"Don't be afraid of slow progress; be afraid of standing still."
But what if she had been standing still, in the same place, at the same time for centuries? Chiasa had no answer. Her dried lips were chapped, and her throat felt coarse. She had been standing at the same place where Yoshiro had left.
Yet here she was, working in his house. While she cooked for him, he and his family enjoyed the meals. It had been a month since she last started to work for him, but from the very first day, she had realized it was him, her crush from childhood.
"Miss Mochizuki, could you bring some more biscuits?"
Miss Saizen Miyuki asked for the refill while Chiasa was lost in her thoughts. Surprised by the sudden task, her body was startled.
"Eh, sure." She bowed.
Her head was lowered, and she went to the kitchen to get a few freshly baked biscuits she had made that morning. The kitchen had a modern touch to it. The countertops, wallpapers, and table were monochromatic white.
Placing the biscuits on the tray, she wiped her hand filled with crumbs on the apron and headed to the living room, where the sweet couple were having their intimate time.
As she passed though, she could see Miyuki's sharp gaze towards her and a subtle smirk. Yoshiro, who was giving preppy kisses around Miyuki's jaw, had his jaw lifted by his partner, and as she captured his lips, Chiasa could feel her breath become shaky.
He wasn't hers. She was just a friend of his past, but he had occupied every part of her heart. Chiasa immediately lowered her head, slightly biting her lips to not let tears spill from her eyes.
"Please," Chiasa said, serving the food on the table. Her footsteps were as quiet as a cat, and she did her best to not interrupt the couples who were kissing openly.
The couple didn't care, so Chiasa turned around. With a pounding yet broken heart, she walked towards her work area, but suddenly, a man walked past her. Since her eyes were lowered, she could only see his hands, which were pale and veiny.
As his hands brushed off his black pants, Chiasa turned her eyes away from the sight and soundlessly entered the kitchenette. Plenty of dishes were piled up on the sink, and so, lifting the sleeves, Chiasa started to wash the dishes.
"Is that how you greet the guests?" An unfamiliar man's voice echoed through the entire house.
The couple froze. Yoshiro, who was passionately kissing his fiance, had his entire stature frozen, while Miyuki had her ears turn red from embarrassment, and they instantly separated from each other.
"Uh, well, I forgot you were coming, Sahi." Yoshiro lamely gave a smile while gesturing with his hands to have a seat beside him.
"I'm very sorry you had to watch us. Miss Mochizuki! Bring us some warmed-up biscuits and some macha!"
Miyuki ordered while Ito Asahi took a seat beside his high school friend Yamiyo Yoshiro. Asahi had a stone-cold face; his sharp eyes and thin lips gave off a strong leader-like aura. He had a slightly tanned face and arched eyebrows.
Meanwhile, the pair were quick to make their messy appearance more presentable. Miyuki wiped the lipstick marks around Yoshiro's face. He combed his frenzy hair to a neater position, and so did Miyuki. Pulling the neckline more up, Miyuki had the back of her neck become warm and red from the embarrassment.
Chiasa entered the room with her head lowered. She tightly held her breath, doing her best to be professional. The table already had some empty plates and teapots, so she neatly placed the freshly warm biscuits and tea on the table.
With her agile movements, Chiasa placed all the plates on the tray and gave a bow before leaving the room. She didn't have the strength within her to even look at Yoshiro. How... in a matter of seconds, all her dreams had been shattered.
'I should have been prepared, stupid,' she cussed at herself. She had known that he had a fiance; she had known that he didn't remember her, but she lived for that tiniest hope. But even after knowing it was coming, nothing could prepare her for the way she had lost herself.
With a heaved breath, she resumed her task on dishes while they perhaps enjoyed themselves.
"It took you almost a decade to return from Chiasa. What's more, you did not even tell us that you had returned. It was the class president who notified all of us."
Yoshiro sulked while Miyuki had a soft smile on her face, which was covered by her hand. Asahi, on the other hand, didn't have any changes on his face.
"Well, I was planning to go before anyone could find out," Asahi muttered, which made Miyuki smile even more.
"Why so? Asahi san. Though you had always been that way. I remember the days when you barely ever showed up on Uni, but when you did, you were astoundingly surrounded."
"Indeed, and yet you didn't even acknowledge their presence."
"I was just in my world back then."
Asahi answered while reaching for the cup of tea. As he took a sip of it, the bitterness entered through every cell of his body, but he could feel something else as well.
Huh? His eyes grew a tad bit wider, and so, giving the drink a second look, he took another sip. He could feel his spiritual powers being rejuvenated.
"It seems you like the tea, Asahi San. Would you like some more?" Miyuki asked with a hospitable smile.
"That is alright. But could I have your chef for a few days to prepare my meals?"
Asahi's words pierced through the entire house. Surprised by Asahi's request, both Miyuki and Yoshrio gazed into each other's eyes.
"Well… um…no…."
"Let's ask our chef instead."
Both of them spoke at the same time. While Yoshrio was against it as it was a contracted job, Miyuki was more than willing to do it; after all, being a good host was the most important thing.
"Miss Mochizuki. Please be here," Miyuki ordered while pinching Yoshiro's hands. Her face had a stern smile, which was a sign to Yoshrio not even make a sound and follow her lead.
Chiasa, while wiping her wet hands on her apron, entered the kitchen. This time she had calmed down more than earlier, yet her head was still down.
"Yes, miss," Chiasa answered, standing before their presence.
"For a month, could you work at my place instead, miss?" Asahi had a softer tone than with his friends. Chiasa raised her head and took a glance at the unfamiliar man. Her hands firmly clutched the apron. She didn't know what to do.
"Why don't you accept the offer, Miss Mochizuki? Let me bring the contact."
Miyuki's smile hid her sternness, which made Chiasa's dilemma even more intense. After all, terminating a contract meant it would be forever. What was she supposed to do once the one-month job was over?!
"Wa-wait. Miss MO-ah.." Miyuki pinched Yoshiro's hand even harder and ordered him to bring the contract, while Asahi watched it all unfold.
As they all stayed in their positions in silence, Yoshiro brought the contract papers from his room.
"You shouldn't fret, Miss Mochizuki. You are getting an even better job."
"Eh…"
Chiasa was speechless. Everything was processed too fast and without her consent. Fighting against the rich could make her life even more miserable than it already was. She didn't even dare to say her words, but still, she felt powerless and bound.
"Please sign here, Miss Mochizuki." Yoshrio brought the papers to her and showed she ought to sign.
"Oh, okay." She hesitated. Taking the pen from Yoshrio, she signed while all three eyes watched each of her strokes closely.
"Thank you, Shiro and Miyuki San. I hope that Miss Mochizuki will take care of me well." Asahi gave a subtle smile, brushing off the strict aura around him.