Jane stood watching the person on the resting pavilion from a distance that was neither too far nor too close.

That person had their black hair spread out. Only the hair at the back was tied in the middle with a ribbon, cascading down their back.

The strands falling in front beautifully framed their forehead and temples.

With their eyes closed, they were deeply engrossed in playing the traditional koto.

Jane, seeing them in profile, could clearly see their long eyelashes, prominent nose, and full lips.

They were dressed in a white Montsuki and black Hakama.

Lost in the koto's melody, their head moved in time with the music, causing the flowing strands of hair near their face to dance.

There exists such a beautiful man, Jane thought.

A doubt entered Jane's mind.

Could that person also be a cousin of Haruto's, like Roza Beni? That thought made Jane feel a pang of sadness.

They finished playing the koto.

Jane didn't know if her sadness was due to the melody of the koto.

After playing, they looked up at the large Sakura tree.

Jane turned to leave. The sound of her heeled boots was loud in the night. Though it hadn't been noticeable while the koto was playing, now the sound of her shoes stood out.

Jane stopped for a moment, waiting to see if they would say anything. If they didn't hear her, she would leave quietly.

"Did I wake you?"

Not a deep, husky voice like a man's, but a clear, tinkling sound like wind chimes, Jane thought.

At their question, Jane turned her body back towards them and walked up to where they were sitting.

Near the steps, she saw their wooden clogs. Jane also took off her boots and placed them neatly beside theirs.

Only when she sat directly facing them did Jane clearly see their small face, round eyes, the mole near the corner of their eyelid, long eyelashes, and full lips.

Jane's heart was still pounding rapidly.

They were looking at Jane with dreamy eyes.

"You must be tired from your journey. Did I disturb you?"

Jane was still floating in their voice. Her gaze lingered on the movement of their lips.

"Jane. Jane."

Only after they called her name twice did Jane come back to her senses.

"Huh...?"

"Jane! Are you unwell?"

As they asked, they moved closer to Jane and, with their slender, beautiful palm, touched her temple, then pressed their forehead against hers.

Jane's whole body felt hot. As for Jane's face, words couldn't describe it. It was completely red.

"My temperature feels a bit warm."

Their breath brushed against the tip of Jane's nose.

I'm going crazy. Jane, you've gone mad.

Jane regained her senses and pulled away from them.

Jane swayed slightly.

They gently steadied Jane's body.

"Easy, Jane."

Jane turned her gaze towards the Sakura tree.

They continued,

"May I call you Jane?"

Jane wasn't sure if she nodded.

"I am Haruto Murakami."

The sound of their name being introduced made Jane's heart soar with happiness, like birds taking flight.

She had to suppress her joy, conceal her pounding heart.

"Please forgive me for not being able to greet you today. If I hadn't gone, someone would have lost their life."

They explained to Jane in a soft, gentle voice.

Jane turned to look at them. They were looking up at the Sakura tree.

Jane, however, could only stare at their subtly prominent Adam's apple.

"Jane."

"Huh?"

"Go back to sleep. It's a new place, so I'm worried you won't be used to it. Sleep soundly."

If I could sleep in your embrace, I would surely sleep soundly.

"Hmm, I did sleep for a while during the day, and I just woke up from a nap, so I'm not sleepy anymore."

They looked at Jane with a smile. Their full lips were so beautiful when they smiled.

"Jane, come here."

"Huh?" Oh my god. They patted their lap and told Jane to come there.

No matter how many times Jane had fallen in love, this kind of...

"Hmm." Jane turned her face towards the Sakura tree and rested her head on their lap.

____________________________

Jane woke up to the noisy chirping of small birds in the morning.

The moment Jane woke up, her face flushed with embarrassment.

Jane looked up at their face. They were propping their head up with a hand on the table, sleeping with their face tilted upwards.

Did they sleep like this all night? Jane, still not getting up from her sleeping position, reached out with her hand to touch their fallen strands of hair.

What she had thought was black hair last night had a brownish tint in the morning light.

They suddenly opened their eyes, causing Jane to quickly retract her hand.

Their eyes also had a brownish hue.

"Morning, Jane."

Jane groggily sat up from their lap.

"Morning, Ha... Haruto."

"Hmm..." They stretched their legs with a pained expression.

Right, their legs must be numb.

"Um... Haruto, I'm sorry. I fell asleep."

"It's nothing, Jane. I myself desired it."

What could the meaning of their words be? Jane's heart was still racing.

"You looked lovely while sleeping, Jane."

They scratched the back of their neck, lowered their face, and spoke in a soft, gentle voice.

Jane's blushing didn't stop. Their words made Jane feel like she was floating in the air.

"I'll go ahead, Haruto."

"Hmm."

They nodded.

Jane got up, quickly put on her boots, and walked towards the west wing with steps that were almost running.

Reaching her room, she leaned against the small door, pressing her hands against her chest.

You've fallen in love, Ruby Jane.

"Darling."

Jane, you've fallen in love with Darling.

At the Morning.

They ate breakfast together with Lord Murakami. Haruto was sitting on Lord Murakami's right.

"Jane, are you unwell? Your face is red."

The rosy rose beside her was oblivious to the situation.

"N... no... It's... well... I think it's just travel fatigue."

Jane's words were incoherent.

"Isn't your husband handsome?"

"Hmph hmph."

I felt like hitting that child.

Jane glared at her, but she was, as usual, eating with her mouth full, looking at Jane with puppy eyes.

When Jane glanced at him, he was smiling.

Jane only knew how to be embarrassed. She couldn't even look properly at Lord Murakami.

"Jane asked me if her husband was ugly, so I just asked now,"

Roza further explained Lord Murakami's questioning gaze towards her.

Jane kept her head lowered, picking at her rice.

"Am I ugly, Jane?"

"Hmph hmph."

"No... not at all. You're handsome."

Ah, Jane wished she could evaporate and disappear from this place.