MOST BEAUTIFUL MAID

I finally have some free time for once.

Just as I'm about to lie down on the couch and relax,

I notice the pile of luggage I still haven't unpacked since my trip to the beach.

I really can't be bothered to deal with it, but...

If I don't do it now, who knows when I'll get another chance?

...

All right, let's do it.

I start unpacking.

I find something that isn't mine among my clothes.

It's a maid outfit.

How'd this...?

Oh right, I remember now.

I recall something that happened not too long ago.

I was just packing up.

We're heading back soon, right?

It looks like a maid outfit.

Yeah, but what it's doing here...?

You did? Why?

Grave pulls out one outfit after another.

A bunny girl outfit, a school uniform, a gym outfit, a cheerleading uniform, a uniform...

H-hang on. Why are there so many?

And when did I ever say I liked clothes like these...?

I make eye contact with Rapi, who's packing her things a little ways away.

Rapi nods and gives me a thumbs-up.

...

No, I don't hate them...

Grave brings over a giant mirror.

Cinderella stands in front of the mirror, holding different outfits up to herself.

... This is bad.

It's getting my imagination going.

Then, you could...

Never mind.

!

Wait... you're actually going to wear the maid outfit?

Nothing. Just asking...

With that, the two of them leave with the maid outfit in hand.

... This is bad.

I'm really looking forward to it.

...!

Oh, sorry.

You look beautiful. It looks really good on you.

But something doesn't quite feel right...

Like a strawberry cake without the strawberries.

Like something very important is missing.

I get it now. So that's what was missing.

I wasn't talking about your appearance.

You're wearing a maid outfit,

but you're not acting like a maid. It just feels a little off.

So, why don't we start with what you call me?

As long as you're wearing that maid outfit, you're a maid.

So call me Master, not Prince.

I briefly explain the relationship between maids and their masters,

as well as the Maid Cafe where they work.

Yeah, exactly.

Shortly after, a small table and chairs are set up on the beach.

Sure, let's try it with you as the customer.

I'll play the maid and serve you first.

We'll work on the cooking afterward.

Cinderella takes a seat naturally.

With Ade, the model maid, in mind, I greet her as warmly as I can.

Welcome back, Miss.

I remember what Ade told me.

That's because you're not coming to a cafe. You're coming home.

I said it that way because I want you to feel comfortable here, like this is your home.

Thank you, Miss.

What would you like to order?

Just as I'm about to hand her a menu...

If you take a look at the menu here...

The most beautiful thing...?

Shortly after, Grave returns with mirrors of all shapes and sizes.

Then, she places them around Cinderella, both large and small.

Cinderella looks at her reflection in the mirrors and smiles with satisfaction.

...

Next up is cooking.

Let's try making omurice, a staple on the Maid Cafe menu.

I teach Cinderella and Grave how to make omurice.

The two of them start making omurice.

A little while later...

Grave quickly and skillfully finishes hers.

On the other hand, Cinderella's is...

That's because you've got it on high heat.

Turn it down to low.

... It won't spread out if you just leave it there.

I place my hand over Cinderella's as she holds the pan handle.

You just have to tilt it like this...

I tilt the frying pan, letting the egg mixture spread out evenly.

Think you can do it on your own now?

Okay...

I tilt the frying pan again.

Once more?

I tilt the frying pan yet again.

Cinderella recoils in surprise.

And so, our hands naturally come apart.

Cinderella fidgets with her hand for a moment,

then lets Grave help her finish the omurice.

We're almost done.

All you have to do is draw something in ketchup.

It's kind of a special service maids do for their masters.

Grave picks up the ketchup and starts drawing.

Before long, she finishes a great drawing of Cinderella's face.

Wow, it'd be such a shame to eat that.

Cinderella starts drawing with ketchup too.

Before long, she has created something completely unrecognizable.

... What's that?

Me?

...

I take another look, wondering if something's wrong with my eyes.

But no matter how many times I look, I still can't make out what it is.

Lastly... you have to recite the spell that makes the food taste better.

I raise my hands and makes a heart with my fingers.

Become tastier!

Coochie woochie, boing! ♡

It's not embarrassing.

It's a very important pose that turns your affection into flavor.

Grave raises both hands and makes a heart with her fingers.

I've never heard the spell recited in such a dry tone before.

Cinderella and I take a bite of Grave's omurice.

...!

It's amazing!

Cinderella raises both hands and makes a heart with her fingers.

...!

That was so cute.

Grave and I take a bite of Cinderella's omurice.

...!

It's so salty.

...?

I take another bite.

Kegh!

It's so salty.

... You really think it's good?

Okay...

Grave and I finish the omurice.

Oh, right.

No kidding.

Well, nothing we can do about it. Still, that was fun.

I'm gonna go finish packing.

Rapi and I head toward the boat.

My bags are all packed, and I've finished showering.

Perfect. Now all I have to do is head back to my room and get some sleep...

?

Oh, sorry.

I think I came to the wrong room...

just as I'm about to turn and leave.

That's... true.

All right, then. I'm counting on you.

Oh, yeah.

Can you hand me that towel? I'll dry it real quick.

Cinderella takes me by the hand and leads me to a chair, then sits me down.

She drapes the towel over my head and starts drying my hair,

almost as if she were giving me a massage.

Mm...

Every time Cinderella leans forward, her hair grazes the back of my neck.

Her warm breath brushes against the top of my head. She smells nice.

... Cinderella.

I-I think you can stop now.

It'll dry on its own soon enough.

Only then does Cinderella step back.

Cinderella wrote my name in ketchup, along with a big heart.

Yeah, it's great.

Cinderella raises both hands and makes a heart with her fingers.

...!

It's the second time I've seen it, and it still does a number on my heart.

Thanks. Don't mind if I do.

Cinderella snatches the spoon from my hand

and scoops up a big spoonful of omurice.

Ahh...

...!

This is really good. It's seriously amazing.

After finishing all the omurice Cinderella feeds me...

That was great.

Cinderella seems to be preparing something else, but...

I'm getting drowsy after eating so much.

...

Cinderella takes my hand and leads me over to the bed, where I sit on the edge.

She pats her lap.

?!

This... doesn't seem like something a maid would offer.

I hesitate for a moment, then slowly lay my head in Cinderella's lap.

I close my eyes.

Cinderella starts running her fingers through my hair.

I open my eyes.

I reach out and run my hand through Cinderella's curtain of hair.

No, yours is definitely softer.

Of course.

You're beautiful in more ways than one.

A reward? Like what?

Cinderella leans in closer

Her face comes closer again.

This time, she lingers longer.

...

I push Cinderella down onto the bed.

I should be the one returning the favor.

After all, you gave me such wonderful service.

I lean closer to Cinderella.

Can I?