That...was a good question. Did he really want to do this? Sure it was his father wishes and he loved his father and still does. But is this what he really wanted to do? Come to think about it, he actually never had any thoughts as to what he wanted to do with his life. While his father was away working at this manor. He was actually home, all alone. Everyday was the same. He would get up, make breakfast, eat, get dressed, go to school, come home and repeat. Sure he had friends, but he was more of the extra wheel then a real friend. They he hardly talks to them and they act like he was not even there. So he didn't go out that much.

Yet if he didn't take this job, he'll end up in the streets. Many things could go wrong with that. He could be killed, trafficked to a different country, forced into selling his body or have to join the Yakuza. That's when I thought finally hit him. If he were to say no and was kicked out. He might have to go back to his old life. That is if the bad stuff doesn't happen to him first. Did he really want to go back to a life where he was alone? It would be himself and no one else. Maybe this is what he needs. A new life.

So with a deep shaky breath. he looks at him with a big smile on his face. "Yes. I do want to work here. And not just because it's my father's last wish." he tells in. Sounding less timid and more open up. His voice had a warm and tender sound to it. Again just like his father.

At first Akihiko looked a bit tensed at what Takahiro would be answering but as he heard what he said his expression immediately softened. I very kind smile displayed itself on his face and he feeled a nice warmth encase his body. It's going to bea very interesting time with that boy. "That's good, I wouldn't want to force you. I hope you will like it at my modest home. Oh! There is one more question I have. How old are you?" Akihiko ask him looking at his eyes. 'There almost look like Kouno-san's...' He suddenly looks away and his expression darkens a shade. 'I should really stop thinking of him. It will be hard always see his father in him.'

Takahiro smiled joyfully at the master of the manor. For hearing that he wouldn't want to force him to work here if he didn't want to. "He seems like a nice fellow. I should be thankful for that. At first I thought I was going to work for a heartless man. But he's been nothing but kind to me." he said. Feeling a little more confidence inside. Thinking that he can do this. When asked for his age. He politely smiled. "I am 16, sir." he tells him. Then the smile vanished. Going back to looking timid. "Um...may I ask...ju-just how old you are?" he asked speaking shy and quiet again. Wondering if he would find it insulting if he asked. Maybe he was suppose to know already just how old he was.

He looked up again and chuckled at the stuttered question. "I'm 18. And it's good to ask that is how you learn the fastest." He answered in a father like tone. "Is there maybe something else you would like to know, my dear Takahiro-kun." Akihiko asked him smiling. Somehow he couldn't take his eyes away from the slightly younger boy. There is a special air around him that just draws him in and refuse to let him go again. Normally he's so eloquently but even he can't discribe this weird feeling he felt.

"O-Oh, your not that much older then me." he said. That was actually meant to be a thought, but slipped out. His cheeks turned rosy red and covered his mouth with his left hand. Feeling a little embarrassed for saying that out loud. But yet the way he said it. It short of reminded him on his father. Oh how he was going to miss him. Yet he can't let the sadness show. This was work, he had to be serious. Then he heard him ask if there was anything else he wanted to ask. Removing his hand from his mouth and placed it back in his lap. "Takahiro-kun? I never been called that before." he said to himself this time. Looking at his smile. Feeling a little calmer.

"Um...n-nothing I can think of at the moment. Expect for...um, you know. What are my duties here and all that." he said speaking softly and shy. For his father did tell him how to be a good butler and some of the basics, but he wanted to hear it from Akihiko what he should do around the manor. He also wondered if there was any job that his father did while he worked here and wonder him to do. The something hit him. "Um...sir. Th-there was something I was su-suppose to give to you." he said.

The lad slipped his hand down his sweater and pulled out a envelope with the master's name on it. "Th-this is from my fa-father. He-he wanted me to give this to you when you decided to-to hire me." he said. With the smile appearing once again.

Akihiko's breath stocked for a moment and with trembling hand he took the envelopment. He wanted to know what was writtin in it so he immediately opened. He hoped that Takahiro won't notice that he's nervous and out off his normal behaviour. As he read the letter tears gathered in his eyes and slowly began rolling down his cheek. Kouno-san was like a father to him because his real father died early and his mother didn't care for him that much. He wrote that he send Takahiro to me not that I have a replacement but a new friend and won't be to alone. Akihiko was embarrassed that someone saw him cry. He alwayss tried to hid his weaknesses from other people but he could now. "Please excuse me! ...About your duties I'm not quite sure yet. I thin about testing your abilities first and then see what's the best for you." He said calming himself.

He sat there as he took the letter from his hand. For he had no idea what was inside of it. It was not his place to had open it. It was between him and his late father. He was curious of what was inside of it though, but he was not going to ask. Then he saw it. The sadness in his eyes. He was going to ask if he was alright, but then he saw the tears. He stood up, worried that there was something in the letter that was upsetting him. "Sir, are you alright?" he asked with concern.

Takahiro wasn't fully listening to him as he talked about his duties to working here. He was to worry about him. He walked over to him and pulled something out of his pocket. If the master carefully looked at it. It was Kouno-san's gold silk handkerchief. It was well known around the manner. Because it always stuck out of his coat pocket and wherever the master was upset when he was young. He would wipe his tears away with it. It was very soft to the touch. He used to tell Akihiko when he was small that it was a magical handkerchief that will make the sadness go away.

It seemed that his father's genes were kicking in and he tenderly wiped the tears from his face. With that warm smile on his face. "It be alright." he said to him in a caring voice. "I'm sure that my father would hate to see you so sad. Good with we had this. He said this would make all the sadness go away." he said as he wipes the remaining tear away. Once his face was clear he stuffs it back into his pocket.

He slightly blushed as he saw the familiar scene with this handkerchief. Akihiko remembered Kouno-san comforting him and taking all the sadness away from him. "Thank you, Takahiro-kun. But I wasn't cry because I'm sad it was tears of joy and satisfaction." he said and smiled again. "I guess I know what I should do with you do. How about you be my personal maid? Like chose what I should wear, accompany me everywhere and comfort me." Akihiko suggested and petted Takahiro's shoulder carefully.

He was relieved to hear that he wasn't sad, but was actually happy. Which made him glad. He was also happy to see him smiling again. It was such a nice smile. The lad would like to see more of it. When he told him that he should become his personal maid and patted him on the shoulder. He lightly blushes and nods his head. "If that's wha-what you want me to-to do. Then I-I'll be more then ha-happy to." he tells him in a shy manner. "So, when do-do I start?" he asked.

Akihiko chuckles and thinks that the blush perfectly fits Takahiro-kun. "From tomorrow, so that you can get accustomed to your new environment. I want to personally show you around. Would that be ok with you?" I politely ask and charmingly smile at him.