Of course, he was glad about that, but..... Godou felt dizzy.
How should he respond to her, he was troubled as he could not decide. And besides, words like 'baby' and 'bridal training' had been used, what was that about?
The various burdens that Ena and the others bore were grave enough realities.
However, it was far too early to comment on that ―
Beside the faltering Godou, Erica said, with a slightly angry expression.
"Yeah. Them having that kind of exchange at the dojo, I came to know of it by chance. That is why, I thought I had to correct those guys' mistake, and I dropped by the dojo for a little...."
Again, 'by chance', eh. Well, I shall refrain from delving into that.
Rather, what he was concerned with was the situation. The situation seemed almost as if ―
"Showily defeating the entire dojo, that was the first time I've seen something like that. That time, Erica-san, was really outstanding."
To Ena's words, Godou nodded his head deeply in assent. Just as he thought, it had been like that.
"From there on, one thing led to another, but well, Ena-san and I started arguing about whose rank as a lover was higher in front of those guys there, and our mutual thoughts were conveyed and addressed to each other, and then we started to compete in the sword and cooking ― "
"Cooking? Seishuuin, you can cook?"
The crimson bishoujo and domestic chores. That there would be a point of contact between these two, it was very hard to believe.
Because of that, Godou did not bother to waste his breath, and only asked Ena.
"Ah ― ..... Yes. I'm good at broiling the fish I catch with salt. And after that would be strangling chickens or hares, for example, then removing the fur or feathers, draining the blood, and turning them into meat, I think I'm also pretty good at those. Beyond that, I can only whole roast or stew."
As expected, she was like a child of nature, a 'wild' answer.
How would they compete with each other? Pondering whether to ask, Godou worried.
"In the end, a clear winner between the two of us was never decided, but this time, another new dispute had arose between us."
"... Dispute?"
"Yes. Hey, your Majesty, for this coming winter vacation, would you rather visit the hot springs or go skiing!?"
"As for me, I insist that we should be going skiing in Switzerland. My family has always done so in winter. Uncle Paolo-sama will be coming to the Blandelli family's mountain villa too, don't you think that sounds good?"
"Ena thinks that the hot springs would be good ― . In the mountains that the Seishuuin main house in Chichibu owns, there's a genuine secret hot spring that no one besides Ena knows. Climbing the snowy mountains is tough, but doesn't it sound pretty fun?"
"And with that, we thought we should ask Godou his opinion on which he feels is better."
"Erica-san then used searching magic, and investigated into your location. And thus, as your Majesty was being assaulted, we joined in the fray to save you."
"Well, Godou, that about sums it up. Anyway, which programme sounds better to you, give us your honest opinion."
"Yes, do tell us frankly. But leaving that aside, that is more important now."
About the queer trio that had fainted, Godou caught a fleeting glimpse of what they could do.
Similar to Erica and Ena in their unprecedented pace of doing things, they were their comrades in that regard.
"Ah ― , these guys. Things like their background information, for example, will they obediently tell them to me ― ?"
"If they won't be obedient, I'll have no choice but to make them so.... But actually, I'm poor at having unrefined negotiations like that."
"Heh, how surprising. Because it's Erica-san, I thought you'd be well-informed in that kind of thing. In the past, poisoning and torture were rather popular in Italy, am I correct?"
"Yes, from the Renaissance Era. Not as far as the time of Cesare Borgia, that would also be an emulation of countries in civil war. However, Erica Blandelli's style is a little different."
"I see. Ena is also bad at that. Although I'm fine with asceticism, torture is a little ― "
"As I thought, a fair and square duel is the best, chivalrous way. But, they came to the Campione as assassins. Surely they've safeguarded their minds with protection spells, to prevent their minds from being read by certain techniques when captured, employing those tricks."
"That's right, surely.... No way around it, but for now let's try pouring some water on them?"
"Yeah. Luckily, it seems there's a pond there."
You guys, shouldn't you worry about the torture method first....
The two of them, the vectors of their train of thought went beyond the imagination. Even though their personalities were that different. It was unexpected, and Godou was just about to stop Erica and Ena.
However, he was a little too late.
Bon, bon, bon. The sounds of three heavy objects being thrown into the water.
However, with that step the true identities of the queer trio was revealed. Thrown into the Shinobazu Pond, the make-up on their faces were washed off.
...... Nanami, Sorimachi, Takagi.
They were Godou's classmates, the faces of those going by the nickname 'idiot trio' had appeared.
Part 5
"It all started like this, during homeroom last month..."
One of the idiot trio who had been salvaged from Shinobazu Pond, Nanami recounted.
All of them were trembling, looking cold, going brr brr. They had become completely wet, at night in October. Exposed to the night wind, even the core of their body became completely chilled.
"That time, we were waiting for the right moment, intending to suggest a [school swimsuit + nekomimi maid cafe] for the school festival's class project...... ! During March, we refined and refined the idea with all our might!"
Sorimachi cried out, with a burning tone in his voice.
Ah ― was it that, Godou recalled. The project which the girls of the class had objected.
A class poll was held, and it was instantly rejected.
"However, we still had another plan. We gave up on the class project, and realized we just had to participate in the school festival as student volunteers . [School swimsuit + nekomimi maid cafe], for its realization, we made efforts to gather comrades. And Kusanagi who had forgotten his previous ties, to think we even asked you!"
This time, it was Takagi who spoke.
However, Godou was puzzled by that claim.
"Did you ask me or something? In the first place, did I have some sort of disagreement with you guys?"
"Ngh! Because of this, Riajuus[27] are.... "
"What a hateful show of composure..."
"Ku-Kusanagi.... leave aside the disagreement for now. Are you saying that you've forgotten about our request!? Because of our heartrending grief, that is why we had requested that of you! 'Please, we want to select Erica-sama, Mariya-san, Liliana-san and then, if possible, the Kusanagi sister as the main cast for our [school swimsuit + nekomimi maid cafe]. Please help us persuade them.'!"
"Now that you mention it, you did request that of me..."
However, with that, it did not seem as though he would say that he invited Kusanagi Godou.
"No, if it's just me by myself, of course I would help when I'm free. Still, Erica and the others are a little... Of course I'd refuse."
Godou said while scratching his head. And then, Ena who seemed as though she was in wonder, asked him.
"Your Majesty, why did you refuse? It'd have been fine if you had just persuaded us, wouldn't it?"
"Hey, Erica. If I had begged you, would you have consented?"
"It's an offer that's not even worth the consideration. It's something you didn't even bother to try asking, right?"
It was curtly refused by Erica, and he nodded his head in assent within his heart.
Well, it's come to that, huh. In response to t
he exchange between Godou and the others, the idiot trio shed their tears.
"In the meantime, the day of the school festival was rapidly drawing closer.... ! The remaining time was steadily running out.... ! Then, we made one last gamble. We intended to capture Kusanagi, using him as leverage, to urge Erica-sama and the others to be maids for us! Although it was that sort of plan!"
"No way ― . Shouldn't you guys have come up with a better plan?"
Godou said seriously. It was to an extent that they had started to give in to despair.
"So Godou, what do you plan on doing with these guys? Even as a joke, it's still an attempted abduction, so I think that it's OK even if we do something proper in retaliation?"
"That's right ― . Although it's not an eye for an eye, wouldn't it be fine if we just break them a little?"
Erica and Ena asked.
However, Godou rejected that notion. More or less, he had only suffered a few scratches, it was nothing serious.
Furthermore the idiot trio, occasionally had these strange moments of hostility.
Although he was absolutely certain of these guy's eccentricity, Godou might have done something to provoke their animosity. That was something, that he did not quite understand as of now....
Well, they had issues of their own, but they were rather lovable idiots, he felt. Certainly, to the realization of the [school swimsuit + nekomimi maid cafe], in any case, their passion was the genuine real deal, and Godou could feel that ―
Profoundly considering the fact that they had gone that far, Godou was suddenly struck with an idea.
"If you guys really want it, I have a few acquaintances who wouldn't mind if I introduce them to you. In the meantime, shall we try asking that guy?"
He proposed a summarized idea.
"Ku-Kusanagi, w-we misunderstood you....."
"Our bosom friend!"
"You're also our comrade ― One who walks on the path to the maid heaven!?"
"No, I still haven't really done anything yet."
To the idiot trio who were blurting things out enthusiastically, Godou quickly replied.
Several days later, in Akihabara.
The multi-tenant building that the Hong Kong Lu family had used as their headquarters. In that was the maid yumcha house [Peerless Statesman].
In the VIP room that ordinary customers would never be able to enter, they were in the interior of said room. The maids would bring in drinks and dim sum at times, but other than that they rarely came.
"That trio, they are energetically continuing with the preparations."
While scowling at his hand in their card game, Lu Yinghua said.
Sayanomiya Kaoru, Amakasu Touma, and also Godou were present.
A personal table for the purpose of enjoyment.
There was also billiard table and dart boards, to name a few, an abundance of game equipment.
"A school festival in Honored Uncle's district? In addition, to get done on time the selection of maids, ordering of uniforms, provisions, ingredients and materials, making an effort at all of the above. My underling will see to its completion, so please do not worry."
"Sorry about that, Yinghua. Making these unreasonable demands of you...."
Godou apologized, while throwing aside his hand.
After that night, he introduced the idiot trio to Lu Yinghua. From the Hong Kong Lu family who dealt with maids as their family business, the specialist friend that he had mentioned.
To have recalled this [nephew] while over there, there had been a reason.
"Well, to say the real motive, though the Maid Palace that Honored Uncle produced himself is good, just as I thought, eh. At present, accompanying my school friend out to play, I don't mind doing a maid cafe at a school festival. By doing so, Honored Uncle's motivation might increase."
"Lu-san, are you proposing that kind of idea to Kusanagi-san?"
"Maid Palace, eh. Lu-san, if it's ok with you, I'll participate too."
While looking at his hand, Amakasu interjected.
Kaoru also smiled, with a 'fufu'. Somewhere along the way, Lu Yinghua's way of addressing had changed. The androgynous hime-miko seemed pretty skilled at closing the distance between people.
"My Honored Uncle being an expert at handling [women], all of the people across the lands know of this. The Maid Palace, infused with the thoughts of such a prodigal hero, would definitely succeed and be profitable, I think. But because nothing can be done to make my Honored Uncle himself get interested, it's indeed troubling."
"No, Yinghua..... Stop complimenting me in those weird ways. People will misunderstand."
"It was a joke. Taking hold of my master's reins, the handling of that transcendent woman ― the mastery of that technique, you have my admiration from the bottom of my heart. Furthermore, the unmanageable Erica-neesan, even her.... Fufufu, for sure, Honored Uncle is the gentleman that Yinghua respects."
Sometime ago, after a reunion they had in this building. Lu Yinghua had invited him, to join in the production of such a Maid Palace. Godou had not hesitated, and gave him an immediate refusal.
"Well, I thought it'd be boring if that plan never took flight. Before, I had told my Honored Uncle that 'Should you ever have need of things regarding maids, do give us, the Lu family, a call'. But I never expected for a chance to come this early."
Lu Yinghua recounted, to Amakasu and Kaoru.
True. Because that kind of incident had occurred, Godou had come to them for their assistance for the idiot trio. For the Maid Palace, in any case, he had planned to pay them back for it, someday, somehow.
"But, to have resolved various problems and come to an amicable solution, that's a relief."
Drawing a card from the mountain of cards, Godou murmured.
Then, Amakasu shrugged his shoulders. Even Kaoru, who could place first amongst people who lacked common sense, had a bitter smile on her face.
"Normally, people wouldn't think of something like this...."
"Godou-san, is a person filled with good and bad, eh ― "
"Erm...... I don't think that's the case. It's a little uncommon, but basically, I should be quite a normal person."
Godou made an appeal, from the bottom of his heart.
However, the response from his surroundings was blunt.
"Ha ― ..... I see. To my Honored Uncle, having gone through so many battles and great adventures, it cannot be helped that this is 'normal' to him. Certainly, he has an unmovable presence of mind. Truly, this is enlightening."
"Or rather, a normal high school student wouldn't be playing poker and bridge in a room like this."
"At least I, besides myself, have never seen anyone who's enjoying their youth that's surrounded by beauty. Godou-san, those words of yours have zero persuasive power."
Godou was unanimously told that, and reflexively felt disappointed.
The days of autumn will pass by, day by day, and someday, he would hear the footsteps of winter.
This, was a scene from that season.
Omake - Vanity of Worldly Desire/Maid in Heaven
It was night. Upon awakening, Godou somehow found himself in a classroom.
What took the place of a bed or futon was cardboard and newspaper that was lined up as an improvised replacement for bedding.
Godou picked up the cellphone beside him. It was just past three in the morning.
Feeling thirsty, he surveyed his surroundings with his still half-awake eyes.
Though not much money had been spent on it, the interior of the classroom was still well-furnished. Just like him, there were three male students sleeping on cardboard. On the desk close by, was a small ceramic bottle.
What was it that was inside the bottle again? If I recall correctly, it should be a drink.
Half-asleep, Godou downed the entire contents of the bottle in a gulp. Like that, he fell asleep with a thud.
Cheep, cheep. The chirping of baby birds could be heard.
Soft sheets. Shafts of sunli
ght shone through the windows, it was a calm morning. In the middle of a complete awakening, he was still dozing off hazily ―
While fully enjoying all of the comfort, Godou listened to that sound.
Kyuru, kyuru, several small wheels were turning, the sound of something rubbing against the floor.
"Good morning, Godou-san. This morning, you sure are taking things slowly, hm?"
A light voice like a baby bird that did not feel out of place in this refreshing morning.
Flinging off the sheets, Godou got up.
Facing the owner of the voice that came from above the bed, dressed in the garments of a head maid, was Arianna.
"To have not even have changed your clothes yet..... Even though you've always been an early riser."
Godou seemed to be wearing a tank top, in place of pajamas.
Pointing that out, Arianna entered the room while pushing a small trolley.
Characteristic of freshly baked bread, there were croissants with an unbearably good smell. He took a whiff of the aroma and vapor of the coffee, a cup of espresso.
Those were placed upon the trolley. A breakfast serving enough for two.
Godou was nervous. She, Erica's maid, why was she here, beside his bed? In the first place, where was this place? What have I been doing up till now?
As these questions popped up in his head, Arianna pushed the trolley to a stop beside the bed.
Like that, she gave a bow, and departed the room in silence.
If you did not let her grasp a steering wheel, and not let her near a pot in the kitchen, with her tidiness and humble behaviour, she would be the model maid that combines these two attributes to the highest level.
A languishing voice was heard. It came from the futon.
A young girl was wrapped in the thin futon sheets. Reddish gold hair. Resembling the large-flowered camellia, a glamorous beauty. Her appearance dishevelled by her sleep, this bishoujo was none other than Erica Blandelli.
Eh? Godou was perplexed.
Erica, who did not like wearing thick clothes when she slept, was here.
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