Chapter 6

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【Maid】

 

Good day to you. I am the maid in service to Omotekawa Yui-sama.

Please feel free to call me Maid-chan.

Now, regarding recent developments, my lady has been exhibiting increasingly puzzling behavior.

For instance, her commute. She frequently changes her appearance—uniform, hairstyle, and such—between going to and from school.

Since the Omotekawa Group operates in the apparel industry, preparing a dedicated changing room is hardly a difficult matter. In fact, it would be quite simple.

The issue lies in her intent. What is her purpose?

Upon investigation, it seems she’s been conversing with a male student on the train while disguised as a different person.

Given her position, I initially thought she was hiding her identity, but—.

 

“I’m hooome. Maid-chan, you here?”

 

Speak of the devil. Yui-sama has returned home.

During her morning commute she was a gyaru with a disheveled uniform, but now she’s back to her proper young lady appearance.

She looks completely different.

She even switches her tone and voice, so without knowing the circumstances, telling them apart would be quite difficult.

 

“Welcome home. Your Maid-chan is right here.”

 

Taking advantage of my role, I approach my lady. You see, my lady is my ‘oshi’—I am her devoted fan.

She looks absolutely radiant today. It’s rare to find someone who suits a braided half-up style so perfectly.

It’s already hot when her appearance and manner of speech match, but that soft exterior paired with gyaru speech patterns is also intensely exciting.

“Sorry, but could you wash this so it doesn’t get damaged? I wanna use it for as long as possible, y’know?”

As she says this, she holds out something black and white—

“—A handkerchief, is it?”

“Can you do that for me?”

“I shall devote my entire being, everything a maid has to offer.”

“Nah, you don’t gotta go that far.”

My lady looks exasperated. That slightly annoyed expression is what makes it good.

Having memorized every single one of my lady’s possessions, I noticed immediately.

This is a handkerchief I’ve never seen before.

My lady, who has little material desire and doesn’t get attached to objects, wants to cherish a new handkerchief.

I smell something fishy.

 

“…Might this be a gift?”

“Huh? Oh—yeah. Something like that.”

“From that person you’ve been talking to on the train recently, perhaps?”

 

Yui-sama’s shoulders jump up and down enough that I can almost hear the gulp. My, so I’ve hit the mark?

While my lady never shows weakness in public, it’s common knowledge among the servants that her emotions show easily in private.

“If I may speak frankly, I believe it would be best for you to stop toying with innocent commoners.”

I steel my heart and admonish her.

Based on the information I’ve gathered and her behavior, I can only surmise that Yui-sama is teasing an ordinary male student to relieve stress.

And she’s even going so far as to switch between her young lady and gyaru personas.

If she needs an outlet for her frustrations, I’m available. Please feel free to verbally abuse me as much as you’d like.

Those cold gazes and contemptuous looks from my lady directed at me.

Getting excited—ahem. My apologies. But I digress.

Normally I would want to affirm everything about my oshi, but unfortunately, my actual profession is that of a maid.

Even if it means being hated, I must fulfill my duties.

Of course, I’m not unsympathetic to her less-than-commendable hobby.

The pressure of living as the daughter of the Omotekawa Group must be unimaginable. The accumulated stress must be considerable.

It’s understandable that she’d want a little breathing room.

However, relieving that stress by toying with a seemingly good-natured male student… I simply cannot overlook it.

By the time something happens, it will be too late.

“I-I can’t help it! He gives me exactly the reactions I’m lookin’ for.”

Oh my? Why is she averting her gaze?

That’s strange. I was expecting more of a caught-in-the-act reaction—like “That’s none of your business!”—but instead…

Why is she acting bashful?

“When you tire of him, my lady, there’s a possibility he may have become serious despite his current good behavior. At the very least, things have progressed to the point of gift-giving. In the worst case, he might even lash out—”

“—Otaku-kun isn’t that kind of person.”

Oops, I’ve stepped on a tiger’s tail. Her voice dropped about two tones.

Now she’s staring directly at me instead.

Bashfulness flipped to quiet anger. Judging from the situation, she’s upset that I spoke ill of her conversation partner.

Hmmmmmmm?

“Of course I trust my lady’s judgment of character. However, men and women are creatures who sometimes make mis—”

“H-hey, don’t say weird stuff about men and women! Romance and stuff, seriously, it’s not like that at all!”

Oh my, oh my? Or am I mistaken in thinking she looks just a bit happy?

Her emotions are shifting so rapidly… it’s like dealing with mountain weather.

This is a side of my lady I’ve never seen in all my years of service.

…I see. Things are getting quite interesting, aren’t they?

If this were the distasteful hobby of toying with an innocent boy, I would have stopped her even at the cost of being hated… but my concerns were unfounded.

Being a maid is grueling work, so many of us are starved for entertainment.

Even I, whose very reason for living is caring for my lady, am no exception. I can’t help but crave a little stimulation.

Come to think of it, this is the first time my lady has actively engaged with a member of the opposite sex.

Could it be they get along so well that she wants to interact with him of her own accord? I’m extremely curious about this change in her heart.

In any case, it’s clear that my lady is starting to become invested.

If it’s a healthy friendship rather than risky delinquency, that’s something a fan would want to support.

It’s not like I’m thinking I’ve found the ultimate entertainment or anything, okay?

“So, what did the two of you talk about today?”

“Oh man, listen to this, Maid-chan. Otaku-kun, he—”

—It’s long! That’s so long, my lady! I still have so much work to do!

 

An entire hour passed in the blink of an eye.

The male student she met on the train is apparently an otaku deeply immersed in subculture.

He’s not only well-mannered but also provides the reactions she wants and offers her little pleasures. I can certainly understand the appeal.

It seems my lady has become completely hooked as well.

Setting aside matters of romance, they appear to have built a relationship that could be called friendship.

 

When the topic turns to Otaku-san, my lady becomes quite eloquent.

She talks in great detail about how they met (I dare use that expression) and how they’ve spent their time together.

For women, conversation isn’t about transmitting information. The real purpose is feeling good by talking.

My lady was perfectly embodying that right now.

 

“Now that I think about it, games for a girl… isn’t that kinda simplistic?”

 

A question. But which kind is it? What she’s seeking is agreement, surely.

No—my instincts as a lady expert are telling me something. This is a trap disguised as seeking agreement!

 

“While it may indeed be simple-minded, it surely comes from his wholehearted desire for you to enjoy yourself, my lady. I believe a good woman would understand that sentiment.”

“Ahh, yeah. I thought you’d say that too, Maid-chan.”

Yui-sama twirls the ends of her hair around her finger. Her expression clearly shows she’s not entirely displeased.

S-so cute—! How absolutely adorable!!

I deploy every skill in my maid arsenal to secretly snap photos of her.

“His approach with girls still needs work, but seeing him try so hard doesn’t feel bad, y’know… I’m not a demon or anything. If he’s working that hard, I wanna be nice to him, right?”

Incredibly sweet! Isn’t that incredibly sweet!?

The look in her eyes resembles a mother gazing at her young son.

Could it be that Otaku-san’s earnest efforts toward my lady, despite his inexperience with women, have stimulated her maternal instincts?

Though my lady would never admit it, she’s becoming a gyaru who’s kind to otaku!

I thought such creatures didn’t exist in reality, but to think one would appear right before my eyes! I never dreamed it possible.

My response seems to have been correct. My lady can barely contain herself.

“That said, it was my first time and he didn’t even give me a handicap or anything. No wonder he’s not popular—he doesn’t have the composure for ladies first.”

While the content of her words is a complaint, she doesn’t seem truly dissatisfied at all.

Rather, when she mentions him not being popular, there’s almost a hint of happiness in her voice.

Was her first game with a member of the opposite sex so enjoyable that it made her this talkative?

“I understand completely.”

“My relationship with Otaku-kun is hard to put into words, but I think it’s some kinda fate, y’know?”

“A once-in-a-lifetime encounter, indeed.”

“As a gyaru I can banter with him easily, but as Omote-chan he gets all flustered. It’d be better if he could at least hold a normal conversation, right? For Otaku-kun’s sake too.”

My lady, that’s less for his sake and more for your own, I think.

She’s unconsciously searching for reasons to see Otaku-san.

The day she realizes the ‘I want to see him’ hidden deep in her heart won’t be far off. I look forward to when those feelings blossom.

Incidentally, it seems my lady has nicknamed her young lady persona Omote-chan and her gyaru persona Ura-chan.

What straightforward naming. Otaku-san’s denseness in not noticing is endearing in its own way, after a full circle.

“I’m thinking I could train with Omote-chan and then give feedback as Ura-chan. Like being an instructor and teaching him stuff—what d’you think?”

To reveal my true feelings, this is absolutely driven by personal interests.

She likely enjoys both relationships—the gyaru and the young lady—for different reasons.

As the gyaru, her true self, she can interact with him in a friendly manner, while as the young lady, she can be aware of being seen as a member of the opposite sex.

Though they’re the same person, the emotions directed at each are as different as if they were separate individuals.

If both the teaser and the teased are enjoying themselves, it’s no wonder she wants to continue this relationship.

Of course, this isn’t exactly praiseworthy. However, seeing this age-appropriate side of her doesn’t feel bad at all. In fact, “How can she be this cute?”

For me, with Yui-sama as my oshi, this change is delightful. I want to keep watching over her.

That said, only heaven knows how far my lady and Otaku-san’s relationship will go.

Will they progress to a romantic relationship? Or will they become best friends? Perhaps they’ll naturally drift apart?

Of course, if the future that awaits them is ‘deepening their relationship,’ there will eventually come a time when she must reveal her true identity.

Depending on circumstances, that moment might bring an end in various senses.

However, I want to support Yui-sama with everything I have, regardless of the outcome.

I want to always be on your side, my lady.

I have things I want to say, but at the very least, I’ll push the back of my lady who clearly wants to continue this relationship.

It’s not like I have any ulterior motives, such as wanting to savor Yui-sama becoming more maiden-like from the closest position possible, or wanting to get all giddy from sweet and sour romantic consultations. Ehehe.

 

“I believe it’s a good plan with benefits for both parties.”

“Right!? See, having a maid who gets it is the best!”

 

Oof. Please don’t flash such a beaming smile at me. I’m going to get a nosebleed.

“I-I am honored.”

I have a feeling she’s going to become even cuter from here on. I must steel myself so I don’t bleed out even when seeing her at close range.

“There’s one thing I wanna ask you.”

“Please, anything you wish.”

“I want you to bring this to my room. Sorry, but could you come with me?”

My lady takes out her smartphone and shows me the screen.

Her soft, warm arm touches mine. Plus there’s that wonderful scent that makes my nose happy.

The screen displays images of a game console and software.

Judging from the flow of conversation, these must be what she played with Otaku-san.

“Just to confirm, surely you don’t mean—”

Yui-sama displays a wickedly dark smile.

 

“—I’m gonna get my revenge as Omote-chan. Don’t you think that’d be fun?”

 

That smile is enough to give me goosebumps all over.

Come to think of it, I’d completely forgotten.

My lady is extremely competitive, isn’t she?

Namu Amida Butsu. It goes without saying that I recited a Buddhist prayer for Otaku-san.

 

【Tsuchiya Bunta】

 

“Ah-CHOO!”

 

I felt a chill run through me and then sneezed. Ugh… do I have a cold?

There’s no way anyone’s talking about someone as inconspicuous as me.

But right now I don’t have the mental capacity to worry about my physical condition.

Because for a whole week since that game day, I hadn’t been able to see either Urakawa-san or Saint-sama.

 

With my low self-esteem, only bad thoughts cross my mind.

Maybe I should’ve been more considerate about thoroughly beating a girl at her first game.

If I wanted her to have fun, I probably should’ve let her win.

And yet I just played normally. Without even the concept of letting her save face.

This lack of consideration is probably why I’m not popular.

I had the chance to be a sample and everything… ugh, stupid, stupid, stupid me!

 

“…Haah.”

 

I let out a huge sigh on the station platform.

Not being able to see them this past week made me clearly realize something. I’d been looking forward to our conversations way more than I thought.

I mean, a plain male high school student getting to talk with two girls—of course it’d be fun.

But it’s not just that… how do I put it, the time spent on the commuter train feels like youth, y’know?

Goofing around with friends, wasting precious young years.

But when you become an adult, that time becomes something precious carved into your memories. I know that sounds like bad poetry.

But somehow, I feel like the time spent with Urakawa-san and Saint-sama will stay with me forever.

 

I board the morning train with heavy steps. Facing the fact that I can’t see those two is pretty rough.

Even though I know they won’t be there, I can’t help but search for them. And then feel despair.

I lift my gaze that’s been cast downward.

 

I was convinced I wouldn’t see them today either—but what jumped into my field of vision was Saint-sama with her hair standing on end.

 

Her hair’s standing up in rage!? Wait, her hair is like, super activated right now!?

What’s with that fighting spirit radiating from her whole body!? Whoa, scary!

She’s not Saint-sama anymore, she’s Saint-san!? What kind of Hunter is she!?

I rub both eyes to double-check. Have I finally started hallucinating from wanting to see them too much!?

Of course not—the only fantasy was the hair standing up and stretching out.

There sat Saint-sama with her braided half-up hairstyle.

Our eyes meet. When she notices me, she puts on a ladylike smile and pats the seat next to her.

A gesture telling me to sit beside her.

The girl’s seat-pat that every guy has fantasized about at least once. I can’t hide my shock that it’s being directed at me.

Normally this would be fortune worth crying tears of joy over. But at that moment, I was wrapped in fear.

Because her eyes! Her eyes aren’t smiling! She has a ladylike smile but her eyes aren’t smiling at all!?

Saint-sama, wrapped in an eerie atmosphere, exudes tremendous pressure. An imposing presence that brooks no argument.

An attraction that draws you in even though you know you’ll be devoured. Eek!

I should be happy enough to jump for joy at this reunion, yet why this terror—?

As ordered (by the pressure telling me to sit next to her, I mean), I take the seat beside her.

I obviously don’t have the composure to savor any healing right now.

 

“We meet again at long last—good morning.”

“You implied I’m doomed right in your greeting!?”

“Fufu. I’m joking.”

 

Though I have various things I want to say, seeing Saint-sama’s amused smile puts me at ease.

I’m really glad she wasn’t caught up in some incident or accident.

“…It’s been a while, Saint-sama. I’m relieved you seem well.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Because I haven’t been able to see you for some time.”

“Were you perhaps worried about me?”

She brings that refined face closer.

Too close! That’s way too close! Is your sense of distance bugged!?

To Saint-sama, I’m just the sample that her best friend selected.

It’s precisely because she doesn’t see me as a member of the opposite sex that she can get this close.

I’m beginning to understand Urakawa-san’s struggles.

With this kind of distance even with members of the opposite sex, she’d have to be careful about who she chooses.

In that sense, I’m not a bad choice, I almost want to say. Though that’s pretty conceited of me.

But I’m the guy who absolutely won’t misunderstand anything!

Unable to withstand those straightforward eyes, I avert my gaze as I speak.

“O-of course I was worried! It’s been a whole week!”

“And yet you don’t seem interested in asking why we couldn’t meet.”

Ugh, she’s sharp. As expected of a young lady. Her powers of observation are functioning perfectly.

The thing is, if I got to reunite with Urakawa-san and Saint-sama, I’d decided not to ask about why they suddenly disappeared.

Just because I was appointed as a commoner sample doesn’t mean I should be nosy about everything.

“I want to know everything about you, more than anyone else”—isn’t that stalker thinking?

I think maintaining proper distance is important. If I become annoying, I’d be throwing this stroke of good fortune down the drain.

More than anything—

“I’m just satisfied that I got to see you safe and sound like this, Saint-sama.”

“You’re not curious about the reason?”

“Well, I am curious, but…”

“But?”

“Urakawa-san was probably involved, right?”

“…Yes, well.”

“Then there’s no need to ask.”

“Huh? Why not?”

“Because she’s not the type to be mean-spirited, so I don’t think I need to demand an explanation.”

When I glance at Saint-sama, for some reason she’s pinching her cheek hard.

Wait, what are you doing!?

 

“May I ask you something?”

“Oh, yes. If it’s something I can answer.”

“Are you happy to see me? Or is it Ura-chan?”

“—Huh?”

 

I let out a dumbfounded sound, not understanding what I’m being asked.

What’s this feeling? She seems a little displeased, or maybe sulky?

Uh, let me see. Let me organize the situation.

We’re reuniting after a week, and I told her I was worried about not seeing them.

Normally I’d ask about the circumstances, but instead I trusted that if Urakawa-san decided it, it was fine.

And as soon as I told Saint-sama that, we arrived at the current situation.

Hmm? Where’s the element that would upset her—

 

“Could it be that Otaku-san is only claiming to be my fan in order to see Ura-chan?”

 

Hmmmmmmm? Wait, is she sulking because I showed such deep trust in Urakawa-san!?

Could this possibly be jealousy—!?

No, calm down! It’s definitely not directed at me!

Saint-sama is probably upset because Urakawa-san, who’s always been with her, has started paying attention to me.

In other words, from Saint-sama’s perspective, “Ura-chan is being stolen by Tsuchiya Bunta (Otaku)”!?

—Yuri! Is this actually yuri!?

I-I mean, even I think Urakawa-san is cool sometimes, and it wouldn’t be strange for Saint-sama, who was raised like a precious flower, to develop feelings for her…

Anyway, I need to appeal that I’m a devoted believer who’s been healed by Saint-sama!

At this rate, I’ll become the other man caught between Urakawa-san and Saint-sama!

“Of course I’m incredibly happy to see you again, Saint-sama!?”

“It doesn’t look that way.”

“What!?”

“You’re an otaku, yet your breathing wasn’t getting rough.”

“That’s such a biased way to measure happiness!”

“See, you’re calmly retorting. Are you really happy to see me again?”

 

Saint-sama gives me a deeply suspicious look.

A girl asking “Are you happy to see me?”—that should be nothing but a reward, yet this pressure is—!?

This is a critical moment. I need to declare I have no intention of crushing their relationship (yuri)!

Watch me, Saint-sama! My passionate—

“Haa… haa…”

“Your breathing is rough. Are you okay?”

“Um, I was trying to express how happy I am to see you…”

“What an unusual way to express it.”

“Whaaat!?”

So she’s actually airheaded? Where did that measuring stick for otaku happiness go?

“Ahem. Let me ask again. Did you want to see me?”

“Of course I did!”

An immediate answer here. I feel like I’m being made to say something crazy, but it’s way better than being cast as the other man!

Besides, I’ve been healed by Saint-sama for half a year. There’s no way I wouldn’t be happy.

“Then, if you could only meet one of us—me or Ura-chan—which would you choose?”

“…One of you…”

Saint-sama’s expression is serious. Judging from her circumstances, I think this is where I’m supposed to choose the former.

—But.

 

“Otaku-kun, y’know—”

 

If I close my eyes, I can immediately recall the memories I’ve made with Urakawa-san.

Until recently, I would’ve been satisfied just catching a glimpse of Saint-sama… but when I confront the emotions lurking deep in my chest like this, I’m painfully reminded what greedy creatures humans are.

Despite being a plain-faced mob character.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t choose.”

“That means—”

“—I know. You can think of me as a coward. But I really can’t choose. I, um, want to treasure you both.”

 

Ahhh, I’m dooooone~~! Why couldn’t I just immediately answer “You!”?

No matter how you look at it, this is bad!

Not only am I a wimp, but I’m making crusher statements about wanting to see Urakawa-san too.

I want to be healed by Saint-sama. I want to be teased by Urakawa-san.

An unforgivable taboo answer! I swear there are no romantic feelings, but it really feels like two-timing.

Saint-sama is an elegant, gentle, and refined young lady who treats everyone equally.

Urakawa-san is a friendly, teasing gyaru.

Hmm, can’t give either up! That’s basically what my statement sounds like.

Indecisiveness and wimpiness at their peak.

Saint-sama also holds the power of life and death over the commoner sample arrangement.

I can already vividly picture her protesting to Urakawa-san afterward: “Otaku-san is a bit…”

I desperately hold back the tears threatening to spill as I watch Saint-sama’s reaction.

Honestly, it’s like watching a horror movie out of morbid curiosity now. This is why horror movies never disappear from this world.

Ah, I’m sure she’ll be wrapped in quiet anger—(glancing),

 

“Nyaha~”

 

Nyaha? Huh!? Did my ears just bug out!? No, but I definitely heard that…

C-could that be some kind of code word!?

“Realy, you. Otaku-san, honestly, geez. You’re hopeless. Such a hopeless person.”

Her expression is a mix of bashfulness and amusement. Based on the visual information, she doesn’t seem entirely displeased.

But the auditory information is clearly a scolding.

Wh-which is it!? I can’t read her emotions!

“Um, so, am I correct in thinking I’ve been found not guilty?”

“Fufu, you’re guilty, of course.”

“As I thought!”

When you think about it, it’s a natural response. I answered a girl’s question with “I can’t choose.”

“However, I am Saint. It’s my duty to guide lost lambs. I won’t abandon you.”

“Really…!”

Not just her appearance but her heart is saintly too. To think she’d even deal with a guy like me with no distinguishing features! No wonder members of the opposite sex are drawn to her.

“E-even if Otaku-san has seven prior convictions, I’ll accept you.”

“That’s a ton of offenses!?”

“The one who’s truly terrible is you, Otaku-san. You’re too dense. Are you a blockhead… haah.”

A huge sigh. She’s definitely exasperated, yet for some reason, part of me feels a little happy.

Maybe it’s because I got to see a side of Saint-sama I couldn’t see from just glancing at her from my seat? This is probably what they call a perk of the job, right?

 

“By the way, I heard something.”

Saint-sama says as if remembering something. At this point, I have nothing but a bad feeling.

“Um, who told you what…?”

“I heard you played games with Ura-chan.”

“Well… yes. I did.”

“I’ve never done that either! That’s not fair!”

Saint-sama leans forward again.

Whoa, dangerous! H-hey, don’t suddenly get so close!

What if we make contact and I go into cardiac arrest—me!

The jealousy and anger that some unknown otaku stole Ura-chan’s first time.

Come to think of it, when I boarded this train car, Saint-sama’s hair was standing up in rage.

It’s probably because I stole their first time together.

“In the future, if you’re going to suggest such things, could you let me know first?”

“I’ll do my best.”

I’ve finally realized for certain. Saint-sama can’t measure distance with members of the opposite sex—no, she doesn’t need to.

Because she doesn’t see the opposite sex as the opposite sex!

 

“What’s done is done. I’ll let it slide this time. In exchange, will you play games with me too?”

“I’d be more than happy to—ah!”

“What’s wrong?”

“Sorry. I didn’t think I’d get to see you again, so, um, I didn’t bring the game…”

Ugh…! My preparation skills are terrible as always.

While I’m dejected, Saint-sama has a confident expression for some reason.

She lets out a satisfied hum.

“Don’t worry. It’s in my bag!”

“Why!?”

“Ura-chan handed it to me. She said this is what boys like, so I should have Otaku-san teach me.”

“Ah, I see. Got it. Let’s play.”

 

A nice assist as always. That’s Urakawa-san for you.

Games are essential for understanding male students’ behavior. They’re also excellent communication tools.

Urakawa-san was absorbed in playing too, so I’m sure Saint-sama will enjoy it.

 

“…Though just playing would be boring, how about the winner can give one command to the loser?”

“Bwha!?”

 

I can’t help but sputter.

Both Saint-sama and Urakawa-san—why do they want to bet on something?

I think just playing games together would be plenty fun.

“Oh, of course nothing inappropriate between opposite sexes, okay?”

“Obviously!”

“If I win, a dog—fufu, I’m looking forward to it.”

Dog!? Did she just say dog!? Um, could it be that Saint-sama is actually playful!?

“Um… do you have any experience with games?”

“None at all.”

“What!? And you want to compete with command rights on the line!?”

“Yes.”

Amazing. Confidence is radiating from her entire body. Despite it being her first time, she’s fully intent on beating me.

“Don’t you want to? Play games with me?”

“I super want to!”

That overwhelming pressure…

Well, I have absolutely no intention of making unreasonable demands. As thanks for always healing me, I’d be perfectly satisfied if she just enjoys herself a little.

With that lighthearted mindset, I played against her, and what awaited me was—

 

“Fufu. I came in first place. You can go all out if you want, Otaku-san. You’re a lap behind again.”

 

—Complete and utter destruction. The screen displayed footage of me being one-sidedly trampled.

So stroooooong!

She’s crazy strong!?

Whoa!! Driving techniques that would put a pro gamer to shame! And the determination I felt when she landed those shells on me was intense!?

What was with that relentless play style!

 

“So, could you take out your phone?”

“What!?”

“The winner can give one command to the loser. Don’t tell me you forgot.”

 

I reluctantly hand over my phone, and she snatches it away.

Saint-sama taps away at my phone and returns it with a “Here you go.”

S-so swift.

 

“Um…?”

“I’ve entered my contact information. From now on, could you report to me what you talked about whenever you meet with Ura-chan?”

 

I don’t think I’ll ever forget that smile for the rest of my life.

What’s the true intent behind that expression of satisfaction at a successful prank?

Yeah, no doubt about it. Surveillance.

I’ve been given a declaration of war: “I won’t let you steal any more of Ura-chan’s firsts.”

 

“Fufu. I look forward to working with you from now on.”

 

Did that sound like “Yoroshiku” to anyone else but me? No?

By the way, the contact name was registered as 【Otaku-san’s Saint】.

Too devilish…!

 

【Omotekawa Yui】

 

If you do it to me, I’ll do it right back! Time to flip the tables!

That was my mindset as I waited for Otaku-kun to board.

Thanks to Maid-chan’s help, my racing game skills improved dramatically.

I know this sounds braggy, but I’ve always been good at picking things up quickly.

Well, I got so into practicing that a whole week went by.

As a result, my Otaku-kun supply was running on fumes. I needed a refill.

I wanted to tease him. I wanted some back-and-forth.

Before I knew it, I found myself actually looking forward to seeing him.

Oh, there he is! Long time no see, Otaku-kun♪

“We meet again at long last—good morning.”

“You implied I’m doomed right in your greeting!?”

“Fufu. I’m joking.”

 

“…It’s been a while, Saint-sama. I’m relieved you seem well.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Because I haven’t been able to see you for some time.”

“Were you perhaps worried about me?”

Was it actually bad to disappear for a whole week without any contact?

It seems Otaku-kun was worried about my safety. Heh, what an adorable guy.

“O-of course I was worried! It’s been a whole week!”

“And yet you don’t seem interested in asking why we couldn’t meet.”

I totally expected him to pry into why we couldn’t meet.

His good behavior after our reunion left me feeling slightly unsatisfied.

I mean, come on, a whole week! Seven whole days I was gone! Isn’t it normal to be a bit more insistent?

“I’m just satisfied that I got to see you safe and sound like this, Saint-sama.”

“You’re not curious about the reason?”

“Well, I am curious, but…”

“But?”

“Urakawa-san was probably involved, right?”

“…Yes, well.”

“Then there’s no need to ask.”

“Huh? Why not?”

“Because she’s not the type to be mean-spirited, so I don’t think I need to demand an explanation.”

 

—And there it is, the natural lady-killer move!

That’s bad. That’s really bad. It’s seriously problematic, y’know?

Here I am plotting revenge as Omote-chan, and what’s with that trust? Could you stop unconsciously sweet-talking me?

It tickles, that does.

I prevent myself from grinning by pinching my cheek. Using pain to escape the predicament.

Actually,

“Are you happy to see me? Or is it Ura-chan?”

“—Huh?”

I’ve been wondering about this for a while… aren’t you leaning a bit too much toward Ura-chan?

That’s my true self, and I’m happy about that, but… still, having Omote-chan treated coldly bugs me.

Like, as soon as a new girl appears, you immediately shift your attention, huh?

I mean, they’re both me, so strictly speaking it’s different.

But what bothers me, bothers me.

“Could it be that Otaku-san is only claiming to be my fan in order to see Ura-chan?”

“Of course I’m incredibly happy to see you again, Saint-sama!?”

“It doesn’t look that way.”

“What!?”

“Then, if you could only meet one of us—me or Ura-chan—which would you choose?”

“…One of you…”

Otaku-kun closes his eyes to think.

I’m being pretty merciless, even if I say so myself. But I can’t help being curious.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t choose.”

“That means—”

That’s pretty cowardly, honestly.

Putting Omote-chan, who he’s had a one-sided crush on (I’m deliberately using that expression) for half a year, on the same level—

 

“—I know. You can think of me as a coward. But I really can’t choose. I, um, want to treasure you both.”

 

Whoa, he said it! He just casually said something like a playboy would!

Wow, wow! And what a choice of words, once again.

Not “they’re precious to me” but “I want to treasure them.”

They seem the same at first glance, but the meanings are totally different.

The former would be like, yeah, he’s shifting his attention to the newcomer gyaru—the convenient girl (Ura-chan). The girl he liked first (Saint-sama) is fading into the background, right?

But the latter keeps things vague about the order they met and whether they’re equal, while embedding his feelings in the past, present, and future.

Because the past is precious, he can’t say careless things in the present, and his intention to continue the relationship in the future is showing through.

Honestly, I think he’s being a wimp, but when you hear something like that,

 

“Nyaha~”

 

Ugh, see, I let out a weird sound.

The perfect Omote-chan just made a laugh she’d never make!

“Good grief. Otaku-san, honestly, good grief. You’re hopeless. A hopeless person.”

Saying host-like things without even realizing it.

“Um, so, am I correct in thinking I’ve been found not guilty?”

“Fufu, you’re guilty, of course.”

“As I thought!”

But right now I’m Omote-chan, right? The Saint-sama that Otaku-kun desperately wanted to see, right? It’d be cruel to abandon him, so I’ll pay attention to him.

“However, I am Saint. It’s my duty to guide lost lambs. I won’t abandon you.”

“Really…!”

“E-even if Otaku-san has seven prior convictions, I’ll accept you.”

“That’s a ton of offenses!?”

See, as soon as I say that, he protests like he has no idea what I’m talking about.

“The one who’s truly terrible is you, Otaku-san. You’re too dense. Are you a blockhead… haah.”

Well, his denseness is one of his lovable shortcomings.

My moodiness is resolved, so let’s move on to today’s main event.

When I was Ura-chan, you sure toyed with me at my first game, didn’t you?

Because of that, I had to train for a whole week.

Maid-chan even screamed at the end,

 

“Please let me out of this room, my lady!”

 

She was having a breakdown.

How rude! I only had her keep me company for like twelve hours.

Today I’m gonna get my payback to my heart’s content!

“Sorry. I didn’t think I’d get to see you again, so, um, I didn’t bring the game…”

“Don’t worry. It’s in my bag!”

“Why!?”

To beat you to a pulp, obviously!

When we couldn’t meet for a week, I realized something—having the train car as our only means of contact is inconvenient.

I do feel bad about making him worry.

So,

 

“…Though just playing would be boring, how about the winner can give one command to the loser?”

“Bwha!?”

 

When I propose the winner’s command rights, sure enough, Otaku-kun sputters. What am I scheming? Well, that’s for you to find out after we play.

“Don’t you want to? Play games with me?”

“I super want to!”

You said it, right? I got your word!

The racing game results were, of course—YOU WIN!

The screen displays footage of Omote-chan’s total victory.

“Fufu. I came in first place. You can go all out if you want, Otaku-san. You’re a lap behind again.”

Hehe… you picked the wrong opponent. Mission accomplished!

“So, could you take out your phone?”

“What!?”

“The winner can give one command to the loser. Don’t tell me you forgot.”

I take the reluctantly offered phone. Unlike me, who achieved revenge and feels refreshed, Otaku-kun was helpless and got one-sidedly trampled, right?

I felt a little bad for him. So, well, I figured I’d give him the contact info of his biggest fan, Omote-chan—Saint-sama. A special service!

I mean, if something suddenly comes up like this time, we can’t meet, right?

Plus I’d be making him wait without knowing what’s going on.

Making Otaku-kun act like a loyal dog also makes me feel guilty.

It’s not like I’m thinking about contact outside commuting hours—like being able to message before bed—or anything!

“Um…?”

“I’ve entered my contact information. From now on, could you report to me what you talked about whenever you meet with Ura-chan?”

 

But still… his only registered contacts being his little sister and parents—Otaku-kun’s seriously a total loner, huh?

I feel like I’ve seen something I shouldn’t have.

These kinds of surprises are so like him, really.

It’s probably wrong to think this, but being the first non-family contact registered as Omote-chan makes me kinda happy.

Let’s see, for the registration name, Omotekawa would be boring, so 【Otaku-san’s Saint】 is good, right, Otaku-kun?

Reply within three seconds, please!

If you read it and ignore me, I seriously won’t forgive you!