Come to think of it, this is in front of the school gate.
It was getting close to school dismissal time, so there were only a few students around, but that didn't mean there was absolutely no one there. I could clearly feel the gazes of the students passing by.
That's not surprising.
Because right now, there's a child wearing a maid's uniform in front of me.
Of course, that's not the case. She's an adult who looks like a child in a maid outfit, but the fact that she's wearing a maid outfit is enough to attract the attention of those around her.
"Hey hey, isn't that maid cute?"
"But it's a child! So tiny and cute."
"She's with Hoshimiya-san and the others, so maybe she really is a maid?"
"That's too dangerous! I want to be looked after by a child too...!"
Maybe a girl from the sports club?
A little distance away, a group of people were standing there, looking in my direction. They were trying to keep their voices down, but the volume was so high that I could clearly hear what they were saying.
"Do I stand out?"
It seems he is aware of this himself.
However, it's hard to tell whether he's troubled or angry. He just keeps his face expressionless.
Hime's facial expressions are also quite small, but she's surprisingly easy to understand. She's an honest girl, so her emotions are evident in her words and actions. That's what makes her so adorable -- but that's all I'll leave aside the story of Hime.
However, Mei is the complete opposite.
I think this expressionless face is probably a mask that he intentionally wears, and because of this, we cannot see any subtle emotions, so we don't know what he's thinking.
(I wonder what they think of me...?)
I'm curious. They must know that I'm close with the Hoshimiya sisters. Hime said before that she often talks about me at home, so that's probably true.
If possible, I don't want to be disliked.
He had already gotten to know Hime and Kiyoshi well, and he wanted those who were close to them to be happy about them.
However, since I couldn't read his expression, I didn't know what to say, and in the end I could only nod vaguely.
"Mei-chan, today is unusual. You usually stay holed up in your car because your maid uniform is too conspicuous."
"In the first place, it's pretty early to pick you up. Did something happen?"
In stark contrast to my nervousness, the Hoshimiya sisters were just as normal. Seeing their friendly demeanor, I could sense that Mei-san was someone they could trust.
"Nothing. It's just that Princess Hime always talks about him, so I got curious and came to say hello. It's only natural that I should get out of the car and say hello, since it's our first meeting."
"Thank you for taking the time to do that."
"Don't worry about it. I came because I was being selfish. You don't need to be grateful."
...Well, it still seems a bit cold.
Although he had no expression on his face, it was clear that he wasn't feeling well at the moment.
"Hehe. Mei-chan, don't scare Yohei too much."
"I didn't scare you though?"
"Mei-chan, you're a bit of a pushover, you know? Why don't you laugh more?"
"If I could live as carefree as the Saint Lady, I wonder if I would be able to laugh a little more."
"What? That's terrible! Yo-hee, did you hear? Mei-chan always bullies me like this."
"I'm not bullying you. This is the first time we've met, so please don't mislead me."
He looks like a child though.
Her speech and behavior were clearly that of an older sister. Her way of speaking was also relaxed, like that of a mature and calm woman, so the contrast with her appearance was enough to make my brain go haywire.
Hime has a childlike side to her, so I got used to her quickly, but I think it will take some time to get used to Mei.
"Youhei-kun, Mei-san is a wonderful maid, so it's fine. She's just a little strict with everyone except me."
"Thanks for the supplement, Hime-ojou-sama. You're such a good girl."
"...It's not fair that you're only nice to Hime-chan. Be nice to me too!"
"If I'm too kind to the Saint Lady, she'll get cocky, so I'll be strict with her. There's no way I'll praise a child who doesn't improve when praised."
...At least it's not like he hates me?
If she's strict with everyone except Hime, then perhaps her attitude towards me is normal too.
That would be fine, but...I still couldn't help but feel that it was cold.