Gintama; Takasugi X Reader (part 2) [Save Me]

Chapter 3 {Y/N}

     I get dressed in one of Senya's other robes. She helps me secure the sash around my waist and comments on my thinness. After the preparation is finished, she reaches into her own kimono sleeve and takes out the butterfly hair stick that she used on my bun yesterday. The purple stones glimmer as she hands it to me, the antennae of the butterfly dangling.

     "Put this on." Senya indicates to my bun. "They suit you."

     "You're not going to use it?" I ask her, smoothing my clothes.

     "I've no reason to." She comes behind me and pierces the ornament through my hair. "My mother bought it for my birthday," she says.

     "Then shouldn't you be keeping it safe?" I question.

Senya shakes her head. "It'll rust," she says. "And don't just stand there. You'll be late!"

I rush to grab my scandals and bid Senya to go work. It's my first day. I don't want to leave a bad impression after all.

_________________

Today is as bright as ever. The sun pours down extreme light despite the early morning. The only good thing is that the winds remain the same, cool and humid. It probably results from the surrounding forest and the sea beyond.

I pass a section of the village where the folks are beginning to set out stalls and booths. A few smile at me. As the public houses melt to the distinct manors I pick up my pace, not that comfortable being the target of the eyes of the guards.

When I reach the familiar tori gate the same security man peeks through the shelter's window. Upon seeing me his face twists into a grimace.

     "You're late!" he declares.

I stop just before the entrance. "Late?" I repeat, a little breathless.

     "You're supposed to come around dawn," the guard says, incredulous. "Did anyone not tell you that?"

Dawn! How much work can there be?

     "I'm sorry, sir. I'll be on time tomorrow," I say instead. He waves me toward the entrance with a dismissive flick of his hand. I gather the robe in my hands and jog for the manor.

The Mayor's office comes into view. Unlike last time, the doors are shut. I spare it no more glance as I head for the servant quarters. I've been shown around the manor yesterday by the lord's assistant, and I'm to meet with a housemaid there today to have her direct my tasks.

I arrive just in time as a girl emerges down the veranda. She smiles when she sees me.

     "I'm so sorry for being late," I say first of all, then remember to release my dress.

The girl is undoubtedly younger than me by her looks, large dark eyes and neck-length hair. "You must be Y/N-san," she says, maintaining a feminine posture. "I'm Asuka, one of the maids here."

I return her bright smile. "It's nice to meet you."

     "Come with me. I'll show you what you need to do," Asuka says.

I follow her up the building, half admiring her charming kimono of bright maple designs. She briefly explains what I have to do around the estate, which mostly sums up to cleaning, and that everything else such as serving the Mayor she will take care of it. It appears that the hire was upon her request for needing an extra hand.

     "This is where we keep cleaning materials," Asuka says when we stop in front of what seems like a storage room. She opens the door. The mess within bewilders me. "As you can see, with me being the only one cleaning everything is not so organized," she says, switching on the light.