Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622172789075625/episodes/16818622173701207024
“So, we studied at my place the other night, now let’s go play at Tsukushi’s house.”
Reisa says, leaning her elbows on the table and looking up at me.
This reminds me of something that happened recently.
I remember as if it were yesterday the day I was allowed to stay at Reisa’s mansion as an extension of the study session.
It was a dream come true, not only because of what I learned there, but also because it was the first time for me to experience the luxury of living in a house.
It is not something that can be forgotten so easily.
But that’s why I couldn’t help but make a grim face.
“Is there something wrong?”
I couldn’t help but give a wry smile as Reisa tilted her head.
“No, it’s fine, but it looks really bad compared to Reisa’s house. You see, I think I told you before, but we’re a single-parent household and we live in a cheap wooden apartment, so there’s nowhere for us to play.”
“You don’t have to worry about it. If there is nothing to play with, we can all have a study session to prepare for the mock exam.”
“That would defeat the purpose.”
”Oh.”
The purpose of this party is to have fun as a distraction.
The study session is a fun study session, but it is contrary to the purpose.
Reisa said to us with a wink.
“No no, there are plenty of ways to have fun at home. For example…how about looking at Tsukushi’s graduation album as a party?”
“That sounds fun !”
“Right? Wouldn’t you like to see this study-addict’s sparkling childhood at least once?”
“Surely …..!
Reisa smiled as Nagisa looked at her with great interest.
This guy presents some pretty gruesome entertainment.
“That wouldn’t be fair. I have to see a photo of the two of you as well.”
“Hm? You wanna see them?”
“Kuh…..”
She is a cowardly woman.
If you ask me like that, it makes me sound like a pervert.
I also feel a bit awkward around Nagisa, who seems a little embarrassed.
If she was intentionally creating this atmosphere, she must be quite the strategist.
I’ve thought for a while now that if she put this cunning brain to use in studying, I feel like she could get decent grades in no time.
When I gave her a look, Reisa said, “I’m going to the toilet～” and walked away.
All she does is stir things up.
“Fufu, as expected.”
“Yeah.”
But somehow, I was looking forward to it a little bit.
She said he would tell us, and it seems that wasn’t a lie.
◇
[Reisa’s point of view].
“Haa～. Isn’t this bad?”
As soon as I entered the bathroom, I let out a sigh as I looked in the mirror.
The reflection is of a high school girl with a hair color that is uniquely Japanese.
I’m not bragging, but I think it’s pretty cute.
But it’s the other person’s fault.
“It seems like the distance between Nagisa and Tsukushi is getting closer every day. I’m in quite a pinch, aren’t I?”
I like Tsukushi.
The only problem is, Nagisa and I are both in the same position right now.
With this, it wouldn’t be surprising if he thought, “I love Amakusa san so much; she’s so ladylike and intelligent, I’m on the same level as her !”
That’s bad.
It’s also not good that I’m trying to bring out Nagisa’s cuteness.
Or rather, it’s a problem that she is too cute.
I can’t help but frown, so I quickly put on a smile.
The reason I can beat Nagisa is because of my charm.
Don’t be negative~~.
“A maiden in love is always adorable. “
“!?”
A voice came from the back of the toilet, which was supposed to be a private room, and my shoulders jumped in shock. As my goofy face was reflected in the mirror, a new face appeared in its reflection.
“…Where have you been?”
”I’ve been at my grandparents’ house for a little while.”
The maid, Mika, had crept up behind me.
I hadn’t seen her at the mansion since the day Nagisa found out her true identity, but I never imagined she’d be having such a silly sleepover.
When I turned around, Mika cowered her shoulders.
“You look as if you’re asking ‘Why?’ I’ll answer that question. I was sure that if I had returned that day, I would have been scolded by Lady Reisa, so I was scared and ran away.”
“You’re so refreshingly honest. It’s all good now, it’s all in the past.”
“Yes. That’s why I came back now that the heat has died down.”
It’s too much hassle to even point it out.
I sighed again when I saw that Mika had her hair down, like she does at the mansion, instead of her usual babyish braid style that she wears outside.
Nishiho Mika is the daughter of a servant originally employed at our house.
However, when she was a baby, the servant and his wife both passed away in an accident, and Mika was taken in by our family.
She was formally brought up as a maid, but now she is almost like a sister.
Mika is the same age as me, but is more resourceful than I am, and she has helped me out countless times up until now.
To be honest, I have my own thoughts about her.
“If you hate it that much, you should stop being a maid. I won’t stop you.”
“No. I love you, Lady Reisa. I want to be by your side.”
“! …I-I see. Ehehehe.”
“Also, if I help out Lady Reisa at the mansion for a while, I’ll be able to earn an amount of pocket money that anyone wouldn’t expect from a high school student, so there’s no point in quitting.”
“Give me back that excitement !”
I almost cried, it was a loss.
And then, Mika suddenly closed the distance between us.
“More importantly, I wanted to hear your story.”
“Eh, yeah… No, wait a second. First of all, why are you here? This supposed to be a toilet anyway, y’know? I made sure I checked the lock before entering.”
“I’ve been waiting for Lady Reisa.”
“Huh?”
I’m confused by my maid.
This girl has always been elusive, eccentric, and unpredictable.
“Today, I was tailing Lady Reisa’s movements as usual. And, of course, I was aware of the chatter. Ah, don’t worry about me being recognized. As you can see, I’m disguised. I won’t make the same mistake again.”
“I don’t know what you’re saying about almost everything, but keep going.”
“And because I knew roughly when Lady Reisa needed to urinate, I calculated the type of drink and the amount she had consumed, and hid about a minute before she arrived. I hid in the private room at the back, without locking the door, so that Lady Reisa could come in.”
“G-gross.”
I contort my face at the disgust that is far greater than I could have ever imagined.
“Well, what if it’s not me who’s coming in?”
“I would say, ‘Oh no, I forgot to lock the door ! How embarrassing.'”
“……”
Enough, let’s stop talking about it.
I took a deep breath and put my hand on Mika’s delicate shoulder.
And just say it.
“It seems you’ve heard me so I won’t go into detail. I’ll do something about this situation.”
“Is that a plan to get Edano Tsukushi to like you more than Amakusa Nagisa?”
“Yes !”
“Lady Reisa is attractive enough, right?”
“Enough of that ! I’m in trouble ! They’ve become so close, but if this keeps up, I might get cuckolded !”
“In this case, since it’s not Lady Reisa’s, I don’t think it’s an NTR case, but I understand what you’re trying to say. But, I just don’t like it.”
“I told you earlier that don’t quit being a maid. Help me.”
“You’re still as selfish as ever. That’s what I love about you.”
She looked at me with an ecstatic expression and let go of my shoulder.
This girl is dangerous because she says things that creep me out sometimes.
Mika scratched her cheek as she leaned back.
“My true identity is known to Amakusa Nagisa, so it’s difficult for me to move.”
“That was Mika’s mistake.”
“It’s all because of Lady Reisa’s unreasonable demands. What is with her saying, ‘Don’t let other women get close to my Tsukushi ! Be a wall !’ Am I just a wall? You put me in the line of fire and yet you don’t even feel bad about it.”
”I-I’m sorry.“
“It’s fine. If you continue to make me do anything unreasonable, I’ll report to your mother that you moved the shiitake mushrooms onto my plate the other day.”
“Forgive me. I’m truly sorry, so please forgive me.”
If my mother knew that I liked or disliked something, I would not be able to get away with it.
My family is extremely strict when it comes to food.
Mika raised her index finger, scaring me.
“So, to the main topic. Let’s push it a bit further. At present, I think that the distance between Lady Reisa and Amakusa Nagisa and Edano Tsukushi is even.”
“Oh, it’s not so bad after all?”
“No, that’s not okay. You should reflect on the fact that you’re not getting closer even though you’re in the same class.”
“Uh, uh. Got it.”
”So, M’lady. Let’s use the party you were talking about earlier.“
”Party?”
“That’s right. So…I think you should use that trump card, the thank you.”
This was what I offered to Tsukushi as a trade condition during the quiz.
In the end, I still haven’t been able to give anything back, so this is a good opportunity.
But I can’t think of anything important to say.
I shook my head as I tried to ask Mika, who was smiling thinly.
No, I can’t do that.
It’s useless if I don’t come up with something like this on my own.
If I don’t get him to like me, it’s meaningless.
And what kind of a girl is a girl in love if she can’t think of even one thing that her boyfriend wants?
“Thanks. You saved me.”
“L-Lady Reisa…”
When I give her a kiss on the cheek, Mika’s face relaxes as if she is melting.
Seeing her like that, I gave her a smile and said.
“Well, now that we’ve finished our duties, can you please leave? I’m about to leak !”
Mika left the restroom as if blending in with the air.
I saw her off and sat down on the toilet seat, patting my chest.
The battle is the next party.
There, I will appeal to Tsukushi and make him aware of me.
Although I’m not as good as her in terms of grades and cuteness, love is a comprehensive battle that includes tactics.
I feel bad for Nagisa, but I can’t give up my seat next to Tsukushi.
I made my decision right here and now.
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