Chapter 1 Which lady?

Something’s off. Time is dragging on far too slowly.

(…Finally, three weeks have passed, huh?)

I glanced at the date on my phone and felt my energy drain. It was mid-August at long last… Normally, summer vacation would fly by in a flash, but this year, for some reason, time seemed to crawl.

Maybe it was because I couldn’t get into my one and only hobby—gaming. I just wasn’t feeling it.

And so, I spent my days in a daze, which brought me to today.

(Well, whatever.)

That said, I wasn’t exactly down about it. In fact, I was in a great mood right now.

Because tomorrow, I’d get to see her.

“I’ve just arrived home. I’m going to sleep now, so I’ll see you tomorrow. Thank you.”

At night, while slurping the cold sōmen noodles my mom made for dinner, I stared absently at my phone screen. The message that had just come in was unmistakably from Hime.

My mom, washing dishes, muttered something about not using my phone during meals, but I pretended not to hear and tapped the screen to reply.

At that moment, another message arrived.

“I’m looking forward to seeing you again after so long. Good night, Youhei-kun.”

…Just a single line. No emojis, no stickers—just a simple sentence.

But I couldn’t help grinning like an idiot. It was so Hime-like, I thought.

Mom caught my expression and gave my head a light smack.

“Stop grinning like that and finish your food. I can’t finish the dishes otherwise.”

Jeez, so noisy. I was in too good a mood to act rebellious, so I nodded silently and quickly typed out a reply.

“I’m looking forward to it too. Good Night, Hime.”

Alright. Time to scarf down dinner, take a bath… and maybe skip gaming tonight. I’ll just lie in bed. Gotta make sure I’m well-rested for tomorrow.

I slurped the rest of my sōmen with gusto while mentally planning the day ahead.

Maybe because it took me so long to eat, the broth had gotten watery from the noodles’ moisture. But honestly, I didn’t care one bit.

I was just so excited to see Hime.

I managed to avoid flipping my sleep schedule during summer vacation, no doubt thanks to Hime’s messages. Because of her, I’d kept a routine of going to bed before sunrise and waking up before noon.

Whether that counts as a healthy rhythm is debatable, but for today, at least, I avoided sleep deprivation, so I’ll call it a win.

And so, the long-awaited day arrived.

For some reason, I found myself in a car driven by an unfamiliar old man. In the passenger seat, no less. He had white hair and a white beard, and he seemed kind enough… but meeting someone for the first time like this was, well, awkward.

“Uh, it’s pretty hot today, isn’t it?”

“Aye, ‘tis.”

“…Yeah, super hot.”

“Hot indeed.”

“…”

The silence was unbearable, so I tried making small talk, but the conversation fizzled out instantly.

(Ugh… my lack of social skills is killing me.)

I was at my limit. The old man didn’t seem to mind, so I decided to just stay quiet for the rest of the ride.

Here’s the thing: today, I’d been invited to the Hoshimiya sisters’ family home.

Hime had messaged me, saying, “We have lots of souvenirs, so please come pick them up!” So, I was heading over to hang out.

When I asked for details about the location, it turned out to be in a tricky spot in the suburbs. Taking the bus would mean a long detour, so the Hoshimiya family kindly offered to send someone to pick me up.

And that someone was the old man driving this car, who’d come to get me at a convenience store near my house. Judging by his suit, he was probably a servant or something.

The Hoshimiya sisters were proper ojō-sama, so it wasn’t surprising they’d have staff like this.

(Still, I didn’t expect neither of them to show up for the pickup.)

According to the old man, the sisters had been sleeping until the last minute due to jet lag. They were getting ready and couldn’t come along.

Hime had sent an apologetic “Sorry” message. For some reason, Sei-san sent a “Good Night” sticker.

I replied to Hime with a “No worries” and to Sei-san with a “Don’t go back to sleep.” That was already thirty minutes ago.

Finally, the car came to a stop.

It seemed we’d arrived at the Hoshimiya residence.

(Whoa… it’s huge!)

Through the windshield, I caught sight of a Western-style house. Three stories tall and sprawling wide—it had to have tons of rooms. It was massive.

It felt less like a house and more like a mansion. The grounds were vast, too; walking the perimeter would probably take a while.

“I’ll go park the car, lad.”

“Okay, got it. Thanks for the ride.”

He seemed to be urging me to get out, so I opened the door and stepped outside. The summer heat hit me like a wave, making me want to dive back into the air-conditioned car.

But when I turned around, the car was already pulling away. With grounds this big, the parking area was probably far off. It wasn’t even in sight, so getting dropped off here was actually convenient.

I headed toward the entrance. There was no one around, of course. Should I ring the intercom, or text first…? As I hesitated, the double doors swung open with a click.

“Oh, Hime.”

Peeking out from behind the doors was an eight-year-old girl.

Seeing me, Hime’s face lit up with a radiant smile.

“Youhei-kun… ehehe.”

She gave a shy giggle, then fidgeted, tugging at the hem of her skirt.

Today’s outfit was a dress similar to one she’d worn on a previous outing. But while that one was white, this one was black. The contrast with her silvery hair suited her perfectly, making her look just a tad more grown-up than usual.

“Long time no see, Hime.”

“Yes, it’s been three weeks, hasn’t it?”

Her innocent expression had a strange charm that made my cheeks soften just looking at her.

These past three weeks had felt agonizingly slow. Maybe that’s why… seeing Hime’s face now, after so long, filled me with unexpected joy.

“Please, come in. It’s hot outside.”

I’d been so caught up in the moment that I’d forgotten how uncomfortable the heat was. Chiding myself for almost standing around chatting, I followed her invitation and stepped inside.

“Whoa… it’s huge!”

I’d expected it from the outside, but seeing it with my own eyes was something else. The entrance opened into a grand hall that looked like a hotel lobby.

In the back, I could see a corridor with several rooms. A spiral staircase stood near the center, leading to the upper floors.

“The servants’ quarters are at the back of the first floor,” Hime explained. “The second floor has our family’s rooms and guest rooms, and the third floor is where our parents have their workrooms. Though, our parents are rarely home.”

She must’ve noticed me gawking around, because she gave a quick rundown of the house’s layout. Wow, that’s… incredible. It’s a bit crass to think about, but how much money do you need to live in a place like this? I couldn’t even imagine, and the sheer scale left me stunned.

Maybe my expression was amusing to her.

“…Youhei-kun, your mouth and eyes are all round.”

Hime’s shoulders shook with a small giggle as she looked at me. Was I making a weird face? It was a bit embarrassing, but seeing her laugh made it worth it, so I let it slide.

“This way. Onee-chan is in our room, so let’s go.”

With that, Hime tugged at my hand.

(Is Hime more energetic than usual?)

Her tone wasn’t much different, but her expression seemed brighter, and she was in high spirits.

Maybe she was happy to see me after three weeks. I felt the same way, so her pure affection warmed my heart.

We climbed the stairs and headed to a nearby room.

“This is mine and Onee-chan’s room.”

“Oh? You share a room?”

There were other rooms further down, but they didn’t seem relevant.

“Yes. We spend a lot of time together, so we use this room jointly.”

Come to think of it, she’d mentioned something like that when we went shopping before. They even sleep in the same bed, right?

They really are close sisters.

With that thought, I stepped through the door Hime opened.

It’s a girls’ room, so maybe I shouldn’t stare too much… I was a bit nervous, but then—

“Gugaa. Ggghhh… fugh!”

A noise like a construction site shattered my tension in an instant.

It was Sei-san’s snoring, so loud it made me embarrassed to think of her as a girl.

“I’m sorry. I tried calling her several times, but she won’t wake up.”

Hime looked exasperated. With a sigh, she walked toward the bed where her sister slept. I followed, stepping further into the room.

(It’s so spacious.)

It was nothing like my room. It was about half the size of a classroom, which was the first thing that struck me.

Along the walls were a closet and a study desk. In the center was a U-shaped sofa and a TV, creating a cozy atmosphere.

And at the back of the room stood a massive canopy bed—clearly their sleeping area. It was more than big enough for two.

And there she was, in the middle.

“Onee-chan, please wake up.”

“Gggghhh.”

“What kind of snoring is that?”

Standing beside the exasperated Hime, I peeked at Sei-san’s sleeping face.

Her hair was a mess with bedhead. Drool dribbled from her mouth. Her eyes were half-open… Sprawled out on her back, her pajama hem had ridden up, exposing her navel.

“…”

Yeah, this is one of those sights I should probably pretend I didn’t see.

It was a bit too stimulating for a maiden’s sleeping pose. Well, my older sister was just as sloppy back in the day, so I didn’t feel anything negative about it.

“Onee-chan, please, wake up already.”

“Nn… five more minutes…”

“You’ve been saying that for the last hour!”

“But… just a bit longer till Youhei gets here…”

“He’s already here.”

“…Huh?”

Her eyelids, which had been shut tight, finally fluttered open.

Still groggy, her half-open eyes first landed on Hime… then shifted to me, standing beside her.

In that instant, her eyes shot wide open.

“Youhei!? No way, no… don’t look! Don’t look at me like this!”

She must’ve been conscious of her bedhead, drool, and disheveled pajamas, being at that age where such things matter. She frantically pulled the blanket over herself to escape my gaze.

Watching her, Hime said simply:

“It’s too late for that. He even heard your snoring.”

“Gyaah!”

“‘Gggghhh,’ you were going. Youhei-kun was laughing, too.”

“S-stop! Don’t say any more!”

Sei-san was practically in tears. Hime, on the other hand, looked a bit pleased with herself.

“You wouldn’t wake up no matter what, so you needed to learn your lesson the hard way.”

“Ugh… Youhei, you perv!”

“How did this turn on me?”

Leaving aside how I got dragged into it—

Sei-san, still hiding her face with her hands, scrambled out of bed in a panic.

“I’m gonna go wash my face!”

“…Good. At least she still has some maidenly shame.”

As Hime watched Sei-san’s retreating figure, she let out a relieved sigh.

“Oh, the sheets are a mess. If we leave them like this, we’ll get scolded later. Is it okay if I tidy them up?”

“Of course. I’ll help.”

“Are you sure? Well, I’ll take you up on that, then.”

The bed was in quite a state—crumpled sheets, a pillow somehow turned vertical, and a blanket half-falling to the floor.

Probably Sei-san’s doing. Does she have bad sleeping habits, too? I thought, moving to the opposite side of the bed to smooth out the sheets.

That’s when I noticed.

“Huh? Is that…?”

Near the pillow, sitting proudly, was a familiar teddy bear.

And draped over it was a shirt—one I recognized because I’d been wearing it not long ago.

“I sleep with it every night,” Hime said.

She must’ve caught my gaze. Folding the blanket, she gave a shy smile.

“Thanks to it, I slept soundly even in America. Thank you”

“No, no, you’re the one who got it. I didn’t do much.”

The bear was something Hime had won at a claw machine when we went to the arcade together. All I did was pay for the coins.

But that wasn’t what Hime meant.

“…It felt like Youhei-kun was with me. It was really comforting.”

It wasn’t about the thing itself.

She was grateful for the gift from me.

Realizing that a bit late, I suddenly felt my cheeks heat up.

“R-really? That’s, uh, great.”

I gave a small nod, and Hime mirrored it with a tiny nod of her own.

“Ehehe.”

She giggled, then returned to folding the blanket.

…Hime seems to be in an especially good mood today.

To be specific, she’s smiling a lot. When we talk, her cheeks are always soft, her expression innocent.

Maybe it’s because it’s been a while.

Or… maybe I’m the one imagining it.

Or perhaps we’re both acting a little off.

Three weeks felt long for both of us, it seems.

Ahem.

About fifteen minutes later, Sei-san returned to the room, fully put-together.

Clearing her throat as if nothing had happened, she sat down on the sofa where Hime and I were relaxing.

Gone were the pajamas—she was now in casual loungewear. A plain but stylish set of shorts and a loose shirt gave off a feminine vibe.

It was hard to believe this was the same disheveled person from earlier.

“Forget it.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“…Youhei, are you the type to lose memories if you hit your head?”

“Don’t try to solve this with violence.”

“Onee-chan, stop thinking such dangerous thoughts. It’s your own fault for being so sloppy.”

“But… ugh!”

She was still embarrassed, it seemed.

Time to cheer her up, I figured.

“Hime, shall we eat?”

“Yes, now that Onee-chan’s here, it’s perfect timing.”

“Huh? Eat… this?”

Sei-san’s eyes landed on something on the table in front of the sofa.

Exactly. It was the gift I’d brought, since I was visiting their home.

“It’s a fancy box. What’s inside?”

“Cookies.”

Yup, a small tin of cookies—classic guest gift. My mom gets them sometimes, and I’d eat them too.

They’re pricier than the usual cookies we have, and maybe that’s why they taste extra delicious. I can’t bring them to school, but this was a good chance to splurge a bit.

“Wow, there’s a lot!”

“Hmm…?”

Not just Hime, but Sei-san seemed drawn to the cookies too.

Though she still looked a bit awkward, maybe not fully over her embarrassment.

But Sei-san’s the type to follow her stomach, so…

“Go ahead, dig in.”

“Just one, then… whoa!? These are amazing!”

Her face lit up. She savored the cookie with a blissful expression—good. Sei-san’s so straightforward.

“I’ll have another!”

“Onee-chan, that’s unladylike. You should eat more slowly.”

While chiding Sei-san, Hime ate a cookie with a composed expression.

Nibble. A small bite. The cookie was tiny, but she didn’t pop it all in at once.

“…It’s just the right sweetness, and the texture is crispy and delicious.”

But on her second bite, she stuffed the whole cookie in her mouth. Not much different from Sei-san’s big bite—it must’ve been to her liking, which was a relief.

Sei-san’s mood seemed to lift, and Hime looked satisfied, so all was well.

“They’d go great with tea.”

“Totally! Maybe Mei-chan could bring some if we ask?”

“Didn’t she say she was out running errands?”

“Oh, right. Hmm, oh well! We’ve got water.”

Sorry to interrupt their sisterly banter, but…

(Who’s ‘Mei-chan’?)

Someone who’d bring tea. Out on errands. From those clues, probably a servant of some kind?

I thought of the suited old man from earlier. No, he wouldn’t be ‘Mei-chan’… So who is it?

Noticing my confusion, Hime spoke up.

“She’s the person who takes care of us. A maid, essentially. Her name is Itō Mei-san.”

“And the old man who drove Youhei here is Haruya-san,” Sei-san added. “He does stuff like driving us to school.”

I see. A maid, huh… And the old man’s name is Haruya-san.

As expected of ojō-sama. Having two servants like it’s no big deal was surprising.

Guess a house this big would be tough to manage with just family.

“I should probably say hi later.”

I’d spoken a bit with Haruya-san in the car, but I hadn’t even met Itō Mei-san. If I got the chance, I figured I’d introduce myself.

“Say hi… I wonder if Mei-san will come.”

“She’s shy, you know~ And kinda strict, so watch out! I get scolded every day.”

“That’s because you’re sloppy, Onee-chan.”

“I’m not sloppy! Mei-chan’s just too uptight~”

Hmm. Is it Sei-san’s fault, or is Mei-san really that strict?

Either way, she might not be thrilled about meeting me. If that’s the case, maybe I shouldn’t push it.

But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t curious about a maid.

A strict, shy maid, huh.

I couldn’t help picturing a tall, bespectacled older woman.

I’d love to catch a glimpse, if possible.

…But I’ll keep that vulgar curiosity in check.

She’s doing her job, so I need to be respectful.

Once the maid talk settled down…

“Oh, by the way, Youhei-kun, we have souvenirs for you.”

Hime clapped her hands as if remembering something, stood from the sofa, and grabbed a large bag from her desk before returning.

She was carrying a white sack over her shoulder like Santa Claus.

“N-no way, is all of that souvenirs…?”

“Yes. We bought a lot.”

No way. Hime opened the bag and carefully took out the contents one by one.

A shirt and cap from a famous baseball team. Colorful Western-style snacks. A fancy box of fruit juice. A stylish tote bag and tumbler. And what caught my eye most—a huge cat plushie.

“All this… is it really okay?”

“Of course. You’ve given us so many snacks before, so this is our thank-you.”

“We bought it all with our own allowance, me and Hime-chan,” Sei-san said. “It’s our way of saying thanks for everything, so don’t hold back.”

I never gave them stuff expecting anything in return, so I felt a bit guilty.

Or rather, I thought I’d already gotten my reward—Hime’s happy smiles when she eats snacks and Sei-san’s enthusiastic munching were more than enough.

But I accepted it graciously.

“I’ll take them, then. Thanks.”

Their pure kindness made me happy. There was no way I could refuse.

“I told her we could give less, but Hime-chan insisted on giving you all this stuff. It was a lot!”

“…Youhei-kun, is it too much? If it’s a bother, you don’t have to—”

“No way, it’s all great. I’m keeping it.”

Hime’s face showed a flicker of worry, so I quickly reassured her.

Or maybe it wasn’t reassurance—just my honest feelings. I wouldn’t dream of giving back something they picked out for me.

Hearing that, Hime gave a small, relieved smile.

“I’m glad… ehehe. Hearing you say that makes me happy too.”

She’s so earnest, genuinely delighted by my words. That innocent side of her put me at ease.

I was glad my feelings got through.

“Since you gave me a shirt and a plushie before… this is my return gift,” Hime said.

“Oh, I get it.”

The baseball shirt aside, I’d wondered why there was such a cute plushie for a high school guy, but it made sense—it was Hime’s pick. So earnest and proper… it’s so like her, and it warmed my heart.

“The juice and snacks are my picks,” Sei-san said.

“Thanks. I’ll enjoy them at home.”

“If you don’t want them, I’ll take ‘em~”

“I didn’t say I don’t want them.”

“If it’s too much to carry, you could leave some here~”

“…Sei-san, you just want to eat them yourself, don’t you?”

“Teehee, caught me.”

The food-related gifts were so Sei-san—her love for eating meant they’d probably taste great.

“The tumbler and bag were chosen by both of us,” Hime said.

“They were all so cute~” Sei-san added.

“Yes. We bought the same ones, so they’re matching.”

That’s… surprising.

Matching items with the Hoshimiya sisters, huh. They didn’t seem to mind, so I didn’t say anything, but thinking about it made me super embarrassed.

Not that I disliked it—let’s be clear. Honestly, I was just plain happy about it.

“So, we actually went to a baseball game in America. That’s where we got the shirt.”

“Really? That’s awesome.”

“There was a lot of buzz about a Japanese player, so we went to see him.”

“It was wild~ When the ball hit the bat, it went BAM!”

After the souvenirs, it was time for stories.

While nibbling on cookies, the Hoshimiya sisters shared all sorts of memories from their time in America.

It seemed they’d remembered me saying I was looking forward to their souvenir stories. They told tales of experiences you couldn’t have in Japan, and it was incredibly fun.

(…This really is great.)

Before summer vacation, we’d had moments like this almost every day—chatting together, the three of us. But for the past three weeks, not once had we gotten the chance.

Spending my days gaming wasn’t exactly boring.

But these moments, talking with the two of them, felt somehow special.

For a while, our conversation buzzed with stories of the sisters’ life abroad.

About an hour passed, I think. That’s when I suddenly needed to use the bathroom.

When I asked where it was—

“It’s diagonally across from this room—” Hime began.

“Ah! Wait, um… Youhei, use the one on the first floor! It’s down the hall!” Sei-san interrupted.

“…Wouldn’t the closer one be better?” Hime said.

“No way, it’s embarrassing!” Sei-san insisted.

I wasn’t about to argue over bathroom locations. If anything, I felt a bit guilty for not being more considerate, so I left the room.

Descending the spiral staircase, I reached the hotel-lobby-like first floor. They’d said it was toward the back, so I headed that way.

Leaving the spacious hall, I entered a corridor-like hallway. Passing several doors, I turned a corner and found men’s and women’s bathrooms side by side.

(Probably because Haruya-san’s here too.)

I wasn’t surprised anymore by separate men’s and women’s bathrooms in a private home. In a place like this, it seemed almost expected. I quickly took care of business.

After washing my hands, I opened the door to head back to the sisters’ room.

“Huh? Hey, who’re you!?”

“Uh? Oh, um…?”

I nearly bumped into someone coming out of the women’s bathroom.

If it had been an adult, I’d have assumed they were a servant of the house… but the person before me was a girl with neatly trimmed black bobbed hair, which threw me off.

Her bangs were cut straight across. Age-wise… she looked older than Hime but definitely younger than Sei-san. Maybe an upper elementary or middle school student at most.

She wore a breezy tank top and shorts—a typical summer-vacation-kid look.

(Who could she be…? A relative of Hime and Sei-san’s?)

A cousin, maybe? I figured she was family but couldn’t be sure.

“Are you a thief or something!?”

The girl glared at me with open hostility, so I hurried to clear things up.

“No, no. I’m a friend of Hime and Sei-san’s… not a thief.”

“Really? Hmm, suspicious. What’s your name?”

“Ōzora Youhei. And you?”

“Hmm. Youhei, huh.”

First meeting, and this clearly younger girl called me by my first name, no honorifics.

Not that I minded much. She didn’t share her own name, which felt a bit like she was looking down on me, but whatever.

“Well, I’m heading back to Hime and the others’ room.”

No point in lingering, so I started to walk away.

But my shirt hem was grabbed tightly, stopping me in my tracks.

“Gweh!”

The tug choked my collar, and I let out a weird noise. Turning around, I saw the girl glaring at me.

“Hey, you free?”

“Not really.”

“If you’re free, I’ve got a little favor to ask.”

“I said I’m not free…”

This kid wasn’t listening to me at all.

I really wanted to get back to the room. If I took too long, Hime and Sei-san might worry.

But she looked a bit troubled, so I couldn’t just ignore her.

“…What’s wrong?”

“Bugs.”

“Bugs? I’m not ignoring you.”

“No! The insect kind! There’s a bug!”

“Oh, a bug. Where?”

“Over there!”

She pointed toward the women’s bathroom.

Then, I noticed—belatedly—that she was fidgeting, legs pressed together.

(Did she go in but get scared by a bug and come out?)

Finally, her situation clicked.

Her attitude was a bit pushy, but she was clearly in trouble. She could’ve just asked for help honestly.

“You want me to catch it?”

“…I didn’t say that.”

“Right, right. I’ll catch it… Wait, it’s the women’s bathroom. Maybe I should call Sei-san or—”

“What? So it’s fine if I have an accident!?”

“Okay, okay. If it’s like that, I guess I have no choice.”

She seemed pretty desperate.

Entering the women’s bathroom felt wrong, but this was an emergency. I had no shady intentions. Acting nervous would only make it weirder, so I decided to be confident.

Steeling myself, I stepped inside.

The layout wasn’t much different from the men’s bathroom—just three stalls. Hmm, no bugs in sight at first glance.

“Where was it?”

“Back there! Hurry up!”

“The back? Then why not use the front—”

“What? I don’t even wanna be in the same space as it!”

It was like a teenage daughter arguing with her dad.

If that’s how it was, I’d better catch it properly… Hopefully, it’s a normal bug and not that skittery kind. Thinking about how to deal with it, I opened the back stall door and peeked inside.

But there was no bug.

“Huh? Did it fly away?”

Tilting my head, I turned to ask the bobbed girl again… but her expression suddenly changed.

“Pfft, haha! Dummy, there was never a bug!”

Gone was her anxious look.

Now, she was laughing at me like I was a fool.

Apparently, the whole “bug trouble” thing was a lie.

“Getting tricked by a kid like me? Lame! And you even came into the girls’ bathroom!”

“…Why’d you lie?”

“No reason, really. Just felt like messing with you~”

She grinned smugly.

It was the kind of smile that got under your skin.

“Hey, you mad? Annoyed at me? Gotta sting, getting mocked by a kid like this, right? Haha, Youhei, you idiot!”

She was blatantly taunting me.

Despite it being our first meeting, she seemed to look down on me.

(This kid… I need to set her straight.)

With that thought, I slowly raised my hand.

Then, I reached toward her head. Seeing this, her eyes narrowed, and her grin widened.

“Whoa, what? Gonna hit me? That’s low!”

Same attitude as ever. Unforgivable. Using someone’s kindness for a prank was beyond the pale. I had to scold her properly.

…Or so I might’ve thought if I were some strict older figure.

“Good girl, good girl. Want attention? You shouldn’t pull weird pranks like this.”

I gently placed my hand on her head.

Then, I ruffled her hair side to side.

First, I’d let her know I was on her side—that’s where I’d start, I figured.

“…Huh?”

She clearly hadn’t expected to be petted.

She froze, staring at me in confusion.

“You’re not gonna hit me?”

“Nope. Hurting you would suck, right?”

“So, you’re not mad? Not even annoyed after I was so cheeky?”

“I don’t get worked up over stuff like this.”

It was just a cute kid’s prank.

If anything, I thought it was kind of endearing how lively she was.

“Summer vacation, so you’re bored, huh?”

“That’s not it!”

“Haha, being all tsundere is cute too.”

“C-cute? Are you nuts!?”

She probably just wanted someone to notice her.

Maybe she was trying to get attention.

“Instead of pranks like this, how about coming with me to Hime and the others’ room? We’ve got snacks. Wanna eat with us?”

“I’m not—”

“Come on, don’t be all prickly. Let’s go.”

“W-wait—!?”

I was getting tired of lingering in the bathroom.

She wasn’t budging, so I scooped her up and started walking.

I lifted her by her underarms, planning to carry her to Hime and Sei-san’s room.

Petite as she was, she was light—easy to pick up.

“…”

Her resistance was minimal. She quieted down suddenly, so maybe I was right about her feeling lonely.

Or so I thought.

“There you are. Youhei-kun, you were taking so long, I came to check… Um, what’s going on?”

“Youhei!? W-w-w-what are you doing!?”

They must’ve been worried about my delay. Hime and Sei-san came to meet me, and we ran into each other outside the bathroom.

Both of them widened their eyes at the sight of me holding the girl.

“No, it’s a long story… Anyway, I was thinking she could join us for snacks in your room. Is that okay?”

Explaining this far, I realized I still didn’t know who she was.

She hadn’t even told me her name earlier. I figured I should at least know how she’s related to the sisters, so I looked at them.

“By the way, who is she?”

“…She’s our maid,” Hime said.

“No way. She’s too young to be a maid.”

“I’m pretty young for a high schooler myself.”

“Haha, true… Wait, huh?”

At first, I thought Hime was joking, but her expression suggested otherwise.

What? Could she actually be… a maid?

“Picking up Mei-chan and treating her like a kid… I could never,” Sei-san said.

Mei-chan. That name jogged my memory.

The sisters’ caretaker. A capable maid. Her name was… Itō Mei.

I’d pictured a composed older woman, so I never imagined she’d be this small.

“By the way, I’m not a child. I’m a full-fledged adult,” the girl said.

“Uh… what?”

Her tone had shifted entirely, leaving me stunned.

The cheeky, energetic girl I’d been talking to was gone.

In her place was a calm, slightly cool woman.

“So, I’d appreciate it if you’d put me down, Youhei-sama.”

“Oh, right.”

Her commanding tone left no room for argument. Reflexively, I set her—not Mei-chan, but Itō Mei-san—down on the floor. She let out a small sigh and smoothed out her clothes’ wrinkles.

“Honestly, I never thought I’d be carried at twenty-eight.”

“Twenty-eight…!?”

She looked barely in her early teens. Unbelievable.

And why had she pretended to be a kid?

I really wanted to hear more about that.

“My greetings are late—sorry about that. I’m Itō Mei. Nice to meet you. As you can see, I’m a maid.”

Back in the Hoshimiya sisters’ room.

Now dressed in a maid outfit, Itō Mei-san gave a graceful bow in front of me as I sat on the sofa.

Gone was her earlier cheekiness—her movements were refined and elegant.

“Y-Thank you… I’m Ōzora Youhei. Uh, I’m friends with Hime and Sei-san from school—”

Since she introduced herself, I did the same, starting to explain my relationship with the sisters.

“I know,” she said curtly, cutting me off.

Hmm, maybe she didn’t have a great impression of me. Her attitude felt a bit cold.

“I told her about you beforehand, Youhei-kun,” Hime said from beside me, stepping in to ease the awkwardness. Thanks, that helped.

“Hey, Youhei? Why so stiff? Scared of Mei-chan or something? Hehe, I get it. She’s kinda cold, right~?” Sei-san teased.

I wished Sei-san would be a bit more tactful.

I’m not sure if it was her comment, but the air around Itō Mei-san seemed to grow even chillier.

“…Sei-ojōsama, I brought tea. Have some,” Mei-san said.

“Yay, awesome! Thanks, Mei-chan!” Sei-san cheered.

“No, no. I’m the one grateful for such an easy-to-handle ojōsama,” Mei-san replied.

“Huh? Did you say something?” Sei-san asked.

“Nothing at all. Go on, eat some snacks. Quietly,” Mei-san urged.

“Okay~!”

Sei-san’s presence was apparently a bit of a hindrance to the conversation. Mei-san skillfully poured tea.

She must’ve prepared drinks while changing into her maid outfit.

As expected of the sisters’ caretaker—she handled Sei-san like a pro. With Sei-san’s appetite, she’d be engrossed in cookies and tea for a while, not joining the talk.

“Hime-ojōsama, Youhei-sama, please have some too. It’s hot, so be careful,” Mei-san said.

“Thank you,” Hime replied.

“T-Thanks… uh, Itō-san?” I said hesitantly.

She looked young but was an adult. That form of address should be fine, I thought.

But she shook her head and corrected me.

“Mei’s fine.”

Really…? Allowing me to use her first name suggested she didn’t dislike me.

“I’ll call you Mei-san, then,” I said.

“Ehehe. Youhei-kun, you sound like me,” Hime giggled.

For some reason, Hime laughed at my polite tone. She seemed happy just because we spoke similarly. Swaying side to side, she sipped her tea slowly.

So cute… And thanks to her being here, I wasn’t overly nervous.

I could talk calmly with Mei-san, no doubt because of Hime.

At this rate, I could ask what was on my mind.

“About earlier… Why did you pretend to be a kid, Mei-san?”

First, the incident from before.

When we met at the bathroom, Mei-san had lied about a bug to prank me. I had no clue what her intent was.

“I wanted to confirm something,” she said.

“Confirm…?”

“As their caretaker, I’m responsible for the ojōsama. I wanted to know what kind of person you are, Youhei-sama, as their friend. I apologize for my rude behavior.”

She bowed deeply again.

I wasn’t angry, so she didn’t need to apologize. Still unclear on her motives, I pressed further.

“What were you confirming?”

“Your character. A person’s true nature shows most clearly when dealing with someone weaker, don’t you think? A child—a younger girl, no less—who’s cheeky and infuriating. I wanted to see how you’d react to that.”

My true nature, huh.

I see. People might put on a front with those of higher status. But with someone weaker, their true self is more likely to show.

“I wanted to see how you’d act if you got angry,” she said.

True, her act earlier had been pretty bratty. Being called by my first name was one thing, but being called an idiot and lame for no reason was unfair.

I had every right to be upset.

Yet, I didn’t even consider it.

“S-Sorry. Should I have gotten mad?” I asked.

I’d laughed it off, seeing it as just a kid’s prank.

Maybe scolding her properly would’ve been the right move.

…Could Mei-san be disappointed in me? Maybe that’s why she seemed cold.

If she decided I wasn’t a suitable friend for Hime and Sei-san…

That thought scared me.

“No. I wanted to see how you’d handle anger, but laughing was unexpected… and honestly, ideal. It reassured me that you’d never hurt the ojōsama-tachi, no matter what,” she said.

To my surprise, I got high praise.

It was fine the way I handled it…!

“I’d have passed you if you’d stayed rational and scolded her. But if you’d resorted to violence or intimidation, I might’ve stopped your friendship with the ojōsama-tachi.”

Violence? No way.

I’ve never raised a hand to anyone in my life. I couldn’t, and I wouldn’t.

And it seemed she’d understood that about me.

“Mei-san, it’s fine. Youhei-kun isn’t that kind of person,” Hime said.

“You’re right… If he were, Hime-ojōsama wouldn’t admire him. Sorry for doing something strange,” Mei-san apologized.

“Exactly. I understand you were worried about me and Onee-chan… but Youhei-kun is a wonderful person,” Hime said.

I wasn’t upset, but Hime seemed a little miffed.

Rarely, her cheeks puffed out slightly. The gesture was so adorable, I couldn’t help patting her head.

“Thanks, Hime. But I’m not bothered,” I said.

“…Really? That’s good, then,” Hime replied.

The pat seemed to calm her down. Her cheeks deflated with a phew.

Seeing that, Mei-san’s shoulders relaxed in relief.

“I’m grateful for your generosity,” she said.

“No, no. Honestly, knowing you care so much about Hime and Sei-san puts me at ease,” I replied.

“To hear you say that… Hime-ojōsama’s right—you’re truly wonderful,” Mei-san said.

At that, the corners of her mouth finally lifted.

Her small smile was calmer than her youthful appearance suggested. Unlike Hime’s innocent grin, it was a gentle, mature smile.

I smiled back. I’d thought she was cold… but seeing her smile erased that feeling entirely.

Good. The sisters’ caretaker didn’t hate me.

“She’s… smiling? Mei-chan’s smiling!?” Sei-san exclaimed.

As my exchange with Mei-san settled, Sei-san—who’d been absorbed in snacks and tea—looked baffled at Mei-san’s smile.

“That shy, stoic Mei-chan smiling at a guy she just met? Something’s off… A fake!?” Sei-san said dramatically.

“You’re exaggerating. I’m not that bad,” Mei-san retorted.

“But it’s true—usually, Haruya-san handles all guests. It’s rare for Mei-san to come out like this,” Hime added.

“Even Hime-ojōsama…” Mei-san muttered.

She seemed a bit embarrassed, her eyes darting.

“Does that mean you really like Youhei-kun?” Hime asked.

“Huh? Really? Mei-chan’s into younger guys…?” Sei-san gasped.

“How do you jump to that conclusion? I do like Youhei-sama, of course, but…” Mei-san trailed off.

With her right there, I wished they’d be a tad more discreet.

Unsure how to react, I hid my embarrassment by sipping the tea Mei-san had poured. Oh, it’s good… nice aroma.

As I enjoyed the tea, Mei-san seemed to hit her limit with the awkwardness.

“Well, I’m off to shop for dinner. Call if you need anything… Oh, Youhei-sama, will you stay for dinner?”

“Dinner? Is that okay?”

“Yes, if you’d like.”

“…Then, I’d love to, if that’s alright.”

“Of course. I’ll prepare it.”

It was a rare chance.

Curious about the Hoshimiya household’s meals, I nodded, accepting the offer.

“…Steak, maybe? Boys eat a lot, right?” Mei-san mumbled to herself.

With that, she left the sisters’ room, pulling the wagon.

Her steps were light—not quite skipping, but her maid dress hem fluttered slightly.

“Hmm. Inviting him for dinner… Mei-chan’s really taken with Youhei, huh?” Sei-san said.

It wasn’t my imagination—Mei-san seemed in high spirits.

From Sei-san’s reaction, her attitude toward me was apparently unusual.

“Of course. Youhei-kun’s a wonderful person,” Hime said.

Hime’s praise was as high as ever. She seemed almost proud, as if it was only natural Mei-san would like me, puffing her chest out with an ehem.

So cute, I thought, feeling warm inside.

But Sei-san was giving me a skeptical, narrow-eyed look.

Her gaze held something unspoken, making me squirm under its weight.

“W-What’s up?” I asked.

“Nothing~ Just thinking you guys are super close,” Sei-san said.

…Was that look because of jealousy?

Maybe she felt like her beloved sister was being stolen, and she wasn’t thrilled.

But it seemed like more than that.

“Youhei-kun… here,” Hime said.

Meanwhile, Hime didn’t seem fazed by Sei-san’s stare. She picked up a cookie she’d been eyeing and held it out to me.

I knew from our time together that she wasn’t just offering it to me to eat.

“Alright, here you go,” I said.

I took it with my fingers and brought it to her mouth.

That was the right move. Hime smiled happily and chomped the cookie.

As usual, she nibbled at my fingers too, munching away.

The ticklish sensation wasn’t unpleasant at all.

But this act of feeding her, which we used to do only when alone, now happened even with Sei-san around.

That shift in her mindset—and one other thing—

“…You two are really close, huh,” Sei-san said.

Sei-san’s feelings were something I was very curious about.

It felt like she had something to say about my bond with Hime. I wished she’d just say it… but she stayed quiet.

Trying to pry it out would likely get me brushed off. Sei-san’s a bit elusive, so it’s probably best not to push.

(Guess I’ll just act normal for now.)

With Hime, with Sei-san.

Rather than acting weird by overthinking, staying natural would keep things good with both of them.

So for today, I pretended not to notice these changes.

Until dinner, we talked about America and the past three weeks.

Hime was as enthusiastic as ever, chatting away so earnestly—it was adorable.

Sei-san was quieter at first, observing me and Hime, but partway through, she seemed to get bored and joined the conversation normally.

“American burger joints let you order huge portions~ I got carried away and went for a triple stack,” Sei-san said.

“And when she tried to shove it in her mouth, her jaw nearly dislocated,” Hime added.

“W-Why does Hime-chan always tack on my embarrassing stories!? I told you to keep that quiet~” Sei-san whined.

“It’s so very Onee-chan-like and funny, I couldn’t help it,” Hime said.

“No fair!” Sei-san pouted.

As we laughed over their stories, time flew by.

Evening arrived, and soon, there was a knock at the door.

“Pardon me. Dinner’s ready,” came a voice.

Peeking in was, of course, Mei-san, the maid. She’d brought a cart loaded with food.

“Whoa, meat!” Sei-san exclaimed.

“Oh…!” I couldn’t help but gasp too.

On the plates were huge cuts of meat—steaks you’d never see at a supermarket. My first thought was how expensive they looked, which made me feel so ordinary.

The meat, already cut into bite-sized pieces, was drizzled with sauce, looking so appetizing my stomach growled just staring at it.

“I hope it suits your taste, Youhei-sama,” Mei-san said.

“…Did you make this, Mei-san?” I asked.

“Yes. I usually handle the meals,” she replied.

The skill to cook for the Hoshimiya household? It couldn’t possibly disappoint.

We sat and waited as Mei-san set the table.

With everything ready, dinner was served.

“““Itadakimasu!”””

Together with the sisters, I clasped my hands and picked up my fork.

The menu was Western—steak, salad, soup, and bread. For someone used to typical home-cooked meals, it felt refreshingly novel.

First, the steak. Already cut into bite-sized pieces, I didn’t need a knife. I speared a piece with my fork and popped it into my mouth. The rich flavor of high-quality red meat burst across my tongue.

“Delicious…!” I exclaimed.

The meat alone was flavorful, but the sauce paired perfectly, amplifying the taste tenfold.

“So, Youhei-sama? Is the seasoning alright?” Mei-san asked.

“Y-Yes… This might be the best steak I’ve ever had,” I said.

No flattery—it was my first time eating something so delicious, and I was genuinely moved.

“…I’m glad,” Mei-san said.

She let out a relieved sigh at my honest feedback.

Her composed face hinted at a spark of joy from the praise. Her voice sounded brighter, too.

“Take your time eating. I’ll go prepare dessert,” she said.

With that, she pulled the cart and left the room again.

Her steps were light, almost like skipping, her maid dress hem swaying.

It might be rude to say of someone older, but… Mei-san seemed like the cute type whose emotions showed in her actions.

She reminded me a bit of Hime, who’s also expressive like that. Glancing at Hime, I noticed her staring at me.

“Hime? Something up?” I asked.

“…You’ve got sauce on your cheek,” she said.

“Huh? Really?” I replied.

That was embarrassing. I hurriedly tried to wipe it off, but Hime’s small hand reached out faster.

Poke. Her finger nudged my cheek. It didn’t feel like she was wiping anything off.

“Ehehe. Gotcha, Youhei-kun.”

…It was a prank, apparently.

Hime looked utterly pleased with herself for poking my cheek. She giggled innocently.

Seeing that, I couldn’t help but laugh too.

“You’ve got some on you too, Hime.”

“…Can you wipe it off for me, then?”

She hadn’t even touched her food yet, so it was obvious I was joking. But Hime, with a straight face, tilted her cheek toward me.

As if begging me to touch it.

“Alright. Here goes.”

Poke.

I returned the favor, lightly nudging her cheek.

As always, it was soft—so squishy I could’ve kept touching it forever.

“Nn. Thank you,” Hime said.

She squirmed, ticklish but happy, her body swaying. Seemingly satisfied with our exchange, she finally started on her dinner.

Compared to mine, her steak was about half the size. It was even cut into smaller pieces, likely to suit her tiny mouth.

Mei-san seemed like a maid who paid attention to the smallest details. Thanks to that, Hime could eat comfortably.

(Speaking of which, does she tailor things for Sei-san too?)

Curious, I glanced at Sei-san’s steak. I’d always pictured her as someone who’d tear into meat without a care—bold and unrestrained. Maybe she ate more refinedly at home?

(Sei-san’s… Yup, it’s huge.)

Hers was a size larger than mine, with chunks too big to eat in one bite. Maybe Mei-san had prepared it to match Sei-san’s hearty eating style.

As I pondered this, I noticed something.

“Huh? Sei-san’s not eating.”

That was rare—she’s usually the first to dig in.

“Eh? Oh, I’ll eat! I’m eating… and I’m not sharing with Youhei!” she said.

“I wasn’t trying to steal it,” I replied.

She seemed a bit off, too.

Not spaced out, exactly… but she kept watching me and Hime. I’d been feeling her gaze, like she was preoccupied with something.

(Should I ask her about it?)

Should I push? Or not?

I hesitated for a moment. In that time, Sei-san started eating, and I missed my chance to bring it up.

“Munch, munch… ngh!?” she choked.

“Here’s some water, Onee-chan. No one’s going to take your share, so eat slowly,” Hime said.

“Tch, thanks, Hime-chan… I thought Youhei was gonna swipe it,” Sei-san mumbled.

“Youhei-kun isn’t as greedy as you, Onee-chan. It’s fine,” Hime teased.

“I’m not greedy either!” Sei-san protested.

…Nope. The mood was too light for serious talk.

Oh well. I’d find another chance to talk with Sei-san properly later.

With that decided, I returned to my meal. Mei-san had put effort into this, so I wanted to savor it.

We enjoyed our food for a while, chatting occasionally with Hime and Sei-san. Just as we all finished, Mei-san reentered the room.

She was pulling a cart, just like before. Seeing it, I did a double-take.

“I brought dessert,” she said calmly.

There was nothing odd about Mei-san herself—her usual composed demeanor was intact. Her neatly trimmed black hair suited her, and her petite, adult frame was undeniably cute. The slightly oversized maid outfit gave her a charming, trying-hard vibe… though I’d never say that to her face, as it’d be rude.

Point is, there was nothing strange about her.

It was the cart she was pulling. On it sat a three-tiered cake that made me doubt my eyes.

“S-Such a fancy cake,” I stammered.

“It’s a special occasion. I wanted something impressive… though I didn’t make it myself. I ordered it, and it arrived earlier,” Mei-san explained.

Still, all I’d done was visit as a friend of Hime and Sei-san. Being welcomed so grandly made me feel almost guilty.

But the gesture was appreciated… I should just be happy, right?

I was about to thank her when—

“Mei-chan? Is this, like, a wedding cake?” Sei-san asked.

“Yes, it is,” Mei-san confirmed.

“A real wedding cake!? Why? It’s not like anyone’s getting married!” Sei-san exclaimed.

“What are you talking about…? There will be a marriage, won’t there?” Mei-san said.

“Who’s getting married?” Sei-san asked.

“You are,” Mei-san replied.

“With who?”

“With Youhei-sama.”

“Me!?” I blurted out.

This was completely unexpected. Mei-san didn’t seem to be joking at all.

“…Why are you both so surprised?” she asked, blinking.

Mei-san looked puzzled, glancing between me and Sei-san before turning to Hime.

“Hime-ojōsama, they’re getting married, right?”

And then, I finally understood the root of Mei-san’s misunderstanding.

It all came back to—Hime.

“Yes. Youhei-kun and Onee-chan will marry in the future. And I’ll become Youhei-kun’s little sister-in-law,” Hime said.

…Right. I’d completely forgotten.

Hime had apparently held fast to her plan for me and Sei-san to get married.

“So, to celebrate Youhei-sama’s first visit to our home and as a nod to our future family tie, I prepared a grand cake,” Mei-san explained.

I see.

I’d thought such an extravagant cake was overkill for a simple friend’s visit.

(Now that I think about it… Mei-san’s attitude makes a bit more sense.)

According to the sisters, Mei-san was shy around strangers. Yet she’d approached me, even testing me with that prank.

I’d been surprised she’d go so far to judge me as a friend. But if she was evaluating me as a fiancé, it clicked.

The man who’d shape her ojōsama’s life? As a servant, it made sense she’d want to thoroughly assess my character.

“…You’re not actually getting married?” Mei-san asked.

“It’s not set in stone!” Sei-san shot back.

Hearing that, Mei-san turned her gaze to me.

“Youhei-sama, is that true?”

“Well… we’re not engaged or anything. Right, Hime?” I said.

“Yes. It’s just something I’ve been saying on my own,” Hime admitted.

With Hime’s words, Mei-san seemed to realize her mistake.

“Mmm… I was so looking forward to welcoming Youhei-sama,” she said, sounding disappointed.

I was glad she’d accepted me, but I felt a bit bad for letting her down.

“Sorry. I jumped to conclusions,” Mei-san apologized.

“No, it’s not…” I trailed off.

She didn’t need to apologize.

If anything, my own indecisiveness contributed to her misunderstanding. Putting off resolving this issue had led to this.

(I need to talk with Sei-san someday.)

Hime’s pure wish to be my “little sister” was heartwarming.

But that didn’t mean Sei-san and I could just decide to get married.

I felt, once again, the need to discuss this with Sei-san.

“Ugh, Hime-chan! I told you not to talk about this so casually!” Sei-san scolded.

“Why not? I think it’d be wonderful if you and Youhei-kun got married… Do you not like the idea, Onee-chan?” Hime asked.

“It’s not that I dislike it!” Sei-san sputtered.

“Then I think it’s fine. You don’t seem entirely opposed, either,” Hime said.

“B-But it’s embarrassing!” Sei-san protested.

Hmm. Sei-san was trying to explain to Hime, but the conversation wasn’t going smoothly. Explaining the nuances of romance to an eight-year-old must be tough.

I wanted to help, but I doubted I’d be much use, so I left it to Sei-san.

Sitting quietly on the sofa, I watched.

“Here, Youhei-sama. Since it’s here, have some cake,” Mei-san said.

She’d already sliced it up.

A strawberry shortcake.

“Thank you. Itadakimasu,” I said.

Taking her up on the offer, I took a bite.

Yum, delicious. The sponge was fluffy, the cream rich, and the strawberries divine.

It was probably expensive. My commoner taste buds were too shocked to fully appreciate it, but I tried to savor it as much as I could.

As I ate, I noticed Mei-san still standing nearby, silently watching me.

I met her gaze, sensing she had something to say.

My hunch was right.