JPOP Housemaid

Chapter 2 - Hello?

The car jolted to a stop and I heard the engine turn off. My eyes flickered open and looked around me. When I realised I was actually in a car and not on the train like I should have been; I sat up straight and un-clicked my seatbelt in alarm.

"You slept like a baby through that whole journey," commented a man. I looked around again and gasped when I saw a stranger in the drivers' seat. "I'm Makoto, remember?" he said with a laugh. Makoto, Makoto... That evil guy who knocked me down in the street? I studied his face. It is! I glared at him.

"Why did you do that?" I hissed angrily.

He cocked his head and asked, "what?" I rolled my eyes.

"Drop your phone and blame it on me?" He laughed.

"Because I needed a new one anyway. Someone tracked this one or something, I don't even know. It doesn't matter anyway, we're here now." He gestured outside. My eyes dragged themselves to the view and my jaw dropped in awe.

"It's so pretty," I whispered, more to myself than him.

"It is, isn't it? We're so lucky that the owner of this place is letting us rent it out." I looked out across a gravel driveway which snaked down through a small woodland. At one point, the driveway crossed a wooden bridge which covered a little brooke; the water dancing in the late afternoon sunlight. A lush green meadow was the front garden, and I could see an orchard to the far right.

I turned in my seat and tried to look out through the back window of the car.

"Get out, you'll be able to see it better," said Makoto when he saw me struggling. I fumbled with the car door and finally opened it, almost falling out onto the ground. As I turned, I saw the massive house. Or rather, the massive mansion.

It was grey with a rose garden right in front of the windows and climbing up the walls. Ivy merged with the roses to create a wonderful array of struggling leaves and flowers, all trying to reach higher than the rest.

The windows were large and I could see a pale face looking out momentarily from a second floor one. It disappeared back into the darkness of the house and my eyes followed the windows up to the slanted roof which had pretty chimneys puffing smoke like sailors.

Makoto put a warm hand on my shoulder and ushered me forwards. "I have your things, so let's go in," he insisted with his deep, flowing voice. I wonder if his voice would sound good saying my name...

"Makoto!" exclaimed another male voice, but this one wasn't nearly as deep. I looked up the marble stairs to the two wooden front doors and saw a young-looking boy. He had blonde hair and full pink lips, and his eyes glistened with blue and green. He wasn't tall and was slender, his legs long and his arms defined with small but powerful muscles.

Makoto raised his hand and waved with a smirk. "I've brought us home a neko," he shouted back, starting forwards with his hand on the small of my back. I blushed indignantly and opened my mouth to speak when the boy giggled joyfully.

"Where? What's it's name? Is it a black cat?" he asked with his hands clasped at his chest. Makoto laughed quietly and shook his head.

"Oh, no, no. She's right here," he told the boy, pushing me forwards slightly. The boy pursed his lips.

"That's a girl, not a neko," he complained, crossing his arms. Makoto shrugged.

"She's as cute as one, right?" he smiled down at me with closed eyes as we arrived at the top of the staircase.

The boy came closer and inspected me. "Hmm, I guess. Well, she's pretty for a common girl, I have to say. But not as cute as a neko," he turned and walked into the house, apparently done with me. Common? Excuse me?

Makoto patted my head and leant down to whisper in my ear.

"He's actually eighteen, he's cold towards you because he has short man syndrome and he needs to warm up towards you."

"Mako- he-hey! Who's that?" stammered another male voice, looking at us together with Makoto leaning close to my face and me blushing like crazy. I spun to look inside and saw a tall, light-pink-haired guy with a defined chin and emerald-green eyes.

"Oh, hi there Yaito. She's called Kimi-chan, isn't she cute?" I glared at Makoto and blushed again. Oh, it does sound good, say it again. Yaito looked away awkwardly.

"Is she yours?"

"Mine? No, she's all of ours. She's going to be our new housemaid seeing as she broke my phone." Yaito raised his eyebrows and muttered,

"Bad girl."

"I didn't, he dropped it," I objected. Makoto smirked and trailed my neck lightly with his fingers.

"Don't complain, I think being a submissive suits you better," he murmured gently. I went bright red.

"Well, come in. Takeo just made cake." said Yaito, turning around and walking back inside. Makoto took my hand and pulled me in too.

"This is our humble abode," he said smirking as he looked around and gestured dramatically with his free hand.

I looked at the intricate artwork such as paintings and statues which decorated any spare space. There was a pretty little coffee-table which had steaming teacups sitting atop it along with a vase of red roses. The walls were painted a simple white and the floor was wooden, though most was covered by an enormous rug which had a picture embroidered onto it.

"It's very good looking," I said politely - though I prefer smaller, cosier rooms.

"Don't worry, this is just the lounge," stated Yaito. "Your room would be smaller if you were to stay." He sat elegantly down on one of the three beige leather sofas and flicked his hair out of his face.

"She is staying, I told you that," replied Makoto, not hiding his annoyance. Yaito shrugged dismissively and closed his eyes.

"I'm not helping with anything," he said after a long yawn. Makoto glared at him and gave me an apologetic look.

"Do you want tea first or to see your room first?" he asked. I blushed and stammered awkwardly,

"I- I don't want to be a nuisance. I feel like I'm intruding, look I'll just get a later plane I'm sure I can find a cheap hotel..." I trailed off when Makoto started shaking his head.

"You can stay here, the others just haven't warmed up to you yet, they will sooner or later." I pursed my lips. "I'll take you to your room."

We walked up a grand staircase and past several doors before we arrived at an open one. He showed me inside and put my bag down on the floor.

"Here it is, I hope you like it." And with that, he left me alone. I couldn't help but feeling like I was about to cry. My life is so messed up, I thought as I wiped a tear from my cheek. I grabbed my bag and threw some of the contents on the floor in frustration.

"At least the room is cosy," I said to myself as I looked sadly around. The bed was king sized but still looked warm and comfortable. There was a window seat which overlooked the rose garden and from there I could see the orchard much more clearly. A simple wooden desk sat against the free wall next to a wardrobe and a door. This isn't so bad...

Walking through the door, I stepped into an en-suite. My eyes lit up when I saw a bath. I love baths. Baths are great. And this one was massive, enough to fit three people with moving space. I'll have a bath soon, I thought with a smile.