Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622172789075625/episodes/16818622176848970501
We were enjoying the haunted house and leisurely wandering around the cultural festival during our lunch break, but before we knew it, time was running out.
Both Reisa and I had class shifts in the afternoon, so we had to hurry back.
So, sorry to Nagisa, but we decided to head back early.
“Fufu, busy days tend to be eventful, don’t they?”
“Did something happen?”
“It’s none of your business.”
Speaking of which, Reisa has been acting strange since a while ago.
She keeps muttering to herself, and when I talk to her, she just gives me a vague smile.
She seems to be somewhere else, which is a little worrying.
“Are you feeling unwell?”
“No. Tsukushi is so kind.”
“Anyone would be worried seeing you like that.”
I was talking about other people, but I was also a little shaken.
The exchange with Nagisa at the haunted house just wouldn’t leave my mind.
Today, both Reisa and Nagisa were unusually close to me.
Even I, who knows my place, was tempted to misinterpret the situation.
After that, Reisa and Nagisa went to the bathroom together, giving me some alone time, which was a silver lining.
I cooled my flushed face in the breeze and tried to calm down and return to normal.
They say there’s such a thing as “culture festival magic” but maybe the two of them were just swept up in the atmosphere and lost their minds.
Today, I saw a lot of couples moving around together.
That said, I’m a virgin whose age equals the number of years he’s been single.
When people act too suggestive, I can’t help but be conscious of it.
Kako had been teasing me for being a virgin who misunderstands things, but I want to pull myself together before that becomes a reality.
I wish the two of them would be a little more considerate in that regard.
“I have clothes to change into, so go ahead without me.”
“No, I’ll wait. Take your time getting ready.”
“Okay, thanks.”
I felt a little embarrassed by her smile.
Something feels off today.
I watched Reisa go to the changing room and was left alone again.
I feel unusually detached from reality.
The school where I usually attend classes is decorated like a festival, and I don’t really know where I am or what I’m doing.
◇
In the classroom, I was cleaning up trash and organizing boxes of tea behind the partition.
The glittering space was only on the surface; behind the scenes, it was all menial tasks.
Still, it was better to have something to do.
As I was busy with that, I heard voices getting excited outside.
Peering through the gap, I saw Nagisa had arrived.
In response, Reisa bowed respectfully to greet her.
[Welcome home, Master.”
[Haha, you look quite the part. No wonder, since you watch the real thing all the time.]
[I am honored by your praise. Please take your seat, Lady Nagisa.]
Since she was dressed as a man, this was more formal than when Nagisa worked at the maid café.
Of course, about 80% of that atmosphere is probably due to the real butler uniform that he brought from home.
By the way, Reisa’s male attire looks good on her today as well.
I’ve seen her several times during the preparation stage, and I’m used to seeing her face, but even I was mesmerized by how beautiful she looked.
With the short wig, she really looks like a beautiful young boy.
“Hey, Edano, are you dating either of them?”
“No, no, that’s not the case.”
I answered with a wry smile to the question I’d been asked countless times before.
Takamura, who was in the same class, laughed uninterestedly at my response.
The teasing from the boys had decreased, but I suppose it still bothered them to see the three of us together in the classroom.
It’s like having two flowers in one hand.
“I wish I could be surrounded by the most popular girls in school too.”
“Surrounded…”
“Don’t be modest. After all, grades are everything at an academic high school. I think you’re really amazing, Edano.”
“Thank you.”
Since I got first place in the proficiency test, everyone’s attitude toward me has gradually changed.
There are still many who are harsh toward me, but it’s also true that I’m praised more often now.
At first, I wasn’t used to it and was wary that there might be some ulterior motive.
Recently, I’ve finally been able to express my gratitude sincerely.
As I tried to get back to work, Takamura laughed.
“But Edano, your face has been red since earlier.”
“Eh. ……No, it’s nothing.”
“Alright, alright, I won’t press you on it.”
Watching his back as he walked away, I was left speechless.
Normally, I wouldn’t react at all, but being told that made me realize I was blushing, which made me even more embarrassed.
It seemed that my face had given it away because I had been conscious of the two of them today.
This could easily be misunderstood as something serious.
However, while I could understand Reisa, Nagisa’s attitude was still bothering me.
Would Nagisa, of all people, holding the hand of a man she wasn’t dating?
Especially when it could be misunderstood by those around her.
“……”
Assuming that it’s absolutely impossible, of course.
Suppose, for the sake of argument, that Amakusa Nagisa likes me.
If that’s the case, it might actually make sense.
After all, she was aware that I was a guy who was unusually close to her.
It’s absolutely impossible that she might mistake that closeness for romantic feelings, but it’s not entirely impossible.
I’m not sure what I’m thinking anymore, but anyway.
If she were to confess her feelings to me, would I date her?
…I thought about it, but the answer was no.
As someone aiming for a medical school scholarship, I don’t have the luxury of time for romance.
The cliché scenario of dating a high-achieving girl and studying hard together flashes through my mind, but it’s out of the question.
Because I already have that dream-like environment.
Even if my relationship with them changes, it won’t affect my studies.
If anything, it might distract me.
When I think about it purely in terms of pursuing my dream, there’s not much benefit.
And it’s rude to approach it with that mindset.
So what am I thinking?
It’s not just creepy, it’s rude to both of them.
I should stop these weird thoughts.
While I was indulging in these foolish fantasies, the male butler café welcomed a new customer and erupted in laughter.
It seemed that Nishiho Mika, who had been teasing Reisa relentlessly lately, had arrived, and she was smiling smugly in front of Reisa, who looked displeased.
[Butler Reisa kun, you’re doing a great job.]
[What would you like to order?]
[Don’t glare at me. Aren’t you being rude? Are all the servants of the Nanamura family like this?]
[That’s right.]
[…Are you trying to provoke me?]
[…How many times are you going to repeat this exchange? I’m about to lose my temper.]
Is it just my imagination that something unusual is going on?
Parts of the conversation I couldn’t hear seemed unusually tense.
It’s strange.
[Then bring me pancakes and a milk latte. Hurry up !]
[…Understood.]
Mika locks onto Reisa and uses her to her advantage.
Her attitude is so arrogant, it’s as if she has some kind of grudge against her.
However, for some reason, Reisa is surprisingly obedient, which is a mystery.
In fact, she looks uncomfortable and makes a sour face.
What kind of relationship do those two have?
“Tsukushi kun.”
“Whoaa.”
As I was staring blankly at Reisa and the others, someone appeared from between the partitions.
I was caught off guard because I thought only people from my class would come here.
It was Nagisa.
“W-what’s wrong?”
“No, I just wanted to talk. I came all this way, after all.”
“Oh, I see.”
I was nervous inside as Nagisa smiled shyly.
I felt guilty for thinking strange things earlier, and my chest ached.
I couldn’t help but look away.
Then she sat down next to me, where I was working.
The distance between us was so close that I could smell her shampoo.
“Reisa san looks beautiful.”
“Yeah, looking at her like this, I realize once again that she’s on a different level from me. She’s like a prince from a foreign country.”
“Fufu, so are you a princess in everyday life?”
“I don’t know. That’s different too.”
I don’t feel any elegance in the usual playful Reisa.
Saying that, it’s odd to call someone dressed as a butler a prince, but her manners are somehow refined, so I felt that way.
Probably because of family circumstances, she was often taken to various dinners and events.
Regardless, her manners have always been good.
Even though she was born into that kind of family, she still feels like a distant figure.
But that’s the same for Nagisa.
“You two are amazing. You’re so confident serving so many people. It makes me want to try harder too. You’ve given me some motivation.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I admire you.”
As for me, all I have is my studies.
That’s why I want to be proud of that at least.
I felt it clearly while talking just now.
I still want to be a doctor.
That’s all I can think about right now.
I’ll just live my life to the fullest, aiming for each and every goal in front of me.
That’s how I live my life right now.
“I can’t wait to take the next test.”
“Fufu, really…you two are perfect for each other.”
“Huh?”
“I was talking to myself.”
I tilted my head at Nagisa’s confusing words, but she just smiled.
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