The Blue Journal: Untitled 3 [Katakana Asylum]

Part III

Waiting, my body tensing, I flattened myself against the wall as I patiently anticipated for something. My instincts kicking in, I slowly poked my head only to find two figures sitting idly on the plant box. I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard familiar voices.

"Oh, Asami-chan!" A female voice gushed. "You could've been in big trouble, you know!"

"I know." The other one answered with a mischievous giggle.

I smiled lightly as I heard the female chatter and giggles about me. I shook my head with relief as I was expecting a burglar or something lurking around the premises. I was about to take my leave when I suddenly heard her mention my name. I half-thought of going on my way but then curiosity winning the best out of me, I decided to stay and listen.

"You know very well that it isn't customary and proper for the lady of the house to sneak inside a guest's room! Especially a male's guest room!" The voice hissed. I heard Asami giggle.

"I know, I know." She said. Then her soft laughter died as her voice became somewhat misty. "But I couldn't help it." She added. I frowned now feeling stupid and bad about myself knowing for the fact that I was eavesdropping.

"But you now Mayo-chan." She continued softly. "He has the most beautiful face I've ever seen."

With that, I nearly stumbled forward. I breathed deeply, my lips curving into a tiny smile, my cheeks warming up.

"Hmm… yes I could agree with that." Mayo answered.

I took a peek and saw them on the plant box, gaily chatting away. Mayo was brushing her mistress' long hair while Asami made herself busy plucking the petals out of the lovely flower in her hand. Somehow, seeing that made me kind of sorry for the beautiful thing.

From the looks of it, Mayo is about the same age as Asami since each treated the other equally. Then I suddenly found my eyes landing on Asami. I felt my cheeks warm up even more as I saw her smile as Mayo said something humorous.

"Kirei…" I said to myself as I studied her pretty face being illuminated by the moonlight.

"You know, I was kind of sorry that I kicked him on his shin." Asami said as Mayo proceeded to pin her hair up once again. After the fastening the ribbon in place, Asami stood up. "I'll go and apologize to him." She declared walking away from Mayo.

"No, Asami-chan don't!" She said stopping her. "Someone might see and tell." She added. Asami stopped and faced her stubbornly.

"Then you stand and watch out!" she hissed.

Upon hearing this, I quickly scrambled to my feet and ran towards my room. Luckily, they didn't see even my shadow darting across the garden. After a few seconds, I'm finally standing before my room, my hand on the knob of the door. I was about to turn it when I heard her call my name softly. I turned around and saw her walking towards me quite uncertainly. I gave her a friendly smile.

"Asami-san?" I asked raising my eyebrows questioningly, hiding the knowledge I somehow gathered earlier. She approached slowly, her eyes cast down.

"Could I have a word with you, Seta-san?" She asked stopping in front of me. I then nodded my head and turned my full attention to her.

"What seems to be bothering the pretty Asami-san?" I asked. With that, she blushed. She bit her lip and turned away shyly. I myself turned away shyly too, surprised at what made me say that.

"Geez…" I thought. "These are all new to me!" I added as I remembered feeling nothing except well… oblivion. Now I found myself completely speechless, hardly smiling or grinning and shy unlike before.

She slowly looked up, no doubt surprised at my sudden shyness. Her cheeks still tinted pink, she spoke softly.

"I just want to apologize for giving you that awful kick on the shin." She said bowing deeply. "I was just desperate, that's all."

I smiled and shook my head. "Oh that," I said laughing a little. "It's-- it's nothing really. It didn't even hurt." I lied. But the truth is, it really hurt like hell since she is wearing once of those high wooden sandals.

Since when did I ever learn to lie to make somebody feel better? I asked myself. Before, I was taught by Shishio-san to speak always the truth and I have to admit that I'm not a big liar unlike Usui-san though I myself made some little, white lies but definitely not to Shishio-san. Well, there is nothing to lie about considering that I've always accomplished the missions he gave me without scrapes. It is just surprising that almost over night, I learned to speak flattery as every word came out flowery from my mouth.

She smiled and turned to me. "It's just that my father won't allow me to care for the sick for fear of catching them myself." She said.

I smiled and nodded my head, once again, hiding the knowledge I was able to pick up earlier. I just kept quiet and gazed at the moon.

"I hope you're feeling better already." She said gazing at the moon as well. Then she turned to me with a light smile on her face. "And I'm glad that you decided to accept my father's offer since I don't have anyone here talk to except Mayo." She added.

"It's my pleasure, Asami-san." I replied looking at her. "And besides I'm thankful for having a wonderful nurse." I added truthfully. She regarded me silently and not long after that, an awkward silence settled over us. I cleared my throat to get her attention and also to get rid of this unlikely feeling over me. She then turned to me seriously and said,

"Thank you for bringing father to his room."

"That's nothing compared to what you did for me, you know." I replied.

"Did he make you drink?" She asked frowning. I looked away so she wouldn't see the admiration plastered on my face.

"Well… not quite so." I said smiling away. She then reached out and placed her hand over my arm.

"You must excuse father." She began softly gazing at me through thick lashes. "He has been like that, drinking every night since mother died." Then she lifted her hand as if nothing happened.

I nodded once and then said good night to her. Just as she was about to turn around, she accidentally dropped her fan. Instinctively, I walked towards it, bent down and picked it up. She smiled gratefully as I handed the delicate fan to her awaiting hands, her fingers brushing against mine. At that moment, I felt something rushed up to my spine. She blushed furiously as we both looked away shyly. Well, I readily admit that I'm attracted to her right from the start.

Numbly, I murmured out an apology while she just smiled at me wordlessly. She then thanked me softly which I received with warm welcoming. Then after saying goodnight, she turned and started walking away from me. I closed my eyes as I inhaled the sweet cherry blossom scent she left behind, intoxicating my senses. Just then she stopped as if remembering something and turned once again to me, smiling coyly.

"This never happened, Seta-san." She said her eyes slightly narrowing. I smiled understandingly.

"Hai, Asami-san." I said waving my hand. "Sleep well." Then I watched her slowly disappear from my sight. Standing all alone, I sighed and shook my head.

"She's really something." I thought turning towards my room.

I found myself smiling as I remembered how she always sneaked to see me and it brought an unexpected feeling of flattery on my part. Surprisingly, I found myself asking if she was also feeling the same way. Was she also attracted to me? Or did I just imagine that sparkle in her eyes when we speak to one another?

I closed the door of my room and started getting ready for bed as I thought about the time I had wasted. I realized that I haven't got the chance to feel what it is to be like a boy. Usually, boys in Japan are courting at the age of eighteen. Now I'm twenty-three and still I don't know the first step on how to court a lady.

"Well," I thought as I lay on the bed. "Shishio-san never did include that as a part of my training." I added.

But then again, how could I lure a lady into courtship when I don't even have anything to offer? Even for myself? I considered the thought, as I lay wide-awake in my room.

"Yes, I should fix my life first before thinking about those things." I said to myself as I slowly closed my eyes and surrendered to sleep.

==========

We started out early the next morning. Hosokawa-san worked with such energy that it made my drop my jaw in amazement since he has been drinking heavily just last night and now he's up and about as if nothing hurts! Not even a headache or something!

He started the day by giving me half of the excess clothes in his shipment. At first I declined gracefully but he insisted since he noticed that I only brought a few extra clothes with me. Then after that he left me alone to work on some accounts in his office. After breakfast, I helped the servants clean the entire house by sweeping and watering the plants in the garden. It was no trouble anyway, considering how I love looking at them.

Then I saw her. She was wearing a light pink yukata and her hair is pulled up in a ponytail. She was carrying a big abaca tray filled with rice. I followed her with my eyes as I watched her gracefully join the other lady servants in sorting out the rice. I smiled to myself because at first, I thought that Asami-san would really play the part of the princess. But now, seeing her working and chatting with liveliness with the servants made me admire her more.

Then she looked up. Our gazes met. Mine smiling, hers shy. She gave me a light smile before turning away shyly. My smile broadened as I notice her looking at me under lowered lashes. Strangely, I felt amused at the bashfulness. I was about to lift the pail of water when suddenly I felt a strong hand against my shoulder.

"You dear or something boy?" I looked up surprised only to find Hosokawa-san frowning at me. "I've been trying to get your attention several times already and still you don't answer." I looked down and bowed.

"I'm sorry, sir." I murmured apologetically. Hosokawa-san then laughed and patted me gently on the shoulder.

"It's not a big deal my dear boy so don't you prostrate yourself like that." He said as I looked up and smiled.

From the corner of my eye, I felt Asami staring at me. It amused me me to think that she wasn't aware that I see her. Hosokawa-san stared at me once again, this time strangely.

"You've been thinking of someone, are you Soujirou-san?" He asked smiling mischievously. I stared at him and immediately understood what that smile had meant.

"Yes sir but I'm afraid its not a woman like what you've been thinking, sir." I replied politely. That made him guffaw louder.

"Very clever! I like that!" He exclaimed taking me by the arm and leading me to his private office. "Keep that up boy and you will go far!" he added.

For a second there I thought he had been drinking again but then I dismissed the idea since I didn't smell the stench of sake from him.

We reached the door of his office but before entering, he turned to me and smiled.

"Do you know your way around here?" He asked. I frowned as I paused to think.

"Is there any place I haven't been to?" I found myself asking remembering the many errands Shishio-san asked me to do. "Yes sir." I answered finally.

"Good." He said opening the door and entering inside. I followed him and stared at the mountain of papers on his desk.

"Sweet Buddha!" I exclaimed to myself. "How could this man take all of that?"

He rummaged something in his drawer while I was busy staring at the mound of paper works on his desk. But I didn't have to stare long because he immediately handed me a sheet of paper. I looked at it frowning slightly.

"Do you know those places?" He asked leaning over me and taking a look at the paper as well. I read the addresses one by one.

"This is all over town." I said to myself. I quietly rejoiced since I could pass on by the woods for shortcuts.

"Yes sir." I replied. He then walked towards his desk, opened his drawer only to fish out a stack of envelopes.

"Then your first job is to deliver all these letters to those addresses." He said handing me the envelopes. Then he shoved a small pouch on my hand. I looked at it with questioning eyes.

"Use this money for your errand." He said as I felt the velvet cloth around my fingers. I then nodded my head and bowed graciously.

"Thank you sir." I said. "Would there be anything else, sir?" I asked looking at him.

Hosokawa shook his head and dismissed me by a wave of his hand. I bowed and took my leave. As I was about to close the door behind me, I suddenly heard voices inside. I stopped and listened as I left a tiny creak open.

"Are you quite sure about this sir?" Fields, his English valet asked. I frowned. Due to my curiosity, I haven't noticed him inside the room as well.

"Sure on what?" I head Hosokawa ask tiredly.

"Sure about that stranger staying in here." Fields replied. I heard Hosokawa sigh.

"I understand your concern Fields and I'm grateful for it but the one thing I pride myself into is my good judgement of character." He answered.

It made me smile.

"That boy clearly needs help and I was just glad I got to be the one to help him." He said. "I passed by the road just in time when I found him sprawled on the ground. He could've been found my slave traders or something. In a way, I think I've just saved that boy's life." He continued.

"But sir…" Fields began. "We don't even know his past. What if he is wanted by the police or what if he is a murderer on the loose… it could very well ruin what you've built up so hard."

"I know, I know but I'm giving him time." Hosokawa replied. "You can't just expect a stranger to blurt out his life most especially his past."

"But that's just it! You said it yourself. Stranger. He is a stranger." Fields added stubbornly.

"And so were and so was I." Hosokawa added. "I'm just returning the favor, Fields. Doing to others what Elizabeth's father did to me when I was merely a boy. And besides, I have this strange feeling that Soujirou-san is not a stranger. That boy reminds me of the son I might have had if not for Elizabeth's miscarriage. He could've been the same as Soujirou."

With that, I smiled and walked away, hearing enough. The words of Hosokawa-san still ringing fresh in my mind. Then something inside of me made me say that I will not let Hosokawa-san down.

"I will be the best messenger for him." I thought, determined to make Fields eat his very own words.

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