"So, that's the situation."
Having returned home, Chihaya Tetsuya spoke to the group before him with a serious expression.
"As punishment for her drinking without permission, tomorrow Sakiko is coming to the house to be a maid for a day. If you have any requests, feel free to make them. Don't worry about her feelings."
"Sa-Sakiko... a maid..."
In Nagasaki Soyo's mind, even though Sakiko had left the Togawa family, she was still that proud and elegant young lady. No matter how hard Soyo tried to use her imagination, it was difficult to combine these two conflicting concepts.
It was much the same for Chihaya Anon. Her perception of Togawa Sakiko had always been that of a genius girl and a "flower on a high peak"—a lofty, unattainable image. Especially considering Sakiko's extraordinary talents in both music and design, Anon found it even harder to place the identity of a "servant" onto her.
As for Wakaba Mutsumi, because she had personally seen Sakiko in a maid outfit before, her reaction wasn't as extreme as the other two when she heard about the punishment. In contrast, a different, more crucial question was on her mind—
(Making Sakiko be Chihaya-san's maid... is that really a punishment for her?)
From Sakiko's various reactions that day in the maid outfit, Mutsumi suspected that not only would Sakiko not see this as a punishment, she might even consider it a reward. After all, she had always been hoping for Tetsuya to be a bit more forceful with her...
Mutsumi very much wanted to correct Tetsuya's misunderstanding, but when she saw his dead-serious expression, she ultimately didn't ask the question.
If Sakiko herself felt it was inappropriate, she would have surely spoken up to Chihaya-san at the time. Since she had acquiesced to this punishment, it meant she was mentally prepared to accept it.
As for Sakiko's unknown other side, it would be a bit too tactless for a third party like her to expose it. It was better to leave it for the two of them to discover on their own.
(Anyway, both of them will get what they want in the end, so I'll just let them be.)
The clear-eyed bystander, Mutsumi, thought to herself.
However, Nagasaki Soyo, completely unaware of the truth, asked with a worried expression.
"Tetsuya... isn't this punishment a little too harsh for Sakiko? She's the type who views her honor and dignity as her life..."
Although Soyo knew Sakiko had made a mistake that could not be permitted, she was also worried that an excessive punishment might create a rift in her relationship with Tetsuya.
As the person in the middle with strong feelings for both of them, Soyo couldn't help but plead for Sakiko.
"How about we forget the maid outfit? Just have her help with some chores around the house..."
"..."
In fact, Tetsuya himself had worried before if the "one-day maid" punishment was too severe for the proud Togawa Sakiko.
However, recalling her stubborn refusal to yield at the hotel, Tetsuya decided to steel his heart and teach her a lesson.
"The more humiliated she feels, the more effective the punishment will be."
Tetsuya's expression looked a little pained, but his attitude remained firm.
"This way, she probably won't make such a reckless decision again in the future."
"Tetsuya..."
Soyo opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end, she just sighed softly.
"If you insist... then I won't say any more. But I can only be a bystander when the time comes. I really can't bring myself to give Sakiko orders."
"I probably can't either..."
Anon stuck her tongue out.
"I still have a lot of respect for Sakiko-san."
"Mhm... if you two really can't do it, that's fine. Then what about you, Wakaba-san?"
Tetsuya looked at Mutsumi. When he saw her mouth opening and closing, as if she desperately wanted to say something but couldn't get the words out, he knew her answer as well.
"I understand. I'll handle it myself then."
Tetsuya said, as if he had made some kind of resolution.
"No matter how unwilling Sakiko is, I will absolutely use this opportunity to make her reflect properly!"
(He says that, but Chihaya-san would never actually force Sakiko to do something she doesn't like. It'll just be some chores and helping him with his design sketches.)
Hearing his words, Mutsumi couldn't help but palm her forehead.
(Won't this kind of 'roleplay' punishment just tempt Sakiko into making more mistakes in the future?)
At that moment, Mutsumi really wanted to make a retort, but for the sake of Sakiko's happiness, she just couldn't bring herself to say it. Besides, she herself was very curious if Tetsuya really had an interest in maids like she suspected.
If he really does like maids, maybe I could try it too...
Or maybe, together with Sakiko... [T/N: Jump]
...
Leaving the completely oblivious people behind, Mutsumi fell into deep thought all by herself.
...
"Tomorrow... I have to go to Tetsuya-kun's house dressed like this..."
In front of a full-length mirror, Togawa Sakiko examined her reflection, muttering to herself with a red face.
"I feel like I'm about to do something incredible..."
Although Soyo and Chihaya Anon would be there... considering her plan to enroll at Filia next year, her maid appearance would inevitably be seen by everyone eventually. Besides, Head Maid Yamabuki had told her that being a maid was a very formal and serious profession, and the spirit of servitude was a noble and beautiful virtue. Not to mention the person she would be serving was the man she liked. Just thinking about it, the shame in her heart was gradually replaced by joy and a sense of accomplishment.
Of course, if Tetsuya really did get aroused by her outfit, she wouldn't refuse him...
"This is bad, I'm starting to look forward to it."
Sakiko's mind began to involuntarily recall the feeling of his proactive kiss.
Although it's just an unrealistic fantasy, if he really wants to show his forceful side like that, if he really orders me to do some lewd things, if he really uses his position as "Master" to force me...
"...! What am I thinking! How shameless!"
Sakiko quickly shook her head, trying to dispel the unrealistic delusions.
But at the same time, a small seed of possibility had inevitably been planted in her heart.
And with that, Togawa Sakiko's "punishment"... was officially set.