That voice called out to me again—a voice that belonged to a girl—but I was hesitant to respond when I couldn't even remember how I got here. It was taking all my strength just to stand up. I felt weak and strangely light, but that wouldn't stop me from getting up and taking a good look at the place I'd found myself in.
It was just a simple open garden up close, but it had many different roses, and it stretched quite far into the distance. I didn't understand why it had such a huge open area like that.
There she was. It looked like she hadn't noticed me standing at the far end of the gate wall, near what seemed to be a huge mansion. Its architecture resembled that of a fairytale palace. She yelled my name again, yet I didn't have a proper response—I couldn't remember anything about myself besides my name, which came to me only when she called it.
As I stood there, I wondered how I managed to remember something from a book I once read. But I didn't have time to daydream; I didn't want her to keep shouting my name. So, I approached her.
"Haru!" she screamed once more.
"I'm here," I responded, startling her, since she'd been looking east while I came from the west side of the garden.
"Where have you been? Why would you disappear like that? You know the Madam doesn't like it when we're wandering around when he's coming!" she said quickly.
It seemed I was part of this family that owned this huge place—but I couldn't let my guard down. I didn't know what kind of people they were.
"Let's go before the Madam finds out we're gone." She grabbed my hand and pulled me along, and just like that, we left the area. Still, I couldn't stop wondering why I couldn't remember anything. My head was hazy, and the only things I recognized were the structure of the building and this strange feeling of displacement in my heart.
As we left the area, I didn't notice the figure standing at the window, watching everything that happened on the ground.
Later that day, before evening, as I was washing the dishes—how ironic, I thought to myself—I realized what my position in this mansion was: a maid.
"That should be the last one. Let's go now," she told me. But I had to clear something up between us. It would be hard to keep talking to her without knowing her name. Maybe if I asked, it would bring back my memory of this place.
"Sorry, I forgot, but… can you tell me your name again?" I asked.
"I know you don't talk much, but forgetting my name is another thing," she said, stepping closer to me. She leaned over and asked, "Are you feeling okay?"
"I fell from a tree and hit my head, so…" I stood there sweating, as if I'd just sentenced myself to be executed. But that was my excuse—my only way to stay low and gather more information about myself and this place. Because I had already seen something that confirmed my suspicion: this wasn't my world.
I had noticed a letter of ingredients on the table written in a language I'd never seen before. Whoever I was here—it wasn't me. I didn't know why I couldn't remember everything, but little by little, my memory seemed to be returning. Still, I didn't understand how I got here.
"You should be more careful. But I think you should be resting—why didn't you say something earlier? My name won't do you any good," she said.
This was my chance, though, and I didn't want to draw unwanted attention from others.
"It's not that bad. So, can you tell me your name again?" I asked, realizing I might have sounded a bit desperate.
"It's Akane," she said.
"Hm?" I hadn't expected her to give it up so easily.
"Nozomu Akane. My last and first name. Twenty years old and still single," she added.
"Huh?... Single?" That surprised me. I didn't think she'd say anything beyond her name—let alone her relationship status.
"It's not fair, isn't it? Anyway, what were you doing up in that tree?" Akane asked.
"Hm?..." I was confused by the sudden change in topic.
"Though, the owner of the house is a real hottie. Too bad he's getting engaged soon. But if fate and destiny are real, maybe I still have a chance! You can't know—no, you wouldn't know. Why am I even asking you?" she rambled on. "Anyway, not only that, but he's also the successor to the position of head of the Zaikai family—Lord Zaikai Ryūichi's son."
"Huh…." I was glad I learned a bit about the family, but what was going on with her?
"Oh—Lord Takanori Zaikai! Sorry for going off track," she said with a laugh. "Back to my question—what were you doing in that tree?"
"I can't remember," I said. At that moment, I decided this would be my go-to excuse whenever anyone asked about my past.
"Okay, anyway, let's go to our room. Let me show you where it is so you don't get lost. Just kidding—let's go," she said cheerfully. But now I was left wondering… Is Akane Nozomu a kind person?
Later that evening, right before dusk, I decided to revisit the area where I woke up, hoping to find some clue as to why I was in this world. I searched the ground but found nothing, so I just sat and watched the golden clouds drift above me.
Deep down, I could feel it—I didn't belong here. But why was I here? That was a question I had to solve.
"What are you doing here alone, Haru?"
That voice… it wasn't one I'd heard today. No, it was someone I recognized. But who could it be? The golden light hid his face, so I couldn't see clearly.
"Who are you?" I asked.
"How about you come closer and take a look for yourself—if you dare," he said, trying to sound cool.
I was curious, so I walked toward him bravely. But as I was about to reach him, my luck failed me. I tripped over a brick and fell into his arms.
His eyes met mine, and silence followed. I didn't know if it was because of my missing memories or the emptiness I felt inside, but at that moment, I felt nothing toward this stranger who found me alone in the garden.