[Akuneko Fic] Aruji Reborn (Berrienās route)
Back to Aruji Reborn Prompt
Recap: You (the Aruji) died during the angel hunt and was reborn as a civilian in the same world many years after. You still possess your past memories with the butler and you resemble the same appearance as your past self. You also tried to stay away from the butlers as there is a new Aruji with them. You currently work as a regular toy seller and also worked at your parentsā cafe. It all changed when an angel was in town and the butler came to your rescue.
Haha this one is like a novel
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Standing there at Arujisamaās front door.
He traces his gloved finger on the wood panel as if he was dusting the door.
Every trace, every piece of Arujisama, I have to collect everything.
I never want them to disappear from my life.
Heās no stranger to eternity, only this time, time seems to be passing by awfully slow and gruelling.
The afternoon tea party has been reserved for someone who could never attend.
Day after day, the fragrance from the aromatic black tea pours out to fill the entire room.
Berrien always made sure to pour a cup and stand behind the chair.
But there wasnāt anyone who could enjoy it.
But there wasnāt anyone who could tell Berrien how you enjoyed his tea with your gentle smile.
Whenever Berrien drinks his tea, the bitterness of the tea overwhelms his taste buds.
āAhā¦it seems like Iāve left the tea leaves in for too longā¦that cannot beā¦after all, I should make the best tea for Arujisamaā¦.ā
Even he couldnāt taste the sweetness of the madeleines despite heās drowning sweet jams and sugar on them.
As the eldest of the devil butlers, he cannot stop his steps.
If he falls, that means the other butlers would follow his steps.
If he appeared to be anxious, his anxiety would be contagious.
Devilās palace feels hollow and empty.
Much like the name itself, everything was as if it contains the essence of death.
Ever since the death of Arujisama, the hearts of the devil butlers broke into pieces and follows them in their coffin.
The candle lights are lit for Arujisama, yet they feel dimmed.
Our saviour, our light, our love,
Our life has been blown out like candles, leaving us in complete darkness again.
Weāre not unfamiliar with pain.
Weāre not unfamiliar with losses.
But that doesnāt mean our hearts wouldnāt break.
Thatās the part that makes us tragically human.
If time could be turned back, then let me be the one who gets taken away.
If time could be turned back, then please donāt take away my most precious person.
If time could be turned back, thenā¦.thenā¦
Berrien thinks about this every night as he carries his tears to his sleep.
Whenever he gets the chance to sleep, it would be rare if he doesnāt get a dream.
Nightmares swarm like insects, guilt climbing onto Berrien, questioning, āWhy didnāt you save us? Why didnāt you save me? Why did you leave me to die?ā
Berrien starts to feel his heart beat pounding in his ears, as if it has filled up his entire mind.
The day that Arujisama was in his arms.
He held onto them so gently, so desperately.
His finger felt the back of Arujisama, their heartbeats grow fainter and fainter.
āNo, noā¦! Arujisama, pleaseā¦you must stay awakeā¦! Please donāt worryā¦weāll be right hereā¦.weāll save youā¦.and youāll be alrightā¦.please, Arujisamaā¦pleaseā¦.ā
Berrienās fingers felt coldness.
Arujisamaās breath trembles and rasped as their heartbeats fainted until there was silence.
āNoā¦.NOā¦.A-arujisamaā¦.you mustnātā¦!!ā
Berrien tries to block this memory from his mind.
The moment he gets taken back to the exact scene, nausea would creep back to his throat. He couldnāt breathe, his body would tremble and his knees would plop to the floor like a baby deer trying its best to move forward but canāt.
He felt so minuscule against fate, was he really destined to be companions with the thing he fears the most, loneliness?
Why is it that the people who are so dear to him leave so quickly without saying goodbye?
He could only see their backs as they continue to walk forward.
His elbow accidentally hits his teacup and the pieces scattered on the cold hard floor.
The tea spilled and splattered across the floor and as Berrien picks up the broken pieces with his hand.
The dew of blood forms on his finger as it dribbles down from his thin, pale fingertips, dropping into the sea of black tea.
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When the new arujisama came, Berrien was very surprised to see this moment coming so fast.
He was holding the golden ring in his hands, cleaning, making the ring shine.
It would be as shiny as the time when Arujisama comes back to the palace, wearing their brightest smile.
The ring only shines the brightest when itās on you.
Thereās no time for mourn as the world continues to move.
Angels are still terrorizing, human lives lost, families all cried, but thereās no time for us to stop our steps to cry.
When the new arujisama came, the ring was shining bright.
For a moment, Berrien had wish it was Arujisama who came back.
A little hope that he can wake up from his never ending nightmare.
Berrien gathered himself, straighten his tuxedo and wore a professional smile.
āWelcome, āarujisama.ā To the devilās palace. Will you lend us your strength to unlock our powers?ā
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The day proceed with no problems made.
The night Berrien muffled his sobs away from his fellow butlers to hear.
The next day continued as follows.
Not a day did Berrien not miss arujisama.
He could feel other butlersā resentment when they see Berrien acting like as if nothing has happened.
But they understand that Berrien is the one whoās crumbling more on the inside.
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āMiyaji-san! Please take Flure-kun and Nac-kun to evacuate everyone at the market! Lono-kun and Bastien-kun, please come with arujisama and me!ā The alarms blared as the butlers rushed out to help the civilians to safety.
Their powers were unleashed as Berrien carried his long spear, protecting the new arujisama, with Lono and Bastien carrying their swords to serve at the frontlines. āPlease be carefulā¦Lono-kun and Bastien-kunā¦ā
āYou got it, Berrien-san!ā The both of them echoed.
The angels somehow appeared more frequently in the streets. Usually it was just one angel after a long time, but now, more has been discovered.
Lono-kun and Bastien-kun have been training even harder. These angels were no match for their speed and strength.
In the corner of Berrienās eye, he saw another angel approaching a pair of civilians, one of which is a child.
āLono-kun, Bastien-kun! Please protect arujisama!ā
āWait, where are you going, Berrien-san?!!ā
Berrien lunged forward. The spear in his hands spun high up in the air as he gathered more speed. Right there. Right in the center of the angelās back, where its wings are, is their weakest point.
The angel fell to its knees and dissipate with its light.
āAre you alrightā¦?ā Berrien takes out his handkerchief and hands it to the civilian.
āYesā¦thank you very muchā¦ā the civilian took the handkerchief and held it to the childās face. The child was safe in their embrace.
āThatās a reliefā¦ā Berrien reached out his gentle hand to help them rise.
āThank you for helping meā¦ā The civilian turned to face Berrien and Berrien froze. His hand was still holding onto their hand. āUmā¦.?ā His fingers trembled vehemently.
The same gentle features.
How can there be someone who completely resembles Arujisama?
Could it been my delusion?
Is this person arujisamaā¦?
I held Arujisama in my armsā¦
As you fell into eternal slumberā¦
āBerrien-saaaaaaan! Itās time to head back!ā Lono looked at the frozen Berrienās back as they escort the new arujisama back to the palace.
āAhā¦ā Berrienās cheeks slightly flushed pink as he quickly retracted his hand back to his heart and bowed. āMy deepest apologies, I didnāt know what has gotten over meā¦ā
āNo, no, itās alrightā¦!ā You shook your head and smiled.
Berrien took another peek at them and before he left with his party, he swallowed his hesitation and he asked, āMay I know your name pleaseā¦?ā
āOf courseā¦! Itās ( ).ā
āThank you very much, ( )-san. I will remember that.ā Berrien takes another deep bow and took off.
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Later that day, Berrien walked through the market and helped the others recover their stands after the angel impact.
While there are people who are hostile, there are those who whispered quick gratitudes to him.
He saw a familiar figure who was picking up the pieces at their stand.
Toys of all kinds, stuffed animals, puzzles, booksā¦and a red ball that rolled off the table.
It rolled directly to Berrien and he stopped it as he leaned over.
āOh! Thank youā¦.! Waitā¦arenāt you the one who saved us from the angels? Thank you for helping me again!ā You smiled brightly back at Berrien.
A familiar, warm smile that always saved Berrien.
āAhā¦you remembered me?ā
āOf course, I would remember someone as beautiful as you, ah-ā
Berrienās cheeks flushed like baby pink tulips.
āIā¦havenāt thank you just yetā¦! You strike me as someone who drinks tea, didnāt you?ā
āY-yes, I do. Black tea is my absolute favourite.ā
āHow lucky! We just imported the black tea leaves at our cafe today, they smell scrumptious! If you are free, please do come and visit our cafe, my treat!ā
āAhā¦you shouldnāt have-it was simply my duty.ā Berrien bowed a little with his hand over his heart.
āā¦it would be rude of me not to take up on your invite, andā¦I am curious about your black teaā¦..very well thenā¦I will take your kind invitation and come by the cafe.ā
How long has it been since Iāve looked forward to an invitationā¦?
Someone who smiles like arujisama.
Someone who speaks like arujisama.
Someone who cares like arujisama.
If this were a dream, I wish I didnāt have to wake up.
Berrien followed you back to your cafe. The cafe was decorated with warm, earthy colours, paired with delicious, fresh bakery and sweet tea scents. The windchime ringed its welcome when you pushed through the door. He quickly finds a seat near the counter and he sees you wearing an apron.
Berrien glanced at the blackboard menu written in chalk. There were doodles drawn beside to indicate which are the drinks and which are the food items. They operate from mornings to night.
Berrien closed his eyes as he slowly breathe in the wondrous comforting aroma.
He felt his body more relaxed.
When he opened his eyes, you already carried a platter.
The teapot has an elegant curve for the sprout. The body has a beautiful butterfly design drawn.
āBe careful, itāll be very hot.ā You poured out the red silky liquid at an arm level with circling motion. Steams carried the floral scent of the black tea.
Berrien was amazed by your action.
āOf course, since black tea is a staple for afternoon tea, here is our freshly baked madeleines, just right out of the oven! Please enjoy!ā
Before Berrien could tell you he didnāt make this order, he was surprised by how well you know him.
From the way you poured the black tea, to the choice of leaves, to the milk and sugar cube platter, to the teapot and tea cups and the madeleines, it was as if you learned everything from Berrien.
Berrienās eyes gleamed with a hopeful light but he quickly extinguished with his thoughts.
Arujisama doesnāt exist anymore.
Berrien lifted the teacup plate and held the teacup to his lips.
āHOT-ā Berrien carefully placed the teacup down and covered his lips.
āAre you alright?!!!ā
Berrien took the ice cube past aruji gave him and he lightly tapped it on his burnt spot.
āAhā¦fufuā¦how embarrassing, ( )-san had just warned me, but my mind was elsewhereā¦.ā Berrien chuckled sheepishly.
He felt the ice cube numbing and cooling his mind.
The melted ice water drops trickled down his rosy lips, his chin then the floor as Berrienās expression grew dark.
The water was caught by a napkin.
Berrien looked up slowly back at them.
āAhā¦sorry, you look a little sadā¦I thought they were tearsā¦ā You offered Berrien more napkins.
āFufuā¦thank you for your kindness, ( )-sanā¦.ā He took some and carefully wiped his fingers one-by-one and then his lips.
āā¦maybe I am intruding butā¦are you alrightā¦?ā You looked very concerned.
āAhā¦..if I were honest with youā¦.ā Berrien stared and lifted the cooled tea cup again and took another sip.
āā¦this is deliciousā¦butā¦it seems like it got mixed in withā¦myā¦ā
His face was completely covered with gentle tears. āYouā¦reminded me a lot of my most important personā¦.someone that I can never forgetā¦.ā
You looked back at Berrien kindly. āWhat kind of person are they?ā
Berrien took his handkerchief out and wiped his tears. āSomeone that is so gentleā¦they are the light that brings us hopeā¦ā
āSounds like a heroā¦ā
āFufuā¦they really areā¦but to me, personally, they are my life itself.ā
āMy lifeās purposeā¦.my lifeās loveā¦.in its entirety.ā
āā¦.I seeā¦.and I reminded you of them?ā
āYesā¦but I donāt think theyāll ever forgive meā¦ā
āIt isā¦becauseā¦I was the reason why theyāre not here anymoreā¦.i couldnāt save themā¦.ā
A warm vanilla madeleine was stuffed in his mouth. The familiar sweetness spread on his tongue.
āBerrienā¦it wasnāt your fault at allā¦ā
Berrienās eyes shined as radiant as the jewels when everything clicked in his mind. He finished the madeleine that melted in his lips and he whispered, āarujisamaā¦.?ā
āPlease forgive me for my rude actions butā¦Berrien, please donāt blame yourself for what happened back thenā¦ā
āAā¦Arujisamaā¦youāreā¦aā¦ā
Berrien felt the pain on his tongue from the hot tea before and he knew that it wasnāt a dream. But how could this beā¦?
He did read in books that there was a possibility of a reincarnation, but it has never occurred in real life, simply in fictions.
āThisā¦might be shocking to youā¦and I never want to disrupt your life, but seeing how you are nowā¦made me worried about you a lot, Berrienā¦ā You clenched on your apron. āI reincarnated with my past lifeās memoriesā¦I remembered Berrienā¦I remembered Muu, I remembered Lono, Bastien, Haures, Fennesz, Boschi, Ammon, Lucas, Lamli, Nac, Miyaji, Flure, Lato, Yuuhan, Hanamaru, Teddy, Bellen, Shiro, everyoneā¦!ā You took another breath. āBut I couldnāt do anything as Arujisama anymoreā¦thatās why I hope that I could help you in another formā¦ā You find your gaze back on Berrienās eyes. āBut I never knew that my death would cause you this much guilt, Berrienā¦it wasnāt your fault at allā¦you saved me, Berrienā¦!ā
You glanced at Berrienās expression. He doesnāt seem to utter a word. āBerrienā¦? Aā¦are you alrightā¦?ā
Berrienās delicate snowflake eyelashes fluttered. His pink cerise eyes stared into the bottom of the teacup, with the remains of the tea leaf dusts.
He held the teacup handle with his dominant left hand and slowly swirls the teacup from left to right. Then, Berrien used his left hand to invert the teacup on the saucer plate. āArujisamaā¦ā he finally opened his mouth and slowly looked at you. āDid you remember that I have told you about tea leaf readings?ā
āAhā¦! I think you did told me about itā¦ā You felt a little relieved to see Berrien responding.
Berrien smiled softly as he turned the teacup right side up and made sure the handle is facing south. You stared at the cup and whispered, āWhat did you ask for, Berrien?ā
The tea leaves were positioned at the nearest to the handle, some are near to the rim. Berrien glanced back at you and he held out his palm. āMay I have your hand, Arujisamaā¦.?ā
Your face blushed a little at Berrienās serious expression and you nodded while placing your hand on Berrienās palm. He overlayed his other hand on top of yours gently. He closed his eyes and took another breath. āYour handā¦is so warmā¦the most precious handā¦that made me feel the most secureā¦I remembered Arujisama was the one who woke me up from my nightmare in the White Rabbit Circusā¦back when I was overworking myselfā¦at that timeā¦I dreamt that I lost the people who are very dear to meā¦I didnāt want to lose anyone anymoreā¦especially you, Arujisamaā¦ā Berrienās warm tears dropped onto the back of your hand as he gently held them even more. āOnly youā¦Arujisamaā¦could wake me up from these nightmaresā¦ā
āBerrienā¦.ā You reached your hand and caressed Berrienās cheek carefully. You brushed his tears with your thumb, and softly comforted him.
Berrien leaned onto your soft touch and felt your warmth even more on his cheek as his tears slides into your palm.
āArujisamaā¦.ā He finally opened his beautiful eyes and faced you. āI have always been the one who has waited for others to comeā¦because I truly believed that one dayā¦theyāll come back again.ā He squeezed onto your hand lovingly. āAnd Iāve waited for fatherā¦Iāve waited for Berenā¦Iāve waited for everyone at devilās palace and wished that they will come back safelyā¦after allā¦it gets lonely without everyone hereā¦and Arujisamaā¦.youāre the heart of the palaceā¦whenever you went back to your worldā¦whenever youāre on a trip for the missionsā¦.I would always look out the glass windowā¦hoping for your safe returnā¦andā¦ā¦ā You could feel his hands trembling on yours. āHow terrifying it is to have seen my nightmares turned into realityā¦.when I held you in my armsā¦feeling your heart beat then eventuallyā¦..ā
āItās okayā¦you donāt have to trace back to that painful memory, Berrienā¦.ā
āArujisamaā¦it is my fault for not protecting you properlyā¦had I shield you with my own bodyā¦you would still be hereā¦ā
āNo! That cannot beā¦you shouldnāt do that, Berrienā¦.! Youāre also very, very dear to everyoneā¦.to meā¦! If you dieā¦then thereās no meaning tooā¦!ā
Berrien lifted his right hand from your hand and brushed your tears as well. āI apologize for making you cry tooā¦ā
āā¦.Arujisamaā¦.there isnāt a day that I havenāt thought of youā¦ā He intertwined his left hand with your fingers. āEvery night, I wished that I could see you in my dreamsā¦even in nightmaresā¦but that way, I can see youā¦every traces of you in your roomā¦the teacup that you used the most, the chair that you sat in during afternoon teaā¦everything is left intactā¦because I never want any trace of you to be erasedā¦I do not wish that youāll disappear from this worldā¦.it seems that my muscle memory would let me brew an extra tea just for you, arujisama. Youāre the only one that I want to make black tea for all of my lifeā¦andā¦to think that I can finally meet youā¦makes all the waiting worthwhile.ā His eyes gleamed with more tears mixed with joy and hope. āArujisamaā¦.could all of this been my dream? Have I gone to meet you already? Perhaps I didnāt strike that angelā¦but that angel already took me to see youā¦? Thatās why everything is so wonderful hereā¦?ā
āBerrienā¦youāre aliveā¦.Iām alive tooā¦.ā You smiled back tenderly.
Berrien smiled with the most tenderness. āIs that soā¦thenā¦arujisamaā¦if I can be more selfishā¦.please let us stay like this a little longerā¦I want to stay with you a little longerā¦ā
āOf course, Berrienā¦.ā
āā¦thank you for living and remembering me, Arujisamaā¦.thank you for smilingā¦.thank you for existingā¦ā
āThank you for waiting for meā¦.and thinking about me, Berrienā¦.ā
You both intertwined your hands even more intimately.
āIāll never be apart from you again, arujisamaā¦Iāll always stay by your sideā¦and never let you feel any loneliness anymoreā¦.for that is the wish that I wished for the tea leaves. Iāll see you and be near youā¦very very soon. And the leaves blessed us with that answer.ā
