Sensual Nightingale - Kotobuki Reiji (PT 1)
Torrential rain poured from above. The news said I’d only be small downpour and by the looks of it. This wasn’t at all a little sprinkle. Having your bag over your head you rushed to the nearest building.
Thankfully, the first building you spotted nearby was a hotel. “Finally.” You sighed in relief walking into the building. At first glance, it seemed so very minimal outside but the inside was a different universe.
Beautiful and elegant walls surrounded you with candles lit on each desk you passed by. It seemed as though there weren’t any other guests around. We’re they asleep, you thought.
“Hello miss.” A voice suddenly spoke in-front of you. You jumped at the voice, standing in front of you was non other than the manager of this establishment. “Your the manager?” You questioned observing the badge on his fur coated shoulders. He nodded with a smirk.
“You must be here to shelter from the rain I suppose?” He assumed walking behind the concierge’s desk. “Yes actually. I just walked into whatever building was nearby.” You chuckled nervously.
The manager looked down at his guest list then back up at with a glare. “It seems as though it was fate that brought you here for tonight.” The man said resting his elbows on the desk. “Yeah I guess.” You nervously stated attempting to avoid his eye contact.
“Well since you’ve gone through all this trouble, how about I give you a room for free.” He offered. “Really?!” You said almost dropping your bag. The hotel looked extremely luxurious and waiting for a cab in this rain… it was an offer you couldn’t refuse.
You nodded, “Urm- sure!” You stuttered. “Perfect. I’ll get you set right away.” The man smiled writing something down in his guest list. He then slipped his hand under the desk grabbing a room key. “Room 101.” He said handing you the key.
“Thank you so much sir!” You bowed, then held your bag and room key tightly walking over to your room. It was just on the first floor so the walk over wasn’t long at all.
But as you walked down the hall, you couldn’t find the room number 101. It continued on from 102… “Odd.” You mumbled looking around the corridor. As you double checked your room key still speed walking through the hall, you suddenly bumped into someone.
Able to catch your balance, there stood another man in-front of you holding a suitcase covered in blue-lit chains. “I’m sorry!” You said worried. The man then bowed, “My apologies I too wasn’t paying attention to my surroundings.” He sighed.
The blue-lit chains on the suitcase fascinated you. “That suitcase is very nice.” You complimented him, pointing at his suitcase. “Oh I’m just delivering this to the front. A guest must have forgotten it.” He chuckled.
Over looking his person, you noticed he was wearing a uniform similar to the manager’s. That’s why he was returning something to the lost & found… The man realized you were observing him and he suddenly bent on one knee, resting his free hand on his chest.
“Once again my apologies for my ill willed manners. I’m Kotobuki Reiji. I’m the assistant manager of this hotel.” He extended his hand toward you. You didn’t know why he was being so courteous but you gave him your hand. He landed a soft kiss onto the tips of your knuckles. “If you need any nightly services I will be at your back & call whenever you need me.” He spoke deeply.
Nightly services? All you really wanted to do was sleep but hearing him say nightly services… you felt your cheeks slightly burn at his words. “Oh urm- thank you Mr. Kotobuki.” You stuttered. He stood up, “Need help looking for your living quarters this evening?” He tilted his head looking down at the room key held in your hand.
“Oh yes actually!” You nodded handing him the room key. “Oh your 101. Please follow me.” Kotobuki then offered his free arm. Why was he offering you his arm? Was walking around here dangerous or something?
You were bewildered but slowly wrapped your arm around his, holding it lightly. “Miss are you okay?” He asked noticing you were trembling slightly. “Oh no it’s just a little cold.” You chuckled nervously. “Here.” He then stopped for a moment, dropping the suitcase he carried onto the floor.
“This is perfect.” He said unlocking the blue-lit chains surrounding its exterior. Didn’t he say that this suitcase was a guest’s? He managed to unlock it, flipping the golden locks on it. Inside the suitcase sat a elegant black fur coat.
Kotobuki slowly took it out the suitcase observing it. He then wrapped the coat over your shoulders. “Mr. Kotobuki? Isn’t that a guest’s suitcase?” You asked in concern. “As a matter of fact, that fur coat was never the guest’s to begin with.” He shut the suitcase, wrapping the chains around it once more.
“What do you mean?” You asked. “It doesn’t concern you miss. Now let’s proceed.” He patted your shoulder then offering his arm again. Although you were still skeptical about the fur coat, you continued to hold onto his arm walking down the corridor.
The hall seemed as if the lights around you were dimming each and ever step. After the long silent walk, you both had finally arrived to Room 101. The sign of the room was gold compared to the others, which were silver.
“Here you are miss.” He entered the room key into its keyhole, opening the door ajar. “Thank you.” You nodded walking into the room. The smell of fresh wood seeped into your senses causing your anxieties to disappear. “If you need anything I’ll be a couple of doors down in my quarters. Rest well Miss (y/n).” He bowed, handing you the room key then closing the door quietly behind him.
You were now left in your room alone. Everything was perfectly put together. The bed was massive including the bathroom as well. It was so spacious you could do cart wheels all over the place. But it was getting late and you were lacking sleep.
Throwing yourself onto the bed, your eyelids began to sink. Soon after you feel asleep. The entire room fell silent as you rested. The bed was so comfortable that moving to find that perfect spot was tedious.
Hours passed and it was deep into the night. For some reason you had the sudden impulse to wake up. You sat up in your bed checking your surroundings. The room was still silent as ever. All you could hear was your light breathing.
It was a bad idea to wander around a hotel at night but you were curious as to why Room 101 was so far down the corridor. At the very beginning the numbers started at 102… of course you had to check what was up.
Quietly, you opened the door peaking your head out. The corridor was completely shrouded in darkness. Nothing but an empty abyss ahead. Thankfully a candle was nearby the door. “Ah, I need a lighter.” You sighed. Suddenly you felt a weight in your pocket, you reached into your pocket pulling out a lighter.
“What in the?” You questioned. How did this lighter appear in your pockets? So many strange things kept occurring in this hotel… But the darkness ahead of you was practically beckoning you. You lit up the candle and began to explore the corridor.
From where you were it was door after door. Nothing lingered in the halls. Up ahead was still nothing but darkness. Suddenly that trembling feeling returning and your heartbeat quickened. What could be ahead?
“Hello?” You whispered slightly. You were to scared to shout into the darkness… I mean what if someone responded. Then you spotted a light seeping out from one of the rooms. The door was also slightly opened.
As you approached, you heard the sound of glass clicking. Then the sound of someone sitting down. You peeled slightly into the room. Surprisingly, it was Mr. Kotobuki. He sat at his chair drinking while reading a book.
Even though it was just the two of you, it was extremely quiet after Kotobuki prepared his drink and sat. You could even hear the door crack as you peeked in. Which only caused Kotobuki to notice your presence.
“Who is it?” He questioned aloud, closing his book. He took a sip of his drink before sitting it on the table beside his seat. He sat up quickly pacing toward the door. You panicked trying to quickly close the door almost dropping the lit candle in your hand.
He grabbed the door before it closed with his gloved hand, “Miss (y/n)?” He said opening the door completely to see your figure. “I’m sorry!” You apologized bowing your head. “Are you in need of something?” He asked in concern. “Oh no I just got lost is all.” You nervously said.
“It isn’t safe to be wondering around these halls at night you know.” He scolded resting his hand on his hip. Noticing you were trembling he realized you were frightened. He then took your hand pulling you into his room.
“Mr. Kotobuki?” You said dropping the lit candle to the floor. The lit candle immediately went out once it hit the carpet. “Please rest here for tonight. You’ll feel safer.” He asked of you. You had no choice at this point, he was very worried about you. “Okay.” You said sitting down on his bed.
He then walked over to his seat taking the bottle he poured his drink from. He grabbed a cup pouring you a glass. “This will calm your nerves a bit.” He smiled handing you the glass. “What’s this?” You asked observing the concoction he served you. “Gin. It’ll help you sleep too.” He then sat beside you on his bed.
You didn’t know what Gin was but you drank it unknowingly. The taste was a little odd at first but it became slightly addictive as you continued to drink. “Don’t drink to much.” Kotobuki chuckled drinking his glass.
Eventually moments passed and you were on the verge of falling over. Reiji noticed your fatigue and immediately ran to your side to aid you. “Please rest Miss (y/n).” He helped tuck you into his bed. He felt slightly embarrassed he’d let a guest get intoxicated by his own hand.
Worried about his Manager he kept quiet on the matter to not worry you. You had your eyes slightly open watching as he dimmed the lights. “I have work to do Miss (y/n). I’ll return soon.” He bowed then heading out the door, shutting it behind him quietly.
As Reiji silently walked down the darkened hallway, all he could think of was the scolding he’d receive from his Manager. If he found out that Reiji was letting a guest stay with him. Things weren’t gonna be pretty for Reiji…
But these were the lengths he was willing to go through for you. By your forward ness to step out of your own hotel room at night to explore. He was glad he was the one you stumbled upon at this time of night. It had been a long while since he’s had such a lengthy conversation as well as interaction with a guest.
These little intimate moments kept his heart at ease. At least for now…
Cecil was by the front entrance admiring the scenery around him. “Sir.” Reiji said appearing behind him. “Hm? Yes Reiji?” He asked not turning to face him. “All guests have settled in for the night.” Reiji nodded. Cecil then turned to Reiji, “Well we only have one guest don’t we?” He tilted his head.
Reiji nodded once more, his expression began to sink. “For now, if Miss (y/n) needs anything just be by her side.” Cecil crossed his arms as he walked over to the front desk. “Yes Sir.” Reiji said, gulping inbetween words.
The night almost seemed to go on forever. But for Reiji and Cecil this was there atmosphere most of the time. They were used to it.
Reiji walked back to his room. He still was a little worried that Cecil would eventually figure out what he’s been doing. Once he arrived at the room, he quietly entered and walked over to you and your sleeping self.
He observed you from afar. Watching you sleep so peacefully actually made him calm down from the anxieties of his job. At that moment, all he wanted to do was protect you. Reiji told himself he shouldn’t get to attached to guests but you were different.
The rest of the night he rested on the sofa watching you sleep peacefully. Soon enough he fell asleep.
