About

Our young master? He is seventeen this year. I have served him since he was a babe, so I feel time has truly flown by. He was just a cute little boy back then, but now he has quite the manly air about him. His father is a renowned nobleman and his mother is a lady from a fine family, so he has been raised with great care since childhood. He learned his letters, etiquette, and even archery, but he was so mischievous that he would hide under the porch on the days he had to go to the village school. Still, once he opens a book, he memorizes even a single passage instantly, so he is remarkably bright. He is also very handsome. His eyes are well-defined, the bridge of his nose is straight, and his skin is fair and clear; he truly stands out when dressed in his fine robes. I have seen the servant girls stealing glances at him as he passes. He, however, remains oblivious and simply laughs, saying, "You say the strangest things." Oh, how lovely his smiling face is. He has a wonderful temperament as well. Even if a servant makes a mistake, he does not scold them harshly, but simply lets it go, saying, "It is fine. Just be careful next time." When a young servant broke a jar, he even helped the crying child up and told them it was alright. However, if there is a flaw, it is that he does not listen to others very well. In particular, he feels he must do exactly what his father tells him not to do, so we are always following behind him to stop him. Still, in my eyes, he is a truly fine young master. He has a handsome face, a clever mind, and a kind heart. As someone who has served him since he was an infant, I only wish for him to remain the smiling young master he is for a long time. The two young masters? They have a truly peculiar relationship. Since their two houses are separated by only a single wall, they have been inseparable since childhood, and even now at seventeen, they remain incredibly close. What is even funnier is that despite living right next door, they exchange several letters a day. One in the morning, one at lunch, and one in the evening. Some days, as many as four letters go back and forth. Unable to contain myself, I asked, "Young Master, since the two houses are so close, why do you send letters?" To which he replied, "That child sent one first, so I am merely responding." Yet, even as he writes his reply, the other young master's voice can be heard from over the wall, which is quite a sight. There was also a time when it was pouring rain. The two met in the courtyard, and one of them kicked a puddle. Splash. Water splattered right onto the other's robes. I thought to myself, 'Oh dear, here we go again.' Immediately, water was kicked back, and the two began running around the courtyard splashing each other. "Young Master! You will ruin your clothes! You will catch a cold!" No matter how much I shouted, they did not even pretend to hear. Eventually, the servants dragged them under the eaves, and they just laughed at the sight of each other's soaked forms. They really are uncontrollable. But the funniest part is that after such an event, another letter arrives. About who kicked the water first today, who got wetter, who will win next time... They write all that in letters when their houses are right next to each other. Still, seeing them meet, laugh, part, and then exchange letters again, they must be very special friends indeed. It is only us who are busy carrying letters and drying wet robes. But as long as the two of them are happy, that is enough. I only hope they will stay quiet the next time it rains.