Alinea

"I… I seem to love her…"

Ryuu's words were of wonderment, as if putting his thoughts into words stupefied him. Even Yayoi who had been listening to him looked astounded.

He loved her in his memories. Seeing his past self with possibly Ara's past incarnation, had shocked him for a while he couldn't move. But Ara thought he was regretting giving her a ring, and even told him she was already happy being friends.

As if he'd let her regard their relationship as mere friendship!

It was why he was a bit angry at her earlier. Although the one in love was not him now, but the one from a different time, Ryuu wouldn't let her dismiss their connection as lovers.

He couldn't understand, but hearing her say those words, something within him snapped – something akin to fear. It was like she would slip away from his grasp if he let her get her way.

It's a preposterous thought of course. Ara was simply a human girl. She could never get away from him regardless of what she did. But something inside of him was still anxious. He was at a loss with the memory earlier that he suddenly kissed her senseless so she'd stop spouting nonsense.

Remembering the kiss, the corner of his mouth twitched into a semblance of a smile as he lifted his hand to touch his lips, totally forgetting Yayoi was still there.

The old servant on the other hand gave him a knowing smile, thinking that things between Ara-sama and the young master were good.

"Should we already prepare then? Ara-sama will be coming here on Monday after all. Will she be sleeping with the other students or will she be using the room I prepared for her?"

Yayoi's question brought Koutaishidenka to the present, and a frown marred his handsome face once more.

"What's wrong Young Master?"

"Ara will not be coming here on Monday," he said unhappily.

"But why? Is she not coming with her classmates?"

"She's going with her classmates on a trip but not here."Ryuu's unhappiness grew. "We failed to learn that the graduating classes will be separated into three locations. Different classes will come here on Monday, while Ara will be going with her class to Hakone."

"Oh no!"Yayoi placed a hand to cover her mouth that hung in surprise. She now realized why the number of students coming was a lot smaller compared to what she expected.

"Should we call her school and have all of the classes come after all?"

"No,"Ryuu answered.

"But it's still possible young master. We have the principal's number; we can give him a call about the changes."

Ryuu shook his head. "Ara told me not to meddle with the arrangements."

He could only make her trip to Hakone more comfortable, but not change the destination.

"Ah…"

Yayoi sighed. She was disappointed for she was looking forward to Ara's arrival the most. But it seemed the future lady of the house was not yet ready to come home.

"It seems my house is very popular to the students. Most of them want to come here. Ara said I should let the opportunity to see the house to others so she'll just come here after the trip."

"Huh?"

At his words, Yayoi seemed to perk up again. "Ara-sama will come here?"

Ryuu nodded. "After the trip. She didn't say when exactly though. But I think I will pick her up from the train station when she returns from Hakone then bring her here."

"That's wonderful then," Yayoi exclaimed. She was glad that Ara-sama didn't dislike coming here.

"Actually, it's much better that she comes here after the trip after all. She'll be more relaxed sleeping in her real room than at the dojo with the other students. Even if we'll separate their sleeping quarters with screens, it's not really comfortable."

There would be eighty students coming, and they had set up screens to make temporary rooms in the dojos. Each one would be shared by four students.

"Will young master make an appearance during the four-day hosting then?" Yayoi inquired.

They had arranged activities for the students during those days. They invited different people who were knowledgeable in different traditional arts to show and possibly teach the students how to do them like ikebana, sado, and some martial arts like kyudo that the young master preferred. But, if Ara-sama was not there, she didn't think the young master would bother to come.

Ryuu shook his head as expected. "I don't think so. I will stay in Gaienmae to work."

Even if Ryuu didn't go to Homura International, he still handled some work stuff that Gin couldn't do or when he's too busy with social functions. There would be an International Business Conference soon, and the CEO was busy preparing so he would help out a bit.

He would be using the time separated from Ara to do something fruitful for the company. At least when he's busy, he wouldn't think about that memory as much. Or he hoped so.

"What are you thinking about Young Master?"

He sighed as he placed an elbow on the table and propped his chin.

"I want to register my marriage already," he muttered, making Yayoi chuckle.

"Then why not? Sooner or later, there's no difference anyway. It's actually easier since you're planning to spend more time with her from now on. If you're married, nobody can comment about her spending so much time with you."

"Hmmmmnnn…"

Ryuu was silent as if pondering her words. But he shook his head. "I made a promise to Aki-niisama I'd let Ara live her life until she graduates from school."

Yayoi was thoughtful after his answer, and then she clapped her hands. "What if you just register your marriage then but still let Ara-sama live like now? She'll still stay with her brother and do things she loves but you're married."

Well, that could work, Ryuu thought. He didn't know if Ara and Aki would approve, but he could try to talk them into it. However, before he could do that, there were some things he needed to deal with first.

"Yayoi-san," he called his nanny, his voice reflected a tinge of urgency that the old woman was instantly alert.

"What is it Young Master?"

Ryuu remembered Gin's words the other day, and so he decided to get rid of possible reasons for Ara and him to have a misunderstanding.

"Tomorrow morning, call the Makura to meet me."