DiMENSIONS [IDOLiSH7]

12: Cruel Fate

-Majabah-

A week had passed since the tragedy struck the village by the sea. Momose was slowly adjusting to his new life at the mansion. The noble butler's uniform felt strange on him. Gaku would always scold him and tell him to walk proudly.

Despite feeling overwhelmed by the presence of the Yaotome and the Nanase, Momose's skill as a geomancer developed greatly. With his lovely voice, he was able to make plants grow, call for a small personal rain cloud, or make small heated stones. He could sense the change in humidity in the air.

"Momo-san, good morning!"

Momose turned his head to the source of the voice and smiled. "Mitsuki, Morning!" The new butler felt most comfortable with Mitsuki, especially after learning that the boy knew no magic. Mitsuki had to keep his Silica origin a secret for the time being.

Riku watched the two talking happily from afar. He had a sad look on his face. He wished he could have a fun conversation like that with other Majabahns. Gaku was patrolling the mansion when he saw his lord eyeing the two with such sadness and a bit of jealousy. The butler sighed before approaching his lord. "My lord."

"Fwah!" Riku jumped upon hearing his name. "You scared me, Gaku!"

"M-my apologies, Nanase-sama." Gaku bent down on one knee but kept eye contact with the lord. "Um... would you... join me for some tea, my lord?"

Gaku may have been tactless at times, but he certainly was not oblivious. Well, at least not when his lord had those pairs of glistening baby doll eyes on his face. He knew why his lord was making a sad face, and he wanted to help.

Riku followed Gaku to the butler's room. Riku sat down on the floor in front of the low table while Gaku was brewing jasmine green tea.

"Ah, it smells so nice." Riku smiled while sipping his tea. Gaku, who sat in front of his lord, found that smile to be adorable. He wished the people of Majabah could see that his lord was different from several other lords before him.

"Thank you, Gaku." Riku spoke after a moment of silence. "For trying to make me feel better."

"Anything for you, my lord."

~~

Gaku excused himself to return to his duties after 20 minutes. Riku was sitting by himself in Gaku's room, enjoying his warm tea when Mitsuki slid the door open.

"Uwah, Riku?! What are you doing here?"

Oh crap! He's a lord. He can go wherever he pleases. Mitsuki just realised what he had said.

"Ah Mitsuki, Gaku invited me for some tea, but he had to get back to work." Riku placed a cup on the table before turning his head to Mitsuki and smiling.

That Yaotome. "Hey, Riku. Are you free? I've been wanting to show you something!"

Mitsuki had been wanting to show off his achievements to Riku, but Riku had been quite busy with formal meetings about restoring the village and his own training. Now was a perfect time.

"E-eh? Yes I have time, Mitsuki."

Mitsuki led Riku into the forest he had been visiting for the past weeks. He took care to not walk too fast and chose easy paths without overgrown grass. The doctor used his throwing knife to cut down any smaller tree branches poking in the way.

They came to a stop when they reached a clearing in the forest. Riku sat on the big log to catch his breath. After a few minutes, Mitsuki began singing.

"Such passion behind his voice..." Riku stared in awe. It was as if Mitsuki was under a spotlight created by the sun itself.

"Myu myu!"