The Yakuza's Honour

Chapter 7

After some time,I finished dressing with my maid uniform,then heading to the dining room for breakfast.On the way,I clean some places where I detected dirt before confirming and heading straight in to the said room.

Umi and Eli are already there.I greeted the two,but where's Rin? Is she not done yet?

"Tomato pasta for Maki is ready,nya!'' Suddenly appearing on a window seal while a plate on her hand.I nearly had an heart attack.That window seal is connected to the kitchen,if I'm not mistaken.That's where they send the dishes;Hanayo cooked,to the dining.

Maki is not here yet,she's still asleep,it seems.Kotori and Nozomi aren't here either.But I'm sure Hanayo is in the kitchen with Rin as I heared them talking with each other through the window.

About exactly 30 minutes,Nozomi appeared followed by Kotori.The two are dressed into maid uniforms.I don't know why Nozomi's even wearing a uniform and bothering herself with house chores even if she's not a maid.Maki said she's a friend but wanted to be relied on,I see.

"I will be in the garden and take care of the flowers.'' Nozomi said.And now she's a gardener?! Just how much does she want to do things? "Would you like to come,Elicchi?'' She asked turning to Eli's direction.Of course,Eli accepted the request.''I would love to.'' Wait,did she really said that? It's like she's saying that she love having Nozomi around,does she have no shame? She's turning into a bold Elichika since meeting Nozomi.

"Then,I'll come too.'' Kotori tagged along as they were about to go.W-Wait,I needed to follow Kotori,so I can atleast deepen our friendship.''Um,K-Kotori! Can I come too?'' I asked,then she looked at me as she smiled.''Of course!'' She replied.

For a moment I was about to exit the room,I noticed Umi looking at me.Then,it seems like Kotori also noticed and is really a nice person that she can't leave a person alone.

"Umi-chan,you want to come too?'' He asked Umi as I waited for her.Come on Umi,Maki is not here so at least we could work together and find out something? And I noticed that Kotori is fond of you to not leave you behind.We'll she didn't invited Rin and Hanayo and that's because she also heared them chatting like they are already enjoying theirselves.

"N-No,Please go ahead.'' Umi said as she bring the tray with plate of pasta and tea on her hands.''I'll be going to Maki's room and serve her,her breakfast.'' Then before Kotori can talk more,Umi's already outside the dining room and heading for Maki's.

Kotori followed suite as she stood by my side looking at the back of the person she's just talking to seconds ago,with a sad look on her face.

That's a bit harsh,Umi.What's her problem? She just started acting strange,all of a sudden.She's not like this before.

"Come let's go,Nico-chan.'' Kotori called as she turned back,opposite of Umi's direction.Her voice seems to waver.I just hum in agreement.

-----

"Do you know what kind of flower are those?'' Kotori asked me as she pointed at some flowers that I don't recognized.

I shooked my head as I don't really know what kind are those.I haven't even seen those kind.

"...I see.'' She sadly replied as she stood up,removing the dirt on her dress.''Shall we find the two?'' She never really told me what flowers are those and now I'm really curious.But never ask because of how she just replied before,with a lonely voice.

I stood up and patted my dress in case it became dirty and followed Kotori.

After some walking we finally saw the two as they are gazing at some kind of flower.We step a bit closer as to not disturb their conversation and to see that what they are looking...If I'm not mistaken,are lily.I'm not really good at identifying flowers but lily is an exception,because of the beauty it give whenever I look at it.The size of the petals to the shape of whole fascinates me.

"It seems that they are busy,should we go to the other side?'' Kotori asked,being considerate is also one of her good points.

"Yeah,that should do.'' I agreed as I am curious of what are they talking about.It's not far where we find our place,it's almost just a meters away from them so I'm glad they are hearable.

As the two of us are seated,Kotori started asking questions.''So,um...I know that you're atleast a bit curious on why Umi's acting like that.'' Does Kotori wanted to talk about this to anyone? Well,I'll hear it if it'll make her feel better,because she's been kind of down since moments ago.

"Well,I am if you ask.'' I faintly smiled as I put my hands on my lap.

"I think it's because I've been bothering her since you started working here.'' She said as she sounded regretful.

"...B-Bothering?'' I don't really understand but I'll try.

"When I first met her,I suddenly remember someone.'' Kotori sighed.I remembered Kotori saying that to Umi.''She reminded me of my childhood friend,they exactly said the same thing the first time we met.It is always about how my hairstyle is 'strangely eye-catching.' And how she spoke was also the same thing.''

Well for me,her hairstyle is cute tho.She looked like a bird.''...Umi is always like that,she's exaggerating when she saw something she rarely see.You don't know if she's complimenting you or not." I sighed as I brought my hands as if pointing a fact.''Even if we've been through a lot,she's always giving us a hard time.''

"I see.'' She looked at me and smiled.Did that cheer her a bit?
"So,where is that childhood friend of yours? I can say that it's been a long time since you last saw her...'' I asked as the mood changed.She look down and spoke in a sad,I mean,really sad manner.

"S-She's gone far away that I would never reach.'' Then she raised her head only to see the tears on her eyes started to fall down on her face.''Y-You know,I don't even know her name.Because that time,she's really an idiot to not tell me sooner before its late.'' She s-sobbing.Oh no,what do I do?

"K-K-Kotori..?'' I stood and come to her aid.''Don't cry...'' I'm not really good at handling this! This is the first time in years since I last held someone crying..! I-I didn't mean to asked her! "S-Sorry,I shouldn't have asked that.''

"N-No,I'm really grateful I could talk to you like this.'' After she said that she smile and stopped herself from crying.

I'm glad that the two whose taking care of the flowers,Nozomi and Eli didn't heared any of the sobbings even if we could clearly hear them.

After some time,Kotori stopped and continued.''Umi really looks like that childhood friend of mine so I almost bother her everyday.'' She cleared her throat.''Every night I've wanted to stay and sleep beside Umi as I missed the days without my childhood friend.''

"If only I was stronger before she was killed trying to protect me in the war 14 years ago...'' She lastly said with a grim looking eyes,she stood then smile at me once more.''I'm fine now so shall we go back inside?'' She asked.What the hell did I just heared? What kind of war is she talking about? I wanted to ask more but I might get suspicious.So I just declined her invitation to go inside as an excuse,I said that I'll be waiting for Nozomi and Eli.She left,thanking me.