[Part 3/4]
Kuzu showed me to one of the rooms on the east side of the yashiki estate.
When I entered, the maids who were there saw me and quickly lined up to greet me.
"Ah, it's okay to stay like that. I want to watch, so please keep doing what you're doing."
There were about ten people, I think?
The maids were playing shogi, go, sugoroku, kaiawase, and karuta, but they weren't slacking off.
They just weren't on duty today.
But... they looked a little uncomfortable being watched and were glancing at me.
(I guess... I should make the first move.)
I understood that I needed to show my intentions to them, because of the social hierarchy.
I glanced at them and was interested in the shogi board.
I looked at the game.
"It's intense. ...Can I study with you?"
"Eh? Y-Yes!"
"I, I understand!"
The two people playing... they were both born into samurai families... agreed to my request in a hurry.
They looked at each other and focused on the board.
"...!?"
How many games was it?
One of the players stopped moving.
They thought and thought and thought, and finally declared they were giving up.
No, but this is....
"...Can I take over?"
"B-But..."
"Please, okay?"
Knowing it was rude, I begged.
It was a sneaky request, knowing the other person couldn't refuse.
"I understand..."
"Alright. Let's switch players. Is that okay?"
And I moved the piece.
The other maid's eyes went wide as she looked at me.
I hammered in a nail.
"Don't hold back, okay? I want you to beat me badly. How about, if you win, I'll grant you a wish?"
"...You won't take back your words?"
Hesitantly, but with a change in her eyes, the maid asked to confirm.
In other words, she was motivated.
"Of course."
With my reply, the piece was moved.
I thought for a while and moved the next piece.
The other person took twice as long as before to move their piece, and I responded as well.
A piece advances.
The opponent counters.
Another move is made.
Their piece shifts in reply.
A piece is captured.
The opponent claims one in return.
Another piece is taken.
Yet another falls.
A piece is lost to their strategy.
A piece is promoted, gaining new strength...
"And... checkmate."
"Eh? ...Ah!? Really!?"
With the final move and declaration, the opponent's girl was struck speechless, comprehending the board's state with an expression of awe.
That's how satisfying it is to fill one's pride.
Knowing the opponent was serious without holding back, the reversal made it all the more exhilarating.
"Master... you're really something, aren't you?"
"I can't believe you'd go so far..."
Murmuring sounds filled the room as the maids, who had gathered and were watching, praised me from their hearts.
I acted all high and mighty, basking in the moment.
"Oh, it's nothing. Compared to before, this was a piece of cake..."
Riding the high, I spoke with arrogance, then fell silent.
In silence, I mulled over my own words....
"...Master. How about other games? Like sugoroku, perhaps?"
"Hm? ...Sugoroku, huh? Sure, why not. Are you good at it?"
"Just about average. This game relies heavily on luck, you see."
Chirp, the bell rings.
I turn my gaze to see Kuzu, who is preparing for the game with a bow.
Accepting the challenge, I thank the girl I was just playing against and move to a new seat.
One of the maids watching places a plate of sweets beside me.
It was meant as a snack.
"Hey, it's not even 8 yet for lunch, right?"
"Using your head makes you crave something sweet, doesn't it?"
"Sweets go in a separate stomach! Keep it a secret from everyone, okay?"
The maids, scolded by me, brought out the sweets they had hidden and started to eat as well.
They also hand me something to keep my mouth shut.
"Oh, I'm gonna get fat..."
"Don't worry! We're all exercising, too!"
"Is that so?"
The comment, insensitive to women's feelings, was lightly tossed back, and with a shrug, I rolled the dice.
Rolling the dice, I bit into a strawberry daifuku...
...
...
...
Maybe I didn't realize I'm the type to get so absorbed in games.
Before I knew it, I was engrossed in gaming, and the time for lunch had passed.
I noticed because the maids came in with plates.
Perhaps they changed the menu because they saw how into the game I was.
The lunch was centered around sandwiches... all sorts of sandwiches were prepared.
There were eggs, meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, both raw and cooked, smoked, stewed, pickled, fried, and more, all combined in various ways and served between slices of bread.
Of course, that's not all.
Thinly sliced and fried potatoes, butter foam, and dried rice cakes... all dishes you could eat with one hand while playing.
Tea, coffee, and juice were prepared as drinks.
"...Well, um, sorry about that?"
I said sorry to the serving maids to cover up, and they giggled while thanking me.
When they asked, "Shall we prepare it for 8 o'clock?" I thought I couldn't win.
By the way, the maids in the room were awkwardly smiling and looking away.
"So, shall I give up?"
I declared my victory while biting into a sandwich filled with fish in oil.
A cute scream came out as I placed the final stone on the board.
The board looked overwhelmingly in my favor.
I thought it was a terrible match even for me.
"Master, just a bit... take it easy!"
"But you promised full power, right?"
A cold reply to the whining girl.
After all, I had no other conditions than to play seriously if I lost.
I had no reason to be scolded.
"Ugh, I'm losing my confidence..."
"Master, you're really strong, aren't you?"
"The game of Sugoroku was a fair match though..."
"Sugoroku has a strong luck factor."
Everyone, including me, shared their thoughts while eating and watching the match.
Up to this point, we played several games, and it seemed I often got wins in games with less luck involved.
On the other hand, when luck was involved, the losses piled up suddenly, making me frustrated with my bad luck.
"Yawn..."
And out came a yawn.
Maybe it was because I used my head; sleepiness blurred my awareness.
Chuckling, I covered my mouth as I leaked a shy smile at how silly I looked.
"It's a nice sunny spot, how about a nap?"
"We just had lunch. I might turn into a pig."
When I replied to the suggestion, even more laughter erupted.
"Hehe, what a big piggy you are!"
"Should we all feed you together? Ah──n!"
"We have to carry you when we move!"
"Please, spare me..."
Everyone teased, gossiping loudly while peeking at me.
When I raised both hands in surrender, everyone clapped their knees to invite me over.
It seemed like they meant a lap pillow.
"Who will you send?"
"Could you bring a pillow?"
"Yes, so a lap pillow please."
"Do you think you said that well?"
As I shrugged at the girls' mood, I were pulled backwards, causing me to fall.
My cheek pressed softly against the gentle knee.
The scent of incense soaked into my kimono, making me drift into a light doze.
When I looked, I saw Kuzu looking down at me.
With a smug look, she met my gaze and tilted her head cutely, acting all coy.
"Kuzu-san, that's sneaky!"
"A coward──!"
The maid companions complained, but Kuzu only placed a finger on her lips with a relaxed look.
Ah, well...
"Honestly, try to be friendly..."
My sleepiness grew stronger.
As I sank into the sweet pillow prepared for me, I just kept alert.
I closed my eyelids.
Feeling her hand stroke my hair, I felt her play with it.
Her breath near my ear...
"That depends on Master's ability... you see?"
"...?"
Her whispering sounded like she was licking, melting into my consciousness...
Napping can give you energy if you sleep just right, but too much can be bad.
No one woke me up.
Or maybe I didn't want to wake up.
I had been sleeping for over an hour and a half.
My body was heavy, and my head was dull.
Maybe that's why.
The maid group carried me into the bath.
They helped wash my head, body, and dirt off, let me sweat, and soak in the hot water.
When I got out, they dried me and dressed me in kimono.
"Just the right coolness, isn't it?"
As I sat on the bench, relaxing my heated body, Kuzu finished drying her hair and handed me a bottle dipped in icy well water.
The white liquid inside was filled.
It's my usual after-bath ritual.
"Shall I take it? ... Anything else you want?"
"I'll have sugar water."
"Kuzu-san, do you have fruit juice?"
"Yes, yes. Here you go?"
- Kuzu: A sharp-eyed, disciplined maid with a strong presence; confident and quietly affectionate. Takes initiative, offers lap pillow, whispers teasingly—clearly has a special bond with the master.
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