Chapter 16
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Chapter 16: Maid Outfits Are Best With Long Skirts And Lace-Up Boots III
“Hurry up.”
Rei-sama urged Kanshou, who was holding the camera.
Wait, wait, this is all wrong. If you’re mad, can’t you do something a little more understandable for revenge?
“What about the camera?”
“Bakuya can handle it.”
Even though Kanshou is Rei-sama’s attendant, it’s strange how calm he is. Why can he approach me so nonchalantly without any sense of urgency?
“Are you alright?”
“Uh, yes.”
As I continued to be unsteady, Kanshou supported me by grabbing my shoulder.
“You look quite cute, Nao-sama.”
What kind of comment is that!? If it were said at any other time, I’d laugh it off as usual, but hearing it right after Rei-sama’s command made me suspicious.
“Hurry up.”
“Wait, are you serious?”
Rei-sama’s face was smiling, but it was also terrifying. If this continues, I feel like I’m going to be pulled into a dangerous world.
Despite that, Kanshou, who was standing right next to me, showed no signs of being an ally.
I glanced at Bakuya-san, who was also there, hoping for help. But she was circling the tripod-mounted camera, tilting her head in confusion.
“Um, what am I supposed to do with this?”
“Come on, Bakuya, you can’t even use a digital camera?”
Rei-sama sighed in exasperation, holding her head and shaking it.
“The only thing I can operate is an electric kettle.”
“That’s no different! You just push a button for both!”
It’s true that they may have more buttons than an electric kettle, but modern models even adjust the focus automatically, so it’s easy to use.
Rei-sama, still frustrated, approached the camera to explain and pressed the shutter button. But the flash went off right in front of Bakuya, who was peering through the viewfinder.
“What, is that a flash grenade?”
“You don’t know how to use a digital camera, but you know what a flash grenade is?”
It was a perfectly reasonable question to ask, but Kanshou didn’t answer. Instead, he stifled a laugh as he walked toward Rei-sama.
“It seems I’ll have to be the one to take the photos after all.”
Apparently, he had expected things to turn out this way. It would have been nice if he had at least given me a heads-up. Kanshou winked at me as he adjusted the camera, which Bakuya had moved.
“Bakuya, you support Nao!”
“Should I kiss him?”
“No!”
I always imagined that being an attendant meant absolute obedience to Rei-sama, but seeing this exchange, it felt more like they were long-time friends or dependable siblings.
Bakuya-san walked past the still-angry Rei-sama and came over to me. Somehow, I had gotten used to the boots while all the shouting was going on, but I decided to let her support me anyway. Yet, having her hold my shoulders made me a little nervous.
“You’re awfully stiff. Give me a pose with more movement.”
“It’s not like I know what I’m doing.”
“When you think of a maid, it’s like this.”
Saying this, Rei-sama made a heart shape with her hands in front of her chest. Even though it was just that simple, I found myself captivated. I guess such gestures have value when a girl does them.
Realizing I was staring, Rei-sama awkwardly dropped her hands from the heart shape.
“Why do I have to do this!”
“It’s not like I asked you to.”
If I don’t hurry, she’s going to get even angrier. I imitated the pose Rei-sama had just done, the one that had captivated me.
“See? You can do it if you try. Go ahead, take the picture.”
Kanshou aimed the camera at me and clicked the shutter several times. The flashes were so bright that I could barely see in front of me. I couldn’t even tell if my eyes were open or not.
“Alright, now I’ll start sketching.”
“Wait, I’m staying like this?”
“Don’t move.”
Rei-sama began sketching furiously in her notebook. In the vast studio, the only sound was the movement of Rei-sama’s pen.
“She’s really focused.”
“When Rei-sama is drawing, she’s incredibly dedicated,” Bakuya whispered quietly from behind me.
Rei-sama was indeed serious when she was drawing. With unwavering focus, she kept glancing between me and her notebook, trying to capture me perfectly.
I wondered if I had ever put that much effort into something with such clear determination.
After filling a few pages while I changed poses several times, Rei-sama finally looked up with a satisfied expression.
“Let’s move on. Now we’ll change outfits.”
“Alright. What should I wear next?”
“Oh? You’re not resisting anymore?”
Rei-sama seemed taken aback as she looked over at the clothes.
“Yeah, I’ve come to appreciate it a little more.”
Half of that was a lie. Rei-sama’s intense focus when drawing had always fascinated me since the first time I saw it. If she were this serious all the time, she’d be perfect.
“How cheeky for a doll. Bakuya, let’s go with something a bit sexier next.”
“Come on, I just complimented you!”
I caught a glimpse of Rei-sama’s cheeks, slightly flushed, between strands of her long, sleek black hair. It seemed my words had gotten through to her.
“How about this, Rei-sama?”
“Perfect. Nao, next is a cheongsam.”
I gave up on complaining about another costume and obediently followed Rei-sama’s orders. After all, I’m her dress-up doll.