Chapter 3: The End of Retreat — Bourtange
[START]
We departed from the Amsterdam Centraal Station upon which the exterior of Tokyo Station is modelled–
We then spent half the day taking train and bus connections before arriving at the rural town of Bourtange.
As the sun was setting in the 4 PM cloudy sky,
「Lisa came to this small town on an elementary school trip. It is a place that DEEN is not very likely to find. Liberty Mason is an urban-type secret society, so they will not have a network in this country town.」
The gunshot wound to her abdomen seeming healed, Lisa explained cheerfully.
「This town has a moat… isn’t that a bit strange?」
「Viewed from above, it has the shape of a star. When the invader Napoleon Bonaparte launched a furious assault in the 18th century, as one of the Netherlands’ strongest fortified cities, this town was able to withstand it.」
A fortified city– I see. Is that why Lisa chose this place to hide? This town was built for war, so if you look closely, the streets are arranged for ease of hiding and movement.
As we crossed the drawbridge and entered the star-shaped city–
The surrounding countryside was also depopulated and covered with ruins unlike the Japanese countryside. It looked to be well-ordered.
At the centre of the town there was the glistening steeple of a church, and we entered a brick tile roofed cafe–
「There are several vacant buildings, but Lisa will choose a residence. Tohyama-sama, please wait here for a bit.」
Leaving me with those words, Lisa stepped out into the cold.
(She’s… such a hard worker, isn’t she?)
In a seat inside the shop, I order a cappuccino by pointing to it on the menu and poured its warmth into my stomach.
Still disguised as a woman, I had to be careful to not speak to the shop attendant. When my Onii-san becomes Kana, his voice changes completely, and Riko has that amazing voice-changing skill.
As I absent-mindedly pondered the slight relief gained from this town…
Three elderly patrons exited the store carrying coffee cups and ash trays.
Why go outside into the cold?
「…?」
Peeking out through the wood frame window, I saw the elderly smiling happily as they looked at the western sky and sat at a bronze table.
The madder red setting sun showed through breaks in the thick clouds.
The clerk at the counter began to say something in Dutch, then switched to English–
I didn’t really understand what they said, but I was able to catch the words,「Dutch weather」.
It appears that in the winter, the Netherlands are a heavily clouded country. So, whenever there are brief periods of sunshine, everyone hurries to enjoy the sunlight. At least, that was the feeling I got.
So I headed outside too–
The temperature had definitely risen slightly, and the sun felt good on my skin.
(I’m safe in this little town, so I wonder if I should look around a bit?)
It’s a small town after all. So Lisa shouldn’t be worried about losing me.
***************************************************
Bourtange is a sleepy little town…
All the brickwork houses gave an impression of something from the Middle Ages, each of them with cute, elaborate designs that looked like something out of a Western fairy-tale. Even I, who had no interest in architecture, enjoyed the sight.
Form what Lisa said on the train, out of clothing, food, and architecture, Dutch culture seems to value『architecture』the most. That much is very evident.
I continued to bask in the light of the setting sun–and within the line of the surrounding moat and overlooking an arrow-shaped bulwark–there was a small wooden windmill that perfectly matched my mental picture.
It was small and old, but perfectly functional. It was clear that it was well taken care of.
As I moved closer to observe it, I saw that it had several cogs and chains all around it such that it could be controlled relative to the wind direction and desired rotational speed. It was a much more precise machine than I had imagined.
「I thought that you would come this way.」
As I inspected the windmill, a voice in Japanese came from behind me… Lisa had spoken.
「Ah! I am sorry for wandering off. It appears I wanted to walk in the sunlight like a Dutchman.」
If I turned back, I would see the distant afterglow of the setting sun behind her–
A flutter of leaves danced in the air.
It wasn’t just one or two. But several flew off into the west in a line.
「Huh… what are those?」
Furrowing her brows, I urged Lisa to look as the western sky…
「Ah. Those are spotted butterflies– migrating butterflies. When winter comes, they cross the sea to the United Kingdom. Many of them are exhausted by the cold, but some of them survive… When spring comes, the next generation returns to the Netherlands.」
She happily explained the sight in her native country.
Then, turning her back to the windmill again, she smiled at me.
「–I have hired a house. Lisa also has enough funds on hands for us to stay for a month. I am sure that Tohyama-sama will definitely like it.」
Lisa said. From her smiling face, she surely did well in the rental negotiations.
However, thinking it wrong to simply live there for free–
「That must be very expensive, right? And there are living expense on top of the rent.」
Meeting Lisa half-way, I handed over almost all of the money I had left.
「Th-this…is a lot!」
「Please take it. Think about it. While I am disguised, I won’t be able to go shopping very easily, will I? We might be safe in this little town, but we are still running from DEEN and GRENEDA. If we don’t complement each other’s strengths, there is no way we’ll be able to get out of this alive.」
As I said that, Lisa’s emerald colour eyes widened as they looked at me.
「So, that being the case–shouldn’t we split the work and you take care of the things that don’t require fighting skills, and I will take care of the fighting So I will be borrowing your power… and I can only act like a bodyguard for now. I’m sorry.」
I fumbled for words, and Lisa… huh?
For some reason, she looked shocked. And she turned red.
Then she seemed to be stirred by some deep, passionate feeling. What the hell?
This kind of behaviour from a girl… where have I seen it before…? Oh, I remember!
It was when I put the ring I got for Aria on her left ring finger.
And when I asked to hire Shirayuki with a bunch of roses.
Afterwards, both of them started acting strangely, as if they found themselves over their head in a fountain of water and were about to swoon, and I waited with bated breath for the response–
「…This must be part of Sir Sherlock’s Cognis…」
Lisa unexpectedly muttered about her prior time in I.U.
Cognis.
That was Sherlock’s unique ability.
Deductive skills elevated to the level of precognition.
Shortly after my eyebrows furrowed at that word,
「Tohyama-sama. There is something Lisa must say before we go home」
*Clap!*… Lisa pressed both her hands together in front of her round chest and dropped her head in supplication.
「–Please, become my master.」
Wh-what?
Master? What the heck!?
Aria said,『Become my slave!』, once before, and I stood blinking in silence at the unexpected request.
「I was troubled when I did not meet my fated hero-sama in I.U…. Sir Sherlock gave me advice. This is what Sir said: The one I would serve will come from the east. He would have a bit of an evil look in his eyes, be brusque in his manner, a womaniser…」
Oi, Sherlock!
「Sir also foresaw the moment I would meet my fated partner with Cognis.『When you see the migrating butterflies in the sky』. That is now. I have happened upon my destined hero-sama.」
Well…
I’m not exactly an amazing hero or anything, but rather a poor student ranked in the bottom half of my school…
Even if I were to explain that in great detail here, Lisa has her mind made up that I am some kind of『Prince Charming』–and, deeply moved, tears stood out from her eyes.
But I couldn’t bring myself to make the immediate reply of「You’re wrong, stupid!」.
「So, Tohyama-sama. Will you please be Lisa’s master? Please let me serve you as a maid.」
This, this… is a first for me.
Lisa has never seen me in Hysteria Mode.
While running from DEEN, I’ve been normal, and she hasn’t know me as anything other than an ordinary high school student.
She has this wild, delusional dream and her blind acceptance of Sherlock’s Cognis has led her far off the mark… That means she doesn’t see my usual careless self.
Aria was the first girl to decide that I had some ability–but that is when I am Hysteria Mode. It isn’t the real me.
The real me is curt with women, unable to make a living, and a useless man.
But Lisa the Maid seemed content with such a useless man…
「Just now, I believe that Master spoke of the division of labour. Cooking, washing, and cleaning are things that Lisa can do. I will do anything that Master wishes. In exchange… please use your gun and blade such that Lisa does not have to fight or be injured. Please save Lisa from the things that would hurt her.」
She made this plea, already calling me her master.
Well… that is the division of labour I suggested, and I don’t see any reason to refuse.
「That was more or less what I planned to do. Fighting to protect a woman is a man’s duty, after all.」
It’s a relationship that isn’t common between men and women today, but it is the one that exists between me and Lisa. I went along with what she had said–
Overcome by emotion *Drip!*… *Drip!* Great drops of tears fell.
Tears of passion accumulates in her wide eyes and spilled out one by one.
Then, with palms together, she raised her head to look at me–
「Kinji Tohyama-sama. Lisa’s master. Lisa will cheer you up like a little sister. Care for you like an older sister. Try to be like a mother. Lisa will care for each of her master’s daily needs. Heedless of her status as a maid, she will do her best to be a member of your own family. So whenever you are with Lisa, please relax and feel as at home as among your family. Form this moment forth, all of myself to the tips of my toes is property of my master.」
She made this oath in Japanese. and it seemed as if the words were long rehearsed.
But she said ‘property’.
It seems that I am never meant to question her loyalty. The sincerity was truly moving.
I went with the flow, but there is most likely a problem with Lisa’s personality. I mean it in a different sense than Aria and Riko… That is to say, I see the problematic nature of either a Reki or Shirayuki.
But Lisa and I have no escape from here. We are at the end of retreat.
I can’t help but accept her offer. There aren’t any more that the two of us, so we should try to accept what the other wants as much as possible,
If the master and maid relationship is enough to keep us together and survive, it’s settled.
First, I have to recover from the injuries dealt by Bewitching Blade, then find the traitor that has eluded DEEN, all before being discovered myself. Here– in Bourtange.
***************************************************
Guided by Lisa, we reached an old-fashioned, but large and beautiful house–
From above, it looked like a square with a courtyard, and it was a rectangular brick tenement.
「Oh my, two beautiful ladies! I wonder if they are married?」
「Not at all. I serve her myself. That is to say… She has a slight disability and words are difficult for her, so if you have any business with her, please contact me.」
「Yes, yes, that is alright.」
Lisa spoke to the grandmotherly landlady in her cream white carpeted living room.
It was in Dutch, so I did not understand, and I remained silent as I was told to by Lisa.
But this grandmother is huge. She is about as tall as Mutou. But when I think about the average Dutchwoman’s height, it isn’t at all that strange… It is just shocking to see how much bigger she is than myself in person.
「For now, we will take a month-long lease…」
Lisa signed the move-in agreement. With her maid school trained handwriting, she signed a false name with an elegant signature. At the end, in order to prevent forgery, she added a small dog-like sketch. It was a cute girlish touch.
The contract had the grandmotherly landlady’s ladybug-like family crest on it and, and Lisa took a lantern in hand…
「This place secure for the moment, right?」
「Yes, Thank-you for all you’ve done.」
Lisa said as she turned back to me after pressing her ear to the door to confirm that the landlady had gone.
As our eyes met, my eyes dropped toward the black boots on her feet.
「Well, there is something that bothers me, how do you Europeans wear shoes into the house? When you visit a country, you follow the customs of that country, but it’s still psychologically jarring. Please take them off. 」
I said while taking off my own shoes–
「Yes. Master.」
Lisa answered smilingly like a maid.
She knelt on the matt spread in the entryway and began taking them off.
She took off her black boots and stood looking back at me in her black stockings.
Take off your shoes in the house. That is the first order I gave to my maid as her employer.
「Tomorrow, I will go purchase slippers. I do not know what kind of colours and patterns you like, but Master could come with me–」
「No, I will not go. I don’t want to stand out, and it would be a bad thing if my disguise were discovered in public, I will leave the shopping to you. I do not have any preference in colour.」
I said as I removed the annoying wig–
「Yes, Master,」
Lisa answered with a smile.
It seemed that, as a maid, she was happy to follow the order of her master.
「As a rule, I will not go outside.」
「Yes, Master,」
So– on the first day, I became a hikikomori master…
I then looked around the room I hadn’t yet swept carefully.
Everything was sized for Dutch people, and it was a large room.
Besides a hall, living room, dining room, kitchen, and bedroom, there were two small rooms, a bath and washroom. It was a bit old-fashioned, but it came fully furnished with furniture and tableware. Oil paintings were on the wall, and the cupboards were decorated with bronze decorations and probably contained towels, bedsheets, and blankets.
「What do you think? About the room, I mean.」
Lisa asked as I inspected the syphon coffee maker.
「Excellent.」
I answered and returned to the where there were houseplants placed and looked out over the town at night.
On the other side of the withered trees, I looked at the angular fortifications on the moat… It’s a bad view.
It wasn’t like the red-light district in Amsterdam, and thought it was a good place, personally.
(So this is our hiding place, huh…?)
As I expected of Lisa. She gets full marks.
The brick tenement house blends nicely into the town, and it is unlikely to attract any kind of unusual attention.
I have to move from here– as soon as my wounds heal, in order to prove my own innocence.
A rural town like this is perfect, was the thought that came to mind…
I should think about tomorrow.
「–Master. Is this one alright?」
「What?」
「That painting… I do not think it is that good. May I take it down?」
Lisa said about a glass covered framed living room portrait of a full moon in the night sky over a meadow.
From her expression, I can tell that she doesn’t like the picture of the full moon that much for some strange reason.
「Ah, if you like.」
Unlike G-3, my taste in art is poor.
With my permission, Lisa hurriedly took the picture down…
Returning to the living room, she shot meet glancing shy, embarrassed smiles.
「…What is it?」
「Oh!…My apologies. I was just glad… that you became my master. And now this is the first time I’ve lived under a roof with a man. That is all…」
Under a roof with a man…
Why does that make her happy? I hold it as a basic rule that living with the opposite sex is troublesome.
「As a maid?」
I asked half-heartedly.
「The Avé du Ang family do not serve two masters. We only served but one man our entire lives. Once we choose a side, we are committed for life.」
What she said… was heavy.
But, well, I didn’t want to say anything to spoil her good mood. Should I ignore it?
「Master. You are my hero-sama. All the days after days you have fought as a samurai must have weighed upon you. But in this house, Lisa will take especial care to tenderly nurse you to health.」
She said, eyes sparkling like a new employee full of energy upon entering a new workplace. These feelings were awakened in the maid.
****************************************************
It was originally meant to sleep two people, but I woke up alone lying in the large bed the next morning–
The sound of bells from a church caused me to open my eyes.
Lisa slept in a smaller bedroom… It appears she had gotten up early, already gone shopping, and she was humming a tune in the kitchen making breakfast.
Outside the bedroom door when I had changed, there was a pair of brown slippers that I put on before heading over and lowering myself into the sofa in the living room.
「Oh! Good morning, Master.」
Lisa said as she pattered over in pink frilly slippers to greet me with a bow in the Japanese style.
Her blonde hair flowed, glistening in the light coming from the clear morning sky.
「Ah, morning.」
「There is a Japanese proverb『You can’t fight on an empty stomach』. Therefore, I have prepared a delicious feast for you.」
A smile blossoming like a flower on her face, Lisa returned to the kitchen–
Then, in short order, she ferried one dish after another to the dining room.
「This morning I have prepared traditional Dutch fare. If it is not to your liking, please do not hesitate to tell me so.」
Arranged next to each other on the table in front of me…
There was a fresh salad and herring sashimi. There was also cheese, roast beef, and fried egg on bread like some kind of『bread chirashizushi1』– a Dutch open-faced sandwich. Like a round cake.
「And afterwards, there is fruit for dessert.」
With that, Lisa took her own seat, but… unlike Shirayuki, she hasn’t made an excessive amount, and that gives me a favourable impression. I get the feeling that she has considered the proper amount of food.
Then the two of us ate the Dutch cuisine–
It wasn’t refined like French food, lacked the familiarity of Italian food, but it was simply good fare. To start with, the bread and cheese are delicious. I don’t know what other kinds of bread and cheese I have been eating my entire life. Of all the gourmet Japanese food, the Dutch bread and cheese outstrips them all.
Thinking on that, I ate in silence,
「Is… is the flavour alright?」
Lisa timidly asked.
「Uh-huh, it’s good,」
I answered, and Lisa clasped her hands in pleasure. It was a smile of happiness.
The impression she gave off just now was familiar… like Shirayuki’s. However, I didn’t get the impression that there was any other self-serving motivation behind it other than my well-being….
There was nothing else. This breakfast was completely genuine.
So…
「It was the same in France that bread was a staple. Don’t you eat rice.」
「We do. However, instead of Japanese rice, American rice is more common. My apologies…」
Lisa said while serving me another portion of salad from the bowl–
She leaned her upper body over the table.
Due to that, her breasts could be seen through the gap in her loose blouse
(…Wh-wha…!)
About half of them were visible.
H-huge! These are Shirayuki-class.
Seeing her white, frilly underwear just now was troubling for my Hysteria Mode.
Noticing where I was looking, or perhaps not, Lisa re-seated herself in her chair and rearranged her blouse–
「Fu fu! Master has all the qualifications of a master.」
「Wh-what does that mean?」
「No matter what you say, I feel that I must take care of it. If I do not, I will become worried.」
Ah… I feel like Shirayuki said something like this earlier.
But speaking of the attributes I have displayed, rather than of a master, I have my position had been that of a slave. And hers that of a queen.
Eating fruit for dessert afterwards, we drank post-meal coffee…
「Speaking of which, Katze-sama held a conference with her subordinates in GRENEDA concerning Tohyama-sama– The discusses nothing but Master… May I ask you something about it?」
「Yeah… What is it?」
「Master fell 2000 metres from Regiment Hex’s airship. So how did you survive? Did you fly by some chance?」
「That is not true. Did someone see me sprout wings? Immediately after my struggle with Katze, I opened a parachute, then I fell onto the slopes of Mount Blanc. If it had been a flat plane, I would have died, but I was able to slide on the slope. Thus, the force of impact was halved.」
「Oh… The fortunes of war favour you. As Lisa would expect of her master.」
「If I were truly fortunate, I wouldn’t be running from DEEN right now. Let’s talk about something else. I’m alright for the time being, but I don’t really want to remember a time that I almost died.」
「M-my apologies.」
With a choked noise, Lisa hung her head as she apologised and clutched slightly at the blouse at her chest.
It was exposed. My eyes were instinctually drawn to the open gap. Embarrassingly so.
「On a different topic… What about my clothes and appearance?」
Slightly ashamed of herself, Lisa was talking about clothes, and not her blouse.
「What is Master’s preference for a woman’s appearance?」
「A-appearance? I don’t have any. Why do you ask?」
「Lisa wants to meet Master’s preference. If you say lose weight, I’ll lose weight. If you say to fill out, I will fill out. I will change my hair to Master’s favourite style and wear clothes that please him. In the house, I will work in my underwear, or naked if instructed– Please tell me whatever you want me to do.」
「Wh-what kind of stupid things are saying!?」
「I am discussing how I should serve you.」
Lisa deadpanned. From her face, it didn’t appear as if she would give up.
「Hmm… there isn’t anything specific. To start with, I am a man, and you are a woman–」
–Hold it right there.
If I finish that sentence, I don’t want her to try to follow it by getting a sex change.
「Well… Uh… You should worry about your own clothes. That is my order.」
「Yes, Master. Thinking for myself, I shall wear a maid uniform.」
I see. I see that she had a contingency case already prepared.
As for this『order』, I’ll get over the difficulties with Hysteria Mode somehow. At least when it comes to Lisa. This situation– it would seem that she might be the easiest person to live with. At least when it comes to girls.
*******************************************************
That afternoon, Lisa went out shopping again…
Without even taking my measurements, she brought back clothes that fit me perfectly, and a large amount of cloth for her own use. If someone were to ask, I’d say that they were probably bulletproof.
Retiring to her own room, she deftly began making clothes. Humming while doing so, it appears that she enjoys it.
After changing my clothes… I sat on the sofa to watch television and recuperate.
There were local broadcast stations but being a small country with a population of about 16 million, many rely upon foreign broadcasters. That fact was reflected in the German, Turkish, British, and American broadcasts. Of course, there were no programs in Japanese.
So, as a final resort, I tuned into a Eurosport cable broadcast. The dialogue there doesn’t matter very much.
What was showing now was a soccer game– a goodwill match between Italy and the Netherlands.
If Shiranui was here, he would be overjoyed. He’s an expert on European sports.
(O-on the Netherlands bench sat Keisuke Honda.)
It had been a while since I had seen another Japanese person, so I watched to see what he would do…
「Master, my apologies for interrupting your hobby.」
Lisa broke in to address me–
「Wha..! What are you…!? Is that from school?」
I let loose this volley of questions upon turning around.
The clothes that Lisa made herself was covered in frills with a French Maid lacy headdress. She also wore a pristine white apron.
Until now, everything had fallen within my range of expectations, but…
This design was a short sailor suit uniform with modified collar. Moreover, it was dark red.
That is to say, it was an amalgamation of a Butei High girl’s uniform and French Maid outfit, a Sailor Maid uniform.
What obsession.
「Yes. I incorporated Tokyo Butei High’s girl’s uniform design into my usual clothes. But… it is a bit embarrassing. The sailor suit and French Maid are traditional Japanese cosplays. The Butei High skirt is short, though…」
Lisa grimaced as she pinched the hem of the skirt–
On each of her left and right thighs there was a ring of dainty white lace twining around them, and I spared then a brief glance. Leg holsters?
********************************
********************************
「U-under… the skirt. What are the loops of lace tied around your legs?」
I asked, indicating the lace that was too weak to bear the weight of any weapons–
「These are cat garters. They are decorative accessories to wear underneath a skirt when you are not wearing stockings to avoid having bare legs. Do you like them?」
All of a sudden, Lisa tried to pinch up her short red French Maid skirt.
「–No, that’s alright!」
It seems that she might have made the especially for her master, but I hurriedly stopped her…
What are they for, anyway? I don’t know what practical reason there is for the existence of such underwear.
Why would you even want to decorate the unseen area under the skirt?
What’s more, I already have trauma from the lacy material at the Nazi secret base.
Right now, I should probably just try to ignore whatever is under Lisa’s skirts.
「I specifically chose a maid’s clothing design… Do you like it? If it is not to your liking, I can remake it.」
I heard Lisa ask, but my own thought as she stood in her French Maid costume looking at me and smiling was…
…Cute.
Although it was an adaptation of sailor suit, it was fundamentally cute. Even someone as ignorant as myself knew about the clothes that the perfectly ordinary Lisa was wearing.
One time before, Riko forced me to go into a Maid shop in Akihabara, and the maids there felt like they were cosplaying… At Koumeikan Mansion, Aria wore such a cute outfit, but with her figure, she looked more like an animated mascot.
In this case, Lisa is a totally ordinary beautiful girl wearing a French Maid uniform–
It doesn’t feel like a cosplay. It feels perfectly natural. Conversely, the sailor suit elements were just conspicuous enough to add a bit of accent to the overall appearance. However, her almost entirely exposed legs were the last things that I needed to see…
「..It suits you. But please make the skirt longer.」
I collected my thoughts and briefly summarised my opinion.
Lisa had already attended a maid school, so her movements were graceful. The clothes suited her as well. She gave the impression of a true maid.
「–Thank goodness! I will lengthen the skirts in the three changes of clothes that I have already made, and I will carry out my duties in these clothes from now on.」
Looking genuinely delighted, Lisa clapped both of her hands to her cheeks in delight. Every inch a maid, she was a beautiful girl. I looked back at her again.
This beautiful girl wearing cute clothing lack flaws. She was perfect.
However, when it comes to Hysteria Mode, that presents a problem.
At that moment, my anti-girl threat level increased from level 2 (caution) to level 3 (alertness).
「By the way, switching topics… I have an Italian bank card. I couldn’t use it until now, but I should be able to use it in the Netherlands.」
Once we had dealt with the matter of clothing, I took out my wallet and handed over the card I got from the Japanese branch of the Beretta company–
「Yes, this is a UniCredit Group Bank Card and it should be able to be used in any country within the EU.」
After quickly confirming that fact, Lisa tried to return it to me, but I pushed it back towards her.
「Every month, I am able to withdraw funds from a company account. In Japan they called it a scholarship, but in the West, it would be called a no-interest student loan. Two weeks after withdrawing the money, the entire sum is remitted to an overseas Japanese account, but before that it can be withdrawn in Euro. The next deposit will happen soon, so please go to the teller directly so no electronic record will be left behind. The PIN is 1111.」
「Understood.」
「Once you have the money… after buying any necessities, put the remainder toward out living expenses. Take some spending money for yourself, if you like. Be sensible about it, though.」
My real motivation here was to delegate all management of household expenses and avoid the troublesome matter of converting currency–
「Master…Th-this…」
Holding the card in hand, Lisa her eyebrows seemed to sag in in bewilderment at the trust placed in her.
「You said that we should split the work. Accounting is within your skillset, so I will entrust everything to do with finances to you. That is my order.」
After I said that, Lisa clutched the card to the chest of her French Maid uniform–
「…Yes …Master!」
Moved to tears once more, she lowered her head.
********************************************************************************
As a genuine maid, Lisa enjoys housework.
In the morning, she cleaned the inside of the house earnestly until it sparkled, and in the afternoon, she went to the Albert Heijn grocer and bought high quality foodstuffs cheaply. I had absently requested『some kind of candy』and she brought back some Werther’s Originals that corresponded quite well to some familiar Japanese candy.
When I didn’t follow my master’s order to『Buy Momoman』and only purchased anman, I was on the receiving end of a Baritsu throw, and my status as a gofer was not unlike Kou’s plight if she couldn’t find egg noodles to buy. A high-class gopher.
In accordance with her oath the other day, Lisa bought all kinds of daily necessities–
Because of that, I could devote myself to recovering from the wounds dealt by Bewitching Blade. The bruise on my side was an ominous black, and it was red and swollen. That means that it is mending.
But that evening…
After the dinner that Lisa had prepared… I found myself with an incredible amount of time on my hands.
The television was unintelligible, my mobile was destroyed, and I couldn’t connect to the Internet in case the signal was traced back to us.
For those reasons, I decided to lay down earlier than usual– Anticipating this need, Lisa had already made up the bed.
When I exited the bath, the lights in the room were already turned down in order to create a comfortable place to sleep.
「Here are your pyjamas. Due to your injuries… it is of the utmost importance that you rest.」
Lisa stood in the bedroom wearing her sailor maid uniform with the skirts she had lengthened in accordance with my direction and indicated a set of white pyjamas that had been folded and placed on the bed.
「O-oh! Thanks.」
Clothed merely in a bath towel, I retreated back into the bathroom… but Lisa followed and stopped just short of the door between the bedroom and bathroom.
Then, unable to meet my eyes, she leaned in awkwardly, only exposing her upper half. Cheeks blushing pink, she said:
「…I can warm your bed after your wounds are healed. You are free to use me…」
She said in a low voice while averting her eyes, and turning on the spot—
*Tap!* *Tap!* *Tap!*
I heard the patter of her slippers as she fled the small room.
‘Warm my bed?’… what is that? I think it’s Japanese, but I don’t understand the meaning.2 It’s very troubling to not know what she meant by that.
But as a Japanese person, asking a Dutchwoman the meaning of Japanese word is embarrassing.
So, I will pretend I understood and keep quiet in response.
So, saying nothing, I changed into the pyjamas the Lisa had folded and placed atop the bed… then I laid down to sleep in the large bed.
Then I looked out the window into the night.
This is the bedroom. It is positioned so that no one can see anyone inside from any angle.
Occasionally a beautiful star would peek out through a rift in the clouds.
(Beautiful, cute, smart, good at housework… are those words that could apply to my maid?)
In the kinds of games that Riko plays, having a maid is a good thing–
That part actually matches the reality. At the current moment, I can’t say that Lisa has any flaws. Rather, she has a lot of good points. I have borne personal witness to the effects of these virtues.
But as for a role in combat–she is on the level of a girl, no, actually lower. I came to understand that fact shortly after spending time with her, and her body and every movement testified to her specialised『domestic』disposition. Allowing me to approach her in the underground tunnels demonstrated her lack of caution.
(I said we should split the work… and following that plan, I have to deal with all the fighting.)
Tiring of staring into the night sky, I turned and picked up the memo pad at the side of the bed…
I pondered this as I did some kind of origami.
**********************************************************
The next morning, I was roused once more by the church bells–
(…?)
The bells seemed more lively than the day before, and all traces of people in the tenement was gone.
I carefully looked out across the courtyard at the other windows… but there was truly no one there.
Only the Siamese cat kept by the landlady was in the courtyard.
(Where is everyone? Is there some kind of event?)
With that strange thought in mind, I changed and headed into the living room… There Lisa had left behind a note stating『I have gone out shopping. I will return at 9 o’clock.』
So, I sat down with the tools that I had borrowed from the landlord yesterday, via Lisa–
I intended to fix the belt wire winch that had broken from overuse in my fall into the sky above Mount Blanc.
Before 9 o’clock came, the church bell began ringing loudly again–
So when I went out into the courtyard to take in some air, I used some discarded bricks, dirt, and metal cans to construct a makeshift target for shooting practice.
Then, at a range of 7 meters…
I shot my Beretta, timing them so that the report was lost in the sound of the bells.
The 9mm bullets all hit their mark–
I shoot target practice every day, so missing is not such an issue for me. Just like Jeanne’s sword dance, it is important to not forget the weight and shape of the gun, or the sensation of drawing and firing.
When you are fighting in a life or death situation, an error of even 0.1 second of 1 millimetre is unacceptable. In order to meet that standard, I cannot rely on any other gunman– just myself.
I can only trust this feeling. And if I don’t shoot for several days, this feeling will be blunted. Humans too, like guns… they change slightly with every shot. The act of shooting is an analogue-to-analogue relationship.
That is to say, this is as much training for me as for my Beretta–
No good. I’m slipping.
If Ranbyou saw this display, she’d beat me for it.
It is clearly evident that it is a result of my injury. When the wound on my abdomen heals, my skills should return. Thanks to the ability to hide here, I should be able to have that time.
(Well, at least that is my hope…)
After my last shot hit the can– *Clap!* *Clap!* *Clap!* I turned to face the sound of clapping.
「–Master was amazing! Amazing, master! Incredible!」
Saying the same thing twice in a different order, the sailor maid stood within the courtyard.
The French maid uniform rustled slightly in the Dutch breeze.
The lingering scent of gunpowder was replaced by Lisa’s sweet maple syrup scent– There was also an underlying hint of palm olive detergent.
「Master must not fail in his gun practice! As expected. You are amazing! Mooi!」
Lisa said, looking delighted at the target I had used for practice.
Her eyes sparkling as she saw me as her own personal hero, she mixed in a few Dutch words such as『mooi3』.
「Not at all… I was just practicing in my spare time. Let’s talk for a bit about something else.」
I said, embarrassed by the level of praise as I returned the gun to my shoulder holster.
「I would be delighted to talk with my master. I would like to speak with Master for however long you wish.」
「…So, what should we talk about then…? Ah! I know! Where is everyone this morning?」
「Today is Sunday, so everyone has gone to church. They will return at lunch.」
Huh? So that’s it?
That is to say, Christians must worship every week on Sunday, don’t they? That must be a hassle.
「Is it alright for you to not go?」
「Yes. I do not believe in God.」
「–Westerners can say such things directly, can’t they. Even I am a bit of a stranger to religion. My family has a long history of deep Shinto and Buddhist beliefs, and even I cannot say such a thing.」
Lisa listened to my answer while smiling… but there was not much material for conversation.
I can never think of anything to talk about with a girl. I always lose my nerve with a beautiful girl. With other guys though, I can talk with no problem.
Choked for words to speak–
「–Well. That is to say…to change the topic. This was at your bedside.」
Sensing the heavy silence, Lisa interjected at just the right moment.
I really can’t read the room.
With Riko, I would remain silent as she prattled on about some strange game or anime that I didn’t know about, and with Shirayuki she would just sit in bashful silence. The same for Nakasorachi.
「Did you make this windmill?」
Lisa asked as she held out something in her hand…
I had made it when I couldn’t sleep, a windmill out of memo pad paper.
Originally it was going to be a crane, but I had forgotten how to do it– so it ended up as a windmill.
「O-oh! I made it.」
「–(Mooi)! You made a paper windmill… My master is very skilled! Master, may Lisa have this?」
Lisa asked, holding the origami windmill in both hands with eyes wide.
「Sure, if you want it.」
I replied, and Lisa looked delighted from the bottom of her heart.
「Thank-you so much! This gift from master– I will treasure it my whole life.」
For some reason… she really seemed truly delighted. With something like this.
I wonder if this was what made her a true Dutchwoman. All this because of a windmill.
***************************************************************
One night several days later, my wounds had mostly healed–
It was strange, but Lisa hadn’t returned from going out shopping yet.
It wasn’t a problem if she stopped somewhere along the way, but it only took a few days for me to figure out that she was the kind of girl who would return home exactly when she said that she was going to be home.
This tardiness is worrying.
What’s more, I am alone in a foreign country… that is to say…
… It’s lonely.
It is eerily quiet.
I had already given my Beretta a complete servicing overhaul, and I had long ago fixed my belt winch.
It’s not exactly right for me to be waiting for a girl to come home, but what I want right now is someone to talk to. I wanted to see Lisa. It wasn’t just something that I wanted, but something that made me want it.
Every now and again I would peek out at the street through the gap in the curtains to see if she had come back yet–
There.
She was there. Lisa was there.
The sailor maid, on the street directly in front of the tenement.
But she was shielding her face with her hands and crying.
The reason was readily apparent.
There was a large fat boy that looked like a neighbourhood bully ringleader in a group of other boys, egging on a huge dog at her.
The dog seemed very interested in her and was jumping and pawing at her.
There were 4 or 5 of the brats, and they are teasing the cowardly Lisa, relentlessly tormenting her.
(That is to say, Lisa… unable to fight, even if it were a child or dog, how was she a representative soldier for GRENEDA?)
Kou had the excuse of being like dogs and monkeys, but it seems that there are quite a few people in DEEN who will run from dogs. In the future, I might just have to send Haimaki out to fight in my place.
I could not stand idly by. The leader of the pack was standing with a pail full of water and was threatening to dump it over Lisa. It is midwinter and undoubtedly cold.
「…」
I gave the black wig and coat hanging on the coat rack a sidelong glance.
I really don’t like going out in that disguise…
Besides that, it doesn’t look like it will turn into anything life threatening, but…
(Butei Law: Article 2. The contract with your client must absolutely be fulfilled.)
My promise to protect her is a sort of contract.
It’s bothersome… but should I go? With a proper weapon?
**********************************************************************
Then having become a black Maetel, I left the house–
With Lisa crying, the agitated dog was sure to bite.
I then began running toward the unfortunate situation.
(…!?)
In an instant, the dog turned away from Lisa– and I stamped on the ground and spun around 180 degrees.
I tugged on the fat boy holding the dog, and surprised, he lost his grip on the dog.
Huh. For some reason, the dog panicked and ran away. Was it something that the cornered Lisa did…?
But with the other children shouting and bullying her, Lisa still could only cry.
「…」
Then, walking toward where they stood– *Fwish!*
Then with the sweets… I scattered the Werther’s Originals that I had gotten the other day.
Sweets are children’s favourite treat the world over. As soon as the brats saw them, they sent up a cheer of joy and scrambled to be the first to gather them up.
At that same moment, hearing the commotion from inside the brick tenement, the large grandmotherly landlady came out with a broom– then shouting something scolding in Dutch, she drove away them away.
In that opening, I helped the shaking Lisa to her feet… and we were able to make it back inside the building safely.
As soon the door closed,
「*Sniff!* *Sniff!*… Thank-you so much, Master. Truly, thank-you. Lisa is a bad maid, troubling master so…」
「Don’t worry about it. You aren’t hurt anywhere?」
「Correct. But… I know that even though master does not like going out looking like this…. for Lisa…. for Lisa…」
Tears welled up and fell from her eyes as she looked up at me and apologised from the depths of her heart.
「It’s fine. I don’t like this disguise… but I did say back then that I would protect you– that was our arrangement. But what were they teasing you about?」
I asked as I took of the coat–
「They must have thought that my clothes were sailor’s clothes…『It’s a sailor without a sea!』, they laughed.」
The sailor maid Lisa explained as she gripped the V-neck of her clothes.
(Aah…!)
In modern Japan it is a girl’s uniform, but originally the sailor suit was a naval uniform. The stand-up collar on the accompanying boy’s uniform was originally an army uniform.
「… Well if that is the case, it’s better if you don’t wear it.」
「No, Lisa will not run away. Lisa is proud to wear the clothes that Master said that he『likes』. What’s more, the landlady just put up a sign saying,『Children who make fun of the navy are not allowed』、so it is better if I wear it from now on…」
Lisa told me as she dabbed the tears from her eyes with her pale fingers.
Even me… I made fun of Butei High’s red sailor suit, and I really have to stop.
「If they bully you again, I’ll chase them off. I will protect you. That’s a promise」
I said again in order to soothe Lisa.
At that, Lisa seemed utterly happy–
–*Squish!*, she hugged me.
「O-Oi…!」
H-how soft…
No, how good smelling. Her hair, her body, her scent was every inch womanly.
–Th-this is bad! We are only in a temporary Master-Servant relationship. But that means that my Hysteria Mode…!
「Master. Lisa’s master. I will tell you the whole truth. All the while that dog was barking at me– I could only cry out『Master! Master!』inside my heart. But then Master truly did appear to save Lisa… Lisa, Lisa though it was like a dream. I was truly, truly happy. Lisa is truly the luckiest…!」
Finally at peace, Lisa still did not let go of me.
(But really all I did was chase away some kids…)
Why are you thanking me for that?
When it comes to me– as far as Lisa is concerned, it doesn’t have to go as far as being a battle for her to be satisfied that I had fulfilled my promise to save her.
「Master… Master…」
Before I had a chance to react, Lisa began rubbing her cheeks against my chest like a cat.
If this were a manga, she’d have hearts fluttering around her head. I feel like she is taking advantage of this situations.
「Alright, Alright! You’re unexpectedly clingy.」
I said, turning my shoulder slightly to pull away…
「…Yes. Lisa… really is a needy child. Lisa is a bad maid who will presume upon master whenever she can. Please forgive me. Master…」
She suddenly became serious.
Any normal man might be glad of such dependency in a maid.
B-but this is troubling. For me, at least. Goodness!
******************************************************************
–As lay in bed…
*Creak!*… There was a sound like someone climbing atop the bed–
What?
Who?
Lisa?
But strangely, I could not move.
Am I tied up?
「You are the real deal, aren’t you, Kinji Tohyama?」
I heard muttered from underneath a hood…
(A man’s voice.)
That voice…
(–Bewitching Blade– A night raid!)
As soon as I realised that, the very next instant.
–*Thump!*–
A cold feeling slipped into my chest without any resistance.
I’d been stabbed.
My bulletproof pyjamas had no resistance to a knife.
My heart. It had been pierced.
I’d been killed…!
「–Aaaaaah!」
With a snap, I sat bolt upright…
The bedroom was dark and quiet.
There was no one on the other side of the white bed.
A dream… that was all it was.
I rubbed my chest and no knife had pierced it.
(…Dammit!)
That nightmare… it must have been the manifestation of my latent fear about the possibility of Bewitching Blade attacking.
For sure, he is incredibly strong. He appears to be one or two ranks above any of the enemies I’ve faced in DEEN or GRENEDA.
—But Bewitching Blade.
I still wasn’t entirely defeated.
You have your twin swords, glowing red right eye, and coat– I have Hysteria Mode.
Brussels was a misfire, meeting you again when that happens…
Let’s fight again. I guarantee you’ll like me better in Hysteria Mode. I’ll strip that chuunibyou-esque coat off you and give it to Riko or Kinzou.
With a hand on their side…. *Tap!* *Tap!* *Tap!*
「–Master? Please excuse me!」
No doubt hearing my not very quiet voice, Lisa rushed into the bedroom.
「…!」
Lisa appeared wearing thin white negligee that let me see her underwear– the instant that misfortune occurred, my treacherous mind fortunately did not succumb to an outbreak of Hysteria Mode.
Perspiration standing out cold on my forehead, I said nothing–
「Master, your face is so pale…! Are you choking? Do your injuries pain you? Here, take some medicine–」
「–Don’t worry. It was just… a dream.」
As I motioned for Lisa to go back, my hand struck the bed frame…
Damn. This is pathetic. My hands are shaking.
Perhaps guessing from that act that I was troubled, Lisa said–
「…I am sorry… Master.」
This time the bed really did creak, and she came up beside me.
「It must have been an awfully scary dream.」
Then coming right up next to my knee–
She gently wrapped her soft white arms around my head.
**********************************************
**********************************************
「…」
*Sigh!*… The sweet scent of maple syrup smells good. It’s Lisa’s smell.
The subtle aroma has an amazingly calming effect.
The trembling in my hands… stopped.
「But now everything is alright. Master will have Lisa. Forever and ever…」
Usually, with a girl clinging to me like this–
I would push them away, not wanting to go into Hysteria Mode.
But this time… I didn’t.
Lisa is a woman with a soothing disposition and gentle embrace… It’s an amazing ability. This feeling. Rather than Hysteria Mode, I feel calm and collected.
It is somewhat nostalgic– that’s what it is–
「…Lisa, forever will be by Master’s side…」
A very long time ago, something like this happened–
Then, in the next moment, I fell into a peaceful sleep, and a warm feeling overtook me.
*************************************************************************
After that, my injuries improved day by day.
Lisa had been out buying and running over hill and dale to collect ingredients for some Dutch version of Chinese Herbal medicine.
–This morning,
「Master. Today there is a festival in town… If it is agreeable to you, may I have some time off to visit?」
She said while fidgeting uncharacteristically.
Thinking it a shame that Lisa worked above and beyond everyday…
「Oh. Yes. It is good to stretch you wings every once and a while.」
She seemed to be very excited.
Having received my permission, Lisa prepared lunch in advance– then she began to cheerfully prepare herself for the festival.
Coming out from her own room…
(…Eh…)
Lisa had borrowed a set of national clothing from the landlady and changed out of her usual sailor maid uniform.
It was traditional woman’s dress typically reserved for the warmer northern climes with puffed sleeves and a long skirt. It was made of fluttering black cloth with decorative white cloth and colourful embroidery.
I’ve only seen it in『A Dog of Flanders』so when Lisa wears it, it looks like cosplay, but…
It’s somehow indescribably alluring. Even though it’s a lot of clothing.
I think it’s the chest. Below the chest of the blouse, there was a tight-fitting corset, causing her chest to swell and become emphasised.
Overall, Lisa was slender, but her chest was large, and all of her good points were being showcased. This is a problem.
「Master. How does Lisa look?」
Lisa, transformed into the perfect Dutch beauty, asked smiling as she spread out her skirts.
She must be excited to go to the festival.
「O-oh! It’s cute.」
In order to avoid falling into talking about her breasts, I only gave a few words in reply–
「–Ufufu! The landlady even took good care of these… they fit me, so she let me borrow them.」
Raising her skirt a bit, she showed off a colourful pair of wooden clogs.
「Now then, I will return around 5 o’clock.」
「Ah. Have fun!」
「I have left an afternoon snack in the kitchen cupboard…」
Lisa smiled and walked towards door–
But she topped a few feet from it looking somewhat reluctant.
Might she want me… to go with her? To the festival.
But Lisa knows I don’t want to go out in the black-haired Maetel disguise. She doesn’t want to pressure me into going, so she went by herself.
Going over to the window, I looked down into the street…
Lisa walked normally in the clip-clopping shoes that would appear to be difficult to walk in from a Japanese perspective. There has to be a knack to walking in them. I guess they are like Japanese getas in that way.
*Whoosh!*…
Was that a homing pigeon?
A dove with a cross on its golden collar flew over the street–and Lisa looked back.
Our eyes met, and it must have looked like I was seeing her off, so she smiled.
Shyly, she gave a small wave… then she disappeared around the corner.
….As for myself, I plopped myself down onto the living room sofa–
The house quiet one more, I did not turn on the Sports Pay station again to pass the time.
Once more… I am alone.
On the western edge of Eurasia– that is to say, the extreme end of the Earth and the western-most portion of the Netherlands
I can’t reach out to anyone in DEEN, and the communication system is suspect, so I can’t call anyone in Japan or Hong Kong. I don’t know the language, so I can’t talk with anyone local either.
This is something that I don’t think it possible to ever experience in Japan.
I’ve found a loneliness even deeper than that I experienced at Ikebukuro High.
(This loneliness… I hate it.)
1,2,3 hours… I must have passed them in a daze…
Thinking about Lisa, the only person I could talk to.
The beautiful, kind girl in the cure maid costume, the smart and hardworking Lisa.
Always smiling as she served me, and occasionally acting a bit spoiled.
(Lisa… I want to see her.)
The thought came to me suddenly and a wry smile rose to my face.
Why do I want to see her? Even though she is a girl?
I thought about the other day, and how I depended on her. Me, the misogynist, Kinji Tohyama.
******************************************************************************
The sun peeked through the clouds at 2:30, and I —
I stepped outside into the cold wearing the black-haired Maetel disguise.
That is to say… Lisa isn’t the only needy one, it would appear.
If I write a report about the Dutch festival for Caravan V, then maybe I might get some extra school credit due the unusual nature of the event?
(So I’ll go look around for just little bit.)
With that thought in mind, I walked through the cold town…
I quickly came upon the festival grounds.
Because it was a small town, the sounds of cheerful music were audible.
The townspeople had gathered around the windmill and were warming themselves with spiced wine and had their hands full of skewered meat similar to yakitori.
In front of the windmill, Lisa stood in her national dress… and other Dutch girls in similar dress were standing and dancing in a line.
With a *Clap!* *Tap!* *Tap!*. *Tap!* *Tap!*, they set a brisk pace with the wooden clogs on the stone cobbles.
But the clothing that covered their breasts was a bit concerning…
It was cute though. Lisa looked an ordinary country girl.
They danced happily, smiling and not minding the cold at all.
In the crowd on the other side of the dancing line of girls… there was a cardboard body, broom handle tusked, and melon rind skinned creature… it was a handmade monster, with two boys underneath in charge of performing something like a Lion Dance with a shuffling gait.
It appeared to be a huge wolf-like monster.
「Wolf! Wolf–!」
Some children shouted some kind of warning, and the dancing girls scattered and hid inside the windmill in an obviously rehearsed manner.
One of the girls took a dramatic fall and was left behind, and the monster body covered her… She disappeared inside. I suppose the meaning must be that she was eaten.
Hidden within the windmill, the Lisa and the rest of the girls made a theatrically surprised expression of『How terrible!』.
But Lisa… her role seems awfully stilted. Despite her cleverness, it appears her acting ability is poor.
Wondering if the story would end on a depressing note, one of the dancing girls left the safety of the windmill–
Stroking the roughly made Dutch monster, she held it in her arms, and… kissed it on the head.
Then the monster became gentle.
It seems that the conclusion was that『The monster’s heart was opened by the power of love』.
It now seems that the dance is over…
As a foreigner, I don’t understand the details very well.
But it’s the same for festivals in rural Japan, foreigners won’t understand it very well either.
Folding my arms, Lisa said–
「–Eh! Master…!?」
Suddenly noticing me.
I raised a finger to my lips, signalling her『Don’t speak in Japanese』in response–
The two of us went to the other side of the windmill to sit on bench… declining spiced wine, I held a cola in one hand as we talked quietly.
「I-I did not believe Master would come. I was caught off guard.」
Like the first time she saw me, her cheeks were flushed, but she looked happy that I had come.
「In the dance– what was that monster that appeared in the middle of it?」
I asked for my report, and Lisa answered.
「It was…」
She made an unusual grim face as she hesitated.
「『The Beast of Gévaudan』– Sirius, a werewolf– there are several names in Japanese for the vampires’ rivals in beastly legends. It has the power to control all other animals and is the king of beasts. It first appeared in 8th century Western Europe and laid waste to many towns and villages…」
「Vampires, you say? Like Vlad? Are you saying it’s a monster like that?」
「V-Vlad-sama… he was different. The werewolf has much more beautiful golden fur. Here are some contemporary French artists’ depictions.」
Lisa explained with her finger on the shoulder of the monster wolf…
Thanks to this, I should be able to write detailed report. I really might earn some extra credits.
************************************************************
「Master, did you know? A rumour about the most beautiful girl in all of Groningen Province started when we moved to Bourtange.」
Lisa said one night several days later when my wound was almost entirely healed.
「…Most beautiful girl in all of Groningen Province?」
For me, that kind of news is one the same level as hearing that a serial killer has moved.
「Which city did she moved to?」
「This one.」
Lisa said, allowing a smile to slip onto her face.
Ah, I see.
「… Is it you? I don’t really know.」
I said as I slurped some lentil soup.
「Tsk! Not me. It’s Master in disguise, Miss Cromaetel」
*Whoopsh!* I spewed soup from my mouth.
「Wha-What the heck! Cromaetel…?」
「When you came to the festival, all the gentlemen were captivated by your disguise. They asked for your name, so I replied with the alias you had come up with previously. Cromaetel– they were entranced by the exotic name.」
Might this alias be the alias『Kuro Maetel』I carelessly let slip on the train?4
But, captivated, you say? Gentlemen, you have committed an irreparable crime.
No, I am the one who has done so.
「…My apologies…」
In her mind, Lisa must be proud of her master’s reputation no matter how strange it may be.
「Not only is she considered to be the most beautiful, but the fact that she does not allow anyone into her rooms imparts an air of mystery that is the secret to her popularity. What is more, Master’s charisma aids this as well. As your maid, I am proud, and even the girls have begun to talk. Ufufu!」
As expected of my poor public reputation as a second-year.
Even coming here to the western side of Eurasia, my propensity for misfortune is in full effect.
(But this is quite the opposite problem…)
I came here to hide and sequester myself, but despite my disguise, I am gaining notoriety.
Originally, except in ASSAULT the common response to my name was『Tohyama, who?』
I was infinitely depressed by this fact–
Even so, my Onii-san has the same ability. It really is an unnecessary talent. Because of that, a disguise accomplishes the opposite, making me stand out
But it doesn’t put me in Hysteria Mode. It doesn’t go that far. If I hysterised by looking into a mirror, that would be the point where I’d kill myself with my gun… but since that was proven to be ineffective on the Shima Hari, I’d have to commit seppuku. If that didn’t work Bewitching Blade could do it.
*********************************************************************
Due to the shock of the Cromaetel affair, no food passed my throat…
The resulting loss of energy allowed a virus to infiltrate, and I caught a cold.
(Curse this sick feeling…)
As Lisa headed into the bathroom for a bath, I gave her a vague response…
Tormented by a headache, I lay on the living room sofa.
Even with central heating, I was still cold. Thinking I should go to bed early, as soon as Lisa came out, I took a hot shower in the shallow bathtub– soaking in the coffin-like tub as I learned to do in Paris.
As soon as I got out of the hot water, I went to lie down…
But it was no use. Despite the bath, my thoughts became hazy. No sooner than I had realised that, the heat evaporated from my body.
Even submerged in the hot water, my body shivered. If I try to get up. I’ll fall. I couldn’t even stand.
(For cold medicine… I don’t even have special strength Kakkanto…)
Without that wonder drug, there is nothing I can do.
As I sat silently in the bath–
「…Master?」
I heard Lisa’s voice on the other side of the bathroom door, but I couldn’t reply.
The temperature reached its peak. It must have been 8.5 degrees… no, perhaps 9 degrees…
**********************************************
…
…….
「………?」
Opening my eyes, I found myself on top of the huge bed in my bedroom.
Light streamed in and fell on both sides of the bed. By the intensity, it was near twilight.
I tried to sit up to examine my state… but fell back down. Even my headache was gone, and my temperature felt normal.
My fever had dissipated, and it appeared to have been the kind of cold that you get over easily.
But…. I’m totally naked.
(Did Lisa carry me hear from the bathtub?)
Thank goodness. I didn’t faint and die there. No matter if you can catch a sword blade or grab bullets, there’s no way for a person to escape death by drowning.
Thanks, Lisa.
I turned and smiled at her unexpectedly cherubic sleeping face.
Ha ha! She wears a frilly headdress even when she sleeps!
(…!…)
S-she’s here! Here! With me!
On the bed. Right next to me. On top of that, I’m naked! What the heck!?
「…L-Lisa…?」
Her lower half was enclosed by a fluffy feather blanket, but her upper half, pressed up against me was fully exposed.
Bearing a close resemblance to Jeanne, respectable, with clear, soft white skin–
With a rustle, she stirred.
Then her long lashed, sharing the same colour as her blonde hair, fluttered open…
「Mm… Thank goodness…」
H-huh, what? What do you mean by『thank goodness』?
No way, n-no way…! I don’t remember anything that happened!
「–You’re awake. When you lost consciousness in the bath, Lisa, Lisa’s heart almost stopped in fright. But… now you have recovered, thank goodness…」
「S-so that’s what you meant? Thank goodness.」
「?」
「W-what I mean is, why… are you here!?」
Even with my flustered statement, Lisa was able to understand–
「In the Netherlands, a wife does this to cure her husband’s fever. When you have a fever, nothing should be applied the skin hotter or colder than human body temperature.」
Despite the fact that she could not completely hide her entire chest, she held her arm across the front– Thankfully, it covered enough.
G-getting up, Lisa knelt…!
Slipping down, her white body to waist was exposed to my sight. But the gods of the Netherlands must be on my side. Lisa’s lower half was covered in white lace underwear, attached to her usual cat garters.
Now the full mystery of cat garters was revealed–
Just below her navel, there was very short white, frilly skirt, that would shock the girls at Nagoya Butei High– 10 cm below her crotch. Not even 3 cm long, there was nothing for 5 cm below her navel. The thin fabric of the underwear was entirely see-through, so I don’t really understand the purpose of the skirt. What purpose does it even serve? Her skin was clearly visible through it,
At the waistband area of the skirt, there were two frilled straps–and probably two in the back– running down to the garter belts–then running down her thighs.
What were originally meant to hold knee high stockings in place on top of her thighs were connected to the elastic bands of the garters by frilly strips of cloth. I see. With the bands twined around her legs like scrunchies, without stockings the garter belt hooks dangle loosely, and this prevents it.
…A substitution!
Without that skirt however, what was inside would be open to full-view–that is to say, without it, the underwear would bare all. Isn’t this the kind of sexy underwear that adult women use to seduce men? That is to say, with this grater belt not serving its purpose to hold up stockings, this must mean the gods of the Netherlands are allies of my enemies.
(Lisa, you…! You kept such a straight face serving me while wearing such things…!)
What they heck did you buy before coming to live with me?
My temperature rising for a completely different critical reason–
「G-go to sleep.」
I said, looking at the television, intending to put on a Eurosport game and avert my eyes from Lisa.
「U-understood.」
Lisa said, lying flat and doubling my problems.
Are you planning on sleeping here, Lisa-san?
But from the old CRT Phillips television…
Huh? Instead of the cheers of sports fans, I heard seductive heavy breathing.
Reflected on the screen…
「…!…」
In an instant, I saw it!
Why does this country think that it is alright to show naked man and woman entwined on the public airwaves!?
「Master… such indecent things… why did you put it on at a time like this…?」
Gathering the blanket up to hide the lower half of her face, Lisa stared at the screen like a truly perverted girl. Then due to some emotion, colour rose into her cheeks, turning them pink, but she showed no sign of unfamiliarity with the adult oriented display.
It seems that it is part of the Dutch culture to broadcast adult films late at night.
(Th-that’s a bit too free… don’t you think!?)
Experiencing this culture shock, with quivering hands, I attempted to change the channel, but–
Ah! My hand slipped, and I increased the volume instead!
Don’t the man and woman on screen look like a maid and her master? At least from their clothes.
This is awkward! Nothing could be more awkward than this…!
「But I am glad. It is proof that Master is full of life. Your fever is gone…」
Despite having managed to turn the television off, it was too late.
A wanton look on her face, Lisa caressed my shoulder with a hand.
The sweet, syrupy smell of her breath was overpowering–
Was she excited by the sight of the woman who had just been on the screen!?
「Your wounds are almost completely healed as well.」
Lisa said as she ran a hand across my skin… moving from shoulder to chest, then to my side.
Her hands still placed there; she slipped her lower half underneath the blanket with me–
「–Wha! Stop it! Wh-where are you touching…!」
Travel is meant to bring you in contact with other people, but there are some places I don’t want touching other people!
「If you sweat a bit more, I believe that you will recover from your cold faster…so… I will attend you tonight. I have only read in books how to do so however, so I may make mistakes–please forgive me.」
Saying that– she used the strange Japanese word ‘attend’ that I did not understand…!
「…Please excuse me.」
Raising the blanket, she began to stick her head underneath.,
「I-If you need to apologise, then you should stop! This isn’t a maid’s job!」
「As Master’s mistress, she should sleep with him– That is a duty of the Avé du Ang maid. By sleeping together, I am able to serve your body. That is how all my family has collected the bloodlines of heroes…」
Pulling my convalescent body closer, Lisa snuggled closer.
「Even though you usually say things like that, I have to turn you down right here! You are my maid, so listen to what I say…!」
I pulled away from Lisa, parting us unlike the picture that had just been on the screen.
「Master. Until now I have presented a neat and tidy appearance to you, but that was a deception. Please forgive me. I am not the maid that I have represented myself to be, but another of Master’s possessions. But there is one thing I want besides to serve my hero-sama–」
「…S-st-stop…!…」
「–I wish to be blessed with a child… This has been my only wish that I have prayed for countless times. Every night, in the adjoining room… I have acted as a shameful maid…!」
–*Do-kun!*–
「Every day I have shown Master a smiling face… but the whole time I have harboured these thoughts. I wanted to be with Master as soon as possible–every day, all day– it was frightening. Disgraceful. I know that Master has refused me. But please grant Lisa’s request! Please…」
With a *Drip!* *Drip!*– hot drops of water hit the top of the sheets.
I didn’t have to ask. They were Lisa’s tears.
She knew she had been rejected by me… and now all she is crying. I don’t know what to do now.
Until now, Lisa has diligently taken care of my daily needs every day with a cute and charming display… but all that was surely meant for this moment.
For generations, Lisa’s ancestors have added the genes of heroes to their DNA. They have done so differently than Vlad. They attach themselves to strong people, and receive their affection, and bequeath it to their children.
「…Master…」
As for Hysteria Mode– I have just barely avoided it.
I’m at 99 percent. I can still turn back. Turn back! Turn back, Kinji!
— I had already realised it.
Her desire to perpetuate this hereditary system, is not the only desire Lisa had concealed.
There is another, more dangerous secret that she is hiding. Hidden behind her words.
But I still don’t know what it is.
But– If I am overcome by Lisa here, there is no going back.
Back in May when I was serving as Shirayuki’s bodyguard, Aria pointed something out… it is not in the best interest for a Butei and a client to develop a deep relationship.
Such illicit liaisons impair judgement and undermine good decision-making… it’s textbook.
But in actuality, that is not the only reason.
Men and women caught up in their passions will occasionally prioritise one thing over all else. Moved by emotion, it is a simple matter for people to become criminals.
That being the case– the『something』Lisa is hiding may be harmful.
If true, that would make our dangerous state as fugitives more perilous. Lisa overcoming me here may have result in other consequences.
So– I have to hold back. Lisa has floored the accelerator, but I have to step on the brake. I cannot remain silent and allow it to happen. I have to deal with it this way.
Then, after several minutes had passed in silence–
Lisa flopped herself down.
Spreading her honey coloured hair, she laid herself out upon the bed and pressed her face into the pillow…
Raising her voice, she sobbed.
Her white back that reminded me of the Greek sculptures I had seen in the Louvre quivered all the while.
This… I wonder if it was it wrong of me to reject her advances…?
It seemed cowardly of me. A woman sobbing next to a man.
No matter the reason, Lisa is ashamed, so I–
「…Lisa.」
Feeling pathetic, I raised my voice.
With tears still on her eyes, Lisa raised her head from the pillow to look up at me–
For just a moment–I was swayed by emotion–but I cannot give in. I cannot concede. Please forgive me, Lisa.
「I owe you my thanks. I would not be alive now, except for you. However… for certain reasons, I cannot fulfil your request. One of those reasons are constitutional, and it makes unable to do so.」
「…Is it HSS?」
–She knows about it…?
Riko, Vlad, Patra and Sherlock did, so it must be well-known within I.U. due to my Onii-san.
「…That’s right. You can certainly count on me for many things, but HSS is the one thing I do not want to have. Especially when it comes to girls. Even now, I’m at the water’s edge.」
As I said those final words–
For some reason, Lisa’s crying face looked just a bit happier.
Then raising her upper body from off the pillow she listened to me.
「『This me』and『that me』are like different people. I can’t refuse to accept responsibility for what ‘that me’ does… I can’t allow that wrong. I don’t want to do something wrong because of my constitution. So… I’m sorry. Forgive me.」
Full of sincerity, I apologised for what had just happened–
「Master. You have been forthright with me… You have my deepest thanks. Lisa is relieved.」
「Relieved?」
「Lisa was worried it might have been something else. That as a woman– Master had no feeling toward Lisa. That because Lisa and Master’s skin and eyes are different colours, or because we exchanged gunfire when I was member of GRENEDA… that you did not find me attractive.」
「What are you saying? Lisa– of course you are beautiful. Perish that terrible thought.」
Wha!? That line.
Unnoticed, I had hysterised. I wonder if it had slowly overtaken me. Perhaps I failed to notice.
Now that Lisa is alright, can I retire? Being under this blanket is a problem. I would much rather trade gunfire than participate in this kind of exchange.
Deploying my secret weapon, I spoke tenderly to Lisa–
Her face that had once been buried in the pillow now looked up and her emerald eyes looked back at me…
「Lisa, Lisa… now more than ever loves her Master…」
Leaving me with that somewhat risky line, she quietly raised herself up.
Then with a bow, she stepped down from the bed and donned a negligee that she appeared to have folded and placed behind her.
Afterwards, she knelt down beside the bed and sat in a properly Japanese mannered seiza… then prostrated herself in a bow.
「–Please excuse this evening’s debauched behaviour. Even though it was brazen. Please keep Lisa by your side from now on. Allow Lisa to serve her hero-sama as an Avé du Ang woman should. Lisa wants to be Master’s maid forever and ever.」
Lisa desperately pleaded, and Hysteria Mode having made me soft toward girls–
So I,
「Lisa, raise your head.」
And after urging her to do so–
「I am a bad man, but not bad enough to take away the place where a girl belongs. And a maid belongs… next to her master. Wouldn’t you say?」
Where until now she had wept in the depths of despair, now her joy catapulted her into the heavens as she smiled–
–I made that reckless statement. But that is a nice smile. I am hopeless in Hysteria Mode.
Coming to full revelation– I realised that the injuries I had gotten from Bewitching Blade had almost completely healed, and I had been able to overcome this night’s trouble. All due to Hysteria Mode.
(… In other words, I can’t keep relying on others like I have until now.)
I can’t rely upon my allies in DEEN, and I have to increase the number of things I can do by myself.
To that end, I have to use this forbidden move. I can do it as I am now.
–『Cuckoo』.
It is a memory fixation technique to carry over what I learn in Hysteria Mode outside of it.
As a matter of fact, everyone remembers everything that they have observed.
However, recalling that information requires a specific key to unlock.
That key is able to be artificially created. Using a unique『keyword』such as a pun is a common trick.
As for Cuckoo–
In Hysteria Mode gives me full access without having to rely on a key and acts a master key to my own memories. And now, the situation allows me to『recall things easily』.
With that being the case, and a surplus of keys–it can be used in non-Hysteria Mode.
『If you have the key, you can remember』–according to my Onii-san, with the power of Hysteria Mode it is possible to expand the human cerebrum almost infinitely. The brain is a vast supercomputer with unknown potential.
Even Aria, with her forgetful brain can easily speak 17 languages. That could be said to be proof of the brains unlimited potential.
(But as for me, including Japanese… I only have real facility with two languages.)
In the dark of the night… sitting on the living room sofa, I placed my right index and middle finger on my forehead– I waited until I was in what is called a『developmental fever5』– then I pushed my levels of concentration further, and further… for the first time in my life attempting『Cuckoo』.
While doing so, I was perfectly motionless.
To an observer, it might look like meditation.
Cuckoo does not add to the amount of knowledge you possess as if studying, but rather fixes information already within your memory. So I sat down earnestly to remember. Remembering and making keys. First, I will master my junior high English in 10 minutes, then my high school English in another 10.
Then I will draw from my hobbies and pastimes–
All the Western films I watched with Japanese subtitles.
(I’m lucky that I was an American film fan.)
I remember originally thinking that I might be able to pull off the over the top Hollywood action sequences myself in Hysteria Mode– but it turned out to have been useful in quite a different manner.
Phrase by phrase, word by word, I recalled the entire film’s dialogue and memorised it.
The next thing I memorised… the chattering conversation of the movie extras.
From what I heard, I should have a pretty complete knowledge of English–
After forming those keys, I still had a few minutes left to Hysteria Mode.
I decided to make use of the final minutes. I also remember well watching Italian Mafia films and learned Italian too. But it was probably on a child’s level.
With that, Hysteria Mode was expended…
With a sigh and deep intake of breath, I laid flat across the sofa.
I’m exhausted. As expected.
I won’t know unless some kind of test comes up tomorrow, but I will probably be able to speak and understand English.
Incidentally, one of my ancestors developed『Cuckoo』as a mantra for meditation–
It made the monks extremely angry and they put a taboo on the Tohyama Family’s use.
As for how I knew about it, back in primary school when I was playing ball in the garden with my Onii-san, we broken a statue of Jizo that sat in the corner–taking out a scroll we found inside, it had it written on it. My Onii-san and I were the only two to read it, and we took care of the evidence by using Krazy Glue to fix the statue.『Use anywhere within the boundaries of the Land of the Rising Sun is expressly forbidden』, it said, but I wonder if it’s alright since I’m not in Japan? How about it, ancestor?
The next morning– I was overcome by crushing embarrassment, but Lisa appeared in her usual French maid costume.
「Master. Good morning. I will have a delicious breakfast prepared shortly.」
She said, accompanying her words with her usual smiling face.
It appears that in light of her duties as a maid, she does not want to bring up last night’s incident. But… your smile is a bit strained.
Then as we ate Dutch open-face sandwiches at the dining room table…
「Th-the sky is quite clear this morning.」
「I-it might cloud over by noon.」
Afterwards, conversation faltered.
I stole a glance at Lisa, and by accident of timing she had stolen a glance back at me and our eyes met for an instant. But in that moment, she looked away.
… Is this the『morning after the mistake』they talk about?
(Something to talk about… anything… something…)
Looking outside the window, I saw a magpie with what looked like a white collar sitting on a branch, singing. and I suddenly remembered something. That’s it. I should talk about that.
「Oi, oi, Lisa.」
「Y-yes!」
「I-I want to ask you something. It’s been bothering me. Uh… can you speak English?」
「English, you say? Yes, 90 percent of all Dutch can.」
「What an amazing country… But will you talk for a bit?」
「Well, er… Do you usually speak English?」
「–(Babe absolutely. Fire away.)」
Ah, it just slipped out. My first time speaking English. It was a bit awkward, but it was Laura Linney’s line from『Love Actually』. Lisa stared at me a bit bewildered as I delivered the line in the same inflection as the Emmy award winning actress.
「Hey… Master! You speak English.」
「There’s nothing to it.」
「H-how did you learn so quickly?」
「Why does the sun come up, or are the stars just pinholes in the curtain of night? Who knows?」
I said, quoting different films.
The first was Milla Jovovich’s line from『Resident Evil: Apocalypse』and the last was Sean Connery’s line from the old masterpiece『Highlander』. But the latter I seem to recall Aria using. She must have seen it too.
「Y-you really can speak it! But the way you speak it is a bit affected, like from a play…」
「You ain’t heard nothin’ yet— Let’s speak English for a bit. I crammed last night and need to practise」
I began with the first words I had ever learned, borrowed from the historical film『The Jazz Singer』.
Responding to my gaga, Lisa said,
「Yes, Master!」
At last, she regained her usual charming manner and smiling face.
After eating breakfast, I moved to the sofa…
Now I can understand ABC news without having to watch the screen.
Then I started thinking.
Last night, as my Hysteria Mode evaporated, I realise something–
–Who DEEN’s traitor really was.
As for being 100 percent certain who it was…
(I cannot claim that.) But it was my deduction while in Hysteria Mode.
There was someone who was 20 percent a traitor, and someone who was 80 percent a traitor…
Together, they served the role of a spy. That is likely the case.
The gambit they are using–I have to expose and put a stop to it. Just as soon as I make a full recovery.
The time to leave is coming soon.
They’ve made their debut. Neither a part of DEEN nor GRENEDA, these two third parties.
[END]
************************************************
1. A dish served in a box or bowl where various ingredients are sprinkled over rice.
2. This is an uncommon Japanese word for a man asking a woman to share his bed. It can also mean, keep vigil (e.g. Like a nurse at a patient’s bed). These words are always *just* ambiguous enough in the original to give Kinji’s clueless-ness some veneer of believability.
3. Roughly the same as the Japanese ‘sugoi’.
4. In case this is unclear, it means ‘Black (haired) Maetel, and Cromaetel is a bad anglicisation.
5. Apparently a state where you have a fever and after it passes you become smarter or more enlightened.
Chapter 3: The End of Retreat — Bourtange
[START]
We departed from the Amsterdam Centraal Station upon which the exterior of Tokyo Station is modelled–
We then spent half the day taking train and bus connections before arriving at the rural town of Bourtange.
As the sun was setting in the 4 PM cloudy sky,
「Lisa came to this small town on an elementary school trip. It is a place that DEEN is not very likely to find. Liberty Mason is an urban-type secret society, so they will not have a network in this country town.」
The gunshot wound to her abdomen seeming healed, Lisa explained cheerfully.
「This town has a moat… isn’t that a bit strange?」
「Viewed from above, it has the shape of a star. When the invader Napoleon Bonaparte launched a furious assault in the 18th century, as one of the Netherlands’ strongest fortified cities, this town was able to withstand it.」
A fortified city– I see. Is that why Lisa chose this place to hide? This town was built for war, so if you look closely, the streets are arranged for ease of hiding and movement.
As we crossed the drawbridge and entered the star-shaped city–
The surrounding countryside was also depopulated and covered with ruins unlike the Japanese countryside. It looked to be well-ordered.
At the centre of the town there was the glistening steeple of a church, and we entered a brick tile roofed cafe–
「There are several vacant buildings, but Lisa will choose a residence. Tohyama-sama, please wait here for a bit.」
Leaving me with those words, Lisa stepped out into the cold.
(She’s… such a hard worker, isn’t she?)
In a seat inside the shop, I order a cappuccino by pointing to it on the menu and poured its warmth into my stomach.
Still disguised as a woman, I had to be careful to not speak to the shop attendant. When my Onii-san becomes Kana, his voice changes completely, and Riko has that amazing voice-changing skill.
As I absent-mindedly pondered the slight relief gained from this town…
Three elderly patrons exited the store carrying coffee cups and ash trays.
Why go outside into the cold?
「…?」
Peeking out through the wood frame window, I saw the elderly smiling happily as they looked at the western sky and sat at a bronze table.
The madder red setting sun showed through breaks in the thick clouds.
The clerk at the counter began to say something in Dutch, then switched to English–
I didn’t really understand what they said, but I was able to catch the words,「Dutch weather」.
It appears that in the winter, the Netherlands are a heavily clouded country. So, whenever there are brief periods of sunshine, everyone hurries to enjoy the sunlight. At least, that was the feeling I got.
So I headed outside too–
The temperature had definitely risen slightly, and the sun felt good on my skin.
(I’m safe in this little town, so I wonder if I should look around a bit?)
It’s a small town after all. So Lisa shouldn’t be worried about losing me.
***************************************************
Bourtange is a sleepy little town…
All the brickwork houses gave an impression of something from the Middle Ages, each of them with cute, elaborate designs that looked like something out of a Western fairy-tale. Even I, who had no interest in architecture, enjoyed the sight.
Form what Lisa said on the train, out of clothing, food, and architecture, Dutch culture seems to value『architecture』the most. That much is very evident.
I continued to bask in the light of the setting sun–and within the line of the surrounding moat and overlooking an arrow-shaped bulwark–there was a small wooden windmill that perfectly matched my mental picture.
It was small and old, but perfectly functional. It was clear that it was well taken care of.
As I moved closer to observe it, I saw that it had several cogs and chains all around it such that it could be controlled relative to the wind direction and desired rotational speed. It was a much more precise machine than I had imagined.
「I thought that you would come this way.」
As I inspected the windmill, a voice in Japanese came from behind me… Lisa had spoken.
「Ah! I am sorry for wandering off. It appears I wanted to walk in the sunlight like a Dutchman.」
If I turned back, I would see the distant afterglow of the setting sun behind her–
A flutter of leaves danced in the air.
It wasn’t just one or two. But several flew off into the west in a line.
「Huh… what are those?」
Furrowing her brows, I urged Lisa to look as the western sky…
「Ah. Those are spotted butterflies– migrating butterflies. When winter comes, they cross the sea to the United Kingdom. Many of them are exhausted by the cold, but some of them survive… When spring comes, the next generation returns to the Netherlands.」
She happily explained the sight in her native country.
Then, turning her back to the windmill again, she smiled at me.
「–I have hired a house. Lisa also has enough funds on hands for us to stay for a month. I am sure that Tohyama-sama will definitely like it.」
Lisa said. From her smiling face, she surely did well in the rental negotiations.
However, thinking it wrong to simply live there for free–
「That must be very expensive, right? And there are living expense on top of the rent.」
Meeting Lisa half-way, I handed over almost all of the money I had left.
「Th-this…is a lot!」
「Please take it. Think about it. While I am disguised, I won’t be able to go shopping very easily, will I? We might be safe in this little town, but we are still running from DEEN and GRENEDA. If we don’t complement each other’s strengths, there is no way we’ll be able to get out of this alive.」
As I said that, Lisa’s emerald colour eyes widened as they looked at me.
「So, that being the case–shouldn’t we split the work and you take care of the things that don’t require fighting skills, and I will take care of the fighting So I will be borrowing your power… and I can only act like a bodyguard for now. I’m sorry.」
I fumbled for words, and Lisa… huh?
For some reason, she looked shocked. And she turned red.
Then she seemed to be stirred by some deep, passionate feeling. What the hell?
This kind of behaviour from a girl… where have I seen it before…? Oh, I remember!
It was when I put the ring I got for Aria on her left ring finger.
And when I asked to hire Shirayuki with a bunch of roses.
Afterwards, both of them started acting strangely, as if they found themselves over their head in a fountain of water and were about to swoon, and I waited with bated breath for the response–
「…This must be part of Sir Sherlock’s Cognis…」
Lisa unexpectedly muttered about her prior time in I.U.
Cognis.
That was Sherlock’s unique ability.
Deductive skills elevated to the level of precognition.
Shortly after my eyebrows furrowed at that word,
「Tohyama-sama. There is something Lisa must say before we go home」
*Clap!*… Lisa pressed both her hands together in front of her round chest and dropped her head in supplication.
「–Please, become my master.」
Wh-what?
Master? What the heck!?
Aria said,『Become my slave!』, once before, and I stood blinking in silence at the unexpected request.
「I was troubled when I did not meet my fated hero-sama in I.U…. Sir Sherlock gave me advice. This is what Sir said: The one I would serve will come from the east. He would have a bit of an evil look in his eyes, be brusque in his manner, a womaniser…」
Oi, Sherlock!
「Sir also foresaw the moment I would meet my fated partner with Cognis.『When you see the migrating butterflies in the sky』. That is now. I have happened upon my destined hero-sama.」
Well…
I’m not exactly an amazing hero or anything, but rather a poor student ranked in the bottom half of my school…
Even if I were to explain that in great detail here, Lisa has her mind made up that I am some kind of『Prince Charming』–and, deeply moved, tears stood out from her eyes.
But I couldn’t bring myself to make the immediate reply of「You’re wrong, stupid!」.
「So, Tohyama-sama. Will you please be Lisa’s master? Please let me serve you as a maid.」
This, this… is a first for me.
Lisa has never seen me in Hysteria Mode.
While running from DEEN, I’ve been normal, and she hasn’t know me as anything other than an ordinary high school student.
She has this wild, delusional dream and her blind acceptance of Sherlock’s Cognis has led her far off the mark… That means she doesn’t see my usual careless self.
Aria was the first girl to decide that I had some ability–but that is when I am Hysteria Mode. It isn’t the real me.
The real me is curt with women, unable to make a living, and a useless man.
But Lisa the Maid seemed content with such a useless man…
「Just now, I believe that Master spoke of the division of labour. Cooking, washing, and cleaning are things that Lisa can do. I will do anything that Master wishes. In exchange… please use your gun and blade such that Lisa does not have to fight or be injured. Please save Lisa from the things that would hurt her.」
She made this plea, already calling me her master.
Well… that is the division of labour I suggested, and I don’t see any reason to refuse.
「That was more or less what I planned to do. Fighting to protect a woman is a man’s duty, after all.」
It’s a relationship that isn’t common between men and women today, but it is the one that exists between me and Lisa. I went along with what she had said–
Overcome by emotion *Drip!*… *Drip!* Great drops of tears fell.
Tears of passion accumulates in her wide eyes and spilled out one by one.
Then, with palms together, she raised her head to look at me–
「Kinji Tohyama-sama. Lisa’s master. Lisa will cheer you up like a little sister. Care for you like an older sister. Try to be like a mother. Lisa will care for each of her master’s daily needs. Heedless of her status as a maid, she will do her best to be a member of your own family. So whenever you are with Lisa, please relax and feel as at home as among your family. Form this moment forth, all of myself to the tips of my toes is property of my master.」
She made this oath in Japanese. and it seemed as if the words were long rehearsed.
But she said ‘property’.
It seems that I am never meant to question her loyalty. The sincerity was truly moving.
I went with the flow, but there is most likely a problem with Lisa’s personality. I mean it in a different sense than Aria and Riko… That is to say, I see the problematic nature of either a Reki or Shirayuki.
But Lisa and I have no escape from here. We are at the end of retreat.
I can’t help but accept her offer. There aren’t any more that the two of us, so we should try to accept what the other wants as much as possible,
If the master and maid relationship is enough to keep us together and survive, it’s settled.
First, I have to recover from the injuries dealt by Bewitching Blade, then find the traitor that has eluded DEEN, all before being discovered myself. Here– in Bourtange.
***************************************************
Guided by Lisa, we reached an old-fashioned, but large and beautiful house–
From above, it looked like a square with a courtyard, and it was a rectangular brick tenement.
「Oh my, two beautiful ladies! I wonder if they are married?」
「Not at all. I serve her myself. That is to say… She has a slight disability and words are difficult for her, so if you have any business with her, please contact me.」
「Yes, yes, that is alright.」
Lisa spoke to the grandmotherly landlady in her cream white carpeted living room.
It was in Dutch, so I did not understand, and I remained silent as I was told to by Lisa.
But this grandmother is huge. She is about as tall as Mutou. But when I think about the average Dutchwoman’s height, it isn’t at all that strange… It is just shocking to see how much bigger she is than myself in person.
「For now, we will take a month-long lease…」
Lisa signed the move-in agreement. With her maid school trained handwriting, she signed a false name with an elegant signature. At the end, in order to prevent forgery, she added a small dog-like sketch. It was a cute girlish touch.
The contract had the grandmotherly landlady’s ladybug-like family crest on it and, and Lisa took a lantern in hand…
「This place secure for the moment, right?」
「Yes, Thank-you for all you’ve done.」
Lisa said as she turned back to me after pressing her ear to the door to confirm that the landlady had gone.
As our eyes met, my eyes dropped toward the black boots on her feet.
「Well, there is something that bothers me, how do you Europeans wear shoes into the house? When you visit a country, you follow the customs of that country, but it’s still psychologically jarring. Please take them off. 」
I said while taking off my own shoes–
「Yes. Master.」
Lisa answered smilingly like a maid.
She knelt on the matt spread in the entryway and began taking them off.
She took off her black boots and stood looking back at me in her black stockings.
Take off your shoes in the house. That is the first order I gave to my maid as her employer.
「Tomorrow, I will go purchase slippers. I do not know what kind of colours and patterns you like, but Master could come with me–」
「No, I will not go. I don’t want to stand out, and it would be a bad thing if my disguise were discovered in public, I will leave the shopping to you. I do not have any preference in colour.」
I said as I removed the annoying wig–
「Yes, Master,」
Lisa answered with a smile.
It seemed that, as a maid, she was happy to follow the order of her master.
「As a rule, I will not go outside.」
「Yes, Master,」
So– on the first day, I became a hikikomori master…
I then looked around the room I hadn’t yet swept carefully.
Everything was sized for Dutch people, and it was a large room.
Besides a hall, living room, dining room, kitchen, and bedroom, there were two small rooms, a bath and washroom. It was a bit old-fashioned, but it came fully furnished with furniture and tableware. Oil paintings were on the wall, and the cupboards were decorated with bronze decorations and probably contained towels, bedsheets, and blankets.
「What do you think? About the room, I mean.」
Lisa asked as I inspected the syphon coffee maker.
「Excellent.」
I answered and returned to the where there were houseplants placed and looked out over the town at night.
On the other side of the withered trees, I looked at the angular fortifications on the moat… It’s a bad view.
It wasn’t like the red-light district in Amsterdam, and thought it was a good place, personally.
(So this is our hiding place, huh…?)
As I expected of Lisa. She gets full marks.
The brick tenement house blends nicely into the town, and it is unlikely to attract any kind of unusual attention.
I have to move from here– as soon as my wounds heal, in order to prove my own innocence.
A rural town like this is perfect, was the thought that came to mind…
I should think about tomorrow.
「–Master. Is this one alright?」
「What?」
「That painting… I do not think it is that good. May I take it down?」
Lisa said about a glass covered framed living room portrait of a full moon in the night sky over a meadow.
From her expression, I can tell that she doesn’t like the picture of the full moon that much for some strange reason.
「Ah, if you like.」
Unlike G-3, my taste in art is poor.
With my permission, Lisa hurriedly took the picture down…
Returning to the living room, she shot meet glancing shy, embarrassed smiles.
「…What is it?」
「Oh!…My apologies. I was just glad… that you became my master. And now this is the first time I’ve lived under a roof with a man. That is all…」
Under a roof with a man…
Why does that make her happy? I hold it as a basic rule that living with the opposite sex is troublesome.
「As a maid?」
I asked half-heartedly.
「The Avé du Ang family do not serve two masters. We only served but one man our entire lives. Once we choose a side, we are committed for life.」
What she said… was heavy.
But, well, I didn’t want to say anything to spoil her good mood. Should I ignore it?
「Master. You are my hero-sama. All the days after days you have fought as a samurai must have weighed upon you. But in this house, Lisa will take especial care to tenderly nurse you to health.」
She said, eyes sparkling like a new employee full of energy upon entering a new workplace. These feelings were awakened in the maid.
****************************************************
It was originally meant to sleep two people, but I woke up alone lying in the large bed the next morning–
The sound of bells from a church caused me to open my eyes.
Lisa slept in a smaller bedroom… It appears she had gotten up early, already gone shopping, and she was humming a tune in the kitchen making breakfast.
Outside the bedroom door when I had changed, there was a pair of brown slippers that I put on before heading over and lowering myself into the sofa in the living room.
「Oh! Good morning, Master.」
Lisa said as she pattered over in pink frilly slippers to greet me with a bow in the Japanese style.
Her blonde hair flowed, glistening in the light coming from the clear morning sky.
「Ah, morning.」
「There is a Japanese proverb『You can’t fight on an empty stomach』. Therefore, I have prepared a delicious feast for you.」
A smile blossoming like a flower on her face, Lisa returned to the kitchen–
Then, in short order, she ferried one dish after another to the dining room.
「This morning I have prepared traditional Dutch fare. If it is not to your liking, please do not hesitate to tell me so.」
Arranged next to each other on the table in front of me…
There was a fresh salad and herring sashimi. There was also cheese, roast beef, and fried egg on bread like some kind of『bread chirashizushi1』– a Dutch open-faced sandwich. Like a round cake.
「And afterwards, there is fruit for dessert.」
With that, Lisa took her own seat, but… unlike Shirayuki, she hasn’t made an excessive amount, and that gives me a favourable impression. I get the feeling that she has considered the proper amount of food.
Then the two of us ate the Dutch cuisine–
It wasn’t refined like French food, lacked the familiarity of Italian food, but it was simply good fare. To start with, the bread and cheese are delicious. I don’t know what other kinds of bread and cheese I have been eating my entire life. Of all the gourmet Japanese food, the Dutch bread and cheese outstrips them all.
Thinking on that, I ate in silence,
「Is… is the flavour alright?」
Lisa timidly asked.
「Uh-huh, it’s good,」
I answered, and Lisa clasped her hands in pleasure. It was a smile of happiness.
The impression she gave off just now was familiar… like Shirayuki’s. However, I didn’t get the impression that there was any other self-serving motivation behind it other than my well-being….
There was nothing else. This breakfast was completely genuine.
So…
「It was the same in France that bread was a staple. Don’t you eat rice.」
「We do. However, instead of Japanese rice, American rice is more common. My apologies…」
Lisa said while serving me another portion of salad from the bowl–
She leaned her upper body over the table.
Due to that, her breasts could be seen through the gap in her loose blouse
(…Wh-wha…!)
About half of them were visible.
H-huge! These are Shirayuki-class.
Seeing her white, frilly underwear just now was troubling for my Hysteria Mode.
Noticing where I was looking, or perhaps not, Lisa re-seated herself in her chair and rearranged her blouse–
「Fu fu! Master has all the qualifications of a master.」
「Wh-what does that mean?」
「No matter what you say, I feel that I must take care of it. If I do not, I will become worried.」
Ah… I feel like Shirayuki said something like this earlier.
But speaking of the attributes I have displayed, rather than of a master, I have my position had been that of a slave. And hers that of a queen.
Eating fruit for dessert afterwards, we drank post-meal coffee…
「Speaking of which, Katze-sama held a conference with her subordinates in GRENEDA concerning Tohyama-sama– The discusses nothing but Master… May I ask you something about it?」
「Yeah… What is it?」
「Master fell 2000 metres from Regiment Hex’s airship. So how did you survive? Did you fly by some chance?」
「That is not true. Did someone see me sprout wings? Immediately after my struggle with Katze, I opened a parachute, then I fell onto the slopes of Mount Blanc. If it had been a flat plane, I would have died, but I was able to slide on the slope. Thus, the force of impact was halved.」
「Oh… The fortunes of war favour you. As Lisa would expect of her master.」
「If I were truly fortunate, I wouldn’t be running from DEEN right now. Let’s talk about something else. I’m alright for the time being, but I don’t really want to remember a time that I almost died.」
「M-my apologies.」
With a choked noise, Lisa hung her head as she apologised and clutched slightly at the blouse at her chest.
It was exposed. My eyes were instinctually drawn to the open gap. Embarrassingly so.
「On a different topic… What about my clothes and appearance?」
Slightly ashamed of herself, Lisa was talking about clothes, and not her blouse.
「What is Master’s preference for a woman’s appearance?」
「A-appearance? I don’t have any. Why do you ask?」
「Lisa wants to meet Master’s preference. If you say lose weight, I’ll lose weight. If you say to fill out, I will fill out. I will change my hair to Master’s favourite style and wear clothes that please him. In the house, I will work in my underwear, or naked if instructed– Please tell me whatever you want me to do.」
「Wh-what kind of stupid things are saying!?」
「I am discussing how I should serve you.」
Lisa deadpanned. From her face, it didn’t appear as if she would give up.
「Hmm… there isn’t anything specific. To start with, I am a man, and you are a woman–」
–Hold it right there.
If I finish that sentence, I don’t want her to try to follow it by getting a sex change.
「Well… Uh… You should worry about your own clothes. That is my order.」
「Yes, Master. Thinking for myself, I shall wear a maid uniform.」
I see. I see that she had a contingency case already prepared.
As for this『order』, I’ll get over the difficulties with Hysteria Mode somehow. At least when it comes to Lisa. This situation– it would seem that she might be the easiest person to live with. At least when it comes to girls.
*******************************************************
That afternoon, Lisa went out shopping again…
Without even taking my measurements, she brought back clothes that fit me perfectly, and a large amount of cloth for her own use. If someone were to ask, I’d say that they were probably bulletproof.
Retiring to her own room, she deftly began making clothes. Humming while doing so, it appears that she enjoys it.
After changing my clothes… I sat on the sofa to watch television and recuperate.
There were local broadcast stations but being a small country with a population of about 16 million, many rely upon foreign broadcasters. That fact was reflected in the German, Turkish, British, and American broadcasts. Of course, there were no programs in Japanese.
So, as a final resort, I tuned into a Eurosport cable broadcast. The dialogue there doesn’t matter very much.
What was showing now was a soccer game– a goodwill match between Italy and the Netherlands.
If Shiranui was here, he would be overjoyed. He’s an expert on European sports.
(O-on the Netherlands bench sat Keisuke Honda.)
It had been a while since I had seen another Japanese person, so I watched to see what he would do…
「Master, my apologies for interrupting your hobby.」
Lisa broke in to address me–
「Wha..! What are you…!? Is that from school?」
I let loose this volley of questions upon turning around.
The clothes that Lisa made herself was covered in frills with a French Maid lacy headdress. She also wore a pristine white apron.
Until now, everything had fallen within my range of expectations, but…
This design was a short sailor suit uniform with modified collar. Moreover, it was dark red.
That is to say, it was an amalgamation of a Butei High girl’s uniform and French Maid outfit, a Sailor Maid uniform.
What obsession.
「Yes. I incorporated Tokyo Butei High’s girl’s uniform design into my usual clothes. But… it is a bit embarrassing. The sailor suit and French Maid are traditional Japanese cosplays. The Butei High skirt is short, though…」
Lisa grimaced as she pinched the hem of the skirt–
On each of her left and right thighs there was a ring of dainty white lace twining around them, and I spared then a brief glance. Leg holsters?
********************************
********************************
「U-under… the skirt. What are the loops of lace tied around your legs?」
I asked, indicating the lace that was too weak to bear the weight of any weapons–
「These are cat garters. They are decorative accessories to wear underneath a skirt when you are not wearing stockings to avoid having bare legs. Do you like them?」
All of a sudden, Lisa tried to pinch up her short red French Maid skirt.
「–No, that’s alright!」
It seems that she might have made the especially for her master, but I hurriedly stopped her…
What are they for, anyway? I don’t know what practical reason there is for the existence of such underwear.
Why would you even want to decorate the unseen area under the skirt?
What’s more, I already have trauma from the lacy material at the Nazi secret base.
Right now, I should probably just try to ignore whatever is under Lisa’s skirts.
「I specifically chose a maid’s clothing design… Do you like it? If it is not to your liking, I can remake it.」
I heard Lisa ask, but my own thought as she stood in her French Maid costume looking at me and smiling was…
…Cute.
Although it was an adaptation of sailor suit, it was fundamentally cute. Even someone as ignorant as myself knew about the clothes that the perfectly ordinary Lisa was wearing.
One time before, Riko forced me to go into a Maid shop in Akihabara, and the maids there felt like they were cosplaying… At Koumeikan Mansion, Aria wore such a cute outfit, but with her figure, she looked more like an animated mascot.
In this case, Lisa is a totally ordinary beautiful girl wearing a French Maid uniform–
It doesn’t feel like a cosplay. It feels perfectly natural. Conversely, the sailor suit elements were just conspicuous enough to add a bit of accent to the overall appearance. However, her almost entirely exposed legs were the last things that I needed to see…
「..It suits you. But please make the skirt longer.」
I collected my thoughts and briefly summarised my opinion.
Lisa had already attended a maid school, so her movements were graceful. The clothes suited her as well. She gave the impression of a true maid.
「–Thank goodness! I will lengthen the skirts in the three changes of clothes that I have already made, and I will carry out my duties in these clothes from now on.」
Looking genuinely delighted, Lisa clapped both of her hands to her cheeks in delight. Every inch a maid, she was a beautiful girl. I looked back at her again.
This beautiful girl wearing cute clothing lack flaws. She was perfect.
However, when it comes to Hysteria Mode, that presents a problem.
At that moment, my anti-girl threat level increased from level 2 (caution) to level 3 (alertness).
「By the way, switching topics… I have an Italian bank card. I couldn’t use it until now, but I should be able to use it in the Netherlands.」
Once we had dealt with the matter of clothing, I took out my wallet and handed over the card I got from the Japanese branch of the Beretta company–
「Yes, this is a UniCredit Group Bank Card and it should be able to be used in any country within the EU.」
After quickly confirming that fact, Lisa tried to return it to me, but I pushed it back towards her.
「Every month, I am able to withdraw funds from a company account. In Japan they called it a scholarship, but in the West, it would be called a no-interest student loan. Two weeks after withdrawing the money, the entire sum is remitted to an overseas Japanese account, but before that it can be withdrawn in Euro. The next deposit will happen soon, so please go to the teller directly so no electronic record will be left behind. The PIN is 1111.」
「Understood.」
「Once you have the money… after buying any necessities, put the remainder toward out living expenses. Take some spending money for yourself, if you like. Be sensible about it, though.」
My real motivation here was to delegate all management of household expenses and avoid the troublesome matter of converting currency–
「Master…Th-this…」
Holding the card in hand, Lisa her eyebrows seemed to sag in in bewilderment at the trust placed in her.
「You said that we should split the work. Accounting is within your skillset, so I will entrust everything to do with finances to you. That is my order.」
After I said that, Lisa clutched the card to the chest of her French Maid uniform–
「…Yes …Master!」
Moved to tears once more, she lowered her head.
********************************************************************************
As a genuine maid, Lisa enjoys housework.
In the morning, she cleaned the inside of the house earnestly until it sparkled, and in the afternoon, she went to the Albert Heijn grocer and bought high quality foodstuffs cheaply. I had absently requested『some kind of candy』and she brought back some Werther’s Originals that corresponded quite well to some familiar Japanese candy.
When I didn’t follow my master’s order to『Buy Momoman』and only purchased anman, I was on the receiving end of a Baritsu throw, and my status as a gofer was not unlike Kou’s plight if she couldn’t find egg noodles to buy. A high-class gopher.
In accordance with her oath the other day, Lisa bought all kinds of daily necessities–
Because of that, I could devote myself to recovering from the wounds dealt by Bewitching Blade. The bruise on my side was an ominous black, and it was red and swollen. That means that it is mending.
But that evening…
After the dinner that Lisa had prepared… I found myself with an incredible amount of time on my hands.
The television was unintelligible, my mobile was destroyed, and I couldn’t connect to the Internet in case the signal was traced back to us.
For those reasons, I decided to lay down earlier than usual– Anticipating this need, Lisa had already made up the bed.
When I exited the bath, the lights in the room were already turned down in order to create a comfortable place to sleep.
「Here are your pyjamas. Due to your injuries… it is of the utmost importance that you rest.」
Lisa stood in the bedroom wearing her sailor maid uniform with the skirts she had lengthened in accordance with my direction and indicated a set of white pyjamas that had been folded and placed on the bed.
「O-oh! Thanks.」
Clothed merely in a bath towel, I retreated back into the bathroom… but Lisa followed and stopped just short of the door between the bedroom and bathroom.
Then, unable to meet my eyes, she leaned in awkwardly, only exposing her upper half. Cheeks blushing pink, she said:
「…I can warm your bed after your wounds are healed. You are free to use me…」
She said in a low voice while averting her eyes, and turning on the spot—
*Tap!* *Tap!* *Tap!*
I heard the patter of her slippers as she fled the small room.
‘Warm my bed?’… what is that? I think it’s Japanese, but I don’t understand the meaning.2 It’s very troubling to not know what she meant by that.
But as a Japanese person, asking a Dutchwoman the meaning of Japanese word is embarrassing.
So, I will pretend I understood and keep quiet in response.
So, saying nothing, I changed into the pyjamas the Lisa had folded and placed atop the bed… then I laid down to sleep in the large bed.
Then I looked out the window into the night.
This is the bedroom. It is positioned so that no one can see anyone inside from any angle.
Occasionally a beautiful star would peek out through a rift in the clouds.
(Beautiful, cute, smart, good at housework… are those words that could apply to my maid?)
In the kinds of games that Riko plays, having a maid is a good thing–
That part actually matches the reality. At the current moment, I can’t say that Lisa has any flaws. Rather, she has a lot of good points. I have borne personal witness to the effects of these virtues.
But as for a role in combat–she is on the level of a girl, no, actually lower. I came to understand that fact shortly after spending time with her, and her body and every movement testified to her specialised『domestic』disposition. Allowing me to approach her in the underground tunnels demonstrated her lack of caution.
(I said we should split the work… and following that plan, I have to deal with all the fighting.)
Tiring of staring into the night sky, I turned and picked up the memo pad at the side of the bed…
I pondered this as I did some kind of origami.
**********************************************************
The next morning, I was roused once more by the church bells–
(…?)
The bells seemed more lively than the day before, and all traces of people in the tenement was gone.
I carefully looked out across the courtyard at the other windows… but there was truly no one there.
Only the Siamese cat kept by the landlady was in the courtyard.
(Where is everyone? Is there some kind of event?)
With that strange thought in mind, I changed and headed into the living room… There Lisa had left behind a note stating『I have gone out shopping. I will return at 9 o’clock.』
So, I sat down with the tools that I had borrowed from the landlord yesterday, via Lisa–
I intended to fix the belt wire winch that had broken from overuse in my fall into the sky above Mount Blanc.
Before 9 o’clock came, the church bell began ringing loudly again–
So when I went out into the courtyard to take in some air, I used some discarded bricks, dirt, and metal cans to construct a makeshift target for shooting practice.
Then, at a range of 7 meters…
I shot my Beretta, timing them so that the report was lost in the sound of the bells.
The 9mm bullets all hit their mark–
I shoot target practice every day, so missing is not such an issue for me. Just like Jeanne’s sword dance, it is important to not forget the weight and shape of the gun, or the sensation of drawing and firing.
When you are fighting in a life or death situation, an error of even 0.1 second of 1 millimetre is unacceptable. In order to meet that standard, I cannot rely on any other gunman– just myself.
I can only trust this feeling. And if I don’t shoot for several days, this feeling will be blunted. Humans too, like guns… they change slightly with every shot. The act of shooting is an analogue-to-analogue relationship.
That is to say, this is as much training for me as for my Beretta–
No good. I’m slipping.
If Ranbyou saw this display, she’d beat me for it.
It is clearly evident that it is a result of my injury. When the wound on my abdomen heals, my skills should return. Thanks to the ability to hide here, I should be able to have that time.
(Well, at least that is my hope…)
After my last shot hit the can– *Clap!* *Clap!* *Clap!* I turned to face the sound of clapping.
「–Master was amazing! Amazing, master! Incredible!」
Saying the same thing twice in a different order, the sailor maid stood within the courtyard.
The French maid uniform rustled slightly in the Dutch breeze.
The lingering scent of gunpowder was replaced by Lisa’s sweet maple syrup scent– There was also an underlying hint of palm olive detergent.
「Master must not fail in his gun practice! As expected. You are amazing! Mooi!」
Lisa said, looking delighted at the target I had used for practice.
Her eyes sparkling as she saw me as her own personal hero, she mixed in a few Dutch words such as『mooi3』.
「Not at all… I was just practicing in my spare time. Let’s talk for a bit about something else.」
I said, embarrassed by the level of praise as I returned the gun to my shoulder holster.
「I would be delighted to talk with my master. I would like to speak with Master for however long you wish.」
「…So, what should we talk about then…? Ah! I know! Where is everyone this morning?」
「Today is Sunday, so everyone has gone to church. They will return at lunch.」
Huh? So that’s it?
That is to say, Christians must worship every week on Sunday, don’t they? That must be a hassle.
「Is it alright for you to not go?」
「Yes. I do not believe in God.」
「–Westerners can say such things directly, can’t they. Even I am a bit of a stranger to religion. My family has a long history of deep Shinto and Buddhist beliefs, and even I cannot say such a thing.」
Lisa listened to my answer while smiling… but there was not much material for conversation.
I can never think of anything to talk about with a girl. I always lose my nerve with a beautiful girl. With other guys though, I can talk with no problem.
Choked for words to speak–
「–Well. That is to say…to change the topic. This was at your bedside.」
Sensing the heavy silence, Lisa interjected at just the right moment.
I really can’t read the room.
With Riko, I would remain silent as she prattled on about some strange game or anime that I didn’t know about, and with Shirayuki she would just sit in bashful silence. The same for Nakasorachi.
「Did you make this windmill?」
Lisa asked as she held out something in her hand…
I had made it when I couldn’t sleep, a windmill out of memo pad paper.
Originally it was going to be a crane, but I had forgotten how to do it– so it ended up as a windmill.
「O-oh! I made it.」
「–(Mooi)! You made a paper windmill… My master is very skilled! Master, may Lisa have this?」
Lisa asked, holding the origami windmill in both hands with eyes wide.
「Sure, if you want it.」
I replied, and Lisa looked delighted from the bottom of her heart.
「Thank-you so much! This gift from master– I will treasure it my whole life.」
For some reason… she really seemed truly delighted. With something like this.
I wonder if this was what made her a true Dutchwoman. All this because of a windmill.
***************************************************************
One night several days later, my wounds had mostly healed–
It was strange, but Lisa hadn’t returned from going out shopping yet.
It wasn’t a problem if she stopped somewhere along the way, but it only took a few days for me to figure out that she was the kind of girl who would return home exactly when she said that she was going to be home.
This tardiness is worrying.
What’s more, I am alone in a foreign country… that is to say…
… It’s lonely.
It is eerily quiet.
I had already given my Beretta a complete servicing overhaul, and I had long ago fixed my belt winch.
It’s not exactly right for me to be waiting for a girl to come home, but what I want right now is someone to talk to. I wanted to see Lisa. It wasn’t just something that I wanted, but something that made me want it.
Every now and again I would peek out at the street through the gap in the curtains to see if she had come back yet–
There.
She was there. Lisa was there.
The sailor maid, on the street directly in front of the tenement.
But she was shielding her face with her hands and crying.
The reason was readily apparent.
There was a large fat boy that looked like a neighbourhood bully ringleader in a group of other boys, egging on a huge dog at her.
The dog seemed very interested in her and was jumping and pawing at her.
There were 4 or 5 of the brats, and they are teasing the cowardly Lisa, relentlessly tormenting her.
(That is to say, Lisa… unable to fight, even if it were a child or dog, how was she a representative soldier for GRENEDA?)
Kou had the excuse of being like dogs and monkeys, but it seems that there are quite a few people in DEEN who will run from dogs. In the future, I might just have to send Haimaki out to fight in my place.
I could not stand idly by. The leader of the pack was standing with a pail full of water and was threatening to dump it over Lisa. It is midwinter and undoubtedly cold.
「…」
I gave the black wig and coat hanging on the coat rack a sidelong glance.
I really don’t like going out in that disguise…
Besides that, it doesn’t look like it will turn into anything life threatening, but…
(Butei Law: Article 2. The contract with your client must absolutely be fulfilled.)
My promise to protect her is a sort of contract.
It’s bothersome… but should I go? With a proper weapon?
**********************************************************************
Then having become a black Maetel, I left the house–
With Lisa crying, the agitated dog was sure to bite.
I then began running toward the unfortunate situation.
(…!?)
In an instant, the dog turned away from Lisa– and I stamped on the ground and spun around 180 degrees.
I tugged on the fat boy holding the dog, and surprised, he lost his grip on the dog.
Huh. For some reason, the dog panicked and ran away. Was it something that the cornered Lisa did…?
But with the other children shouting and bullying her, Lisa still could only cry.
「…」
Then, walking toward where they stood– *Fwish!*
Then with the sweets… I scattered the Werther’s Originals that I had gotten the other day.
Sweets are children’s favourite treat the world over. As soon as the brats saw them, they sent up a cheer of joy and scrambled to be the first to gather them up.
At that same moment, hearing the commotion from inside the brick tenement, the large grandmotherly landlady came out with a broom– then shouting something scolding in Dutch, she drove away them away.
In that opening, I helped the shaking Lisa to her feet… and we were able to make it back inside the building safely.
As soon the door closed,
「*Sniff!* *Sniff!*… Thank-you so much, Master. Truly, thank-you. Lisa is a bad maid, troubling master so…」
「Don’t worry about it. You aren’t hurt anywhere?」
「Correct. But… I know that even though master does not like going out looking like this…. for Lisa…. for Lisa…」
Tears welled up and fell from her eyes as she looked up at me and apologised from the depths of her heart.
「It’s fine. I don’t like this disguise… but I did say back then that I would protect you– that was our arrangement. But what were they teasing you about?」
I asked as I took of the coat–
「They must have thought that my clothes were sailor’s clothes…『It’s a sailor without a sea!』, they laughed.」
The sailor maid Lisa explained as she gripped the V-neck of her clothes.
(Aah…!)
In modern Japan it is a girl’s uniform, but originally the sailor suit was a naval uniform. The stand-up collar on the accompanying boy’s uniform was originally an army uniform.
「… Well if that is the case, it’s better if you don’t wear it.」
「No, Lisa will not run away. Lisa is proud to wear the clothes that Master said that he『likes』. What’s more, the landlady just put up a sign saying,『Children who make fun of the navy are not allowed』、so it is better if I wear it from now on…」
Lisa told me as she dabbed the tears from her eyes with her pale fingers.
Even me… I made fun of Butei High’s red sailor suit, and I really have to stop.
「If they bully you again, I’ll chase them off. I will protect you. That’s a promise」
I said again in order to soothe Lisa.
At that, Lisa seemed utterly happy–
–*Squish!*, she hugged me.
「O-Oi…!」
H-how soft…
No, how good smelling. Her hair, her body, her scent was every inch womanly.
–Th-this is bad! We are only in a temporary Master-Servant relationship. But that means that my Hysteria Mode…!
「Master. Lisa’s master. I will tell you the whole truth. All the while that dog was barking at me– I could only cry out『Master! Master!』inside my heart. But then Master truly did appear to save Lisa… Lisa, Lisa though it was like a dream. I was truly, truly happy. Lisa is truly the luckiest…!」
Finally at peace, Lisa still did not let go of me.
(But really all I did was chase away some kids…)
Why are you thanking me for that?
When it comes to me– as far as Lisa is concerned, it doesn’t have to go as far as being a battle for her to be satisfied that I had fulfilled my promise to save her.
「Master… Master…」
Before I had a chance to react, Lisa began rubbing her cheeks against my chest like a cat.
If this were a manga, she’d have hearts fluttering around her head. I feel like she is taking advantage of this situations.
「Alright, Alright! You’re unexpectedly clingy.」
I said, turning my shoulder slightly to pull away…
「…Yes. Lisa… really is a needy child. Lisa is a bad maid who will presume upon master whenever she can. Please forgive me. Master…」
She suddenly became serious.
Any normal man might be glad of such dependency in a maid.
B-but this is troubling. For me, at least. Goodness!
******************************************************************
–As lay in bed…
*Creak!*… There was a sound like someone climbing atop the bed–
What?
Who?
Lisa?
But strangely, I could not move.
Am I tied up?
「You are the real deal, aren’t you, Kinji Tohyama?」
I heard muttered from underneath a hood…
(A man’s voice.)
That voice…
(–Bewitching Blade– A night raid!)
As soon as I realised that, the very next instant.
–*Thump!*–
A cold feeling slipped into my chest without any resistance.
I’d been stabbed.
My bulletproof pyjamas had no resistance to a knife.
My heart. It had been pierced.
I’d been killed…!
「–Aaaaaah!」
With a snap, I sat bolt upright…
The bedroom was dark and quiet.
There was no one on the other side of the white bed.
A dream… that was all it was.
I rubbed my chest and no knife had pierced it.
(…Dammit!)
That nightmare… it must have been the manifestation of my latent fear about the possibility of Bewitching Blade attacking.
For sure, he is incredibly strong. He appears to be one or two ranks above any of the enemies I’ve faced in DEEN or GRENEDA.
—But Bewitching Blade.
I still wasn’t entirely defeated.
You have your twin swords, glowing red right eye, and coat– I have Hysteria Mode.
Brussels was a misfire, meeting you again when that happens…
Let’s fight again. I guarantee you’ll like me better in Hysteria Mode. I’ll strip that chuunibyou-esque coat off you and give it to Riko or Kinzou.
With a hand on their side…. *Tap!* *Tap!* *Tap!*
「–Master? Please excuse me!」
No doubt hearing my not very quiet voice, Lisa rushed into the bedroom.
「…!」
Lisa appeared wearing thin white negligee that let me see her underwear– the instant that misfortune occurred, my treacherous mind fortunately did not succumb to an outbreak of Hysteria Mode.
Perspiration standing out cold on my forehead, I said nothing–
「Master, your face is so pale…! Are you choking? Do your injuries pain you? Here, take some medicine–」
「–Don’t worry. It was just… a dream.」
As I motioned for Lisa to go back, my hand struck the bed frame…
Damn. This is pathetic. My hands are shaking.
Perhaps guessing from that act that I was troubled, Lisa said–
「…I am sorry… Master.」
This time the bed really did creak, and she came up beside me.
「It must have been an awfully scary dream.」
Then coming right up next to my knee–
She gently wrapped her soft white arms around my head.
**********************************************
**********************************************
「…」
*Sigh!*… The sweet scent of maple syrup smells good. It’s Lisa’s smell.
The subtle aroma has an amazingly calming effect.
The trembling in my hands… stopped.
「But now everything is alright. Master will have Lisa. Forever and ever…」
Usually, with a girl clinging to me like this–
I would push them away, not wanting to go into Hysteria Mode.
But this time… I didn’t.
Lisa is a woman with a soothing disposition and gentle embrace… It’s an amazing ability. This feeling. Rather than Hysteria Mode, I feel calm and collected.
It is somewhat nostalgic– that’s what it is–
「…Lisa, forever will be by Master’s side…」
A very long time ago, something like this happened–
Then, in the next moment, I fell into a peaceful sleep, and a warm feeling overtook me.
*************************************************************************
After that, my injuries improved day by day.
Lisa had been out buying and running over hill and dale to collect ingredients for some Dutch version of Chinese Herbal medicine.
–This morning,
「Master. Today there is a festival in town… If it is agreeable to you, may I have some time off to visit?」
She said while fidgeting uncharacteristically.
Thinking it a shame that Lisa worked above and beyond everyday…
「Oh. Yes. It is good to stretch you wings every once and a while.」
She seemed to be very excited.
Having received my permission, Lisa prepared lunch in advance– then she began to cheerfully prepare herself for the festival.
Coming out from her own room…
(…Eh…)
Lisa had borrowed a set of national clothing from the landlady and changed out of her usual sailor maid uniform.
It was traditional woman’s dress typically reserved for the warmer northern climes with puffed sleeves and a long skirt. It was made of fluttering black cloth with decorative white cloth and colourful embroidery.
I’ve only seen it in『A Dog of Flanders』so when Lisa wears it, it looks like cosplay, but…
It’s somehow indescribably alluring. Even though it’s a lot of clothing.
I think it’s the chest. Below the chest of the blouse, there was a tight-fitting corset, causing her chest to swell and become emphasised.
Overall, Lisa was slender, but her chest was large, and all of her good points were being showcased. This is a problem.
「Master. How does Lisa look?」
Lisa, transformed into the perfect Dutch beauty, asked smiling as she spread out her skirts.
She must be excited to go to the festival.
「O-oh! It’s cute.」
In order to avoid falling into talking about her breasts, I only gave a few words in reply–
「–Ufufu! The landlady even took good care of these… they fit me, so she let me borrow them.」
Raising her skirt a bit, she showed off a colourful pair of wooden clogs.
「Now then, I will return around 5 o’clock.」
「Ah. Have fun!」
「I have left an afternoon snack in the kitchen cupboard…」
Lisa smiled and walked towards door–
But she topped a few feet from it looking somewhat reluctant.
Might she want me… to go with her? To the festival.
But Lisa knows I don’t want to go out in the black-haired Maetel disguise. She doesn’t want to pressure me into going, so she went by herself.
Going over to the window, I looked down into the street…
Lisa walked normally in the clip-clopping shoes that would appear to be difficult to walk in from a Japanese perspective. There has to be a knack to walking in them. I guess they are like Japanese getas in that way.
*Whoosh!*…
Was that a homing pigeon?
A dove with a cross on its golden collar flew over the street–and Lisa looked back.
Our eyes met, and it must have looked like I was seeing her off, so she smiled.
Shyly, she gave a small wave… then she disappeared around the corner.
….As for myself, I plopped myself down onto the living room sofa–
The house quiet one more, I did not turn on the Sports Pay station again to pass the time.
Once more… I am alone.
On the western edge of Eurasia– that is to say, the extreme end of the Earth and the western-most portion of the Netherlands
I can’t reach out to anyone in DEEN, and the communication system is suspect, so I can’t call anyone in Japan or Hong Kong. I don’t know the language, so I can’t talk with anyone local either.
This is something that I don’t think it possible to ever experience in Japan.
I’ve found a loneliness even deeper than that I experienced at Ikebukuro High.
(This loneliness… I hate it.)
1,2,3 hours… I must have passed them in a daze…
Thinking about Lisa, the only person I could talk to.
The beautiful, kind girl in the cure maid costume, the smart and hardworking Lisa.
Always smiling as she served me, and occasionally acting a bit spoiled.
(Lisa… I want to see her.)
The thought came to me suddenly and a wry smile rose to my face.
Why do I want to see her? Even though she is a girl?
I thought about the other day, and how I depended on her. Me, the misogynist, Kinji Tohyama.
******************************************************************************
The sun peeked through the clouds at 2:30, and I —
I stepped outside into the cold wearing the black-haired Maetel disguise.
That is to say… Lisa isn’t the only needy one, it would appear.
If I write a report about the Dutch festival for Caravan V, then maybe I might get some extra school credit due the unusual nature of the event?
(So I’ll go look around for just little bit.)
With that thought in mind, I walked through the cold town…
I quickly came upon the festival grounds.
Because it was a small town, the sounds of cheerful music were audible.
The townspeople had gathered around the windmill and were warming themselves with spiced wine and had their hands full of skewered meat similar to yakitori.
In front of the windmill, Lisa stood in her national dress… and other Dutch girls in similar dress were standing and dancing in a line.
With a *Clap!* *Tap!* *Tap!*. *Tap!* *Tap!*, they set a brisk pace with the wooden clogs on the stone cobbles.
But the clothing that covered their breasts was a bit concerning…
It was cute though. Lisa looked an ordinary country girl.
They danced happily, smiling and not minding the cold at all.
In the crowd on the other side of the dancing line of girls… there was a cardboard body, broom handle tusked, and melon rind skinned creature… it was a handmade monster, with two boys underneath in charge of performing something like a Lion Dance with a shuffling gait.
It appeared to be a huge wolf-like monster.
「Wolf! Wolf–!」
Some children shouted some kind of warning, and the dancing girls scattered and hid inside the windmill in an obviously rehearsed manner.
One of the girls took a dramatic fall and was left behind, and the monster body covered her… She disappeared inside. I suppose the meaning must be that she was eaten.
Hidden within the windmill, the Lisa and the rest of the girls made a theatrically surprised expression of『How terrible!』.
But Lisa… her role seems awfully stilted. Despite her cleverness, it appears her acting ability is poor.
Wondering if the story would end on a depressing note, one of the dancing girls left the safety of the windmill–
Stroking the roughly made Dutch monster, she held it in her arms, and… kissed it on the head.
Then the monster became gentle.
It seems that the conclusion was that『The monster’s heart was opened by the power of love』.
It now seems that the dance is over…
As a foreigner, I don’t understand the details very well.
But it’s the same for festivals in rural Japan, foreigners won’t understand it very well either.
Folding my arms, Lisa said–
「–Eh! Master…!?」
Suddenly noticing me.
I raised a finger to my lips, signalling her『Don’t speak in Japanese』in response–
The two of us went to the other side of the windmill to sit on bench… declining spiced wine, I held a cola in one hand as we talked quietly.
「I-I did not believe Master would come. I was caught off guard.」
Like the first time she saw me, her cheeks were flushed, but she looked happy that I had come.
「In the dance– what was that monster that appeared in the middle of it?」
I asked for my report, and Lisa answered.
「It was…」
She made an unusual grim face as she hesitated.
「『The Beast of Gévaudan』– Sirius, a werewolf– there are several names in Japanese for the vampires’ rivals in beastly legends. It has the power to control all other animals and is the king of beasts. It first appeared in 8th century Western Europe and laid waste to many towns and villages…」
「Vampires, you say? Like Vlad? Are you saying it’s a monster like that?」
「V-Vlad-sama… he was different. The werewolf has much more beautiful golden fur. Here are some contemporary French artists’ depictions.」
Lisa explained with her finger on the shoulder of the monster wolf…
Thanks to this, I should be able to write detailed report. I really might earn some extra credits.
************************************************************
「Master, did you know? A rumour about the most beautiful girl in all of Groningen Province started when we moved to Bourtange.」
Lisa said one night several days later when my wound was almost entirely healed.
「…Most beautiful girl in all of Groningen Province?」
For me, that kind of news is one the same level as hearing that a serial killer has moved.
「Which city did she moved to?」
「This one.」
Lisa said, allowing a smile to slip onto her face.
Ah, I see.
「… Is it you? I don’t really know.」
I said as I slurped some lentil soup.
「Tsk! Not me. It’s Master in disguise, Miss Cromaetel」
*Whoopsh!* I spewed soup from my mouth.
「Wha-What the heck! Cromaetel…?」
「When you came to the festival, all the gentlemen were captivated by your disguise. They asked for your name, so I replied with the alias you had come up with previously. Cromaetel– they were entranced by the exotic name.」
Might this alias be the alias『Kuro Maetel』I carelessly let slip on the train?4
But, captivated, you say? Gentlemen, you have committed an irreparable crime.
No, I am the one who has done so.
「…My apologies…」
In her mind, Lisa must be proud of her master’s reputation no matter how strange it may be.
「Not only is she considered to be the most beautiful, but the fact that she does not allow anyone into her rooms imparts an air of mystery that is the secret to her popularity. What is more, Master’s charisma aids this as well. As your maid, I am proud, and even the girls have begun to talk. Ufufu!」
As expected of my poor public reputation as a second-year.
Even coming here to the western side of Eurasia, my propensity for misfortune is in full effect.
(But this is quite the opposite problem…)
I came here to hide and sequester myself, but despite my disguise, I am gaining notoriety.
Originally, except in ASSAULT the common response to my name was『Tohyama, who?』
I was infinitely depressed by this fact–
Even so, my Onii-san has the same ability. It really is an unnecessary talent. Because of that, a disguise accomplishes the opposite, making me stand out
But it doesn’t put me in Hysteria Mode. It doesn’t go that far. If I hysterised by looking into a mirror, that would be the point where I’d kill myself with my gun… but since that was proven to be ineffective on the Shima Hari, I’d have to commit seppuku. If that didn’t work Bewitching Blade could do it.
*********************************************************************
Due to the shock of the Cromaetel affair, no food passed my throat…
The resulting loss of energy allowed a virus to infiltrate, and I caught a cold.
(Curse this sick feeling…)
As Lisa headed into the bathroom for a bath, I gave her a vague response…
Tormented by a headache, I lay on the living room sofa.
Even with central heating, I was still cold. Thinking I should go to bed early, as soon as Lisa came out, I took a hot shower in the shallow bathtub– soaking in the coffin-like tub as I learned to do in Paris.
As soon as I got out of the hot water, I went to lie down…
But it was no use. Despite the bath, my thoughts became hazy. No sooner than I had realised that, the heat evaporated from my body.
Even submerged in the hot water, my body shivered. If I try to get up. I’ll fall. I couldn’t even stand.
(For cold medicine… I don’t even have special strength Kakkanto…)
Without that wonder drug, there is nothing I can do.
As I sat silently in the bath–
「…Master?」
I heard Lisa’s voice on the other side of the bathroom door, but I couldn’t reply.
The temperature reached its peak. It must have been 8.5 degrees… no, perhaps 9 degrees…
**********************************************
…
…….
「………?」
Opening my eyes, I found myself on top of the huge bed in my bedroom.
Light streamed in and fell on both sides of the bed. By the intensity, it was near twilight.
I tried to sit up to examine my state… but fell back down. Even my headache was gone, and my temperature felt normal.
My fever had dissipated, and it appeared to have been the kind of cold that you get over easily.
But…. I’m totally naked.
(Did Lisa carry me hear from the bathtub?)
Thank goodness. I didn’t faint and die there. No matter if you can catch a sword blade or grab bullets, there’s no way for a person to escape death by drowning.
Thanks, Lisa.
I turned and smiled at her unexpectedly cherubic sleeping face.
Ha ha! She wears a frilly headdress even when she sleeps!
(…!…)
S-she’s here! Here! With me!
On the bed. Right next to me. On top of that, I’m naked! What the heck!?
「…L-Lisa…?」
Her lower half was enclosed by a fluffy feather blanket, but her upper half, pressed up against me was fully exposed.
Bearing a close resemblance to Jeanne, respectable, with clear, soft white skin–
With a rustle, she stirred.
Then her long lashed, sharing the same colour as her blonde hair, fluttered open…
「Mm… Thank goodness…」
H-huh, what? What do you mean by『thank goodness』?
No way, n-no way…! I don’t remember anything that happened!
「–You’re awake. When you lost consciousness in the bath, Lisa, Lisa’s heart almost stopped in fright. But… now you have recovered, thank goodness…」
「S-so that’s what you meant? Thank goodness.」
「?」
「W-what I mean is, why… are you here!?」
Even with my flustered statement, Lisa was able to understand–
「In the Netherlands, a wife does this to cure her husband’s fever. When you have a fever, nothing should be applied the skin hotter or colder than human body temperature.」
Despite the fact that she could not completely hide her entire chest, she held her arm across the front– Thankfully, it covered enough.
G-getting up, Lisa knelt…!
Slipping down, her white body to waist was exposed to my sight. But the gods of the Netherlands must be on my side. Lisa’s lower half was covered in white lace underwear, attached to her usual cat garters.
Now the full mystery of cat garters was revealed–
Just below her navel, there was very short white, frilly skirt, that would shock the girls at Nagoya Butei High– 10 cm below her crotch. Not even 3 cm long, there was nothing for 5 cm below her navel. The thin fabric of the underwear was entirely see-through, so I don’t really understand the purpose of the skirt. What purpose does it even serve? Her skin was clearly visible through it,
At the waistband area of the skirt, there were two frilled straps–and probably two in the back– running down to the garter belts–then running down her thighs.
What were originally meant to hold knee high stockings in place on top of her thighs were connected to the elastic bands of the garters by frilly strips of cloth. I see. With the bands twined around her legs like scrunchies, without stockings the garter belt hooks dangle loosely, and this prevents it.
…A substitution!
Without that skirt however, what was inside would be open to full-view–that is to say, without it, the underwear would bare all. Isn’t this the kind of sexy underwear that adult women use to seduce men? That is to say, with this grater belt not serving its purpose to hold up stockings, this must mean the gods of the Netherlands are allies of my enemies.
(Lisa, you…! You kept such a straight face serving me while wearing such things…!)
What they heck did you buy before coming to live with me?
My temperature rising for a completely different critical reason–
「G-go to sleep.」
I said, looking at the television, intending to put on a Eurosport game and avert my eyes from Lisa.
「U-understood.」
Lisa said, lying flat and doubling my problems.
Are you planning on sleeping here, Lisa-san?
But from the old CRT Phillips television…
Huh? Instead of the cheers of sports fans, I heard seductive heavy breathing.
Reflected on the screen…
「…!…」
In an instant, I saw it!
Why does this country think that it is alright to show naked man and woman entwined on the public airwaves!?
「Master… such indecent things… why did you put it on at a time like this…?」
Gathering the blanket up to hide the lower half of her face, Lisa stared at the screen like a truly perverted girl. Then due to some emotion, colour rose into her cheeks, turning them pink, but she showed no sign of unfamiliarity with the adult oriented display.
It seems that it is part of the Dutch culture to broadcast adult films late at night.
(Th-that’s a bit too free… don’t you think!?)
Experiencing this culture shock, with quivering hands, I attempted to change the channel, but–
Ah! My hand slipped, and I increased the volume instead!
Don’t the man and woman on screen look like a maid and her master? At least from their clothes.
This is awkward! Nothing could be more awkward than this…!
「But I am glad. It is proof that Master is full of life. Your fever is gone…」
Despite having managed to turn the television off, it was too late.
A wanton look on her face, Lisa caressed my shoulder with a hand.
The sweet, syrupy smell of her breath was overpowering–
Was she excited by the sight of the woman who had just been on the screen!?
「Your wounds are almost completely healed as well.」
Lisa said as she ran a hand across my skin… moving from shoulder to chest, then to my side.
Her hands still placed there; she slipped her lower half underneath the blanket with me–
「–Wha! Stop it! Wh-where are you touching…!」
Travel is meant to bring you in contact with other people, but there are some places I don’t want touching other people!
「If you sweat a bit more, I believe that you will recover from your cold faster…so… I will attend you tonight. I have only read in books how to do so however, so I may make mistakes–please forgive me.」
Saying that– she used the strange Japanese word ‘attend’ that I did not understand…!
「…Please excuse me.」
Raising the blanket, she began to stick her head underneath.,
「I-If you need to apologise, then you should stop! This isn’t a maid’s job!」
「As Master’s mistress, she should sleep with him– That is a duty of the Avé du Ang maid. By sleeping together, I am able to serve your body. That is how all my family has collected the bloodlines of heroes…」
Pulling my convalescent body closer, Lisa snuggled closer.
「Even though you usually say things like that, I have to turn you down right here! You are my maid, so listen to what I say…!」
I pulled away from Lisa, parting us unlike the picture that had just been on the screen.
「Master. Until now I have presented a neat and tidy appearance to you, but that was a deception. Please forgive me. I am not the maid that I have represented myself to be, but another of Master’s possessions. But there is one thing I want besides to serve my hero-sama–」
「…S-st-stop…!…」
「–I wish to be blessed with a child… This has been my only wish that I have prayed for countless times. Every night, in the adjoining room… I have acted as a shameful maid…!」
–*Do-kun!*–
「Every day I have shown Master a smiling face… but the whole time I have harboured these thoughts. I wanted to be with Master as soon as possible–every day, all day– it was frightening. Disgraceful. I know that Master has refused me. But please grant Lisa’s request! Please…」
With a *Drip!* *Drip!*– hot drops of water hit the top of the sheets.
I didn’t have to ask. They were Lisa’s tears.
She knew she had been rejected by me… and now all she is crying. I don’t know what to do now.
Until now, Lisa has diligently taken care of my daily needs every day with a cute and charming display… but all that was surely meant for this moment.
For generations, Lisa’s ancestors have added the genes of heroes to their DNA. They have done so differently than Vlad. They attach themselves to strong people, and receive their affection, and bequeath it to their children.
「…Master…」
As for Hysteria Mode– I have just barely avoided it.
I’m at 99 percent. I can still turn back. Turn back! Turn back, Kinji!
— I had already realised it.
Her desire to perpetuate this hereditary system, is not the only desire Lisa had concealed.
There is another, more dangerous secret that she is hiding. Hidden behind her words.
But I still don’t know what it is.
But– If I am overcome by Lisa here, there is no going back.
Back in May when I was serving as Shirayuki’s bodyguard, Aria pointed something out… it is not in the best interest for a Butei and a client to develop a deep relationship.
Such illicit liaisons impair judgement and undermine good decision-making… it’s textbook.
But in actuality, that is not the only reason.
Men and women caught up in their passions will occasionally prioritise one thing over all else. Moved by emotion, it is a simple matter for people to become criminals.
That being the case– the『something』Lisa is hiding may be harmful.
If true, that would make our dangerous state as fugitives more perilous. Lisa overcoming me here may have result in other consequences.
So– I have to hold back. Lisa has floored the accelerator, but I have to step on the brake. I cannot remain silent and allow it to happen. I have to deal with it this way.
Then, after several minutes had passed in silence–
Lisa flopped herself down.
Spreading her honey coloured hair, she laid herself out upon the bed and pressed her face into the pillow…
Raising her voice, she sobbed.
Her white back that reminded me of the Greek sculptures I had seen in the Louvre quivered all the while.
This… I wonder if it was it wrong of me to reject her advances…?
It seemed cowardly of me. A woman sobbing next to a man.
No matter the reason, Lisa is ashamed, so I–
「…Lisa.」
Feeling pathetic, I raised my voice.
With tears still on her eyes, Lisa raised her head from the pillow to look up at me–
For just a moment–I was swayed by emotion–but I cannot give in. I cannot concede. Please forgive me, Lisa.
「I owe you my thanks. I would not be alive now, except for you. However… for certain reasons, I cannot fulfil your request. One of those reasons are constitutional, and it makes unable to do so.」
「…Is it HSS?」
–She knows about it…?
Riko, Vlad, Patra and Sherlock did, so it must be well-known within I.U. due to my Onii-san.
「…That’s right. You can certainly count on me for many things, but HSS is the one thing I do not want to have. Especially when it comes to girls. Even now, I’m at the water’s edge.」
As I said those final words–
For some reason, Lisa’s crying face looked just a bit happier.
Then raising her upper body from off the pillow she listened to me.
「『This me』and『that me』are like different people. I can’t refuse to accept responsibility for what ‘that me’ does… I can’t allow that wrong. I don’t want to do something wrong because of my constitution. So… I’m sorry. Forgive me.」
Full of sincerity, I apologised for what had just happened–
「Master. You have been forthright with me… You have my deepest thanks. Lisa is relieved.」
「Relieved?」
「Lisa was worried it might have been something else. That as a woman– Master had no feeling toward Lisa. That because Lisa and Master’s skin and eyes are different colours, or because we exchanged gunfire when I was member of GRENEDA… that you did not find me attractive.」
「What are you saying? Lisa– of course you are beautiful. Perish that terrible thought.」
Wha!? That line.
Unnoticed, I had hysterised. I wonder if it had slowly overtaken me. Perhaps I failed to notice.
Now that Lisa is alright, can I retire? Being under this blanket is a problem. I would much rather trade gunfire than participate in this kind of exchange.
Deploying my secret weapon, I spoke tenderly to Lisa–
Her face that had once been buried in the pillow now looked up and her emerald eyes looked back at me…
「Lisa, Lisa… now more than ever loves her Master…」
Leaving me with that somewhat risky line, she quietly raised herself up.
Then with a bow, she stepped down from the bed and donned a negligee that she appeared to have folded and placed behind her.
Afterwards, she knelt down beside the bed and sat in a properly Japanese mannered seiza… then prostrated herself in a bow.
「–Please excuse this evening’s debauched behaviour. Even though it was brazen. Please keep Lisa by your side from now on. Allow Lisa to serve her hero-sama as an Avé du Ang woman should. Lisa wants to be Master’s maid forever and ever.」
Lisa desperately pleaded, and Hysteria Mode having made me soft toward girls–
So I,
「Lisa, raise your head.」
And after urging her to do so–
「I am a bad man, but not bad enough to take away the place where a girl belongs. And a maid belongs… next to her master. Wouldn’t you say?」
Where until now she had wept in the depths of despair, now her joy catapulted her into the heavens as she smiled–
–I made that reckless statement. But that is a nice smile. I am hopeless in Hysteria Mode.
Coming to full revelation– I realised that the injuries I had gotten from Bewitching Blade had almost completely healed, and I had been able to overcome this night’s trouble. All due to Hysteria Mode.
(… In other words, I can’t keep relying on others like I have until now.)
I can’t rely upon my allies in DEEN, and I have to increase the number of things I can do by myself.
To that end, I have to use this forbidden move. I can do it as I am now.
–『Cuckoo』.
It is a memory fixation technique to carry over what I learn in Hysteria Mode outside of it.
As a matter of fact, everyone remembers everything that they have observed.
However, recalling that information requires a specific key to unlock.
That key is able to be artificially created. Using a unique『keyword』such as a pun is a common trick.
As for Cuckoo–
In Hysteria Mode gives me full access without having to rely on a key and acts a master key to my own memories. And now, the situation allows me to『recall things easily』.
With that being the case, and a surplus of keys–it can be used in non-Hysteria Mode.
『If you have the key, you can remember』–according to my Onii-san, with the power of Hysteria Mode it is possible to expand the human cerebrum almost infinitely. The brain is a vast supercomputer with unknown potential.
Even Aria, with her forgetful brain can easily speak 17 languages. That could be said to be proof of the brains unlimited potential.
(But as for me, including Japanese… I only have real facility with two languages.)
In the dark of the night… sitting on the living room sofa, I placed my right index and middle finger on my forehead– I waited until I was in what is called a『developmental fever5』– then I pushed my levels of concentration further, and further… for the first time in my life attempting『Cuckoo』.
While doing so, I was perfectly motionless.
To an observer, it might look like meditation.
Cuckoo does not add to the amount of knowledge you possess as if studying, but rather fixes information already within your memory. So I sat down earnestly to remember. Remembering and making keys. First, I will master my junior high English in 10 minutes, then my high school English in another 10.
Then I will draw from my hobbies and pastimes–
All the Western films I watched with Japanese subtitles.
(I’m lucky that I was an American film fan.)
I remember originally thinking that I might be able to pull off the over the top Hollywood action sequences myself in Hysteria Mode– but it turned out to have been useful in quite a different manner.
Phrase by phrase, word by word, I recalled the entire film’s dialogue and memorised it.
The next thing I memorised… the chattering conversation of the movie extras.
From what I heard, I should have a pretty complete knowledge of English–
After forming those keys, I still had a few minutes left to Hysteria Mode.
I decided to make use of the final minutes. I also remember well watching Italian Mafia films and learned Italian too. But it was probably on a child’s level.
With that, Hysteria Mode was expended…
With a sigh and deep intake of breath, I laid flat across the sofa.
I’m exhausted. As expected.
I won’t know unless some kind of test comes up tomorrow, but I will probably be able to speak and understand English.
Incidentally, one of my ancestors developed『Cuckoo』as a mantra for meditation–
It made the monks extremely angry and they put a taboo on the Tohyama Family’s use.
As for how I knew about it, back in primary school when I was playing ball in the garden with my Onii-san, we broken a statue of Jizo that sat in the corner–taking out a scroll we found inside, it had it written on it. My Onii-san and I were the only two to read it, and we took care of the evidence by using Krazy Glue to fix the statue.『Use anywhere within the boundaries of the Land of the Rising Sun is expressly forbidden』, it said, but I wonder if it’s alright since I’m not in Japan? How about it, ancestor?
The next morning– I was overcome by crushing embarrassment, but Lisa appeared in her usual French maid costume.
「Master. Good morning. I will have a delicious breakfast prepared shortly.」
She said, accompanying her words with her usual smiling face.
It appears that in light of her duties as a maid, she does not want to bring up last night’s incident. But… your smile is a bit strained.
Then as we ate Dutch open-face sandwiches at the dining room table…
「Th-the sky is quite clear this morning.」
「I-it might cloud over by noon.」
Afterwards, conversation faltered.
I stole a glance at Lisa, and by accident of timing she had stolen a glance back at me and our eyes met for an instant. But in that moment, she looked away.
… Is this the『morning after the mistake』they talk about?
(Something to talk about… anything… something…)
Looking outside the window, I saw a magpie with what looked like a white collar sitting on a branch, singing. and I suddenly remembered something. That’s it. I should talk about that.
「Oi, oi, Lisa.」
「Y-yes!」
「I-I want to ask you something. It’s been bothering me. Uh… can you speak English?」
「English, you say? Yes, 90 percent of all Dutch can.」
「What an amazing country… But will you talk for a bit?」
「Well, er… Do you usually speak English?」
「–(Babe absolutely. Fire away.)」
Ah, it just slipped out. My first time speaking English. It was a bit awkward, but it was Laura Linney’s line from『Love Actually』. Lisa stared at me a bit bewildered as I delivered the line in the same inflection as the Emmy award winning actress.
「Hey… Master! You speak English.」
「There’s nothing to it.」
「H-how did you learn so quickly?」
「Why does the sun come up, or are the stars just pinholes in the curtain of night? Who knows?」
I said, quoting different films.
The first was Milla Jovovich’s line from『Resident Evil: Apocalypse』and the last was Sean Connery’s line from the old masterpiece『Highlander』. But the latter I seem to recall Aria using. She must have seen it too.
「Y-you really can speak it! But the way you speak it is a bit affected, like from a play…」
「You ain’t heard nothin’ yet— Let’s speak English for a bit. I crammed last night and need to practise」
I began with the first words I had ever learned, borrowed from the historical film『The Jazz Singer』.
Responding to my gaga, Lisa said,
「Yes, Master!」
At last, she regained her usual charming manner and smiling face.
After eating breakfast, I moved to the sofa…
Now I can understand ABC news without having to watch the screen.
Then I started thinking.
Last night, as my Hysteria Mode evaporated, I realise something–
–Who DEEN’s traitor really was.
As for being 100 percent certain who it was…
(I cannot claim that.) But it was my deduction while in Hysteria Mode.
There was someone who was 20 percent a traitor, and someone who was 80 percent a traitor…
Together, they served the role of a spy. That is likely the case.
The gambit they are using–I have to expose and put a stop to it. Just as soon as I make a full recovery.
The time to leave is coming soon.
They’ve made their debut. Neither a part of DEEN nor GRENEDA, these two third parties.
[END]
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1. A dish served in a box or bowl where various ingredients are sprinkled over rice.
2. This is an uncommon Japanese word for a man asking a woman to share his bed. It can also mean, keep vigil (e.g. Like a nurse at a patient’s bed). These words are always *just* ambiguous enough in the original to give Kinji’s clueless-ness some veneer of believability.
3. Roughly the same as the Japanese ‘sugoi’.
4. In case this is unclear, it means ‘Black (haired) Maetel, and Cromaetel is a bad anglicisation.
5. Apparently a state where you have a fever and after it passes you become smarter or more enlightened.
