Interlude 1 Imashino-kun, My Personal Butler

One night, a while back, I received two pieces of news, bundled together.

The good news was that I could finally leave my restrictive, terrible family home and live alone.

The bad news was that I, Nawagami Seren, was being assigned an exclusive butler.

...Because, truly, an "exclusive butler" is just a high-society term for something else entirely.

"Unlike the servants in the main house, he will be solely yours. If you need anything, rely on him."

My older sister—the recruiter—said this, effectively hammering the final nail in the coffin.

"I trust you understand you are to accept this decision. Living alone for any Nawagami member is unprecedented in our history—almost 150 years. This isn't all bad, you know. He'll take full responsibility for your domestic life and quickly solve any minor troubles."

...Nearly 150 years of not allowing anyone to live alone? Just how overprotective is this family lineage?

Yet another bizarre aspect of this house came to light, and I gave a cool response.

"You make it sound like a great deal, but you just want a 'surveillance agent' over me, don't you? So, ultimately, who decided this: you or Mother, the head of the family?"

"The final decision on this matter was mine. Therefore, if you hate someone, hate me."

"...Fine. And rest assured, I already hated the entire House before I was even granted permission to leave it."

"Then, that's fine."

Even though I tried to sound spiteful, only a calm answer came back.

That just reaffirmed what I already knew: I hate the Nawagami family.

They only see me as a future strategic asset for this House.

They don't really care about me, but they keep tying me down for the House's benefit...

"Hmph! Well, fine, I'll give up and accept the exclusive butler, I suppose."

"In that case, check the details about him on this tablet."

"That's too much effort, so pass. Because I already know without looking. A graduate of some esteemed foreign university, laden with pompous certifications, and most importantly, an absolute servant for the Nawagami House... right?"

"...Who knows. Anyway, you can largely grasp the reality once you see him."

I was being dismissed. What the hell was that? And you've already decided on your own, so why confirm anything with me now?

After all, they never confirm my will during phases like this.

"Confirm, keep it brief if necessary."

"Ugh, fine, I get it! Just hand it over!"

As I snatched the tablet, a flash of anger surged towards this man whose face I hadn't even seen yet.

I thought I could live alone, even if just for a limited time. Why is he coming? Don't come!

Harboring those muddled feelings, I opened the resume file.

Name: Imashino Seishirou, Age: 16, Hometown: Nerima Ward, Tokyo, Affiliation: Tōrin Academy High School

"Eh?"

"What's wrong?"

"E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-E-H!!!"

"—"

My unprecedented shock made even the stern woman in front of me widen her eyes.

"H-H-How can that be! Imashino-kun... no way! The exclusive butler is really this person?!"

This was so unexpected that the rest of the resume contents completely failed to register in my mind.

"Just so you know. Imashino is scheduled to move into the apartment next door to the one you will be occupying."

...Did this person decide on this while chugging sake or something?

"T-That's entirely too romcom!"

"I don't grasp the expression 'too romcom,' but it will be convenient for you both if he is your neighbor."

She said it with the casual tone of someone who asks, Isn't it nice the place is near the station and a convenience store? This is insane!

"Wait, he hasn't had any butler training, has he? He's not from a family of butlers, is he?"

"That is correct."

"Then why! When you had so many other options, why him?"

I waited for the answer from her, meeting her eyes with the most earnest look I could manage... And then, she said:

"Seren, you chose him. You were the one who said that a person like Imashino was someone you could tolerate."

I have to have an exclusive butler? Haah? That's not what 'living alone' means!

It's too much, no way... What kind of person would I compromise for? Huh? I won't, period.

.....................Well, maybe.

There is this very sincere, hardworking, and exemplary student at my school named Imashino...

This is purely an example, but I will absolutely refuse to accept anyone who isn't genuinely up to par, like him.

That means, by extension, I won't compromise. If you understand, get out!

...Okay, yes, I remember saying that, but I never expected you to actually bring him in!

"Of course, the fact that you spoke his name wasn't the sole reason for his selection. We sought out an individual who matched our conditions and then chose him. His abilities, ideology, and background checks are all flawless."

"...What were your conditions?"

"That is confidential."

"Ugh! You're so annoying! Just tell me!"

No matter how intensely I glared, the adult in front of me remained tight-lipped. She wouldn't budge an inch.

On top of that, she started hinting at something unsettling.

"However. If you insist on this level of rejection, we can scratch the whole plan."

"!! F-Fine, he's okay!"

And just like that, despite my intense frustration, I easily conceded.

I mean, I can't let them overturn my plan to live alone. And besides that, I'd already resigned myself to the idea of the exclusive butler's arrival.

"I'm taking the tablet! You handle all the other tedious details. Th-That is all!"

I spat out everything rapidly and quickly left the room.

By the time the conversation was over, all the initial resentment I felt had vanished completely.

Having mentally organized the events that led to today.

I was now on the bed in my apartment, which was set up for me to live alone.

Flumping onto the bed, my mind drifted to another line of thought.

In any case. From now on, I look forward to serving you—Master.

"What the hell was with that over-the-top, 'I'm Sebastian, sir,' butler routine...!"

It's fine for him to just talk like he always does. Not even the butlers at the main residence are that ridiculously polite. It's only Mononobe (the senior butler)!

"Well, it's fine, I guess. Because all of that is probably an overabundance of consideration for me... he was probably trying to signal that he wouldn't overly interfere, and yet..."

It's a selfish thing to say, but I wished I'd been given more time to mentally prepare. Because having him—he—address me so crisply and suddenly, the change in his voice and manner was so drastic that I couldn't help but be completely stirred up by the high-low pressure shift.

He—Imashino-kun.

The only person I care about when everyone else is like throwaway parsley to me.

I, of course, know he's an honors student in both academics and sports. I know he's a kind, gentle person. When I first learned about him, it honestly irritated me a little just how damn officious he was.

He's my complete opposite, and I—my current self—didn't hate him at all.

I can be entirely optimistic about him being my exclusive butler. Furthermore, I even find myself worrying if this is okay. Being an exclusive butler is a totally unfamiliar job. What on earth led him to take it? I hope the Nawagami family hasn't threatened him.

I mean, if nothing sinister is involved and he genuinely wants to do this with an optimistic attitude, then, well. I might be just a little happy.

"Well, I'll just ask him eventually... Right, time to sleep."

I grabbed the remote to turn off the room lights and snuggled into my blanket.

...But I couldn't fall asleep at all. Thinking that he would be here next week made my body feel strangely warm. It was cool enough not to need the air conditioner, but no matter how many times I tossed and turned, I couldn't get comfortable, and my bottled-up feelings only intensified.

I had no choice but to grab my phone and open a video streaming site to kill time.

If I watch something random, I'll get sleepy eventually, right? Videos of space, deep-sea creatures...

"There are nine major signs that a human is experiencing sexual arousal, which are—"

"—Hmph!"

The first random short fact video that played was so spot-on it was critical. I impulsively smacked my pillow. Did it read my thoughts? Wait, there are nine?

............Fine, I won't hold it back. I need a release. I'll get rid of it.

I snatched my wireless earphones, climbed back into bed, and shoved them in my ears while lying down. Fine, I admit it. I am currently extremely frustrated and tormented. Humans have three primary desires, and the third one (the metaphor) that is not food or sleep is severely irritating me right now.

But this particular urge is different. Right now, I want to satisfy my mind, not my body.

That's why I gave myself over to the voice I could hear in my ears.

"If everyone knew the real you, what would they think? The current, dirty, filthy masochist you are..."

"I-If you say that to me, I just... ♥ Phew, oooh~~ ♥♥"

Being insulted in the voice of a sexy older woman instantly imprisoned me in an exquisite agony. This sowso-kaoru creator is absolutely god-tier. I've listened to this particular track dozens of times.

The title is: "Word Cursing from the JD Next Door That Melts My Mind and Body into a Sludgy Mess."

...Hearing something like this, there is no denying the obvious.

Yes, I am a masochist—a Dominant Masochist, or D.M. I feel a faint, inexplicable thrill in being spoken to with cold scorn or being perfectly humiliated. Come on, everyone has some kind of "quirk," don't they? Mine just happens to be this sort of thing.

And don't get the wrong idea. I don't feel the need to blurt out these emotions to just anyone, or to have just anyone degrade me. This is strictly in the realm of my personal hobby; I just possess this kind of taste. I have plenty of good sense.

I immediately dismissed the sudden, invisible accusation, but something strange happened. Normally, I would already be lost in this at this stage, but for some reason, another thought intruded on me today.

What if. What if the voice cursing me right now belonged to a different person?

A person whose last name starts with an 'I,' who always smells fresh and pleasant, who usually gives a somewhat troubled smile... If that person were to berate, insult, and toy with me... I would!

"...Oh no. I'm so gross I actually feel sick... Ugh."

I think this is what they call Kenja Time. I was suddenly yanked back to reality.

T/N: Kenja Time: A slang term referring to the state of clarity, calm, and often regret that follows sexual arousal or orgasm.

That imagination was beyond a joke, and of course, I have no intention of involving him in this fetish. If he found out, I'd despair and never be able to look him in the eye again. Most importantly, it would inconvenience him.

"Before Imashino-kun arrives, I have to make sure to dispose of any items that would be bad if he found them...!"

I came to another realization, but in any case, I should indulge in this while it's still safe.

I have to stress this one more time: if he finds out or sees this scene, it's genuinely game over—

...By the way. The very next day, this premonition was casually realized.

What does that mean? Hehe... Didn't I just say? It's the end for me.