Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Help Me Change, Miss Maid~

Sakura-sensei’s words had made it clear—she wasn’t going to divulge anything.  

But that was only natural. She was upholding her duty as both a doctor and a teacher.  

So Shimizu Sakuya didn’t press further. Instead, she lay on the infirmary bed, contemplating her current situation as time slowly passed.  

Amami Saori’s personality had always been like this—burning like an unyielding sun, warming others while never letting her own struggles show.  

It wasn’t the right time to address her issues yet. Without enough information, she would have to observe carefully for a while longer.  

Perhaps she could gather some intel by visiting the kendo club.  

As for what awaited her next—Fujiwara Yuki—that was the real problem.  

That inexplicable, unresisting sense of submission… the master-servant game…  

Who knew what a newly awakened sadist like her might do? For now, Sakuya had no choice but to endure and play along.  

Though her current predicament was the result of her own arrogance, that didn’t mean there wasn’t a chance to turn things around.  

Family circumstances were the key factor influencing Fujiwara Yuki.  

Becoming her maid might actually be a blessing in disguise—it would give her access to the Fujiwara estate, allowing her to compare how this timeline’s Yuki differed from previous iterations.  

That way, she could resolve the trust issues and untangle the roots of her self-destructive distortions.  

Time slipped by. Sunlight slanted through the window, slowly shifting from the head of the bed to its foot.  

It wasn’t until the crisp chime of the school bell rang that Shimizu Sakuya realized—amidst the quiet scratching of Sakura-sensei’s pen—she had unknowingly slept through the entire P.E. class.  

She sat up, lightly patting her cheeks to shake off the drowsiness.  

Smoothing down her disheveled hair and straightening her collar, she slipped on her shoes and bid farewell to Sakura-sensei.  

“Goodbye, sensei. Class is over, so I’ll be going now.”  

Next, she had an appointment to keep—with Fujiwara Yuki.  

By the time Sakuya arrived at Class C, most students had already left. She took a deep breath, steadying her uneasy nerves.  

Yuki was sitting at her desk, arms crossed, her gaze flickering intermittently toward the door as she chatted casually with a girl on cleaning duty.  

Their conversation revolved around mundane topics—what to eat, what to do for fun.  

Her left foot tapped lightly against the floor, as if she were anticipating something.  

The door creaked open.  

“Hmm? Sakuya’s here?” The golden light in Yuki’s eyes flared up instantly. She immediately stood and strode toward Sakuya. “Alright, Kyoko, I’m heading out with Sakuya now.”  

“Got it, Yuki. See you tomorrow.”  

After bidding farewell to Kyoko—who was busy wiping the blackboard—Yuki latched onto Sakuya with the enthusiasm of reuniting with a long-lost friend.  

Encircled by her arms, Sakuya could feel the softness pressing against her, yet all she could think was how it felt like being slowly constricted by a massive serpent.  

With a gentle smile, Yuki leaned in close to her ear and whispered in a tone that was sweet yet unyielding.

“Put this on.”  

She opened her palm, revealing a sleek silver wristwatch. Its diamond-cut edges and meticulous craftsmanship suggested it was expensive.  

But where the watch face should have displayed the time, there was instead a conspicuous circular indicator light.  

“What is this?” Sakuya frowned, puzzled.  

“A receiver for when your master calls~”  

Yuki raised her own wrist, proudly displaying an identical watch.  

Her hand slid down, gripping Sakuya’s slender wrist with deliberate firmness.  

As she undid the strap, the soft brush of leather and fingers against skin sent a faint tingling sensation. After looping it around, the watch fit perfectly—as if made for her.  

Yet it was impossible not to think of it as shackles, binding her freedom.  

“There~” Yuki clapped her hands cheerfully, then pressed a button on her own watch.  

Instantly, the indicator light flashed a glaring red, like a warning alarm.  

“When it lights up, you come find me in Class C. Understood, Miss Maid~?”  

“……”  

“…Understood.” After a long hesitation, Sakuya finally relented.  

No helping it—she had made her choice, and now she had to see it through.  

Her fingers traced the raised edges of the watch, and a sudden doubt surfaced in her mind.  

“But what if it lights up during class? I can’t just leave.”  

Yuki’s smile vanished. A sharp glint flashed in her eyes.  

“Hmm? What did we agree you’d call me when we’re alone?”  

Sakuya shut her eyes, forcing herself to comply.  

“…What if it lights up during class and I can’t come find… Master?”  

Her voice stuttered, barely above a whisper.  

So humiliating!  

This master-servant game was eroding what little dignity she had left as an adult.  

But Yuki seemed immensely pleased. She patted Sakuya’s head like she was rewarding a well-behaved puppy.  

“That won’t happen.”  

“Now then, follow your master~”  

Sakuya trailed behind Yuki step by step. Her sleek black hair swayed lightly with her brisk strides, carrying a faint, pleasant fragrance.  

…Well, when she’s not talking, Yuki isn’t so bad.  

They walked like this for a while—past the school building, across the field, through a lush tree-lined path—until they finally arrived at the archery range.  

“Good afternoon, Fujiwara-senpai!”  

As they passed the targets, underclassmen greeted Yuki left and right. She responded with polite nods.  

“Senpai, who’s the new friend you brought today?” one kouhai asked curiously.  

“Ah, Sakuya here wanted to see me shoot, so I brought her along for a bit,” Yuki replied, turning to lightly squeeze Sakuya’s wrist—a silent cue.  

Understanding the unspoken instruction, Sakuya quickly put on an innocent smile and played along.  

“I’ve always wanted to see Yuki’s archery! So I thought I’d tag along.”  

Her cooperation earned Yuki’s approval. A pleased arch lifted her slender brows, and her thumb gently stroked the bone of Sakuya’s wrist—as if rewarding her with this small gesture.  

…It tickles a little.  

The underclassman puffed out his chest proudly. “Our Fujiwara-senpai looks super cool when she shoots! Don’t get too mesmerized!”  

“Well then, we’ll be heading to the changing room now,” Yuki said, waving as she pulled Sakuya inside.  

The changing room was quiet, empty except for scattered bows leaning against the walls and muddy footprints littering the floor.  

Yuki paid no mind to the mess. She strode straight to her locker, patted the door, then turned to face Sakuya with her arms outstretched.  

Her gaze was lofty, like a noble princess issuing a command to her servant.

“Help me change, Miss Maid~”