Arrival to Rokkenjima
The boat gave a big shudder.
Seems we're docked at the harbor.
The boat driver came out and jumped to the pier with the mooring rope.
A large man in a tuxedo was waiting there for us with a warm, smiling face.
...I didn't know his face, but judging by his clothes, I guessed that he was a servant of the Ushiromiya family head house.
Gohda: Welcome home, Milady. You were quite late, and I began to worry.
Jessica: Ah, thanks for caring! This moron got so scared, that we had to slow down. It was seriously annoying!
Battler: S-Shut up... someday, when the shoe's on the other foot, you'll remember this, ...ugghh.
At this rate, the word'll spread around the entire family and I'll become the big conversation piece during dinner.
Even without this, everyone'd be talking about me because of that six year gap... but now I've given them an even juicier topic...!
Dammit, why does the Ushiromiya head house have to live on this isolated island!
In the meantime, the boat had finished its mooring.
A small plank was lowered so that we could get down.
One by one, our parents came out of the boat.
Gohda: You must all be quite tired from your long trip. Madam, please, allow me to assist you.
Eva: Thank you. It's been a while, Gohda-san. How are you?
Gohda: Thank you for your concern. It is always my pleasure to serve.
Kyrie: Battler-kun, isn't this your first time meeting Gohda-san? If I'm not mistaken, you weren't working here six years ago, right?
Gohda: Indeed. So please, allow me to greet him for the first time. It is an honor to meet you at last, Battler-sama.
Battler: ...I'm pretty secure about my height, but you're huge. ...This is definitely our first meeting. If I'd ever met a big guy like you, I'd never forget it...! It's a pleasure. I'm Battler.
Gohda: I do apologize for the wait. I have been working for the Ushiromiya head house since the year before last. I am Gohda, your servant. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. If there is ever anything you need, please feel free to rely on me.
George: Gohda-san, it's been some time.
Gohda: It has been too long, George-sama. Please allow me to assist you.
Hideyoshi: As usual, you're a reception pro... If you ever need a job, just let me know, okay? I'd hire you anytime!
Gohda: You do me too much honor. Please allow me to assist you, Hideyoshi-sama.
Gohda-san then lent a hand to everyone as they disembarked, greeting them as they passed.
His speech and mannerisms had the refined polish of a professional.
He was very graceful, in contrast with his initially rough-looking appearance.
His large size made him seem a bit scary at first, but he was much more polite than my first impression of him had led me to believe.
He claimed to have served on the island for two years, but he had doubtless worked at a similar job somewhere before.
After everyone disembarked, the mooring rope was untied and the boat started to steer away from the harbor.
It was probably returning to its home port of Niijima.
The captain waved his hand in farewell.
Maria conscientiously waved her hand back.
Battler: ...Hmmm, now that I think about it, that must be why I've felt something out of place for a while now. I can't hear the cries of the seagulls.
Jessica: Seagulls? The birds?
It's true that whenever I come to this island, the seagulls always meet us with their lively 'nyaa nyaa' cries.
And because of that, whenever I heat the cries of the seagulls in any other place, I get the feeling that I'm coming to a family conference.
Except for the small part of the island where those of the Ushiromiya head house live, Rokkenjima had been left uncultivated, apparently transforming into a paradise for wild birds.
The whole wharf looked like it was turning into a huge seagull colony, and this island always was full of seagulls.
Since those seagulls didn't come to greet us, I felt a bit lonely.
Rosa: What's wrong, Battler-kun?
Battler: Oh, Rosa oba-san. ...Nah, it's nothing really, I was just sayin' that since I can't hear the seagulls, it feels a bit lonely.
Rosa: My, now that you say so, it's true. Even though they're always so lively, today there isn't one to be seen.
Maria: ...Uu-? Why no seagulls?
Rosa: Hmmm, maybe it's because the seagulls are having a gathering somewhere too? Maria, did you want to see the seagulls?
Maria: Uu-, wanted to.
Battler: What happened for them to all disappear? Maybe Jessica made aaall of 'em into yakitori and ate 'em!
Maria: ...Uu-?!
Jessica: The hell, don't say disturbing stuff like that! You'll get Maria all confused!!
Maria: Uu-uu-uu-! Jessica onee-chan made them into yakitori, made them into yakitori! Uu-!!
Jessica: I did not, I did not! Why the hell would I do something like that?!
Battler: That's right, that's right~, Jessica made 'em into yakitori! Skin 'n meatballs, liver 'n onio~on!
Maria: Swim in meat dolls! Liver 'n oniooon!! Uu-uu-uu-! Ahaha, ahaha! Hahahaha!
As I made fun of Jessica, Maria tagged along looking like she was having fun.
Ooh, so she's a person who goes with other people's moods!
Alright then, from today on I'll make you my number one follower!
As I smiled at her, she beamed, looking overjoyed and possibly happy with my modest solidarity.
George: That's not it, Maria-chan. It seems that wild birds are attuned to changes in the weather and atmospheric pressure. It looks like the weather will get worse around tonight. It's possible they hurried back to their nests.
Maria: ...Uu-. Not yakitori? Jessica onee-chan didn't make them into yakitori?
Jessica: I did not, I did not!! I said, I wouldn't do stuff like that! Alright, Battler, you admit right now that you lied!
George: Battler-kun. Maria-chan is a naive girl, so she takes even jokes seriously. You should choose your jokes more carefully.
...George-aniki gently scolded me.
...Even though I outstripped Aniki in height, Aniki was of course Aniki. There was no choice but to obediently apologize.
Battler: H-Hey, my bad, my bad... Maria, that just now was a joke. It's just today the seagulls are all quiet in their nests.
Maria: ...Battler lie? George onii-chan true?
Despite her having all that fun, she really was tricked...?
Her pure eyes seemed to blame me.
...Maybe I went a little overboard with her after all.
Battler: Yeeaah, that's right, that's right. What George-aniki said is true. The weather is bad so they probably went home for today. It doesn't mean they're gone, does it? Right, Oba-san!
Rosa: That's right. Tomorrow, when the weather gets better, I'm sure they'll come back and let us hear their 'myaa myaa' cries.
Maria: Uu-. They're waiting for the weather to get better to come back. Waiting for tomorrow. Waiting for the weather to get better. Uu-uu-!
Maria was in a lighter mood, and was looking forward to tomorrow when the seagulls would come back and fill the skies.
Still, George-aniki really was amazing at taking care of kids.
...I think I remember Aniki taking good care of me as well whne I was a brat six years ago.
...Aniki, that's probably your gift.
Rosa: George-kun is amazing at taking care of kids. And you're not working in child-care?
Jessica: Yeah. George nii-san, looks like it's what you were born to do. Personally, I see you doing that rather than doing business in some company president's office.
George: Oh, no. Child-care is a fine job. But it's not a job where merely liking children is enough.
Rosa: You're truly modest, George-kun. But Battler-kun is also quite good with children! Earlier, even if it was just for a time, Maria seemed to be having a lot of fun. Keep on playing with her like you did just now. Just choose the jokes carefully though, alright? *giggle*
Rosa oba-san winked at me, giggling a little.
A real mother, I thought to myself, who's happy that Maria looks like she's having fun.
Rudolf: Come ON, Rosa. And you brats too, what the hell're you doing. Let's go now!
Rosa: Alright, alright, we're coming.
The old bastard was waving his hand for us to hurry up.
But yeah, we needed to get moving.
It's not like it'd be too late to have the same discussion after we got our luggage in our rooms.
Gohda: Now then everyone, I shall lead you towards the guesthouse where you will be staying. Please, this way.
Gohda-san called to everyone and started leading us.
Kumasawa-san brought up the rear.
A serpentine, twisting path led into a dim forest. It ran a bit uphill.
I'd guess the path was made twisting so that the slope wouldn't be felt too much, but personally, I'd have been happier if they'd had the guts to make some stairs in a straight line.
...No doubt they made the path twisting on purpose, to put on airs of distance and importance...
Before long, we saw garden-style stone steps. ...Aaah, from here on, I have some memories.
Go up these, and...
At the top of the stone steps, we saw a beautiful guesthouse.
Its facade was of course lovely, but even more so... we couldn't enter its doors without having our hearts stolen away by the splendor of that beautiful rose garden that spread before it.
Hideyoshi: Aaah~! It's as beautiful as ever this year... A real delight for the eyes...
After climbing the stone steps, the people welcomed in by the rose garden gave voice to their impressions one by one.
Eva: Aren't the flowers less lively this year? It must be because the summer wasn't warm enough.
Gohda: I also believe that is so. When one compares with last year's blooming, it is a pity that this year's is a bit inferior.
Even so, it was a delightful rose garden.
I remembered that every year before six years previously, huge amounts of roses had greeted me.
...This rose garden was the first thing that greeted the people who came to Rokkenjima. Even our parents, who came every year, couldn't help but let their wonder slip out.
And moreover, it looked like a "powered-up" version of the garden from six years ago that was in my memories.
Kyrie: This place is always so amazing. It must be wonderful to have a rose garden like this in your own home.
Rudolf: Give it up. Who do you think would take care of it? Roses are a real pain, with bugs and diseases to worry about.
Rosa: Well, from what I've heard, Kyrie nee-san takes car of her rose every day and makes sure no bugs get anywhere near it, right?
Rudolf: Huh? What are you talking about?
Kyrie: That's right. Though in this person's case, the rose goes after the insects like some nasty carnivorous plant.
Rudolf: ...Oh, so that's what you mean. C'mon, Rosa, can't you give that a rest just for today? I've put that sort of thing completely behind me.
Rosa: I wonder. After all, you are a womanizer on an almost genetic level...!
Kyrie: No need to worry, Rosa-san. When a rose gives you too much trouble, it's always best to snip it at the root.
Kumasawa: Hoh-hoh-hoh-ho, such frightening talk this is.
Hideyoshi: Guys who're popular with the ladies are always forced to live dangerously. I sure hope I turn out a bit prettier in my next life!
Rudolf: Hideyoshi nii-san, as I keep telling you, it isn't like that at all. ...And Kyrie... stop it, you're freaking me out. Hasn't my rose withered already?
George: Hey, Maria-chan, look over here. These roses are especially magnificent.
Maria: Roses are magnificent. Uu-!
Battler: Hmmm~, smells pretty sweet. Look, this matches my elegance pe~rfectly.
Jessica: Hey, cut it out! Maria's gonna imitate you and get hurt by the thorns!
She yelled at me as I leaned in to smell the rose's scent with an exaggerated gesture.
...I thought she was overreacting, but when I turned around, I saw Maria imitating my every gesture and George-aniki smiling broadly at us.
George: Hey now, Maria-chan, be careful. Rose thorns can hurt.
Maria: ...Uu-? ...George onii-chan. Only this rose is strange. Uu-.
Jessica: Strange? What's wrong?
Maria pointed to one rose. I immediately understood why she found it odd.
In the midst of all these magnificent roses, just one single rose was withering.
There wasn't any particular reason.
Some roses flourish, and others wither.
That's all there was to it, but Maria seemed very concerned about the only unhealthy one in the group.
...It must have made her feel lonely.
George: So, you feel sad for this rose because it's the only one that isn't healthy...?
Maria: ...Uu-. The others are all healthy, but this one's sad.
Jessica: Well, you always get a few that wither. I'll bet the only reason that one withered is because it bloomed earlier than any of the other roses.
Battler: Yeah, that's right. It probably just bloomed all over the place, fulfilled its duty and went to rest. You shouldn't get so worked up about it.
Maria: ...Uu-.
It seemed that Maria's pure, sensitive nature was making her feel some emotional pain for the rose that withered alone.
Even though she understood the logic of it, it still felt lonely to her.
George: Then, Maria-chan, why don't you look after this rose until we leave?
Maria: Uu-?
George-aniki straightened up and felt around in his pocket.
He then took out the wrapping from the candy Maria had eaten on the plane.
He twisted it into a thin string, and gently tied it to the rose as a sort of marker.
Jessica: Heeey, that's pretty cute!
George: Let's mark it with this. Later on, you can come and give it some water. I'm sure Mr. Rosa will be happy.
Maria: ...Uu-! Come to give it water!
George: I think you should give Mr. Rose here a name. I'm sure that'll make it happy, and you'll get to know it a little better.
Maria: Name...? Name... Uu-... uu-...
Though she still wore her usual sullen face, Maria crossed her arms and began to consider this intently.
At the very least, she appeared to have been completely pulled out of her slump. Nice going, Aniki.
Jessica: George nii-san has always been really understanding. Can't help but respect him.
Battler: Yeah. I guess he was just born that way. We've gotta start picking up tips!
Hideyoshi: Was this garden just as magnificent when you all were kids?
Eva: From the time I left the House onwards, it started to really become something. Before that, the garden was simpler, but I'm still attached to that one though. Nii-san fiddled with it too much, with his slightly bad taste. It was better the way it was before.
Hideyoshi: Eva, you've gotta think positive! Regardless of how it once looked, its beauty now is something to be admired. You'll be able to relax a lot better if you look at it that way.
Eva: I didn't mean it like that... I was just saying that I wanted you to see this garden the way it was before too.
Gohda: Now then, everyone, if you please. I shall be guiding you to the rooms now.
Gohda-san called to everyone to ask if we were ready, but our hearts had been completely stolen away by the rose garden after a year of absence, and we didn't lend him an ear.
Since we weren't a travel group, it wasn't like we had a strict schedule to follow.
Besides, since our parents were visiting their old home, full of nostalgia, it wasn't like they had to let themselves be urged on by anyone or anything.
Understanding the situation, Gohda-san continued to wait, smiling widely, until our parents got tired of the roses and told him to guide us to the rooms...
Hideyoshi: My...! Heey! If it isn't Kanon-kun! It's been so long! How are you doin'?!
Hideyoshi oji-san suddenly shouted.
In the direction he was waving at... there was a slender boy.
meeting him right after a huge man like Gohda probably emphasized his small stature.
The boy was in the middle of transporting piled-up gardening tools and the like in a wheelbarrow.
When he realized he was being called to stop, he set down the wheelbarrow, took his hat off and bowed his head.
Kanon: ...Good afternoon.
...I figured he was probably younger than me.
I realized by the general atmosphere surrounding him that he was a servant too.
He answered Hideyoshi oji-san's greeting, but he seemed unsociable deep down.
It was a greeting that lacked feeling.
When Gohda-san noticed that our interest has shifted towards him, he went to the boy's side and introdiced him to us.
Gohda: Battler-sama, I shall introduce you. He is one of the servants who serve the Ushiromiya head house. ...Kanon-kun, greet our guest.
Kanon: ...I'm pleased to meet you. I am the servant... Kanon.
Yep, my first impression wasn't wrong, he gave the feeling that he was unsociable, and a bit of a poor speaker.
Compared to Gohda-san, who was extraordinarily polished as a servant, no matter what he did, he gave off a feeling of inexperience typical of his age.
When Gohda-san urged him in a whisper to give a bit more of an introduction, the boy named Kanon only cast his eyes downwards.
Gohda: Kanon-san. Could you perhaps give them a little more as a greeting...?
Kanon: ...No. ...Because we... are just furniture.
It seemed that he wasn't refusing to greet us out of spite, but rather, he gave the impression that he had no choice but stay silent, not knowing what to add to his greeting.
Jessica: Ah, uh, Kanon-kun's shy, he's the kind that doesn't talk much. He might not be that sociable, but deep down he's really a good person! Don't get him wrong...! You've been working here for three years, was it? So yeah, you've been here a year longer thank Gohda-san, right Kanon-kun?
Even though it's not like he made a super bad impression, Jessica hurriedly backed him up.
...I see, apparently him being unsociable works against him all the time.
Battler: Ok then, nice to meet you. I'm Battler! I'm 18, how old are you?
Kanon: ......
A silence, as if appraising whether it was a question that must be answered or not. ...But here again, Jessica plowed ahead.
Jessica: Um, uhh...! If I remember correctly, he's two years younger than us so... sixteen, right?
Kanon: ...Yes... that is correct.
It looked like if given a choice, he would have preferred not to tell us his age.
Him not wanting to tell his age was probably because he thought he would be looked down upon for it.
...I remember that when I was around his age, I hated being asked how old I was by adults.
...I see, sixteen huh?
That's gotta be a delicate time.
...In that case, I asked something I shouldn't have.
Battler: Heh he~, I'm glad you're about our age! Just be cool and call me Battler! And I'll call you Kanon!
Kanon: ...Thank you very much. But just the sentiment is sufficient... Battler-sama.
Jessica looked all downcast for some reason.
She seemed to think that my impression of Kanon was worsening because of his rejection.
Well, that girl Jessica probably couldn't understand the fretful male heart at this age.
As his elder, even by just two years, who would lead him into adolescence, I took it upon myself to understand that.
Gohda: Kanon-san, could you perhaps be a little more courteous? A smiling face is also the duty of a servant.
Kanon: ...I apologize. ...I shall make an effort.
Kumasawa: Hoh-hoh-ho... Gohda-san, Kanon-kun is trying his best, isn't he?
It looked like he had already been well warned about his discourtesy.
And apparently he hadn't improved a bit.
Gohda-san kept is business-smile, but let a small sigh of resignation escape.
Kanon: ...Well then, I still have work to do. ...If you'll excuse me.
It looked like Kanon himself was uncomfortable with remaining silent here any longer.
After another perfunctory bow, he turned on his heels and started pushing the wheelbarrow again.
Just then, suddenly, the wheelbarrow wobbled and fell, scatteing the load.
I guess the wheeçbarrow with its single wheel caught on a pebble and lost its balance.
Gohda: What have you done... now now, quickly clean it up...!
Since Gohda-san was one to harp on the fact that presenting a clumsy appearance in front of guest is a servant's shame, he urged him along in a low voice.
Kanon-kun, who probably understood quite well without being told, wordlessly reloaded the wheelbarrow with the fallen objects.
He seemed to be fine with the light-looking gardening tools, shovels and such, but he looked like he was having trouble getting his arms around and lifting up some sacks of fertilizer.
Jessica: Are you alright? You're so careless. Here.
Gohda: Milady, you will dirty your garments. Please, leave it to us.
Gohda-san took the shovel that Jessica had picked up with an elegant gesture.
At his back was the figure of Kanon-kun having trouble with the sacks of fertilizer.
Maria: ...Uu-. You'll dirty your garments?
Battler: Don't worry, the ones I'm wearing aren't that elegant. Besides, I hate guys who make the waitress pick up the fork they dropped at a restaurant.
I lifted up the other bags that had fallen.
Of course, they weren't light, but for me it was a piece of cake.
Kanon-kun turned his surprised eyes towards me.
It was the face of one who would never have thought to receive help from a guest.
Kanon: ...B-Battler-sama... That's sufficient... I'll take care of everything, so...
Battler: Don't you worry! I may not look it, but I've got it where it counts! Heheh!
Since Kanon-kun looked like he hadn't yet gone through his growth spurt, he was stuck with a sorta weak body.
I guess that this kind of weight was too much for him.
George: It's quite heavy, isn't it? It's natural that it wouldd be difficult for you. Kanon-kun, don't worry about it.
Battler: Ok, my time to shine. This makes up for the boat part from before, right?
Jessica: Ha! As if your antics earlier could ve written off just by this! Ah-hah-hah-ha! Later, I'm gonna tell Kanon-kun too just how funny you were, Battler!
Maria: Faaall faaall!! Uu-uu-uu-!!!
As they did this, I piled all the stuff back into the wheelbarrow.
Kanon: ...For letting you see such unsightliness, I beg your forgiveness.
Gohda: Very well, enough now. Please, go.
Letting such a disgraceful thing be seen by the guests who were supposed to be made welcome... must have been hideously embarrassing as a servant.
Pressed by Gohda to hurry up and exit, Kanon-kun left.
Eva: You're too harsh on him, Gohda-san. Wouldn't it have been better if you'd helped him, instead of being a bully?
Gohda: ...That had not occurred to me. I deeply, deeply implore your forgiveness.
Without even a twitch in his smile, Gohda-san apologized elegantly.
Hideyoshi: Kanon-kun has a ton a things he's good at too. It's just that bein' young works against him all the time. It's a cryin' shame.
Rudolf: It's a prickly age. You be nice to him. Close-mouthed servants are just fine. Right, Kumasawa-san?
Kumasawa: Hoh-hoh-hoh-ho, Rudolf-sama, you truly are harsh! There is no servant as silent as I, of course!
Everyone smiled wryly at that shameless lie.
Even she herself didn't belive that, not in her wildest dreams.
She said that to loosen us all up.
Yeah, that's the kind of character Kumasawa baa-chan used to be.
The mood that had stiffened a little was cleared up in a twinkling, thanks to Kumasawa-san's cheerful smile.
Kyrie: I'd like to put down the luggage soon. Gohda-san, how are we to split up for our rooms?
Gohda: It shall be the same as the previous year. I shall guide you. Please, this way.
We headed towards a trim, elegantly simple guesthouse.
This was gonna be our temporary quarters for a night.
Kanon: ......
Kanon watched over a hedge as the guests all entered the guesthouse.
Then, he let his eyes fall on those heavy sacks of fertilizer, piled up in the wheelbarrow.
In his mind, he kept going over his previous mistake.
Battler, big and strong, had picked up the sacks in front of him, the sacks he couldn't lift himself, as if they were feathers.
It was extremely difficult for an outside observer to guess what emotions that favor had stirred up in Kanon.
But as far as you could tell by watching him hang his head from behind, there was something that he just couldn't let go.
...Muttered words escaped his lips.
But those words he murmured were so soft that hey didn't reach even his own ears.
Kanon: ...I wish I could...
Kanon hung his head, slightly biting his lower lip...
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