Chapter 01 : Maid Cafe

I am, Nagao Kaoru , 5'6 on a good day, and a second year at Kyoma High. I am 17 years old and my family members are above 5'10.

In a family of skyscrapers, I'm the adorable little bungalow at 5'6". My dad? He's the human giraffe at 6'3", practically touching the clouds. Mom's no slouch either, a statuesque 5'10", towering over us mere mortals. And my sister? Well, she's the family tree at 6'0". Meanwhile, I'm the garden gnome, but hey, who needs height when you've got charm, right? So, while they reach for the stars, I'll just keep reaching for the top shelf snacks.

Oh, my sister, the height police of the family, always teasing me for being closer to the ground than the rest of them. She's got jokes for days about needing a periscope to spot me in a crowd. But hey, here's the kicker: I've got the cuteness factor cranked up to eleven. Sometimes, I've even had people mistake me for a girl, much to her delight. Hey, if being vertically challenged means I get mistaken for a Disney princess, then sign me up for the tiara!

Yep, not only am I vertically challenged, but my voice decided to join the party too – it's more soprano than baritone. Meanwhile, my sister's living the dream, running her own Maid Cafe.

Ah, the hair situation – it's a whole saga on its own. Picture this: brown hair with black streaks, a look that's both unique and, dare I say, adorable. But here's the kicker: I've got these eyes that apparently have a reputation for melting hearts. So, to avoid causing chaos in the hallways, I've perfected the art of hiding them behind my curtain of hair. Call it self-preservation or just a convenient way to maintain some semblance of normalcy in a sea of teenage drama.

Ah, the joys of having a sister who's also the boss of a Maid Cafe. Let's just say, she's got some interesting ideas for employee uniforms. Picture this: me, reluctantly dressed in frills and bows, trying to pass off as one of her maids. Yep, that's right, she forced me to crossdress as a girl and work as a maid, much to the amusement of our customers.

And here's the kicker: nobody even knew I was a boy! Thanks to my sister's persuasive skills and a little makeup magic, I blended right in with the other maids. So there I was, prancing around in my frilly outfit, serving up parfait and smiles, all while secretly hiding my true identity. It was like living a double life, and let me tell you, keeping up the act was no easy feat. But hey, desperate times call for desperate measures, right?

As I fluttered around the Maid Cafe, playing the role of the perfect maid, I couldn't help but notice a newcomer entering the scene. A handsome devil with striking blue hair caught my eye, and I couldn't deny the pang of curiosity that surged within me. Towering at 5'10", he exuded an air of confidence that made my heart skip a beat. Little did he know, behind the demure facade of the maid outfit, there was a boy nervously trying to keep up the charade.

As I caught sight of the handsome newcomer with the striking blue hair, a warmth spread across my cheeks, betraying my otherwise composed facade. In that moment, doubts crept in, whispering unsettling questions in the depths of my mind. Was it just admiration, or was there something more stirring within me? I couldn't help but wonder, am I... becoming gay? The thought lingered, casting a shadow over my already tumultuous emotions.

(Kaoru stands in the Maid Cafe, exhausted from a day of serving customers and playing the role of the perfect maid. His sister, the cafe owner, approaches with a mischievous glint in her eye.)

SISTER :

Kaoru, darling, you were simply fabulous today! But we're not done yet.

KAORU(weary):

What do you mean? I've already served a hundred parfait and cleaned enough tables to last a lifetime.

SISTER (laughs):

Oh, but we have one more task for you, dear brother.

(Kaoru stands awkwardly on the sidewalk, dressed in full girl attire. Passersby stare, some amused. Kaoru's cheeks burn with embarrassment as he tries to keep his head down.)

KAORU

(to himself)

I can't believe she's making me do this... Even after a day of maid work, I'm still stuck wearing these girl clothes.

(He hurries along, hoping to reach the end of this humiliating ordeal as quickly as possible.)

Desperate for a reprieve from the embarrassment of his maid duties, Kaoru escapes to a nearby cafe with his friend Patrick. As they settle into a cozy corner, Kaoru can finally breathe a sigh of relief, grateful for the chance to shed the frills and bows for a moment. With Patrick by his side, he feels a sense of normalcy returning, the weight of his earlier humiliation lifting ever so slightly. As they chat and sip on their drinks, Kaoru can't help but feel grateful for Patrick's unwavering support, a beacon of friendship in the midst of his sister's whimsical antics.

(Kaoru and Patrick sit at a table, sipping on their drinks.)

PATRICK (glancing at Kaoru's attire):

Hey, Kaoru, I've been meaning to ask... why are you still wearing those girl clothes?

KAORU (sighs):

It's a long story, Patrick. Let's just say my sister has a flair for the dramatic.

PATRICK (raises an eyebrow):

Dramatic how?

KAORU(wearily):

Well, she's the owner of that Maid Cafe you've probably heard about. Long story short, I got roped into helping out and now I'm stuck in this girl getup even when I'm not working.

PATRICK(chuckles):

Man, your sister doesn't mess around. But hey, you're rocking it, dude!

KAORU (rolls eyes):

Easy for you to say. You're not the one getting weird looks from strangers.

(They share a laugh, grateful for the camaraderie amidst the chaos of Kaoru's fashion predicament.)

(Kaoru and Patrick continue their conversation over their drinks.)

PATRICK(leaning in, conspiratorially):

Hey, have you heard about Hiraoka Hiroyuki?

KAORU (furrowing his brow):

Hiraoka Hiroyuki? Isn't she the top student in our school?

PATRICK (nods):

That's the one. But here's the kicker – she's not just known for her grades. Have you seen her? She's like, the most beautiful girl you'll ever lay eyes on.

KAORU (raising an eyebrow):

Really? I've never noticed.

PATRICK (chuckles):

Trust me, you'd notice. But here's the catch – she looks at guys like they're something she found stuck to the bottom of her shoe. It's like, instant disgust.

KAORU (surprised):

Wow, talk about harsh. I guess beauty really is only skin deep.

As the sun begins to set, casting a warm glow over the bustling streets outside the cafe, Kaoru and Patrick finish their drinks and rise from their seats. With a shared glance and a knowing smile, they bid each other farewell, their conversation fading into the background as they step out onto the sidewalk. With a wave, they part ways, each heading towards their respective homes.