To gain something, one must sacrifice something…—that's a setting commonly seen in novels or manga, including those involving past lives. For example, systems of equivalent exchange involving alchemy or pill refining—at least, that's how I see it.
As for why I'm thinking about such a thing right now—
well, it's because I am currently in the worst possible situation:
directly receiving, with my life bar, the strong stomachache and faint nausea caused by an overwhelming secretion of gastric acid.
What exactly am I gaining by paying this unpleasant emotional sacrifice? Unfortunately, in my current state, I have absolutely no idea.
After riding in senior Rudolf's limousine for about one to two hours, I enjoyed chatting with him during the journey, but by the time we finally arrived at his family home, that enjoyable atmosphere instantly vanished.
Far in the distance were enormous buildings—plural—stretching across the estate.
The fact that the gate was so far from the buildings was already on the verge of overloading the thought circuitry of ordinary, commoner-me.
Due to senior Rudolf's kindness—though it was honestly just unnecessary consideration—we got out at the front gate, even though apparently people normally would not. Then he walked while introducing me to the buildings and facilities, and at that point my stomach already began pinching bit by bit.
Still, I thought, surely there couldn't be anything even more impactful than this—
so I listened to his explanations while walking toward the mansion.
...…Yeah.
"""""Welcome home, Milady."""""
Right in front of the mansion entrance stood neatly lined-up maids—more than 30 of them.
The moment I saw maids arranged in a row along both sides of the stone pavement to welcome us, I found myself clutching my stomach.
Feeling the sharp pain stabbing through my stomach, I unconsciously stopped walking. Senior Rudolf looked back at me with a puzzled expression, but there was absolutely no way I had the mental capacity to respond.
Seeing me silently shake my head, he glanced toward the maids, as if something clicked in his mind, and nodded several times in understanding. Then, with a bright smile, he turned back toward me and spoke:
"Oh, just so you know—these ladies are actual professionals, so don't expect cosplay-like outfits from anime or manga, alright?"
No, that's not the issue!!
Rather, if they were wearing cosplay-like mini-skirt maid outfits on top of this, my stomach would hurt even more, you idiot!!
—that's what I wanted to say. Wanted to—but of course, there's no way I could say something like that. That's exactly what makes me useless.
With classic Victorian-style maid uniforms that reveal almost no skin—the very definition of functional work attire—and with ages seemingly ranging from 20s to 50s, even a layperson like me, who has never seen real maids before, can tell these are not costumes but actual professionals, senior Rudolf.
The reason I was shaking my head was because, as a regular commoner horse-girl person, the difference in dimension here was too much, and the sense of being out of place was overwhelming. Ugh… my stomach again…
And so… this loops back to what I was saying earlier—
"to gain something, one must sacrifice something."
Though not to the point of breaking out in cold sweat, my stomach had been hurting sharply enough that I was slightly hunched over, pressing against it with my hand. Meanwhile, senior Rudolf walked calmly through the line of maids toward the mansion entrance, and I could only desperately follow behind.
Contrary to my inner turmoil, senior Rudolf seemed genuinely happy as he walked. I followed behind him, and at some point, I noticed something shocking:
the Boston bag I had brought from Tracen Academy and carried over my shoulder was now being held by the elderly maid walking behind us along with his luggage.
When did she…?
Realizing that my luggage had been taken without me even noticing honestly made me feel slightly terrified—not much, just a little. But seeing that senior Rudolf continued guiding me without remarking on anything, I began wondering whether I was overreacting.
The mansion interior had such overwhelming luxury that if someone said it was a high-class hotel, I would believe them. The entrance hall and corridors were wide, decorated with expensive-looking vases and paintings, further amplifying the sense of unreality.
Honestly, the idea that this was merely senior Rudolf's house still felt wrong to me. Surely this must be a hotel?
"Bāya… where are father and mother?"
"Both master and madam informed us that they would be taking tomorrow off, so they will not be returning today."
"Hm? Is that so?"
"Yes. I believe it is because they are delighted that young lady has brought home a friend."
Being addressed as "bāya" by senior Rudolf, the elderly maid smiled softly as she answered him. Watching their pleasant exchange, I figured she must have worked here since senior Rudolf was little.
(T/L:"ばぁや" is basically "granny-nanny," an old caretaker; I kept it as "Bāya" for uniqueness ( ꈍᴗꈍ).)
But suddenly, I felt someone's gaze. When I turned around—I saw Sebastian secretly following us, hiding behind objects.
…Um, what are you doing?
There was no need to sneak around, so seeing him doing so only filled my head with question marks.
And as if knowing my confusion, Sebastian pulled out a cue card—yes, like the kind held up on television—and showed it to me.
[Master and Madam are taking time off tomorrow because they wish to meet Lady Nature.]
…Seriously?
[Master and Madam are very kind people, so please rest assured.]
That's fine and all, but why are you hiding, Sir Sebastian?
Reading his cue card, that was the only thing I could think. And then Sebastian quickly wrote a new message.
[It is improper for a man to intrude on girls' talk.]
Ah, I see—
is what I would say!
Like hell that makes sense!!
I even reflexively made a hand motion as if delivering a comedic retort. And now… I began wondering—could Sebastian be reading my mind?
Seeing my reaction, Sebastian gave me a really good thumbs-up face, then wrote yet another message:
[Lady Nice Nature seemed very nervous.]
[Have you calmed down a little?]
After reading that, I finally realized that my stomach pain had eased completely. And somehow, I genuinely felt calmer than I did upon entering the mansion.
When I looked at Sebastian again, the exaggerated "good face" expression was gone. He now looked like a kind grandfather smiling warmly at his grandchild.
(He… noticed, didn't he…?)
If so, Sebastian might actually be unbelievably kind. Even if I'm invited here as senior Rudolf's friend—or junior—normally, nobody would go that far…
[It is natural to feel nervous, but please do enjoy your stay.]
After showing me that message, Sebastian put away the cards and bowed. Perhaps the whole exchange was to prevent senior Rudolf from noticing my nervousness. If so, then I only caused him trouble, and I felt guilty.
I hurriedly bowed back, making sure senior Rudolf and the elderly maid wouldn't notice. Thanks to him, I genuinely felt better.
After watching Sebastian leave, I walked toward senior Rudolf, who was still happily talking with the elderly maid.
⏱
"Now then, this is my room."
A few minutes after parting ways with Sebastian, once the talk with the elderly maid ended, I was finally brought to senior Rudolf's private room.
"Actually, this is my first time having a sleepover with someone, so I was looking forward to it a little."
"Um, so that means I'll be staying in the same room as you tonight, senior Rudolf?"
He said so happily, so I answered like that.
It seems I will be sleeping in senior Rudolf's room.
Well, honestly, since we normally live together in the dorms, nothing is particularly different. But seeing how sincerely happy he looked, everything else stopped mattering.
The interior of the room was extremely "Rudolf-like"—no girlish decorations, just a desk, a shelf full of training manuals, and a large bed.
It might as well belong to a university student.
But then, on one side, there were PakaPuchi displays and some shōjo manga, so from someone who sees him daily, this was unmistakably "Rudolf's room."
"…Do you dislike it?"
Suddenly, I heard a small voice behind me as I was looking around. When I turned, senior Rudolf was glancing at me with ears drooping and looking anxious.
"…Would another room have been better?"
"No! Not at all, senior Rudolf! I just wondered whether it was okay for me to be the first."
"!? …I see. Then I'm glad."
Relieved, he let out a breath—and I noticed something odd.
Somehow, perhaps because he's home, senior Rudolf seemed slightly more like "Luna-chan."
His tail swished lightly, and once his mood recovered, he smiled brightly in a way that was—not his usual refined "Fufu,"
but more like a mischievous "Nishishi,"
something closer to Teio.
At first I didn't notice because I was preoccupied with stress and stomach pain, but ever since we arrived he's been smiling so happily. Maybe—just maybe—the in-game and anime version of Symboli Rudolf, before becoming the Emperor or Lion King, looked like this.
Well, that's just my imagination though.
"Well then, young lady, when dinner is ready, I shall come fetch you."
"Ah, thank you, Bāya."
After bringing our luggage in, the elderly maid said that and left the room.
Outside the window it was still bright, because it's midsummer, but my watch showed past 6 PM. Night would fall soon.
It seems someone will come get us for dinner, so until then I guess I'll casually chat with senior Rudolf.
I moved my luggage to the corner so it wouldn't be in the way, and approached Rudolf—who sat on the bed, clearly in a very good mood.
Later—while chatting—I found out from senior Rudolf that there is a small turf track and even slopes for training within the estate grounds.
(…Rich people really do live in a different world.)
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T/L:I'm back, and guess what? Yeah, I'm gonna disappear again.( ╹▽╹ )