My "Ikemen" Butler

Chapter 24: My Mistress, Scared

          “So that’s it? That’s the reason why she didn’t want me to see her? ‘Cause she’s afraid that I’ll catch her disease and turn out like her,” Kaoru asked confusingly as if he doesn’t want to believe everything he just heard. 

            “Yes,” his father said weakly.

            “But that’s stupid! She’s my mom! No matter what happens, disease or no disease, of course I would have wanted to be there for her ‘til the very last second. Why mom, why,” Kaoru’s tears continued to trickle. He was more upset now than he was ever before.

            “Son, your mother just loves you. That’s why,” his father said slowly but those words pierced Kaoru’s heart like a dagger ‘cause he knew that his father’s words are true. He knew that his mom was afraid she’ll make his life miserable that’s why she did all those stuff but for him, it was just not enough of a reason for her to put herself in too much misery.

            But he can’t do anything about it now, that was in the past. All he could do right now is cry as he recalls how his mom died alone, with no one there to hold her hand. She must have been so scared. Kaoru thought.

            As he cried, he felt a warm hand touch his shoulders and when he looked up to see who it was, he saw his father standing there patting him at the back. But his father now is not what he remembers of him. My father used to look so strong, tough and vigorous, now he looks so weak and sickly and this is all my fault too. Why did I have to leave him? How could I be so stupid? Kaoru can’t help but cry some more as he remembers what happened to them before. He used to be so angry at his father, now all the he feels is guilt.

            “I’m sorry I left…dad,” Kaoru said as he stood up and looked at his father apologetically.

            “You…called me dad,” his father started to cry as he said the word dad and they hugged each other tightly as if they haven’t done so before.

…

            “Okairenasai ojou-sama,” Kaoru said as he walked inside the living room his smile brimming in delight.

            “Hai,” Fiory said bluntly.

            “Goodbye Master, Mistress,” Sawa-san said as he bowed to the both of them.

            “I might be back from time to time Sawa-san, I’ll be checking on dad,” Kaoru said smiling heartily as he said the word dad and Sawa-san smiled energetically back saying, “Of course young master, you’re always welcome to come back here. Anytime.”

            “Hai,” he said on his way out.

            “Oh and I’ll be expecting you’ll do what I requested mistress,” Sawa-san said in a whisper, enough for Hiromi to hear and Kaoru not to.

            “As I said, I’ll think about it,” Hiromi said almost angrily. She was just in no mood to listen to him blabber about her firing Kaoru. She just can’t digest the fact that she could be waking up without Kaoru anywhere near her in the future.

            “Mistress,” Kaoru said confusingly when he turned around and saw that Hiromi was not following behind him.

            “I’m coming,” Hiromi said and she hastily ran towards Kaoru, grabbed his hand and pulled him all the way outside.

            “Eh? Mi—mistress daijobo,” Kaoru asked confusingly as he was still being pulled by Hiromi tightly all the way inside the car.

            That, that would be one of the things I’ll miss the most. Him asking me if I’m fine with that worried eyes of him. No one else does it to me but him. Hiromi said as tears began to fill up her eyes.

            As they got into the car, Hiromi can’t contain herself anymore. She hugged Kaoru tightly without another word, tears pouring out of her eyes.

            “Eh? Mistress why are you crying? Did something happen while I was away from you? Did Sawa-san do anything to you,” Kaoru can’t help but hug her back worriedly as he hears her master sob.

            “Ko—kowai ga,” Hiromi said in between sobs. “Watashi wa kowai,” she added.

            “Eh? Scared of what mistress,” Kaoru asked confusingly as he patted her head.

            “I’m scared I might loose you,” she said crying still and those words hit Kaoru’s heart like a dagger.

            What is she saying? I would never leave her, not now, not ever. How can I when I’m in love with her? I’m the one that should be scared she’ll leave me. Kaoru can’t help but thought.

            “Did Sawa-san said something to you? I know that guy is cunning but for him to do such a thing, I’ll kill him!” Kaoru said in full rage as he acted to go back inside the house but Hiromi won’t let go of her hug on him. “Nai! I don’t want you to go back in there, not now,” Hiromi said.

            “But…” Kaoru was about to say but Hiromi stopped his words as she said, “No buts, let’s just go home for now.” She wiped her tears and looked at him in the eye as she loosens up her grip on him.

            “Wakatta, anything you say mistress,” Kaoru said obediently and they just went home and pretended like nothing happened.