Episode 309: Master

「Good work. How’d the fortune-telling go?」

「Did you get any interesting results?」

The moment we stepped out from behind the curtain, everyone swarmed us as if they’d been lying in wait.

I get that they’re curious about the results, but isn’t it better not to tell people about these things? Wait.

Was that only for paper fortunes at shrines?

But that’s also a kind of fortune-telling.

Well, I’ll just leave it to Sara-san.

「Well, I’m going to keep that a secret.」

Sara-san must’ve been thinking the same thing as me. She winked and put a finger to her lips in a「shh」pose.

That playful gesture is way too cute!!

「Right, I’ve heard it’s better not to tell people about that kind of stuff.」

「Wait, wasn’t that only about shrine fortunes?」

That was the exact same debate happening in my head, but I wonder what the truth is?

Maybe I should’ve checked online.

「Kazunari, next time is with your Big sister…!」

「Sorry, Hanako-san, it’s about time we headed to our classroom or we’ll be late for our slot…」

「Muu.」

Hanako-san puffed out her cheeks in a cute pout, making it clear she was miffed. I felt really bad about it, but we had a reservation and I didn’t want to cause trouble for the class.

「…Pant, pant… her moe-power is off the charts…」

「…That little Angel is just so calculated… it’s great!」

By the way, Sara-san does that「puffed out cheeks」thing too. When I’m on the receiving end of that, it’s so cute that it’s actually a problem.

Especially Sara-san’s pout… it’s, well, it’s dangerously adorable.

It makes me feel like I’m going to die from the sweetness.

…Crap, if I leave her like this, Hanako-san’s just going to get even more upset.

「If we get another chance like this, let’s do it together then.」

I fought back the urge to poke those cute, inflated cheeks and tried to convince her while radiating a pleading aura. I added a dash of「I’m so sorry」for good measure.

「…Muu… okay… promise.」

She looked a bit reluctant, but Hanako-san gave a small nod anyway.

Then she held out her right pinky toward me.

Does she want to do a pinky swear?

It’s embarrassing to do this with everyone watching, but I don’t have a choice.

I hooked my right pinky with Hanako-san’s for a silent swear. I guess I’m lucky I didn’t have to sing「that song」out loud.

「…Hey, come on, just tell me.」

「…Kishiyama-san, Kishiyama-sama!!」

「…No way!! Besides, I already forgot what the result was!! I have no memory of it at all, so give it up!!」

On the other side of the room, the idiots were swarming Kishiyama-san.

I was ready to jump in if things looked suspicious, but she seemed like she had it under control.

Since she performed such a thorough fortune-telling, she’s clearly got a high level of professionalism. It’s very reassuring.

「Now then, shall we head to the next spot?」

「I’ve been waiting for this, tea time!」

「I’ve never been to a maid cafe, so I’m looking forward to it.」

「Me too! …Wait, come to think of it, does Nishikawa-san have maids at her house?」

「We have helpers. In Japan, housekeepers are more common than maids.」

For the record, I’ve always thought that if a real maid saw the Japanese version, she’d probably get angry and tell people not to make fun of her job.

As for butlers… maybe a private secretary is the closest thing in terms of image?

That’s just my impression, though.

「I see. But I bet guys would be happy to have a maid around, wouldn’t they?」

「To be honest… I’m not great with the whole maid cafe vibe…」

I figured Yuji would say something like that. He’s got a stoic side, so he’s always tended to dislike or feel awkward around flashy things.

「Yeah, I don’t hate it, but I’m a bit uncomfortable with it too… for a few reasons.」

In Hayato’s case… I can just picture him being swarmed by maids until it starts looking like a host club.

「Ahaha, I bet things would get pretty crazy if Yokogawa-kun went. By the way, Takanashi-kun…」

「I…」

「To begin with, Kazunari-san has no need for a maid or a helper.」

「…Hmph!」

Right, I knew Sara-san would react like that.

Sara-san is the type who won’t even let Mayumi-san, her own mother, handle my daily needs or housework. There’s no way she’d let a stranger do it.

「A-Ah, no, I didn’t mean it like that.」

「Tachikawa-san, that kind of logic doesn’t work on Sara.」

「I see that now.」

「Kazunari, it’s time.」

Hanako-san grabbed my sleeve and gave it a few little tugs.

That’s right, I said we didn’t have much time, and here I was getting caught up in another conversation…

「Alright, let’s go.」

「「「 Yeah! 」」」

Since we’re still drawing a lot of attention, this whole vibe is a bit embarrassing.

But being with everyone like this is still really fun for me.

Rattle rattle rattle

「Welcome home, Master.」

Whoa!?

The moment I stepped through the classroom door I walk through every day, I was met by several classmates… or rather, maids.

Looking at their faces, it was obvious who they were. But seeing them all dressed up like that completely changed the atmosphere. It’s incredible how much of a difference it makes.

「Oh, Takanashi-kun, are you mesmerized by us?」

「N-No I’m not.」

I ended up giving a huge reaction, which basically made it look like I was confirming it.

But that’s not it, I was just caught off guard…

「Hey, Takanashi-kun, don’t just stand there in the doorway, get inside already~」

「Ah, sorry…」

Gratefully, Natsumi-senpai’s voice broke the tension. That’s right, I was just a little surprised by my classmates looking so different from usual.

I pulled myself together and walked into the classroom as if nothing had happened, with the rest of the group following behind me. Everyone started making interested noises while looking at the maids and the decorations.

「Welcome home, Young Lady!!」

「Eh, ah, yes, I’m home…」

Sara-san gave a bewildered reaction to the standard maid cafe greeting. Knowing she isn’t used to this kind of thing, it was a pretty heartwarming sight.

「Wow, the maid outfits are so cute!」

「Yeah, they really are cute in person. I might even want to try one on…」

Todo-san in a maid outfit… I feel like that would have some serious destructive power. I could just picture her shyly handling customers… yeah, that’d be cute.

Hayato must have been imagining the same thing, because he was staring at Todo-san with a slightly red face.

I guess it can’t be helped. It’s a guy’s nature, after all.

「Welcome home, Young Lady.」

「Good work.」

Hanako-san made her way to her seat with her twin-tails swaying, looking strangely composed. Wait, are you actually roleplaying a noble lady?

「Welcome home, Young Lady.」

「Good work, everyone.」

Nishikawa-san, who was the last to enter, casually thanked the maids as if she were used to it. She looked perfectly dignified, and there wasn’t a hint of awkwardness in her posture.

Is she actually used to being called a young lady?

By the way, Yuji just gave a silent nod and headed straight for his seat, while Hayato looked like he was having a hard time after being swarmed by several maids.

It’s pretty interesting to see how much personality and difference comes out from just one simple thing.

A large table in the back had a plate that read「Student Council Party,」and it had already been partially prepared for us.

Even though there were other customers, they went through all this trouble for us. I’ll have to thank them properly later.

「…Hey, look at the person next to Satsukawa-senpai.」

「…Whoa, she’s a total beauty.」

「…She was in the senpais’ group RAIN, but I think her name is Nishikawa-san.」

「…I heard about her too. Apparently she, Satsukawa-senpai, and Yuzuki-senpai were called the Three Princesses until last year.」

「…I wonder if Takanashi could introduce us.」

「Good work today, Master.」

The one who spoke to me was Kawamura, looking shockingly natural in his role.

The butler suit suited him perfectly, and he carried the atmosphere with ease.

I found myself staring.

「Takanashi, what’s wrong?」

「Ah, sorry, I was just a bit surprised. That really suits you.」

I wasn’t just being polite, it really did look good on him. His usual stiff image, his quick wit… and even his glasses made him look the part perfectly.

「I-Is that so? Well, the girls have been saying the same thing all day.」

「I bet. You’re the only one who looks like the real thing instead of just someone in a costume.」

「I’m not sure if I should be happy about that.」

Anyone who enjoyed cosplay would definitely be thrilled, but Kawamura was the type who wasn’t really into it to begin with.

Though I guess he didn’t hate hearing it.

「Ah, I brought the menus. Usually the guys handle the female customers… but you should be the one to give this to Satsukawa-senpai.」

「Got it.」

I didn’t think he needed to be that careful. Even Sara-san wouldn’t have some extreme reaction, and as long as someone doesn’t show any ulterior motives, she’ll respond normally.

That is, assuming the staff acts like a normal staff.

By the way, Natsumi-senpai and Todo-san were being served by other butlers… wait, where was Yamakawa? He’s the type who’d usually be at the front of something like this.

「By the way, where’s Yamakawa?」

「He’s on break and out seeing the festival. I didn’t contact him because it’d just be a nuisance if he made a scene.」

「That’s good thinking. I’ll give you a reward for that.」

「…I’m honored by your words?」

Kawamura played along after being praised by Hanako-san, who was still in her noble lady role.

You don’t see that every day.

「Here you go, Master.」

「Ah, thanks.」

Switching places with Kawamura, the maids began handing out menus to the guys. Even so, being called Master by my classmates felt weird. At the very least, it didn’t make me happy, so I guess I don’t have a「Master」preference… or a maid preference.

「You don’t have any preferences, Kazunari?」

「Huh?」

「Master?」

Gah!?

Just as I thought she was deep in thought, Hanako-san took sudden action.

I instinctively reacted, but it definitely wasn’t to the word「Master.」

It was just that Hanako-san looked cute tilting her head and saying「Master」like that, so d-don’t get the wrong idea, okay!?

「Oh, was that a reaction?」

「That was a bit subtle. I’d say he reacted because it was Hanako-san?」

「True. It looked that way to me too…」

「Um, can you all stop analyzing me?」

I don’t know what’s so fun about it, but I wish everyone would stop scrutinizing my every reaction. Lately even Nishikawa-san and Natsumi-senpai have started reading my face, and if Tachikawa-san joins in, it’ll just get worse…

「Then the Wife should try saying it too.」

「Me?」

「Yes. That way we’ll know if Kazunari is reacting to the word or the person.」

「Um… well…」

No, no, if Sara-san calls me that, there’s no way I won’t react…

「M-Master?」

「…………」

Sara-san whispered it with a red face, looking embarrassed. Since I was right next to her, I heard it loud and clear, yeah.

「It’s just, rather than the word… Sara-san’s, well, embarrassed face is… it’s so cute I want to pull her into a hug right now…」

「Kazunari, you’re saying your inner thoughts out loud.」

Wha!?

「Ka-Kazunari-san…」

Sara-san stared at my face with a bright red blush… then for some reason she opened her arms?

「Sara-san?」

「No, well, if you wish, I am ready whenever… which would you prefer? To hold me, or for me to hold you…?」

Even though she was fidgeting, she was looking at me with… well, quite a lot of expectation in her eyes.

Ugh… that’s too unfair…

「Listen, Sara, you aren’t serious about that, are you?」

「Eririn, you know she’s serious. Why even ask?」

「I have no reason to tell a joke, though?」

「「「……………」」」

Sara-san’s face said「Why is Eri asking such a strange thing?」She looked genuinely confused.

And since I know Sara-san is serious.

That’s exactly why I know I can’t afford to say anything reckless.

「…Hey, what do you think Satsukawa-senpai is trying to do?」

「…Probably trying to hug Takanashi-kun…」

「…Right!? Right!? Kyaaaa!」

「…Ugh, they’re showing off again…」

「…I’m not jealous, I’m definitely not jealous…」

「…Maybe I should just jump in and interrupt…」

「…Are you trying to get killed by Satsukawa-senpai?」

「Kazunari-san, would you prefer it if I called you Master?」

「N-No, just normal is fine.」

Sara-san takes these things seriously, so if I said I wanted her to call me that, she probably would.

But I was just a bit flustered because it was something new. I don’t have a preference for it, and I want Sara-san to be her usual self.

「Fufu… I understand.」

「Satsukawa-senpai, were you really going to call him Master if he asked?」

「Of course. I want to grant any wish Kazunari-san has, as long as it is within my power.」

I knew it, she really was serious…

I’m glad I didn’t even joke about wanting it.

「But to be honest, I am relieved.」

「Ah, right! I mean, a nickname like that is…」

「Because I want to call Kazunari-san… Dear.」

「「「……………」」」

That’s weird. This isn’t anything new. We’ve had this conversation several times before.

So why is everyone looking at us with such dead eyes?

It’s quite a mystery, isn’t it…