Miss Hirano, the Maid
She smiled
“Y- you look good in everything I’m sure. Choose whatever your favorite is.”
“Since you’re more knowledgeable than me, would you help me pick?”
Kaede felt a soft touch on her cheek.
“Your face is so red.”
“That’s embarrassing! I don’t have words to respond, all the ones I think of sound stupid.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
Kaede took a deep breath.
“I will do my best to help you pick!”
Mary giggled.
“You don’t need to be so professional, it’s just meant to be fun.”
Kaede looked discouraged, regretting her choice of words yet again.
“But, thank you. Tonight, I am your student.”
A light showed her bright smile.
The entry door opened before them. A woman bowed, greeting them.
“Welcome home Miss Akinomiya, I have made preparations to entertain Miss Sakura.”
Mary was yet again astonished by the efficiency of the household. Also, astonished Kaede didn’t only have a driver.
“Thank you Miss Hirano.”
Miss Hirano bowed to Mary.
“Welcome to the Akinomiya household. Please inform me if you have any requests while you are here.”
Mary was still unaccustomed to being waited on and referred to so respectfully.
Mary bowed deeply in response.
“Thank you for having me.”
Miss Hirano waved a hand a smiled, looking slightly uncomfortable.
“Welcome Miss Sakura.”
Kaede held Mary’s hand and guided her inside.
Kaede turned to Miss Hirano as Mary took off her boots.
“Mary will be borrowing some clothing, please prepare her a private room, the one next to mine is fine.”
“Yes, Miss Akinomiya. Right away.”
Miss Ichihara shuffled gracefully out of sight.
Mary was unable to contain her excitement.
“She’s a maid! Like, actually a dressed like a maid! She’s so cute!”
Kaede giggled as Mary hopped up and down.
“She does look cute, but it’s a standard outfit.”
“Did you tell her to dress in it?”
Kaede blushed, waving her hands furious.
“No! It’s not like that at all! That sounds so weird!”
Mary smiled.
“I didn’t take you for someone who likes maids.”
Kaede crossed her arms.
“I’m not! She insists on dressing that way.”
She indignantly looked away.
“I’m only joking.”
She rubbed her neck.
“I really lIke maids. I think their clothing is really cute.”
Kaede blushed, and uncrossed her arms,
“Sorry. I’m not saying you’re weird, or anything. I just wouldn’t go so far as to ask Miss Hirano to dress like that.”
Mary suddenly leaned forward and took Kaede by the hand, leading her further into the house.
“You’re super lucky then. Let’s go try on some clothes.”
Kaede smiled and took the lead.
“We need to go to my room.”
“That sounds so scandalous.”
Kaede blushed, and shook her head.
“J- just because it’s were my wardrobe is! You have the room next door for privacy.”
Mary winked.
“You better not look.”
“I wouldn’t dare!”
A door slid open and the maid appeared before them. She moved to the side and bowed.
“I’ve prepared a room for you and taken the liberty of putting out a futon in case you wish to spend the night Miss Sakura.”
Mary blushed, considering the thought of already spending the night at her crush’s home.
Miss Hirano smiled knowingly.
“Only if you wish to.”
She eyed Kaede who nodded silently with a smile in response, thanking her for supporting her new relationship.
“I have rice wine and snacks ready for when you would like to sit in the courtyard. Till then, good evening.”
Miss Hirano once again gracefully floated out of sight.
Kaede leaned towards Mary.
“I wouldn’t mind if you stayed.”
Mary nodded, remembering Yuki’s advice about the pace of a relationship.
“I would love to stay the night.”
Mary gasped, quickly finding a way to rephrase her words.
“Good.”
Kaede took her hand once again and led her into her own room.
She pointed to the wall.
“Yours is in the other side. The wall can move so the rooms are one also... If you want-“
“Let’s connect them. I- I think it would be weird to sleep in separate rooms. Right?”
“Right! I’d like to talk and stuff. I would feel bad making you sleep all alone after inviting you.”
Kaede gently slid the wall to the side.
“The futons are sort of far apart. That’ll be weird.”
“R- right. Would you like to move yours closer?”
Mary blushed, finding courage.
“I’ll put mine next to yours. Is that okay?”
“Y- yes!”
Kaede quickly looked away, embarrassed by her over-excitement.
She felt a soft peck in her cheek, and saw Mary’s lightly glossed lips from the corner of her vision.
“You don’t need to be shy. I’ve already said I love you.”
She ran a finger through Kaede’s long, silky hair.
Kaede wrapped her arms around Mary’s waist.
“I’d like you to stay as long as you want. And, sleep next to me when you’re here.”
Kaede stared into Mary’s eyes, she hadn’t noticed before they held a lighter brown glow than her own.
“Would you like to find some clothes now?”
Mary smiled and wrapped her arms around her neck.
“Yes please.”
