A gentle ray of sunlight slipped through the slightly open window, dancing across the untouched white bedsheet until it reached his face. Toki's eyelids twitched faintly, and a deep sigh escaped his lips. It was warm, quiet—and something… something was different. He felt light, as if he had been asleep for days. But it wasn't just the silence that made him open his eyes—it was also the lingering sensation of being watched.
Three pairs of large green eyes were watching him intently. The moment he blinked, the three figures shifted slightly, as if they had been holding their breath for that moment. Three young girls, , stood in a line, shoulder to shoulder, dressed in elegant tradițional maid outfits with delicate lace, ribbons, and starched aprons. Their chestnut hair, thick and gleaming, fell in waves over their shoulders, and their eyes—green like emeralds—sparkled in the morning light.
A mix of childlike fascination and sincere concern was written all over their faces.
— Master Toki, you're awake! Do you need anything? one of them asked in a cheerful, melodic voice, stepping forward.
Toki blinked a few times, trying to gather his thoughts. Her words brought him fully to consciousness.
— Master? How… how do you know who I am?
The girl beamed proudly, as if she had been waiting for that question.
— Utsuki told us everything! She told us about you and what happened. She stayed by your side while you slept. She brought you here.
At the mention of that name, an image burst into his mind: Utsuki, with her gentle gaze, running toward him… and then darkness. He suddenly remembered collapsing in front of the mansion. His heart tightened—poor Utsuki… she must've carried him to bed on her own?
He abruptly pushed himself up on his elbows, his expression suddenly tense.
— Tora! he asked with a rough voice, nearly trembling. Where is the blonde-haired, green-eyed girl?
The girl—the same one who had spoken first—reassured him with a smile.
— She's in the garden, in the gazebo. She was reading a book when we came here.
Toki let out a deep sigh and fell back onto the pillow, feeling the tension drain from his body. She was safe. They were all safe.
— Thank you… he said softly. Forgive my lack of manners. I'm just a little… confused.
The three girls glanced at each other and smiled shyly, like spring flowers just beginning to bloom.
— What are your names? he asked, looking at each of them warmly.
— I'm Haru! said the first, stepping forward with a graceful curtsy.
— I'm Natsu, said the second, offering a warm smile, though keeping a bit of distance.
— And I'm… I'm Aki… murmured the third, partially hiding behind her sister Natsu.
Toki looked at them with unhidden delight.
— Haru… Natsu… Aki… the seasons, he said dreamily. What beautiful names! And they suit you perfectly… Haru, you're spring—full of life and curiosity. Natsu, you're summer—warm and passionate, yet reserved. And Aki… autumn, quiet and delicate.
The girls blushed, clearly pleased by his words.
— Thank you, Master Toki! Haru said in her crystalline voice.
— Don't call me 'Master.' That makes me sound like an old wise man with a beard down to his waist.
— Then… Toki-san? Natsu asked, smiling gently.
— Just Toki, he replied, slowly sitting up. Just Toki.
In that moment, he felt a strange impulse—a need for closeness, a need to thank them with more than words. He stood up fully, with some effort, and approached them. He looked each of them in the eyes, and then, with a warm, protective gesture, he pulled all three into a wide embrace.
— If I were younger… and you were older… I think I'd be lucky to have all three of you as my wives, he said with a playful smile.
For a second, all three froze, then burst into giggles, flustered. Their cheeks burned red, but none pulled away from the embrace. On the contrary, they leaned into it even more, feeling in Toki's arms a rare warmth—the warmth of a kind and sincere soul.
— You would honor us greatly, said Haru, laughing. But be patient, maybe one day…
— We'll talk again in a few years, added Natsu, a mischievous glint in her eye.
— Yes… in a few years… murmured Aki, gripping the sleeve of Toki's shirt.
Suddenly, the door creaked open, slicing through the peaceful atmosphere like a blade through silk. Two female silhouettes stepped into the room. The first resembled the three younger girls in many ways, but she was clearly older—around twenty years old. She wore a similar maid uniform, but everything about her—her posture, her stride, her expression—radiated something very different.
Her gaze swept coldly across the room: Toki standing, still weak, but smiling kindly, with the three girls clinging to his arm. She stopped in the doorway, arms crossed under her chest, one eyebrow raised with disdain.
"A grown man talking to three girls… pedophilles are truly disgusting," she spat, her voice sharp and sarcastic.
The words fell like a hammer blow. Haru, Natsu, and Aki pulled away from the embrace, startled and embarrassed. Their faces, already red with shyness, now burned with shame and confusion. Toki took a step back, instinctively looking down at himself as if trying to understand what he had done wrong.
"What?! No! It's not like that at all!" Haru cried, her voice trembling. "We were just playing!
"It was only a hug, that's all!" Natsu added, indignantly. "Toki didn't do anything wrong!"
"He… played with us!" Aki chimed in, timid but determined. "He was kind to us. He's nothing like what you think, Yuki!"
But Yuki wasn't listening. Her eyes were locked on Toki—sharp, judgmental, unrelenting.
"I can't believe how naïve you are. Letting a stranger touch you, and you don't even realize what he really wants. So what if he smiles? So what if he talks sweetly? That's exactly what they do."
In the midst of the tension, another voice rose—calm but firm.
"Yuki, it's not right to judge based on appearances."
Toki flinched. He hadn't even noticed the second figure in the room. He turned and saw her clearly now—a tall young woman, perhaps twenty-five, but with a presence unlike the others. Her long black hair was tied back elegantly, cascading down her back in dark waves. Her figure was athletic, her defined muscles visible even through the tailored maid uniform.
Yet despite her strong build, her expression radiated a quiet warmth, and the smile she gave Toki felt like something from a dream—familiar, comforting, powerful.
"Toki was only playing with them," she said softly, her tone kind but clear.
Toki met her gaze. He felt small under it—seen, somehow, yet not judged. She was a rare beauty, but not a fragile one. She was a rose, blooming with grace—but lined with thorns.
Yuki, however, wasn't moved.
"After doing suspicious things with my younger sisters, now you've got the nerve to stare at my older sister's chest?!" she snapped, glaring at Toki. "You're a shameless pervert! I told Utsuki not to keep bringing in strays from the street!"
Toki clenched his fists but didn't speak. There was nothing he could say. From Yuki's point of view, he did look suspicious.
"You're a disgusting man who takes advantage of Utsuki's kindness—and my grandfather's generosity, who owns this entire estate!" she added, voice rising.
Suzume—the tall woman—sighed and stepped into the room, placing herself between Toki and Yuki. She turned to her sister with a calm but firm expression.
"Yuki. That's enough."
"How can you defend him? He's a stranger! We don't even know where he's from!"
"And yet he saved Utsuki," Suzume replied. "He risked everything. Doesn't that count for something?"
"Maybe it's just an act. A manipulation. He won your trust, and now—"
"Enough!" Haru suddenly shouted, her eyes glistening with tears. "Enough, Yuki! You don't know him, but we do! He's been kind to us!"
"Not once has he acted inappropriately," said Natsu, her voice firm. "Toki is a good person!"
"Yes… we love him," murmured Aki, surprising everyone with her sincerity.
Toki felt a lump in his throat. The emotion in their voices, the tears in their eyes—it overwhelmed him. But it was Suzume who seemed to understand the situation best.
"Yuki, your fear is understandable. But your accusations can wound deeply. Maybe you were hurt in the past… or maybe you've seen what the world outside these walls can be like. But not everyone is the same."
Yuki was silent. Her gaze dropped to the floor. Her breathing was heavy. Whether from shame, frustration, or anger—it wasn't clear.
Silence settled once more.
Suzume turned back to Toki and offered him a warm, apologetic smile.
"Please forgive Yuki. She had to grow up too quickly. She's seen too much. She's a good soul, but she's learned to strike first instead of listening."
Toki nodded slowly, still shaken.
"I don't blame her…" he said quietly. "If I were in her place, I might have thought the same."
Haru stepped forward and gently took his hand.
"Don't worry, Toki. You're part of our family now."
"Yes!" added Natsu. "We'll take care of you
Aki, ever timid, leaned gently against his arm.
"Don't leave us…"
The door to the chamber creaked open quietly, and a soft light spilled inside. Utsuki stepped in gracefully, her presence immediately shifting the atmosphere. She wore a delicate cherry-pink dress, its fabric light and flowing like petals caught in a gentle breeze. The color reminded Toki of the cherry blossoms from 250 years ago — soft, timeless, and breathtaking.
Her silver hair shone with the pure elegance of freshly fallen snow, cascading in gentle waves down her back. A small butterfly-shaped hairpin held a few strands proudly in place, its delicate wings shimmering in the morning light. She was absolutely splendid, and her calm smile melted the tension hanging in the room like early morning mist.
The three girls turned toward her with relief, their eyes brightening as they silently welcomed her arrival.
Utsuki's gaze settled softly on Toki. "I heard everything," she said quietly, stepping closer to him. "Are you alright?"
Toki blinked, still a bit overwhelmed by the earlier confrontation, but at her gentle voice, he felt an anchor. "I'm fine… Thank you, Utsuki."
She nodded, then looked at Yuki, who was standing with her arms crossed, still fuming but noticeably quieter now.
"I'm glad you're here," Yuki snapped sharply. "You should've stopped him earlier. He smells… and he needs to clean up."
Utsuki's eyes met Yuki's with quiet authority. "Yuki, please. There's no need to be harsh." Then, turning back to Toki, she added, "If you want, there is a bath inside the estate — the inner bath. The master of the mansion is there as well. You might want to meet him."
Toki raised an eyebrow, curiosity flickering in his tired eyes. "The master? In the bath?"
Toki smiled faintly, a mix of amusement and slight embarrassment washing over him. "That will be… an interesting meeting," he said, pride and humor mingling in his voice.
Haru, still close by, glanced at Utsuki with admiration. "Utsuki-san, it's good you're here. We were worried."
"I am too," Utsuki said softly. "Toki's health is important. He saved me once; now it's my turn to care for him."
Natsu nodded, stepping forward. "We believe in him. He's kind and good."
Yuki huffed but said nothing more.
Utsuki turned to Toki again, gently brushing a loose strand of hair behind his ear. "You should rest and heal."
Toki felt a warmth spread inside him — not just from her touch, but from the kindness that surrounded him.
As Utsuki spoke, the tension in the room faded further. Yuki's stern expression softened just a bit.
Toki stood slowly, steadying himself.
"I think… I'll go to the bath," he said, nodding toward Utsuki.
She smiled, her eyes sparkling. "I'll accompany you. It's not often we get guests here."
He felt a strange mix of pride and nervousness. Meeting the master of the mansion in the bath — that would certainly be a story to tell.
As they walked toward the door, the girls waved softly.
"Take care!" Haru called.
"We'll be here," Natsu added.
Aki whispered, "Don't forget us…"
Toki smiled sadly again, but this time there was hope in his heart.
"Home," he whispered.