Clatter clatter.
The sound of mahjong tiles being shuffled echoed in the Theater.
In less than a minute, Miss Sadako impatiently set up the mahjong table.
Then Natsuki, Chika, Moeha, and finally Miss Sadako, formed a new mahjong group and officially began to enjoy the joy of the national essence.
Mrs. Shimizu didn't want to play mahjong for the time being. Having not entered the Theater for some days, she was now more interested in various snacks and drinks, and was currently eating and reading manga with Yandere Kaguya, also enjoying themselves.
"Don't be afraid, Moeha." Chika said, shuffling mahjong tiles, comforting her younger sister, her voice clear and sweet, "You won't be afraid when Miss Sadako combs her hair up. She's actually super cute."
"I-I understand…"
Moeha nodded timidly, unable to resist looking at Miss Sadako, with a mix of nervousness and curiosity.
A moment later.
Bang!
Miss Sadako pushed the mahjong tiles in front of her, straightened her back, turned to look at Moeha, and even the black hair covering her face began to tremble.
"Eh eh eh?" Moeha immediately became nervous and quickly whispered, "Senpai, what's wrong with Miss Sadako?"
"Don't panic." Natsuki said calmly, "She's thanking you."
"Meow?"
Chika explained from the side:
"Miss Sadako is usually very bad at mahjong; it's basically hard for her to win. You just gave her a winning hand, so she's very happy."
Moeha: "…"
Just how bad is she, to be so happy just from winning one game of mahjong!
The mahjong continued.
Moeha had never played mahjong before, and she was a true novice. She was also sitting upstream from Miss Sadako, sending her many good tiles, so she was greatly favored by Miss Sadako, almost to the point of crying.
Finally, Natsuki couldn't stand it anymore. He successfully won a game of mahjong, then took out a comb and instructed Miss Sadako to comb her hair up.
Although Miss Sadako was an anomaly, she had good sportsmanship and accepted her loss. She obediently picked up the comb and combed her hair up.
As the black hair covering her face parted, revealing a snow-white face underneath, Moeha slowly widened her eyes and said with her mouth slightly open:
"She's really cute!"
Almond eyes, a delicate nose, cherry lips, picturesque features, and a tear mole at the corner of her eye. For some reason, she inexplicably gave off a sense of melancholy like a widow.
Moeha suddenly understood why Miss Sadako covered her face with her hair.
If she didn't let her hair down, being so cute, she wouldn't be able to scare anyone, would she?
"Continue, mahjong continues."
After clearly seeing Miss Sadako's true appearance, Moeha quickly noticed the change in her mindset.
She wasn't afraid anymore.
Now, only a strong sense of curiosity remained.
Humans are indeed creatures who judge by appearance; as long as the other party is cute, even if it's an evil spirit, they won't be afraid.
Natsuki played a few games of mahjong, then gave up his seat, letting Mrs. Shimizu take over, while he went to chat with Yandere Kaguya.
The night passed without incident.
The next day.
"President, good morning…"
Chika yawned and rubbed her eyes as she sat up.
Beside Chika, Moeha was still asleep, lying on her back with her limbs spread out in a large 'X' shape, sleeping soundly, even her pajamas had ridden up.
It seemed that the Fujiwara family's sleeping posture was not very elegant.
"Good morning." Natsuki was already awake and responded softly, "It's only six-thirty, the date is still early, no need to rush."
Chika yawned and got up, saying:
"I'm going to the restroom, I'm not rushing for the date."
After Chika left the room, Natsuki took out his phone, just about to scroll through some news, when he suddenly heard a soft thud.
He turned his head to look. Moeha, at some point, had kicked her leg, actually kicking the quilt off her body.
Hey, hey, you kick the quilt even when you sleep? Are you a child!
Kicking the quilt wasn't a big deal, but Moeha's sleeping posture was very restless, her nightgown was messy, and her bear panties were exposed!
Natsuki sighed helplessly and could only go to Moeha's side, preparing to cover her with the quilt again.
See no evil.
A young junior high student, of course, shouldn't be looked at improperly, especially since Chika would be back soon. He couldn't just leave Moeha lying on her back like that.
However, Natsuki underestimated the stubbornness of a junior high student. As soon as he covered her with the quilt, Moeha kicked again with her foot, pushing the quilt off once more, then puffed out her cheeks and actually reached out to unbutton her nightgown.
As the buttons came undone, the girl's snow-white shoulder immediately appeared in the air.
Seeing that Moeha still wanted to continue, Natsuki had no choice but to grab the junior high student's wrist.
"Hmm…"
Moeha groggily opened one eye, and after clearly seeing Natsuki in front of her, she blinked blankly, her little face immediately flushed crimson at a visible speed, and then she frantically closed her eyes.
Hey, hey, at a time like this, you should be shouting for help immediately, not closing your eyes, right?
Don't think that closing your eyes will prevent you from being taken advantage of; weakness will only make the abuser go further!
"Should I teach Moeha a lesson?"
An impulse arose in Natsuki's heart, but he quickly dismissed it.
Of course not.
Taking advantage of a junior high student would definitely make him lose the last bit of his qualification as a human being.
"You just kicked the quilt off, I was just helping to cover you." Natsuki explained softly, "Don't be afraid."
"I-I believe in Senpai…"
Moeha's small face was flushed, her eyes still tightly closed, and she responded in a soft, stammering voice.
Natsuki then said, "You took off your pajamas yourself just now, not me."
Moeha still had her eyes closed: "I...I believe you..."
Natsuki then said, "I didn't see anything just now."
"Ugh..."
The junior high girl finally let out a shameful cry, "Senpai, please don't say anything more!"
"..."
After breakfast.
Natsuki looked at Chika and asked, "Are we going on a date now?"
"Eh eh?"
Moeha's ears perked up, like a robot cat receiving alien radio signals, instantly becoming alert.
"It's not a date!" Chika said, hands on her hips, her pretty face slightly red, "It's just eating, drinking, and having fun!"
"Yes, yes."
While denying it verbally, secretary Chika was clearly still quite excited, turning to look at Natsuki with anticipation, and asked,
"Where are we going to play today?"
Natsuki said, "When it comes to summer, it's naturally the sea."
"No." Chika quickly shook her head, "After so many days of wilderness survival, I don't want to go to the sea for now."
"That makes sense, then let's cross off the water park too." Natsuki nodded, "How about playing at the amusement park for half a day, participating in a ramen challenge at noon, and watching a movie in the afternoon?"
Chika asked expectantly, "I haven't paid attention to movies recently. Are there any good ones?"
Natsuki asked, "How about watching Miyazaki-sensei's latest work after ten years of retirement, 'How Do You Live?'"
"Eh, eh, eh?" Chika's eyes widened in surprise, "Why haven't I heard of it at all?"
"I only saw it this morning." Natsuki spread his hands, "There was no advancement before its release. I have to say, only Miyazaki-sensei would be so willful."
Chika's eyes lit up: "I want to see it!"
After saying that, Chika looked at Moeha, who was looking on eagerly, and hesitated before asking, "Moeha, do you want to come with us?"
Moeha asked excitedly, "Can I come too?"
"Of course you can." Chika raised her chin, "It's just shopping, it's perfectly fine."
"I'll pass." Moeha blinked and shook her head, "Although I'm really looking forward to Miyazaki-sensei's latest work, I'll watch it another time."
Chika waved her hand and said, "Then the President and I are going out to play."
"Hmm--" Moeha's cheeks immediately puffed up, and she couldn't help but clench her small fists, "Sister, why don't you invite me again!"
"..."
Next, it was naturally time for eating, drinking, and having fun.
The amusement park trip needs no further mention; before they knew it, it was noon. After lunch together, the two went to the cinema to watch a movie.
Because there was no advancement, not many people were watching the movie. Natsuki and Chika sat in a corner and quietly watched the entire film.
The plot was actually not complicated. The background was Tokyo during World War II, and the protagonist was a student. His mother died in the Tokyo air raid at the beginning, and the family left Tokyo to seek refuge. During this period, his Dad remarried, his stepmother became pregnant, he was isolated after transferring schools, and so on. Then, the protagonist's ordinary life suddenly took on an extraordinary color when a talking heron approached him and said, 'Your mother is still alive and is waiting for you to save her,' thus beginning an adventure in an incredible world.
"It's over." Chika exhaled lightly, hugging Natsuki's arm, and whispered, "It really is a very interesting work. If you have a wish in life, you should really fulfill it as soon as possible."
Natsuki looked at Chika and whispered, "Since that's the case, shouldn't that wish you promised be fulfilled now?"
"Eh?" Chika was startled, "What wish?"
"Shadow Chika's wish." Natsuki said solemnly, "At least we still remember her existence and her wish."
"Her...her wish..."
Chika's pretty face quickly flushed, clearly remembering her past promise.
Natsuki said, "Without further ado, time waits for no one. Shall we fulfill Shadow Chika's wish today?"
"How could it be fulfilled today!" Chika's face was flushed, and she couldn't help but pinch Natsuki, "That kind of wish can wait!"
"..."
After watching the movie and having dinner together, the date temporarily ended.
Natsuki and Chika each went home.
There was no conversation along the way.
When Natsuki reached his doorstep, he suddenly noticed a faint light coming from inside the house, and he couldn't help but raise his eyebrows.
"Strange, did Kaguya come back?"
During dinner in the evening, Natsuki had sent a message to Kaguya. The power struggle in Shinomiya was still ongoing, and she wouldn't be able to return anytime soon.
"It shouldn't be Kaguya."
Natsuki pushed the door open in confusion and saw two girls kneeling on either side of the entrance, both with their hands clasped over their lower bellies, sitting upright.
The girl on the left had waist-length black hair, wore a white maid outfit, had a slender and graceful figure, wore a white cat ear hairpin on her head, and had a white cat tail behind her.
The girl on the right had waist-length blonde hair, also wore a maid outfit, but it was black, and the Kuroneko ear hairpin on her head trembled, with a Kuroneko tail behind her.
It was none other than Marin and Sayu.
"Hello, sir, did you order the catgirl maid housekeeping service?"
Marin looked up with her pretty face and asked with a smile.
"Maid housekeeping service..."
Natsuki's mouth twitched slightly, feeling a strange sense of familiarity.
He remembered.
Two days ago, when he was on a date with Juju, they were browsing the adult section of a bookstore in Akihabara and saw a newly released doujinshi. The content was roughly about an app where, once you made enough purchases, you could enjoy special housekeeping services, and even specify the appearance and figure...
You two clearly saw that doujinshi too, that's why you're here to provide housekeeping services!
"..."
Natsuki was silent for two seconds, then suddenly took half a step back.
"Eh?" Sayu thought he was angry and quickly tried to get up, "Master..."
"Don't move yet." Natsuki stopped her with his hand, taking out his phone with the other, "Let me take a few photos first... Returning home to find two uninvited catgirl maids, it's truly a dream-like opening. I must take photos to remember this."
Sayu: "..."
Sure enough, she had overthought it.
Natsuki was so lewd that he wouldn't care about her and Marin entering the house without notice.
Click, click.
Natsuki took several photos in a row, then put away his phone with satisfaction, walked into the house, closed the door behind him, and then said with a smile, "That's right, I ordered the catgirl maid housekeeping service. Please take good care of me tonight."
Marin stood up and said seriously, "I apologize, we are hourly workers and currently only provide one hour of housekeeping service. Please extend your payment if you wish to hire us for the night."
"Definitely extending."
Natsuki said as he reached out, wanting to hug Marin.
"Please respect yourself, sir." Marin took half a step back to evade, raised her chin, revealing her fair, slender neck, and said seriously, "We are proper maids."
"Proper maids?"
Natsuki's gaze shifted downwards, landing on Marin and Sayu's absolute territory.
It wasn't noticeable when they were kneeling, but now that they stood up, he realized how unusually short the maid skirts were. Between the girls' skirts and stockings, there was a dazzlingly white absolute territory.
Proper maids' skirts wouldn't be that short!
"N-No, that's right." Sayu's pretty face was slightly red, one hand covering her skirt, standing in line with Marin, "We are proper maids."
"Alright." Natsuki raised his right hand, starting to get into character, "May I ask how to purchase improper housekeeping services?"
Marin said with her hands on her hips,
"Please explore that yourself, sir."
"Understood." Natsuki smiled, "Then I shall explore it myself."
"Miss Maid." Natsuki looked at Marin, handing over the shopping bag in his hand, "Please take the fruits inside to the kitchen, wash them clean, no problem, right?"
"...Of course, no problem."
Marin agreed.
Housework was indeed a maid's duty.
While Marin was walking into the kitchen, Natsuki grabbed Sayu, who was trying to slip away, and said seriously, "Miss Maid, you have new chores to do. Please stay."
When Marin was by her side, Sayu could still act tough, but now that she was left alone, she immediately softened:
"Sir..."
"Hm?" Natsuki raised an eyebrow, "What did you call me?"
Sayu's pretty face was flushed. She secretly glanced at the kitchen and called out softly,
"Master."
Natsuki put on a stern face and said, "Wrong. Again."
"Ugh..." Sayu's pretty face turned crimson, and she could only change her address again, "Dad~"
"That's right." Natsuki asked curiously, "Didn't you say this was a one-time thing, and no more?"
Natsuki didn't mind Sayu and Marin's sudden raid. He had sent messages during the day, and both of them knew that Kaguya was at Shinomiya these past few days, so playing all night was not a problem.
However, Natsuki was curious that the two were still willing to play poker together.
Upon hearing this, Sayu's pretty face became even redder, clearly remembering what happened that night at the hot spring hotel. She stammered softly,
"Marin-chan's Dad is coming home."
"What?" Natsuki was startled, then quickly realized, "Obon Festival?"
Japan has two major traditional festivals: one is New Year, when the whole family reunites, and the second is the Obon Festival in August each year, mainly for ancestor worship.
Marin's mother had passed away, and her Dad worked in the southern country. His work was hard, and he could basically only come home for Obon Festival and New Year.
It was already August, and calculating the days, Marin's Dad was indeed coming home.
"Marin's Dad seems to be coming back the day after tomorrow." Sayu explained softly, her pretty face flushed, "After he comes back, Marin will go back to her hometown with her Dad to visit the graves, and she won't be able to see Master for several days, so she wanted to come over and play."
Natsuki asked, perplexed, "Just come over and play, why call you too?"
Sayu's eyelashes fluttered slightly, and she whispered, "Marin-chan said if it was just her, her voice would be hoarse tomorrow... Uncle will definitely call her these two days, and if he hears her voice is hoarse, he'll definitely worry, so she called me to help."
As expected of good sisters, at a critical moment, you still have to step forward to take the hit!
Natsuki said, speechless, "She called you for help and you came? Don't you mind?"
"No."
Sayu shook her head gently, raised her pretty face, her eyes sparkling, and said in a clear voice, "As long as Master is happy, I can do anything."
Natsuki sighed, "You make it very difficult for me."
"Huh?"
Sayu looked up, puzzled.
Natsuki said, "If this continues, you'll spoil me into becoming completely evil."
With Sayu's personality, if Natsuki were to completely blacken and fall one day, Sayu would most likely choose to help him do evil.
Sayu stretched out her arms and wrapped them around Natsuki's neck: "Master is my everything."
Clap.
Natsuki reached out and gently patted her, commanding, "Go run the bathwater, I want to bathe."
Sayu covered her hands behind her back and obediently turned to the bathroom: "Master, please wait, I'll be right there."
A moment later.
Sayu came out of the bathroom: "Master, the bathwater is ready."
Natsuki asked, "Which of you will help me scrub my back?"
"I'm sorry."
Marin said seriously, "We are proper maids, we don't provide back-scrubbing services, unless..."
Natsuki said, "Unless what?"
Marin smiled, "Unless this gentleman has a special service voucher."
Natsuki raised his hand and asked, "How do I get a voucher?"
"It's simple..."
Marin extended a slender, fair finger, her pretty face slightly flushed, and said, "As long as Natsuki does this and that..."