Hosts + Me = 97

Prologue

"Ren, when will they get here?" My high-pitched 6 year-old voice took on a whiny tone as I asked the maid brushing my hair for the umpteempth time when my parents would arrive. They promised to come home from work today and impatience was quickly starting to mix in with the excitement.

Rin sighed and met my eyes through my vanity mirror, "For the last time Ms. Sora, I don't know," I winced as the brush was yanked through a particularly large knot before resuming my sulking. I couldn't help it that I was anxious for their arrival, especially since last time they didn't come when they promised.

Rin's pretty brown eyes gentled as if she could tell what I was thinking, and the brush resumed it's smooth strokes. "I'm sure they'll come today, Ms. Sora. Last time they were just... busy."

I just humphed in response. 'They're busy,' is something I hear so often that it's become a mantra.

Rin sighed again before putting down the brush and taking my much smaller hand, leading me to the foyer. My short legs nearly ran to keep up with her pace as she sped walked us to where we, as in the seven maids my parents employed and I, were expected to wait for the masters of the estate to return.

*2 hours later*

"Come on, Ms. Sora," murmered Hana, the only maid who actually liked to play with me. "I'll make you some pancakes." All of the other maids had dispersed an hour ago, but I had stayed, stubbornly hopeful.

I gave one more expectant look towards the two fronts doors, but they were still as closed and imposing as they were this morning. Taking Hana's offtered hand I felt tears gather, but I refused to cry, and I haven't since.

It was probably from that point in time that showing emotion started to become rarer and rarer, slowly ebbing away until I even stopped feeling them. That was also about the time when I started writing the number on the back of my left hand, determined not to forget anybody I met.