Tick, tock, tick, tock...
An autumn breeze kicked up a pile of leaves relaxing by her family's maple tree. A young teen rests her arms by the open window, allowing her strawberry locks to blow in the wind. She gave out a frustrated sigh as she continues to watch the leaves dance around.
Not long ago, she was downstairs meeting with another candidate. He was an older man, around his 30's who reeked of cigars. She wouldn't be surprised if he bathed himself in tobacco in his spare time. Despite sitting in the same room as him for several hours, she couldn't remember what he did for a living. Well, it's not important anyway. She wasn't interested in him in the first place.
To be truthful, she would prefer to choose her husband on her own accord. She brought this up to her parents of course, to no avail. In a way, she should be grateful to have a choice on who to marry out of her parent's selection. However, their choices were all horrible. Who would want to marry such a man who could be her father? She exhales another sigh as she reflects on their previous bachelors.
"Why is everyone they pick so old and boring? Is it so hard to find a young yet intriguing man?"
She stares out the window and watches as the warm-colored leaves dance around with each other. After seeing that, the thought of dancing crossed her mind. It has been a while since the last time she danced with someone. Now that she thinks about it, it's been a long time since she's been out. Her health hasn't been the best lately. Ever since the season has changed, her body has grown weaker. She's felt better today, but tomorrow could rob her of this feeling. She wants to explore while she can. Maybe even find her Prince Charming.
The young girl glanced behind her, staring at the wooden door. She should be left alone for a while, but just to be sure... She quietly tipped toe her way over and locks the door. Her back was now facing the door. She felt her heart flutter with excitement for what's to come. The young girl looks under her bed to find her previous masterpiece, waiting for its next use. She carefully pulls it and beholds its greatness. What lied before her was a pile of sheets, knotted several times to create the desired length. She was pretty proud of her creation. Even though she's not allowed to leave the house alone, she ignores that rule from time to time.
Her eyes wandered to her open window. Then to her bed frame. She quickly tied a knot around it and carefully draped it over the window. The young girl watches as it sways side to side. Its been a while since she has done this. She was a bit nervous. Nonetheless, she takes in a deep breath and prepares her descent. Luckily for her, the fall wouldn't kill her. However, it would hurt a great deal if she did slip.
Once she felt the ground again, she searched her surroundings. The maids that normally tend to the garden had already finished their job. She could tell from the freshly trimmed bushes. Her attention was now drawn to the wooden fence. It towers over her which made climbing more difficult. This was probably her least favorite part when escaping. Despite her German heritage, she received her mother's shortness. She can admit that she's taller than most girls her age, but not by much. Even so, she continued.
She jumps up and gets a firm grip on the edge. Her small feet were now dangling as she hangs from the wall. Despite doing this so many times, she has little to no upper body strength to speak of. She tries lifting herself a few times with little success. Still, she gave it another shot and managed to pull her body up. Her knees were now resting on the edge. She closes her eyes and catches her breath. A huge grin appeared on her face. Her mission was successful. All that's left is to jump down.
The young blonde opened her eyes, expecting no one in sight. However, her sapphire hues landed upon another. A young man wearing a navy striped kimono. Seeing him there startled her. So much so that she began to fall forward. She embraced herself for the impact yet nothing happened. Instead, she felt someone's grip around her upper arm and the back of her knees. She peaked her eyes open and found the man who startled the girl, cradling her.
She was speechless. Not because of the fall but because of him. His golden hues and long raven hair were beautiful. Almost magical. Her heart was ringing through her ears. Was she having a heart attack? Was she that startled by the fall? She felt as though time has stopped. She continues to stare into her savior's eyes. Instead of black pupils, they were white. Was he blind? If that's the case, he wouldn't have been able to catch her so quickly...
The young man closed his eyes and set the young girl down. She was now standing on her own. Her aquamarine orbs continuing to admire him from below. He's not only handsome but tall as well. The crown of her head was around his shoulders. What did he eat to grow so big? The young man finally spoke up as her constant staring was bothering him.
"You okay?"
She felt her cheeks heating up as she kept her attention on him. Even his voice was charming. It was soft yet powerful at the same time. She wished to respond to his concerns, but all she could do was nod. The two shared another moment of silence. Her eyes still glued to his face. He had enough of the stares and decided to leave. She was creeping him out.
"...Be more careful next time."
She broke out of her trance as soon as he said farewell.
"W-Wait!"
Without thinking she held on to his sleeve and yanked him back. He stumbled a bit. Now visibly irritated by her action.
"What?"
His voice deepened as he glares at the young girl. Despite knowing her actions irritated him, she found this side of him to be charming as well. She slowly retracted her fingers. She only grabbed him out of impulse. She didn't know what to say to him now that he stayed. The young man watches as the girl returns to her previous state. He knows he looks out of place but does she have to stare so intensely? He gave out a frustrated sigh and spoke up.
"I'm leaving."
He turns around again and managed to make a few steps forward before being pulled back again. He was pissed now that she did this a second time. He was about to yell at her before finally hearing her voice.
"I-I want to repay you in some way!"
"Ha?"
He gave her a puzzled stare. He wasn't expecting her to say that. He yanked his sleeve away from her. Patting it down to straighten it again.
"It's fine. Don't worry about it."
The young blonde shakes her head. She's now a step closer to the taller fellow.
"N-No! Please tell me what I can do for you!"
"I don't want anything!"
He steps back and examines the girl's shift in behavior. She looks away, shyly covering her face with her sleeves.
"I-I may be young... but I would make a wonderful bride."
"Ha???"
What the hell is wrong with this kid's brain? Was she being serious? He was so confused and dumbfounded. All he did was catch her. Nothing worth receiving a bride for. If someone else did the same thing, would she still offer herself? That's not safe at all. He begins to rub his neck as he thinks of a way to phrase this.
"Hey, kid-"
"Call me Nanami!"
"...Alright, Nanami. I don't want a bride. And you shouldn't be throwing around things like that to strangers-"
"B-But I think I've fallen for you, sir!"
"What?! How?!"
She rests her palms on her cheeks as she shyly says her response.
"Love at first sight."
The man was taken aback by her words. So much so that his thoughts slipped out.
"She's fucking with me right?"
"Of course not! I'm serious! When our eyes meet my heart skipped a beat!"
He was startled by her quick response. He didn't mean to say that out loud yet she quickly denies it anyways.
This kid.
She was so quiet a few moments ago and now she's nothing but loud. Annoying.
"I'm not interested"
"Eh?! Am I not pretty enough?"
Why was she so surprised by his answer? Did she expect him to say yes? She doesn't even know him.
"It got nothing to do with looks, I got my own issues with marriage."
"Did you get a divorce?"
"What the hell? No child!"
He was beyond outraged by her ridiculous comment. Does he look like a divorcee? This child has absolutely no filter or manners. He thought he was blunt but this girl surpasses him.
"Then why not? I'll make a good wife!"
"Cause I'm not interested, kid!"
It was her turn to frown now. Her cheeks now puffed.
"Stop calling me kid! I gave you my name! It's Nanami! Na-na-mi!"
"Then stop acting like one!"
She was shocked by his answer. He's only a few years older than her right? Why does he behave as though he's been around for much longer?
"Why do you talk like you're so much older than me?"
"Erk-"
He quickly frowns at her statement. Now silent. She tilted her head at his sudden change in demeanor. Was she wrong to assume he was young? People age differently, but he couldn't be much older than 25.
"...It doesn't matter. Just go back home."
His voice was now monotone. Did she hit a nerve? He starts to walk away again. She quietly stands by. Allowing the distance between them to grow. Then a sudden thought crossed her mind. She gets the feeling that she shouldn't let him go. That if he leaves... she'll never see him again. Instead of his sleeve, she tugs on the back of his haori. The raven-haired man was at his wit's end. He quickly turns around and yells at her.
"Would you cut that-"
"I will if you come with me!"
She cut me off again.
"Why are you such a pain? Just leave me alone!"
"I'm not a pain! When I see something I want I take it."
He gave out a frustrated sigh.
Why am I playing along with her?
He should've done this from the start. He raised his index finger and pressed it against the young girl's forehead. She stands by, watching his lips move. A soft yet sorrowful tune escaped his lips. Why was he suddenly singing? She felt her eyes growing tired, then her body. She was perplexed by this. Why does she suddenly feel tired? Was she sick again? Or... was he the cause of it? Her legs began to buckle. Without delay, he held on to the girl. Her burly eyes examine him. She doesn't understand what's happening to her. Was she having a sleeping spell? It has been so long since the last one. She weakly held on to his yukata, his attention now back on her.
"Please... don't... go."
He kept quiet. Waiting for her eyes to relax. Looking at her now, she seemed almost ladylike. Maybe even beautiful. Then he remembers how she behaves when her mouth opens. She really was the embodiment of beauty in vain. He lifts her, quietly jumping over the fence the girl was struggling with earlier. He was careful to not step on the freshly fallen leaves. The last thing he wanted was to be caught with the lady of the house. His eyes fell upon the makeshift rope that was dangling from her window.
So she escaped.
He was slightly impressed. It takes some courage to climb down from that height. Especially with something you've made. Though she didn't do a very good job of hiding it. Her footsteps went straight for the fence while her masterpiece swayed in the wind. All she needed was one person to see this and she's screwed. He rests her underneath her family's tree and did the girl a favor. He threw the sheets back into her room and covered her tracks. He could let her get scolded, teach her a lesson. However... he kinda understands how she feels.
He takes a moment to scan the girl. Her messy curls and strawberry blonde strands stuck out to him. It was strange to see it. He doesn't see a lot of foreigners, let alone foreigners that speak the language.
His thoughts were suddenly interrupted. He picked up on a voice coming from within the household. It was coming closer. Most likely heading towards the garden. He glanced back at the sleeping girl. Then at the fence. He took this as his cue to leave. He has better things to do with his time. So with that, the young man quietly vanished, leaving behind the sleeping beauty.
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