Astraeus

Chapter 1: Difficulties (1)

Janese, 19##

The Shirizawa House is busy as always. Although no urgent event is coming up, they still must do everything perfectly. The first rule of the mansion was set by the current head of the family, Shirizawa Ryuichi. The man himself, his wife, and 2 kid are a mystery to the common folk, the knowledge they have is cut short by the huge fund the Family holds and the unimaginable talents that go down in the household for many generations.

Though, if we're talking about the higher society, it's a completely different story. The respect they possess is absolute. Art, music, and writing is their specialty, countless children have succeeded so far and act all around the world, like hope in the darkness. Keeping the nobles alive and bright for a greater future, it's a true mighty duty.

An amazing family line,....right?

„Oh, young master Mahiru, I apologize for bothering you during your free time...., but did you perhaps see young master Misaki?" The tree now shields the maid from the sunlight as she approaches the boy. The other looks up, his aqua-blue eyes meet with brown. A truly unforgettable sight.

„He skipped his lesson again, didn't he?" A sympathetic smile comes from him. „Ah, yes indeed, his teacher is greatly displeased, it's his third time doing this." She says with a bitter tone, but her face doesn't show how annoyed she is. The boy lets out a sigh and puts his hand on his forehead. "Miss, you seem tense. I ask for your and his educator's forgiveness on his behalf, poor man, he might lose his remaining hair because of him, what a pesky gremlin..."

Suddenly the tree starts shaking above them, and they could hear giggling. A few leaves land on the sitting boy's purple hair. „Was it just my imagination or did the branches just move?" She stared at it intensively. „Probably a squirrel or something, lively animals what can I say." He sweeps the leaves from his hair. „Right...." she didn't take her eyes off the tree, as if she knows someone is up there.

„Ehem,..... miss." Mahiru clears his throat and closes his book rather aggressively, which catches the maid's attention. „If you wish to find my brother, you should probably look in the library." Neither of them says anything for a moment. "The library...?" Asked the other. "With all due respect... master Misaki isn't the type who is capable of staying in one area for a long period. I don't think a place full of books would suit him because it's obvious that he dislikes studying. So why would he be there?" The glare she gives to him radiates that she thinks he said something unbelievable.

A chuckle comes from Mahiru. „Hard to consider right? You know he is a sneaky one. I mean, he is not always causing trouble, for him lazing around is also one of his favourite activities. The library is the best hiding spot for it. It's around 12:45 pm so most of the staff is currently having break time, so no one is guarding the place. Perfect opportunity to slip in." He gives a warm smile to her.

The maid takes a deep breath. "Sigh.... then that's why I have never been able to catch him. That child is quite the headache." Her voice is harsher than before. "He is still a kid, so please don't blame him too much" His tone remains soft, but there is a little coldness in it, that the other doesn't recognize at first.

„Young master, you are far too kind, how come you are highly more intelligent than him, despite him being older?" She crosses her arms. "Being the eldest in the Shirizawa household is a huge responsibility and if he keeps acting like a fool, then it will be the downfall of this family after he inherited it from his father.... Argh, I don't even want to think about it."

Mahiru immediately narrows his eyes at her. „Hahaha, that's... kinda funny, actually. If my brother is a fool...then you must be a rat, right? Causing damage to everyone, talking poorly about people whom you are not even close with, sticking your nose into others' business, and carrying rumors all around the house like some disease without thinking. It describes you perfectly." A wide smile appears on his face, and without a question, the atmosphere becomes suffocating.