Chapter 7 The Maid Outfit

“So... how’s it going?”

Glug, glug. The pleasant sound of boiling water filled the air.

It was after school the following day. We were still in the middle of preparations, but we’d decided to run a quick rehearsal. As a result, I was currently in the science lab—our makeshift kitchen—brewing a pot of tea.

“How’s what going?” I asked.

“The pageant, obviously. What else?”

“Oh. That.”

I brushed off Renji, who had clearly come just to mess with me. I dumped the hot water I’d used to warm the cups and began to pour the tea.

Strictly speaking, I didn't need to go through all these steps. Nobody was going to care about the actual quality of the tea. Their eyes would be on the maids; the tea was barely an afterthought.

Even so, I couldn't bring myself to cut corners. I suppose it was just my pride as a cafe employee.

“I’m still in the... struggling phase, I guess,” I admitted.

“What kind of answer is that? Come on, just tell me what you’re doing already. If the suspense keeps me up at night, it’s gonna ruin my complexion. Lack of sleep is the ultimate enemy of beauty, you know!”

“Are you a teenage girl?” I dead-ended him.

Beauty. Come to think of it, Mizuki had mentioned she always makes sure to be in bed by midnight. Was that the secret to her otherworldly radiance?

“It’s really not that big of a deal,” I said, handing a cup of tea to a girl who had come to collect it.

There was a bit of a distance between here and the classroom. I’d have to account for the tea cooling down during the trip.

“Hmph. Well, personally, I’m stoked,” Renji said. “To think the day would finally come when you’d step into the spotlight... Man, I’m getting all choked up.”

“Choked up?”

I kept the conversation going while refilling another pot with water. Renji gave a series of exaggerated, theatrical nods.

“My best friend, who’s spent his whole life moping in the shadows, has finally manned up! If that’s not worth a celebration, I don’t know what is.”

“What are you even talking about?”

“But hey, this means you’ve finally ascended to my level. We’re officially Shirayanagi’s ultimate handsome duo! Let’s give ‘em a show!”

“Stop. If you say that anywhere else, I’m actually going to kick you.”

What a narcissistic name for a duo. It was mortifying. I had no idea how he could say stuff like that with a straight face.

And yet, strangely enough, I found I couldn't snap back at his banter with my usual “mind your own business” attitude.

I mean, it was none of his business. And he was definitely being annoying.

But I guess this is just his way of showing he was actually worried about me... maybe. Who knows.

I checked the pot of boiling water, set it back on the counter with a quiet clack, and let out a long sigh.

For now, I had a general idea of the flow and the potential issues. All that was left was to consult with Goto-kun.

I was busy organizing my report in my head when Renji suddenly slammed his chair back and stood up.

“Wait, crap! This isn't the time for chatting! I came here to get you, Iori! Move it! If we don't hurry, she’ll already be changed!”

“Huh? Changed?”

He grabbed my arm and practically hauled me out of the science lab. I was dragged along by this idiot as he sprinted down the hallway at full speed. I didn't even have time to process what was happening before various teachers started throwing us dirty looks. This was beyond unfair.

“—Oh, Amano-kun’s here!”

“Look, look! Kashiwagi-san!”

The moment I stepped into the classroom, I felt like I’d accidentally stumbled into another world.

The only word for it was pink.

The intellectual, dignified atmosphere befitting a private prep school had vanished completely. In its place was an array of decorations so cute and saccharine they felt like they were actively lowering my IQ just by looking at them.

But that was fine. I’d helped put them up, so I was past the point of complaining.

The real issue was what stood before me.

“Um, Amano-kun...”

Kashiwagi-san was standing there, fidgeting shyly with her fingers, wearing a maid outfit.

It was a flurry of white and pink frills. Her bashful movements and the slight flush in her cheeks were... calculated. Extremely calculated. But because of who was wearing it, the level of perfection was staggeringly high.

I felt the air catch in my throat. Seeing a classmate dressed like this carried a heavy sense of... well, it felt almost illicit.

“Hello? Earth to Amano-kun!”

“Huh?”

“Don’t ‘huh’ me! Look at Kotoha-chan’s outfit! Well? What do you think?!”

The girl standing next to her—one of Kashiwagi-san’s closer friends, if I recalled—glared at me with intense, expectant eyes.

I stole a glance at Renji, who was grinning from ear to ear, clearly loving every second of this.

I finally realized why he’d dragged me here. He’d set me up.

“...”

Kashiwagi-san kept stealing glances at me, her eyes shimmering with a hint of anticipation. I could feel the gaze of the entire class boring into me.

God, give me a break.

“...I think it suits you. A lot,” I squeezed out.

“...!”

At my blunt honesty, Kashiwagi-san’s face turned a brilliant shade of crimson.

Immediately after, the classroom erupted.

“Hear that?! Good for you, Kotoha-chan!”

“Wait—stop it, guys! Seriously!”

“...Hey, Amano-kun? I think we need to have a little chat later.”

“Yeah, I agree. We’ve got a lot to ask you, don't we?”

The girls were cheering and teasing, while the boys were smiling with eyes that didn't reach their faces. Their expressions screamed, What exactly have you done to our Kashiwagi-san?

I wanted to say “nothing,” but... I couldn't exactly claim that was 100% true.

Between the girls’ relentless smirks and the boys’ lifeless eyes, I decided I’d had enough. I delivered a solid kick to Renji’s shin and turned on my heel.

“Right, well, I still have to go clean up the tea stuff.”

I used the excuse to make a strategic retreat.

“Hey! He’s running away!”

“Get back here! Explain yourself!”

“What kind of relationship do you have with Kashiwagi-san, you bastard?!”

Leaving the chorus of curses behind me, I swung the classroom door shut with a sharp thud.

◇

Seriously, give me a break.

I shook off the lingering voices of the boys' “curse” and let out a deep sigh.

I’d had a feeling for a while now, but... was Kashiwagi-san even trying to hide it anymore?

My peaceful school life was in serious jeopardy. If someone told me that was a small price to pay, I wouldn't really have a comeback, though.

But man, she really did look good.

Kashiwagi-san in a maid outfit.

Honestly, it exceeded my expectations. I knew she’d look cute, but I hadn't realized it would be that effective. With her soft, gentle aura, she might have actually found her true calling.

...Then again, if a cafe had a maid of that caliber, it would probably turn into a hostess club in no time.

“...Hm?”

As I walked along, lost in thought, a certain room caught my eye.

It was at the far end of the second floor—a room currently being used as a storage space for festival materials.

It was basically a junk room now, but the layout was identical to a standard classroom. It was closer than the science lab; if I just needed to brew some tea, this might actually be a better spot.

On a whim, I reached for the doorknob.

I opened it slowly, and then—

“—”

In an instant, the air left my lungs.

I froze, staring at the lone girl standing inside.

“—Iori?”

There was a goddess in the room.

She was dressed in a maid uniform of black and white—one that radiated elegance and sophistication. It didn't look like a costume at all. She carried herself with the dignity of royalty.

As she turned around, her long black hair swaying with the movement, I could only stare, completely captivated.

“...Mizuki.”

Even though we were at school, her name slipped out before I could catch it.

I snapped back to reality, suddenly panicking as I looked around to see if anyone was nearby. Mizuki gave a small, knowing chuckle.

“It’s okay. There’s no one else here right now,” she said quietly, taking a seat on a nearby chair.

Even a simple movement like sitting down looked like a scene from a movie.

“What are you doing? In a place like this?” I asked.

“Fitting. The changing rooms were crowded, so I came here.”

“...Where are the others?”

“They went to go grab their own costumes. I expect they’ll be back soon.”

Our conversation felt stiff. I couldn't seem to find the right words.

Part of it was the sheer impact of the maid uniform she was wearing, but more than that...

Just a few days of distance, and it comes to this?

Simply by putting a little space between us, she felt like a different person entirely. It felt like we’d been apart for years, even though it had only been a matter of days.

“Is that your maid outfit?” I asked, trying to fill the silence.

I looked over her dress again. The design was so high-end and refined that calling it a “maid outfit” felt like an insult. It looked more like a noble’s gown.

Mizuki gave a wry, somewhat troubled smile.

“Yes. Apparently, it was quite expensive.”

“Yeah... I can imagine.”

I thought of the members of her “Fan Club” in our class. Those devotees would never settle for anything less than perfection for their idol.

Come to think of it, Renji had looked pretty pale when they cornered him earlier... I wondered if they’d actually made him foot the bill.

“Iori.”

“Yeah?”

“How do I look?”

She stood up and spread her arms slightly. The delicate, ruffled hem of her skirt fluttered, creating a vision so beautiful it belonged in a gallery.

“...Yeah. I think you look stunning.”

The words came out more naturally than I expected. Probably because they were coming straight from my heart.

“Thank you,” she said, her smile brightening.

I’d told her she was pretty countless times before. She’d probably heard it from a thousand other people, too. And yet, even a simple exchange like this felt nostalgic now.

“Oh... should I call you ‘Master’?”

“Please don't. It doesn't suit you at all.”

“Hehe.”

This time we had to talk wouldn't last forever. Being apart from her had made that painfully clear.

“Mizuki.”

“Yes?”

No matter how many times I looked at her, she really was a beautiful girl. And I knew that opportunities like this wouldn't keep coming my way.

“Once the cultural festival is over... there’s something I want to talk to you about.”

“...Okay.”

If I was going to speak, I had to do it while I still had the chance.

“—I’ll be waiting.”

I’d give this festival everything I had. For her sake. And for mine.

◇

“—Ah, Amano-kun, wait!”

“...?”

I’d finished cleaning up and was on my way home.

Aside from the final rehearsal, this was the last time I’d be helping with the preparations. From here on out, I intended to focus entirely on the piano. I was just about to leave when a voice called out from behind.

“Kashiwagi-san?”

“Yeah... whew. I’m glad I caught you.”

Out of breath, Kashiwagi-san stopped in front of me and rested her hands on her knees to catch her wind.

“Want to... walk home together?”

“Oh, yeah. Sure.”

I nodded, wondering if she’d really run all that way just for that. We waited for her breathing to steady before starting off down the road.

“Looks like we’re actually going to make it in time for the festival,” she noted.

“Yeah. Though I didn't really do much to help.”

“Me neither. I still feel pretty guilty about it.”

Naturally, the conversation revolved around the upcoming festival. Being as earnest as she was, Kashiwagi-san seemed genuinely bothered by her lack of participation in the prep work.

“I think you’re fine,” I said, trying to reassure her. “You’re the star of the maid cafe, after all.”

“Ugh...”

She froze mid-step.

Ah, crap. I forgot the maid outfit was a touchy subject. She gave me a flat, narrow-eyed glare, and I apologized immediately.

“Sorry, sorry. Anyway... was there something you wanted to talk about?”

“Huh?”

“Well, you ran all that way. I figured you had something on your mind.”

For some reason, she looked annoyed at my question. She leaned in close, peering into my face, and I instinctively pulled back.

“...Is it so wrong for a girl to just want to walk home with the person she likes?”

She threw the line out like a direct fastball. I was starting to realize she really was losing her inhibitions. Whether she’d finally resolved herself or not, these blunt approaches were becoming a lot more common.

“I didn't say it was wrong, but...”

“Amano-kun, I really think you need to study up on a woman's heart a little more.”

“...I’ll do my best.”

I bowed my head in apology, and she let out a small laugh, forgiving me. But after a moment, her gaze drifted away, and her eyes clouded with a touch of melancholy.

“But... yeah. You’re right. There was something I wanted to say. I guess I just wanted someone to listen to me vent a little.”

“Vent?”

Kashiwagi-san gave a small nod.

“Yeah. Now that the festival is getting closer, I’m starting to get really anxious.”

Her voice was uncharacteristically weak. I stayed silent, letting her continue at her own pace. It had been a while since I’d seen her look—or sound—like this. Not since that day...

"I wonder... if people are just going to keep comparing me to Yukimura-san forever..."

The day I’d learned the root of her complex.

She spoke now with that same fragile, lonely tone.

“Even when I’m getting ready for the pageant, I keep thinking... what if nobody even bothers to look at me?”

“...”

“What if everyone is only looking at her?”

I didn't have an answer for her.

It would have been easy to offer some empty platitudes, but they wouldn't have meant anything. If I were in her shoes, I’d be thinking the exact same thing.

Facing off against a literal anomaly... how could anyone expect to win?

But—if there was one thing I could say...

“...At the very least, I’ll be looking at you.”

“Eh?”

“I promised, remember? That I’d be watching.”

That much, I could guarantee. Even if my heart belonged to another girl, Kashiwagi-san was a precious friend.

I knew it was hypocritical of me. A hollow kindness. But I wanted to encourage her, even if only a little.

Kashiwagi-san stared at me blankly for a moment, then...

“...I see. Yeah. You’re right.”

She nodded to herself several times, and finally, a smile returned to her face.

“If you’re going to be watching, Amano-kun, then I have to give it my all.”

“...”

I did my best to make sure the pang in my chest didn't show on my face. Avoiding her happy expression, I kept walking beside her.

The path felt unusually long today. Eventually, we reached the station.

“Thanks,” she said. “I feel a lot better now that I’ve talked it out.”

“Glad to hear it.”

“Yeah! You better work hard too, okay? I won’t forgive you if you drop out on the day of! I’m definitely voting for you, Iori-kun!”

“Guh...”

She drove one last nail into me before heading toward her platform.

I watched her go, clutching the front of my shirt and looking up at the sky.

Guilt, huh?

I was the target of her complex—the person she wanted to reach. And yet, here I was... the one she trusted as an ally... and I was hopelessly in love with her rival.

And for the sake of that rival, I was going to play the piano.

I’m the absolute worst.

I knew that even if she found out, this girl would probably just smile and forgive me. She’d lock away her own pain to support someone else; I could see it as clear as day.

...In a way, it would be easier if she just blamed me.

I waited until she was out of sight before finally turning back.