The morning sun filtered softly through the heavy curtains, casting a gentle golden light across the room. The space was vast, the bed larger than anything Shiki had ever slept in before, its blankets thick and luxurious, almost swallowing him in their embrace. He was still lost in sleep, oblivious to the world around him.
A quiet knock at the door echoed through the room, almost swallowed by the silence. The door creaked open with deliberate care, and Hisui stepped inside. Her movements were delicate, her maid uniform impeccable as always, her face calm and composed. She approached the bed, her voice barely above a whisper, but firm with purpose.
"Shiki-sama," she called softly, leaning slightly closer to him. "It is time to wake up."
Shiki stirred, his brow knitting as he slowly emerged from the depths of sleep. He blinked groggily, trying to adjust to the light and the unfamiliar surroundings. The bed, the room—everything felt like it belonged to someone else, someone who lived in a world far removed from his own.
Hisui, noting his struggle to wake, added with gentle urgency, "Shiki-sama, breakfast is ready. It's important to start the day with a proper meal."
He rubbed his eyes, sitting up slowly, still half-buried in the soft blankets. Hisui watched him with a patient expression, her presence a quiet reminder of the expectations that came with living in this house.
Shiki nodded, his voice still thick with sleep. "Good morning, Hisui. I'll get up now."
Hisui inclined her head in a slight bow, satisfied with his response. "Please take your time to get ready, Shiki-sama. But do not delay too long. Akiha-sama insists on punctuality."
With that, she turned and exited the room, leaving the door slightly ajar behind her. Shiki remained in bed for a moment longer, taking in his surroundings—the ornate furniture, the rich carpets, the heavy curtains that seemed to keep the outside world at bay.
"This room… It's so much larger than anything I've ever slept in. Everything feels too big, too soft, too… perfect. How did I end up in a place like this? And why does it all feel so wrong?"
With a sigh, he finally threw off the blankets and swung his legs over the side of the bed. The plush carpet was cool under his feet, a stark contrast to the rougher surfaces he was used to. Every step he took felt tentative, as if he were intruding on someone else's life.
…
The dining hall was grand, its high ceilings and large windows allowing the morning light to spill in, illuminating every corner with a soft glow. The table, long and elegantly set, bore the weight of a traditional Japanese breakfast, each dish meticulously arranged. Kohaku stood near the table, her smile warm and welcoming as Shiki entered.
"Good morning, Shiki-san!" she greeted him, her voice bright with cheer. "I hope you slept well."
Shiki returned her smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. He felt out of place in this room, in this house, in this life. He approached the table and took a seat, his gaze sweeping over the spread before him—rice, grilled fish, miso soup, pickled vegetables, and more. It was an impressive feast, too much for one person, and certainly too much for him.
"Morning, Kohaku-san," he replied, trying to keep his tone polite. "I, uh… slept fine."
Kohaku's smile widened, pleased with his response. "That's wonderful to hear! I made a Japanese-style breakfast for you today. I wasn't sure what you'd like, so I prepared a variety of dishes."
Shiki stared at the food, overwhelmed by the sheer abundance of it. Each dish was prepared with such care, such precision, that it almost felt wrong to eat it. But what weighed on him more was the amount—there was no way he could finish it all.
"Kohaku-san, this looks amazing, but…" He hesitated, not wanting to seem ungrateful. "It's too much. I don't think I can eat all of it."
Kohaku's expression didn't falter, though there was a brief flicker of something in her eyes—understanding, perhaps. She tilted her head slightly, as if she had expected this.
"Please don't worry about that, Shiki-san. It's my pleasure to prepare meals for you, and it's important that you eat enough to keep your strength up. But if you feel it's too much, you can always tell me. I'll adjust the portions next time."
Shiki nodded, though the unease didn't leave him. "Thank you, Kohaku-san. I just don't want to waste anything."
"Your health is what's most important, Shiki-san," Kohaku reassured him, her tone gentle. "Please, enjoy what you can. I'll take care of the rest."
He picked up his chopsticks and began to eat. The food was delicious, the flavors rich and comforting, yet each bite felt heavy. The weight of the mansion's rules hung over him—rules about punctuality, decorum, and expectations. Everything in this house was governed by some unseen law, and it made him feel as if he were being slowly suffocated.
His thoughts swayed.
This food… it's so good. It reminds me of home, but there's something about it that feels off. Maybe it's because I'm eating it here, in this mansion where everything is so carefully controlled. Even breakfast feels like it's governed by rules. It's like… I'm not allowed to just be myself here...
Kohaku watched him closely, her smile softening as she noticed the discomfort in his eyes.
"Is something troubling you, Shiki-san?" she asked gently. "You seem… distant."
Shiki paused, his chopsticks hovering over the rice bowl. He struggled to find the right words, not wanting to offend, but also not wanting to lie.
"It's just… everything here is so different," he admitted. "I'm still getting used to it, I guess."
Kohaku nodded, her eyes filled with understanding. "I understand. It must be quite an adjustment for you. If there's anything I can do to help, please don't hesitate to ask."
"Thanks, Kohaku-san. I'll let you know."
He returned to his meal, though the tension in his chest remained. This house, with all its luxury and rules, felt like a gilded cage. And he was the bird, trapped inside, unsure if he would ever be able to escape.
Shiki finished his breakfast, leaving several dishes only half-eaten. He stared at the remnants of the meal, guilt gnawing at him for not finishing everything.
Kohaku stepped forward, her movements graceful as she began to clear the table. She noticed his hesitation and offered him a reassuring smile.
"Thank you for enjoying breakfast, Shiki-san," she said warmly. "I'll make sure to prepare something lighter for you tomorrow."
Shiki stood, feeling awkward and out of place once more. "I appreciate that, Kohaku-san. And… I'm sorry for leaving so much uneaten."
Kohaku shook her head, her smile as kind as ever. "No need to apologize, Shiki-san. Your comfort and health are what matter most.
He gave her a small, grateful nod before leaving the dining hall. As he walked through the mansion's grand corridors, the weight of his surroundings pressed down on him. The opulence of it all, the way everything was perfectly arranged, made him feel like an outsider.
His mind was filled with the following thoughts: ''I'm surrounded by luxury, by people who want to help, but all I feel is trapped. How long can I live like this, pretending this is where I'm meant to be? What will happen if I can't keep up with Akiha's expectations, with the rules of this house?''
He paused in front of a large window, looking out at the meticulously kept garden. The beauty of the scene outside clashed sharply with the turmoil brewing inside him.
Shiki took a deep breath, trying to dispel the unease that lingered in his chest. But as he turned away from the window, the feeling remained, a constant reminder that this life, this mansion, was never truly his own. With a loud sigh, he went to the tea room to join Akiha.
The tea room exuded an air of calm, with the morning sun filtering through the shoji screens, casting delicate patterns of light and shadow on the tatami mats. The room was meticulously arranged, every piece of furniture, every ornament, perfectly placed to create an atmosphere of refined elegance. Akiha sat at the low table, her posture impeccable, a picture of serene grace as she sipped from a delicate porcelain cup.
Shiki entered the room quietly, still feeling out of place in the grand, luxurious mansion that was now his home. The silence of the room was almost oppressive, amplifying the soft rustle of his clothes as he walked across the tatami. He was still trying to adjust to this new life, where everything was larger, more refined, and more controlled than anything he had known before.
Akiha looked up as he approached, offering him a faint, polite smile. "Good morning, Nii-san," she greeted, her voice smooth and composed. "Did you sleep well?"
Shiki hesitated, the memory of a restless night fresh in his mind. The grand bed in his room was comfortable, but it had done little to ease his unease. "Morning, Akiha. Yeah, I slept okay. The bed's… really soft."
Akiha's smile widened just slightly, a trace of satisfaction in her eyes. "I'm glad to hear that. Please, join me for some tea before we leave for school."
He settled down across from her, trying not to feel too awkward in the opulent surroundings. Akiha poured him a cup of tea with practiced ease, the amber liquid swirling in the fine porcelain.
"This is a special blend," Akiha explained as she set the teapot down. Her eyes flicked to his, a hint of pride in her voice. "It's imported from Europe. One of my favorites. I thought you might appreciate it."
Shiki took a sip, letting the warmth of the tea spread through him. The flavor was rich and complex, far beyond the simple teas he was used to. "It's really good," he admitted, though the luxury of it all made him feel slightly uncomfortable. "But, Akiha… doesn't this all seem a bit much? It's just tea, after all."
Akiha's expression remained calm, but there was a flicker of something deeper in her eyes. "In this house, Nii-san, even the smallest things are done with care. It's our way of honoring tradition and each other."
Shiki nodded, though he couldn't quite shake the feeling that he didn't belong here. The mansion, with its rules and formalities, felt like a gilded cage, beautiful but stifling. The events of the past few days weighed on him—first the strange girl with the scythe, who had appeared like a ghost in the night, her eyes glowing with a dangerous, crimson light. Then Miss Gramheart, an enigmatic figure who exuded an aura of mystery and power. And now, this unsettling place with its own dark secrets.
The uneasy silence between them was abruptly broken by a loud, boisterous voice echoing through the hallways.
"Oi, Kohaku-chan! Where's my tea? A doctor can't work without her caffeine!"
The voice was followed by quick, heavy footsteps, and before Shiki could react, the door to the tea room slid open with a forceful bang. A tall woman strode into the room, her presence dominating the space like a thunderstorm. Her hair was a wild cascade of light brown curls, framing a face that was both beautiful and mischievous. She wore a lab coat, but it hung open, revealing a voluptuous figure and an array of peculiar trinkets around her neck. Her eyes, a sharp, piercing amber, seemed to dance with secrets and hidden knowledge.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" she exclaimed, her gaze locking onto Shiki with an amused glint. "A new face in the old Tohno mansion? You must be the little brother I've heard so much about."
Shiki blinked, taken aback by the sudden intrusion. The woman's energy was overwhelming, a stark contrast to the quiet, refined atmosphere of the mansion.
Akiha, however, seemed unfazed. She sighed softly, setting down her tea cup with a resigned expression. "Shiki, this is Dr. Arach. She was an associate of our father's during his college years. She… occasionally helps out around the mansion."
Arach grinned, clearly enjoying Akiha's careful choice of words. "That's right! I'm your sister's 'friend,' though I'd say I'm more like a guardian angel, wouldn't you agree, Akiha-chan?"
Akiha's face remained impassive, though Shiki could sense the slight tension in her tone. "Dr. Arach assists with various tasks around the house. Her expertise is invaluable."
Shiki studied the woman, trying to reconcile her flamboyant demeanor with the quiet dignity of the mansion. Arach's gaze returned to him, her eyes narrowing as if she were sizing him up.
"So, you're the famous Tohno Shiki, huh? You don't look like much, but I suppose looks can be deceiving." She leaned in closer, her grin widening. "Tell me, kid, how are you finding life in this big ol' mansion? Bet it's a bit different from what you're used to."
Shiki felt a knot form in his stomach. There was something about Arach that unnerved him, a feeling he couldn't quite place. It wasn't just her appearance—though she was certainly striking—but the way she carried herself, as if she knew more than she was letting on. And then there was that aura, that same ominous presence he had felt around Miss Gramheart and the girl with the scythe.
"It's… different, yeah," Shiki replied, his voice betraying a hint of unease. "I'm still getting used to it, I guess."
Arach let out a booming laugh that echoed through the room. "I bet you are! This place can be a bit suffocating if you're not careful. Don't let all the rules and formalities get to you, though. Just take it one day at a time."
Kohaku appeared at the door with a tray, carrying a steaming cup of tea. "Your tea, Dr. Arach," she said, her voice as bright as ever. "I hope it's to your liking."
Arach grabbed the cup off the tray, taking a large gulp with none of the grace Akiha had shown. "Ah, perfect! Just what the doctor ordered." She gave Shiki a conspiratorial wink, as if they shared some private joke. "You'll get used to this place, kid. Just remember, if you ever need a break from all the seriousness, you know where to find me."
Before Shiki could respond, Arach downed the rest of her tea in one go and set the cup back on the tray. "Well, that's enough chit-chat for now. I've got work to do. Don't let your sister boss you around too much, Shiki!"
With that, she turned and swept out of the room, her lab coat billowing behind her. The door slammed shut, leaving behind only the faint scent of her perfume and the lingering echo of her presence. Shiki stared after her, still trying to process the whirlwind that had just torn through the room.
He turned back to Akiha, who had resumed drinking her tea with an air of composed indifference. "She's… something else," he said, still reeling from the encounter.
Akiha sighed, a hint of weariness creeping into her voice. "Yes, she certainly is. But she's also someone we can't easily ignore. Dr. Arach has been involved with our family for a long time. Just… be careful around her, Nii-san. There's more to her than meets the eye."
Shiki nodded, though he couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that had settled in his chest. Between the mysterious girl in the night, Miss Gramheart, and now Dr. Arach, it seemed like his life was becoming more complicated by the day. There was something about all three women that connected them—an ominous aura that made him feel like he was standing on the edge of something far beyond his understanding.
As Shiki prepared to leave for school, the morning's events played over in his mind, each encounter more unsettling than the last. The mansion, with its wealth of secrets and strange inhabitants, was beginning to feel more like a labyrinth than a home. He was surrounded by people who seemed to know far more than they let on, and it left him with a growing sense of unease.
Akiha stood by the door, her expression calm but her eyes sharp. "Remember, Nii-san, your curfew is at eight, but I expect you back by six today. We have some matters to discuss."
Shiki frowned, surprised by the earlier curfew. "Six? But—"
"No buts, Nii-san," Akiha interrupted, her tone leaving no room for argument. "It's important. Don't be late."
He sighed, realizing that there was no point in arguing. "Alright, I'll be back by six."
Akiha nodded, satisfied. "Good. I'll see you then. Have a good day at school."
Shiki left the mansion, stepping out into the cool morning air. As he walked towards the gate, his thoughts were a tangled mess, filled with images of the strange, enigmatic figures that had recently entered his life. The mansion, with all its rules and mysteries, was a place where he felt like an outsider, caught in the web of something far larger than himself.
…
Shiki Tohno walked along the path to school, his footsteps echoing in the quiet morning. The sun was just beginning to climb over the horizon, casting long shadows across the ground. The crisp air bit at his skin, a sharp contrast to the warmth he had felt inside the Tohno mansion earlier.
The walk was unfamiliar. He was used to taking the train, the rhythmic clatter of the tracks underfoot, the gentle sway of the carriage as it carried him towards a familiar destination. Now, without the train, the journey felt strange, as if he were a transfer student heading to a new school for the first time.
He looked around, taking in the sights of the morning commuters, the rows of neat houses, and the occasional car that passed by. Despite having lived here for some time, everything felt foreign—like he was seeing the world with new eyes. The mansion, with all its rules and strange inhabitants, had already begun to weigh on him, filling his mind with more questions than answers.
Shiki's thoughts wandered to the events of the past few days—Agnès Gramheart, the enigmatic girl who had appeared so suddenly and opened an agency in Souya; Miss Arach, with her flamboyant personality and unsettling aura; and the mansion itself, a place that seemed more like a puzzle with pieces missing. There was a tension in the air, a sense of something lurking just beneath the surface, waiting to be discovered.
He shook his head, trying to clear the thoughts away. The last thing he needed was to be distracted. He had enough to deal with, adjusting to this new life and all the expectations that came with it.
As he approached the school gates, he noticed a familiar figure standing just outside, leaning against the wall with a casual air. Arihiko Inui, his best friend, waved him over with a lazy grin.
"Hey, Shiki!" Arihiko called out, pushing off the wall