Story Summary[]
The young lord Toki and his butler and bodyguard Natsu are enjoying a peaceful life. However, one night a proposal put before them reveals a hidden side to Natsu that disturbs Toki. How will he deal with this troubling new development?
Main cast:
Tokiya Ichinose as Toki
Natsuki Shinomiya as Natsu
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Episode 1 |
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Toki?: So, if I speak into this "camera" box, the populace will truly hear me? I find that hard to believe. Natsu?: They won't only be able to hear you but see you, too. Good evening, everyone! Go on and greet them, Toki. Toki?: I am your lord, Toki. Beside me stands my butler, Natsu. Today, I have a story I wish to tell you all... Was that satisfactory? Natsu?: That was perfect, Toki. You will undoubtedly grow even closer to the people now! Okay, together now... Tokiya, Natsuki: We are pleased to present the continuation of Strawflowers Bloom at Night called Flossflowers Bloom in the Garden! - Toki: We haven't spoken since last year when you came to buy some of our local products, I believe. Thank you for coming to talk with me. Merchant: Indeed. Your products sold extremely well everywhere I went. I thought I should come let you know. By the by, where is your butler tonight? Toki: Oh, yes. He's here. He's simply taken his leave for the moment. Come to think of it, he handled all the negotiations, didn't he? Merchant: Yes, he was very impressive. There are rumors floating around of his strength as well. I thought I'd ask if you would lend him to me. By your leave, of course. Toki: Natsu, you mean? Surely there must be some mistake. His talents lie in brewing tea and making music. He is a very gentle fellow. |
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Episode 2 |
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Toki: (I did not think a rumor like that would spread around. Though with his tendency to draw attention, suspicions were sure to arise.) Toki: (I doubt his request to hire Natsu is an empty one. After all, he has seen Natsu's skills firsthand. But in that case, Natsu will...) Natsu: You've been out of sorts ever since that dinner party, Toki. Are you staying up late again? Or is there something on your mind? Toki: It is nothing of import. Merely a trivial concern that has wormed its way into my mind. Have you ever wished to go journeying again? Toki: With your talents, you could easily find someplace where you could live a more free, luxurious life than you ever could here. Toki: And you'd even be far safer. I wonder if you would be happier that way. Natsu: Please don't say that, Toki. Toki: Ah, forgive me. It's just that there has been one incident after another ever since I inherited my parents' estate. Natsu: Heheh, do not scowl so. Hmmm, I'll forgive you if you share the snack you've been hiding in the back of the left drawer. Toki: *Gasp* |
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Episode 3 |
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Natsu: Hm? Are you taking a break, Toki? Toki: I could see you from the window. You already see to the whole mansion. You need not bother with the garden as well. Natsu: But the garden is the face of the mansion, as it were. Besides, with no one to do the work for me, I can't sit back and relax, can I? Natsu: The people of this mansion have taught me how to do so many jobs. I want to return the favor. Natsu: The gardener is getting on in years, you know. Until his back heals, I... Ah! Toki: Natsu?! Natsu: I was just pricked by a rose thorn, that's all. I thought my gloves would protect me, but I suppose not. I should find proper gardening gloves. Toki: How can you be so calm? You must disinfect it at once! Natsu: It's just a small prick, so there's no need to rush. I'm almost done pruning here. Don't worry about me, Toki. Please get back to your work. Toki: No, I cannot. No matter how small the injury, there is danger of germs entering and causing an infection. Leave your tools there and come with me! |
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Episode 4 |
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Natsu: Thank you very much. I know how busy you are, and yet here you are helping me. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you worry. Toki: That's enough out of you. I may not be able to stop you from working in the garden, but I insist that you rest for the remainder of the day. Understand? Natsu: ............ Toki: Natsu? Are you listening to me? Natsu: Yes, I'm listening. I'll work on the garden tomorrow. Don't worry. You're really overprotective, you know that? Haha. Toki: If I am overprotective, what would that make you? Natsu: You may have a point there. But that's because I'm your butler. No matter how much I try to protect you, it could never be enough. Natsu: I'll put the gardening tools away and return to my room. Please get some rest as well, Toki. Thank you for tending to me. Toki: (Natsu's hands had more scratches and bruises than that one thorn prick. Those aren't something you gain through everyday work. And a few were quite old.) Toki: (I know nothing about him. Not even why he chose to stay here at this mansion.) |
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Episode 5 |
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Toki: This is the last letter. Natsu, are there any other documents awaiting... Toki: (Come to think of it, he's been out since this morning. I'm so accustomed to having him around at all times. Were he here, he'd likely tell me to take a break.) Toki: ............ Toki: (I've watched him do this every day, so I know how it's done. Surely, I can manage to brew tea without my butler around.) Toki: Urgh... This is... Toki: (It's too astringent. And it doesn't have the same aroma. I thought I followed his procedure perfectly, so why...? Perhaps more milk will help mask it.) Toki: (I'll add some of that sugary fruit the head chef secretly gave me as well. I doubt even Natsu would know the contents of that locked drawer.) Toki: N-Natsu?! You've returned already? Please wait a moment. Don't enter the room quite... Servant: Lord Toki? Is something the matter? I came to deliver this letter to you in Natsu's stead. Toki: ............ |
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Episode 6 |
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Natsu: I'm so sorry. The streets were crowded, which made me late. Did anything happen while I was gone? Toki: Nothing in particular. I received this invitation, but that's all. Natsu: It's from the merchant who visited the mansion last year. Will you accept? Toki: Yes. He was a great help to my parents, after all. We only managed a brief chat the other day, so he probably wants to speak at leisure. Toki: He is one of the reasons our people can live such full lives, so I am grateful to him. I must maintain the relationship that my parents built. Natsu: Toki. If it's not something you want to do, then you don't have to force yourself to do it. Toki: That was unexpected. What inspired that? Natsu: I'm...not sure. But when you're hiding your true feelings, you tend to avoid looking out at the night sky. Natsu: I understand your reasoning, but I want you to think about your own happiness, too. It can't hurt to be a little selfish every now and then, can it? Toki: ............ |
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Episode 7 |
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Natsu: Are you really going by yourself? If something happens, you'd be better off having a bodyguard by... Toki: Natsu, you are my butler. I have no need of a bodyguard. The steel-plated picture book you gave me is enough. Natsu: Very well. But I have an errand to take care of outside while you're away. Toki: I have no objections. Please keep an eye on your surroundings. I will return as quickly as I can. Natsu: (He wants me to keep an eye on my surroundings, huh? He really is a staunchly good-natured man.) Natsu: He's the only one who'd do something so foolish as help a man collapsed outside his mansion twice, even if he doesn't remember it.) Natsu: (He always investigates everything thoroughly, but he didn't say a word when he saw how beat up my hand was. Though he looked like he really wanted to ask.) Natsu: (That's the kind of guy he is. He needs someone like me.) Natsu: It will be easier to protect him if we're apart. This way I can crush all the pests who scuttle after him. Natsu: I'll defend Toki with my own two hands, no matter what happens. |
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Episode 8 |
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Merchant: Now then, I presume you're ready to give me an answer regarding your butler today? Toki: Yes. I'm honored that you regard him so highly. I've considered the matter carefully since we last spoke. Toki: The world is much larger than I can fathom. I am still very young, so there are many things that lie outside of my control. Which is why, as selfish as it is... Toki: I must decline your offer. I'm afraid I have need of him yet. - Toki: I simply wish to get some fresh air. There is no need to worry. When you return to the mansion, tell him I will be returning home shortly. Now then... Toki: (The stars are beautiful tonight. A lot has changed since my parents passed, but the night sky is as spectacular as ever.) Toki: (I always went to look at it whenever I had trouble sleeping. I'd leave the lights off in my room and peek out from the window.) Toki: (I believe that was around the time that I vowed on a shooting star to become as capable of a lord as my father and to protect the people of this area.) Toki: (Looking at the stars puts my mind at ease. I think Natsu said something similar at one point.) Natsu: Toki! |
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Episode 9 |
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Toki: Natsu? What are you doing here? I thought you had errands to run. What happened to your clothes? Did you meet with someone? Natsu: Well, I guess I'd be lying if I said I didn't. Toki: That's an ambiguous reply if I ever heard one. You're the only butler I know who would dare evade his master's questions. Natsu: That's because I serve someone careless enough to walk around alone at night without a bodyguard. I would be unable to fulfill my duty if I couldn't. Natsu: How was the dinner party? You didn't seem very enthusiastic when you got the invitation, so I was worried. Toki: It ended without incident. He said he'd be back to stock up again. Natsu: That's good. You'll catch cold if we stay out too long, so get one last glance at the stars and let's head back. I'll protect you. Toki: How many times do I have to tell you I don't need a bodyguard? I want you to remain by my side as my butler. - Toki: There is so much I have to learn, but I want to discover everything I can in the time that I have. For the sake of everyone's happiness...and mine as well. Marchant: Is that so? I thought I might have a chance of winning him from you, but I see your will is strong. Just like your parents. |
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Episode 10 |
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Natsu: It's the perfect weather for tea. The birds are enjoying the lush green of the trees, too. Toki: I see the gardener is back to work now that his back has healed. Which means I won't have to worry about my butler getting injured while pruning. What a relief. Natsu: The gardener thought I did a splendid job! But brewing tea may be more up my alley. Today is... Toki: Um, Natsu. I wish to have some orange peel in my tea today, with some sort of chocolate baked good, if you would. Natsu: Huh? Okay. Understood. Toki: Is something the matter? Natsu: No, it's just that you hardly ever make requests like that. What's going on? Toki: Haha, I've never seen you so bewildered. You usually look at me as though you see right through me. Natsu: Well, now. I guess you're in a teasing mood today. Did something good happen? Toki: That...is a secret. |