I thought for sure I would get a lecture or something.
For some reason, Mei was thanking me.
"Huh? Ah, um... Huh?"
I wasn't prepared for this direction.
I was bracing myself to accept the negative words, but instead I was hit with warm, kind words of affirmation. I was off balance and couldn't respond properly.
He must have sensed my state.
Mei raised her head and added a supplementary explanation.
"Ever since we met you, both of us have become so much brighter... especially Lady Hime, who seems to be having so much fun every day. Maybe that makes Lady Hijiri happy, because she's started laughing a lot more too. That's why I wanted to thank you one day - Youhei-sama?"
This was the first time my name was called.
He had always called me "you" so I didn't even want to say his name out loud... but it seems I was mistaken.
"Um... is it okay to call you Yohei? Maybe you don't like it?"
"No! I don't mind, but... I was a bit surprised."
It's probably because I'm always confused.
I felt like Mei was being very considerate.
"Sorry to startle you. I guess it was a bit sudden after all."
"That's one thing, but... since we were alone, I was prepared for some harsh words to be spoken to me. That's why I'm so upset."
Be honest about your situation.
At this, Mei slumped her shoulders in a clear look of apologetic regret.
"I misunderstood. I'm sorry... but it was difficult to say it in front of you ladies. Look, I am like an older sister to you two after all."
"...You were embarrassed, so you say?"
"Don't say it so bluntly... I know it myself. Isn't it a bit overprotective to be happy that the young lady has made a friend? But I was happy, so it can't be helped."
"I see."
"Besides, I want to be a cool, reliable maid in front of the two of you. I don't want to show you my lovey-dovey side like this."
Is he acting all lovey-dovey?
It's hard to tell because the change in her expression is subtle, but now that you mention it, it does seem like her face is a little red.
At least it wasn't denied.
"I'm happy to meet you, Yohei-sama. Thank you, really."
Oh, I understand.
This person is that. He's not exactly clumsy, he's just expressionless... but he's a really kind person.
It has a similar atmosphere to Hime.
That girl doesn't give off the same cold impression as Mei, so we were able to get along quickly, but because Mei is older, it took me a while to notice her cute side.
I thought I would be scolded for that forever.
But I finally realized that was a big mistake.
"I wanted to tell you this in person someday. And, please continue to take good care of the young ladies... As a token of my gratitude, I have prepared a feast for you today, so please enjoy it. The dessert you ordered is late in arriving, but I think it will arrive after the meal, so please look forward to it."
I also reflected on the fact that I had been thinking a little too much.
It's true that she spilled the tea so that we could be alone, but it seems that dinner was also late. I'm ashamed of myself for suspecting that even that was intentional.
I regret that I doubted Mei's hospitality, even though she was trying so hard to show me.
It seems I was welcomed right from the start.
Despite that, I felt so sorry for being strangely suspicious and wary of him.