You are someone close to me!

All seven, after preparing and packing what was necessary, started climbing up the hill at nearly half past eight.

The path of climbing up was carved around the hill with safety railing to the dangerous side. There were also helpline numbers for emergency cases which works specifically faster in this region with low networks.

All the men took the weight of luggage on their shoulders because of their apparent reasons as they all climbed in groups.

The first group consisted of the two maids who walked at the front as they were directed from Mirai.

The next one contained the three adults who walked while chatting merrily in the rear as they kept one of their eyes on the four walking in front.

The two walking in the middle consisted of a tall and handsome young man walking side by side with a silver-haired, lovely maiden.

These two couldn't be considered an average couple since both of them, despite being exceptionally charming and entirely complimenting each other, carried an aura that made them unapproachable.

Not to talk about the girl who exceptionally looked that other than the people nearby, she feels it unworthy to make eye contact with those who passed by.

But little anyone could guess how adorable she gets when embarrassed about something.

"Don't say it like that! I never was arrogant bitchy woman!"

Sayuri's complaint is to retort Yuuta's evaluation of hers. It was Sayuri who asked him what he thought of her the first time they met.

"What? I said what I believed. Weren't you the one who always looked down on me?"

Yuuta sneered as he stated the reality he always wanted to shove on her face. The pride he had seen in the woman was way above her worth, and someone had to say it.

At the start, Sayuri had a hard time keeping her language in check when she talked with the servants so she could hold a good front of Mirai.

No one noticed her struggle other than Yuuta, which made him realize what kind of girl she was. That was one of the reasons he accepted her proposal even though it was presented so poorly.

Flabbergasted, Sayuri stared at his profile for quite some time while trying to form words she wanted to utter, but Yuuta beat her to it and said something to calm the troubled Sayuri.

"I did think you like that, but not anymore. Now you are more well-behaved and have become gentle."

With a 'Hmph! ' Sayuri turned her head, but the smile on her face didn't go unnoticed by those who were walking some meters behind.

With her hand crossing her back, Sayuri again spoke up, this time a little more cheery than before.

"This is my true self. But around those whom I am unfamiliar with...I create a barrier and use a facade to keep them away."

Yuuta didn't respond since he already had observed Sayuri enough to know, how she acts around people.

He himself, in his past life, used to behave in the same way. Although he didn't have many people around, he only showed a part of his true self to his grandfather but no one else.

He had a fear. His parents, whose faces he never saw in his previous life, nor he ever desired, sold him off even when he could practically have opened his eyes.

The fear of getting betrayed made him quite distant from others. Even though he has loving parents, he still can't let go of that dark feeling which has taken shelter deep inside his heart.

'Hmm?'

Since Yuuta fell into deep contemplation as he reminisced about various things of the past, Sayuri followed his frozen gaze before her eyes went wide.

She didn't notice that Yuuta was walking dazedly and mistook his eyes staring at the maid Sana's butt, which was dangerously being shaped and molded with each step.

The plumpness in the little maid's ass made Sayuri conscious about hers, too, as her hands reached to feel the flesh. Sayuri couldn't help but grimace as she admitted that the maid had dangerous assets which Sayuri might not compete to.

A pout bulged on her cheek as she glared at Yuuta without even noticing how unexpectedly she got jealous because of his preference.

But looking closely, she noticed that Yuuta's eyes contained a peculiar emotion like he was in a stupor or something. Soon her doubt cleared when Sana exchanged places with the older maid, but still, Yuuta had his gaze unmoved.

"Hey...you okay?"

Sayuri meekly tugged Yuuta's sleeve, which seemed to pull him out of his reverie. Instantly turning his eyes on reflex, Yuuta saw concern filling her gaze as Sayuri asked him in a slow whisper.

"Is something bothering you?"

"I-...uh...never mind. I am okay."

Maybe it was the gesture she used, or perhaps her genuine worry, which urged Yuuta to confess something, but in the end, he held himself back.

He might have a better relationship with Sayuri now but not to the point where he could share his feelings with her. That place is somewhere only a single person occupies.

Sayuri seemed to understand exactly what he was thinking as, with a smile, she hooked her little finger with his before whispering in a soothing tone.

"I might not be reliable enough, but please understand this, Yuu. Once I accept someone as my close, I do my best to support them in whichever way possible..."

____________

A/N: - Drop a comment and let me know how the chapter was ~