--School is over.
After school, as usual, Hime and I spent some time relaxing in the classroom. We chatted over snacks until Hijiri finished his work for the student council, and when he arrived, we headed to the school gate together. The Hoshimiya sisters were waiting for the shuttle bus and waved goodbye to the two of them.
This is the usual procedure.
But today, things were a little different.
"...Huh? They've already arrived."
While we were walking, Hime suddenly muttered something like that.
By arrival, do you mean the shuttle bus?
That's when I realized. There was a car parked near the school gate, an unfamiliar shape, with a cool look. I feel bad that with my limited vocabulary I can only describe it like this. Are those kind of cars considered luxury imported cars...? The steering wheel is on the left seat, so I think it probably is.
"Is that Hime's pick-up?"
"Yes. Your maid has come."
"Usually it's a little late, but today it's early."
My prediction was correct, and suddenly I felt nervous.
Well, I guess I should say hello after all? I'm good friends with the Hoshimiya sisters.
The person in the driver's seat is probably a maid. I can't see the details yet, but it looks like a woman.
The Hoshimiya sisters are quite the ladies of the household. Does a maid working for such a household essentially mean she's a maid?
I wonder if I'll be okay... I'm a little worried that the Hoshimiya sisters will be wary of me as a bad influence.
"Yohei-kun, may I introduce you?"
"Hime-chan is always talking about Yohei at home, so it seems like everyone is really worried about him."
"I, I'm curious..."
The tension grows even stronger.
I feel like a boyfriend who is about to meet his girlfriend's parents. Well, I've never dated a woman, so I don't know if that analogy is accurate.
In any case, be polite so as not to arouse any suspicion.
Just as I was thinking that, the driver's door opened.
There were probably only a few meters left. Thanks to him getting out of the car, I could finally see him.
The person who appeared was a child wearing a maid's uniform.
"...picture?"
I couldn't help but let out a cry.
There is a little girl in front of me.
She has a black bob cut, straight bangs, and a striking prim perched on top of her head.
Her pale eyes stared straight at me, not moving an inch.
And she's small. She's definitely bigger than the eight-year-old Hime, but... she looks like she could only be 11 to 13 years old. If she was wearing casual clothes and carrying a school bag, I'm sure I would have recognized her as an elementary school student.
And that's how she got out of the driver's seat of a luxury imported car.
I was so surprised that I was speechless.
"Oh, it's Mei-chan. Heyyy."
"Mei-san. Thank you for picking me up today."
The Hoshimiya sisters are chatting away in a friendly manner.
Then, finally, the maid took action.
"...My Lady, welcome back."
Bow slowly and politely.
His mannerisms and calm manner of speaking made me unconsciously straighten my back.
(Oh, I'm not a child.)
If you watch, you'll understand.
Her attitude was clearly that of an adult. Her aura felt somewhat similar to Hime's... Realizing that she was the type of person whose personality exuded from within, rather than from her appearance, I steeled myself from the beginning of my relaxation.
That's why I think I was able to respond politely without getting too upset.
"Also, nice to meet you. I'm Ito Mei."
"Yes. Nice to meet you, I'm Ozora Yohei."
This time, the maid, Mei-san, bowed her head in greeting, and I bowed back in return.
"...It seems that my young lady is being looked after."
However, Mei's expression didn't change.
He remained expressionless and cold... his attitude made me feel as though he was wary of something.
However, I didn't feel bad about it. In fact, I felt a sense of déjà vu.
(Maybe she looks like Hime when we first met...?)
I feel like Hime was like this before we became friends.
When I remembered that, I felt a bit nostalgic.