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Chapter 3 - Maid sama

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1650 words?

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Entering Kamiya's residence, I found myself facing Kamiya's mother. With a mischievous idea in mind, I casually called out, "Hina-nee-san, do you need a hand?"

"Hina-nee-san?" Ai looked at me quizzically, clearly wondering why I was referring to her mother as sister.

"Oh, I haven't introduced myself. My name is Aki Shijo. It's nice to meet you," I said smoothly, trying to maintain the facade. "Hina-nee-san has told me a lot about her sister."

"Sister?" Ai's expression was filled with confusion, and she glanced at her mother, clearly seeking an explanation.

For the first time, Hina looked genuinely ashamed, caught between her daughter's questioning gaze and the boy in front of her.

The atmosphere in the room was tense, as Ai struggled to comprehend the situation while Hina contemplated how to explain herself.

In the end, with no other choice, Hina blurted out everything. "I am Ai's mother and I am over 30. I enjoyed the feeling of being called a sister and got carried away."

She looked genuinely ashamed as she confessed, and Ai blushed with embarrassment at her mother's actions. "My mother can be mischievous sometimes, so please don't be angry with her. I apologize on her behalf."

I laughed it off and waved at them. "Haha, no need to apologize, Ai-san. I genuinely enjoy talking with your mom."

Turning to Hina, I asked, "And Hina-nee-san? Can I still call you that, or would it be better to switch to aunty?"

Hina looked shocked at first, but I continued, "You still look young, so i prefer calling you Hina-nee-san."

The tension eased as we shared a laugh, breaking the awkward moment with light-heartedness.

With the tension eased, Hina went to bring the food to the table, and Shijo followed her to offer help. Ai joined in, assisting with arranging the table settings.

With everything ready, we all dug into the meal. "Wow, this is really good," I exclaimed between bites.

"Thank you, I put my best into it," Hina replied with a smile.

Ai, although feeling a bit uneasy that a stranger had become so friendly with her mother moments after meeting, occasionally joined in the conversation.

"So, what were you up to this evening? I didn't see you after you left earlier," Hina asked, trying to steer the conversation towards more familiar territory.

"I was so bored that I started writing novels, and before I knew it, time had flown by," I explained.

"Novels like those- manga and anime stuff," Ai asked, having some knowledge of them, but Hina looked confused.

"Oh, yes, something like that, but mine are shorter versions, Kamiya-san," I clarified.

"Ah, Aki-san, you can call me Ai. It gets confusing being called 'Kamiya' when it's just me and my mother," Ai said with a smile. "Short novels, huh? If you don't mind, could I read them sometime?"

Um, sure. It's not much, just something I wrote out of boredom. But you can read them on the website -xxxx-. It's completely free," I replied casually.

"Free?" Hina asked, puzzled.

Ai added, "Why don't you submit your novels to a publishing house? Wouldn't it be more profitable if they accept your work?"

Curious about Aki's writing, Ai logged into the website and found two novels. She started with "Violet Evergarden," intending just to glance briefly. However, as she read a small part, she became completely engrossed.

Hina had to interrupt her, reminding Ai to stand up as they were clearing the table. Ai reluctantly tore herself away from the story, impressed by Aki's talent and already looking forward to reading more.

Ai, impressed by Aki's writing, asked him a curious question. "Aki, your novel is too good to be left unnoticed. Why don't you go tomorrow and publish it with a company? You could gain many fans. If it's left unattended like this, who knows who might steal your work and claim it as their own?

Hearing Ai's suggestion, Aki smiled to himself. Who in the world in Japan would try to steal my work, the Prime Minister? Nah, he's considered my uncle too, he thought wryly.

"Sure, Ai-san, can you accompany me tomorrow? I'm new here and don't know much about the area, so I would appreciate it, if someone guide me," he said aloud.

Ai nodded in agreement. "Is that so? Then if you don't mind waiting until after I finish my classes tomorrow, I'll be free to go with you."

As they discussed plans, Ai suddenly remembered something. "Aren't you going to school tomorrow?"

Aki shook his head. "No, I'll start attending after Monday. I need some time to make adjustments here and there first."

"Is that so," Ai shrugged. "But you'll need to consider that you're starting a month late, so you'll have to work hard in school, okay?" She advised him, concerned about his education.

Aki nodded in acknowledgment of Ai's advice. "Got it, I'll work hard to catch up," he assured her, appreciating her concern.

As they talked, Hina brought out some jelly and juice. The three of us enjoyed the refreshments, and soon it was time to leave. Ai and Hina walked Aki to the door.

"Come again tomorrow for dinner," Hina said warmly, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

"You have my contact, right? I'll give you a ring after class tomorrow," Ai added cheerfully.

"Thank you, Hina-nee and Ai-san. You both are really kind," Aki expressed gratefully, his appreciation evident in his demeanor as he bid them farewell for the evening.

Despite the late hour, Shijo didn't head straight home. Instead, he strolled around the streets to soak in the fresh air and acclimate himself to his new surroundings.

Unconcerned about ambushes or thieves, he was aware of the presence of his bodyguards discreetly watching over him from the shadows.

Moreover, his prodigious memory hinted at the tumultuous life of the previous owner, evident in the vast knowledge of martial arts techniques.

He was familiar with combat skills but valued caution. Shijo didn't mind his bodyguards keeping watch discreetly in public places. However, he also reminded them to respect his privacy and not intrude unnecessarily. This balance ensured his safety without compromising his personal space.

As Aki Shijo strolled through the quiet night, he felt the cool breeze brush against his face, a refreshing contrast to the warmth of his thoughts. Climbing the bus, he gazed out the window at the passing city lights, each one a flicker of life in the darkness. Reaching another part of town, he continued his leisurely walk, enjoying the solitude and the gentle rhythm of his footsteps on the pavement.

Amidst the serenity, he stumbled upon a cozy cafe, its soft glow inviting him inside. Pausing at the threshold, he savored the anticipation of stepping into a new space filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the murmur of conversation.

Opening the door, A girl in maid uniform greeted him with a cheerful, "Welcome, Master." It wasn't the phrase itself that gave Aki Shijo goosebumps, but the familiar face of the maids standing before him.

"Maid-sama," he thought aloud, a name from his memories surfacing vividly. "Misa!"

Feeling surprised that someone knew her name, Maki asked, pointing to herself, "Do you by any chance know me?"

Aki Shijo, caught off guard, rubbed his chin thoughtfully before responding with a half-truth. Without facing her directly, he muttered loud enough for the maids to hear, "Hmm, let's see, Misa. I don't know you personally, but a friend of mine mentioned someone with your name. They warned me to stay away, saying she's a demon and their president."

A bit apprehensive about the situation, Maki asked again, "Ah, then you must have the wrong person."

Aki responded, trying to reassure her, "No, no, they showed me a picture. It was edited with horns, but I can tell it's you."

He chuckled softly, adding, "They'd be surprised to know their president is working as a maid. It'd be quite funny!!"

Feeling the gravity of the situation, Misa held his hand and whispered, "Can we talk outside for a bit?"

With a reassuring smile, Aki responded, "Sure."

After they found themselves at the back of the cafe, Misa pleaded, "Can you please keep today's events a secret?"

Aki chuckled softly. "And what will I get in return for keeping your secret?" he teased.

She thought for a moment before replying, "Today's food here will be on me."

"That's all?" Aki raised an eyebrow skeptically.

"I can't afford to pay for more," she admitted.

"Well then, I think I cannot keep my mouth shut," Aki said casually.

"Don't force me to use force," Misa warned, half-siriously.

"Try it," Aki challenged, pushing her against the wall.

She attempted to kick, but Aki swiftly caught her thigh. Feeling overpowered, Misa tried to shout, but Aki quickly covered her mouth with one hand and pressed his finger to his lips, signaling for silence.

He whispered, "Someone you might know is behind us."

Surprised by his words, Misa looked past Aki and saw Uzui Takumi, a classmate from the same school, walking past them. She froze, realizing the potential danger if Uzui had seen her.

After Uzui was out of earshot, Misa asked in a hushed voice, "When are you letting me go?"

Aki, acting as if he had forgotten, released her and stepped back, allowing her to regain her composure.

"Seriously, what do you want?" Misa asked with a hint of frustration.

Aki shrugged nonchalantly. "Hmm, I'll wait until your shift is over. Might as well enjoy a free meal first."

Misa sighed, realizing she had little choice in the matter. She glanced around nervously, hoping their encounter would remain unnoticed by others in the cafe

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