22: Stockings Are the Soul of a Maid

"Of course you can."

"From now on, Yuki, you are my maid."

"Come in quickly."

"My name is Akira Sawamura."

Although Yuki had already thoroughly investigated Akira, she still pretended not to know him and solemnly responded:

"Yes, Master. I will remember it."

"By the way, Yuki, why do you want to become my maid?"

"Master, can I choose not to say?"

She didn't want to tell him that she had come to serve as his maid as a form of repaying a debt.

"Then, Yuki, will you ever harm me?"

"Master, no matter what dangers arise, I will stand in front of you."

"This vow will hold until the end of my life."

Yuki bent down, pulled out a sharp-looking dagger from her calf holster, and solemnly raised it in an oath.

This sight completely stunned Akira.

What kind of normal maid walks around carrying such a lethal-looking dagger?

"Ahhh!"

"I'm sorry, Master! I didn't mean to scare you!"

Seeing Akira's dumbfounded expression, Yuki realized her mistake and quickly fumbled to reinsert the dagger.

Her head lowered, her fair ears turning a deep shade of red. The composed demeanor from before had completely vanished.

"Yuki, we've met before, haven't we?"

"It's just that I've forgotten you."

Yuki's expression momentarily flickered with frustration, then settled into quiet annoyance.

She hadn't expected to be seen through so quickly.

She felt completely useless.

Standing in the entryway, Akira watched as Yuki bent down to remove her tightly-laced high-heeled boots.

A mischievous glint flashed across his dark eyes as he said with a straight face:

"Yuki, don't you think your outfit is missing something?"

"Huh? Master, what's missing?"

"Did I buy the wrong maid uniform?"

"But I got this from a century-old specialty store that only sells maid outfits. I made sure to choose the one that suited me best."

With one boot still on, Yuki lifted the hem of her skirt slightly and anxiously examined her clothing.

"You're missing the most crucial thing."

"But I've put on all the accessories."

"Even the lace headpiece."

Yuki reached up to touch the black-and-white frilled headband resting atop her head.

"Yuki, you still don't see it?"

"It's the stockings. It's the stockings!"

"What kind of proper maid wears thick pants under her skirt instead of stockings?"

Akira sighed in exasperation.

"Yuki, stockings are the soul of a maid."

"I'll take you to a maid café someday so you can learn."

Hearing this, even the ever-composed Yuki finally understood what he meant.

Steam practically erupted from her head as she clenched her small fists and shouted:

"Master, you're such a pervert!"

She instinctively tried to lunge at him, but she forgot—she had only removed one boot.

As soon as she shifted her weight, her half-removed boot made her lose balance, sending her stumbling forward.

Thud!

"Yuki, was that a classic case of tripping over thin air?"

Before she could catch herself, Akira moved faster than she expected, catching her in his arms.

"Master, this is all your fault!"

"You were teasing me on purpose!"

"If a master doesn't tease his maid, is he really a master at all?"

Akira borrowed a phrase Eriri had said earlier and threw it right back at Yuki.

Yuki: ...…

His logic was so flawless that she was left speechless.

"Yuki, do you know what the most important duty of a maid is?"

"Housework?"

Yuki, now on high alert, cautiously asked.

But her lack of experience caused her to underestimate just how shameless her master could be.

Ever since last night, Akira's sense of decency had been completely obliterated.

"Bedside service, of course."

"Didn't you know?"

"A maid who doesn't serve at night isn't a proper maid."

"Master, you're a complete degenerate."

Yuki rolled her eyes at him in disdain.

"Have you forgotten that I'm still a hot-blooded young man?"

"Having to see a beautiful, curvaceous maid every day—"

"Yuki, are you trying to turn me into a monk?"

"Most importantly, I have no resistance to maids."

"Maid supremacy forever!"

Hearing such an unfiltered confession, Yuki's resolve crumbled.

She buried her face into Akira's chest and wrapped her arms around his waist, refusing to let go.

She said nothing, but her actions spoke volumes.

"Yuki, I forgot to mention."

"Once you become my maid, it's for life."

"I have a possessive nature. I won't let you leave halfway."

"Master, I only ever wanted to be your maid. I've never thought of leaving."

Yuki's muffled voice carried quiet determination.

"Seems like we're on the same page, then."

"Yuki, from today onward, this house is your home too."

"Now, let go of me so I can show you to your room."

Just then, the front door burst open, and Sayuri and Eriri's voices rang out:

"Akira! / Big brother! We're home!"

"Master, didn't you say I had to serve you at night?"

"I can just stay in your room with you."

At the sight of the scene before them, combined with Yuki's flustered yet bold remark, Sayuri and Eriri stood frozen in place.

What… was happening?

They had only been gone for a few hours, and suddenly, someone had swooped in and stolen their territory?

This was an outright challenge!

The fury of both mother and daughter flared like an erupting volcano.

After a series of chaotic scuffles, the four of them finally settled into the living room.

Akira sat beside a quiet, head-lowered Yuki, while Sayuri and Eriri sat across from them, their expressions radiating discontent.

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