Yomogi Yakura and Chieri Umezato

Hnngh...! J-Just a little farther...!

A union leader should be able to handle something like this...!

Nngh... Nnnghhhh...!

Um, Cherie-san...? Raika-san is asking if the plates are ready yet...

I know...! I'm almost there! Just a little more and I'll reach it...!

Oh, it was on the top shelf of the cupboard. Here you go.

Wha...!?

Yomogi, what kind of sorcery did you use?! You got taller for a second, didn't you!?

Huh!? I just reached up and took it down...!

Chieri has never had to look up at Yomogi. That must mean we're about the same height...!

How can Yomogi, one of Chieri's subordinates, reach it when Chieri, their union leader, can't?!

Ah... Maybe it's because I usually slouch...? I probably straightened up when I reached for the plate.

Slouching...!

So that's it... Your usual hunched-up look was only a disguise!

Yomogi, hiding your true form from Chieri is unfair!

I'm sorry...! I guess I made myself look shorter than I really am~!!

From now on, you should stand proudly at your full height. Just like Chieri!

Look at this posture! My back's arrow-straight, and my aura is absolutely magnificent!

Yomogi can follow Chieri's example!

I-I'll... do my best...

Your eyes are darting all over the place!

A-Anyway! Raika-san and the others are waiting. Shouldn't we take the plates in...?

No... Yomogi, put that plate back where you found it.

Huh? Aren't we going to use it?

We are! But Chieri has to be the one to get it!

There's nothing Chieri's subordinates can do that Chieri can't! Now, hurry!

Eep...!? But won't the food get cold...?

It's fine! Chieri will finish this battle in a flash!

All right then... There, I've put it back.

I'll head to the dining room first, Cherie-san.

Wha...?! You don't want a front-row seat to Chieri's greatness!?

Do I...?

Of course! You're Chieri's subordinate, after all!

All right, here I go... Hup!! Nnngh...!

Um... Wouldn't standing on a chair be an option...?

N-Not an option! Nnngh... Just a little more...!

For my starving subordinates... Chieri, as their leader, must... get this plate...!

For us...!? But we're waiting for you, Cherie-san...!?

Nnngh... Oh! My finger caught the edge of the plate...!

Cherie-san, that's dangerous!! I'll get the plate, so please stop~!!

Fwaaaah... Huh? It's already evening...

A day spent ping-ponging between "Onishigu" and social media... Guhuhuhu...!

Yomogi!! What are you doing?!

Eeeeeek!!

Ch-Cherie-san...! You yelled so suddenly, you made me yell too...!

Of course I yelled. Yomogi, you haven't moved an inch from there all day!

I-I did move, technically... I got up for meals, at least...

Chieri left for work just before noon. You were lying there in that exact same position then, Yomogi.

As the union leader, Chieri can't just overlook a subordinate lazing around like this!

B-But! Today's a day off, and a day off is supposed to be a "day to rest"...

Day off, day off... Yomogi, every day is practically a day off for you!

Oof...!! I'm sorry for always demanding rest when I'm too weak to even fulfill my duties as a student...!

*Sigh*... What a hopeless subordinate.

Yomogi. We're going out together!

N-Now...!? But it'll be dark soon...!

But the day isn't over yet!

We'll turn this lazy day of yours around, starting now, Yomogi. We're heading into town to tell everyone how amazing the Chieri Union is!

As the Chieri Union's first-ever subordinate, it's your duty, Yomogi!

Huh...?

Whaaaat!? I'm the first subordinate!? Since when!?

The day Chieri came to P-Stay. Don't you remember?

I-I could never forget! You were talking about a union and subordinates the first time we met...!

That's right... That was the day the Chieri Union began. Chieri held her very first subordinate induction ceremony right at the front door.

Raika kept going on with that whole "We're family, so~" thing... But you were different, weren't you, Yomogi?

Huh...?

You were so overwhelmed by Chieri's incredible aura that you couldn't even speak! You were trembling with emotion!!

...!!

That was when Chieri made up her mind. Chieri needed to take proper care of her very first subordinate.

Aren't you happy? Your union leader is doing all this for you! You're moved too, aren't you?!

Nngh... I can't tell her...

(I can't tell her I was so terrified my heart was about to burst when we first met that my mind went completely blank...!)

Are you speechless again? You really do get moved so easily, Yomogi!

If Chieri's words moved you that much, let's head outside just like this! We'll go spread the word about how great Chieri is!

W-Wait, please! I can't keep up with Cherie-san's positive spin~!

It's all right. I brought the oxygen spray. This is for you, Yomogi, so we're keeping it to a walk around the neighborhood today!

Oof... That smile is blinding...!

(It's hopeless... I'm such a feeble little nobody. I can't compete with her... It's been this way ever since we first met...!)

Come on, Yomogi! Keep dawdling, and Chieri will drag you there!

P-Please, at least let me get changed firstttt!!

Mmm...

Mmmmmm...

Phew... That was a nice bath~!

That took forever!!!

Eeeeeek!! Sorry, sorry! But what did I do~!?

The bath! The bath!! How many hours were you planning on staying in there?!

Huh!? I-I thought I took about as long as I always do...!

Chieri got home from work at nine o'clock. And what time is it now?

A little after t-ten...

Exactly! How does anyone take a whole hour in the bath?!

Don't get mad at meee! I just got all nice and relaxed...!

Well... that's true, but...

But Chieri's been waiting this whole time! At least tell Chieri why!

I-I just... like taking my time in the bath...

And I like taking my time with videos and scrolling through social media too...

You bring your phone into the bath...!? It's going to get ruined!

I-I put it in a waterproof pouch...

You go that far just to use your phone in the bath...!?

Honestly... Why do you have to do this on the one day Chieri comes home tired from work?

I... I always take my bath at this time...! Ever since I moved into the dorm...!

What?

You used to take your bath earlier when you were working at "Nest," Cherie-san, so you just never noticed...

Getting mad at me about it now is kind of unfair... I mean...!

C-Chieri worked hard today too. Sometimes Chieri wants to get in the bath early, okay?!

You never told me what your work shifts were, Cherie-san...!

Even if you expect me to read your mind, my wimpy little brain can't do thattt~!

Wha...!

Chieri thought it was only natural for a subordinate to know everything about Chieri...!

Perfectly syncing my routine to Cherie-san's is way too hard~!

Chieri could say the same thing! Why should Chieri have to work around Yomogi's schedule?!

Ugh, I can't even take a bath whenever I want...!

Chieri wants to take a bath whenever Chieri wants to!

Mmm...! Uuugh...!

This calls for an emergency meeting of the Chieri Union!

Everyday problems are what meetings are for! As expected of the union leader, Chieri's mind is razor-sharp!

That's not fairrr! It's not like anyone's going to take my side...!

Don't worry! Chieri will take the subordinates' opinions and pull together something amazing!

That just means Cherie-san gets the final say, doesn't it!?

Raikaaa! Miku and Shizuku too! Chieri Union, emergency meeting in the living room!

P-Please hear me out toooo!