June 13th. It marks the start of our infiltration mission.
In the next 2 weeks, Aria and I will be infiltrating into the Koumeikan mansion as maid and butler.
During this time period, we will be taking temporary absences in class. Because of that, we need to ask for permission first. But when Riko submitted a ridiculous document to the Masters, titled like 'Civil Commission Teamwork Training' or whatever that was, it got easily processed without problem. This makes you wonder if this school is all right or not, in many senses.
And so, sticking to our original plan, the lineup is---Aria and I will be the main infiltration members sneaking inside. Riko will stay as a backup and act as an information relayer, equipment supplier, as well as being responsible for operation planning.
The Operation Stealing's (borrowing Riko's naming) objective is, the retrieval of Riko's cross.
We are having our rendezvous in front of the monorail station early in the morning. I was expecting Aria, who had received harsh maid training, to be more obedient but...
Aria appeared naturally, lugging a suitcase containing her private belongings, and ordered me to carry it in her stead. She's wearing a light pink, chiffon one-piece.
It seems people don't change that easily.
As I heave a sigh at that sad truth---
"Ki-kun, Aria, Hallo~!"
I heard Riko's voice.
When I raised my head...
(K-Kana!?")
As if the time went still, I stayed there motionless.
Kana.
Ah, no.
That was Riko disguising as Kana. First of all, it was Riko's voice, plus there is a difference in height. Kana should be as tall as me.
It looks the same as Kana a few years ago but... it's still different.
"...Ri-Riko... Why are you in that face!?"
I'm grateful that the Kana in front of me is just an imitation.
If it were the real thing... I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to extricate myself from the entanglement caused by mind paralyzation.
Yes. The real Kana...
Possesses a beauty that can make people around her feel like time had stopped.
That oriental, long-eyebrowed eyes, its gaze contains a power that can capture the hearts of any person regardless of their gender. Those lips that form a gentle smile, are like a rose petal, endowed with magic that can pacify even the most violent of hearts.
Aria, Shirayuki, Riko, Reki, and Jeanne are all beautiful. However... Kana's beauty exceeds those of aforementioned girls. No doubt, she's beyond ordinary. Kana should be expressed as a majestic existence.
"*chuckle* Vlad knows Riko's face. If my real face were caught by the surveillance camera, Vlad will return here. That's not a good thing, right? That's why I came here incognito."
"Then use another face! Why do you have to pick Kana of all faces!?"
I tried hard to restrain my emotions but, I still couldn't hide the agitation in my voice.
"Riko knows that Kana is the most beautiful girl in this world. Besides, Kana is an important person to Ki-kun. Riko only wanted to support Ki-kun with the face of the one he loves the most. Did I make you mad?"
Dammit!
"...I ain't a kid anymore to get pissed at every single childish mischief. Let's go."
"You're saying that, but I know you're happy deep inside."
Riko razzed at me. I replied with silence. I headed towards the ticket machine together with Riko.
"W-What's wrong Kinji? It's true Riko is using a face that is very pretty... but whose face is that? Hey---"
Aria who had been silently listening to our conversation, flusteredly asked that question.
However, I didn't turn around. Nor did I give any response.
"I said, hey! Kinji, Riko! Wait up! Tell me who that girl is!"
Can't help that you became like that Aria.
You probably never have thought that your slave, which you have been strongly monopolizing for yourself, has an affection to other people, and also this beautiful.
"HEY!! TELL ME WHO THE HELL KANA IS!?"
I'm sorry Aria--- I can't answer that. Forgive me.
The Tokyo northeastern rail is departing for Yokohama. Inside the train, Riko keeps on talking under the face of Kana.
There were no particular topics. Although I just give simple response like "Yeah" or "Is that so?" the whole time, it's just as Riko planned. Merely watching Kana's face makes me feel nostalgic. It's vexing to admit, but I am very happy right now.
(Still, this Riko... Who could have guessed that she had been imprisoned a long time ago...)
I contemplated as I stared at Riko (still in Kana's face) while we rode the bus after alighting from the Yokohama station.
I don't think Jeanne had fabricated all those things but, looking at this idiot girl whose bread and butter is mischief, it's still very hard to associate the word 'imprisonment' with her.
Therefore, I didn't question Riko regarding all that stuff.
I considered confessing everything to Riko and ask her the whole truth. However, I dropped the idea after watching her stuff an ice cream cone in her mouth, as if she was going on some field trip. The atmosphere doesn't allow for that kind of talk right now.
In the end, Riko and I spent the whole time talking about meaningless stuff just like normal friends.
While Aria was just frequently throwing surreptitious glances on both of us in anxiety. Her anxiety increased in intensity after riding the taxi to our final destination, the Koumeikan mansion.
The surroundings were dark despite it being noon. The mansion is located deep within the heart of a dense forest.
"I-It's like a cursed mansion..."
Aria's mumble is very precise. The mansion looks like a stage that will appear in a horror game.
The sinister aura that the mansion emits couldn't be perceived if you just looked at its photo.
Surrounding the mansion was a black iron fence which has its sharp-pointed end aiming towards the dark, heavy clouds. Inside the fence were beds of flowers.
I hope that this is just for today, the mansion itself is shrouded with creepy, thin mist.
Ah. A bat flew past me.
Aria, who fears this kind of atmosphere, couldn't help herself not to back away.
"Good to meet you sir. It was I who had an appointment to meet you at noon. Today, I have brought these two people who would be working as housekeepers."
Riko stated her greetings with a twitching face. After looking at the manager's face, I too, instantly bore a misgiving.
We just started the mission, and we already bombed it?
The manager who had greeted us is...
"Ahaha... This is quite a surprise..."
...the handsome part-time Butei instructor, Sayonaki. He's producing a wry smile.
Walking along inside the mansion's hallway, I noticed a flag of a wolf and a spear...? (or maybe skewer?) draping the wall.
Perhaps as a sign of long passage of time, its color is faded, and its decomposing features evoke creepiness to its beholder.
Hey, you there Aria. Stop making a frightened reaction at people's in-home decoration.
"Ahaha. You two Buteis wanted to work part time huh. Honestly, the work isn't really so difficult that anyone is capable of doing it, and we'll hire anyone who's up for the job but... Haha, what to say, this situation is kind of awkward."
Due to the recent wolf attack, Sayonaki's arm was still in plaster. He offered a seat to Aria and Riko. After confirming their taking of seat (probably a lady-first principle to him), he sunk himself into the sofa in the hallway.
I endeavored to act equably, occupying a seat in front of Sayonaki.
"Sayonaki-sensei. This is very astonishing. You were living in this grand mansion?"
"Oh. This mansion isn't mine actually. I just occasionally borrow the research facility here, and when I realized it, I had became like a manager here. One problem though, I have a disposition of becoming easily immersed on my research that I immediately lose track of my surroundings. I will be in great trouble if an intruder or two managed to slip by into this mansion during my supervision, so in fact, it is very reassuring that the housekeepers are actually Buteis."
A blessing in disguise.
It seems Sayonaki is intending to hire Aria and me as planned, which, ironically are the intruders he was talking about.
"---I am surprised as well. I have never thought I had been bringing in your students all along."
It appears Riko didn't really see this coming. She was bewildered at the sudden coincidence under the cover of deployment company staff.
"This will be a good subject to talk about when your Master comes back. Well, that's if he returns during their stay though..."
Riko discreetly confirmed if the master of the house, Vlad, was present or not.
"Oh. Right now, he's in a very distant place. I don't think he'll be back anytime soon."
I gained peace of mind upon hearing that.
It can't be helped right? Jeanne scared the hell out of me... with that horrible drawing.
And she said that the owner of this mansion is a demon and all that stuff.
"Is he... a very busy person?"
Riko, with Kana's face, asked Sayonaki.
"I am ashamed to admit... But honestly, I don't know the specifics about him. He and I are very close... but we haven't talked to each other directly even once."
Sayonaki said as he bitterly smiles. His answer is somewhat cryptic.
Close yet never talked to each other?
Are they like mail-friends or something? That's the best that I can puzzle out with my Normal Mode.
Riko left the mansion. We have our room assigned in the 2nd floor.
"I'm really sorry but as a rule... or should I call it a custom in this mansion, the housekeepers are required to wear uniforms at all times. You'll find uniforms of various sizes in your room that were tailored long time ago. Feel free to select the one that perfectly suits you. Regarding the details of the work, the previous housekeeper left simple reference materials in the kitchen. Read it, and do the work at your own pace."
Aha, Sayonaki showed a smile of a talented actor popular for his distaff sex.
"And again, I am deeply sorry. I'll be very busy in my research room. It's down in the basement. I spend a recluse-like life in there so I don't have much time to accompany you two."
Ah no, there's no need to apologize since you're the superior here.
"In case you're free and have nothing to do, let's see... There is a billiards table in the parlor. You can play with that. No one really uses it, so it's as good as new."
Sayonaki pointed towards the dim room in the side of the hall.
"And if you'll excuse me. Let me know when it's time for dinner."
Sayonaki said, and afterwards, he trudged down the spiral staircase.
After a few moments, we heard the shutting of a door.
He shut the door into his indulgence at once.
Wooooof...
Outside the mansion, we could hear the baying of a wild dog.
Abandoned in a broad hall, Aria and I looked at each other.
"...Should we get to work?"
"...Y-Yeah."
The first step according to plan was to work normally to gain the trust of the manager. We followed Sayonaki's order and changed into uniform.
I went straight to my assigned room and took out an old tail-coat from the closet.
The dress was an informal style. It has thick fabric and a shorter tail but... the size perfectly fits my body.
I tried it and...
It's done. A rookie butler is born.
...However, should I pity myself at how I look natural as a butler?
The mutual position of using people and to be used by other people. The latter suiting me better is definitely caused by being too disposed by living together with Aria. Or perhaps I have been innately endowed with this talent from the start.
Speaking of Aria...
Done changing (I even replaced my shoes), I knocked at the door to Aria's room, yet, no matter how much I wait, there was no answer.
(What are you doing? We should do our job promptly or we'll be suspected.)
...that is what we have discussed before.
"Hey Aria. We need to go to the kitchen soon."
I spoke to Aria beyond the door. There was no response. Maybe she didn't hear it.
Perhaps because of the door's thickness? Come to think of it, why are all things here, from blinds to curtains, all so thick? It's so dim here that it's giving me the creeps.
I can't afford to waste anymore time so I laid my hand on the knob and twisted it. *Gacha*. It's not locked.
"Hey."
Aria is too absorbed in checking herself through the mirror that she didn't even realize I went in.
"Uuuuu~~~"
She is blushing at her maid figure reflected through the mirror.
Thanks to Riko's training, she can manage to put it on. I-I don't have a thing for es but... it looks good on her.
She's cute.
No, she's adorable!
Awestruck at the serendipitous discovery of Aria's cute appearance, I unconsciously started the 'Dress Scan' skill that I learned from Inquesta.
First, the hairband, its anterior is frilled and its inside is laced. It seems the hairband itself is a duplex structure of an elegant style of overlapping frills and laces.
Around the chest area of the black maid-dress is an open area, exposed by a serried layers of pure white frills. She is wearing only frills as a replacement for a shirt.
Next is the apron. It is draping from Aria's slender waist to the front of the upper part of the miniskirt. In its opposite location, the belt is quite long, tied in a large butterfly knot above her butt. This contrast is very good.
Spreading outwardly from the short skirt are four layers, no, five layers of soft white petticoats. It precisely overlaps with several layers of skirts, as if like a carnation in full bloom.
It's not over yet. There's more coming. Bloomers adorn Aria's hips, jutting from the skirt, which is straight, yet vaguely suggests the curve of a lady. With the petticoat a while ago in combination, it seems the volume of the interior of the skirt exceeds the capacity and is on the verge of exploding.
The materials used were high-quality velvet, silk, and clearly an exquisitely crafted lace fabric. If this was 'the price is right' game, I would guess the price is around 1 million yen. Definitely not anything lower than that.
No doubt, this state-of-the-art maid dress is a national treasure.
By the way, this 'Dress Scan' is a skill that I learned in Inquesta. It is a method to analyze and memorize a person's characteristics, in order for investigation to proceed smoothly. There's definitely no ulterior intention here or anything like that. I'm telling the truth.
"W-Well... I guess it's not bad..."
The demon Butei must have realized that her own physical beauty is not simple and unusual.
She folded her arms in a hesitant manner, and nodded at herself.
It seems this supreme maid-dress had pleased Aria's eyes.
Aria, absorbed at her self-checkup, still hadn't realized my presence.
"I-I guess it's not bad... trying out a commoner's dress once in a while..."
...Commoner, huh.
Maybe you don't realize it, but normally you wear a sailor uniform everyday, which is like the ultimate symbol of being a commoner.
As I express a side remark inside my mind, Aria... a little bit stiff, formed a smile in front of the mirror. She can somehow manage a fake smile now.
And then--- twirl!
Probably the way the skirt spins and floats up appealed aptly to her. She spun around in place while producing sounds of shoe-tapping on the enamel floor.
For a moment, Aria's gaze met mine... smiling.
Aria did another spin. Her arms are bent like a girl. The laces in her cuffs, blossoming like a carnation, swayed and danced in the air.
Her gaze met mine once more. This time not smiling.
The satin apron garnished with frill-shaped garter on the hem fluttered...
*pause*
Facing this way, her movement stopped.
She has her fists akimbo.
And her face is a seething red.
And it looks demonically twisted.
*Zun* *Zun* *Zun* *Zun* *Zun*
She walk towards me, trudging the ground with heavy steps as if it should crack the floor.
"Ah no, Aria... there was no response when I knocked on the doo--ooouuuuhh!?"
Bam!
Aria abruptly leaped upward, and clutched my face with both her hips.
This posture seems like I am giving Aria a reverse shoulder-ride (my face in her crotch).
Covering Aria's white skin is a slightly translucent, see-through high-socks. Her right and left legs are adorned by back-ribbon respectively. The adorable white ribbon that emphasized her back figure, is now crushed on Aria's legs which are strangling my neck right now.
While in front of my eyes are frills, the other places are also frills, laces and more frills.
It's hard to tell which fabrics are what, now.
"And how can I serve you today? MAS-TER?"
Her anger might have probably gone over the limit. Aria's voice, although trembling, is calm.
Oh, you can finally say that line now. Must be thanks to the training.
I never thought that I would hear that line in this kind of situation though.
"Y-You don't have to do me any service in particular. Although, if you still demand for one then I order you to spare my life."
"If you peek at me again, I'll blast a hole in your brain. Got that!?"
*Bah!*
Maid Aria (still having my head pinned with her hips), drooped her body backwards towards the ground.
*Spin* My perception of top and bottom had reversed and then--- *Dogan!*
Aria pulled my head towards the ground until it crashed to the floor.
It dawned on me when I regained myself, after being knocked out for an hour that---
This is a pro-wrestling technique called Frankensteiner.
If you search the entire world for a maid who would do a violent skill like that to people, I'll place a bet that you will only find Aria.
Well, her martial art skill is 'no-holds barred' after all.
After a few days of working in the mansion, I finally realized---
Not just my own appearance is perfect for a butler, but it seems a fact that I also had a talent for being one.
Like I ever wanted a talent like that. But nevertheless, this is one surprising discovery.
Maybe due to originally living by myself prior to Aria's intrusion, I can do household chores properly. My hands seem deft as well.
In school, I am not the type of person to stand out and assert myself, so position-wise, that is like a butler.
And to top it all, my mentality of being solicitous to other people had been refined from cohabiting with Aria.
Well... of course I had to! If I fail to please Aria, then I'm as good as dead!
That being said, I do favors for Sayonaki, who's holed up in the basement doing his research stuff everyday, like bringing him newspapers, answering phone calls in his stead, etc. And while I do my housekeeper work perfectly at the same time, like standing watch in front of the mansion imitating a gatekeeper, I survey the mansion's layout, carefully, but efficiently.
I avoided the anti-theft cameras that were laid out around the mansion using the information that Riko acquired beforehand as a guide, I recorded the mansion's security device locations as well as Sayonaki's movement pattern.
Even though the reason I enrolled in Inquesta was because it was the sanest department out of everything in Butei, I never thought the skills that I had learned there would prove useful. It seems in life, all knowledge acquired will someday become profitable.
Day 7 of Infiltration. Time is around 10:30 PM. I was thinking of taking a shower when I glanced at the dark forest beyond the window. It's raining in deluge today as well.
*Gorogoro!*
Oh? That was thunder just now.
This year's rainy season has been having rain quite frequently.
I wonder how much mold has grown in the basement room Sayonaki has been hiding in by now?
"......?"
My cellphone is vibrating.
When I looked at the display, the caller was Aria.
"Hello."
"Hello Kinji? I-It's Aria."
Yeah, I know.
"What is it?"
"Ah... Uhm..."
...Huh?
What is this reaction? This is kinda like: For the meantime, I called him, but when he answered I didn't have anything to talk about -like situation.
"What's the matter?"
"Eh? Ah.. Uhh... Oh yeah! Let's play billiards. Come to the game room at once!"
---Play billiards.
This is a code that Aria and I had talked about before. It secretly means 'Report to Riko'.
It's true, tonight we'll be calling Riko for a periodical report but... that should be around 2 AM.
"It's still early for that. Besides, it's not something that must be done by two people. You can do it by yourself."
*Flash*
*Gaga-nn!*
Right when I finished my sentence, a deafening thunder echoed.
That one just now must be pretty close by.
"Hyah!?"
Hmm?
A silly-sounding anime-voice came from the cellphone.
"J-J-Just come here! When I say come, then you have to come! Got that!?"
Ahh.
I can pretty much predict what she'll say next.
"If you don't then you're windhole!"
*Gacha* (Sound of call being hung up)
*Beep* *Beep* *Beep*
See?
I have a dazzling history of Aria sending me to the abyss last month by drowning me in Tokyo Bay via her windhole festival. I don't want to taste the same experience again so therefore, I'll do anything at all costs to avoid Aria's windhole hell or whatever that name was, or I'll end up a mansion's stain just like a zombie in a survival horror game.
So I made my way to the parlor. I entered the room with a scowling face...
"You're late!!"
Growl!
Aria snarled. She's aiming at a billiard ball using a cue stick in an anxious state.
She's bending her body forward. The skin of her breast, inside the laces and frills covering it, irregularly shows itself for me to see.
Being in the border of 'visible' and 'hidden' makes it even more erotic. No matter how empty a washboard it is, a breast is still a breast. In any rate, it's best to get away from this angle.
*Trembling*
*Kakon*
As if to escape from something, Aria miscued after attempting a shot with trembling hands. At the same time, while trying to maneuver myself away from the angle of Aria's chest, I end up behind her butt.
(Uuu...!!)
This is even worse than the last one.
In the process of taking a shot with her cue, Aria has to droop her upper body flat upon the billiards table so in turn, her butt is thrusting upward in the back. Looking from this position, her skirt is soaring up in a dangerous fashion.
I had no choice but to avert my gaze towards the skylight.
*Flash*
*Gaga-nn!*
Another lightning strike. Its light flickered within the room.
There was a slight interval now between the lightning and thunder compared the last one.
"Hyauu!?"
Aria hopped in a pigeon-toed fashion, making the five-layer petticoats in the skirt's hem flutter in the air.
*Flash*
Here comes another one.
"K-Ki-Kinjiiii---!"
With her eyes opened wide, she suddenly rushed this way and---
Clung onto me!
"H-Hey...!?"
*Gaga-nn!*
Aria tightened her grip from that thunder.
What's going on? What happened to the Quadra Aria-sama? Right now, she's no different than a kiddy girl!
"Kuuu~~~"
T-That's right... Now I remember. Aria is afraid of thunder.
During that time too with the hi-jack incident, her scarediness almost shrunk her height with how she shrunk back in one corner.
"Uuu~~~"
Tightly clutching the skirt's hem with a hand, Aria still didn't abandon the last pride as a noble.
She's implicitly saying, "I'm not relying on you or anything like that! Don't make any misconception!". Look who's the one clinging.
She averted her teary eyes away from mine, not intending to look this way.
(Uuu...)
The sweet aroma that I detect emanating from her hair tickles my olfactory senses. Right below my face is a hairband. It trembles with Aria's every shake.
Aria.
Within my chest are Aria's tiny shoulders. Her skirt fanned out, slightly caressing my waist. Behind her is a big butterfly knot.
Aria.
Aaahhh-- Dammit!
You're too cute!
It's almost making me go wild.
Petite body. Twin-tail. Little stern eyes. A quarter of English blood flowing within in her. I don't know which one of these qualities perfectly match this outfit but, in this mansion, Aria in maid outfit is like a life-size doll. (...Shoot...!)
I'm changing.
This blood flow.
Something is starting to converge... in the very core of my body.
This is the Hysteria Mode's blood flow.
However... the transition is not fully complete yet. The sensation I am feeling right now is still in the level of 'she's cute'. For that to be promoted to the category of 'sexual arousement' needs an event or something to happen first.
If I can break myself away from Aria before that happens, and then calm my mind--- everything will turn out alright.
"I-It's okay. No need to be scared. I'll be with you."
Then I softly grabbed Aria's shoulders to separate myself...
"Uuu~~~"
Aria groaned. She probably doesn't see me as a reliable existence, my words aren't powerful enough to dispel her fear. She's looking up to me with her Camellia eyes tainted with anxiety.
This is bad.
It will be hell once she clings to me again.
Moreover, these anxious eyes. Due to the gap from normal, Aria makes it even more cute.
Is there a way to escape this predicament?
"Fine, fine. I'll call up a helping buddy then. Let's distance ourselves for now, okay?"
"H-Helping buddy...?"
"Right. He's somewhere in this mansion."
"B-But we're the only ones here! If you meant sensei, he's holed up in the basement..."
"Nonono... Not really."
I shook my head as I slowly back away. Then I went round behind the billiards table, bent down, and concealed my body from Aria's vision.
Okay. Here we go.
Producing a cellphone from my pocket...
I disengaged and placed Leopon(my cellphone's strap) on the top of the billiards table.
"Howdy, Aria! Leopon-kun here!"
I raised Leopon-kun's one leg as an act of greeting.
I want to slap myself for thinking up this nonsense... However, this is a necessary step in avoiding Hysteria. Sigh. For my loss.
"They call me the strongest beast on Earth! Oh!? Aria, aren't you making a scaredy face?"
Deliberately using a fake voice. I edged myself a little from the corner of the billiards table to check up on Aria's reaction.
Aria is nodding at Leopon-kun's every word.
Okay. She's listening.
"What's so scary? C'mon, tell me. Cough it up."
"...T-The thunder..."
Good. She's responding properly.
The first step, clear.
"Hah! Never fret! I will send that hubbub packing with my 'Rawr no Jutsu' special technique. RAAAWWWRR!!"
I spreaded Leopon-kun's legs, and posed him in a gesture of screaming a thundering yell.
"RAAAWWWRR!! RAAAWWWRR!!"
"W-Will it go away now?"
She's falling for it.
"Yeah. I scared the hell out of it with my intimidating technique. The annoying thunder must be running off to its mama now."
Well, this is not completely drivel at all...
This is something that I had learned from Nii-san a long time ago. Thunderclouds actually travel further away as the interval of the lightning and thunder widens.
And as if to corroborate my deduction...
*Flash*
A lightning with a weaker flash than its formers lit up, and after a while...
*Rumble*
The thunder this time was hushed that it's now a mere tickle in the ears.
"Y-You're right, it's going away now! Wow, you're so amazing!"
Aria was utterly deceived by Leopon-kun's empty power. She dashed towards the billiards table.
I hopped Leopon-kun in succession using my fingers as if to receive Aria.
Then she plucked Leopon-kun from my fingers... and squeezed it to her chest.
Subsequently, Aria shoved me out of the way with her hips, and they sank deeply into their own worlds.
Still, that Aria. She played along smoothly.
I'm already aware that she's weak to animals or stuffed toys, but I never thought it was this much.
Well, it must be Aria's way of fighting off the fear of thunder by placing a strong faith in Leopon-kun but somehow, it pissed me off at how much she trusted Leopon-kun.
No matter how I reassured her: "It's okay", it never relieved her anxiety.
You mean my existence is lower than a cellphone strap? Yeah, yeah. Is that so.
And so the lightning and thunder had subsided and the watch displayed 2AM. It's the schedule slated for contacting Riko for periodical reports.
If you ask what kind of communication gadget we'll be using, it was... just an ordinary cellphone.
Well, we're not doing an official mission this time around, plus, we're out here doing thieving instead. We couldn't request Connect for assistance. However, Japanese cellphones were actually embedded with a device that encodes signals before they are sent using a very complex encryption algorithm. So as a rule, the possibility of calls getting wiretapped is close to nil.
That being said, using a three-party call feature, the three of us: Aria, Riko, and I, had began our midnight tete-a-tete.
"---Aria, Riko, can you hear me?"
"I can hear you clearly. Riko, how about me?"
"Yayaa!! Double OK! Okay, from whom should we begin? Aria, what have you got today?"
Riko's voltage is high despite midnight. Are you nocturnal?
"Riko. The cross is kept inside the underground storage as you suspected. I caught a glimpse of it when I accompanied Sayonaki-sensei down there. It was a blue cross, right? It's small and kinda looked like an earring. It was placed on top of one of the shelves."
"---Yeah, that's my cross, Aria!"
"But Sayonaki-sensei spends all the time in the basement, making it hard for us to sneak inside. What now?"
I am lying down on my bed with my whole body muffled with a blanket as I spoke with whispered voice.
"Why did you think I sent you two there as a set? It's actually for this situation. This might be classic but we're gonna use the 'Lure Out' method. One person will act as a decoy to steer sensei away from the storage room and distract him, while the other person sneaks inside. Of course, the decoy must first gain the trust of sensei to make that possible. The person suited for the job is Aria. And for the particular steps of what to do..."
And so...
Using the information that we had gathered as foundation, Riko began improvising her plan.
A late night tete-a-tete with girls.
It sounded like what we're doing now is something what normal high schoolers may do, if taken literally. However, the topic wasn't something fun like TV shows or recent pop musics but instead a consultation for premeditated larceny.
This kind of scenario would be one of my hard-luck stories for attending this abnormal school.
Day 10 of infiltration, night time. A full-moon was visible beyond the window.
In the dining hall, Aria and I were serving Sayonaki dinner. We placed the dishes atop the wide table that could occupy 10 people or more without problem.
We didn't give the work more passion than perfunctoriness. Handling simple work with simple style in order not to attract suspicion is the basic of the basics of infiltrating.
"Today's grilled beef skewer is seasoned with Yuzukoshou."
I lifted up the silver lid and showed today's main dish to Sayonaki.
By the way, It was me who actually cooked this dish but Aria had to take the credit.
Thanks to the training, Aria was able to make omelets now, but that's just it for Aria's repertoire. When we try challenging a different menu, for some reason the kitchen would end up like the aftermath of war razing. And so we both gave up and I was appointed the task of cooking instead.
Well, my cooking skill isn't exceptional either, so I was on tenterhooks. Fortunately, Sayonaki was a man with an inaesthetic sense for gourmet and only requested for the most simple of cuisines.
---Like grilled meat skewer.
That's sufficient for him every night it seems. All I needed was to rare-fry the meat in a scant amount of oil. As for the seasoning, I can use anything except for one. Perhaps having an allergy to it, Sayonaki warned me not to use garlic. Other than that, there were no more specific orders.
He used chopsticks with awkwardness as his arm was still in plaster, although there was a sign of his body convalescing in good direction.
(But... Is his nutrient uptake balance okay at all?)
I wondered as I pull out the meat from the stick.
Well, it's probably not my business. I'm just a mere butler here anyway.
After that, what's left of my work is just standing by in one corner of the dining hall awaiting for further orders. What an easy job, if you think about it.
Sayonaki's old-fashioned phonograph is playing a classic music of nocturne.
"Fii Bucuros..." (Magnificent...)
Sayonaki muttered, as he gazed at the bed of roses in the yard illuminated by moonlight beyond the window.
"Doamne, te-ai vorbi limba romana...? Fii Bucuros...?" (Oh? Did you just speak in Romanian...? 'Magnificent'...?)
Maid Aria spoke in unfamiliar foreign language as she poured Sayonaki a glassful of red wine.
"...You surprise me. Where did you learn the language, Kanzaki-san?"
"It was the main language for communication back when I was enrolled in Butei High School in Europe. Sensei, how about you?"
"The owner of this mansion is a Romanian. We communicate with each other using that language."
Sayonaki looked at Aria with a gaze showing curiosity for the first time.
"How many languages can you speak, Kanzaki-san?"
"Umm... I can speak 17."
Holy God! She can speak seventeen languages!?
While I could barely speak Japanese, and the very reason why my classmates nicknamed me 'Gloomy'.
Aria's unbelievable feat like that forcefully reminds me that she's the descendant of Sherlock Holmes.
"Magnificent! And what another surprise! The number is the same!"
"Number?"
"With that roses outside."
"...What do you mean?"
Aria peered across the window, following Sayonaki's gaze.
In there, are a number of vivid red roses visibly in full bloom even under the darkness of the night.
"Those roses are actually cross-bred from 17 different types of roses, each attracting traits of them extracted and put altogether. It doesn't have a name yet. But I have decided to name it 'Aria'."
Aria's eyes widened at the sudden announcement of using her own name for a new breed of crimson rose.
"Fii bucuros(Magnificent)! Aria... what a wonderful name. Thanks to you, Kanzaki-san, I have found a perfect name for it. Ahh! I'm so happy... Aria!"
Perhaps the alcohol is slightly taking over his body, as Sayonaki swelled with delight.
It didn't seem Sayonaki had intended to sweet talk Aria like that. But that way of talking resembles mine closely from when I am in Hysteria Mode: Unintentionally saying out lines that girls are weak to.
Plus, he has the looks.
Aria didn't say anything in particular to Sayonaki after that.
She just stood by close to Sayonaki, maid-like, waiting until dinner is over.
Somehow... How should I put it.
I feel a very unpleasant air in there.
Despite that there's nothing unpleasant in particular.
...That just reminded me. Mutou mentioned a rumor regarding Sayonaki assaulting a high school girl.
I stood in one corner, ailed by an unknown cause of discomfort as the thought suddenly crossed my mind for an unaccountable reason.
Wooooooo, a baying of a wolf once again, echoed from beyond the forest.
We had a secret meeting the following midnight as well.
It seems the main operation will be done on the last day of infiltration, which will be in four days.
"Riko, Kinji, this might be bad. From what I gathered when I went down there to clean the basement, the security was tighter this time around compared the last time. I mean, the room is so sealed that not even an ant could pass inside. Not only you would need the physical key itself, they even added the requirement of an electronic card key, fingerprints, voice and retina recognition to unlock the room. Last time I checked, only infrared sensors were setup as a trap, but now they added a weight-sensitive trap under the floor as well."
"Wha...What did you say...?"
I unconsciously knitted my brows as I heard Aria's report from the cellphone held in one hand.
Even US military's confidential file storage would not even go that far.
With this much security, there is no way of getting inside that room.
After getting past the intricate locks to open the door up, now we have the infrared sensors to deal with. And even if we miraculously get past those grid of sensors, what awaits us is the weight sensor trap, which to describe simply, a single mistake of stepping on the floor means game over.
Why would they go that far for a mere cross?
"Okay. We'll go for Plan C21 then. Aria, Ki-kun. You just relax. No matter how hard they try to hide it, in the end, Riko's property belongs to Riko. I swear I'm gonna retrieve it back! Hauu~!"
Riko is in high tension again. As I guessed, you're nocturnal.
"Let me change topic. So which one of you two are getting close to Sayonaki-sensei? Which one? Which one?"
"That should be Aria. She was overjoyed last night's dinner when Sayonaki used her name to name the hybrid roses."
I said my remark as if to pick on Aria.
"I-I was not! Stop fabricating lies, you idiot!"
"Watch out for him Aria, there's a bad rumor surrounding Sayonaki that involves girls."
"He... didn't look like a bad guy at all."
Maybe Aria is playing stubborn against me, she decided to take on Sayonaki's side. That obstinacy somehow fueled my exasperation's fire.
"No. If you ask me, he's more than suspicious. At the very least, I don't like him."
"Oh? Oooohhhh!? Could this be a matrimonial fight!?"
Riko joyfully cut in. In response, Aria and I both shouted "NO!" in harmony.
"Back to the plan discussion. We'll have Aria play the decoy role then. Aria, what do you think?"
"He is an arduous researcher; even if I manage to lure him out of the basement's research room, he'll want to return there immediately."
"Yeah. He usually stays up past midnight, I have no any idea when he sleeps... if he even sleeps at all. I wonder what he is researching?"
"We had a chat last time... He said something about cross-breeding and genetics or whatnot."
Hmmmmm...
I see. You had a chat with him. Without my knowledge.
Well, mission-wise, I guess this is necessary.
"Ki-kun, Aria. Can you give me a ballpark estimate of how long you can keep sensei away from the basement?"
"Let's see... About 10 minutes, based on his usual breaktime interval."
"10 minutes, huh."
Riko seemed contemplating something.
I think this one is almost impossible even for the phantom thief Lupin himself.
Well, it can't be helped. In order to accomplish the mission, we must overcome various obstacles: First, open the lock to the room. Second, grab the cross while avoiding the traps. Lastly, leave the room without any trace of intrusion. All must be accomplished within 10 minutes.
Furthermore, the one doing it is me.
Not to brag, but I'm not much different than an average joe. Being an E-Rank Butei and all.
"Can we somehow stretch the time limit to 15 minutes? Like for example, with Aria?"
"Me?"
"Using breast tactic... or not, after all you have none. How about letting him touch your butt to buy time? *chuckle*"
"I-I'm not a flirt like you dumbass!"
Everyone, I will be the one doing the work so please take this seriously. Who demanded for a comic relief?
"Ahh, ahh. That was scary. Well, Riko will have to think up of a way for that. Mmkay, same time again tomorrow, got it? Rikorin is now signing off!"
Butsu.
Even on the phone, Riko displayed her dexterity in running. She resigned herself from the three-way party call immediately after hearing what she wanted to hear and after deciding matters that needed to be decided.
And that concludes today's report. Well, there wasn't much to talk about anyway.
I guess I should hang up as well.
Or so I thought...
"Kinji."
Aria, still on the line, called my name.
"...Hmm?"
"Can I ask you something?"
"What is it?"
"...What if, and again I'm just talking hypothetically... What if I was overjoyed last night. Why would that make you mad?"
"...I wasn't mad."
"Aren't you now!"
Aria pointed out. I scratched my head.
What's up with you today? You sure wanted to pick a fight with me that badly.
"That's none of your business."
"..........."
"I'm hanging up."
"Wait up. Let me ask this as well since we're in this topic... Who is Kana?"
My lips became tightly pursed as if I had been struck by paralysis.
I don't know how Aria interpreted that silence but...
"Was she your... uhmm... you know..."
...while stumbling over words...
"E-Ex-girlfriend?"
...she asked that question.
Even if I decided to settle the question with silence, I am sure Aria would just wait it out until I say something.
...No choice.
"This time Aria, that matter is absolutely none of your business."
I was aware that my tone is being harsh.
But, I have no way of answering it other than this way.
Aria was in silence for a while. And then...
"...You're right. This is none of my business."
...with a submissive tone unlike her usual attitude, gave up pursuing on the issue.
"Everyone... has a past they never want to disclose to others. I don't know what has gotten into me but... that one just now was stepping over the line. For some reason, I can't get over your reaction back when you first witnessed Riko in Kana's face. But don't worry, this will be the last time you'll hear me asking it. I'm sorry, Kinji."
Hearing Aria apologize like that somehow struck a sincere and dignified impression instead.
Aria is usually a violent girl but, she apologizes properly when she is really at fault.
Like last month, when I had caught a cold in the process of tasting her punishment, she bought a cold medicine for my sake.
Also...
Aria. You are really Sherlock Holmes's descendant.
Too bad you didn't inherit his reasoning ability, but your intuition is at prodigy level.
You're right about the anomaly you felt from me...
The affection I have for Kana, isn't an ordinary one.
Just like this time. A single mention of her name was enough to make me lose my calm to the point that it's scary.
I put on equanimity, bottling up my true feelings. Then I answered...
"You don't have to apologize. And I'm sorry as well for being harsh."
"I-It's fine. You don't have to apologize too."
"I'm gonna hit the sack."
"Okay... Rest well."
"Good night, Aria."
"...Night, Kinji."
Aria's voice... still sounded bothered about Kana.
...Forgive me Aria.
I can't tell you.
Right now, I can't.
June 13th. It marks the start of our infiltration mission.
In the next 2 weeks, Aria and I will be infiltrating into the Koumeikan mansion as maid and butler.
During this time period, we will be taking temporary absences in class. Because of that, we need to ask for permission first. But when Riko submitted a ridiculous document to the Masters, titled like 'Civil Commission Teamwork Training' or whatever that was, it got easily processed without problem. This makes you wonder if this school is all right or not, in many senses.
And so, sticking to our original plan, the lineup is---Aria and I will be the main infiltration members sneaking inside. Riko will stay as a backup and act as an information relayer, equipment supplier, as well as being responsible for operation planning.
The Operation Stealing's (borrowing Riko's naming) objective is, the retrieval of Riko's cross.
We are having our rendezvous in front of the monorail station early in the morning. I was expecting Aria, who had received harsh maid training, to be more obedient but...
Aria appeared naturally, lugging a suitcase containing her private belongings, and ordered me to carry it in her stead. She's wearing a light pink, chiffon one-piece.
It seems people don't change that easily.
As I heave a sigh at that sad truth---
"Ki-kun, Aria, Hallo~!"
I heard Riko's voice.
When I raised my head...
(K-Kana!?")
As if the time went still, I stayed there motionless.
Kana.
Ah, no.
That was Riko disguising as Kana. First of all, it was Riko's voice, plus there is a difference in height. Kana should be as tall as me.
It looks the same as Kana a few years ago but... it's still different.
"...Ri-Riko... Why are you in that face!?"
I'm grateful that the Kana in front of me is just an imitation.
If it were the real thing... I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to extricate myself from the entanglement caused by mind paralyzation.
Yes. The real Kana...
Possesses a beauty that can make people around her feel like time had stopped.
That oriental, long-eyebrowed eyes, its gaze contains a power that can capture the hearts of any person regardless of their gender. Those lips that form a gentle smile, are like a rose petal, endowed with magic that can pacify even the most violent of hearts.
Aria, Shirayuki, Riko, Reki, and Jeanne are all beautiful. However... Kana's beauty exceeds those of aforementioned girls. No doubt, she's beyond ordinary. Kana should be expressed as a majestic existence.
"*chuckle* Vlad knows Riko's face. If my real face were caught by the surveillance camera, Vlad will return here. That's not a good thing, right? That's why I came here incognito."
"Then use another face! Why do you have to pick Kana of all faces!?"
I tried hard to restrain my emotions but, I still couldn't hide the agitation in my voice.
"Riko knows that Kana is the most beautiful girl in this world. Besides, Kana is an important person to Ki-kun. Riko only wanted to support Ki-kun with the face of the one he loves the most. Did I make you mad?"
Dammit!
"...I ain't a kid anymore to get pissed at every single childish mischief. Let's go."
"You're saying that, but I know you're happy deep inside."
Riko razzed at me. I replied with silence. I headed towards the ticket machine together with Riko.
"W-What's wrong Kinji? It's true Riko is using a face that is very pretty... but whose face is that? Hey---"
Aria who had been silently listening to our conversation, flusteredly asked that question.
However, I didn't turn around. Nor did I give any response.
"I said, hey! Kinji, Riko! Wait up! Tell me who that girl is!"
Can't help that you became like that Aria.
You probably never have thought that your slave, which you have been strongly monopolizing for yourself, has an affection to other people, and also this beautiful.
"HEY!! TELL ME WHO THE HELL KANA IS!?"
I'm sorry Aria--- I can't answer that. Forgive me.
The Tokyo northeastern rail is departing for Yokohama. Inside the train, Riko keeps on talking under the face of Kana.
There were no particular topics. Although I just give simple response like "Yeah" or "Is that so?" the whole time, it's just as Riko planned. Merely watching Kana's face makes me feel nostalgic. It's vexing to admit, but I am very happy right now.
(Still, this Riko... Who could have guessed that she had been imprisoned a long time ago...)
I contemplated as I stared at Riko (still in Kana's face) while we rode the bus after alighting from the Yokohama station.
I don't think Jeanne had fabricated all those things but, looking at this idiot girl whose bread and butter is mischief, it's still very hard to associate the word 'imprisonment' with her.
Therefore, I didn't question Riko regarding all that stuff.
I considered confessing everything to Riko and ask her the whole truth. However, I dropped the idea after watching her stuff an ice cream cone in her mouth, as if she was going on some field trip. The atmosphere doesn't allow for that kind of talk right now.
In the end, Riko and I spent the whole time talking about meaningless stuff just like normal friends.
While Aria was just frequently throwing surreptitious glances on both of us in anxiety. Her anxiety increased in intensity after riding the taxi to our final destination, the Koumeikan mansion.
The surroundings were dark despite it being noon. The mansion is located deep within the heart of a dense forest.
"I-It's like a cursed mansion..."
Aria's mumble is very precise. The mansion looks like a stage that will appear in a horror game.
The sinister aura that the mansion emits couldn't be perceived if you just looked at its photo.
Surrounding the mansion was a black iron fence which has its sharp-pointed end aiming towards the dark, heavy clouds. Inside the fence were beds of flowers.
I hope that this is just for today, the mansion itself is shrouded with creepy, thin mist.
Ah. A bat flew past me.
Aria, who fears this kind of atmosphere, couldn't help herself not to back away.
"Good to meet you sir. It was I who had an appointment to meet you at noon. Today, I have brought these two people who would be working as housekeepers."
Riko stated her greetings with a twitching face. After looking at the manager's face, I too, instantly bore a misgiving.
We just started the mission, and we already bombed it?
The manager who had greeted us is...
"Ahaha... This is quite a surprise..."
...the handsome part-time Butei instructor, Sayonaki. He's producing a wry smile.
Walking along inside the mansion's hallway, I noticed a flag of a wolf and a spear...? (or maybe skewer?) draping the wall.
Perhaps as a sign of long passage of time, its color is faded, and its decomposing features evoke creepiness to its beholder.
Hey, you there Aria. Stop making a frightened reaction at people's in-home decoration.
"Ahaha. You two Buteis wanted to work part time huh. Honestly, the work isn't really so difficult that anyone is capable of doing it, and we'll hire anyone who's up for the job but... Haha, what to say, this situation is kind of awkward."
Due to the recent wolf attack, Sayonaki's arm was still in plaster. He offered a seat to Aria and Riko. After confirming their taking of seat (probably a lady-first principle to him), he sunk himself into the sofa in the hallway.
I endeavored to act equably, occupying a seat in front of Sayonaki.
"Sayonaki-sensei. This is very astonishing. You were living in this grand mansion?"
"Oh. This mansion isn't mine actually. I just occasionally borrow the research facility here, and when I realized it, I had became like a manager here. One problem though, I have a disposition of becoming easily immersed on my research that I immediately lose track of my surroundings. I will be in great trouble if an intruder or two managed to slip by into this mansion during my supervision, so in fact, it is very reassuring that the housekeepers are actually Buteis."
A blessing in disguise.
It seems Sayonaki is intending to hire Aria and me as planned, which, ironically are the intruders he was talking about.
"---I am surprised as well. I have never thought I had been bringing in your students all along."
It appears Riko didn't really see this coming. She was bewildered at the sudden coincidence under the cover of deployment company staff.
"This will be a good subject to talk about when your Master comes back. Well, that's if he returns during their stay though..."
Riko discreetly confirmed if the master of the house, Vlad, was present or not.
"Oh. Right now, he's in a very distant place. I don't think he'll be back anytime soon."
I gained peace of mind upon hearing that.
It can't be helped right? Jeanne scared the hell out of me... with that horrible drawing.
And she said that the owner of this mansion is a demon and all that stuff.
"Is he... a very busy person?"
Riko, with Kana's face, asked Sayonaki.
"I am ashamed to admit... But honestly, I don't know the specifics about him. He and I are very close... but we haven't talked to each other directly even once."
Sayonaki said as he bitterly smiles. His answer is somewhat cryptic.
Close yet never talked to each other?
Are they like mail-friends or something? That's the best that I can puzzle out with my Normal Mode.
Riko left the mansion. We have our room assigned in the 2nd floor.
"I'm really sorry but as a rule... or should I call it a custom in this mansion, the housekeepers are required to wear uniforms at all times. You'll find uniforms of various sizes in your room that were tailored long time ago. Feel free to select the one that perfectly suits you. Regarding the details of the work, the previous housekeeper left simple reference materials in the kitchen. Read it, and do the work at your own pace."
Aha, Sayonaki showed a smile of a talented actor popular for his distaff sex.
"And again, I am deeply sorry. I'll be very busy in my research room. It's down in the basement. I spend a recluse-like life in there so I don't have much time to accompany you two."
Ah no, there's no need to apologize since you're the superior here.
"In case you're free and have nothing to do, let's see... There is a billiards table in the parlor. You can play with that. No one really uses it, so it's as good as new."
Sayonaki pointed towards the dim room in the side of the hall.
"And if you'll excuse me. Let me know when it's time for dinner."
Sayonaki said, and afterwards, he trudged down the spiral staircase.
After a few moments, we heard the shutting of a door.
He shut the door into his indulgence at once.
Wooooof...
Outside the mansion, we could hear the baying of a wild dog.
Abandoned in a broad hall, Aria and I looked at each other.
"...Should we get to work?"
"...Y-Yeah."
The first step according to plan was to work normally to gain the trust of the manager. We followed Sayonaki's order and changed into uniform.
I went straight to my assigned room and took out an old tail-coat from the closet.
The dress was an informal style. It has thick fabric and a shorter tail but... the size perfectly fits my body.
I tried it and...
It's done. A rookie butler is born.
...However, should I pity myself at how I look natural as a butler?
The mutual position of using people and to be used by other people. The latter suiting me better is definitely caused by being too disposed by living together with Aria. Or perhaps I have been innately endowed with this talent from the start.
Speaking of Aria...
Done changing (I even replaced my shoes), I knocked at the door to Aria's room, yet, no matter how much I wait, there was no answer.
(What are you doing? We should do our job promptly or we'll be suspected.)
...that is what we have discussed before.
"Hey Aria. We need to go to the kitchen soon."
I spoke to Aria beyond the door. There was no response. Maybe she didn't hear it.
Perhaps because of the door's thickness? Come to think of it, why are all things here, from blinds to curtains, all so thick? It's so dim here that it's giving me the creeps.
I can't afford to waste anymore time so I laid my hand on the knob and twisted it. *Gacha*. It's not locked.
"Hey."
Aria is too absorbed in checking herself through the mirror that she didn't even realize I went in.
"Uuuuu~~~"
She is blushing at her maid figure reflected through the mirror.
Thanks to Riko's training, she can manage to put it on. I-I don't have a thing for es but... it looks good on her.
She's cute.
No, she's adorable!
Awestruck at the serendipitous discovery of Aria's cute appearance, I unconsciously started the 'Dress Scan' skill that I learned from Inquesta.
First, the hairband, its anterior is frilled and its inside is laced. It seems the hairband itself is a duplex structure of an elegant style of overlapping frills and laces.
Around the chest area of the black maid-dress is an open area, exposed by a serried layers of pure white frills. She is wearing only frills as a replacement for a shirt.
Next is the apron. It is draping from Aria's slender waist to the front of the upper part of the miniskirt. In its opposite location, the belt is quite long, tied in a large butterfly knot above her butt. This contrast is very good.
Spreading outwardly from the short skirt are four layers, no, five layers of soft white petticoats. It precisely overlaps with several layers of skirts, as if like a carnation in full bloom.
It's not over yet. There's more coming. Bloomers adorn Aria's hips, jutting from the skirt, which is straight, yet vaguely suggests the curve of a lady. With the petticoat a while ago in combination, it seems the volume of the interior of the skirt exceeds the capacity and is on the verge of exploding.
The materials used were high-quality velvet, silk, and clearly an exquisitely crafted lace fabric. If this was 'the price is right' game, I would guess the price is around 1 million yen. Definitely not anything lower than that.
No doubt, this state-of-the-art maid dress is a national treasure.
By the way, this 'Dress Scan' is a skill that I learned in Inquesta. It is a method to analyze and memorize a person's characteristics, in order for investigation to proceed smoothly. There's definitely no ulterior intention here or anything like that. I'm telling the truth.
"W-Well... I guess it's not bad..."
The demon Butei must have realized that her own physical beauty is not simple and unusual.
She folded her arms in a hesitant manner, and nodded at herself.
It seems this supreme maid-dress had pleased Aria's eyes.
Aria, absorbed at her self-checkup, still hadn't realized my presence.
"I-I guess it's not bad... trying out a commoner's dress once in a while..."
...Commoner, huh.
Maybe you don't realize it, but normally you wear a sailor uniform everyday, which is like the ultimate symbol of being a commoner.
As I express a side remark inside my mind, Aria... a little bit stiff, formed a smile in front of the mirror. She can somehow manage a fake smile now.
And then--- twirl!
Probably the way the skirt spins and floats up appealed aptly to her. She spun around in place while producing sounds of shoe-tapping on the enamel floor.
For a moment, Aria's gaze met mine... smiling.
Aria did another spin. Her arms are bent like a girl. The laces in her cuffs, blossoming like a carnation, swayed and danced in the air.
Her gaze met mine once more. This time not smiling.
The satin apron garnished with frill-shaped garter on the hem fluttered...
*pause*
Facing this way, her movement stopped.
She has her fists akimbo.
And her face is a seething red.
And it looks demonically twisted.
*Zun* *Zun* *Zun* *Zun* *Zun*
She walk towards me, trudging the ground with heavy steps as if it should crack the floor.
"Ah no, Aria... there was no response when I knocked on the doo--ooouuuuhh!?"
Bam!
Aria abruptly leaped upward, and clutched my face with both her hips.
This posture seems like I am giving Aria a reverse shoulder-ride (my face in her crotch).
Covering Aria's white skin is a slightly translucent, see-through high-socks. Her right and left legs are adorned by back-ribbon respectively. The adorable white ribbon that emphasized her back figure, is now crushed on Aria's legs which are strangling my neck right now.
While in front of my eyes are frills, the other places are also frills, laces and more frills.
It's hard to tell which fabrics are what, now.
"And how can I serve you today? MAS-TER?"
Her anger might have probably gone over the limit. Aria's voice, although trembling, is calm.
Oh, you can finally say that line now. Must be thanks to the training.
I never thought that I would hear that line in this kind of situation though.
"Y-You don't have to do me any service in particular. Although, if you still demand for one then I order you to spare my life."
"If you peek at me again, I'll blast a hole in your brain. Got that!?"
*Bah!*
Maid Aria (still having my head pinned with her hips), drooped her body backwards towards the ground.
*Spin* My perception of top and bottom had reversed and then--- *Dogan!*
Aria pulled my head towards the ground until it crashed to the floor.
It dawned on me when I regained myself, after being knocked out for an hour that---
This is a pro-wrestling technique called Frankensteiner.
If you search the entire world for a maid who would do a violent skill like that to people, I'll place a bet that you will only find Aria.
Well, her martial art skill is 'no-holds barred' after all.
After a few days of working in the mansion, I finally realized---
Not just my own appearance is perfect for a butler, but it seems a fact that I also had a talent for being one.
Like I ever wanted a talent like that. But nevertheless, this is one surprising discovery.
Maybe due to originally living by myself prior to Aria's intrusion, I can do household chores properly. My hands seem deft as well.
In school, I am not the type of person to stand out and assert myself, so position-wise, that is like a butler.
And to top it all, my mentality of being solicitous to other people had been refined from cohabiting with Aria.
Well... of course I had to! If I fail to please Aria, then I'm as good as dead!
That being said, I do favors for Sayonaki, who's holed up in the basement doing his research stuff everyday, like bringing him newspapers, answering phone calls in his stead, etc. And while I do my housekeeper work perfectly at the same time, like standing watch in front of the mansion imitating a gatekeeper, I survey the mansion's layout, carefully, but efficiently.
I avoided the anti-theft cameras that were laid out around the mansion using the information that Riko acquired beforehand as a guide, I recorded the mansion's security device locations as well as Sayonaki's movement pattern.
Even though the reason I enrolled in Inquesta was because it was the sanest department out of everything in Butei, I never thought the skills that I had learned there would prove useful. It seems in life, all knowledge acquired will someday become profitable.
Day 7 of Infiltration. Time is around 10:30 PM. I was thinking of taking a shower when I glanced at the dark forest beyond the window. It's raining in deluge today as well.
*Gorogoro!*
Oh? That was thunder just now.
This year's rainy season has been having rain quite frequently.
I wonder how much mold has grown in the basement room Sayonaki has been hiding in by now?
"......?"
My cellphone is vibrating.
When I looked at the display, the caller was Aria.
"Hello."
"Hello Kinji? I-It's Aria."
Yeah, I know.
"What is it?"
"Ah... Uhm..."
...Huh?
What is this reaction? This is kinda like: For the meantime, I called him, but when he answered I didn't have anything to talk about -like situation.
"What's the matter?"
"Eh? Ah.. Uhh... Oh yeah! Let's play billiards. Come to the game room at once!"
---Play billiards.
This is a code that Aria and I had talked about before. It secretly means 'Report to Riko'.
It's true, tonight we'll be calling Riko for a periodical report but... that should be around 2 AM.
"It's still early for that. Besides, it's not something that must be done by two people. You can do it by yourself."
*Flash*
*Gaga-nn!*
Right when I finished my sentence, a deafening thunder echoed.
That one just now must be pretty close by.
"Hyah!?"
Hmm?
A silly-sounding anime-voice came from the cellphone.
"J-J-Just come here! When I say come, then you have to come! Got that!?"
Ahh.
I can pretty much predict what she'll say next.
"If you don't then you're windhole!"
*Gacha* (Sound of call being hung up)
*Beep* *Beep* *Beep*
See?
I have a dazzling history of Aria sending me to the abyss last month by drowning me in Tokyo Bay via her windhole festival. I don't want to taste the same experience again so therefore, I'll do anything at all costs to avoid Aria's windhole hell or whatever that name was, or I'll end up a mansion's stain just like a zombie in a survival horror game.
So I made my way to the parlor. I entered the room with a scowling face...
"You're late!!"
Growl!
Aria snarled. She's aiming at a billiard ball using a cue stick in an anxious state.
She's bending her body forward. The skin of her breast, inside the laces and frills covering it, irregularly shows itself for me to see.
Being in the border of 'visible' and 'hidden' makes it even more erotic. No matter how empty a washboard it is, a breast is still a breast. In any rate, it's best to get away from this angle.
*Trembling*
*Kakon*
As if to escape from something, Aria miscued after attempting a shot with trembling hands. At the same time, while trying to maneuver myself away from the angle of Aria's chest, I end up behind her butt.
(Uuu...!!)
This is even worse than the last one.
In the process of taking a shot with her cue, Aria has to droop her upper body flat upon the billiards table so in turn, her butt is thrusting upward in the back. Looking from this position, her skirt is soaring up in a dangerous fashion.
I had no choice but to avert my gaze towards the skylight.
*Flash*
*Gaga-nn!*
Another lightning strike. Its light flickered within the room.
There was a slight interval now between the lightning and thunder compared the last one.
"Hyauu!?"
Aria hopped in a pigeon-toed fashion, making the five-layer petticoats in the skirt's hem flutter in the air.
*Flash*
Here comes another one.
"K-Ki-Kinjiiii---!"
With her eyes opened wide, she suddenly rushed this way and---
Clung onto me!
"H-Hey...!?"
*Gaga-nn!*
Aria tightened her grip from that thunder.
What's going on? What happened to the Quadra Aria-sama? Right now, she's no different than a kiddy girl!
"Kuuu~~~"
T-That's right... Now I remember. Aria is afraid of thunder.
During that time too with the hi-jack incident, her scarediness almost shrunk her height with how she shrunk back in one corner.
"Uuu~~~"
Tightly clutching the skirt's hem with a hand, Aria still didn't abandon the last pride as a noble.
She's implicitly saying, "I'm not relying on you or anything like that! Don't make any misconception!". Look who's the one clinging.
She averted her teary eyes away from mine, not intending to look this way.
(Uuu...)
The sweet aroma that I detect emanating from her hair tickles my olfactory senses. Right below my face is a hairband. It trembles with Aria's every shake.
Aria.
Within my chest are Aria's tiny shoulders. Her skirt fanned out, slightly caressing my waist. Behind her is a big butterfly knot.
Aria.
Aaahhh-- Dammit!
You're too cute!
It's almost making me go wild.
Petite body. Twin-tail. Little stern eyes. A quarter of English blood flowing within in her. I don't know which one of these qualities perfectly match this outfit but, in this mansion, Aria in maid outfit is like a life-size doll. (...Shoot...!)
I'm changing.
This blood flow.
Something is starting to converge... in the very core of my body.
This is the Hysteria Mode's blood flow.
However... the transition is not fully complete yet. The sensation I am feeling right now is still in the level of 'she's cute'. For that to be promoted to the category of 'sexual arousement' needs an event or something to happen first.
If I can break myself away from Aria before that happens, and then calm my mind--- everything will turn out alright.
"I-It's okay. No need to be scared. I'll be with you."
Then I softly grabbed Aria's shoulders to separate myself...
"Uuu~~~"
Aria groaned. She probably doesn't see me as a reliable existence, my words aren't powerful enough to dispel her fear. She's looking up to me with her Camellia eyes tainted with anxiety.
This is bad.
It will be hell once she clings to me again.
Moreover, these anxious eyes. Due to the gap from normal, Aria makes it even more cute.
Is there a way to escape this predicament?
"Fine, fine. I'll call up a helping buddy then. Let's distance ourselves for now, okay?"
"H-Helping buddy...?"
"Right. He's somewhere in this mansion."
"B-But we're the only ones here! If you meant sensei, he's holed up in the basement..."
"Nonono... Not really."
I shook my head as I slowly back away. Then I went round behind the billiards table, bent down, and concealed my body from Aria's vision.
Okay. Here we go.
Producing a cellphone from my pocket...
I disengaged and placed Leopon(my cellphone's strap) on the top of the billiards table.
"Howdy, Aria! Leopon-kun here!"
I raised Leopon-kun's one leg as an act of greeting.
I want to slap myself for thinking up this nonsense... However, this is a necessary step in avoiding Hysteria. Sigh. For my loss.
"They call me the strongest beast on Earth! Oh!? Aria, aren't you making a scaredy face?"
Deliberately using a fake voice. I edged myself a little from the corner of the billiards table to check up on Aria's reaction.
Aria is nodding at Leopon-kun's every word.
Okay. She's listening.
"What's so scary? C'mon, tell me. Cough it up."
"...T-The thunder..."
Good. She's responding properly.
The first step, clear.
"Hah! Never fret! I will send that hubbub packing with my 'Rawr no Jutsu' special technique. RAAAWWWRR!!"
I spreaded Leopon-kun's legs, and posed him in a gesture of screaming a thundering yell.
"RAAAWWWRR!! RAAAWWWRR!!"
"W-Will it go away now?"
She's falling for it.
"Yeah. I scared the hell out of it with my intimidating technique. The annoying thunder must be running off to its mama now."
Well, this is not completely drivel at all...
This is something that I had learned from Nii-san a long time ago. Thunderclouds actually travel further away as the interval of the lightning and thunder widens.
And as if to corroborate my deduction...
*Flash*
A lightning with a weaker flash than its formers lit up, and after a while...
*Rumble*
The thunder this time was hushed that it's now a mere tickle in the ears.
"Y-You're right, it's going away now! Wow, you're so amazing!"
Aria was utterly deceived by Leopon-kun's empty power. She dashed towards the billiards table.
I hopped Leopon-kun in succession using my fingers as if to receive Aria.
Then she plucked Leopon-kun from my fingers... and squeezed it to her chest.
Subsequently, Aria shoved me out of the way with her hips, and they sank deeply into their own worlds.
Still, that Aria. She played along smoothly.
I'm already aware that she's weak to animals or stuffed toys, but I never thought it was this much.
Well, it must be Aria's way of fighting off the fear of thunder by placing a strong faith in Leopon-kun but somehow, it pissed me off at how much she trusted Leopon-kun.
No matter how I reassured her: "It's okay", it never relieved her anxiety.
You mean my existence is lower than a cellphone strap? Yeah, yeah. Is that so.
And so the lightning and thunder had subsided and the watch displayed 2AM. It's the schedule slated for contacting Riko for periodical reports.
If you ask what kind of communication gadget we'll be using, it was... just an ordinary cellphone.
Well, we're not doing an official mission this time around, plus, we're out here doing thieving instead. We couldn't request Connect for assistance. However, Japanese cellphones were actually embedded with a device that encodes signals before they are sent using a very complex encryption algorithm. So as a rule, the possibility of calls getting wiretapped is close to nil.
That being said, using a three-party call feature, the three of us: Aria, Riko, and I, had began our midnight tete-a-tete.
"---Aria, Riko, can you hear me?"
"I can hear you clearly. Riko, how about me?"
"Yayaa!! Double OK! Okay, from whom should we begin? Aria, what have you got today?"
Riko's voltage is high despite midnight. Are you nocturnal?
"Riko. The cross is kept inside the underground storage as you suspected. I caught a glimpse of it when I accompanied Sayonaki-sensei down there. It was a blue cross, right? It's small and kinda looked like an earring. It was placed on top of one of the shelves."
"---Yeah, that's my cross, Aria!"
"But Sayonaki-sensei spends all the time in the basement, making it hard for us to sneak inside. What now?"
I am lying down on my bed with my whole body muffled with a blanket as I spoke with whispered voice.
"Why did you think I sent you two there as a set? It's actually for this situation. This might be classic but we're gonna use the 'Lure Out' method. One person will act as a decoy to steer sensei away from the storage room and distract him, while the other person sneaks inside. Of course, the decoy must first gain the trust of sensei to make that possible. The person suited for the job is Aria. And for the particular steps of what to do..."
And so...
Using the information that we had gathered as foundation, Riko began improvising her plan.
A late night tete-a-tete with girls.
It sounded like what we're doing now is something what normal high schoolers may do, if taken literally. However, the topic wasn't something fun like TV shows or recent pop musics but instead a consultation for premeditated larceny.
This kind of scenario would be one of my hard-luck stories for attending this abnormal school.
Day 10 of infiltration, night time. A full-moon was visible beyond the window.
In the dining hall, Aria and I were serving Sayonaki dinner. We placed the dishes atop the wide table that could occupy 10 people or more without problem.
We didn't give the work more passion than perfunctoriness. Handling simple work with simple style in order not to attract suspicion is the basic of the basics of infiltrating.
"Today's grilled beef skewer is seasoned with Yuzukoshou."
I lifted up the silver lid and showed today's main dish to Sayonaki.
By the way, It was me who actually cooked this dish but Aria had to take the credit.
Thanks to the training, Aria was able to make omelets now, but that's just it for Aria's repertoire. When we try challenging a different menu, for some reason the kitchen would end up like the aftermath of war razing. And so we both gave up and I was appointed the task of cooking instead.
Well, my cooking skill isn't exceptional either, so I was on tenterhooks. Fortunately, Sayonaki was a man with an inaesthetic sense for gourmet and only requested for the most simple of cuisines.
---Like grilled meat skewer.
That's sufficient for him every night it seems. All I needed was to rare-fry the meat in a scant amount of oil. As for the seasoning, I can use anything except for one. Perhaps having an allergy to it, Sayonaki warned me not to use garlic. Other than that, there were no more specific orders.
He used chopsticks with awkwardness as his arm was still in plaster, although there was a sign of his body convalescing in good direction.
(But... Is his nutrient uptake balance okay at all?)
I wondered as I pull out the meat from the stick.
Well, it's probably not my business. I'm just a mere butler here anyway.
After that, what's left of my work is just standing by in one corner of the dining hall awaiting for further orders. What an easy job, if you think about it.
Sayonaki's old-fashioned phonograph is playing a classic music of nocturne.
"Fii Bucuros..." (Magnificent...)
Sayonaki muttered, as he gazed at the bed of roses in the yard illuminated by moonlight beyond the window.
"Doamne, te-ai vorbi limba romana...? Fii Bucuros...?" (Oh? Did you just speak in Romanian...? 'Magnificent'...?)
Maid Aria spoke in unfamiliar foreign language as she poured Sayonaki a glassful of red wine.
"...You surprise me. Where did you learn the language, Kanzaki-san?"
"It was the main language for communication back when I was enrolled in Butei High School in Europe. Sensei, how about you?"
"The owner of this mansion is a Romanian. We communicate with each other using that language."
Sayonaki looked at Aria with a gaze showing curiosity for the first time.
"How many languages can you speak, Kanzaki-san?"
"Umm... I can speak 17."
Holy God! She can speak seventeen languages!?
While I could barely speak Japanese, and the very reason why my classmates nicknamed me 'Gloomy'.
Aria's unbelievable feat like that forcefully reminds me that she's the descendant of Sherlock Holmes.
"Magnificent! And what another surprise! The number is the same!"
"Number?"
"With that roses outside."
"...What do you mean?"
Aria peered across the window, following Sayonaki's gaze.
In there, are a number of vivid red roses visibly in full bloom even under the darkness of the night.
"Those roses are actually cross-bred from 17 different types of roses, each attracting traits of them extracted and put altogether. It doesn't have a name yet. But I have decided to name it 'Aria'."
Aria's eyes widened at the sudden announcement of using her own name for a new breed of crimson rose.
"Fii bucuros(Magnificent)! Aria... what a wonderful name. Thanks to you, Kanzaki-san, I have found a perfect name for it. Ahh! I'm so happy... Aria!"
Perhaps the alcohol is slightly taking over his body, as Sayonaki swelled with delight.
It didn't seem Sayonaki had intended to sweet talk Aria like that. But that way of talking resembles mine closely from when I am in Hysteria Mode: Unintentionally saying out lines that girls are weak to.
Plus, he has the looks.
Aria didn't say anything in particular to Sayonaki after that.
She just stood by close to Sayonaki, maid-like, waiting until dinner is over.
Somehow... How should I put it.
I feel a very unpleasant air in there.
Despite that there's nothing unpleasant in particular.
...That just reminded me. Mutou mentioned a rumor regarding Sayonaki assaulting a high school girl.
I stood in one corner, ailed by an unknown cause of discomfort as the thought suddenly crossed my mind for an unaccountable reason.
Wooooooo, a baying of a wolf once again, echoed from beyond the forest.
We had a secret meeting the following midnight as well.
It seems the main operation will be done on the last day of infiltration, which will be in four days.
"Riko, Kinji, this might be bad. From what I gathered when I went down there to clean the basement, the security was tighter this time around compared the last time. I mean, the room is so sealed that not even an ant could pass inside. Not only you would need the physical key itself, they even added the requirement of an electronic card key, fingerprints, voice and retina recognition to unlock the room. Last time I checked, only infrared sensors were setup as a trap, but now they added a weight-sensitive trap under the floor as well."
"Wha...What did you say...?"
I unconsciously knitted my brows as I heard Aria's report from the cellphone held in one hand.
Even US military's confidential file storage would not even go that far.
With this much security, there is no way of getting inside that room.
After getting past the intricate locks to open the door up, now we have the infrared sensors to deal with. And even if we miraculously get past those grid of sensors, what awaits us is the weight sensor trap, which to describe simply, a single mistake of stepping on the floor means game over.
Why would they go that far for a mere cross?
"Okay. We'll go for Plan C21 then. Aria, Ki-kun. You just relax. No matter how hard they try to hide it, in the end, Riko's property belongs to Riko. I swear I'm gonna retrieve it back! Hauu~!"
Riko is in high tension again. As I guessed, you're nocturnal.
"Let me change topic. So which one of you two are getting close to Sayonaki-sensei? Which one? Which one?"
"That should be Aria. She was overjoyed last night's dinner when Sayonaki used her name to name the hybrid roses."
I said my remark as if to pick on Aria.
"I-I was not! Stop fabricating lies, you idiot!"
"Watch out for him Aria, there's a bad rumor surrounding Sayonaki that involves girls."
"He... didn't look like a bad guy at all."
Maybe Aria is playing stubborn against me, she decided to take on Sayonaki's side. That obstinacy somehow fueled my exasperation's fire.
"No. If you ask me, he's more than suspicious. At the very least, I don't like him."
"Oh? Oooohhhh!? Could this be a matrimonial fight!?"
Riko joyfully cut in. In response, Aria and I both shouted "NO!" in harmony.
"Back to the plan discussion. We'll have Aria play the decoy role then. Aria, what do you think?"
"He is an arduous researcher; even if I manage to lure him out of the basement's research room, he'll want to return there immediately."
"Yeah. He usually stays up past midnight, I have no any idea when he sleeps... if he even sleeps at all. I wonder what he is researching?"
"We had a chat last time... He said something about cross-breeding and genetics or whatnot."
Hmmmmm...
I see. You had a chat with him. Without my knowledge.
Well, mission-wise, I guess this is necessary.
"Ki-kun, Aria. Can you give me a ballpark estimate of how long you can keep sensei away from the basement?"
"Let's see... About 10 minutes, based on his usual breaktime interval."
"10 minutes, huh."
Riko seemed contemplating something.
I think this one is almost impossible even for the phantom thief Lupin himself.
Well, it can't be helped. In order to accomplish the mission, we must overcome various obstacles: First, open the lock to the room. Second, grab the cross while avoiding the traps. Lastly, leave the room without any trace of intrusion. All must be accomplished within 10 minutes.
Furthermore, the one doing it is me.
Not to brag, but I'm not much different than an average joe. Being an E-Rank Butei and all.
"Can we somehow stretch the time limit to 15 minutes? Like for example, with Aria?"
"Me?"
"Using breast tactic... or not, after all you have none. How about letting him touch your butt to buy time? *chuckle*"
"I-I'm not a flirt like you dumbass!"
Everyone, I will be the one doing the work so please take this seriously. Who demanded for a comic relief?
"Ahh, ahh. That was scary. Well, Riko will have to think up of a way for that. Mmkay, same time again tomorrow, got it? Rikorin is now signing off!"
Butsu.
Even on the phone, Riko displayed her dexterity in running. She resigned herself from the three-way party call immediately after hearing what she wanted to hear and after deciding matters that needed to be decided.
And that concludes today's report. Well, there wasn't much to talk about anyway.
I guess I should hang up as well.
Or so I thought...
"Kinji."
Aria, still on the line, called my name.
"...Hmm?"
"Can I ask you something?"
"What is it?"
"...What if, and again I'm just talking hypothetically... What if I was overjoyed last night. Why would that make you mad?"
"...I wasn't mad."
"Aren't you now!"
Aria pointed out. I scratched my head.
What's up with you today? You sure wanted to pick a fight with me that badly.
"That's none of your business."
"..........."
"I'm hanging up."
"Wait up. Let me ask this as well since we're in this topic... Who is Kana?"
My lips became tightly pursed as if I had been struck by paralysis.
I don't know how Aria interpreted that silence but...
"Was she your... uhmm... you know..."
...while stumbling over words...
"E-Ex-girlfriend?"
...she asked that question.
Even if I decided to settle the question with silence, I am sure Aria would just wait it out until I say something.
...No choice.
"This time Aria, that matter is absolutely none of your business."
I was aware that my tone is being harsh.
But, I have no way of answering it other than this way.
Aria was in silence for a while. And then...
"...You're right. This is none of my business."
...with a submissive tone unlike her usual attitude, gave up pursuing on the issue.
"Everyone... has a past they never want to disclose to others. I don't know what has gotten into me but... that one just now was stepping over the line. For some reason, I can't get over your reaction back when you first witnessed Riko in Kana's face. But don't worry, this will be the last time you'll hear me asking it. I'm sorry, Kinji."
Hearing Aria apologize like that somehow struck a sincere and dignified impression instead.
Aria is usually a violent girl but, she apologizes properly when she is really at fault.
Like last month, when I had caught a cold in the process of tasting her punishment, she bought a cold medicine for my sake.
Also...
Aria. You are really Sherlock Holmes's descendant.
Too bad you didn't inherit his reasoning ability, but your intuition is at prodigy level.
You're right about the anomaly you felt from me...
The affection I have for Kana, isn't an ordinary one.
Just like this time. A single mention of her name was enough to make me lose my calm to the point that it's scary.
I put on equanimity, bottling up my true feelings. Then I answered...
"You don't have to apologize. And I'm sorry as well for being harsh."
"I-It's fine. You don't have to apologize too."
"I'm gonna hit the sack."
"Okay... Rest well."
"Good night, Aria."
"...Night, Kinji."
Aria's voice... still sounded bothered about Kana.
...Forgive me Aria.
I can't tell you.
Right now, I can't.
