My "Ikemen" Butler

Chapter 18: My Mistress' Choice

            Kaoru was anxious. He was asked to step down on his butler job for that day and he had no idea what’s going on. He can’t talk to Tetsuya either since he can’t go into his room without permission. It’s not that Tetsuya will kick him out if he goes there or anything but by the end of the day, even though Tetsuya and he are friends, he will still just be a butler for their family and that would never change.

             “Ne Kaoru-kun, how do you find your job so far,” asked Annie, a maid working under the Kokubo as well.

            “It’s the most satisfying job in the world,” Kaoru answered honestly.

            “Honto ni? Don’t you find mistress Hiromi a little bit hard to deal with?” Michi, another maid, joined in the conversation.

            “Not at all. She’s the best master anyone could ever asked for,” he answered with a smile.

            “Whoa! Nobody have said that about Hiromi-sama since Takeshi-kun,” Taka, another butler said in amazement.

            “But of course Takeshi-kun loved Hiromi-sama ne? When for Kaoru-san, it’s not like that at all ne?” Annie said, looking at Kaoru as if hopeful he’ll agree with her but Kaoru was caught off guard with the question that he wasn’t able to answer at all.

            “Kaoru-kun,” said the twin butlers both at the same time. Kaoru knows that one of them was named Ruka ‘cause he already met him way back when he was having his butler’s exams but he was just not sure who and he doesn’t know the name of the other one either.

            “Nani?” Kaoru asked confusingly.

            “Master wants to see you,” they said with a grin on their faces. What was that about? Their grin looks scary for some reason. And what does the master wants from me now? Is he plotting to get rid of me again? I hope not. Kaoru thought to himself as he head to where the office of Mr. Kokubo was.

            He immediately knocked on the door and braised himself for the possible things that can happen as he steps into the office. You’re fired….I’m laying you off…your services are no longer needed. Those words were the things that kept running on his mind.

            “Master, I believe you were asking for me?” Kaoru said from outside the office.

            “Yes, please come inside and let’s discuss the matter Kaoru-san,” Mr. Kokubo said. That’s odd, he sounds calm. Kaoru thought.

            “Ahh yes, remember when Mr. Clint told you that you’re not an official S Rank butler yet even though you have that badge?” Mr. Kokubo started looking at the pin Kaoru had on his collar.

            “Yes master. What about it?” Kaoru asked confusingly.

            “How many days are you off from your school again?” Mr. Kokubo said answering Kaoru’s question with a question if his own.

            “Eighteen days master,” Kaoru answered shortly.

            “Okay well, on those eighteen days I want you to lay off your services to my daughter,” Mr. Kokubo said plainly but it rang on Kaoru’s ears like crazy. The word ‘lay off’ banging on her mind.

            “Lay-off as in not work for her anymore sir?” Kaoru asked confusingly and shockingly.

            “Yes, I want you to lay off your butler job for awhile so that you can study with Mr. Clint in his butler school,” Mr. Kaoru explained and with that Kaoru’s face lit up.

            “Ye—yes master,” Kaoru said happily.

            “And don’t worry, your pay won’t change. In fact, I actually gave you a big bonus. You did a good job protecting my daughter during the party and Tetsuya had told me a lot of things about you. So, congratulations,” Mr. Kokubo said with a smile on his face.

            What did he eat? Why is he this kind all of a sudden? Oh well, maybe it’s his way of saying ‘I was wrong about you’ or something. Either way, I’ll take it! He thought to himself once more.

            “Thank you so much master. I appreciate that very much but, who will take care of Hiromi-sama’s needs while I’m off sire?” Kaoru can’t help but ask.

            “Don’t worry about that. Takeshi-san will do your job. You can go now,” he said seriously. Kaoru just bowed at Mr. Kokubo respectfully and he was off.

            Takeshi? Didn’t Mr. Kokubo send Takeshi-san here to get him off his daughter? Why is he allowing him to become Hiromi’s temporary butler now? Kaoru can’t help but ask as he was going out of the office.

            “Bro! I’ve heard everything. Congratulations, com’ on! Let’s go celebrate. Boys night!” Tetsuya said happily as he gave Kaoru a hug when he got out of the office.

            “Wait where are we going?” Kaoru asked confusingly.

            “Just come!” Tetsuya said as he pulled Kaoru away immediately.

            Meanwhile at Hiromi’s room, Mr. Avalon had been showing her a slideshow of the available young gentlemen that his father chose all for her. They were probably already on their 20thguy and Hiromi was getting bored. She was running out of excuses to say as well.

            “He also enjoys horseback riding, stargazing, rock climbing, diving…” Mr. Avalon was explaining but Hiromi immediately cut him off saying, “Too outdoor-sy. Next!” She instructed.

            “Okay well, Number 21 is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Yuan, the owner of the biggest logging company in Korea and being the first son means he will be inheriting the business too…” Mr. Avalon was saying but once again Hiromi was drowsing away from the scene.

            It went on and on that for Hiromi it actually felt like forever. Where is he? I’m sure he’s one of these options. With the big of business their parents have, I’m sure dad wouldn’t skip the chance to join business with him. He needs to be here or my plan won’t work. Hiromi thought, feeling a little bit worried now that her plan is not going according to plan.

            More and more guys passed on the screen and Hiromi was starting to feel lost and worried that he might not be one of the options at all but when they were finally on their 34thguy, Hiromi’s eyes sparkled at once.

            “Mr. Murasaki is the heir of Mr. and Mrs. Murasaki, the owner of the booming Murasaki Oil Company in Japan. He’s currently studying at…” Mr. Avalon was just starting to introduce him when Hiromi immediately cut him off saying, “He’s the one. He’s going to be my husband.”

            Mr. Avalon looked at her confusingly. “A—are you sure miss? I haven’t even introduced him to you properly yet,” he answered in awe.

            “I’m positive. Go and inform dad for me please. It’s over now right? You can leave,” Hiromi said at once. Mr. Avalon looked at her confusingly still but he just bowed at her respectfully and immediately got out of the room.

            Heh! This is it. I’m sure this will work. No turning back now. Hiromi thought.