Chapter 120: Yuigahama Still Rebels Even as a Maid!
After entering the maid café…
"Welcome home, Master."
A maid greeted them in a sugary voice and guided them to their seats.
Yui had already dragged Yukino away to change into maid outfits.
"Please give me any order you desire, Master! Nyan~"
A maid wearing cat ears carried a menu to Luke and Saika's table. Every item had an excessively cute name.
Luke casually ordered two overpriced coffees, then asked, "Excuse me, is there an employee named Kawasaki Saki working here?"
"Kawasaki~ Saki? She isn't here during the day, nyan~"
The maid answered with a bright smile.
"Would Master like me to draw a cat or another animal on your coffee? Nyan~"
"Could you ask whether anyone with that name works the night shift?"
"Certainly~ Nyan."
"This is my first time visiting somewhere like this…"
Saika curiously examined the decorations, the different maids, and the endless stream of customers.
"It's my first time too."
Despite already keeping two maids at home, Luke also observed the café with interest.
The energy and enthusiasm shown in every movement created a surprisingly pleasant atmosphere.
Naturally, the staff also included clumsy maids who deliberately made small mistakes, cried "Whoops!" cutely, and followed it with an innocent expression.
As Luke thought that, an inexperienced maid approached while carrying a tray of coffee cups with unsteady steps.
Mm.
It was Yui.
She carefully lowered the tray onto the table. The cups shook dangerously, barely avoiding a spill.
After completing the task, Yui released a deep breath of relief.
"Phew~"
"Th-thank you for waiting… Master."
Yui spoke almost one word at a time, her cheeks burning red. She clearly found the line incredibly embarrassing.
It must have taken considerable effort for her to say it.
Luke looked over Yui's simple black-and-white maid uniform, decorated with light lace and a short skirt that barely reached mid-thigh.
The fitted bodice gently pressed against her chest, emphasizing its soft curves, while the frilled hem swayed with every small movement.
It was much cuter than her usual clothes, though she clearly felt uncomfortable wearing it.
"H-how do I look?"
Yui slowly turned once in front of them, making the frilled hem sway lightly.
"Wow, Yuihama-san, you're so cute! Right, Luke?"
"You look great," he agreed, echoing Saika's praise.
"Really? Thank you. Hehe."
After receiving praise, Yui lost some of her usual boldness and showed a rare, bashful expression.
She looked rather cute.
"This outfit is difficult to wear, though. It feels tight, and the skirt is short. It must be uncomfortable to clean in…"
Yui examined the uniform from every angle.
"…You'd be perfect if you didn't speak."
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
Yui immediately raised the tray toward him in anger.
"Nothing. Massage my shoulders."
Luke rolled his stiff shoulders.
Because he had been studying hard recently, they felt as stiff and rough as rusted gears inside an old watch.
"No way!"
"Hm? Aren't you a maid? Are you planning to rebel against your master too?"
"Even if I were a real maid, I still wouldn't massage you~ Bleh!"
Yui stuck out her tongue without displaying the slightest dignity expected from someone wearing a maid outfit.
That damned Yuigahama.
She even refused to massage her master.
"Then I can only give your performance a failing grade."
"Who asked you to grade me?!"
"What are you two arguing about?"
Their bickering was interrupted by Yukino, who had also finished changing.
She stood nearby in a dark, off-the-shoulder maid uniform.
Yukino wore a long-sleeved navy dress with a long skirt and a white headband.
Her dignified, composed bearing made the simple uniform appear strangely luxurious.
If there was one flaw, it was that her chest barely filled out the bodice at all.
Rather than a maid, she looked more like an elegant butler from an old mansion.
"So beautiful~ It really suits you!"
Yui exclaimed.
Luke and Saika nodded in agreement.
"Thank you."
Yukino calmly accepted the praise.
"It appears Kawasaki-san doesn't work at this establishment."
"You asked backstage?"
Luke questioned her.
"Of course. Why else would I wear these clothes? We didn't come here to play."
"Hmm~"
Yui guiltily looked away and began humming while staring out the window.
Perhaps because the weather had grown warmer recently, Luke noticed a fine layer of sweat along her exposed neck.
"Then if you're certain, that settles it."
"Yes. Her name wasn't on the shift schedule."
Yukino continued, "Since this shop can directly contact employees' homes, she probably isn't using a false name."
The maid Luke had previously questioned returned and gave him the same answer.
That meant only one possible [Angel] establishment remained as Saki's workplace.
Luke distributed the coffees evenly among everyone.
Yukino glanced outside.
"It's already late. We should end today's investigation here."
They had lost time after club activities and then traveled by train, leaving no opportunity to visit the other [Angel] establishment.
Luke paid the bill.
Four cappuccinos cost ¥3,200.
Surely President Yukinoshita would reimburse this club expense.
Still, seeing Yui and Yukino dressed as maids had made the cost somewhat worthwhile.
Luke put the change into his pocket and left beneath the maid's sweet farewell.
"Please visit us again, Master!"
Come to think of it, Mikasa and Annie had fulfilled the requirements of the [Maid Fund Card], earning him additional money.
What would other people need to do before the item recognized them?
Yui's rebellion despite wearing a maid uniform reminded Luke of that question.
...
Night.
Luke finally finished tasting the lychee candy Mikasa had been holding in her mouth.
Tonight belonged to Mikasa.
Mikasa's dark eyes looked soft and affectionate as she rested beside him.
Although they had expressed their affection many times before, she still became shy during intimate moments and preferred to close her eyes while leaning against him.
Luke sat against the headboard and gently stroked her dark hair. Mikasa lightly pressed her head into his palm, enjoying the attention like a contented cat.
Holding his phone in one hand, Luke read Kasumizuki's invitation. She had discovered new information about the cultists and needed his help.
After arranging a meeting time, he put down the phone and looked at Mikasa again.
"Could you help me with something in a few days?"
"Of course. What do you need?"
"Help us capture some cultists. Ordinary police officers can't be involved, so we may be short-handed."
"Mm."
Mikasa nodded without hesitation, her gaze remaining fixed on him.
Naturally, a maid deserved payment for her work.
"How about wearing the maid outfit for me?"
"Okay."
Mikasa changed into the simple Victorian-style maid uniform Luke had bought earlier.
Annie and Mikasa had since added several new maid outfits to the house, including both anime-inspired and traditional Victorian designs.
Mikasa returned in the modest black-and-white uniform.
She leaned over the desk in the room, her hands gripping the hem of the dress as she slowly bunched it up, gradually revealing her white garter stockings and the smooth, toned lines of her legs.
With practiced ease, Luke wrapped an arm around her slender waist, helping her lift the skirt higher as she bent forward to accommodate him.
Mikasa covered her lips with one hand to stifle the sweet sounds escaping her, her eyes closing as they grew increasingly hazy.
"Mm~"
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