“—sama…? Please wake up. Reito-sama…? Breakfast is getting cold…”

…Hmm? A whispering voice tickled my ear…

Is someone trying to wake me up…?

Or is it a dream…?

Oh well. It’s comfortable. Just a little longer… snore…

“Naoko. Whispering in his ear isn't going to work.”

“Um, I thought he might be startled if I suddenly shouted…”

“You’re so kind, Naoko. But you’re supposed to be waking the young master, not putting him back to sleep, aren’t you?”

“I know, but…”

“Honestly… Perhaps making you his personal maid was too soon?”

“Hmph, that’s not true! I’ll work hard and get used to it!”

“Yes, you will. So, to help you learn, shall I demonstrate how to wake him up today? Young master, please wake up.”

“Zzz…”

“Young master, please wake up. Or else, what happens to your lower half… No, perhaps I should just do it now.”

“What are you going to do!?”

The sudden cryptic threat jolted me awake.

“Good morning, young master. Today is your second day at school.”

“Oh, uh… good morning…”

For some reason, I slipped into formal speech.

Standing before me, with her usual dignified posture, was Kyoko, the head maid.

And there was another person.

I glanced to the side… and my eyes widened.

Because…

“G-Good morning, Reito-sama!”

Naoko bowed her head, her voice a little high-pitched.

She was… wearing a maid uniform.

Dressed in a long, black and white skirt, it wasn’t a costume. She looked like a proper maid. It really suited her.

I knew Naoko would be replacing Kyoko as my personal maid starting today.

But I hadn’t imagined her in a maid uniform…

Like the other maids, her uniform was modest, covering most of her skin.

But that's good!

More than anything, the situation—a beautiful classmate wearing a maid uniform and acting as my personal maid in the mansion—was quite thrilling for a guy.

Well, as the villain, I shouldn't be enjoying this.

However, the original Reito, despite his harassment, didn't seem to have forced her to wear a revealing, miniskirt-type maid outfit with a plunging neckline.

Well, if the fabric was too skimpy, it wouldn't be a maid uniform, would it? It seems the original Reito had a particular appreciation for the classic style.

“Um, Reito-sama…”

“Hmm?”

Lost in thought, I noticed Naoko, who had been standing next to Kyoko, step forward and look at me directly.

“Once again, thank you for making me your personal maid. I will do my best to serve you starting today!”

“I see. But you remember what I told you, right?”

“Y-Yes! I won’t overexert myself!”

Naoko’s clear reply brought a look of relief to not only me but Kyoko as well.

Still, Naoko seemed like the type to push herself unconsciously.

“Kyoko, I’m counting on you too.”

“Yes.”

As the head maid. And as Naoko’s older sister, to make sure she doesn't overdo it…

My intentions seemed to have gotten through, as Kyoko nodded firmly.

◆◆

The car stopped in a quiet alleyway, deserted of people. Naoko and I checked to make sure no one was around before getting out.

“Shall we go then, Reito-sama… I mean, Reito-san, from here on.”

“Yeah. I’m counting on you, Naoko.”

“Yes.”

Seeing Naoko’s serious expression, I steeled myself.

There was no telling where the flags leading to my doom were hidden in this school life!

We passed through the school gates and walked across the spacious grounds.

Yesterday, surrounded by my mother, the maids, and a female bodyguard, I hadn’t been able to relax or take in my surroundings.

Cherry blossoms bloomed on the trees lining the path. Petals danced in the breeze.

Ah, it really felt like my school life had begun.

“Wow, beautiful…”

Glancing over, I saw Naoko’s face light up as she watched the cherry blossom petals.

Yes, yes, this bright expression was much better than the wary one from our first meeting.

“…”

“…”

We continued walking, neither of us initiating conversation.

This was because Naoko was supposed to be a support role, and we were pretending to be meeting for the first time.

If we chatted away like old friends, it would raise suspicion, so we were keeping our interactions to a minimum. Even walking side-by-side, we maintained a certain distance.

We weren't doing anything particularly strange… but I still felt the gazes of many female students following us.

“He really is a boy…”

“This is the first time I’ve been glad to be attending this school~”

“He’s rather cute…”

Yeah, I was definitely attracting attention.

Even as we reached the entrance, we were still surrounded by girls.

“I think he’s my type…”

“Is the girl next to him the support person we’ve heard about?”

“The girl is quite cute too…”

“It would be bad to approach him right away…”

The increased attention compared to yesterday was probably because upperclassmen were present now. And there were no boys in the third or second year.

It was a former all-girls school, so the scarcity of males was understandable… but being stared at this much just for walking around… Certainly, it would make a guy feel self-conscious.

However, I wasn't in a position to be self-conscious.

Even with all the stares, I didn’t shrink back… In fact, I acted as if I was completely at ease.

“Heh.”

I smiled at a female student who happened to meet my eyes.

“Eh…?”

“No way…”

“Did he just… at me…?”

The girls there were all surprised—eyes widening, mouths agape.

They probably didn’t expect me, one of the few males (in this school), to do something like that.

I was the villain, but I thought it wouldn’t hurt to retaliate like this once in a while.

“Um, Reito-sama…”

“Hmm?”

Ah, Naoko's back to calling me "-sama". Should I correct her?

“Reito-sama… please, don't push yourself too hard, okay?”

“Huh?”

At Naoko’s words, I tilted my head in confusion.

◇Brief Character Introduction◇

Nijo Naoko

A beautiful girl with fluffy flaxen hair and blue eyes. She serves as both a support role and Reito's personal maid. Naturally cheerful and hardworking, she tends to become awkward around boys she's not comfortable with. Lately, she seems to be developing an interest in Reito.