What We've Missed Without You

chapter 8

*sorry for mistakes*

Airi held onto Momoi's black skirt as her lilac eyes wandered around the large gothic interior of the manor, clutching onto the material tightly while the blonde-to-white haired girl patted her head comfortingly. Airi looked up, “Onee-chan, it's cold in here...And scary looking.”

“It's just the style the owner likes, don't worry about it.”

“Miss Komori, Karlheinz-sama is expecting you.” The whistling voice of an old man entered the lone main hall, immediately Momoi and Airi jumped at the sight of an aged butler who seemingly popped out of nowhere. The butler, who seemed unfazed, spoke politely. “This way, if you may.”

“R...Right.” Momoi dryly gulped, feeling the tension rise in the seven-year-old next to her, nevertheless followed the butler and ushered Airi to move along with her. The two girls walked a comfortable amount of distance behind the old man while their citrine and amethyst colored eyes wandered along the halls. Lavender walls, wooden panelling below the victorian-styled wallpaper with intricate patterns carved into the wood, the deep blue floors, the single chandelier handing in each different hall the three went through, the occasional small table with a medium-sized vase of roses arranged neatly, and an overall chill in the air that made Airi feel on edge as she walked alongside her older sister. With small fists bunching up the silky material of Momoi's skirt, Airi followed like a duckling with her white shoes clicking on the hard floor with each little step. After a few more moments of silent walking, the butler stopped and turned to face the twelve-year-old and bowed his head. "Karlheinz-sama is right through this door."

"Okay...Is there anywhere Airi can stay for the meantime?" The citrine-eyed girl inquired, feeling the small girl huddle closer to her legs out of rising fear, telling her that she didn't want to separate from her. The old man didn't spare the seven-year-old below him a single look before giving Momoi a quick and formal response. "Of course, there's a game room she can spend her time in. When you're finished, a maid can show you the way."

"I see, thank you." Momoi thanked, then knelled down to Airi's height. Her twin tails fell like a pale golden waterfall onto the ground until they turned white at the ends as her voice lured Airi to listen like a hummingbird attracted to a flower's nectar; comforting and sweetened so deliciously, "Airi...Can you be a big girl and follow the man to the game room? You'll wait in there until I'm done and then we'll leave."

"B-But Airi is scared...Airi doesn't wanna leave Onee-chan..."

"I am too...But you have items to protect you during troubling times. You have Bonnie to protect you from the scary monsters that want to pick on you...And you have mother's rosary on you, don't you?" Airi nodded, proceeding then to stick a hand down the neck of her dress to produce a rosary that was the size of her hand, made of pearl and pale pink rose quarts with a bold hot pink sapphire in the center. Momoi placed a hand on the piece of religious jewelry and calmly spoke. "With this, mother can always protect you...No matter what. As long as you have this, you won't be hurt...Okay?"

Airi nodded and brought the rosary close to her head, squeezing her lilac eyes shut as she gave off a silent prayer and then shoved the piece of jewelry back into the neck of her dress. Momoi slowly stood back up and waved Airi goodbye before taking a deep breath in and knocked on the door. "It's Komori Momoi."

"Ah yes, do come in." A deep voice called out, muffled by the thickness of the wooden door separating the two. The young girl silently prepared herself before opening the door to reveal a gothic-themed study. Various of dark-colored wooden furniture scattered the place, the walls were a deep shade of purple, the carpeted floor looked like it had a layer of charcoal brushed onto its surface, an old grandfather clock sat at the corner of the room ticking away while a vase of white roses rested on a nearby table, making a stark contrast to the rest of the items in the room. There, in the middle of the room, sitting at a dark-colored desk in front of a fireplace and had a couple moderate-sized stacks of papers in front of him, was Karlheinz in all of his glory. The white-haired male looked up with his golden cat-like eyes and gave off a smile. "I've been anxiously awaiting for you, my eldest granddaughter. Come and have a seat, I'll have a made fetch us some tea."