Chapter 178

It's quite abnormal, because ordinary work wouldn't drive someone to this extent—that's the only thing she was certain of.

"Hmm~ Haven't you heard about them?"

"What are you referring to? I do know that Kasumigaoka-senpai is the number one genius in Toyonosaki's history, who can top the class without studying. Sawamura-kun is not only the ace of the art club, but also a mixed-race heiress."

"Don't use honorifics, just use the same as before," Sakurakoji Talent corrected him intently, then added, "Besides these two identities, they do indeed have other identities outside of school."

"Oh, I see. What is that?" She relaxed a little after he corrected her.

"Senpai Utaha is the popular Light Novel author 'Kasumi Utako' with total sales of 500,000 volumes, and Sawamura-kun is the popular manga artist 'Kashiwagi Eri' Doujinshi in her spare time."

He paused, then added, "... If you want to know the specifics, you can search for it online yourself, but don't blame me later."

"By the way, you know about Light Novel and manga, right?"

"Sakurakoji-san," Kato Megumi looked directly at him with difficulty, her deep voice tinged with frustration, "Even I am not an idiot who knows nothing."

"Although my grades are average, I don't have any special talents, and I don't have many friends, nor do I want to make more friends... I have still heard these basic things."

"Oh, I see. I underestimated you, sorry." He wiped imaginary beads of sweat from his forehead, cleared his throat to ease the awkwardness, and said, "Anyway, that's how it is."

"So, you're creating Light Novel and manga now?" Kato Megumi asked curiously, looking at the various electronic devices in the room.

"Yes and no, to be precise, it's a visual text game. Have you heard of it?"

"Ah... Could it be one of those galgames from the otaku ACGN?" Kato Megumi tilted her head and guessed, the movement revealing a large portion of her fair and delicate collarbone.

"... More or less, though you can't exactly equate them, and ours is for all ages, but just think of it that way." He glanced at it a few times, then looked away.

Although he initially wanted to recreate the work exactly as it was written, after several setbacks, he's now unsure whether it can truly be considered a Gal (gal) work.

"I see," Kato Megumi said, seemingly understanding, her Hands clenching and unclenching on the sofa as she glanced at him hesitantly, "But it's a little strange."

What's strange about it?

"I understand that Kasumigaoka-senpai and the others are professionals in this field, but why is Sakurakoji-san with them?" she asked, voicing her doubts.

"Although I don't know much about the Okura Family or politics and business, I do know that Sakurakoji-san is a person of high social standing. Why would someone like that get involved in the production of otaku works?"

She slowly scanned the room, her gaze sweeping over Eriri Shiina Mashiro, and then Kasumigaoka Utaha's face, before recalling the maid from earlier. "And aren't all the girls in this room just too beautiful?"

"Ah, I didn't include myself in that, I'm aware of that."

"... No, Kato-san, you're very pretty too, definitely a beautiful girl. You can be more confident." Sakurakoji Talent twitched his eyelids and sighed.

Is he really that much of a Playboy? Even Kato Megumi she's only known for a short time, is starting to doubt him.

Does he look like someone who likes to have sex?

No matter how you look at it, he's the one being desired, isn't he?

"Eh, did what you just said mean that I'm also within your hunting range?" Kato Megumi's tone remained unchanged, but her body tensed slightly.

"Have I unknowingly walked into Sakurakoji-san's trap?"

"If you insist on thinking that way, it's not impossible." He looked her over with a teasing gaze, inching closer to her. "It's too late to run now."

Although the meanings are different, in a sense, what she said is not wrong.

His flawless, jade-like face magnified in her pupils, and she couldn't help but look away. "Um, if I shout here, will the other floors and residents hear me?"

"The soundproofing here is excellent, because it's a luxury apartment." His mischievous smile grew even bolder.

"What if we desperately run out of the room?"

"This entire apartment building is mine."

"Oh, I see. Then it seems there's no other way." Her delicate lips were slightly pursed, tinged with Sakura pink, her fingers constantly intertwining, her forehead lowered, her gaze flickering and drifting.

"Although I feel that an ordinary girl like me is not good enough for Sakurakoji-san, if it has to be that way, I hope that the first time can be gentle."

Chapter 226 Recruiting a Second Maid

"Maki you could have been a little more Shy when you said that..." He relaxed his brow, annoyed by her reaction, and sat back down helplessly. "Shouldn't you be yelling and cursing me as a beast at a time like this?"

"Your reaction is way too calm, isn't it?"

"Because there's really no other way, all escape routes are blocked." Seeing that he was indeed joking, Kato Megumi breathed a slight sigh of relief.

But a lingering sense of loss also settled in her heart, as if she had missed something. If that hadn't happened, she probably would never have had any contact with him in her entire life.

"Besides, I was the one who agreed to come here, so if something like that really happens, I also bear some responsibility."

"Hmm... I don't think your defenseless and self-reproachful way of thinking is very good," Sakurakoji Talent, crossing his legs and glancing at her briefly. "Since you know that, why did you agree to come with me? Is it because..."

"Tsk, sorry, I asked a stupid question. Forget about it."

He almost forgot that he wasn't an ordinary person. Even disregarding his charm and Kasumigaoka Utaha and the others, their first encounter was enough to make her lower her guard.

Normal thinking can be deadly!

"Now let's answer your other question," he changed the subject, "The reason I'm here is because I invested in and created this game."

"Is that so?" Kato Megumi's eyes widened in surprise, a surprise unlike anything she had shown before. She hadn't expected him to be interested in this as well.

"Is making this kind of game really that profitable? Does it require your personal involvement, Sakurakoji-san?"

She remembered that the person who had been very close to her earlier was the president of a company. Although she wasn't very familiar with the brand and had no idea about the company, she was certain that he was incredibly wealthy.

A game that someone as great as him personally oversees must be very profitable, right?

"No, it's probably not as profitable as you think." He shook his head in denial. "I only got involved because of my interest."

"Actually, like Senpai Utaha, I'm a Light Novel author. My novel, published a month ago, won the Best Newcomer Award and sold tens of thousands of copies."

"That's how I met Senpai Utaha, and through that, I got to know Sawamura-kun."

"I see, that's amazing!" Kato Megumi respectfully clasped her Hands together.

A Best Newcomer Award and tens of thousands of copies sold—I don't have a concrete idea of that, but it must be pretty impressive, right?

"So, Sakurakoji-san is also an otaku? Hmm—it's hard to connect the two." She tapped her chin with her slender, pale fingertips, her eyes lifting slightly. "But creators are probably different from ordinary otaku, right? Sorry, I'm not really sure."

"Well, for now. Because I've always wanted to tell a story in the form of a game, I asked them to help me." He explained the background, and then began to ask questions:

"Kato-san, what are your hobbies and interests?"

"There's nothing special about it. Like I said before, I'm really just an ordinary girl." She laughed emotionlessly, with a hint of bitterness in her voice.

At that moment, Aoyama Nanami also pushed in a food cart, which was loaded with a variety of Underground Street food.

She delivered the different snacks to Kasumigaoka Utaha in order, then placed a few more on the coffee table. She then softly asked Kato Megumi, "What kind of drink would you like, Miss Kato?"

"Hmm? I'm fine with anything, but if I could order, I'd prefer tea."

"I see."

Aoyama Nanami bent down slightly, turned around, and went to the kitchen to prepare drinks for them.

Each of them has different preferences. For example, Kasumigaoka Utaha often orders coffee, Eriri often orders Black tea and soda, Nishiyama Hideko will drink whatever is given to her, and the Talent Young Master prefers Green tea... However, sometimes they will change their tastes.

As a capable maid, she already knew all this information, including their favorite snacks!

After serving tea to everyone, Sakurakoji Talent blew on the steaming tea, took a sip, and continued talking to Kato Megumi: "Would you like to try joining us?"

At the same time, he glanced at Aoyama Nanami, who was confidently serving him to the side, and thought to himself that his performance just now was incredibly cool, and sighed inwardly.

While it's true he enjoys Green tea at tea parties, it's a bit much to serve him scalding hot tea right after he's come back from a long and tiring day without even asking his opinion...

At this point, it's time to grab a drink that's easy to drink and quench your thirst, or even just an ice- Happy Water!

And the drinks should be served before preparing the snacks, Nanami...

"It seems there's still a lot to learn," he gave her a meaningful look. She did well in most areas, but these details clearly need polishing.

"Joining means playing games with you guys, Sakurakoji-san?" Kato Megumi answered, then picked up a Donut, took a bite, and her dark eyes instantly lit up. "So delicious!"

"Did the maid make this? It's delicious!"

"That's one way to understand it." He also picked up a cream puff.

"But I don't know anything about it, and I don't understand the works in the otaku community. Even if I joined you, I'd probably just cause trouble." She quickly finished the Donut in her hand, picked up another one, and took a sip of tea.

"It's okay, I'll learn slowly." Sakurakoji Talent waved his hand dismissively. "Besides, you and Senpai Utaha are from the same school, so even if you can't participate in the actual production, you can still act as my supervisor."

"Supervisor?" She asked, her lips hidden behind her food, casting a questioning glance.

"Well, for now, all you have to do is tie them up—no, bring them here after school every day. How about that, simple, right?" A cunning smile with ill intent flickered in his handsome eyes.

Seeing this, Aoyama Nanami felt a chill in her arm and unconsciously touched it gently.

"That's alright, but why? Are the Kasumigaoka-senpai the type who don't show up for work on time?" She blinked in confusion, swallowing the crumbs she was chewing.

"There's no sign of that right now, but we can't rule out the possibility later. After all, creators are like that; they never know what their daily state will be like." He turned his gaze to the two people.

"It's possible that they'll become more lethargic as they get closer to the deadline."

Their delicate bodies trembled noticeably, and strange sounds like "gurgle~" and "plop~" could be faintly heard.

"Really? I don't quite understand," Kato Megumi said, still confused after his explanation. "But if it's just something this small, I think it should be fine."

"But is it really okay? Just doing such a small task, and you can just stay here and freeload?"

She glanced down at the exquisite and high-end pastries on the coffee table, which were completely different from the products from the bakeries she usually went to.

In addition to their delicious taste, it goes without saying that she understands their value (price).

She felt a little unworthy of such treatment for doing such simple work.

"Hmph~ You think this is too easy, don't you?" Sakurakoji Talent eyes narrowed slightly, a faint smile playing on her pinkish-white lips. "Then, how about you try something more challenging?"

"?"

He didn't keep her in suspense and quickly revealed the answer, looking at her with "deep affection" in his eyes. "Kato-san, are you short of money?"

"Um?"

"Ha?"

Aoyama Nanami, standing to the side, trembled slightly, her adorable ears twitching. Why did that sentence sound so familiar?

"If it's just normal spending, I'm not too short on cash. My allowance and New Year's money are enough..." Kato Megumi thought for a moment, "But if I could save up a little more, I could buy more expensive clothes and snacks, right? That would be very appealing..."

"I understand what you mean," he chuckled, adopting a more relaxed posture. "So, Kato-san, would you be interested in a part-time job? The hourly wage is quite high."

"Despite a bad feeling, at a time like this, shouldn't I listen out of politeness?"

"How could that be!" He chuckled and waved his hand forcefully, denying her doubts, but no matter how you looked at it, there was something fishy about it.

"See Nanami next to you?" He pointed to Aoyama Nanami.

"..." Aoyama Nanami's heart was struck as if by a heavy blow. His body swayed, and he let out a cry of grief. Just as he thought!

She could already imagine what he would say next; it would definitely be:

Are you interested in part-time maid services?

It must be this sentence!!!

"A maid?" Kato Megumi looked at Aoyama Nanami with a puzzled expression, then looked back at him after a while. "Although I've only seen maids in movies and TV shows, being a maid must be a highly specialized job, right?"

"I don't think I'd be suitable for the job either..."

Tsk, you're useless at everything, Kato-san.

Being this ordinary is truly a talent in itself!

You can't even handle being fed like this? I've never seen anyone like you with no talent other than your looks before!

If it weren't for his own long-term plans, he would have already hurled those words at her.

"It's okay. Nanami was just like you before... an ordinary high school student who only recently started working as a maid, and she's doing just as well." He touched his earlobe, his eyes looking a little forced.

Not only is Aoyama Nanami beautiful, but her learning ability and resilience are also outstanding. Comparing her to Kato Megumi feels a bit insulting.

"Is that so?" She looked at Aoyama Nanami.

Aoyama Nanami gave a weak smile and nodded with difficulty, "Mm."

"I see~ I'm relieved to see a senior like you here, but..."

"The hourly wage is this much," Sakurakoji Talent, seeing that she had more to say, he simply wrote a number on the paper and showed it to her.

This figure is lower than the one given to Aoyama Nanami. After all, Aoyama Nanami is capable and versatile, works long hours, and is a senior colleague and his Personal Maid, so it's impossible for her to be the same as him.

However, because a significant portion of Aoyama Nanami's salary was used to pay for school tuition, and her working hours on weekdays were only before and after classes, her actual take-home pay was not much.