.ogg,2;"It's been ages, Aunt Ruriko. I apologize for troubilng you today. You have such a lovely house, I made Mr. Mizoguchi give me a tour."\k
10208 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0182.ogg,7;"Uh, Lord Kyoichi..."\k
10209 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0084.ogg,8;"It's fine. You're polite as ever, I see. Mizoguchi, did you give him the cake?"\k
10210 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0183.ogg,7;"Oh, yes, we just enjoyed it together."\k
10211 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0085.ogg,8;"Ohohoho! Well I'm glad I ordered more than nessecary!"　\k
10212 So it was Milady who had the rabbit cake made.\k
10213 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0086.ogg,8;"So, what are you playing?"\k
10214 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0184.ogg,7;"All sorts of things while touring the grounds..."\k
10215 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0087.ogg,8;"Mind if I join you?"\k
10216 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0185.ogg,7;"Huh!?"\k
10217 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0088.ogg,8;"Kyoichi, you don't mind, do you?"\k
10218 \aKyoichi;\oKAKO_001_SKSY_0009.ogg,2;"Do you?"\k
10219 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0089.ogg,8;"I'm so bored I could just die. I thought I might play with you."\k
10220 \aKyoichi;\oKAKO_001_SKSY_0010.ogg,2;"I'm very happy to hear that. But, is it okay with you, Mr. Mizoguchi...?"\k
10221 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0186.ogg,7;"Heh. Why are you asking me? If Milady is alright with, of course."　\k
10222 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0090.ogg,8;"Then it's decided. Let' go play tag in the garden then."\k
10223 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0187.ogg,7;"Wha!? M-Milady...!"　\k
10224 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0091.ogg,8;"Come on, Kyoichi, let's go."\k
10225 \aKyoichi;\oKAKO_001_SKSY_0011.ogg,2;"Sure."\k
10226 What an unexpected development.\nI guess it's fine if both Milady and Lord Kyoichi are enjoying themselves though...\n\k
10227 I got stuck being 'it' the whole time, worried that the two of them might fall or dirty their clothes.\k
10228 ...Ultimately, my age didn't prevent me from truely enjoying myself.\nI might have been the one who was most into it of the three of us.\n\k
10229 When we went in, I was the one most out of breath and my shoes were the dirtiest afterall.\k
10230 I calmed myself down as I brushed the dirt off their clothes and polished their shoes.\k
10231 \aSakuma;\oKAKO_001_SKZO_0015.ogg,7;"Mizoguchi, thanks for today. Sorry for making you do that."\k
10232 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0188.ogg,7;"It was no trouble, I just hope Lord Kyoichi had fun playing with me..."\k
10233 \aKyoichi;\oKAKO_001_SKSY_0012.ogg,2;"Mr. Mizoguchi, I had a lot of fun. Thank you very much."\k
10234 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0053.ogg,7;"Kyoichi, come over to play again. And bring your father with you."\k
10235 \aKyoichi;\oKAKO_001_SKSY_0013.ogg,2;"I'm honored to hear you say that. Thank you very much."\k
10236 \aSakuma;\oKAKO_001_SKZO_0016.ogg,7;"See ya later, Kamishiro."\k
10237 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0054.ogg,7;"Yeah, I'll be at the office next Tuesday. Take care."\k
10238 Mr. Anzai lead them out and Lord Sakuma and Lord Kyoichi went home.\k
10239 When I was cleaning up the plates and glasses in his room, Milord let out a big sigh and mumbled,\k
10240 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0055.ogg,7;"...Hrm. That's no good. Even if he becomes a good lawyer, he won't be much of a person..."\k
10241 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0056.ogg,7;"Hey, Mizoguchi."\k
10242 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0189.ogg,7;"Yes?"\k
10243 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0057.ogg,7;"Don't you think Kyoichi is a little grown up for his age?"\k
10244 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0190.ogg,7;"I think he's a very polite and clever boy."\k
10245 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0058.ogg,7;"...That's no good. Acting so adult like that, he'll suffocate himself. He should just keep being a good kid."\k
10246 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0059.ogg,7;"Sakuma brought him along today too because all he can think about is bringing him into contact with all sorts of adults for the sake of his future. It's not because he wants to be with hi son."\k
10247 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0060.ogg,7;"Both Sakuma and his wife are very busy, so I know they don't have a lot of time to spend with him, but... I think they just started treating him like an adult. One wrong move and he'll end up weird."\k
10248 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0061.ogg,7;"I left you in charge of him because I thought, if it was you, I mean, you've got an honest, foolish side to you, right? I figured you could get on the same wave-length as a kid."\k
10249 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0191.ogg,7;"Umm...Are you praising me...?"\k
10250 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0062.ogg,7;"How was Kyoichi? Did he play like a kid?"\k
10251 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0192.ogg,7;"We played tag together."\k
10252 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0063.ogg,7;"...Oh? Maybe leaving him in your care was the right decision. Would you play with Kyoichi again next time?"　\k
10253 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0193.ogg,7;"Of course I would."\k
10254 Milord looks at people with a profound depth and warmth sometimes.\k
10255 Most people seem to think he's a strict, cold and inhuman person, but Milord is just too honest iwth himself.\k
10256 He's frank about his desires. And when he's not interested in something, he's shockingly upfront about it. He mercilessly prods at any faults. He speaks before considering whether what he thinks is right or wrong.\k
10257 I think the way he treats and speaks to people wildly differently is the main reason Milord is so misundrstood and unaproachable.\k
10258 But, when he happens to set his eyes on someone, he observes them to the core, and understands everything about them and how to best help them.\k
10259 He has many enemies, but he has more people who he favors and who are charmed to the core with him.\k
10260 This was when I felt a renewed loyalty to Milord.\nI felt compelled to share that fragment of him with Milady...\n\k
10261 But, it was unusual for Milord to be so concerned with someone.\nI guess, no matter how grown up he acted, Lord Kyoichi was still a child.\n\k
10262 And Milady seemed to feel the same way.\k
10263 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0092.ogg,8;"Ah, it was so fun today. It's been years since I moved like that."\k
10264 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0194.ogg,7;"I had a lot of fun too. Thank you for letting me join you. I got a little too into it...."\k
10265 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0093.ogg,8;"Ohohoho! It was cute. You still have your boyish heart, don't you."　　\k
10266 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0195.ogg,7;"......Should I take that as a compliment..."\k
10267 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0094.ogg,8;"Why wouldn't that be a good thing? Thanks to you, I got to see Kyoichi having fun again. Next time we'll have to play hide-and-seek over the whole grounds."\k
10268 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0196.ogg,7;"I-I wonder how that'll go..."\k
10269 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0095.ogg,8;"Yeah, I guess it'd be boring if it took hours to find anyone."\k
10270 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0197.ogg,7;"That's not how I meant it...?"\k
10271 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0096.ogg,8;"...Children really are cute. Though, they're not something I can ever have..."\k
10272 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0198.ogg,7;"......"\k
10273 She didn't ask me for anything or retain me so I just made her some tea and left.\k
10274 Lord Sakuma often visited the estate with Lord Kyoichi in tow.\k
10275 When she knew in advance that they were coming, Milady kept the day open and waited for Lord Kyoichi to visit.\nShe had snacks children would like prepared too.\n\k
10276 While Milord and Lord Sakuma were in his room, I served as Lord Kyoichi's palymate... no, more like Lord Kyoichi was my playmate.\k
10277 We steadily expanded the scope of our play area, and before long we were using the whole mansion - exclusing the rooms in use of course - to play a treasure hunt game.――――\k
10278 The sight of myself and Lord Kyoichi playing in the grounds was not a rare site at all.\k
10279 And, because Lord Kyoichi had much better sense than I did, I was the one who always ended up angering Mr. Anzai for having a bit too much fun...\k
10280 When it was time to leave, Milady would always give Lord Kyoichi a to-go box of sweets, and occasionally Milord would give him books that might appeal to a boy like dinosaur books or adventure novels.\k
10281 The first time, Lord Sakuma said, 'I wish you wouldn't give him things that don't contribute to his studies,' but Milord just responded, 'it's not a big deal,' and Milady said, 'no matter what you say, you can't return the cake in his stomach."\k
10282 and suddenly Lord Kyoichi strongly asserted himself fo the first time, saying, 'I won't let such kind favors go to waste. I decide whether I need something or not.'\k
10283 And then the always severe looking Lord Sakuma, said 'alright, you win,' and smiled for the first time as well.\k
10284 Even though I had forgotten my own birthday, for some reason I still remembered Mr. Anzai's.\nBefore I knew it, I started using Mr. Anzai's birthday to mark time.\n\k
10285 After that point, we celebrated Mr. Anzai's birthday three times.\k
10286 It was a nice winter day with a clear blue sky as far as the eye could see.\k
10287 Milord went out an entirely personal, non-work related matter for the first time in ages and returned in high spirits.\k
10288 When I brought him the warm drink he had requested, I saw Milord's beaming smile.\k
10289 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0199.ogg,7;"Excuse me, Milord. I brought your hot coffee. It's gotten quite cold, hasn't it?"\k
10290 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0064.ogg,7;"Oh, thanks."\k
10291 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0200.ogg,7;"Where did you go today? Did something good happen while you were out?"　\k
10292 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0065.ogg,7;"Yeah, listen to this. Anzai's too serious to appreciate this."\k
10293 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0201.ogg,7;"B-But I try to be serious..."\k
10294 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0066.ogg,7;"Jeez, what's with you, I meant that in a good way. I went to a classical concert today. I spread my wings again for the first time in ages."\k
10295 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0202.ogg,7;"That sounds wonderful."\k
10296 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0067.ogg,7;"I had a little fun while I was there."\k
10297 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0203.ogg,7;"Do tell."\k
10298 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0068.ogg,7;"I met a woman."\k
10299 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0204.ogg,7;"...Pardon?"\k
10300 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0069.ogg,7;"I met a real nice woman."\k
10301 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0205.ogg,7;"Oh my, Milord..."\k
10302 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0070.ogg,7;"Oh just listen. It was a majestic, grand and moving concert. It gave me goosebumps. There's really nothing better than good music."\k
10303 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0206.ogg,7;"Indeed."\k
10304 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0071.ogg,7;"After it was over, I lingered in my chair a while. Why miss out on savoring the aftertaste of the concert to get stuck in a crowd, right?"\k
10305 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0207.ogg,7;"Of course."\k
10306 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0072.ogg,7;"Most of the guests left, and when there weren't many people lingering like I was left, I looked around and spotted a young woman sitting alone."\k
10307 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0073.ogg,7;"When I took a closer look, she was crying. She wasn't exactly a knock-out, but...the beauty of her face in profile took my breath away."\k
10308 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0208.ogg,7;"Surely it was the impact of the lovely scene."\k
10309 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0074.ogg,7;"That's not all. Afterward, I found a nearby record shop, I dropped by to buy a record of the pieces they performed at the concert when...we ran into each other again. That woman had the same idea as I had."\k
10310 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0075.ogg,7;"Maybe it was the lingering heat from the performance, but we just naturally started chatting. Since we did have similar tastes and were just in the same place listening to the same music. We had plenty to talk about."\k
10311 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0076.ogg,7;"I thought just standing there talking was a bother for the shop so I invited her to coffee and she happily joined me. And it wasn't just music. We had similar taste in literature and movies too. For such a young woman to have such good taste...oh, I bet you would have gotten along too."\k
10312 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0077.ogg,7;"She said she was 22 and attending a music conservatory. I never thought I'd be able to talk like that with a woman young enough to be my daughter."\k
10313 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0209.ogg,7;"I'm just glad you enoyed yourself."\k
10314 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0078.ogg,7;"Ahh, she was nice girl. A jovial girl, unusually refined for the times too." \k
10315 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0210.ogg,7;"She sounds wonderful. Don't you think Mr. Anzai would agree?"\k
10316 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0079.ogg,7;"Well, about that. I promised to meet her again. She gave me her number."\k
10317 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0211.ogg,7;"Huh?"\k
10318 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0080.ogg,7;"He'd be such a pain about it if I told him. I made time to relax today, but he gave me such a hard time about it. Next time is on Friday. Help me hide what time I leave."\k
10319 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0212.ogg,7;"B-But I..."\k
10320 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0081.ogg,7;"I'm saying I trust you. I haven't felt this way in ages."\k
10321 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0213.ogg,7;"Milord, could you..."\k
10322 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0082.ogg,7;"Yeah, I like her. I fell in love. With a girl less than half my age."\k
10323 I swallowed the inappropriate response that almost left my mouth and answered,\k
10324 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0214.ogg,7;"As you wish, Milord."\k
10325 It didn't take long before Milord entered an intimate relationship with that college girl.\k
10326 The fact that Milord was entrusting me with all of these secrets was proof that I'd obtained the trust I had so desperately wanted.\k
10327 I never knew how much pain those secrets would cause me.\k
10328 I was delighted to see Milord so happy.\nBut I resented him for betraying Milady.{but banging the servants doesn't count? lol okay}\nThese improper feelings, which I must never allow to surface, slowly suffocated me. \n\n\k
10329 Why can't you offer even a fragment of that love and affection to Milady?\k
10330 Why must you add to Milady's scars?\k
10331 Why does Milady just silently accept your twisted desires?\nNo matter how long she waits, will you never love...\n\k
10332 I loved both Milord and Milady with all my heart.\nAnd that's why I couldn't do a damn thing.\n\k
10333 When did I become so good at wearing a mask...?\k
10334 Milady's been drinking more lately.\k
10335 She just indiscriminantly drowned hereself in bottle after bottle of her carefully curated wine collection.\k
10336 Milady's lost a lot of weight.\nSurely it must be her liver...\n\k
10337 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0215.ogg,7;"I'm at a loss as to what to do about Milady... She won't listen to my warnings. She's going to make herself ill at this rate."\k
10338 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0077.ogg,7;"Mizoguchi, let her drink as much as she likes. I think you'll just make it wors on her, the more you worry."\k
10339 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0216.ogg,7;"Huh?"\k
10340 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0078.ogg,7;"...Milady's been gravely ill for a while now. It's already metastisized all over her body, there's nothing that can be done for her now."\k
10341 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0217.ogg,7;"...Wha...nn...but...that can't be...! But, Milady never mentioned that...! I've never seen her go to the hospital! She's always been so healthy...!"　　　\k
10342 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0079.ogg,7;"She didn't want live a longer, but mierable life with the help of medicine, so she opted to recuperate at home. But, she's lost a great deal of weight, I don't think she'll be able to hide it much longer."\k
10343 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0080.ogg,7;"Milady asked me to tell you the truth, Mizoguchi. She doesn't know how many years she has left..."\k
10344 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0218.ogg,7;"...B-But...!"\k
10345 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0081.ogg,7;"She wants to spend the time she has left doing things she likes. Here, take a look. It's her new wine order. There are so many..."\k
10346 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0219.ogg,7;"Don't you care, Mr. Anzai!? You haven't done anything all this time!? Why didn't you suggest that she go to the hospital!?"　　\k
10347 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0082.ogg,7;"Mizoguchi...There really isn't much we can do. We cannot allow Milady's brave decision to shake us."\k
10348 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0220.ogg,7;"Yes, but...how can you be so calm! It's just too...!"　\k
10349 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0083.ogg,7;"Because I love her."\k
10350 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0221.ogg,7;"Huh."\k
10351 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0084.ogg,7;"I love Milord and Milady and this estate. Until I'm dismissed, I will work until the very last second to 'continue existing as a butler'...that is my mission in life and my supreme expression of love."\k
10352 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0222.ogg,7;"......"\k
10353 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0085.ogg,7;"Don't you feel the same way, Mizoguchi? Don't you have something you can't put into words out of love even though it pains you so?"　\k
10354 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0223.ogg,7;"......"\k
10355 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0086.ogg,7;"Some day, you will be standing in my place. I'm sure you'll make a fine butler."\k
10356 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0224.ogg,7;"If it is a butler's job to suffer...then I..."\k
10357 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0087.ogg,7;"No, didn't I tell you? A butler is one who supports. Think of it as being an indispensable cog in a well oiled machine..."　\k
10358 I still didn't understand, so I just wore my mask as always and continued spending my days serving as Milady's conversation partner and an 'audience' for Milord.\k
10359 As far as Milady's illness was concerned, I couldn't ask anyone, especially Milady herself, about it.\nI wish I'd never found out about it.\n\k
10360 But, when I thought about how Milady was acting more selfishly than before, I figured, she probably wanted to let it all out on me since I knew everything.\k
10361 Her games got more extravagant and bold and she kept making cruel and unreasonable demands of me.\k
10362 She laughed a lot and got angry a lot, like she was brightly burning up the last of her life.\k
10363 And, as if guided by that flame, in another place, a new life was born.\k
10364 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0083.ogg,7;"My child's been born! It's a healthy baby boy."\k
10365 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0225.ogg,7;"...What?"\k
10366 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0084.ogg,7;"It's Yuko. She had my baby. I've achieved my goal, no need to hide it anymore."\k
10367 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0226.ogg,7;"Wha, whatt...!?"\k
10368 The female college student, Yuko Maeda, who Milord met by chance at a concert and abruptly entered a sexual relationship with...had Milord's child...?\k
10369 You're far too blunt.\nYou made that poor girl who's much to young to become a mother bear your child?\nWhat are you going to do with Milady?\n\n\k
10370 My head was full of things I mustn't say.\k
10371 Suddenly there was a knock at the door and strangely, Milady entered.\k
10372 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0097.ogg,8;"Dear, what did you want to talk about?"\k
10373 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0085.ogg,7;"Oh, rejoice, Ruriko. You needn't worry about an heir anymore."\k
10374 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0227.ogg,7;"...Huh?"\k
10375 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0098.ogg,8;"What?"\k
10376 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0086.ogg,7;"I had a certain woman bear our child."\k
10377 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0228.ogg,7;"Mil...!?"\k
10378 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0087.ogg,7;"She's a smart, young, healthy woman. She gave birth to a healthy baby boy who looks just like me. She's from a family who'll do anything for money, so they let her have the kid. We'll take that child into the Kamishiro family and, Ruriko, you and I will raise him as our son."\k
10379 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0099.ogg,8;"Oh my! Really!? A child for me!? I can have a child!?"　　　\k
10380 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0088.ogg,7;"I've gotta invite here here first. I'm sure you want to see him as soon as possible."\k
10381 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0100.ogg,8;"Yes, yes! Ahh...I can't wait...! My baby...! What will we name him?"　　　\k
10382 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0089.ogg,7;"I've already decided. His name is 'Tomoaki.'"\k
10383 I feel like I caught a glimpse of what makes Milord truely terrifying.\nI guess this is what it means to get what you want by any means nessecary.\n\k
10384 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0101.ogg,8;"Hey, Mizoguchi. Send away for a bottle of this year's Romanée-Conti. It's sure to be an especially fine year."\k
10385 But, when I saw how happy Milady was, I felt my mask become more firmly attached to my face.\k
10386 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0229.ogg,7;"A congratulatory gift?"\k
10387 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0102.ogg,8;"Oh no. I thought I'd get it for my child...for Tomoaki to open and drink on his twentieth birthday."{note: the age of majority and the drinking age in Japan is 20}\k
10388 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0103.ogg,8;"Because I'm sure I'll no longer be in this world when Tomoaki grows up... I want to leave something behind, you know?"\k
10389 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0230.ogg,7;"Milady..."\k
10390 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0104.ogg,8;"You're the other thing I'll be leaving him, Mizoguchi."\k
10391 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0231.ogg,7;"Huh...?"\k
10392 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0105.ogg,8;"When I'm gone, do what you think is best for Tomoaki, okay?"\k
10393 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0232.ogg,7;"What are you saying? You still have many years ahead of you. Let's throw him a coming of age party together. Plus, Mr. Anzai is a pretty tenacious fellow, I'm sure he'll still be around, right?"\k
10394 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0106.ogg,8;"Ohohoho! You're right."　\k
10395 A little while later, when he heard that Lady Yuko and Lord Tomoaki had been discharged from the hospital with no trouble, Milord immediately prepared to invite them to the mansion.\k
10396 Milord must have concealed the details of his status to her, becauese Lady Yuko was absolutely awestruck once she arrived at the mansion.\k
10397 \aYuko;\oKAKO_001_YUKO_0001.ogg,8;"...Uh, Um...I didn't know you were this rich...I-I...I must be in the wrong place..."\k
10398 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0090.ogg,7;"Hahaha. What, don't be so tense. It might look a bit showy, but it's my home."\k
10399 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0091.ogg,7;"Is Tomoaki alright?"\k
10400 \aYuko;\oKAKO_001_YUKO_0002.ogg,8;"Y-Yeah. He's sound asleep right now. I guess he's fine around lots of people. Even loud sounds don't wake him when he's sound asleep...he's pretty hardy."\k
10401 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0092.ogg,7;"Hahaha! The manlier the better, right!"　\k
10402 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0093.ogg,7;"By the way, Yuko, You've accepted everything, right. The fact that I have a wife and the child will become part of the Kamishiro family. And in exchange, I'll buy you a house or a car or whatever you want to ensure you live a carefree life."\k
10403 \aYuko;\oKAKO_001_YUKO_0003.ogg,8;"...Uh, yeah..."\k
10404 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0094.ogg,7;"Let me introduce you. This is my wife, Ruriko."\k
10405 \aYuko;\oKAKO_001_YUKO_0004.ogg,8;"...What!?"\k
10406 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0107.ogg,8;"Pleased to meet you. Yuko Maeda was it? It's a pleasure. I welcome you with open arms."　\k
10407 \aYuko;\oKAKO_001_YUKO_0005.ogg,8;"Uh...!? Wha...um...!?"　\k
10408 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0108.ogg,8;"Thank you for bearing my child."\k
10409 \aYuko;\oKAKO_001_YUKO_0006.ogg,8;"......"\k
10410 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0109.ogg,8;"Could I hold Tomoaki?"\k
10411 Milady held out her hands.\nLady Yuko pulled him from her chest for a moment, concerned for the baby's head, before gently embracing him again.\n\k
10412 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0110.ogg,8;"Oh, it's alright. I knowh ow to hold a baby."\k
10413 Milady grabbed Tomoaki like she was snatching him away.\k
10414 \aYuko;\oKAKO_001_YUKO_0007.ogg,8;"...Ah..."\k
10415 \aRuriko;\oKAKO_001_RURI_0111.ogg,8;"My, you're heavier than you look. You seem like a healthy child. Your future's safe with us. Ah, he's so warm. Heh...you're so cute...You really do look just like my husband."\k
10416 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0233.ogg,7;"......"\k
10417 What is normal and what is abnormal?\nWhat is right and what is wrong?\nI didn't know anymore.\n\n\k
10418 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0095.ogg,7;"Alright now, let's settle this. I wasn't planning on having some big ceremony. Let's just have a comfortabe meal. If you need anything, ask the maids."\k
10419 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0088.ogg,7;"Lady Maeda, please, this way."\k
10420 \aYuko;\oKAKO_001_YUKO_0008.ogg,8;"...O-Okay..."\k
10421 Where there should have been love and affection, no matter how I looked at it, something had gone wrong. It's been like that for quite a long time now, really.\k
10422 I always just do my best.\nNow and forever.\n\k
10423 If love is a river, even a single stone can change the flow.\k
10424 I staked everything I had on becoming that stone.\nThat is what came of my very best efforts.\n\k
10425 Lady Yuko and Lord Tomoaki went missing.\k
10426 None of her friends, family or even distant relatives had a clue where they'd gone.\k
10427 Milord, angered that she had broken their promise, hired a private investigator to find Lord Tomoaki.\k
10428 Of course, Milady was quite angry too, but at the same time she said, 'I geuss I wasn't destined to be blessed with a child after all,' waxing philosophical about it.\k
10429 I too was desperately deploying plans every day,\k
10430 - to endure what Lady Yuko and Lord Tomoaki woudln't be found.――\k
10431 I had Lady Yuko's address and contact information from back when only I knew about Milord and her relationsip.\k
10432 Right after that strange dinner, I took the opportunity to visit Lady Yuko.\k
10433 This is what she told me:\nShe knew that he had a wife, and that he had planned to take the baby into the Kamishiro family - this was apparently all established from the moment he found out she was pregnant. \n\k
10434 Lady Yuko said she planned be with him.\nShe thought she could pursuade her family to approve of her becoming a young mother and even marrying a man old enough to be her father, but...\n\k
10435 She was betrayed, and when she saw the face of her newborn child, she cried, saying she couldn't bare to part with Tomoaki.\k
10436 I wanted to see proper love, properly lavished poured into the right place...\nI know I have no right to determine what is 'right' or 'proper' but, at the very least, I knew that Lady Yuko and I had the same values. \n\k
10437 I didn't mean to betray Milord and Milady.\nBut, I thought that, until he became an adult and could advocate for himself, he shouldn't be in that environment, but with Lady Yuko where he'd be showered with proper love.\n\k
10438 Lord Tomoaki can decide for himself how he wants to live when the time comes.\k
10439 I prepared a place in the country where my mother's family lived for Yuko to hide.\k
10440 The search was first first concentrated within the city, and I had to orchestrate her moves from the shadows, while finding my own way back to the city.{this doesn't sound right, Mizoguchi why is your narration so hard to follow?}\k
10441 Meanwhile, I tried to pursuade Milord.\nThat since he was certainly blood related, that perhaps it would be best to have Lord Tomoaki take over when he became an adult.\n\k
10442 Before long, he was forced to call off the search for Lady Yuko and Lord Tomoaki.\k
10443 No, it had nothing to do with what I was doing.\k
10444 Milady passed away.\k
10445 It happened so fast, I didn't even have time to cry.\nWell, more like I had to hold back my tears.\n\k
10446 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0234.ogg,7;"Milord...If you don't get ready soon..."\k
10447 Milord didn't seem to care to attent Milady's funeral service.\nDid she mean that little to you...?\n\k
10448 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0096.ogg,7;"...You go in my place."\k
10449 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0235.ogg,7;"Milord...that would be..."\k
10450 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0097.ogg,7;"...No, I don't want to go..."\k
10451 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0236.ogg,7;"Milord...?"\k
10452 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0098.ogg,7;"I don't want to believe she's dead... So that's why I can't. I don't want to go...I don't want to see her like that..."\k
10453 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0237.ogg,7;"......"\k
10454 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0099.ogg,7;"Mizoguchi...Ruriko liked you. Please, go in my place. I'm begging you...\k
10455 Oh, Milord...you...\k
10456 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0100.ogg,7;"For Ruriko's sake, wear your uniform, not funeral clothes...just like you always do...say goodbye to her...for me...please..."\k
10457 How awkward you are...\k
10458 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0238.ogg,7;"...I shall do as you say, Milord."\k
10459 When I went into the hall, I could hear Elite's 'Love Song' coming from his room.\k
10460 That was when I finally realized that when Milord put on 'Love Song' on a whim, it was for Milady.{why is this actually sad even though by all accounts Kamishiro is a terrible person?}\k
10461 Milady wasn't a butterfly traversing flowers.\nEven though Milady, who lived uninhibited, craving luxury and saiting her lust with any number of men, called herself a butterfly, she was not.\n\k
10462 She wanted to be a beloved flower.\nThere was just one person she wanted to look upon her.\nAnd she was a flower.\n\n\k
10463 That's why she passed on while she was still beautiful, before she whithered away...\nShe passed on without ever knowing how Milord really felt about her...\n\k
10464 Milord is like an intense rain, beating down on all creation, and although it may have hurt the flowers, the water soaking into the earth was surely Milord's love...\k
10465 They loved each other, but...\nHow could they have gotten through to each other?\nHow could they have been happy?\n\n\k
10466 Even if I'd known everything, there wasn't anything I could do.\k
10467 That evening, when I was alone in silence, I finally cried.\k
10468 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0239.ogg,7;"...Uh, uh...nn...ahhh...ahhhhhhhh..."\k
10469 Crying in Milord's place was the only thing I could do.\k
10470 For ages, the whole estate was dyed in deep sadness having lost our flower and the dull days spun on.\k
10471 Is this what it means to have a hole in your heart?\k
10472 The maids suddenly burst into tears while carrying the laundry.\nOur skilled chef's knife skills were a shadow of what they sued to be.\nAnd the sullen expressions on the manservants' faces during morning assembly made it seem more like a vigil.\n\n\k
10473 While all the life may have gone out of the mansion, one major thing changed.\k
10474 That being the male servants' uniforms.\nWe stopped wearing neckties during the day, and wore bowties all day.\n\k
10475 It was because Milord said that black neckties were mourning dress and he hated them.\k
10476 At a glance, it seemed like nothing had changed about Milord. He was always surrounded by an aura of intense self-confidence, firm in his work and wearing his usual strong smile when ordering the staff about.\k
10477 However, he was ordering more 'night service' than usual, and he seemed to be trying to forget everything in his excessive tormenting of the staff. It was rather sad.\k
10478 Milord had the biggest hole in his heart.\nAnd to fill that hole and crush his feelings, he tormented the staff horribly.\n\k
10479 One day, I went down into the wine cellar and found Milord there.\k
10480 His face looked lifeless and his steps seemed aimless. I had a bad feeling about this.\k
10481 Could he be hurting himself in this place away from prying eyes... or even trying to take his own lie...!\nHis state was so abnormal, it made me jump to those conclusions.\n\k
10482 I went after Milord right away.\k
10483 As I ran down the steps, I heard a loud noise.\k
10484 The sound of glass breaking over and over.\k
10485 In the middle of it, I found Milord, with a wine bottle raised over his head, with a ghastly look on his face, full of anger and tears.\k
10486 He threw the bottle against the ground with all his might and grabbed another bottle from the shelves and turned it to shards too. I couldn't get near him.\n\k
10487 The shelves grew bare and shards of glass covered the floor.\k
10488 When Milord grabbed the last bottle, I cried out.\k
10489 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0240.ogg,7;"Milord! No!"　\k
10490 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0101.ogg,7;"...Nn!!"\k
10491 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0241.ogg,7;"That's Milady's gift for Lord Tomoaki when he comes of age...!"\k
10492 Milord's body trembled.\nLike his chest was being squeezed.\n\k
10493 Finally, Milord set the bottle down softly on the table.\k
10494 Milord just stood there, not telling me to get out or let him go.\k
10495 I could feel Milord's body heat, and I couldn't believe the words that left my mouth.\k
10496 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0242.ogg,7;"Milord...please, take me to your bed..."\k
10497 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0102.ogg,7;"......Mizoguchi."\k
10498 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0243.ogg,7;"...You can be as cruel as you like to me, I don't mind...If it'll divert you, please, take me..."\k
10499 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0103.ogg,7;"......"\k
10500 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0104.ogg,7;"I can't sleep with you."\k
10501 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0244.ogg,7;"...Nn...I-I'm so sorry...! I had no right to say that...forgive me...!"　\k
10502 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0105.ogg,7;"...You belong to Ruriko. So I can never take you."\k
10503 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0245.ogg,7;"Huh..."\k
10504 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0106.ogg,7;"You loved Ruriko, didn't you? I won't dirty you. You're the only one I won't touch..."\k
10505 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0246.ogg,7;"Milord..."\k
10506 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0107.ogg,7;"Mizoguchi...Please, don't leave me..."\k
10507 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0247.ogg,7;"...I won't. I'll be by your side forever..."\k
10508 I guess I live to protect this person from everything...\k
10509 Milady's room was sealed off, without going through her posessions.\k
10510 Milady hated the idea of her room being cleaned, so I'm sure she'd be upset if I touched anything.\nI guess, no one had accepted Milady's death yet.\n\k
10511 Standing in front of her door now, I feel like Milady might come out at any moment and say, 'Mizoguchi, let's talk.'\k
10512 I was the last person in the room.\nMr. Anzai said this job seemed right for me.\n\k
10513 Milady, please forgive me for entering your room without permission just this once.\nI entrusted the key to the wine cellar to Milady for eternity...\n\k
10514 From that day on, Milord decided to never drink wine again.\nOut of guilt for not being able to love Milady honestly.\n\k
10515 There were no lively parties in the mansion anymore.\nMilady was always the one who had organized them and Milord was never fond of such showy events.\n\k
10516 Ultimately, there was less need for servants, so sevaral of the manservants and all of the maids were let go.\nMost of the maids who had cared for Milady had already retired...\n\k
10517 Of course, Mr. Anzai gave them all letters of recomendation for future employment.\nThey were all very capable people, so I'm sure they could be of use in another estate.\n\k
10518 And then, Mr. Anzai had grown rather weak, and when he turned 60, he stepped down from his position.\k
10519 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0248.ogg,7;"But, I still need you, Mr. Anzai..."\k
10520 \aAnzai;\oKAKO_001_ANZA_0089.ogg,7;"You'll be fine. I guarantee you have a perfect butler's heart. Please, work hard."\k
10521 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0249.ogg,7;"...I will. Mr. Anzai, please take care of yourself..."\k
10522 All sorts of flowers dissapeared from the estate.{not literal flowers, also a bit of a back-reference to that thing in Arisato's route about the mansion lacking flowers, sounds awkward though so idk}\k
10523 But, perhaps Milord needed the quiet to calm his heart.\k
10524 I guess he kept seeing Milady's shadow in large numbers of people bustling about the grounds, and the lively scenery...\k
10525 Finally, Milord regained his footing a bit, and spent less time smashing people and things with his intense emotions, and seemed about to reopen the search for Lady Yuko and Lord Tomoaki.\k
10526 But this time, Milord himself fell ill.\nHe was at his limit both mentally and physically.\nUntil the doctor said it wasn't a fatal condition, I was terrified for his life. \n\n\k
10527 According to the diagnosis, it wasn't a serious illness. While he was hospitalized, we talked and laughed a lot to clear away his concerns. He even left the hospital on his own two feet when he was discharged.\k
10528 To an outsider, he probably didn't look any different from before he collapsed.\k
10529 By the way, to Milord...no, to the Kamishiro family, there was a fatal side-effect.\k
10530 He had become impotent.\nIn other words, he couldn't produce any more children.\n\k
10531 Naturally, Milord resumed his search for Lord Tomoaki with renewed frenzy.\k
10532 My pathetic skills were ultimately for naught and Lady Yuko and Lord Tomoaki's whereabouts were discovered in no time at all.\k
10533 Lord Tomoaki was already three years old.\nWhen last I saw him, his hands were the size of Japanese maple leaves. Children really do grow quickly.\n\k
10534 He was a bit mischevious, but seemed quite clever, and strongly resembled Milord.――――\k
10535 Lady Yuko and I had thought about what to do a while ago, and desperately pleaded with Milord.\nWe begged him to wait until Tomoaki came of age to allow him to decide for himself if he wanted to leave his birth family and join the Kamishiro house.\n\k
10536 Maybe it was because of our persistence, but Milord finally accepted the idea.\k
10537 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0108.ogg,7;"...Fine. I'll wait until Tomoaki turns twenty. However, I'll be sending someone to check up on you occasionally and report back to me."\k
10538 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0250.ogg,7;"T-Thank you very much...!"\k
10539 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0109.ogg,7;"And then, prepare a bank account for Yuko so I can provide her with monthly child support."\k
10540 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0251.ogg,7;"As you wish...!"\k
10541 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0110.ogg,7;"As I'd suspected, Yuko's parenting policy isn't bad. As long as she keeps to her plan to 'let Tomoaki do what he wants' I won't complain."\k
10542 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0111.ogg,7;"Let's make it a bet. I wonder just how strong the curse of my...the Kamishiro blood is."\k
10543 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0252.ogg,7;"Huh...?"\k
10544 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0112.ogg,7;"If Tomoaki walks another path, then that's the end of it. The end of the Kamishiro blood. But, I believe Tomoaki will follow in my footsteps. So, why not make it a wager?"\k
10545 I didn't fully understand the meaning of Milord's words, but I was truely happy that Lord Tomoaki could grow up being properly loved.\k
10546 Because of his deteriorating physical condition, Milord couldn't eat what he liked or as much as he liked anymore, before long he even fired our most veteran chef.\k
10547 By now, there were only four servants in the estate, myself included - aside from the housekeepers who came twice a week.\nWe came up with a simple system for rotating who was in charge of our simple meals.――――\n\k
10548 Since we didn't have large events requiring lots of staff anymore, I realized that the pressure on me as butler wasn't nearly as great as what Mr. Anzai had to deal with. That at least was nice.\k
10549 Since I'd had the opportunity to exchange letters with Mr. Anzai and butlers I knew from other estates, they helped me not get crushed under the weight of my position. \k
10550 Among the butlers' letters, there was one thing that stood out around that time.\nGuests rarely visited us so I was unaware of this development...\n\k
10551 Apparently these days, terms like 'manservant' and 'menial' have fallen out of favor with guests.\nI guess the times are a changing.\n\k
10552 Dry cleaners and classic French resturants doing delivery, all sorts of services like that started popping up, and tradidional servants like us became more unusual.\k
10553 Old words like 'manservant' and 'menial' that don't really exist outside fairytales and novels, seemed to have strong images attached to them, and, according to the letters, it wasn't at all uncommon for young ladies and gentelmen in particluar to demonstrate resistence to the terms.\k
10554 I don't remember exactly why I was called there, but when I went to Milord's room, he stopped me to talk for a bit. At which point, I said casually,\k
10555 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0253.ogg,7;"By the way, Milord, it appears that appelations like 'manservant' and 'menial' are no longer in favor these days. So, how about, from now on, we call all of the male servants butlers?"\k
10556 And Milord answered thusly,\k
10557 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0113.ogg,7;"Huh? Yeah sure, do what you want?"　\k
10558 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0254.ogg,7;"I appreciate your understanding."\k
10559 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0114.ogg,7;"Do you feel like you're under a lot of pressure being the only butler?"\k
10560 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0255.ogg,7;"...Shamefully, I must admit that I cannot completely deny that assertion..."\k
10561 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0115.ogg,7;"You're a strange fellow. Even though you've been here for ages, you still don't realize that no one would be a better butler for this estate than you. Well, I guess that's one of your good points."\k
10562 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0256.ogg,7;"...I'm not an amazing person like Mr. Anzai, I don't think I would be even remotely useful in any other estate... Milord, you're probably the only one I could ever be of use to as a butler."\k
10563 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0116.ogg,7;"What's wrong with that? What, do you want to go to another estate?"\k
10564 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0257.ogg,7;"No. So long as I can still use my arms and legs, I will be a butler in this estate."\k
10565 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0117.ogg,7;"I know. I just wanted to say it. Come on, hurry up and tell the others. I'm sure they'll be happy. They're all getting promoted to butler after all. Hahaha."\k
10566 Having suffered many tragedies and lost all its color, the estate had quieted down quite a bit, but before long it seemed like it should be like that, and the time passed gently.\k
10567 Ripening with age seemed like an appropriate way to describe the passing months and years.\k
10568 During that calm, azure-blue period, the seventh anniversary of Milady's passing came.\k
10569 Milord took the opportunity to let all the other butlers go, and the two of us quietly reminisced about when Milady was still with us.\k
10570 I had to do all the work by myself.\k
10571 I served as both a butler and chauffer, as his secretary when he was working, I prepared his food, did the cleaning and laundry, I was responsible for everything.\k
10572 Of course, there were a few things I couldn't handle no matter how hard I worked.\nFirst, I sugested that we demolish the defunct annex and seal up the in-house servants' quarters which were no longer in use. \n\k
10573 Although I needed to rely on contractors from time to time to get the job done, I was pleased that I'd finally become that 'indispensable cog.'\k
10574 Milord's personality had softened quite a bit.\k
10575 His moods were still intense as always and occasionally he would say crazy things and astound everyone around him, but he lent a helping hand to many young men with bright futures ahead of them.\nMilord, who put himself in the center of everything did.\n\k
10576 He was still friendly with his legal advisor and friend, Lord Sakuma.\k
10577 His son, Lord Kyoichi was now a high school student, though he didn't visit the estate much anymore because he was busy with exams.――――\k
10578 Lord Sakuma wanted Lord Kyoichi to become a lawyer like him.\nBut, Lord Kyoichi didn't agree and their relationship became rather rocky. \n\k
10579 Milord was saddled with the task of arbitrating their frequent fights.\k
10580 One day, Lord Kyoichi suddenly showed up at the estate, saying, 'I've run away from home, please let me stay here,' and I was shocked to the core. \k
10581 Milord happily invited Lord Kyoichi in and ordered me to prepare him a meal and a room.\k
10582 Later, Lord Sakuma called, and they talked for a long time...I remember him shouting into the phone, 'Let him do what he wants!' very clearly.\k
10583 Milord had wanted the same thing for Lord Tomoaki, to 'let him do what he wants.'\k
10584 It was clear evidence that he was starting to think about the boys' futures and what Milord had entrusted them with.\k
10585 Milord told me this as well,\n'When Tomoaki follows in my footsteps some day, I want you to serve him.'\n\k
10586 And also, 'I want to spend my last years quietly alone, somewhere far away.'\k
10587 If that is what Milord desires, I can only abide.\nBut, I think that's still a long way off.\n\k
10588 If we were to think of the 'ripening with age' since Milady passed on as seasons, I think we would be in winter now.\nAfter winter ends, spring comes again.\n\k
10589 As evidence of the change in seasons, Milord started gathering young buds about him.\k
10590 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0118.ogg,7;"It seems we have a mouse in the garden."\k
10591 He said suddenly, coffee in hand.\k
10592 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0258.ogg,7;"Excuse me?"\k
10593 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0119.ogg,7;"I hadn't noticed until now. Even though they haven't been touched in ages...Ruriko's white roses are still alive."\k
10594 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0259.ogg,7;"...There's a mouse in the garden?"\k
10595 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0120.ogg,7;"Some kid snuck into the garden."\k
10596 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0260.ogg,7;"What? My apologies, I didn't notice. I wonder how they got in. I'll chase them out right away..."　\k
10597 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0121.ogg,7;"Oh, no, it's fine. Actually, they've already snuck in several times before. It's an elementary schooler...boy I think."\k
10598 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0261.ogg,7;"Ho...I didn't notice at all...I'm so terribly sorry!"\k
10599 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0122.ogg,7;"Well, figures. I haven't been near that mess of a garden in years myself. I've just let the grass grow and he hid himself in it. I just stumbled upon him by accident. Well, just leave him be."\k
10600 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0262.ogg,7;"Are you sure? What if he causes mischief in the estate..."　\k
10601 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0123.ogg,7;"I don't think we have to worry about that. He just seems intersted in the garden, he even started weeding it. I think he wants to clean up the garden. He's a strange kid, don't you think?"\k
10602 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0263.ogg,7;"Huh?"\k
10603 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0124.ogg,7;"I wanna see how far he'll get. I thought it was funny so I mentioned it to you. If you see him, pretend you didn't notice him, alright?"\k
10604 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0264.ogg,7;"Understood..."\k
10605 Little by little, the disaster of a garden was put in order.\k
10606 If Milord thinks it entertaining - even if it was a crime - I can approve of it.\nI think Milord still hasn't lost his boyish heart either.――――\n\k
10607 The 'young buds' were so full of energy, I almost felt jealous, but their enthusiasm didn't always generate positive results.\k
10608 Up until now, Lord Kyoichi's 'running away' had always been limited to staying overnight for him and Lord Sakuma to cool their heads, but it became a more serious matter.\k
10609 When Lord Kyoichi showed up at the estate with a bunch of luggage, Milord told him, 'I'm glad you picked this place before you ran away and didn't end up somewhere strange,' and gave him a hug.\k
10610 I don't know precisely what happened, but Milord said that their parent-child relationship was irreparable.\k
10611 But, Milord did push Lord Kyoichi away once.\k
10612 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0125.ogg,7;"I may not have been much of a parent to you, but I know there's only one of me in this world. If there's something you want to do, show me your determination and make it happen. Show me you can be independent."\k
10613 \aKamishiro;\oKAKO_001_KAMI_0126.ogg,7;"It is the child's duty to finish the parents' job {of raising them}. That's when you can say you're an adult."\k
10614 Lord Kyoichi listened attentively to what he said and I hear later that he attended technical school to learn skills while he graduated from college.\k
10615 Afterward, he immediately went overseas and didn't return until he graduated from butler school in England.{Sakuma is hardcore}\k
10616 I never would have imageined that what Lord Kyoichi 'wanted to do' was serve as Milord's butler.\k
10617 After seeing just how serious he was, there's no way Lord Sakuma could disagree with his decision.\k
10618 When Milord switched legal advisors to someone other than Lord Sakuma - so that Lord Sakuma could gain more prestige, it had nothing to do with Lord Kyoichi's situation - Lord Kyoichi joined the staff of the estate.――――\k
10619 With more hands, my workload became lighter.\k
10620 More than anything, it delighted Milord.\nBecause the Lord Kyoichi he'd doted on now adored him anew as a butler.\n\k
10621 No, he's my subordinate now, I shouldn't call him Lord Kyoichi anymre.\nIt took me a while to stop calling him 'Lord Kyoichi.'\n\k
10622 Lord Kyoichi...Sakuma, learned the lay of the estate on his own.\nHe didn't need several days to figure it out like I had in the past.\n\k
10623 But, unlike me, he was a smart kid who had a proper upbringing and learned the trade at technical school, so at shocking speed he became a capable butler, suited to the Kamishiro estate.\k
10624 But, in accordance with custom, I didn't let him serve at dinner right away.\k
10625 At first, I had Sakuma attend Milord on private outings, and taught him more detailed work when he wasn't busy.\k
10626 Milord was apparently trying to amass young butlers from here on 'for Tomoaki's sake some day.'\k
10627 I was alredy thinking about leaving Sakuma in charge of the future generation of servants, but he'll need to be taught how to be in charge.\k
10628 I say he needs to be 'taught' but as long as he learns one thing, he'll be fine...\k
10629 'Serve with sincerity and devotion, and always do what you think is your very best,'\nJust that.\n\k
10630 (I started to work out Milord's plan for the young butlers.\nIt was about letting 'him do what he wants.'){Tomoaki that is}（\n）\k
10631 But, these days, finding tallented men to hire as butlers isn't an easy task. There aren't many people who want to be butlers anyway.\k
10632 But, since they'll ultimately be Lord Tomoaki's butlers, they still have to be young. They were reather strict conditions.\k
10633 Milord said 'not to worry about their education,' but even with the conditions relaxed in that area, I still couldn't really find appropriate butlers.\k
10634 When we finally found a candidate for a second butler, Sakuma had been working here for three years already. Milord brought him back personally.\k
10635 He told me he snagged him from a resturant kitchen.\n...He's making a chef a butler?\n\k
10636 When he went out, Sakuma was attending him as he always did, so when I asked what on Earth happened, apparently he had been treated quite rudely at the resturant and threw a fit.\k
10637 The place had made the error of serving Milord wine, which he'd pleged never to drink again.\nSakuma didn't know the precise circumstances, but I could imagine how angry Milord must have been at the mistake.\n\k
10638 If it was just some wine in the sauce... they probably just didn't think Milord could be quite that fastidious about his abstaining from wine.\k
10639 At any rate, from what I was told, apparently a desert with 'white wine~' in the title was brought out and Milord was indignant at them not following through with what he'd asked,～\k
10640 And then apparently the chef came flying out of the kitchen shouting, 'then you shouldn't have any problems if I use sake, right!' and poured sake all over the dish...apparently.\k
10641 And then, a few minutes later, he remade the dish with sake instead of wine as an apology.\k
10642 Sakuma was burning with anger, but I guess this is the kind of story Milord likes after all.\k
10643 Naturally, the chef who caused such a fuss in front of a bunch of customers was fired. And Milord, who was amused by the whole thing, picked him up, 'If you don't have another place in mind already, why not work at my estate as a butler/head chef?'\k
10644 Apparently his name is Komine.\nIt was a big boon for our estate to get a butler with such specialized skills as a head chef.\n\k
10645 The incident dragged up Milord's memories of Milady, so he spoke frankly about it with me afterward.\k
10646 He didn't want to erase his precious memories.\nBut he wanted to keep looking forward, for Lord Tomoaki's sake.\n\k
10647 It was most joyous as it wasn't just the estate that had entered a new season, but Milord himself as well.\k
10648 At that point, Sakuma and Komine were always fighting, and I wasn't really sure if they'd added to or lightened my burden...\k
10649 It was clearly spring in the garden as well.\k
10650 The boy who'd snuck into the yard had turned that messy, grass-filled patch of land into a beautiful garden.\nI wonder how many years that took?\n\k
10651 Both Milord and I had assumed he'd grow tired of it right away, but he kept coming back, earnestly, for a long time, so Milord finally talked to him. \k
10652 Though, really, it was more like he would have been a little too hard to ignore at this point.\k
10653 I'd watched him for years now, and I finally learned his name.\k
10654 This Ichinose fellow became our third butler.\k
10655 After that, we added Toudou and Arisato to our ranks, and Milord seemed most satisfied.\k
10656 Even I couldn't be considered a traditional butler, so I had no intention of being particularly strict on rules, but I think everyone was a bit eccentric.\k
10657 Milord later confirmed that he had selected these five men to become butlers, submissive to Lord Tomoaki's desires.\nEverything was a setup for Milord's 'gamble.'\n\k
10658 I couldn't do anything but wait for the time to come.\k
10659 You well know results of Milord's 'gamble.'\k
10660 \aTomoaki;\oKAKO_001_TOMO_0001.ogg,1;"Thanks for the food. I'm so full. Tasty as always."\k
10661 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0265.ogg,7;"That's just wonderful. By the way, Milord, would you care for some wine after your meal?"\k
10662 \aTomoaki;\oKAKO_001_TOMO_0002.ogg,1;"Hm? I don't have much of a tollerence though."　\k
10663 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0266.ogg,7;"There's one bottle in the wine cellar that I'm sure will be to your liking. I'd love for you to try it."\k
10664 \aTomoaki;\oKAKO_001_TOMO_0003.ogg,1;"Oh, that one Komine said was super rare? I kinda do wanna taste it."\k
10665 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0267.ogg,7;"Thank you very much. Well then..."\k
10666 I filled a glass with the wine, and Milady's feelings.――\k
10667 \aTomoaki;\oKAKO_001_TOMO_0004.ogg,1;"...Hmm. I don't really know if it's good or not?"\k
10668 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0268.ogg,7;"Hoho. It doesn't matter. This wine was just waiting for you to drink it. You've just made someone far away very happy."\k
10669 \aTomoaki;\oKAKO_001_TOMO_0005.ogg,1;"Oh, you mean the person who made the wine? Or the angel of wine or something?"　\k
10670 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0269.ogg,7;"Something like that."\k
10671 It's a year after his coming of age, but I finally fulfilled Milady's wish.\k
10672 After dinner, I was called by Master and had the following talk,\k
10673 \aTomoaki;\oKAKO_001_TOMO_0006.ogg,1;"Actually, you know...I don't know what I'm supposed to do now. I can't help being anxious. I dunno if I can take over Mr. Kamishiro's job taking care of the company and stuff."\k
10674 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0270.ogg,7;"Many things have happened all at once. It's understandable that you're confused. But, there's no need to rush. Just take each thing, one at a time, and think it over carefully."\k
10675 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0271.ogg,7;"I will support you when and however you need me. First and foremost, do what you want, Master. We will fulfuill your every desire, Master." \k
10676 \aTomoaki;\oKAKO_001_TOMO_0007.ogg,1;"Thanks, Mr. Mizoguchi."\k
10677 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0272.ogg,7;"...Master, please just call me Mizoguchi..."\k
10678 \aTomoaki;\oKAKO_001_TOMO_0008.ogg,1;"Alright, I've got a request right now then..."\k
10679 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0273.ogg,7;"Yes, anything."\k
10680 \aTomoaki;\oKAKO_001_TOMO_0009.ogg,1;"Mizoguchi, I wanna do something fun."\k
10681 Ahh...You really are...\k
10682 \aMizoguchi;\oKAKO_001_MIZO_0274.ogg,7;"As you wish, Master."\k
10683 Working for your sake is my joy.\k
10684 No. 27 For your sake\k