Yuki and Jacek were hell bent on living to the fullest in the days that followed their decision to live in the present. They were determined to be a pair of happy carefree sibling. A pair that had no past nor future. A pair that didn't take life too seriously.
Except, the two were clueless on how to be nothing but merry and blithe. They still had a booming business to tend to. They were both socially introverted and wished to spend their free times by themselves or with each other. And though they both had exceptional socialization skills, they had yet to use that skill innocently.
Jacek and his sister sighed simultaneously as they cleared the teacups used by customers. It was still in the morning but the shop was not too busy as it was a Monday. Jacek had a musing mien as he cleaned the tea spilled on a table. "How about we attend some of the tea parties Mrs. Daisy organizes?" Jacek suggested as he glanced at Yuki.
"A tea party? I thought you disliked such vain affairs," Yuki was surprised.
"I do, but I also think that would be a good place to learn to interact with people our age. People say it is fun," he did not sound either interested or convincing. Compared to lying around and reading a new book, having to attend some vain event, sit around drinking tea and conversing about unimportant things with immature youngsters sounded like a great hustle that would be nothing but a waste of time, money and speech.
"Well, you don't look like you want me to say yes. There is no need to stress about fun things to do together. We can both just do things that we individually love. That should be a good start."
"I love reading, yes, but all the books I own are old. I can recite the content of all the books in my room. That should tell you how many times I've read them. I don't suppose you want me to read over them again, do you?"
"Is reading all you have fun doing?" Yuki asked with raised brows.
"Reading and sleeping, yes."
Yuki sighed.
The siblings both agreed the tea party was not a place that suited them and, thus, forwent that thought. Eventually, the shop became busy again and they went about their jobs.
…
In the middle of the day, the scorching sun reached its height. Without any customers coming in, Jacek and Yuki sat at a table drinking tea while fanning themselves like their lives depended on it.
"Good day to you two," Treyton announced his presence after going unnoticed by the siblings when he entered the shop. They were both immersed in their own worlds as they sat together in a solemn ambience. They turned in unison to look at him.
"Treyton, hey!" Jacek's pensive look morphed into excitement. He jumped out of his seat and offered Treyton another close to his. "It's been forever!" he uttered loudly as Treyton took the seat he had offered.
Yuki rolled her eyes playfully, "he was here two days ago." Yuki rose from her seat to make their guest a cup of tea. She returned in no time.
"Oh, you were. I don't remember seeing you."
"Well in your defense, I don't think there were any people to see anyway, your terrible mood was enough to dismissed all your customers. Though I am surprised you can forget, a figure as good as mine," Treyton stated with a slight grin.
Yuki laughed when she heard Treyton's words. She peeked at her brother from the corner of her eyes and found him staring daggers at her. Realizing her mistake, Yuki cleared her throat and averted her gaze.
"Fuck you!" Jacek mouthed when Yuki was not looking.
Treyton smiled superficially and took a sip of the tea Yuki had offered. "Is there a problem? You both seemed preoccupied when I came in."
Jacek's expression turned stern as he down the rest of his tea, "it is nothing serious, Yuki and I were trying to find something fun to do for a change. Our days has been none but hectic, some entertainment should help release stress. Regrettably, we have no idea what to engage ourselves in," Jacek explained.
"I see," Treyton stroked his bearded chin with a contemplative countenance. "How about hiking?"
"Hiking?" the siblings repeated, their interest piqued.
"Yes. Hiking is common in Gouna because it is surrounded by nature. I think that is a good activity that you both can enjoy."
Yuki and her brother did not need a lot of imagination to conclude that hiking would be a good way to escape their dicey reality and engrossed themselves in the serene arms of nature. They loved the idea and their enthrusiastic reactions was proof of that fact.
"That is a good idea…nonetheless, I don't think I know any good scenery for hiking in Echt," Jacek said while looking like his lifelong dream had crumbled before his eyes. Yuki did not look any different. She liked the thought of hiking as much as Jacek did.
Treyton looked between the siblings and said, "do you want to come to Gouna with me then? I am visiting this weekend."
Jacek and Yuki exchanged looks. "That is not a bad idea but… going outside of Echt is not very welcomed. I do not know if it is even possible," Jacek stated in disappointment.
"Well, it depends on you two. If you really want to come with me, it won't be hard. It isn't impossible to sneak in or out of Echt; aren't I here?"
Jacek took and squeezed Yuki's hand under the table. It was a good idea and it seemed like it would be a good experience. Going outside of the duchy could be a good way to bring the girl away from the place that held all her bad memories. It could help her forget herself even if momentarily. Jacek looked at Yuki expectantly.
"But mother..." she hesitated and lowered her gaze.
"You know she will be more than pleased to have us do something other than work. It sounds like a once in a lifetime experience, let us go…carefree people don't overthink things," Jacek poked the furrowed spot between Yuki's brows.
Yuki hesitated a long while. She did not feel comfortable with the thought of leaving her birthplace. Though, the idea of going outside of Echt sounded like a great experience and Yuki honestly did not want to miss out on it.
"When will you return if you leave?" Yuki looked at Treyton, a hint of curiosity, excitement and nervousness in her sky-blue eyes.
"I will only spend the weekend there. If you guys do come with me, we will leave on Friday and return by Monday."
Yuki looked between her brother and Treyton, both men watched her, eagerly awaiting her decision.
"Should we go?" Yuki asked Jacek, though her tone had not even a hint of doubt. She had made her decision.
"Let's," Jacek replied with a smile.
"Alright! Then that is settled. We will leave on Friday dawn, is that alright?" Treyton stared at the evidently excited duo.
"Yes. Friday dawn it is then!" Jacek exclaimed in excitement. Treyton and Yuki could not help but laugh at Jacek's manners.
⸎⸎⸎
At dinner the same day, Jacek relayed to his mother the plans he had made with Yuki concerning their trip to Gouna.
Mrs. Adlerian was not very happy that her children were actually planning to sneak out of the duchy. She feared the risks the two would be exposed to when they leave, and even those they could face in an alien place. Nevertheless, she was happy the two were finally thinking of doing something aside work. And by the looks of things, she may have a potential son-in-law in the Treyton boy Jacek spoke of all the time.
"Well, it is not uncommon for people to leave and enter Echt so I suppose it isn't too dangerous. But I am letting you two leave only on the conditions that you return on Monday as you said and you return in the shapes I see off. And woe betides you, Jacek, if Yuki comes back with as much as a scratch."
"Your daughter is safe with me, mother. So, I take all the warnings as a permission to leave for Gouna?"
"Oh please! Did you not decide to leave before telling me? I am sure you lured Yuki into this...Yuki, dear, are you sure you want to go with him? You were not threatened, were you?" Mrs. Adlerian took the quiet girl's fair hands in hers and rubbed the back of it gently with her thumbs.
Jacek glanced at Yuki from the corner of his eyes. It was clear she was dodging arrows by remaining quiet and keeping her innocent guise so that he would take the fall for their recklessness.
This time, he may have really been the initiator, but still, could she not at least have his back when they were both in all this together?
"I was not threatened, mother. Brother really wanted to go on this trip and I couldn't say no to him. I am sure I will have fun as well," Yuki said in a low, saintly manner.
Jacek turned sharply to look at her with narrowed eyes while Mrs. Adlerian glared at her troublemaker of a son for glaring at her innocent and kindhearted daughter.