The sky was clear, the air fresh, and a gentle breeze blew.
The sun shone brightly in a cloudless sky.
Birds chirped melodiously outside the window.
It was truly a perfect day for an outing.
“Hoshimori-san, as the head maid, you mustn’t lose focus during training.”
The Class Monitor’s voice rang in her ears.
Shion reluctantly turned her head back.
She sighed inwardly, yet she couldn’t help but retort, “The head maid role is just a setting, isn’t it! Class Monitor, you told me yourself!”
“Even if it’s just a setting, the class voted for it.”
The Class Monitor crossed her arms, adopting a serious demeanor.
Shion raised her hands in surrender.
She had no choice but to dutifully correct her posture and continued to listen attentively.
“So, Shion-san is the head maid.”
Shigure, standing beside Shion, whispered.
Today, Shigure had finally attended class, having not taken leave.
However, no sooner had she arrived than she found herself amidst the special training Class 1-A was holding for their maid café, in preparation for the cultural festival.
‘What a beautiful day; if only this annoying maid training wasn’t happening!’
Fortunately, the instruction was scheduled for after afternoon classes, so Shion wouldn’t have to don that utterly embarrassing maid uniform.
“This time, we are delighted to have an upperclassman from Class 2-A willing to guide us.”
The Class Monitor cleared her throat before continuing, “Everyone, let’s give a round of applause for Igarashi Rie-senpai!”
Rie, who had been standing in front of the Class Monitor, stepped forward.
She bowed gracefully to everyone.
*Clap, clap, clap.*
A round of applause ensued, appearing enthusiastic but in reality, rather sparse.
Indeed, the senior invited for this special training was Rie.
As the young mistress of the Igarashi family, she was proficient in all the traditional arts: music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
With several maids and a butler attending to her daily life at home, she possessed an extensive understanding of maid etiquette.
Therefore, Rie was undoubtedly the most suitable person to conduct this special training.
Everyone else likely shared this sentiment, except for Hoshimori Shion.
On her face was an expression that yearned to laugh, yet she struggled to suppress it.
‘Having truly witnessed Rie’s domestic abilities, Shion found it utterly impossible to believe Rie could instruct anyone on household tasks.’
‘She imagined water spilling everywhere, requiring her to clean it up, or porridge being seasoned to a deathly saltiness.’
‘If word of this got out, Rie’s widely known image as a refined young lady at school would be shattered.’
“Hoshimori-san, do you have any opinions about the training?”
Rie asked, looking at Shion with a smile.
For some reason, that smile sent a shiver down Shion’s spine.
Shion quickly wiped the expression from her face, standing rigidly upright, “N-no, no, Igarashi-senpai, it’s a great honor to have you guide us, a great honor indeed.”
Not much time had passed since Rie last sought out Shion for lunch.
Most people present remembered the occasion, as Rie was, after all, quite famous at school.
Consequently, apart from Shigure, who had been absent that day, most were not surprised by Rie’s acquaintance with Shion.
Though after connecting on Instagram, Rie would simply arrange lunch with Shion online.
“In that case, Hoshimori Shion-san will demonstrate the next part of the lesson.”
Rie revealed a slightly playful smile, “I shall be the mistress, and Hoshimori-san will be my maid.”
‘If Rie ever truly moved to Tokyo and brought Shion along, Shion would genuinely become Rie’s exclusive maid…’
“Me?”
Shion, suddenly called upon, was still somewhat bewildered.
Rie nodded, “Yes, you, Hoshimori Shion-san.”
Shion gasped, drawing a sharp breath.
‘Wouldn’t this make her a laughingstock in class?’
‘Surely there’s a difference between shrine maiden etiquette and maid etiquette!’
Shion turned her head, casting a pleading glance at Shigure.
Shigure seemed to understand perfectly.
She didn’t dare raise her hand to speak directly, but instead quietly followed behind Shion, stepping forward with her.
When Rie looked at her with a questioning gaze, Shigure softly stammered, “I-I’ll go with Shion-san.”
“Shion-san? You two seem quite close.”
Rie’s expression was somewhat forced, a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, “And what is your name, young lady?”
“Iori Shigure.”
Shigure’s golden eyes met Rie’s.
Rie nodded, “Very well, Iori-san, Hoshimori-san.
To begin, let’s start with the most basic etiquette for greeting guests.”
As she spoke, she walked over to Shigure and Shion.
Rie’s height, half a head taller than them, combined with her young mistress’s aura, created an indescribable sense of pressure at that moment.
Yet Shigure, unwilling to be outdone, lifted her chin and met Rie’s gaze directly.
“Place your right foot behind your left, forming an approximate 30-degree angle; then, bow your body slightly,” Rie began her formal instruction, “Gently pull the hem of your skirt outward with both hands, and lower your head slightly.”
As she explained the key movements, Rie simultaneously performed a flawless curtsy.
The students observing below spontaneously burst into applause.
“Alright, next, Hoshimori-san and Iori-san, you two give it a try.”
Rie turned her gaze towards Shigure and Shion.
‘Right foot back… bow the body, and pull the skirt hem…’
Shion recalled the key movements, and likewise performed a rather good curtsy.
After all, with her background in performing Kagura (TL Note: A type of Shinto theatrical dance) at the shrine, these movements posed virtually no challenge.
Shigure, on the other hand, fared a little less well.
Her movements were considerably stiffer.
“Iori-san, try a bit harder.
Hoshimori-san, you’re doing very well, quite suited to being a maid.”
Rie commented with a smile, observing their actions, “By the way, the maids at my house are treated quite well.”
“You flatter me, you flatter me…”
Shion chuckled bashfully.
Shigure, upon hearing this, lowered her head.
Yet, being a person of few words, she simply moved to stand closer to Shion.
Their hands were now almost touching.
Shion, though noticing this proximity, did not shift her position.
A faint trace of displeasure flickered across Rie’s face.
She then directly took Shion’s hand, turning her around, “However, Hoshimori-san, there are still a few areas in your movements that need improvement.
For instance, the action of lifting the skirt hem.”
Rie took Shion’s hand and guided her to lift her own skirt hem, “Just a little higher.
The maid uniforms you’ll wear will be slightly longer than your school skirts, so there’s no need to worry about lifting it too high.”
“Igarashi-senpai, you’re lifting it too high!”
Shion protested, her face flushed.
‘A school skirt was, after all, not a maid uniform.’
‘With it lifted now, her ‘absolute territory’ (TL Note: A Japanese term referring to the exposed skin between a skirt and thigh-high socks) was already largely revealed.’
‘Any higher, and things would get truly awkward.’
“Don’t worry, I know my limits, and besides, everyone here is a girl.”
Rie said with a laugh.
“Igarashi-senpai! P-please don’t do that, Shion-san will be very uncomfortable!”
Though her words came out a little stammered, Shigure still took a step forward and spoke to Rie, incidentally using her own body to block the other students’ view of Shion.