Haruo Takahashi got up feeling exceptionally refreshed that day on the 16th day of the Month of Frost. He got up and ordered fresh Matcha tea from one maid that was standing outside his room with a guard.

About five minutes later, she came back with a tray carrying a yunomi cup filled with hot water, a natsume container holding the matcha powder, a bamboo chasen that was used to mix the powder and hot water, and a kettle containing more hot water, incase Haruo would want more.

She set the tray down on the table and bowed her head.

"I have brought your tea, Young master." The maid informed Haruo as he was making his way towards the table. He sat on his knees with perfect posture and smiled at the maid.

"Thank you," Haruo looked at the maid for a couple of seconds, "I don't think I've seen you before. Were you recently hired?" Haruo asked the maid.

The maid looked up and gasped softly. She was looking at the most beautiful human she had ever laid eyes on, she thought. 

His long dark gray hair that reached his back and his striking blue eyes that seemed to twinkle in the sunlight, his lean frame that showed through his yukata, his elegant nose and perfectly pink lips all seemed to come in unison to create a beauty like no other. 

She felt her face go warm.

"Yes, Young master," She answered, "This is my first day at the Takahashi estate. I hope I will service you well in my time here."

Haruo smiled at her, and she grew even redder. "That's wonderful to hear. You are dismissed."

"Yes, Young master." The maid quietly slid the door open and left, sliding the door shut behind her.

Haruo picked up the matcha powder and put some in the cup. He took his chasen and mixed the tea gently until it was frothy. He picked up the cup in his right hand while gently supporting the cup from the bottom with his left. He tilted the yunomi slightly, raised it to his lips and took a small, silent sip.

When he finished the tea, he carefully put down the cup and got up with a slight stretch. Today was his 15 birthday, the year he would be coming of age, and most of the nobles in Kyoto would be coming to the Takahashi estate to celebrate it.

He called the maid back in and ordered her to prepare his birthday kimono. It was an extremely luxurious dark montsuki kimono made of silk with a high quality hakama, making him seem mature and smart.

She brought a gold hairpin that would be put in his hair. After he took a shower, she helped him in wearing his kimono and hakama and put his hair piece in after tying the top half of his hair in a pony tail.

After a while, everyone had gathered for the birthday celebration. All the guests had arrived and were waiting.

Would Father and Yoshio congratulate me today? It was my birthday, after all.

Haruo walked out of his room and headed for the main hall. He walked through the mansion until he reached the door towards the celebration hall. He sighed and took a deep breath. He opened the doors and walked in.