Chapter 7 - Konoe Subaru
J: "Good morning, Kanade-ojousama."
March 14th.
Right in the midst of Spring Break, I knock on her door and greet her as usual.
S: "Good morning, Jirou-kun."
The door promptly opened and out came the only daughter of Rouran School's board chairman — Suzutsuki Kanade.
J: "Kanade-ojousama. Did you sleep well last night?"
I said it in the politest manner possible, and Kanade responded with "Ugh..." as she breathed a sigh.
S: "...I hate this feeling."
J: "Hm? Are you not feeling well? If so, we should hurry to the hosp..."
S: "That's not it! I figured as much. You using honorifics with me feels so out of place."
J: "Even if you say something like that..."
S: "This is what I'm talking about! As your mistress, I order it, Jirou-kun."
Tsun.
She poked at the chest of my butler uniform with her fingertip.
S: "Stop using honorifics this instant!"
J: "Kanade-ojousama. As your butler, abiding by that order would be..."
S: "Kyaa!!! Save me, Ichigo! Jirou-kun is using his position as butler to wake me in a lewd manner!"
J: "...!!! I got it! I got it, so shut up, Suzutsuki!"
S: "Aaaaah!! Stop! No! Jirou-kun, if you do that! Your skill is surprisingly...!"
J: "Stop the weird act!"
This life is too much for me, so I went back to the tone I used to speak in.
Devil Suzutsuki. I can't believe she'd do something this ridiculous so early in the morning. Does she want to shorten my lifespan as her butler?
S: "Ufufu. As expected, this way suits you better."
J: "Is that so. I mean, aren't you used to this sort of thing? I've been a butler here for two months already."
S: "Butler? What are you talking about, Apprentice-san."
Suzutsuki giggled while teasing me.
Damn it... Truthfully, I can't refute that... She knows what she's saying.
I am... an apprentice butler.
That is my — Sakamachi Kinjirou's — true position.
J: "I mean, you shouldn't yell for Ichigo-san, even if you're half joking!"
S: "Oh my, why is that?"
J: "If she actually came, it'd be nothing to joke about!"
That maid's Ojousama Love would kick in if she heard that call for help just now. It might end up like a mafia betrayal with a public execution in the street. Mine, that is.
S: "Sorry!"
However.
As she apologized, Suzutsuki stuck out her cute tongue.
S: "Seems it's too late."
J: "......"
Instantly, in an appeal of non-resistance, I threw up both my arms.
In that moment, something cold was thrust onto the back of my neck from behind.
Chainsaw.
No, for now, it seems like it's just the flat of the chainsaw. There's only one person in this household who would use such a dangerous thing.
"Apprentice-san."
From behind, an emotion-less, robot-like voice resounded.
I timidly looked over my shoulder with my hands still raised. There she was in a maid uniform along her unique eye patch fashion.
Saotome Ichigo.
The appearance of the Suzutsuki household's maid.
I: "Just now, I had a feeling. Was I hearing Kanade-ojousama's bitter cry for help?"
J: "N... no... could it have been your imagination?"
I: "I heard something like, 'Agh, aah, Jirou-kun... if you got along with Ichigo...'"
J: "You were obviously just hearing things!"
I: "Really. Is you and I together... disagreeable? Perhaps if I dealt with you right here then Ojousama and I..."
J: "Umm, Ichigo-san? You're really frightening. For now, could you lower your chainsaw?"
I: "NO. Today I can use it since it's a safe day."
J: "What kind of day?!"
I: "Trash disposal day."
J: "......"
Terrifyingly, Ichigo-san had a completely serious look in her eye.
Is this what they call workplace harassment? No, I get the feeling this is more like a murder warning than workplace harassment. The idea of being disassembled and brought to the trash dump is really unsettling, so I should explain quickly.
J: "C... calm down. For example, how about you try listening to the opinions of the other servants?"
I: "The other servants?"
J: "Yeah, so you can make a fair assessment."
I: "Yes. Now that you mention it, the chef did say 'When you go out, could you bring me the ingredients to make fried chicken for lunch?'"
J: "This house seriously has no decent servants!"
By the way, that chef's name is Samejima Kosame.
Delinquent, pervert, lolicon. The female chef who meets the three main requirements for being detestable. Fried chicken, huh. Obviously I'm the candidate. They aren't Dr. Lecter so I wish they'd stop with these bad jokes. Seriously.
S: "Alright, alright. Stop fighting you two. Besides, weren't you going to help prepare breakfast, Ichigo? Please do your best."
I: "Yes. Certainly, Kanade-ojousama."
Ichigo respectfully bowed and departed. Every day since coming here, my mornings always feel this way.
Waking up on time is a fault of mine, though I've tried to get better these last two months. And if I do end up oversleeping, Ichigo gives me a good punishing. The instant I heard, "Worker-san. I have 120 different forms of punishment, which would you prefer?" I swore in my heart that I must never oversleep.
S: "Well, let's head to the dining table."
J: "As you wish, Kanade-ojousama."
S: "Oh, honorifics again? But, maybe you calling me 'Kanade-ojousama' does make me a little happy... it truly amuses my sadistic side."
J: "The same pleasant personality as always, Kanade-ojousama."
S: "Ufufu. Isn't is natural? I am your mistress, after all."
"Well, let's go, Jirou-kun," she said and we walked down the hallway. I stayed one step behind her as we went.
Huh, this feeling.
It felt like this since the first day I started as an apprentice butler.
-------
First off, I didn't become a butler, but was given the challenge of being an apprentice butler.
My fight with the old man.
The outcome was... a draw. As Konoe put it, in the last moment my final hit seemed to knock him out. In the same moment, we expended all of our strength and went down together. Consequently, the outcome of the challenge was a double knockdown and a draw.
I think just being able to knock him over was a miracle. Anyhow, I can only recall the leap and the hit, and yet somehow I was able to achieve a draw.
But the end isn't perfectly clear.
Given the outcome, once things calmed down, I only received the halfway position of apprentice butler in the Suzutsuki household. I was told that to become a proper butler I must go through what they called butler training.
To be honest, I think this way is better.
If I won against the old man, I'd only be an amateur butler. If I start this way as an apprentice butler, I think it will better prepare me for the real thing.
Thus.
The following day after the battle, I took up residence in the Suzutsuki household. Here I can study the fundamentals of being a butler while still attending school.
And right now we're on Spring Break.
An ordinary student would be enjoying the holiday, but that doesn't apply to me as an apprentice butler.
S: "You still have a ways to go, Jirou-kun. Your tea is far from the quality Subaru would make for me."
It was just after 9 A.M.
Suzutsuki criticized me while drinking my tea in the living room where a magnificent chandelier was hung.
J: "Ah... sorry."
S: "Well, it can't be helped. You are still in training. To speak openly, I'd say your stalemate with Nagare and becoming an apprentice butler was quite the accomplishment."
J: "...Um. I think it was just luck."
On that day, I knocked out the old man.
According to Kureha, he had the same strength level as mom. She even said I couldn't win, and yet I was able to end it with a draw. It certainly couldn't have been anything except for luck.
S: "What are you saying, Jirou-kun?"
Hm.
Suzutsuki completely denied what I said.
S: "You used your true strength to tie with Nagare."
J: "Huh? Your flattery won't work on me. My true strength is obviously just luck."
S: "No, that's not it. It wasn't luck that beat Nagare, but your own strength. I heard it from both Nagare and Kureha after the fight. I was able to resolve a lingering doubt I had been pondering since the last day of summer vacation."
J: "Doubt?"
S: "Yes. I wondered, 'Why did Nagare violate my orders when we were at Leisure Land?' Before, as I said at the shrine, he was ordered not to hurt you to that extent."
J: "Seemed typical. After all, doesn't he hate me?"
Protecting his own family.
Like the old man said, I was a lot like him in his younger days. So he unintentionally went all out.
S: "That's wrong. Nagare didn't come out of that okay. Do you remember? At Leisure Land you managed to get in just that one strike."
J: "Yeah, I guess so..."
But that didn't even phase him.
He ended up getting really violent at that point.
S: "Yes. It seems like that one strike injured him."
J: "...huh?"
I suddenly gave her a puzzled look.
S: "Do you still not understand? Basically, your hit was enough for Nagare to let you pass. You hit him on the side of his abdomen, correct? Because of that, I suspect his ribs were injured. Maybe even cracked."
J: "Cracked? Seriously?!"
S: "Yes. Because of that, Nagare became terribly violent and ignored my orders. I thought he had lost control of himself. Because his goal at the time had been to fight Subaru in order to cure her fear of knives, having you as his opponent sent him over the edge."
J: "......But, at the time it never looked like the old man was injured. He was laughing like some big villain."
S: "Seriously, Jirou-kun, you have a bad memory. The one who was in charge of his kidnapper voice at the time was none other than myself, Suzutsuki Kanade. Didn't I explain this back home after the incident? That's why even though Nagare was injured, his voice still sounded healthy."
J: "......"
What... the? Was the old man just testing my true strength since the very beginning?
J: "Even so, that's crazy! I mean, I've never even been able to beat Kureha."
S: "That's right. After the incident at Leisure Land, you have fought with Kureha-chan and Subaru, right? However, you couldn't beat them. Regarding that, Kureha-chan told me the reason why."
J: "Reason?"
S: "Yes, Jirou-kun. I thought it was just your weakness against girls, however..."
S: "You never took them seriously as opponents."
J: "......"
No, no, no.
She said it so abruptly.
J: "Quit messing with me! I was always serious! If not, Kureha would have killed me!"
S: "But, Kureha-chan didn't think you were. She told me, 'Whenever he passes out, Oniisan is just going easy on me and mother.'"
J: "Ugh..."
That's not how it is, not like she said. I recalled something Kureha had said during one our special trainings.
"You can't give up! You still aren't being serious, Oniisan!"
Those were definitely Kureha's words.
That is... I mean...
S: "Up until now you've been punched and kicked and beaten by Kureha-chan. Still, you always seemed to maintained your composure. Because... You're the man of the Sakamachi house. For 10 years you've had martial arts training. If that's the case, shouldn't you be able to give your sibling, Kureha-chan, a decent fight?"
J: "No, it's just that..."
S: "Furthermore, you couldn't win against Subaru either. I think you didn't take it seriously because Kureha-chan and Subaru are your friends. No, that's wrong. You couldn't fight seriously because you knew that Subaru was a girl."
What is she trying to say?
Suzutsuki raised the tea cup to her lips and then continued.
S: "You don't take fights with girls seriously because you're a feminist bastard."
J: "...are you purposefully trying to sound like my sister?"
S: "Well, should I correct myself and say you unconsciously go easy on girls because you're a nice guy?"
J: "Ugh... that makes it sound really shameful..."
But, do I really not get serious when fighting a girl? I don't really understand why myself, but... dad's death is the only reason I can think of.
When dad died, I became the only man in the Sakamachi household.
Because of that, maybe I thought I wouldn't be able to stand beside mom and Kureha to protect them as a man.
So... whenever they fought me, I unconsciously wouldn't get serious.
And then, before I realized it, those values didn't just apply to mom and Kureha, but extended to all women.
S: "So, with your position as an apprentice butler you have to harness your true strength. Even considering you've had 10 years of hand to hand training with Kureha-chan. You'll make an effort, right?"
J: "......"
S: "You made that effort in your battle with Nagare and saw the results. Regardless, I still think there's a considerable strength difference between you and Nagare. But you did show us a magnificent stalemate. You literally exhausted all of your strength in a desperate effort and managed to get what you desired, right?"
J: "...No. It wasn't my strength alone!"
That's right. When I was standing there, I think it was because I was standing there next to everyone.
Kureha. Masamune. Suzutsuki. And... Konoe.
I strongly felt that because they were watching over me, I definitely didn't want to lose. There was the message from Shure-senpai and Nakuru, too. Maybe it was the way they spoke and my usual reluctance to give in that I was able to hear it.
S: "Ufufu. You don't have to be so modest."
It's unusual, but Suzutsuki was talking with a serious tone.
S: "After all, you were able to do something I couldn't."
J: "Eh? What do you mean?"
S: "I'll tell it to you simply. December. It was the day when you were injured by Ichigo's knife, and on the way to the hospital you had a discussion with the three of us — myself, Subaru, and Usami-san. It was when you told us that you confronted your feelings and arrived at a decision."
J: "......"
S: "To tell you the truth, I thought I had given up. I told myself, 'Perhaps, he can't really make all of us happy.' Certainly that reality was ridiculous, so I had abandoned hope."
J: "......"
S: "But, Jirou-kun. You're different. At the opening ceremony, when you found out that Subaru was going to quit being a butler, you desperately tried to change the ending. While understanding the ridiculousness of it, you still did your best to carry the burden."
S: "I think letting you become my butler has made me happy."
She said it as though she was a little proud.
Ojousama said this to her butler.
S: "Oh, what am I saying? I think I'm going to learn from you and put forth my best effort to become happy. I'll work hard to show you when I do. And no matter how long this heartache endures, I won't let it get to me."
J: "Ah, even though you can't say it very well, I think I get what you mean."
S: "Fufu. Thank you. Well, certainly, Usami-san and myself still feel the pain of being rejected by you. But, it's the same as Subaru casting off her dream of being a butler. Jirou-kun, too. I think you felt guilty about rejecting us. All of us... we all were hurt... but..."
Faintly.
A laugh from Suzutsuki.
S: "...even if it hurts, that isn't what's important."
J: "Yeah..."
S: "Hearing it, it's similar to us being in a Cinderella play, or a race on Sports Day where we were all heading for the goal together. However, that seems like a lie, just like what my father tells to the teachers. 'My child is not pathetic enough to get hurt when she fails.'"
J: "I guess it's because his child is precious to him."
S: "But... when I was hurt, I was able to experience getting back up. I think that's necessary for people. After all..."
S: "While living, it's absolutely impossible to never be hurt."
S: "So. Thank you. Although you rejected my confession... you were completely sincere with me. Even though I was sad and it hurt immensely. That's why, I'll show you that I can get back up. I'm stronger than I was before... and I'll move forward without wavering."
While saying it with a clear voice, my Ojousama smiled.
Her name is Suzutsuki Kanade.
I definitely think that style suites her.
Though it may be strange and painful, she rises perfectly to achieve her happiness.
That's a strong, resolute way of life...
S: "By the way, Jirou-kun. How are you adjusting to life here?"
Suzutsuki abruptly changed the subject.
Her face now has a different kind of happy smile than it had a moment ago. Ugh, it's the sadistic one. She knows even before hearing a response from me.
J: "I'm still not used to it. I have to remember stuff as a butler, and I have a lot of tasks to do. Even more so as a personal butler."
S: "And Ichigo and Kosame? Of course, they'll need some time before they recognize you as a butler of the Suzutsuki household. You have to train quickly so they'll accept you. It'll be bad if you don't give it your best!"
J: "I understand."
S: "Fufu. As expected of my own butler. Oh, by the way, did you make friends with Mayoi-chan?"
J: "Yeah, she's a nice person."
Hinata Mayoi.
There's only one maid in this house with that name. She's a year younger than me, and came to be a maid in the Suzutsuki house due to some complicated circumstances, though I can only guess what. I get good vibes from her. Somehow it feels the same as if she had a worldly aura about her.
S: "Well, she also has various reasons."
J: "Reasons?"
S: "To put it in words, she had an emotional episode that could have filled about two volumes of comics."
J: "That's really specific."
S: "It's because she has a great fondness for Subaru that she was in a considerable amount of shock when she heard about your marriage."
J: "Ah, I can understand that..."
When I first met her, "Please take good care of Subaru-sama!!!" is what she said while sobbing. I couldn't believe even the servants were her fans. Simply terrible, Subaru-sama.
S: "She's fine. Mayoi-chan is a bright and strong girl. I think she'll certainly heal."
J: "I think so, too. I mean, she's a little similar to Kureha. And despite her appearance, I get the feeling she's really strong-willed."
S: "That reminds me, is Kureha-chan doing well?"
J: "She's the same as always. Actually, I get the feeling she's much more powerful than before."
Sakamachi Kureha.
Our house was rebuilt in January, and she's currently living there.
She's living... together with mom.
One and a half years after our mother left on a worldwide combat training excursion, she finally returned home last month.
I hear she used the money she got from her fights to build a dojo.
I guess from now on she'll be training young people how to harness their strength.
J: "......"
...No.
I definitely think this is so she can raise their true fighting potential. After her endless victories on the combat excursion, I suppose she now wants to create a bunch of menacing kids with her own hands. Seems like her active life is all about fighting.
S: "Did Kureha-chan have a hard time? After all, with you becoming an apprentice butler, you had to live away from home."
J: "Nah. She said, 'I have to let you go sooner or later, Oniisan.' And because we live in the same area, there's no reason we can't see each other."
Oh, and since the new semester started, she became the president of the Handicrafts Club.
The third years like Shure-senpai and Ichigo-san graduated. "From here on I am going to lead the Handicrafts Club!" is what she declared. All I wish for is that our Handcrafts Club wasn't so dangerous.
J: "...Oh yeah, I wonder if Masamune is doing okay."
I unintentionally muttered that aloud.
Originally, Masamune should have been the next president of the Handicrafts Club, but she said she turned it down because she was too busy with her part time job. Even now she's doing her best working to settle her debt with her parents. Because of that, I haven't been able to see her much lately.
S: "Oh, that reminds me, I have something to tell you."
What does she mean? When I asked again, she interrupted me and said, "You can come in now," while directing her voice towards the living room door.
The handle clicked.
Slowly, the door opened, and there appeared...
"...Good morning, Bakachiki."
Usami Masamune.
Evidently the conversation topic was a setup for now.
And yet, seeing her has left me dumbfounded.
J: "What's with your appearance?"
M: "!!! Th... this is, um..."
Masamune entered the living room clutching tightly to her cute, frilly skirt.
Maid clothing.
She had a uniform from her previous job at the maid cafe. Why would she be wearing it when coming to Suzutsuki's home? I wonder, did she awaken to an interest in cosplay?
S: "Jirou-kun. I'll explain it simply for you."
So.
My mistress, Suzutsuki Kanade, opened her mouth to speak.
Her expression looked like she was holding in some kind of enjoyment.
S: "Starting today, Usami-san is going to be living here."
J: "......"
W... wait... in other words...
J: "Does that mean... she's also going to be a servant here?"
S: "That's correct. I thought it would have been better for you to hear it from Usami-san herself."
Ojousama giggled and smiled as she said that.
Ugh... scary! She's making a face like some really interesting event just happened. Or that it's about to.
J: "M... Masamune? What happened?"
I asked her with a quavering voice.
Then, Masamune said "Uh... umm... well..." and gave a weak laugh.
M: "I was forced to leave my apartment."
J: "Huh?!"
M: "I had to leave the apartment, and that meant I had no place to live."
J: "......"
She's a... homeless child. This girl's life has been filled with poverty and constant ups and downs. First off, why was she driven out?
M: "Bakachiki. Do you remember why I was able to live in that high class apartment?"
J: "Eh? That was...? That apartment had a shady past..."
That was it. Masamune's apartment was a real haunted mansion. That's why it had the dirt cheap price of 4,000 yen per month.
But that's the old story. It happened sometime in November when Kureha and I were freeloading in Masamune's apartment. During that time, no psychic phenomenon occurred.
That was because my little sister was able to exorcise Masamune's apartment and sent the ghost — Sakamoto-san — on to heaven (with a German Suplex).
M: "Hey, you remember back in December when Subaru-sama moved in next door to us and opened a hole in the wall separating the apartments? Last month, the apartment owner had some construction workers come to fix the hole. That was when they discovered it... that my apartment wasn't haunted anymore."
J: "......"
M: "Naturally, they returned the price of the apartment back to what it originally was. But there was no way I could afford it, so I was forced to leave."
J: "......"
What a pity. After the ghost moved on, the misfortune arrived...
J: "W... were you okay?"
M: "Of course I wasn't okay. The money from my part time job wasn't cutting it."
J: "Yeah, makes sense..."
I guess she couldn't pay back the money she borrowed from her parents. Even before she forced her way to see them, I felt it wasn't strange that she would want to pay them back.
M: "So... after being forced out, I had to stay at the maid cafe I worked at, and then Nakuru's, and then your home while I was searching for a new place. But my job wasn't paying enough and I didn't have a co-signer..."
S: "You had no other choice but to rely on me, Usamin."
M: "Shut up! Don't call me Usamin!"
S: "You shouldn't be yelling like that. I went to great lengths negotiating with my father to let you become a servant."
M: "Uu... I'm certainly appreciative, but..."
S: "Nevertheless, I knew maid clothes suited you best, Usamin."
M: "DON'T CALL ME USAMIN!!!"
While wheezing and out of breath Masamune pulled herself together. I wonder if this'll be alright. I feel like she might collapse due to the strain of continually trying to keep herself in check.
J: "Hey, Masamune. Do you really want to be a maid in this house?"
For now, I wanted to hear it to confirm.
Then, Masamune said "Yes" in a confident and boasting way.
M: "It's not unusual, right, Bakachiki? That I chose to come to this mansion, and not go anywhere else."
J: "What do you mean?"
M: "Huh? You don't get it?"
Masamune...
She exhaled and took on a serious manner.
M: "Well, it's difficult to find work these days."
J: "......"
My, my, Masamune-san.
Why would you bring up such a depressingly real topic?
M: "So, I thought this opportunity would be a better path than looking for work."
S: "With a few incredibly persuasive words from myself..."
M: "Of course. Originally I intended to start work as soon as I graduated, but if it's here, I can start working now. Suzutsuki said she'd let me work and attend school at the same time. With food, lodging, and a fairly good salary, too!"
Masamune's glittering smile showed her enthusiasm.
...Makes me think. That girl is truly strong. She's like a dandelion blooming amidst the asphalt. I feel like she'd survive no matter what the circumstances.
M: "Um..."
Masamune spoke with a little embarassment.
M: "Being in this house... I'm living together with everyone again."
J: "Masamune..."
M: "Ah! Don't misunderstand! I definitely wasn't lonely or anything! It's just... in December when I lived together with you, and Subaru-sama, and Suzutsuki... it made me a little happy..."
Her voice trailed off as she said it.
... Sheesh, like usual, she still can't be up front about it. But Suzutsuki said it well. "As a servant in this house, you're also part of the family." Because it's like we're one big family living under the same roof.
Maybe this will be a good environment for Masamune.
That's why she wanted the Suzutsuki household.
M: "So starting today I'll be working here, Bakachiki."
J: "Ah, I look forward to it, Usamin."
M: "Why is Bakachiki calling me that nickname, too?!"
S: "Fufu. Why do you get so angry at that? I think it's a rather cute name."
M: "Eh? R... really?!"
S: "Yes. Just like a pet."
M: "Are you making fun of me?!"
And so unfolded the verbal battle between mistress and maid.
Well, I am happy that Masamune came here. Honestly, I think I'd quickly reach my limit with Suzutsuki's teasing if I was by myself. From now on, I'll let Masamune be Ojousama's opponent. I'm counting on you, Usamin.
M: "Oh, right!"
Masamune abruptly changed the topic when something came to mind.
M: "Where is Subaru-sama? I haven't seen her for some time."
S: "......"
Suzutsuki fell silent at those words.
Silence.
It filled the living room for a few seconds.
S: "That girl... isn't here."
The words fell from her mouth.
M: "Huh? What do you mean... not here?"
S: "It's exactly as I said. Since Jirou-kun became a butler, she lost her place in this house. And so... she returned to her mother's home."
Masamune froze at Suzustuki's words.
...That's right.
Konoe isn't here.
She went to her mother's... the Takanashi's real home.
That's because she's no longer a butler.
M: "N... NO! I thought I was going to finally live together with everyone..."
J: "Masamune..."
Her eyes began to tear and a faint voice escaped her open mouth.
And then.
"I've returned, Ojousama."
We heard an alto voice ring out.
There she stood... Konoe Subaru.
The previous butler of the Suzutsuki household.
S: "Welcome home, Subaru."
Suzutsuki greeted Konoe as usual.
"Uh..." was all Masamune could say while still frozen.
Then, after a few more seconds of silence passed.
M: "...Hey, Suzutsuki Kanade... no way, you..."
S: "Sorry. I was teasing you with that part about Subaru not being here because I didn't expect you to believe me to that extent."
M: "You sadist!!!"
S: "But I didn't say I was lying. Subaru returning to her mother's home was the truth. How was it, Subaru? Did you visit the grave?"
K: "Yes, thank you."
Konoe nodded with a bright expression on her face.
Yes, a grave visit. For the last few days, Konoe went back home to visit with her mother's grave. The place where we took a trip to during summer break.
Anyway, she wanted to tell her mother properly that she quit being a butler and give her the news about our relationship. Suzutsuki gave her a few days off to go do that, even though she could have returned within a day.
N: "It's been awhile, Kanade-ojousama."
A husky voice echoed in the living room.
The owner being Konoe Nagare.
Just like Konoe, he had been gone those few days, leaving the mansion without a butler.
N: "Thank you very much for this. I couldn't believe you gave us the time off."
S: "It was no bother. I think it's good that you and Subaru were able to go and visit her."
N: "But to have the privilege of a trip..."
S: "It's fine! Once in awhile a parent and child should take a trip together with no outsiders."
N: "I see. Thank you very much, Kanade-ojousama."
The old man expressed his deepest gratitude.
As expected of a butler. His manners are too good. Even with his personality, this man is no doubt a butler of the Suzutsuki home.
N: "Hm?"
Ugh.
The old man gave me a suspicious glare.
N: "What?! Whenever I see that disgustingly glum, glasses wearing face of yours, I wonder how you haven't been fired yet, you damn brat."
J: "......"
Correction.
Whenever he starts with the trash talk in front his mistress, I think, how is this a butler?
J: "Shut up! Now that you're back, how about doing your job!"
During those few days without the old man, doing his entire job has been tiresome.
However, I also think it's good that he and Konoe were able to go on a trip with just the two of them. I wonder if they realize that.
N: "Heh. You couldn't even handle this. That's why I'm the Suzutsuki household's butler. You better learn quickly. It's an eyesore to see you just loaf around as an apprentice."
J: "You think so? Try saying that when I'm finished. Once I'm trained as a butler, you'll have to approve of my marriage with Konoe!"
N: "Argh!"
Remembering his speech, he pressed his forehead and bellowed.
He definitely said it would be after this challenge.
Those are the conditions for mine and Subaru's marriage. That is, I have to become a proper butler first. Our current relationship is working together to meet that prerequisite.
N: "I take back my previous remarks. You're much better as an apprentice."
J: "Quit messing! I'll learn to do this job perfectly, old man!"
N: "Heh, we'll see about that, you damn brat!"
After we took turns insulting each other, he said "If you'll please excuse me, Kanade-ojousama," and promptly turned around and exited the living room. Probably to go do his work. Even with that personality, I can confidently say he's a man who does his job perfectly.
But...
K: "Hm? What is it, Jirou?"
Konoe tilted her head in bewilderment as I stared at her with something on my mind.
How do you say it...
J: "I think you look really cute."
S: "W...w...what are you saying so suddenly?!"
J: "Well, it's really different from the male butler image you had until now. I was thinking a lot about the way you look."
S: "Is... that so?"
While her cheeks filled with color, I looked over Konoe's outfit.
Maid clothes.
She's wearing the Suzutsuki household maid outfit.
M: "Umm... if she's wearing that, does that mean Subaru-sama also became a maid here?"
Masamune inquired.
Oh, that's right. Since Konoe just recently became a maid, I guess she didn't know until now. Well, it surprised me too at first.
K: "Yes. Although I had given up being a butler, if I became a maid I'd be able to stay here where I belong. Ojousama said she'd allow it."
S: "But, Subaru. You haven't fixed your tone since your time as a butler? If you can, don't call me 'Ojousama', but rather I'd prefer 'Kana-chan.'"
K: "I... I can't do that, Ojousama! As a maid I'm still a novice! So... calling you that in front of everyone...!"
S: "Then could you call me that when it's just the two of us?"
K: "If... if that's the case..."
The maid blushed and nodded deeply.
Yup. I think the maid clothing suits Konoe ridiculously well. With her hair down, she doesn't look like a boy anymore.
Konoe Subaru.
In order to take responsibility for stealing the person her mistress liked, she quit being a butler. Now she's entrusted me with her dream of being a butler, and she has a new dream to fulfill. The dream of becoming a splendid maid for the Suzutsuki household.
I think I can support her in that.
At her side... always...
K: "By the way, Jirou. How was work while I was gone?"
I guess as my predecessor she's probably worried about how well I'm doing the job. That's basically what Konoe was asking about.
Those words... struck a chord with me...
I'll respond, properly, as her boyfriend...
J: "Ah. It was no sweat... Subaru."
K: "!?!?!?"
The moment I called her name, Konoe... no, Subaru turned bright red and became incredibly flustered.
By the way, I was so embarrassed I felt like dying. After all, it was the first time I called her by her given name.
But, it wouldn't be right if I kept calling her by her family name.
Because I'm her boyfriend.
K: "...Jirou."
And she's my girlfriend.
I could see the joy being processed in her expression as she said my name. That one word.
K: "...Thank you. Being called by my name... I'm so happy..."
J: "......"
Dangerous! She's too cute... my girlfriend. It feels so strong because she was never good at expressing her emotions before.
Konoe Subaru, you were able to change this year.
K: "......"
Thinking on it, this short year felt long.
And I'm certain we've all changed this year.
I was able to complete my program for curing gynophobia this year. I met a lot of people and plenty of incidents occurred. Through that, I think we all changed. Sometimes we got lost, and I acted like a chicken bastard when I was nervous, but even so... we changed.
We changed.
S: "Hey, is it all right for you two to be all cutesy? After all, I want my butler to do his job with a level head. And then, you can have more fun with me, Jirou-kun."
She gave me a happy smile when she said that.
Suzutsuki Kanade.
The girl who is my mistress.
M: "Jeez... And also... because you and I are going to be coworkers here... be good to me from now on, Bakachiki."
She said it and gazed at me with a look like she has great expectations for her life from here on out.
Usami Masamune.
The girl who became my coworker... and my family.
K: "Yeah, let's work hard today, too. Together, the two of us have to go through our butler and maid training quickly. Right, Jirou?"
Lastly, the girl who called my name while her long hair swayed.
Konoe Subaru.
The girl who I always wish to stand beside.
J: "Yeah, that's right."
With their words, I nodded confidently.
I'll do my best for them today, too.
That's the way of a chicken bastard like me. I mean, if I get lazy, they'll get angry. And if those girls get angry, they'll get incredibly scary. Seriously, why am I surrounded by girls that are so cute, yet terrifying?
Yup, girls are scary. Gynophobia. When I had that annoying problem, as a guy, I think I would have said that girl's are really scary creatures.
Even these considerably unique girls. Being together with them is busy, noisy, and fun, but I always feel like I'm getting involved in strange troubles. To tell the truth, my daily life from now on makes me a little bit nervous...
But...
I love these girls.
That's the answer that I took away from the past year. The memory of the first time I came to this mansion last April. I had thought, "Girls are scary."
But, that's different now.
It's just a little, but I was able to change the way I think.
K: "Oh, that's right, Jirou!"
Her mouth opened as she spoke... Konoe Subaru.
The new maid in the Suzutsuki home. Her apron dress swaying as her voice flowed out.
K: "It seems Nakuru-chan is writing a new book."
J: "Eh... is it all about glasses again?"
K: "No, it's different this time. I'm going to be a proper girl in the book. She called me on the phone earlier to get permission and said, 'Is it alright if I model the characters in my book after you and the others, Subaru-sama?'"
J: "Modeled after us?"
K: "Yeah. I guess it's about the events of the past year summarized by Nakuru-chan. So wouldn't it be considered non-fiction? Nakuru-chan may come by here to interview myself, you, Ojousama, and Usami."
J: "Letting that person interview me sounds a little scary."
K: "But it's okay, right? I... I'd like to read that story. All the things that happened this past year... so I won't forget them..."
She said while smiling.
...Well, it's fine.
I can do it if it makes her smile.
Besides, I feel like it's a good idea for Nakuru to collect all of the events of the past year.
No, she'll need close supervision because as soon I take my eyes of her, she'll run off on a glasses tangent. I think I know the circumstances best given that I was at the center of all the turmoil.
This was our year.
Sometimes we were lost, and I acted like a nervous chicken bastard, but even so... this is the story of how we did our best to continue walking forward.
Many things happened this year.
The seasons flow and time doesn't slow down for anyone. There's nothing in this world that doesn't change. Even we... changed.
But everyone has to desperately find happiness in their own way.
"If there is something you want, you have to try and grasp it with your own two hands."
It's just as the old man said, living in our ridiculous reality, struggling, climbing up, desperately... simply doing our best to hold onto the happiness of the people that are important to us.
That is our daily life now.
Maybe that's something we can be a little proud of. I mean... even though we may still be hurting, we were able to achieve this life.
So, I don't want to forget this past year.
I understand that if we want this happiness to continue, we can't stop moving forward.
We'll always remember.
This our story...
J: "Subaru."
I spoke softly to her.
J: "The title of the story, did she already decide it?"
K: "Yes, Nakura-chan told me. The name of the book is..."
And... Konoe Subaru.
Though she looks a little embarrassed, she has a happy expression as the words pass her lips.
"The Wavering Butler, and My Chicken Self."
