The next morning, at the gates of Teitan High, Hayashi Shuichi, Kogoro Mouri, and Eri ran into Yukiko Fujimine, who was, as usual, sprinting to school in a flurry.
"Can't you just wake up earlier?" Shuichi said, exasperated. "Aren't you exhausted, running like this every day?"
"I want to get up early," Yukiko groaned, catching her breath. "But every night, there's a million things to do. Oh, and last night, I had to help you with your homework! By the time I'm done with everything, it's already late."
The four headed into the school building. At the shoe lockers, Shuichi stopped by his and shot Yukiko a pointed look.
"Fine, I get it!" she huffed.
With an exaggerated eye-roll, she changed into her indoor shoes, then shuffled over to Shuichi's locker. She yanked it open, grabbed his shoes, and called out loudly, "Master, your shoes, please!"
It was peak morning rush, with students milling about the entrance, swapping shoes. Yukiko's outburst drew every eye in the vicinity.
"Shuichi, cut it out," Kogoro muttered, shifting uncomfortably under the stares.
Eri, standing nearby, turned away, pretending she didn't know them.
Hmph, let's see you keep this up with everyone watching! Yukiko thought smugly. Surely, faced with all these curious classmates, Shuichi would get embarrassed and call off their silly bet from last night.
She had clearly underestimated his shamelessness.
Unfazed by the gawking students, Shuichi calmly slipped on his shoes, tossed a casual "Put mine away," over his shoulder, and sauntered toward the classroom with his bag.
Jerk! Yukiko stomped her foot, fuming, but dutifully bent down to tuck his outdoor shoes into the locker.
Whispers from the surrounding students floated into her ears.
"No way, is that Yukiko Fujimine from first year? Since when is she playing maid for someone?"
"Started yesterday, didn't it? Gotta be some weird roleplay thing they're into."
"Tch, calling him 'Master' already? They're only freshmen, and they're this wild?"
Yukiko's face flushed crimson. She opened her mouth to protest but couldn't find the words. Head down, she fled the entrance.
In Class 1-A, Yukiko marched up to Shuichi's desk, her expression pitiful. "Hey, can we not do this at school?"
"No way," Shuichi shot back before she could finish.
"Don't you have any sympathy?" she said, her voice tinged with frustration. "Didn't you hear what everyone was saying?"
"I heard," he said, shrugging. "So what? They can talk all they want. It's not like it's hurting me."
"You…" Yukiko bit her lip, her eyes brimming with indignation.
Seeing her on the verge of tears, Shuichi softened, not wanting to lose his month-long "free maid" deal. He put on his most sincere face. "Look, I'm doing this for your own good."
"How is this good for me?" she snapped.
"Don't you want to be an international movie star?" Shuichi asked. "Didn't your parents ever tell you that when you're on stage, you ignore the audience's chatter and just focus on your performance?"
"They said something like that," Yukiko admitted, thinking it over. "But this is school, not a stage! There's no camera here!"
"Who says the stage needs a camera?" Shuichi said earnestly. "To be a world-class star, you have to treat everywhere like a stage, always performing. That's how you hone your craft. When you can ignore the stares and make any place your stage, your acting will be unstoppable."
"Really?" Yukiko said, half-convinced, half-skeptical. "You're not just messing with me again, are you?"
"Why would I lie about this? Ask your parents if you don't believe me," Shuichi said, clapping her on the shoulder. "Today, I'm on cleaning duty as class rep, so I've gotta set an example. You're playing a role right now—own it. Keep it up!"
"...Okay," Yukiko mumbled, her head spinning with thoughts of "honing her craft" and "becoming a star." Dazed, she set down her bag, grabbed a broom, and headed off to sweep the classroom.
"Tricking her into doing your chores again," Eri said, glaring at him.
"She's always getting on your nerves, isn't she?" Shuichi replied, unabashed. "I'm just helping you get even, and you're blaming me?"
"Save that for the idiot who falls for it," Eri said, rolling her eyes and turning away.
After school, Yukiko either caught on to Shuichi's ploy or had drama club business, because she vanished the moment the bell rang. Kogoro headed off to baseball practice, already dreaming of leading Teitan to Koshien glory. Eri went to the library to return books, leaving Shuichi alone. Instead of heading straight to the izakaya, he made his way to Teitan Elementary nearby.
A weekend trip to the amusement park wouldn't be complete without his adorable little cousin.
When Shuichi reached the elementary school gates, Reiko Kujo was waving a small yellow triangle flag, herding a dozen first-graders into a neat line. As the school's discipline committee member, she also had the job of guiding the younger kids to and from school.
Spotting Shuichi, Reiko's face lit up, and she waved her flag enthusiastically but stayed by the kids, ever dutiful.
"Let's head home together today," Shuichi said, walking over.
"Onii-chan, are you moving back home?" Reiko asked, her eyes sparkling.
"Nah," Shuichi said with a smile, shaking his head. "Just came to tell you we're going to the amusement park this weekend."
"Just the two of us?" she asked, hopeful.
"Not quite," Shuichi said honestly. "Kogoro, Eri, and Yukiko are coming too. The izakaya's kept us all busy, so it's a chance to unwind."
"Hmph, so I'm just tagging along," Reiko pouted, turning away to focus on her charges. "Alright, everyone, time to head home! Stay close and don't wander off!"
Under her command, the gaggle of kids chattered noisily as they started their walk. One cheeky boy tried to tease Reiko, but she shut him down with a stern glare. "The walk home isn't school grounds, but no messing around! Break the rules, and you'll be sorry!"
(Chapter End)
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