[Intermission] Rin's Day (2)

I was seeing an advanced skill at play. They didn't need a maid like myself.. everyone was capable of caring for themselves-- they were self-sufficient. An existence like myself wasn't required at all.

Why was it that even Noel-sama did the chores? It looked silly. A demon lord doing house work.

As instructed by Prune-san, I folded the flower-scented clothes with the technique outlined. I had only needed to pinch two points, bring them over to the side, hold it up and then push in the remaining folds.

It was efficient-- magical almost. Where did she learn this?

"I guess it's faster with three people," Noel-sama muttered.

"But it's pretty cramped," Prune-san said.

"Maybe we can take turns or something."

"Drafting the schedule would be troublesome wouldn't it?'

"Yeah.. true.."

The last piece of clothing was placed into their respective piles.

"Thanks Rin," Noel-sama said.

"T-This is my responsibility, there is no need for thanks.."

"Don't raise a flag," Prune-san said.

"It's too late," Noel-sama shook his head.

"Here are your and Nine's clothes," Prune-san said and took the other ones, leaving with mine, Liliath-sama's and her own.

I didn't know why I merely stood there. Organizing clothes into their respective storage units.. that should be my role isn't it? Why did she not leave the task to my bidding?

"I guess it's still uncomfortable huh?"

I nodded, slowly.

"Take your time. I'm sure you'll get used to it soon."

"Yes," Noel-sama is kind. It leaves a discomfort different from the one I was used to at the mansion.

I wonder..

July-sama.. are you doing well? Your Rina-aneesan is alright here. Hopefully we'll be able to met again soon.

"Ah. Rin, can you put this on the table out in the living room? There's something I need to do.

"Alright," I carried the clothes out. What was Noel-sama going to do? Suspicious really..

Liliath-sama and Nine-san was out playing cards.

The fact that Nine-san was able to change genders.. that took some time for me to digest. What exactly would happen in the internal aspects of Nine-san? He or she felt like two different people.

"Do you want another?"

"I'll pass."

"Then open.."

"My win."

They were playing blackjack. I was taught the gist of the rules and found it addictively fun.

"Oh, thanks," Nine-san, who was a girl this time, received the clothes.

"Do you want to play a bout, Rina?" Liliath-sama asked.

"I would like to, however.." I was curious about something else, "Maybe later."

"It's okay."

I turned to Nine-san who had her butt up while she slid the clothes into the cabinet.

"What's Noel doing?" Liliath-sama asked.

"That is what I'd like to know too."

"Oh, is it?," Liliath-sama looked behind me-- that Noel-sama hadn't returned to the living room.

"I'll go check on him."

"Much appreciated Rina."

I nodded.

As I neared the washroom door, the sound of scrubbing and flushing could be heard ever the more obvious. I peeked into the entrance.. and saw an impossible scene.

Noel-sama was..

He was..

Washing the toilet!?

"N-Noel… I-I can help with this if you don't mind.."

Oh no.. this.. one of the worst responsibilities to tackle.. was being done by a demon lord?! I can't possibly allow him to perform such a dirty procedure!

"Nah, it's alright. It'll just take a second. I'm almost done anyways," Noel-sama rinsed the oddly shaped round brush that he had stuck into the depths of the toilet bowl. Uwek.. I felt like puking, "You should go join Liliath and Nine, or Prune or something."

"How could I allow you to do something like this all by yourself.. as a maid it's my responsibility to clean the house.. especially places like.." the toilet.

"Really? I thought we agreed last time that the house chores are divided among us," he splashed water again to rinse the edges-- then pulled the lever to cause the water inside to drain away.

"I-I can't possibly let you handle all the responsibilities.."

"Now you just sound like an anime character. Is that normally how you think of things or.. that you're over exaggerating?"

"Exaggerating? How could I be exaggerating, I'm speaking the truth."

He sighed, an unexplainable pain expression across his face.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing. Rin, it's alright to rest now. You don't need to try make everything perfect, just enjoy yourself."

"B-But.. to be leaching off your kindness and not repaying.."

"You remind me of Liliath."

I was interrupted before I could finish.

I stood on the spot. Me? Like Liliath? Was that a compliment? How so?

"If you really think that you're a burden then.. try learn more about how we do things around here. I don't know.. maybe help Liliath, Prune or Nine complete their quests? Along those lines? It's not like I'm not a burden to other people. It's just how one sees it."

"You? A burden? Nonsense!"

Noel-sama hung the stick with the scrub to the side of the bowl, and went over to the sink.

"It's not nonsense. Did you know that a lot of the money we're using now is from Liliath and Nine?"

"That is.. what has that to do with you being a burden?"

"That's the point right? I sometimes think I'm a burden, but to others, it may look different. So.. try to think about this in your position. I don't think you're a burden you know?"

What kind of psychological trick was he trying to pull.. making me feel better about not being worth anything?

"That's a lie.. you're not fooling me."

"You're fooling yourself. I think it's better if Liliath explained it or.. nah. I think you'll get what I mean soon enough."

I nodded.

I will have to agree that maybe I don't know enough about the practices of this house. I don't intend to be a freeloader.

"Liliath and Nine are still paying cards right?" Noel-sama wiped his hands on the hand towel.

"Yes."

"Great. I think I'll do some drawing then."

I escorted him out of the dreaded toilet.. maybe I was overreacting? This toilet they had, in comparison to the one I had to wash in the past.. it was like.. sparkling diamond.

Noel-sama went out, greeting the two who were slapping cards on the table.. this time it was a game known as: 'heart attack'. A game which involved a lot of pain..

"Liliath.. that really.. hurts you know.." Nine rubbed her sore hands.

"I'll be more gentle next time.. sorry."

"As if.."

Noel-sama sat on the kitchen table, pulled out a book and started drawing. A floating panel with various images floated in front of him. He was going to draw that?

I've never before done drawing, so seeing Noel-sama's process was an interesting experience.

I stood behind Noel, watched him as he drew the landscape of the lake that overlooked the Earl's mansion from before.

"It's beautiful," I complimented. I didn't have the skill to accurately replicate into paper what was in front of my eyes.

"Nah. It sucks."

"Sucks?"

"Did someone say it sucks?" Nine-san turned to me.

I looked away.

"Don't say that out loud.."

"Drawing again?" Prune came over to the table, a floating panel in hand-- it was probably reading material.

"Yup. Bad right?"

"I think it's not bad.. this part here looks weird though."

"Hey.. I did my best alright."

Prune-san criticising Noel-sama's work.. did she even have the right to do so? She was just like me wasn't she? Incapable of even drawing the easiest of things.

"Prune-san.. Noel is doing his best, you know?"

"Huh? I know that?" She looked at me as if not understanding my words.

"Nah, I'm just doing rough sketches. It's pretty bad."

"No. How could you diminish your skills like that?"

"If only you've seen what professionals can do.." Noel-sama sighed.

I didn't understand? Seeing his work like this.. it was equal, if not comparable to well known artisans out in the streets.

Prune-san sat opposite of Noel-sama.

The sound of slapping reverberated in the room.

"Don't break the table, you two.." Noel said in a monotonous voice--

""Got it.""

"Rin, you want to take a seat or something?"

"It's alright. I can stand."

"Hm.. yeah. Sitting is bad for health isn't it?"

"We spent the majority of the day walking around though?" Prune-san said.

"True, true.. hey, want some tea? Rin? Want some tea?"

Tea? Noel-sama serving me tea? I was having some difficulties processing the absurdities of this.. to receive tea made by a demon lord.. what a privilege.

"I'll share a cup with you Noel," Liliath-sama replied.

"Gotcha, Prune? Rin? Nine?"

"I'm good."

"I want some milk tea," Prune-san pulled out a square blue carton.

"Oh right.. we have a lot of milk don't we?"'

"I'm alright with milk tea if that's what you want Noel," Liliath-sama said. She's like an esper at times.. very scary.

"I'll make milk tea then. Rin?"

"Um.. I.."

"Want to try milk tea?"

"I-it's alright.."

"I'll just make you a cup. You'll definitely drink it."

"Ah.. no really. There's no need to create my share.."

Ignoring my words, Noel-sama made two cups of a beautifully coloured milk tea combination. One for me, another for his share with Liliath-sama. Prune-san made her own. Magic was used as the medium to heat the milk before steeping this weird paper tea bag in it. Five teaspoons of sugar was added-- a generous amount.

"Here, Try it."

Tea.. tea made by Noel-sama..

"It's the first time someone has made tea for me.." I said.

Ah.. I see now.. why July-sama wanted my hand-brewed tea.. I took a sip-- creamy, warm, sweet. The feeling of the warmth, knowing that he cared enough to make me this drink.. cared enough about my feelings..

I'm falling in love..

"It's delicious.."

"Great to hear. Take a seat."

"Noel, do you have biscuits?" Prune-san asked.

"Coming right up."

"Noel, ice cream, pretty please.. please.." Nine-san demanded-- or begged.

"Get your own."

"You stingy bro."

"I'm sure Bleu would be generous enough to send us to a winter land of ice cream if you asked her about it."

"Oh yeah. That's our next destination then.. we need to do our daily sword and magic practice though ugh.."

Noel took out biscuits and placed them in the center of the table, a convenient spot where everyone could take if needed.

"Enjoy."

"Noel," I found myself taking the seat next to him.

"Yes?"

"Thank you," I looked into the cup of milk tea I was offered, not daring to meet his gaze.

"Sure."

I love you.