Chapter Text
The Himemiya palace loomed in the distance, its beauty unmatched, with gold covered towers and magnificent gardens that whispered of wealth and power. For Hajime Shino, it was an overwhelming sight. He clutched his satchel tightly, his knuckles white from the pressure as he stood before the towering gates.
“You’ll do fine,” he whispered to himself, though his voice wavered. This job was a blessing, a rare opportunity to finally earn a stable living for his struggling family, but the weight of responsibility felt almost unbearable.
Inside, the palace was alive with activity. Servants bustled through the halls, their polished shoes clicking against pristine marble floors. He felt severely underdressed even stepping into the palace in his usual day to day clothing. Hajime was guided to the main hall, where he waited anxiously under the watchful gaze of Yuzuru Fushimi, the head butler.
Yuzuru’s gorgeous sharp eyes surveyed Hajime, assessing the young man who now stood before him. His imposing presence was softened by a faint hint of curiosity, though his expression remained carefully neutral.
“You’re the new assistant,” Yuzuru stated, his tone formal yet not unkind.
“Y-Yes, sir..!” Hajime said, bowing a little too deeply. “I’m Hajime Shino. It’s an honor to work here.. I’ll do my best!”
Yuzuru’s lips quirked slightly, though it wasn’t quite a smile. “I’m sure you will.. Follow me.”
Hajime straightened and hurried after Yuzuru, trying not to trip over the polished floors as they walked. He couldn’t help but marvel at the intricate decor—the gold detailing, the murals that seemed to come alive, the crystal chandeliers that sparkled like diamonds above him. He was led down a long corridor until they reached a door with a shiny silver nameplate on it
‘Shino’
“This will be your room. The ones around here are other maids and butlers, so if you have any issues please do not hesitate to come find me or one of our fellow workers. Your uniform is also in your room.”
The door opened and Hajime’s eyes widened in awe. It was a simple and cozy little room, with a plain bed, dresser, and a small desk with a chair. It wasn’t anything fancy, but compared to what he had at home, this was like nothing he was used to. His gaze turned to the folded uniform on his bed.
He was quick to get dressed, though made sure to do so with utmost care. This uniform alone looked and felt like it cost more than his own life. His room lacked a mirror, so he wasn’t sure how it looked on him, but it felt.. strange. Not in a bad way, rather in an unfamiliar feeling sort of way. He wasn’t used to being in possession of such nice things
Hajime was pulled from his thoughts as he heard a knock on the door, Yuzuru’s voice following. “Shino? Are you ready? We should be going now, the young master’s day will be starting soon.”
Hajime quickly opened the door “Ah-! Yes sir!”
——————
“You’ll be assisting me directly,” Yuzuru explained as they ascended a grand staircase. “The prince, my young master, has... particular needs, and my responsibilities as head, and his personal, butler demand much of my time. You’re to handle smaller tasks, ensure everything is prepared to my standards, and, above all, stay out of trouble.”
“Y-Yes, sir!” Hajime stammered, his heart racing.
Yuzuru paused, glancing back at him with a measured look. “Relax, Shino.. Nervousness won’t serve you here. Work hard, and you’ll be fine.”
Hajime nodded, his respect for the older man growing. Despite Yuzuru’s intimidating demeanor, there was a quiet reassurance in his voice.
They stopped outside a set of ornate double doors. Yuzuru knocked lightly before pushing them open. Inside was a bedroom bathed in warm sunlight, its golden rays streaming through sheer curtains that fluttered gently in the morning breeze.
On the bed, the prince, Tori Himemiya stirred beneath a cascade of white silk blankets, his light pink hair tousled from his sleep. His face, half-buried in a pillow, was soft and peaceful, his pale green eyes only half-open as he blinked against the light.
“Young Master,” Yuzuru called, his voice calm but firm. “It’s time to wake up.”
Tori let out a small, muffled whine and turned his face further into the pillow. “Too early…” he mumbled, his voice slightly hoarse with sleep.
“Your schedule begins shortly,” Yuzuru reminded him, his tone patient.
It took a bit more bickering, mostly from Tori, and a few gentle blanket yanks from Yuzuru before Tori finally sat up with a reluctant sigh, his hair sticking up at odd angles. The sunlight caught on his delicate features, making him look even more youthful and softer than usual. He rubbed at his eyes with a small yawn before noticing a second person standing awkwardly near the door.
“Who’s this?” Tori asked, his voice slightly sharper, accusatory even, now despite the sleepiness lingering in his tone.
“This is Hajime Shino, Your Highness,” Yuzuru replied. “He’s been hired as my assistant to help with your needs.”
Tori’s gaze curiously swept over Hajime, taking in his neat but plain appearance and nervous stance. He raised an eyebrow. “He looks... flimsy. Can he even handle the work?”
“I’ll do my best, Your Highness!” Hajime said quickly, bowing so low he nearly toppled over.
Tori’s lips twitched in faint amusement, though his expression quickly returned to one of skepticism. “We’ll see. Just don’t break anything! Or trip. I hate tripping.”
“I-I won’t, Your Highness!” Hajime stammered, his cheeks burning.
“Come, Shino,” Yuzuru interjected smoothly, motioning for him to follow. “There’s much to prepare before the prince’s breakfast.”
As Hajime followed Yuzuru out of the room, he couldn’t help but glance back at Tori, who had flopped back against the pillows with another small groan. Despite the prince’s sharp words, there was something endearing about his sleepy state that made Hajime’s heart flutter unexpectedly.
By the end of the day, Hajime’s nerves were frayed. He’d spent hours familiarizing himself with the palace layout, shadowing Yuzuru as he managed Tori’s exacting schedule. Every misstep—spilling water, tripping on the edge of a carpet—felt like a glaring mark against him.
Yet, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Hajime found a quiet corner in the servants’ quarters to reflect. Despite his mistakes, he was determined to succeed. The job wasn’t just about him; it was about supporting his family, proving that he was capable of more than his humble beginnings.
A few stories above him, Tori sat at his vanity, Yuzuru standing behind him brushing his now-tidy hair as he thought over the day. The new assistant was clumsy and too nervous, but there was a sincerity in his voice that lingered in Tori’s mind. He might be useful, eventually, Tori thought, standing up to go continue his nighttime routine.