Chapter 1190 - A Maid's Holiday: Part 3
And so, in the end.
It seemed my thought that she would be knowledgeable wasn't wrong, as Itsuki-san's steps were without hesitation. In the private room of the karaoke box I was led into in the blink of an eye, I would be made to hear a maid's singing for the first time—... at least, that wasn't how things flowed for now.
"Aren't you eating too much?"
"Do not worry. I have trained."
"Your stomach???"
As if the fact that we had been eating our way around until just a moment ago didn't exist.
I stared, without hiding my exasperation, at her profile as she munched on a mountain of french fries she had ordered in a smooth motion, with a face that seemed to say, It's only natural manners, isn't it?
Yes, and as if it were also only natural, we were sitting next to each other. Don't press your shoulder against mine, your shoulder.
"...And... somehow, this is unexpected. Far from junk food, like..."
"Did you have the image that I do not eat out? But unfortunately, despite how I look, I am a maid who goes to ramen shops alone on my days off. Have I destroyed your dream?"
"What dream? I don't hold any such thing."
I would be made to listen to something, or made to sing something, early on. Since I was particularly on guard against the latter, I was taken aback by how she didn't even show any sign of turning her attention to the karaoke terminal for now... though I probably shouldn't be. If so, what else I should be on guard against is—
But, still.
"..."
"Oh, what is the matter? Even if you stare at me like that, my hands will not stop."
"Do you like french fries?"
"Yes, I love things that are bad for the body."
Somehow, well... I thought.
Even for me, or rather, even with Natsume Itsuki as my opponent. When things are done to this extent, it's not like I don't feel a bit bad for doubting her, wondering if it's an act or some scheme.
If you ask what I mean by that,
"...You've looked like you're having fun this whole time."
Because from the bottom of my heart, for a long time now, that is how she has appeared to me.
That is precisely why my confusion and doubts are endless—and the loop of my thoughts does not stop. Because there is no need to even think about it calmly; the business that should exist between her and me right now... well, at the very least, I cannot believe a peaceful time like this is appropriate.
To me, who showed this on my face without hiding it, Itsuki-san smiled as expected.
"Yes, I am having fun,"
Smiling, she picked up another french fry,
"Walking through the city with a man I do not dislike is a first for me, after all..."
And smoothly, without hesitation, she brought it to my mouth.
"Teasing you like this is not a boring way to spend time."
"..."
After hesitating for a few seconds, I accepted the bad-for-the-body thing thrust at me verbally. Seeing this, Itsuki-san, confirming her good mood, let out an amused laugh.
"An amusing person."
Because of her unilaterally crushing the distance between us, our touching shoulders were both at normal temperature. Although we were a young man and woman with some age difference, there was a certain, mysterious sense of security between us.
It was also different from Kaede, Shoko, and Miki, my close female friends.
"You are the first person I have ever thought was 'similar' to myself."
Precisely because we are the same, we are opponents who exist in the same position and will never cross paths.
"...Are we similar? Us."
"No, not at all. We are not similar in the slightest."
"What does that even mean..."
It was always the case that she would throw incomprehensible words at me with a plausible air.
—And for some reason, limited to those words of hers. Even though I didn't understand, a kind of acceptance, in its own incomprehensible way, would drop right into my heart,
which was also, always the case.
Did that, as her words suggested, show that we were 'similar'?
Or,
"Nonetheless, for you to be unresponsive even after I have gone this far is vexing as a woman."
"No, I am nervous, though. In a maid-like sense."
"Then I shall forgive you."
"Don't be satisfied just because I said 'maid', you maid..."
As always.
Am I just being toyed with by Natsume Itsuki, who is far beyond my reach—
"Kasuga-san,"
"Ugh, ...yes."
Being called by my name like always, tension suddenly rushed back. I adjusted my expression and looked next to me... but Itsuki-san was the same as ever.
As ever, she was watching over me while wearing a gentle smile.
"You do not treat me like a lover at all, do you?"
And... see, like this.
"...I am not treating you like a lover, but..."
For some reason, even without understanding her words that had neither warning nor context, I could read them. Taking that abrupt complaint as a question, I returned the answer I had prepared.
"I am treating you like a precious 'older sister', enough that we would look like lovers to others."
She had said she would leave both how I took it and how I behaved entirely up to me.
If so, she shouldn't have any complaints about this, and there was no way I could know the answer she truly desired—I answered, puffing out my chest, as proudly as possible.
At that, Itsuki-san closed her eyes as if nodding.
"...The lecture. You remembered it well."
"Was that a lecture? I only remember being encouraged."
"If I were simply encouraging you, I would have used much sweeter words."
Opening her eyes, she looked at me again.
The eyes with which this person stared at me, from that day...—from that day I 'wished for someone who wouldn't take my side', they have not changed even once.
...Once again, a french fry was held out in front of me.
"I am not particularly looking for a cute 'younger brother'."
If I accepted it again, her black eyes would observe me with amusement as I wondered what kind of face I should make. Shrugging her shoulders, which had at some point drifted apart, Itsuki-san continued her words.
"What I am seeking is a partner worthy of my 'young lady'. And..."
Continuing, layering them, still staring straight at 'me',
"only an amusing master worthy of my service."
Proudly, she declared herself.
"Kasuga-san."
"...Yes."
"I have not misjudged the depth of the feelings you direct toward my 'young lady (Sora)'. I have no intention of losing either, but I can see your spirit, that you have absolutely no intention of losing to me either."
"...Yes."
"In that case, you are not harboring misplaced worries about my forgiveness or anything of the sort, are you?"
That is why, yes.
I, who had no intention of losing, would also be rude if I did not proudly declare myself.
"Yes."
"...—Very well. The current you is very attractive."
Ah, indeed. Although I had come prepared to be rebuked and lectured, I hadn't worried even a tiny bit about her saying 'I won't forgive you'.
Because there was no way she would misjudge matters related to her 'young lady'.
Namely, there was no way she would misjudge the ridiculously huge emotions I direct toward Sora.
In short—
Because I believed she would never deny the other two emotions that stood alongside it.
What a completely naive way of thinking. However,
"Please remain proud just like that. I am on that side to begin with."
My perception of none other than Natsume Itsuki should be correct with that.
"Common sense is such a boring thing."
"If kicking it away can make you happy, please kick it away to your heart's content."
The invincible maid smiled gently, and once more.
She thrust a 'bad thing' in front of me, without hesitating for anyone.
I might fall in love.