Chapter 15: The Maid’s Simulation

“Then, let’s begin the simulation.”

Having returned home from school, Sayaka and I had changed out of our uniforms──

We were now gathered in the living room, sitting facing each other across the table.

“Though we can’t do anything too elaborate. Our house only has one servant.”

“Is one of me not enough? Don’t worry, I can fend off the Maritsuji family all by myself.”

“It’s not ‘fending them off,’ it’s hospitality. But still, there are formalities to consider, y’know… With only one maid and no butler, it’s hard to even maintain appearances.”

“Does the Kiyomiya family have a butler?”

“We do.”

Well, even I think it’s a bit anachronistic for my own family. But we have one, so there’s no helping it.

In fact, for a huge mansion like the Kiyomiya main residence, you can’t maintain it without someone in charge of household affairs. The butler at the main residence is capable, and if he ever said he was quitting, Father would probably bow his head to retain him.

“At Sōshūkan Academy, it’s probably more common for families to have servants than not, but having a setup like the Kiyomiyas—with a butler, a head maid, several valets and maids, plus security and gardeners—is probably a rarity.”

“Are you bragging to me?”

“N-No, that’s not it. I’m just saying that the Maritsuji might expect the same level of hospitality as at the main residence. But with our staff numbers, that’s impossible.”

“Hmm… I have no intention of increasing our staff, you know.”

“Is that your decision to make?”

Well, the management of this old residence has been entrusted to me by Father.

“I mean, if we add more maids, some little tramp might show up trying to offer ‘special services’ to you, Keiji-kun.”

“Tramp!?”

“If I’m to make you a proper master, I won’t let you drown in wine and women.”

“I can’t drink wine, and as for women… I-I’m fine on that front.”

“That’s right. We’re living under the same roof, and you haven’t even tried sneaking into my room at night yet.”

“Yet!? As if it’s a given that I will eventually!”

“Oh, my apologies. You have come to my room in the middle of the night a few times, haven’t you?”

“Hello, Student Guidance? This is Reizen from the high school Japanese department. About a first-year student, Kiyo──”

“Wah! Reizen-sensei, who are you calling!?”

I reached out and operated Reizen-sensei’s smartphone—who was actually sitting next to me—to end the call.

Phew, that was close… Just when Sayaka had narrowly escaped expulsion, it’d be no joke if it was my turn.

By the way, Reizen-sensei finished work early today, so at Sayaka’s request, she came over to the old residence. We need the extra hands for a simulation of hosting guests.

“Kiyomiya… When did you sneak into Saya’s room? I knew it, I never should have approved of you two living alone together!”

“Well, Maki’s here too. Though she’s so carefree we hardly ever see her…”

“Sogano is on your side. In fact, she might even help you sneak into Saya’s room.”

“N-No, Maki just goes for whatever’s entertaining…”

“The son of the Kiyomiya family sneaking into his maid’s room. For an info-broker like Sogano, it’d be far more entertaining to let it happen and get the scoop than to interfere. It’s obvious!”

“When you put it that way, it does seem plausible… But I’m not sneaking in!”

The times I went to Sayaka’s room were only when she asked me to princess-carry her or to get a bandage. I’m not so thoughtless as to enter a girl’s room without a good reason.

“That’s right. Miyabi-san, Keiji-kun is surprisingly gentlemanly.”

“Isn’t he just a wimp? Hey, Kiyomiya. Not laying a hand on Saya when she’s this cute and has such big boobs—can you not see her appeal!?”

“Are you telling me to assault her, sensei!?”

This person’s saying some really messed-up stuff for a teacher.

“Hmph, as Saya’s guardian, I have an obligation to oversee her living situation. I need to confirm you’re not forcing lewd services on your maid.”

“That concern is unnecessary. More importantly… please help with the simulation.”

“Simulation, huh… I’m still not quite grasping the situation, though.”

“Then, allow me to explain it properly.”

Sayaka neatly organized and summarized the story, just like the honor student she is.

Wow, she’s not just good at her studies, but she’s quick-witted too…

Is it genetics from her birth mother, Wakura Honoka? Wakura Honoka was apparently an excellent student, good enough to get special admission to Sōshūkan.

“Hmm… So the Maritsuji family approached you with a marriage proposal, Kiyomiya-kun? Forgive me for being rude, but that story sounds a bit off. You’d better be careful how you handle this, you know?”

“…That’s what I was thinking, too.”

I was about to get confused, but that was Reizen-sensei speaking. This person has completely different speech patterns in public and private, at school and elsewhere.

At school, she’s kind, gentle, and a bit of a meddler, hence the “Mama” nickname.

Her private side—her true nature—is dry, with a masculine way of speaking. She’s strict with everyone except Sayaka and treats me like a particular enemy. A real troublesome adult.

“However, I have heard rumors that Maritsuji Anri has received numerous marriage proposals and has rejected them all.”

“Eh, is that so? Well, yeah, that makes sense. Maritsuji Anri is the only child of the main Maritsuji family, after all.”

“There are probably plenty of families who’d offer up even their eldest son to have him marry into the Maritsuji family.”

“Their eldest son…”

Noble families all value their direct bloodlines and emphasize birth order when choosing heirs, so the eldest son almost always inherits. Lately, noble families are also affected by declining birthrates, with many having only one child… Our family is like that too, but the Kiyomiya case is special because the head of the family hasn’t had a formal marriage.

“She must have had some good proposals, yet she’s rejecting them to marry her daughter to Kiyomiya Keiji? What does she see in this little punk?”

“Could you please stop switching personalities mid-conversation?”

It’s confusing.

“At the very least, Maritsuji Anri herself seems to feel favorably toward you, Keiji-kun.”

“Saya, a daughter’s personal feelings don’t have much effect on marriage talks. Especially not for the Maritsuji family, right?”

“……”

Yeah, that’s the part that bugs me. No matter how much we rack our brains, we can’t get beyond speculation.

“Well, inviting the Maritsuji family over to sound them out isn’t a bad idea. In fact, it’s not like the Kiyomiya family has any other options. So, I just need to play the role of a guest visiting the Kiyomiya house, right?”

With that, Reizen-sensei stood up.

“Attire… this should be fine as is. It’s a suit, after all.”

Reizen-sensei was still in her work suit. I was in my own suit, and Sayaka was in her maid uniform──

“Huh? I just noticed, Sayaka.”

“Is something the matter, Keiji-kun?”

Sayaka answered as she stood up. I’d been so focused on planning the hospitality simulation that I hadn’t properly looked at Sayaka’s appearance.

“Your skirt seems longer, doesn’t it?”

“This is for serving our guests.”

Yes, the maid skirt that’s usually knee-length was ankle-length today.

“Normally, as a service to you, Keiji-kun, I keep the skirt on the shorter side. Lately, I’ve even been making an effort to choose cute underwear.”

“Hey, Kiyomiya! Should I have you expelled and pull some strings so no other school will ever take you!?”

“That’s terrifying! Does the Reizen family really have that much power!?”

What happened to them being a declined noble family!?

“Reizen-sensei, I haven’t ordered her to do anything! I’m innocent!”

“Expelling a Kiyomiya would have consequences for me too, but for Saya’s sake, I’m prepared to go down with you.”

“You dote on her way too much!”

Sayaka chose her own attire. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t notice the skirt length, though…

“Alright, enough playing around. Let’s start the practice.”

“Right, I’m bored of messing with Kiyomiya anyway. Let’s begin.”

“Aren’t you two the ones who are supposed to be learning manners here?”

I mean, I’m the master of this mansion, you know.

“So? Specifically, I should play the role of Anri-san’s mother?”

“Yes, if you would, Miyabi-san.”

“That scary woman’s role, huh… Not exactly thrilling.”

Reizen-sensei muttered unenthusiastically and left the living room. Seems she’ll act out the entire visit, starting from the entrance.

“Reizen-sensei seemed to know Rina-san… Were they actually fairly close?”

“I don’t know. But it’s true that the Reizen family is now practically on the level of commoners. It seems Miyabi-san was the only one who engaged with the upper class a bit, on behalf of her parents. The Reizen parents really want nothing to do with nobles, and apparently they even opposed Miyabi-san’s employment at Sōshūkan.”

“…I see.”

So that’s why Reizen-sensei comes to the Kiyomiya old residence from time to time? Like she wants to put a little distance between herself and her family.

“Oh, right. I need to go welcome our guest—not Reizen-sensei, the Maritsuji family. You ready, Sayaka?”

“Preparations are complete, Master.”

“…Well, in front of the Maritsujis, that’ll do.”

I’ll permit the “Master” address, too. I need to show the Maritsuji family that as the son of the Kiyomiya head, I can command my servants with authority.

It’s totally not my style, but it can’t be helped.

I moved to the foyer and firmly pulled open the front door──

“Thank you for your invitation today.”

“Eh? Who are you?”

“Who do you think!? Were you expecting another woman!?”

“N-No, Reizen-sensei…”

Reizen-sensei had undone her usual topknot, letting her black hair flow long. Moreover, she emanated a curiously demure aura, a different image from the “Mama” teacher at school.

“It’s just… you look very much like a lady.”

“I am a lady.”

Reizen-sensei shot me a glare.

Yeah, this is the teacher’s true nature.

That ladylike demeanor is what’s out of character for her…

“Welcome, Maritsuji-sama. We have been expecting you.”

Apparently, the practice had begun. Ignoring my exchange with Reizen-sensei, Sayaka was playing her role as “the maid welcoming the Maritsuji family.”

Our maid really looks the part…

Perhaps I, supposedly raised as a young master, am the one who should be the most worried.