As the midday sun streamed through a gap in the curtains and into the room, Tetsuya slowly opened his eyes.
However, just as he was about to lie in bed as usual and wait for his consciousness to gradually return, a sudden call from nearby brought his thoughts to a standstill—
"Good morning, Master."
Standing by Tetsuya's bedside, Togawa Sakiko lifted the hem of her skirt and gave him an incredibly elegant curtsy.
"Your exclusive maid... Togawa Sakiko has arrived as promised to serve you."
"!?"
Tetsuya's senses were instantly jolted awake by the beautiful sight that had suddenly appeared before him.
He hadn't forgotten that Sakiko was coming to be a maid for a day, but he had never expected her to begin her service from the very moment he woke up—
"...Sakiko."
Flustered and shocked, Tetsuya hurriedly asked the maid, who was so cute he could hardly look directly at her:
"How long have you been standing there waiting?"
"Hmm... let me think..."
Sakiko first looked up at the wall clock before replying.
"About three hours, I suppose."
"Eh..."
In other words, she's been standing here like this for three hours just waiting for me to wake up?!
At this thought, an incredibly strong sense of guilt instantly welled up in Tetsuya's heart.
But soon, Sakiko's next words put him slightly at ease—
"Please don't worry. For most of these three hours, I was at your workbench admiring your design sketches."
Sakiko bowed respectfully and politely.
"As expected of you, Master. Your designs are as excellent as ever."
"Ah... uhm, thank you for the compliment..."
To be called "Master" by such a cute girl right after waking up, and to even have his designs so highly praised. His vanity and sense of accomplishment satisfied at the same time, Tetsuya rubbed the back of his head, a little embarrassed.
"You too, Sakiko... are both cute and elegant..."
"I am happy as long as it pleases you, Master."
Sakiko's expression didn't waver in the slightest at the compliment. She maintained a dignified and calm demeanor that commanded respect...
Her- her performance is flawless!
Completely different from the last time at the K-Arena, it wasn't just Sakiko's attire this time. Her expression, movements, and tone of voice all perfectly embodied the spirit of a maid's servitude.
So Sakiko has such excellent acting talent as well...?
Tetsuya was deeply impressed.
While he was in a daze, Sakiko suddenly spoke.
"Well then, may I ask what Master's schedule is for today?"
"Eh? Schedule?"
Tetsuya looked up as if waking from a dream, then replied, "Nothing special. I'm just staying home to continue working on the designs for the August exhibition."
"I understand. In that case, I will go and prepare some coffee to wake you up and some breakfast. You may enjoy it as soon as you have finished washing up."
At this, Sakiko suddenly looked at Tetsuya with a slight smile in her eyes.
"Of course, if Master requires me to assist with your morning ablutions, I would be more than happy to—"
"That won't be necessary! I can wash up by myself!"
Tetsuya hurriedly refused.
"But the coffee and breakfast... I'll leave that to you."
"Yes, please leave it to me."
With that, Sakiko left his room with incredibly dignified and steady steps, leaving him to gaze alone at her elegant departing figure, his heart stirring.
"Amazing. As expected of Sakiko. She can even do a maid's job so perfectly..."
Tetsuya muttered to himself.
"But... is it my imagination? I feel like Sakiko is completely enjoying this..."
Besides her usual elegance, that respect and obedience that seemed to come from the bottom of her heart could no longer be explained away as just acting in his eyes.
But Sakiko wasn't that kind of girl, was she? After all, back at the Sakura Manor, she was unwilling to become Sakurakouji Luna's maid even when offered a huge salary that would help her pay off her debt. Even with the enrollment plan a year from now, their employment is only in name; their actual relationship remains one of equals. Not to mention, Sakiko's usual demeanor has always upheld the character and grace befitting a noble lady.
How could someone who values her own status and dignity so much be so willing to serve him?
"...This must be Sakiko's way of showing her sincerity."
Tetsuya logically concluded.
"Through this acting that goes against her nature... she's proving to me that she's sorry."
Thinking of this, the cognitive dissonance instantly became reasonable.
After all, Sakiko was the type to take responsibility for her words and actions. It was plausible that she would force herself to do something like this. And coming from a noble family, she would know the details of being a maid better than the average person, so it was only natural she could achieve such a flawless performance.
"Mhm, that must be it."
Having confirmed his thoughts, his mind now at ease, Tetsuya rolled out of bed.
"Well then, I'll just have her symbolically bring me a few glasses of water and help with a few sketches, and we'll call the punishment over."
After all, Tetsuya's real intention wasn't to make things difficult for Sakiko. As long as she recognized her mistake, his goal was achieved.
With this thought, Tetsuya left his room and began to wash up...
...
"This is bad, this is really bad..."
In the kitchen preparing coffee for Tetsuya, Sakiko wore an expression as if she were desperately holding something in.
"Being Tetsuya-kun's maid... is so much more fun than I ever imagined!"
Not only could she shamelessly admire his sleeping face at the closest possible distance, in an environment filled with his scent and warmth, but she could also look at his designs and patterns anytime she wanted, just like back at [KaZoKu]...
Sakiko really couldn't think of any job in the world happier than this.
So... maybe I should officially incorporate the job of a maid into my future plans?
During the day, a designer for [Starry Sky] and the keyboardist for [Ave Mujica]. And at night, his own personal maid.
Not only could she invade his daily life just like Soyo, but she could even use this opportunity to try and secure the chance to bathe with him and attend to him at night—
"Mhm, that could totally work."
Togawa Sakiko's "Maid for a Day" journey thus began with a good morning filled with hope and ambition.