Chapter II | Dangerous Play

♣♣♣

Evening.

After finishing my part-time job, I returned home. …Today was way too eventful, and I’m kinda exhausted. I just want to sleep already.

Come to think of it, what happened with Shiroyama-san? Saku-neesan’s with her, so there shouldn’t be any issues, but she was talking about wanting to train in accessory-making, right?

…Maybe she’s already gone home.

While thinking about that, I opened the front door. But in the entryway, there was a pair of unfamiliar girls’ sneakers neatly placed.

Looks like she’s seriously planning to stay over. Well, Dad gave his approval, so it’s fine.

Then, I heard cheerful footsteps coming from inside the house.

Shiroyama-san was coming down from the second floor… wait, huh?

I froze at the sight.

For some reason, Shiroyama-san was wearing a maid outfit.

It’s what you’d call a cosplay-style outfit, I guess. Not the hardcore, full-coverage kind, but more like the mini-skirt type you’d find at Donki. The black-and-white contrast is sharp and cute, but wearing something like that in this cold season takes some guts.

No, it’s not about guts, I mentally retorted, but before I could process it, Shiroyama-san pinched her skirt and bowed.

“Welcome home, Master!”

“Huh? What’s this? What kind of world is this?”

Our ordinary family’s entryway and a maid outfit—seriously, they don’t match at all. Did I, in my shock from breaking up with Himari, accidentally wander into Wonderland or something?

“Shiroyama-san, why did you bring an outfit like that…?”

Shiroyama-san answered with a beaming, sun-like smile.

“I thought it’d make Himari-senpai happy!”

“Oh, got it. I understand in a flash.”

This kid was originally planning to stay at Himari’s house, wasn’t she?

…Now that I think about it, this morning she mentioned preparing for a Christmas party. She’s definitely the type who dives into things headfirst. I can faintly sense the same vibe as Enomoto-san’s mom.

Shiroyama-san proudly showed off her outfit.

“When I showed it to Onee-sama, she told me to wear it and do a big cleaning!”

“Wait, did you just call Saku-neesan ‘Onee-sama’? Seriously, spare me…”

And seriously, don’t make a middle school freeloader do a big cleaning, my dear sister…

But Shiroyama-san, unfazed, happily twirled on the spot. Her mini-skirt fluttered, and it was bad for my eyes.

Then, placing her index finger in front of her lips, she said in a very devilish, maid-like way,

“Master, would you like dinner? A bath? Or… ac-ces-so-ries?”

“That’s not a maid, that’s a newlywed…”

Demanding accessory training alongside dinner? Despite her words, I can only sense the aura of a demon bride.

No, no, that’s not the point. I got caught up in her pace, and my retorts veered off in a weird direction. I need to steer this back on course…

“…Shiroyama-san, are you the type to get carried away like this?”

“I worked hard to make it, so I wanted to try it at least once…”

She confessed shyly, blushing.

…Hmm. Unlike Himari or Enomoto-san, where I’d suspect some hidden motive, her straightforwardness is kind of cute. If you ignore how, to an outsider, this looks like a pervert getting off on making a middle schooler cosplay, the situation itself isn’t bad.

“Hm? That outfit… did you make it yourself?”

“Yes!”

“Wow, regardless of the situation, that’s impressive…”

Compared to something bought at a discount store, the fabric feels thicker and sturdier. Plus, there’s a rose made of cloth sewn onto the hem of the skirt.

As expected of Shiroyama-san. It’s well-made. To an amateur like me, it doesn’t seem any different from something a pro would make.

“Regardless of what Saku-neesan thinks, I’m not exactly thrilled about this…”

“But at the cultural festival, everyone was super into their outfits, right? I thought it was totally Yuu-senpai’s thing…”

“That’s some serious reputational damage!”

Now that I think about it, the girls were wearing gothic dresses at the cultural festival.

And Shiroyama-san did come at me in a mascot costume the first time we met. She’s probably into dressing up. She’d definitely get along with Himari in that regard.

“You’ve got normal clothes, right? Those would be better…”

“…Ah!”

What’s that?

Hey, what’s with that “Ah”?

“Maybe…”

“I-I forgot my usual clothes at home…”

Why!?

That huge backpack—was it seriously just filled with cosplay outfits for this costume party? She said she was running away from home, but was she treating this like a light field trip!?

…What do I do? This is a bit of a pinch. If Mom comes home at a time like this, I might seriously get disowned and kicked out…

While we were talking, Saku-neesan came down from the second floor. Having spent the day enjoying a maid-clad beauty, her skin looked suspiciously radiant…

“Oh, foolish little brother. If you’re back, hurry up and come inside.”

“Saku-neesan, instead of making a middle schooler cosplay, lend her something to wear…”

“You’re as charmless as ever. A beautiful girl is welcoming you in a maid outfit, so be more grateful.”

“I’m not you, Saku-neesan. I don’t have that kind of hobby…”

Look, I’m used to Himari’s pranks and Enomoto-san’s “nya-nya” antics making me go “Guh…!” but I know there’s a line I shouldn’t cross. If she’d shown off her nape, I’d be in real trouble, but I’m still okay. Barely keeping my composure.

There’s something about these subtle gestures that reminds me of Himari’s strength as a model. Why am I rediscovering my ex-girlfriend’s good points through a middle schooler’s cosplay…?

“If it bothers you, just lend her your clothes.”

Saku-neesan slipped on her slippers and opened the front door.

She’s dressed minimally for going out, probably heading to her convenience store shift.

“No way, a guy’s clothes won’t do…”

“You’re secretly happy about it, so why act all high and mighty? Puberty, huh?”

“I’m definitely in puberty, but could you seriously stop saying stuff like that in front of people?”

Saku-neesan turned back and placed a hand on Shiroyama-san’s shoulder.

Then, with an utterly serious face, she said,

“Mei-chan, if my foolish little brother tries anything while I’m gone, run to me immediately. It’s fine, the convenience store has plenty of self-defense gear.”

“Why!? If anything, you’re the dangerous one, Saku-neesan!”

“A guy who just broke up with his girlfriend is starving for warmth. If he says something like ‘Listen to my complaints now that I’m single,’ stay on guard and be ready to escape.”

“Stop with that advice ripped straight from a women’s magazine…”

And Shiroyama-san nodded with an incredibly serious face.

“Got it! I’ll keep my sneakers close by!”

“Why don’t you doubt her at all…?”

Does this kid actually hate me or something!?

Saku-neesan laughed heartily as she headed out the door… then, as if remembering something, turned back with a sly grin.

“By the way, foolish little brother. How was the new part-timer?”

“Ugh…”

She’s definitely talking about Mera-san.

She’s enjoying this, and she hired her knowing who she was. Back during the accessory return fiasco, I asked Saku-neesan to handle it, so she must’ve found out then. She’s annoyingly smart and remembers names after hearing them once…

“Saku-neesan, you could’ve told me beforehand.”

“If I told you, you’d have run away.”

“Well, yeah…”

If I’d known in advance, I probably would’ve found some excuse to bail. I don’t hold a grudge about the past, but it doesn’t exactly feel great.

“Was it a coincidence that Mera-san started working there?”

“Of course. Apparently, one of Mom’s acquaintances asked about finding a job for their daughter.”

“What a small world…”

Well, Mom’s got an unnecessarily wide network around here. Her sales skills are something else…

“So? You got along with her, right?”

“…”

She pressed me with obvious amusement.

I let out a massive sigh in response.

“She ran away.”

“Huh?”

A clear blue vein popped on Saku-neesan’s temple. With a terrifyingly beautiful smile, she cracked her knuckles and closed in on me.

“Foolish little brother? You’ve got some guts, running off just because you didn’t like the new girl.”

“No, that’s not it! I wouldn’t run away!”

I knew coming home would lead to this!

Recalling the daytime events, I felt a bit heavy.

“Mera-san was the one who ran away. The moment she saw my face, she suddenly told Dad her stomach hurt, bolted out of the store, and never came back.”

“…”

Saku-neesan gave a faint smile.

Exuding an even stronger aura of anger, she laughed eerily.

“Thinking she can skip work with a fake illness just because she’s a bit cute? Maybe I’ll drag her back and make her work 24 hours straight.”

“Saku-neesan? Your true colors are showing, Saku-neesan. Shiroyama-san’s freaking out, so calm down, Saku-neesan.”

Also, we’d definitely lose if we got sued by labor standards, so let’s not, Saku-neesan.

Under the terrifying pressure radiating from Saku-neesan, Shiroyama-san looked like she was about to cry, whimpering. Running a convenience store while scaring people with murderous vibes—am I in SAKAMOTO DAYS or something?

“Well then, Saku-neesan, off you go.”

“Yeah, yeah. Dad’ll be back soon, so don’t make a ruckus.”

Seeing Saku-neesan off, I finally went inside.

Sitting on the living room sofa, the maid brewed me some tea.

Hmm… nice aroma. It’s the Earl Grey from the box of expired goods in our kitchen. When a maid brews it, even instant tea transforms into a fragrant delight.

“Thanks. It smells great.”

“The maid is happy to please Master.”

“Heh heh.”

“Haha.”

Stop with the “heh heh”!

What are you accepting here? And Shiroyama-san, don’t just stand quietly by the sofa like that. Did Saku-neesan spend the whole day making her do this for fun!?

“Shiroyama-san, for now, could you change back into this morning’s clothes? When Saku-neesan gets back, I’ll make sure she gets you something to wear…”

“Gah!”

“Saying it out loud won’t help. Why are you so reluctant to change…?”

Shiroyama-san said with a sulky face,

“I worked hard to make it, so it feels like a waste not to wear it.”

“Well, if you’re fine with it, that’s okay, but isn’t it cold this time of year?”

“But fashion’s like that, right?”

“Fashion… is it…?”

I’m clueless about this stuff, but is cosplay considered fashion? If Shiroyama-san’s enjoying it, I guess it’s fine.

“Oh, Yuu-senpai. What’s your answer from earlier?”

“Huh? Answer from earlier?”

Was there something?

As I tilted my head, Shiroyama-san spun around and put her index finger to her lips.

“Dinner? A bath? Or… ac-ces-so-ries?”

“That was serious…?”

“Ah! Yuu-senpai, let me finish!”

“No way! Why are you so into this? You were embarrassed earlier…”

Did she get over it after doing it once and start having fun?

Ignoring the slightly dissatisfied Shiroyama-san, I asked myself inwardly.

Dinner or a bath.

Honestly, I’m hungry, and I want a bath. If I could do both at once, that’d be perfect. It’s the 21st century, and we don’t even have a cat-shaped robot, let alone a way to handle dinner and a bath simultaneously. Though some might say it’s better to enjoy them separately, as a lazy guy, I wouldn’t mind doing them together. Maybe even accessory training…

(…Huh?)

I suddenly felt a sense of unease.

What was it? Accessory training. That phrase had a strange snag to it. A rough texture, or something like that.

I genuinely want to learn Shiroyama-san’s fabric accessory techniques. That’s my honest feeling, but…

“…Whatever.”

Unable to put it into words, I swallowed the feeling and chose a bath.

“Shiroyama-san, can I take a bath first?”

“…”

But Shiroyama-san,

for some reason, shrugged with a “Haa…” vibe. That kinda pisses me off.

“Yuu-senpai, you don’t get it.”

“Huh? Get what?”

“When someone’s dressed up like this, you’ve gotta play the part.”

“That fake newlywed act was supposed to be that…?”

Apparently, she didn’t like my reaction.

Shiroyama-san pointed at me sharply and made her demand.

“Yuu-senpai, you’re the Master right now. Give me orders like one.”

“Is a maid ordering her master really playing the part…?”

This kid—she’s the type who takes play seriously, isn’t she…?

Well, Shiroyama-san’s a creator who dives deep into things. Maybe this is her way of honing her sense.

Alright. As her master, I’ll play along properly. No reason to refuse.

—Imagine it.

I’m a cool guy who hires a maid. Probably living in a big mansion on the outskirts of town, commuting between work and home in a fancy car. Wait, isn’t this just Hibari-san?

I don’t want to overlap with someone I know… Let’s change it up. Alright, I’ll age myself a bit. I’m a suave middle-aged guy. People might laugh if they heard, but it’s just Shiroyama-san here, and it’s a fantasy, so it’s within acceptable bounds.

I coughed theatrically and gave the maid an order.

“Maid, prepare the bath.”

“Understood!”

Shiroyama-san bowed elegantly.

…Oh? She’s pulling this off quite well. She’s not just a cosplay-loving girl. No, she definitely is, but there’s something distinct about her. That’s the vibe.

With Shiroyama-san in tow, I headed to the bathroom.

The tub was already filled with water. And the temperature feels just right for my taste. Our new maid is too competent…

In the changing room, Shiroyama-san stood quietly holding a laundry basket. I took off my hoodie and placed it in the basket.

Then, Shiroyama-san said formally,

“Master, how was work today?”

…Wow. This feels so much like a “maid in daily life” moment.

It’s like something out of an anime where nobles have these chats when they get home. I’ve gotta respond properly. Something different about today’s shift…

“Hmm. It was Christmas, so we sold a lot of fried chicken.”

“That’s wonderful!”

Seems like the right answer.

Exuding the aura of a tycoon, I continued my report.

“Also, there were leftover Christmas cakes, so I bought one as a souvenir for the maid.”

“A mere servant like me couldn’t possibly accept such a thing…”

“It’s fine. I want to reward you for your flawless work.”

“Your generous kindness is deeply appreciated!”

“Oh, maid, you’re okay with shortcake, right?”

“With all due respect, it’s my favorite!”

Good then.

I noticed earlier in the living room, but the place was seriously cleaned. The bathroom smells freshly scrubbed too. Also known as the scent of mold killer.

Saku-neesan, you helped with the cleaning a bit, right…? I’m a little worried, but I’m glad I bought a cake as thanks…

I took off my jeans and placed them in the maid’s basket.

As if waiting for it, the maid brought up the next topic.

“Master, how were the stock prices today?”

“Stock prices? Uh… they were… decent.”

“That’s wonderful!”

“Hmm. Good.”

Whether bringing up stock prices is maid-like is a mystery, but if Shiroyama-san’s fine with it, then fine.

I let out a sigh.

In the mirror at the sink, I saw myself in my underwear. Behind me stood Shiroyama-san, poised like a proper maid.

I snapped back to reality and clutched my head.

(This is bad—…!)

Crap, I totally let my guard down.

She was so naturally following me as a maid that I just started undressing like it was normal—what an idiot I am! What’s with “stock prices were decent”? My brain’s screws being loose is what’s decent!

“…”

Suddenly, I got embarrassed.

Fidgeting to hide my underwear, I avoided looking at Shiroyama-san. …Right now, I must look super creepy from the outside, huh?

“Shiroyama-san? How long are we keeping up this act?”

“Huh?”

Shiroyama-san looked genuinely puzzled.

She gasped, then dropped the laundry basket. Collapsing to the floor, she pleaded with a tragic expression.

“Did the maid do something wrong!?”

Everything!

This entire situation is barreling straight toward a lifelong regret. I’m already in “go to prison” mode. If I were a Hollywood star, this’d be the start of a glamorous yet gritty escape drama.

“Shiroyama-san, I’m going to take a bath…”

“Fired!? Am I getting fired!? If that happens, my parents and little sister waiting for my remittances won’t be able to eat!”

You live with your older sister, don’t you?

Shiroyama-san seemed satisfied unveiling some random backstory. She even added a fake “boo-hoo” cry. Apparently, this is her acting as a maid who messed up and got scolded by her master. The unnecessarily detailed performance feels like a Himari tribute, and it’s kinda annoying.

“No, no. I just don’t have anything else to take off…”

“I don’t mind.”

That’s not okay!

To be specific, her casually brushing it off with “You’re making too much of a fuss over being naked?” and exuding adult-like composure is not okay. Why am I the one embarrassed when I’m the one being seen…?

Come to think of it, at the cultural festival, Shiroyama-san was totally fine trying to take off her mascot costume. Is she one of those girls—every grade has one—who’s like, “Guys my age are so childish, I only see them as brothers”!?

“Shiroyama-san, I know it’s just for fun, but if Dad or someone saw this, it’d be seriously bad…”

“Muu…”

For Shiroyama-san, playing with her handmade maid outfit seems to take priority. She let out a dissatisfied sigh at my request to stop.

“But Onee-sama said Yuu-senpai’s dream was to have a maid girl wash his back…”

“Seriously, don’t take what Saku-neesan says at face value!”

What is that woman filling this innocent middle schooler’s head with!?

Well, I mean, it’s not like I’m uninterested. As a guy, you can’t help but dream of becoming that kind of successful man at least once. But satisfying that desire isn’t for now, you know…!

As I kept waffling, Shiroyama-san pursed her lips and delivered the final blow.

“Also, looking at Yuu-senpai doesn’t really do anything for me, so…”

“This kid’s rude!?”

Guys get hurt by comments like that, so seriously, stop it. I’m not exactly confident, but getting told that straight-up by a younger girl stings…

Fine. If that’s how it is, I’ll use force.

Grabbing Shiroyama-san’s shoulders, I pushed her out of the changing room.

“Gyaah! Unfairly firing a maid is wrong! Workers’ rights—!”

“It’s because of the maid’s harassment of her employer…!”

As we were making a racket, the front door suddenly opened.

Huh, did Saku-neesan come back…? I turned around, and there was—

Dad, back from work and ready to sleep.

The plastic bag in his hand, probably with dinner, dropped with a thud.

In front of Dad was his son (seemingly) cornering a half-naked maid girl. And for some reason, the maid girl was half-crying.

Dad let out a sigh and said with great pain,

“…Yuu. When Mom gets back, let’s all sit down and talk.”

“Wait, it’s a misunderstanding! Seriously, hear me out!”

“It’s okay. Don’t blame yourself. I heard from Sakura earlier. You fought with Himari-chan last night, right? You must be struggling with life and exhausted. It’s Mom and Dad’s responsibility that you ended up doing something like this…”

“If you’re taking responsibility, at least listen to me…!”

This is bad. Unlike Saku-neesan, Dad doesn’t have the mental capacity to handle this kind of irregularity.

I tried to explain the situation as calmly and clearly as possible.

“This maid outfit is something Shiroyama-san brought herself, and she’s playing at being a maid as part of that. She kept insisting on washing my back, so I was trying to get her out of the bathroom…”

But for some reason, Dad gently patted my shoulder.

Wiping a tear from behind his glasses, he smiled reassuringly, like someone from an animal protection group approaching a wild beast to show they’re not a threat.

“Look, Yuu? A girl who voluntarily wears a maid outfit and offers to wash your back at a mere acquaintance’s house isn’t normal.”

“That’s totally true, but…!”

The situation is so rom-com-esque that we’re not getting anywhere.

I need to break through this, or Mom will kill me over the misunderstanding… That’s it! If Shiroyama-san explains, even Dad will believe her.

“Shiroyama-san! Can you explain a bit… huh?”

Shiroyama-san was silently watching our comedic exchange.

Then, with a serious face, she had a ‘Ping!’ moment of inspiration, performed a curtsy—lifting her skirt slightly—and bowed to Dad.

“Yuu-senpai’s father must be the master of this house! Welcome home, Master…”

“Don’t make things more complicated—!”

It took a ton of effort to clear up Dad’s misunderstanding after that.

All I wanted was to take a bath…

♣♣♣

Soaking in the tub, I looked up at the ceiling and thought.

…This is bad. I’m getting swept up in Shiroyama-san’s pace.

Come to think of it, I have a habit of going along with stuff like this. My talks with Himari were often like this, and I ended up doing that “nya-nya” play (sealed away) with Enomoto-san on the Tokyo trip. Gotta reflect.

Getting out of the bath, I found Dad in a great mood in the living room.

To be specific, he was tipsy, having a maid girl pour him drinks.

“Man, I never would’ve thought Yuu had such a thoughtful apprentice.”

“Being praised so much makes me shy~”

…Is this a scene from hell?

Hah. Crap. I almost ignored Dad’s pathetic state and went straight to my room.

Shiroyama-san was wearing a cute floral apron over her maid outfit. By the way, it’s Enomoto-san’s personal item from our kitchen. The newlywed vibe is increasing, and the concept is totally lost…

I entered the living room, exasperated.

“Even you, Dad? What are you making Shiroyama-san do…?”

“I was about to have dinner, and Mei-chan said she’d prepare it. I couldn’t help but take her up on it.”

He’s already calling her Mei-chan…

The table was lined with several dishes. Big platters, I guess you’d call them. Nikujaga, braised daikon—when did she buy all this? It’s an impressive spread of Japanese home cooking. It’s the kind of warm, traditional meal we haven’t had at home in ages. That warmth probably got our middle-aged man completely hooked.

Shiroyama-san was smiling as she poured shochu into Dad’s red-faced glass.

“Mei-chan, why don’t you just become part of our family?”

“For real!?”

No, not for real.

You’ve got an older sister waiting for you at home.

Dad, didn’t you say this morning you were worried about her sister? Alcohol really messes people up. Let’s leave it at that.

Hmm. Himari had a knack for charming people, but this kid’s got a thing for winning over older folks too. Taming Dad in a single moment—Shiroyama-san’s a scary kid!

I reluctantly sat at the table. Honestly, I want to bolt right now, but my stomach’s honest.

“Hey, Dad. Shiroyama-san’s a guest, so show some restraint.”

“But, but! Sakura’s all grown up and doesn’t pay attention to me anymore. Momoe and Ume only show up during Obon and New Year’s…”

“Momoe-nee and U-nee are married, so it can’t be helped…”

Don’t cry, you grown man.

Dad’s usually calm and nice, but when he drinks, his emotional brakes stop working. I hope I didn’t inherit that trait.

Shiroyama-san naturally served me a bowl of rice, then huffed with determination.

“I’ll do my best!”

“Don’t get so eager to replace our sisters…”

You’re planning to go home, right?

Everything okay? You’re not gonna show up with your family register tomorrow, are you? With precedents like Enomoto-san’s mom, I can’t let my guard down.

For now, I took the bowl.

I picked up some braised daikon and cut it with my chopsticks. …Hmm. The way it crumbles so softly yet holds its shape—perfect heat control. This is a master’s technique you don’t see often.

“Shiroyama-san, where’d you buy this?”

Shiroyama-san tilted her head.

“I made it…”

“What!?”

When I exclaimed in surprise, she gave me a sulky, narrowed-eye look.

“…Yuu-senpai, what’s your image of me?”

“Look at what you’re wearing right now…”

A maid cooking braised daikon? No way I could picture that. Well, even in your usual image, I couldn’t imagine it either. If I saw her saying, “The trick to making it delicious is using a drop-lid properly!” I’d probably laugh despite myself…

“But it’s amazing. Really delicious.”

“My sister loves Japanese food, so I make it a lot.”

She looked very proud.

Alright. As her master, I’ve gotta praise her more to help her grow. With a firm sense of duty, I reached for another dish.

Nikujaga.

Rumor has it it’s a must-have recipe for capturing a guy’s heart. Of course, I love it too. Popping a pieceI’m bringing one of the pillars, a potato, into my mouth, and a nostalgic flavor spreads across my tongue.

Haf, haf.

…Hmm. This is it.

The kind of flavor that, if Saku-neesan ate it, she’d definitely say, “Foolish little brother, marry her!” I’ve gotta eat it all here so it doesn’t get to her…

“This nikujaga’s got such deep flavor—it’s delicious. And the carrots are cut into stars? That’s amazing! Do we even have a cutter like that at home?”

“Oh, I cut those with a knife.”

“That’s incredible!”

I knew she was dexterous, but this is next-level.

This is on par with Enomoto-san’s skills. Enomoto-san often makes Western food, but this Japanese style has its own charm. They should just open a restaurant together. Get Enomoto-san in a maid outfit too… No, stop with the weird fantasies, me!

“By the way, Shiroyama-san, what’s the plan after dinner? You must be tired, so I can handle the cleanup…”

“I’m fine! I want to do accessory training!”

Shiroyama-san declared with tons of energy.

Oh, that setup was serious? I thought it was just an excuse for running away, so I’m a bit surprised.

“Got it. Then how about after you finish your bath, we do it in my room?”

“Please!”

Huh, that felt kinda master-apprentice-like. Nice…

While we were enjoying our chill master-apprentice vibe, Dad was nodding happily for some reason.

“Seeing Yuu having so much fun with a friend like this makes me really happy.”

“W-What’s that, Dad? Don’t say embarrassing stuff like that…”

Saying stuff like that in front of people is a total puberty no-go.

“I mean, you’ve got Himari and Enomoto-san, don’t you…?”

“Those girls are friends, but they’re not on the same wavelength as you, right? Having a comrade in accessories feels different.”

Well, that’s true, I guess.

“But it’s not that big a deal…”

“It is a big deal. Doing it alone versus having a comrade makes a huge difference.”

Then Dad took a sip of his shochu, looking deeply moved.

“It reminded me of when you were in middle school, saying you wanted to work instead of going to high school.”

“Ugh!? …Can you not bring that up in front of Shiroyama-san?”

That’s a solid piece of my dark history now.

Before I met Himari, I planned to work after middle school. Chasing my dream in accessories sounds nice, but honestly, I just didn’t get along with my classmates and didn’t want to go to high school.

Hearing that, Shiroyama-san said in surprise,

“Yuu-senpai, for real?”

“Yeah. I made a deal with my parents that if I could sell a hundred accessories at the middle school cultural festival, I could skip high school and pursue accessories.”

Talking about this embarrassing youthful folly, Shiroyama-san suddenly leaned in closer.

“And then what happened!?”

“Huh? Oh, well…”

What’s with that intense look?

Was that story really that interesting? It was just me naively thinking I could make it as a middle school grad…

“In the end, I couldn’t sell much on my own. I was freaking out in front of a mountain of unsold stock when Himari showed up. Through Hibari-san, we got Kureha-san, who’s a model now, to promote it on SNS. That’s how we managed to sell out.”

Come to think of it, that’s when Shiroyama-san met Himari while helping at the booth.

…It’s kinda surreal. That middle school cultural festival was definitely a turning point in my life, and Shiroyama-san had her own life-changing moment there too. It’s weird how the two of us, connected by that, are now accessory comrades.

While I was reminiscing, Shiroyama-san still seemed unsatisfied.

“What’s up?”

“…No, I was just wondering why Yuu-senpai went to high school after keeping that promise.”

Oh, that’s what it was.

Yeah, since I cleared the festival challenge, I should’ve graduated middle school and started working. But here I am, in high school.

“That’s because Himari convinced me afterward. Working as a middle school grad comes with big risks. It’s better to have a backup plan…”

Dreams rarely come true.

I get that it’s smart to have other paths open in case you fail. Well, it wasn’t just Himari—Hibari-san and Saku-neesan gave me a lot of advice too.

“But the biggest reason was probably Himari. My parents were pushing for me to go to school, and I wanted to spend school life with her.”

Though, thanks to that, things ended up like this.

Still, I don’t think those two years of high school were a waste. I reconnected with Enomoto-san, and accessories led to all sorts of experiences. If I hadn’t gone to high school, I never would’ve met Tenma-kun or Sanae-san in Tokyo.

“So, that’s how I ended up in high school… Why do you ask?”

“Huh? Oh, no reason…”

What’s that?

That’s an unusually hesitant attitude for Shiroyama-san.

As I puzzled over it, Dad smiled gently.

“Yuu, Mei-chan, finish dinner and head to your rooms. I’ll handle the cleanup, so don’t worry.”

“Oh, uh, okay…”

Dad’s giving Shiroyama-san a kind look.

He seems to sense something. What is it…? It’s a bit intriguing, but it feels like something he doesn’t want me to pry into.

For now, I finished eating as Dad suggested.

“Shiroyama-san, come to my room when you’re ready.”

“Oh, yes!”

She suddenly seems less energetic…

Hopefully, it’s just my imagination. Talking about accessories will probably cheer her up.

♣♣♣

Back in my room, I did some light cleaning.

The past month or so, I’ve been busy with the bakery job and final exams, so I haven’t cleaned my room.

Light cleaning… well, honestly, it’s just moving stuff off the floor. It should be fine for Shiroyama-san to come in… maybe… I don’t know.

Himari or Enomoto-san would be okay with this level, but I’m not sure if Shiroyama-san’s that comfortable… Ugh, why am I getting nervous now? Overthinking much? Whether my room’s clean or dirty, Shiroyama-san wouldn’t care.

“But accessory training, huh? What does she want to do specifically?”

We’ve done camp-like stuff at Himari’s house before.

But that was just them giving me a space to focus on making accessories, not discussing completion or finished products with Himari and the others.

I’ve swapped opinions on finished accessories with Tenma-kun and Sanae-san, but I’ve never made accessories together with them. …Imagining it sounds kinda fun. I’d love to try it sometime.

While I was thinking, I heard footsteps coming up the stairs. Looks like Shiroyama-san’s done with her bath.

Then, my door was knocked on.

“Yuu-senpai! Can I come in!?”

Huh? She sounds energetic again.

Good. Maybe it was my imagination… or she was just tired earlier. She’s had a busy day too.

“Come in.”

When I called out, the door opened.

Shiroyama-san walked in… and I froze.

For some reason, Shiroyama-san was in her underwear.

I sputtered and quickly looked away. Even though her slip covered down to her waist, it was seriously bad for my eyes.

“Why!?”

“What’s that?”

“That outfit…”

Shiroyama-san tilted her head, genuinely confused.

“I mean, I wouldn’t sleep in a maid outfit…”

And you wouldn’t come to a guy’s room dressed like that!

I hurriedly opened my chest drawer and pulled out a relatively new hoodie. Without looking at Shiroyama-san, I held it out to her.

“Uh, is it okay if you wear my hoodie to sleep?”

“Oh! I’ll borrow it!”

Shiroyama-san laughed, “Man, it’s pretty cold!” as she pulled the hoodie over her head… Isn’t there something you should be more concerned about than the cold!?

This kid’s seriously reckless. Next chance I get, I’ll have Himari or Enomoto-san warn her… Wait, if I explain this situation, I’m the one who’s gonna get punished, aren’t I?

Shiroyama-san stretched out her arms. My hoodie, sized for a tall high school guy, was naturally too big for a short middle school girl. The sleeves were so long they folded over.

Maybe Saku-neesan’s clothes would be better? But if I go into her room without permission, she’ll kill me later…

While I was thinking, Shiroyama-san, for some reason, was happily rubbing the folded sleeves together with her palms.

She looked at me with a grin, seemingly impressed.

“Yuu-senpai’s is huge!”

“…”

Crap.

Isn’t this kid a bit too unguarded? Seeing her so happy wearing my hoodie makes me feel weird. No, not in a creepy way. Like a protective urge, or a “I’ve gotta look out for her” vibe. I get why Dad said, “Why don’t you become part of our family?” Is this what fatherhood feels like?

While I was getting all mushy, Shiroyama-san said enthusiastically,

“Alright, let’s do accessory training!”

“Oh, right…”

Getting all nervous by myself felt dumb, so I switched back to normal mode.

I offered Shiroyama-san a cushion, and we sat across from each other at the table.

“So, what specifically do you want to do? If it’s technical stuff, it’s probably better to talk while making accessories… Oh.”

Then it hit me.

…What about my accessory-making tools at Himari’s house?

Since summer break, I’ve been using their guest room like a workshop. Hibari-san got me some tools, but I’ve got a bunch of my own stuff there too.

I could just go get them, but… I broke up with Himari, and she said she’s quitting accessory stuff. That’s super awkward.

…More than that, I don’t want to face Hibari-san. What’s his stance on this? He’s always been way more supportive of me than Himari, but he’s not gonna be the same with the guy who made his little sister cry, right…?

(But it’s Hibari-san, so…!).

I can’t read him. He’s way too hard to read.

While I was groaning to myself, Shiroyama-san looked a bit weirded out. Like she was watching The Exorcist for the first time.

Embarrassed, I cleared my throat.

“Uh, so what do you think?”

“Oh, yes! Well…”

Shiroyama-san thought for a bit…

“I want to make rings like Yuu-senpai!”

“Rings? Alright, then…”

I opened the locked drawer of my desk.

Inside were a few accessory prototypes. Mostly stuff I didn’t finish because it wasn’t working out or felt off from my vision. I picked up a few relatively decent rings.

“The rings I make are mainly two types…”

One is resin rings, made by hardening resin.

You pour liquid resin into a mold and cure it with UV light. The process is simple—pour and cure—so beginners can pick up the knack pretty easily.

Shiroyama-san closely examined a transparent prototype ring.

“Himari-senpai’s choker has these, right?”

“Yeah. The advantage is that liquid resin gives you a lot of design flexibility. You can adjust size or thickness depending on the mold. Plus, you can play with colors and patterns, so it’s pretty fun once you get into it.”

Another trick I use a lot is embedding things in the resin. Like the nirinso flowers in Himari’s choker ring or the moonflowers in Enomoto-san’s bracelet.

That kind of customization is unique to resin accessories.

“So it’s versatile!”

“But there are downsides. They don’t last as long as metal ones. After about three years, they can discolor or degrade and melt.”

That’s why I was surprised Himari and Enomoto-san used theirs for so long. Still, if you looked closely, you could see they were slowly degrading.

“There’s also something called resin allergies. Some people’s skin reacts badly to it, so you need to check with clients beforehand.”

“Huh, got it…”

I placed a silver ring on the table.

“The other type is classic metal. I use silver, and the advantages are durability and coolness.”

Tenma-kun in Tokyo also focuses on silver rings.

But even with silver rings, the production process can vary.

“There are two ways to make metal rings. The one I use is called forging. Basically, you hammer the metal into shape. It’s a very ‘metal’ way of making them.”

“That’s cool!”

As expected of Shiroyama-san. She gets it.

Yeah, forging is cool. Hammering away gives you that “I’m making accessories!” vibe that lets you get lost in the moment. It’s one of my favorite parts.

“The advantage of forging is durability. Hammering removes impurities, making the metal denser and tougher. Silver’s relatively soft, so forging makes it less prone to degradation.”

“So what’s the downside?”

I crossed my arms and thought, “Hmm.”

“Probably the time it takes to master the technique and the initial cost. Getting the right tools is expensive. I only switched to forging after starting high school.”

For a hobby, you can get a basic starter set for about 10,000 yen these days.

But selling to clients is different. Specialized tools ensure stability and better quality.

Still, cheap tools break quickly. Makes sense—constantly hammering or torching them does damage.

“More than anything, it’s dangerous if you’re not used to it. If you want to try, I’d prefer you do it when me or your sister are around…”

“Is it really that tough?”

“Yeah. Since you’re shaping it by hand, you need tons of practice. But that’s true for all accessory-making. Any method takes time to master. Your fabric accessories must’ve taken a lot of effort to get to that level.”

“Being told that makes me shy…”

Shiroyama-san fiddled with the folded sleeves of my hoodie, tying and untying them. …That’s cute, but it’s my hoodie, so don’t tie it too tight, okay?

“The other way to make metal rings is the lost-wax technique.”

That’s what Tenma-kun in Tokyo uses. He’s made tons of original skull rings with it.

“Roughly, you make a wax mold of your design and send it to a professional. They cast the accessory based on your mold.”

“Wow, that’s convenient!”

“Compared to forging, it’s way easier. The initial hurdle is totally different.”

Having pros handle the finish ensures quality. Silver originals fail more often than they succeed at first.

“The advantages are stable quality, easy redesigns since you’re working with wax, and more design flexibility than forging because you pour metal into the mold.”

With forging, you’re kinda stuck with simpler shapes.

Since my focus is flowers, simple rings work for me, but it’s a trade-off.

“Are there downsides to lost-wax?”

“Generally, it’s less durable than forging. Since the shape is set during casting, impurities get mixed in.”

That said, unless it’s a super thin design, it’s durable enough.

Overall, lost-wax is a lower hurdle for first-time original accessories.

“But neither is something you can jump into right away. I’ve got forging tools, but like I said, they’re dangerous for beginners. Lost-wax takes time to get finished products back.”

What we need here isn’t prototypes or explanations. It’s letting her experience the fun of ring-making instantly.

“Oh, right.”

I pulled a cardboard box of accessory parts from the bottom of my closet. From it, I took out a silver package.

“Let’s use this.”

“What’s that?”

Shiroyama-san picked it up.

It read Art Clay Silver.

“This is silver clay. Exactly what it sounds like—a material for silver accessories you can shape like clay.”

“Clay? What’s that mean?”

I opened the package.

At first glance, it feels like white paper clay.

I tore off a piece and handed it to Shiroyama-san. She starts kneading it as if it were clay.

“It really feels like clay, huh. This is gonna turn into silver accessories?”

“Of course, it’s not a perfect silver accessory, but it’s something very close to it. As an introduction to silver accessories, it’s incredibly excellent.”

The process involves shaping this silver clay into a desired design and letting it dry. Then, it’s fired using a household gas stove or similar. After that, polishing the surface with a file or brush completes the homemade silver accessory.

“If it’s something simple, Shiroyama-san, you could probably make it in about an hour.”

“Whoa, that’s awesome!”

No special tools or outsourcing to professionals are needed; it can all be done at home. In that sense, compared to the two techniques mentioned earlier, the barrier is considerably lower. The price is affordable too, and nowadays, starter kits are available on major online shopping sites.

I placed a ring I had previously made with this silver clay on the table.

“This is the finished product.”

“It’s like something from the Kewpie 3-Minute Cooking show…”

Shiroyama-san picked it up.

It wasn’t the white clay in front of us but a glossy silver ring, shining brilliantly. As she slipped it onto her finger, Shiroyama-san let out an amazed “Ha~.”

“This is amazing! Is this really made from that clay?”

“When you polish it after firing, it turns into a beautiful silver surface like this. If you tap it with a pen or something, it makes a proper metallic sound. It’s kind of mysterious, right?”

Since it starts as clay-like material, you can add natural stones or create your own unique patterns. It’s highly flexible, allowing you to experiment with all sorts of designs.

“Wait, but you said it’s something close to a silver accessory, right? What does that mean?”

“Compared to items made with forging or lost-wax techniques, its durability is significantly lower. It can bend under strong impact. Since it’s originally clay, that’s unavoidable, but with a ring, it might even dig into your finger.”

Shiroyama-san shuddered with a small “Hii.”

“That’s kinda scary…”

“Well, you don’t necessarily have to wear it. You can attach it to a bag or something. For now, I’d recommend enjoying the process of making silver clay accessories as an introduction to crafting.”

After finishing the explanation, we decided to start making something.

Shiroyama-san and I split the clay in half and began making simple rings. Shiroyama-san was thrilled, kneading the clay with the joy of a child who just got their hands on clay for the first time.

I wrapped the silver clay thickly around a ring gauge rod—also called an iron mandrel or core rod, a long, gently cylindrical iron stick. Wetting the overlapping parts with water makes them stick together, just like paper clay. Shaving off excess clay creates the base of the ring. Carving patterns with a cutter takes some skill, but… with Shiroyama-san’s dexterity, she’ll probably master it in no time.

(…Man, Shiroyama-san really is amazing.)

Shiroyama-san stared intently at the ring, never breaking her focus.

Not only is she skillful enough to complete the ring’s base quickly, but her concentration is incredible. Just moments ago, she was casually listening to my explanation, but now she’s fully in creator mode.

(I can’t let her outdo me.)

Now, what should I make?

It’s been a while since I worked with silver clay, so I want to make something a bit intricate. When deciding on a design, it’s best to start with a theme. Of course, the theme is the person I want to give this ring to…

“…Huh?”

That’s when I realized something.

—I couldn’t think of anything.

This isn’t good. I’m not focused enough.

I tried again to think of the person I wanted to give the ring to. But nothing came to mind. Until now, whenever I worked on accessories, someone always came to mind right away…

(…Oh.)

It’s Himari.

All this time, I’ve been making accessories for Himari. With Himari as my exclusive model, I designed accessories with a gender-neutral, refreshing image in mind.

There were times I made accessories for Enomoto-san as a model or custom pieces for schoolmates, but at the core, they were always for Himari.

But Himari is no longer here.

With Himari, the center of my accessories, gone, it feels like an empty void is all that’s left.

Come to think of it, who am I making accessories for now?

Last night, Saku-neesan told me to think about it, but I didn’t find an answer. That question rears its head again, like a snake raising its neck.

—Do I even have a real reason to want to make accessories?

It all started back in elementary school.

I wanted to give something to the girl I had a first crush on, someone I met only once, and that led me to flower accessories.

Then I met Himari… and started making accessories for her.

But I went down a different path from Himari.

(…What was I even aiming for, trampling on Himari’s feelings like that?)

A sudden chill ran through me.

Meeting Tenma-kun and the others in Tokyo… I thought their goals were my goals. I found ways to move forward, little by little. But where does that lead?

Where was the light illuminating my path trying to take me? The vague issue I’d brushed off until now finally took shape, looming before me.

Summer vacation.

Kureha-san made me realize my own immaturity.

I swore to become a strong creator, one who wouldn’t lose to Kureha-san or anyone else.

Then I met Tenma-kun and the others, and I wanted to walk the same path as them. I thought that path would lead to the strong creator I aimed to be.

But that wasn’t the future Himari wanted.

I wished to pursue my ideals, even if it meant parting ways with Himari. That’s why I refused when Himari said she wanted to return to “you.”

But without Himari, I no longer know why I’m making accessories.

What do I need to make accessories for to become a strong creator like Tenma-kun and the others?

It suddenly felt like the ground beneath me turned pitch black.

The light at my feet went out, and I felt like I was thrown into darkness, alone.

(…What did I want to become?)

During my part-time job at the patisserie the other day, I felt like I was on the verge of grasping something.

“Enomoto-san, I was thinking something stupid—”

What was I about to say to Enomoto-san back then…?

My thoughts wouldn’t come together.

I couldn’t focus.

In the end, was I just trying to hold on to Himari through accessories?

It felt like a mere six-month romance was negating my three years of effort.

Was everything I’ve done until now meaningless?

The moment those dark thoughts threatened to engulf my mind—

“Yuu-senpai!”

“…!”

Shiroyama-san’s voice snapped me back to reality.

Startled, I looked at her, and she was shaking my shoulder with a curious expression.

“I finished shaping the silver clay, but what’s wrong?”

“Oh, uh…”

I forced a smile to brush it off.

I took the ring Shiroyama-san had shaped from the silver clay and examined it. On the side of the thick, simple ring, she had carved “MEI” with a fine design knife. It seemed she’d considered how it would be polished after firing. Her ability to naturally think ahead to the next steps must come from her calm, observant nature.

“Impressive. It doesn’t even look like your first try. I’ll grab the cassette stove from the living room downstairs, and we can fire it.”

“Yes! I’m having so much fun…”

Suddenly, Shiroyama-san tugged at my sleeve.

“Yuu-senpai.”

“W-What?”

Then, out of nowhere, she started ruffling my hair vigorously.

“There, there. It’s gonna be okay~”

“Huh? What’s this? What’s going on?”

Shiroyama-san puffed out her chest with a smug grin.

“Well~ I just thought you were kinda down, Yuu-senpai.”

“Down?”

“My big sis says, ‘Whoa, that guy’s totally in a downer spiral, yikes.’ You’ve been out of it all day.”

“That’s pretty yikes…”

…Apparently, she’d completely seen through my mental state.

Or maybe it’s because Shiroyama-san’s intuition is so sharp. Either way, when I stopped resisting, she kept patting my head and said,

“When I’m feeling down at school, my big sis does this for me.”

“I see…”

“It’s a bit embarrassing, but it’s super calming.”

“…”

Shiroyama-san’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she gave a shy chuckle.

“Himari-senpai’s gonna be fine.”

“…!”

It was like she’d peered right into my heart.

But strangely, it didn’t feel unpleasant… maybe because it was Shiroyama-san. Somehow, I got the sense that putting up a front with her would be pointless.

Maybe it’s her natural sharpness, or the camaraderie from knowing she’s as serious about accessories as I am. Even words of comfort that I’d normally brush off felt like something I could accept sincerely.

“Nobody can keep running forever. You’re just taking a little break right now. You’ll bounce back in no time.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Hmm. Just a hunch… I guess?”

“A hunch, huh?”

Her refusal to overcomplicate things with logic actually felt reassuring to me.

“There’s no way your three years were a waste, Yuu-senpai. Your passion definitely reached Himari-senpai.”

Shiroyama-san said this and clenched her fist encouragingly.

“After all, it’s because I saw your accessories that I started working hard on them too. Sure, Himari-senpai was the trigger, but I don’t think your passion is a lie. I genuinely love your accessories, which is why I want to work hard alongside you.”

And then she gave me a push forward.

“So what you need to do isn’t to look back and stop in your tracks.”

“…”

Her straightforward gaze made my body tremble.

I thought I was such an idiot.

Just one heartbreak.

How could losing a six-month romance make me try to negate my three years of effort?

Himari’s going to be fine.

For some reason, Shiroyama-san’s words felt like a strong push forward.

What I need to do isn’t to dwell on the past and regret.

Saku-neesan said it too. Even if our paths never cross again, it’s not the end. I should use that experience as fuel to shape myself as a creator.

Even if we walk different paths, I should polish myself until the light I hold up can reach others.

From the very beginning, I wanted to be someone who could deliver passion to others.

I wanted to be someone who could encapsulate intense, life-changing emotions in a tiny accessory.

—That must be the answer to the “strong creator” I admired.

Feeling pathetic, I gave a wry smile.

“At this rate, I don’t know who’s the master here…”

“Haha, I’m not one to talk big either.”

“No, that’s not true.”

It’s not true.

Because you actually saved me.

“Thank you. I feel like my heart’s cleared up a bit.”

Did I make a mistake?

Maybe I did.

Or perhaps holding Himari’s hand and fully embracing our love could’ve been one form of happiness.

But that alone wouldn’t be enough for me.

No matter how clumsy I’m called, no matter how much I’m blamed for being foolish.

I want to aim for the creator I idealized.

For that, all I can do now is take it one step at a time.