The next morning, when Nagasaki Soyo opened her door and saw her visitor, a rather complicated expression appeared on her face—
"Good morning, Sakiko..."
"Good morning, Soyo."
Carrying a suitcase, Togawa Sakiko greeted her calmly.
"Thank you for letting me use your place to change."
"Oh, it's really nothing..."
Soyo welcomed Sakiko into the room and said with a worried look.
"Are you really okay, Sakiko? If you really can't accept this, I can still put in a good word for you with Tetsuya..."
"...Hm?"
Sakiko was slightly taken aback at first, but when she saw the pitying look on Soyo's face, she immediately guessed what the other girl was thinking.
(That's right. From Soyo's perspective, becoming a maid must be incredibly hard for me to accept.)
After all, in front of Soyo—or rather, in front of everyone except Tetsuya-kun and Mutsumi- she always maintained a proud demeanor that wouldn't tolerate the slightest slight to her dignity.
But in reality, becoming Tetsuya-kun's maid wouldn't hurt her pride at all. In fact, deep down, she had been secretly looking forward to this day. Especially after seeing the entranced look in his eyes when he saw her in the maid uniform that one time, she had gained a new appreciation for the true power of the outfit.
However, even though the truth wasn't what Soyo imagined... if she were to actually explain all this to her, it would be tantamount to admitting her own lewd and repressed nature. That was a shame far more unbearable than wearing a maid outfit. So, to maintain Soyo's perception of her, she could only respond in line with Soyo's words—
"Since I made a mistake, it's only natural that I accept the punishment."
Sakiko put on an expression as if she had made a firm resolution.
"Besides, this is something I promised Tetsuya-kun beforehand. I don't go back on my word easily."
"Hmm, if you've already decided, then alright..."
Soyo nodded, then continued.
"I already talked to Anon last night. We're going to the studio to practice with everyone from [MyGO!!!!!] today. And Mutsumi said she'll stay quietly at home, so you should be alone with Tetsuya-kun during the day. That should lessen your burden quite a bit, right?"
"?!"
Hearing Soyo's considerate arrangement, even the normally calm Sakiko couldn't help but look dumbfounded.
Being able to serve him in his own home was already making her secretly giddy. She never expected Soyo would also help create an environment where she could be alone with him—
"Soyo..."
"Hm?"
"Thank you. Truly."
Sakiko bowed slightly to Soyo with the utmost solemnity.
"I'm so glad we could become friends."
"I-it's not something you need to thank me so seriously for..."
Soyo waved her hand, a little embarrassed.
"Anyway, you can change here. I'll go wake Anon up. You can come downstairs after we've left."
As she spoke, Soyo passed the spare key to Tetsuya's apartment into Sakiko's hand.
"Tetsuya usually wakes up between twelve and one. You can rest in the living room before then. I've already put the tea, coffee, and other utensils on the kitchen counter for you to use anytime. The cleaning supplies are in the bathroom; you'll see them as soon as you go in!"
Under Sakiko's increasingly jealous gaze, Soyo gave her instructions with meticulous detail.
"If there's anything else you don't know, you can message me anytime."
"...Mhm, I understand."
Sakiko nodded.
"Well then, I hope everything goes well with your band practice."
"Mhm. You too, Sakiko. I hope you get through today safely!"
Soyo gave her a supportive gesture, then put on her shoes and walked out the door, her steps as quiet as possible...
...
"Soyo... is this what she's like at home?"
Watching the retreating figure, Sakiko couldn't help but comment.
"No. She only became like this recently."
At the same time, Wakaba Mutsumi's voice came from behind her.
It turned out she had also woken up early and had been listening to their conversation.
"Ever since she confirmed her feelings with Chihaya-san, she's completely become the newlywed mistress of the Chihaya household."
"Even if she's a newlywed mistress, she shouldn't just leave me and Tetsuya-kun alone at home like this..."
Sakiko asked, looking bewildered.
"Doesn't she feel jealous at all?"
"No. She's now at a point where she even hopes you'll all get closer to Chihaya-san. That way, she'll have a reason to make a further move on him herself."
Mutsumi shook her head.
"Like I said before, as long as [Starry Sky] exists, she, just like Anon-san, has become an absolute victor who can never lose."
"...That's good news that doesn't make me happy at all."
Remembering Soyo's instructions, Sakiko sighed helplessly.
The composure she had, like that of a real wife, made Sakiko feel how far behind she was. And her tolerance, like that of a mother, made her feel completely outclassed.
Holding the key Soyo had given her, Sakiko felt as pathetic as a loser dog receiving a merciful handout from the victor.
"But Soyo's composure did create this great opportunity for me today."
Pushing the complex thoughts aside, Sakiko retracted the handle of her suitcase and opened it.
"Well then, it's my turn to seize this chance... Mutsumi, is there a full-length mirror here?"
"Yes, over here..."
Mutsumi first pointed to a corner of the living room, then closed the curtains.
"You can change here, Sakiko."
"Mhm, thank you."
Sakiko nodded and took the neatly folded maid outfit out of the suitcase.
As she did, Mutsumi sat down on the single sofa in the living room, looking at her with a serious expression—
"Um... Mutsumi?"
Feeling her gaze, Sakiko couldn't help but ask.
"Are you planning to watch me change here?"
"...I'm a little curious about how to put on a maid outfit."
Mutsumi said.
"Besides, it should be hard for you to tie the ribbon on your waist by yourself, right, Sakiko?"
"Mhm, that's true."
Considering their relationship, Sakiko didn't think much of it and began to change quite naturally.
Behind her, Mutsumi quietly watched her every step, her focused gaze looking as if she wanted to burn every detail into her memory.
With Mutsumi's help tying the ribbon on her waist, Togawa Sakiko's "one-day maid" journey had begun.