Chapter 197

"Shouldn't a young lady like you greet someone with 'Greetings,' and end with 'wearing stockings'? Why don't you say it that way?"

Thinking of Toyokawa Shoko, this question naturally arose in her mind.

Although it's not a big deal, it's really hard not to ask.

"Hmph." His eyelashes fluttered, and he instantly understood who she was talking about.

"There are indeed some people with traditional education who do the former, but not everyone would say so. As for the latter... who told you that?"

"Someone I used to know, wasn't that right?"

"No, or rather, among all the people I know, I've never met anyone who would say that." He shook his head with a laugh.

"It's probably just that person's unique verbal tic, but if it were to be forced to become widespread, that would be quite scary."

The thought of the girls around him constantly talking about "stocking slips" made him grit his teeth. Couldn't they at least speak properly?

"I see." Shiina Rikki opened his eyes slightly, clearly impressed.

Hearing his mockery of that person, her mood improved somewhat, and she even found him a little more agreeable.

After sitting for a while, they said Toyama Kasumi and the others and left the coffee shop.

"I'd like to check out the equipment and record section over there. Are you interested?" Hachiman Kairin's eyes lit up, eager to get started.

"Although there's nothing I really want to buy, I'll go with you to take a look." Shiina Rikki crossed her Hands and leaned to one side.

Hachiman Kairin nodded, looking at him.

"I understand, let's go together."

Even though he doesn't play in a band and doesn't really want to buy anything, and he listens to music online—he only uses CDs when he's in his home theater—it's still okay to watch some music online.

Walking among the large, bookshelf-like cabinets, Hachiman Kairin's gaze swept quickly over them, occasionally picking up something and holding it up to her body.

Although Shiina Rikki says she won't buy anything, she can't help but pick up and examine things closely when she sees something nice. That's probably the joy of being a musician.

"What would you like to buy, Hachiman?" he asked her.

"Today I want to check out the shoulder straps and strap locks first; I'm thinking of getting a new one."

"Ah~ Indeed, aside from musical instruments that aren't changed often, changing these small items can bring a sense of novelty." He nodded understandingly.

"Since Bass are quite heavy, it's better to choose a wider strap and a double-locking style, right?"

"How do you like this color and style? I think it would suit you very well."

"Which one?" She looked up from the cabinet and at him.

"..."

"..."

Half an hour later, at the entrance of RiNG.

"That's enough for today. Do you need me to send you home?"

"No!"

"Thank you for your kindness, but I'd like to continue browsing around the area. Thank you for accompanying me in choosing things today."

You're welcome. See you next time.

He waved goodbye to the two men with differing attitudes and walked indifferently toward a luxury black sedan parked on the street outside the square in front of the gate.

After getting on the bus, he waited until the bus was moving at a steady speed before changing his clothes.

Because our destination later isn't Sakura Mansion, but the apartment. The day isn't over yet, and there are still things to do.

"I'm back."

He wasn't entering a private room on the top floor, but that's precisely why someone would respond to his voice.

"Ah, welcome back, Young Master!" Aoyama Nanami, who hadn't yet left for self-training, immediately stood up to welcome him upon hearing his voice.

This was naturally the game development studio in the apartment, but besides her, there was another maid present at the moment.

"Welcome back, young Young Master."

Sakurakoji Talent looked in the direction of the voice and saw a young apprentice maid, dressed in Maid Outfit different from Aoyama Nanami's, but equally youthful, beautiful, and exceptionally cute, shyly greeting him.

Her Maid Outfit black and white, with white patterned fabric from the chest to the shoulders, an apron-like overcoat in the front, and bright white over-the-knee stockings below the dress that didn't reach her knees. The lace trim on the dress was also very cute.

Simply put, compared to the formal Maid Outfit worn by Aoyama Nanami, what she wore looked more like a maid café uniform meant to amuse people.

Although they both have the word "maid" in their names, the content is quite different...

He admired his masterpiece with great interest, nodding his chin frequently.

Not bad, not bad! This is much prettier than the traditional old-fashioned clothes from the Sakurakoji Family. This is how a young maid should dress!

Although the decision was made just the day before yesterday, he sent the pattern and dimensions to the tailor that very night, and it seems he rushed to finish it today so it would arrive in time.

What? You're asking how he knew the size?

Didn't he say that his eyes are like a ruler?

Like some characters in anime who have seen countless women, he also mastered this skill through countless practices and viewing (mostly pictures).

Moreover, he's not limited to superficial measurements like a woman's bust, waist, and hips; he can also roughly estimate a woman's leg circumference, arm circumference, and a man's shoulder width, leg length, and so on, with just a glance.

Just give me a number, and he can cut the fabric to the required length without even opening his eyes, relying solely on his touch.

"Hey, Megumi, your hairstyle looks great today, and your clothes suit you too. I'd give you a 90!" Sakurakoji Talent narrowed his eyes, revealing a sly smile that suggested he'd pulled off a prank.

It's decided; he'll design all the maid outfits himself from now on—if there are any other maids.

Wait! Since we've decided not to wear Sakurakoji Family anymore, how about we wear Aoyama Nanami's too...? He glanced meaningfully at Aoyama Nanami beside him, only looking away when she awkwardly shifted her body from side to side, her face slightly flushed.

The person who spoke to him was Kato Megumi, who had just started working two days ago. The reason why Aoyama Nanami hadn't left yet was to stay and train her.

Normally, after Aoyama Nanami brings Drinks and snacks to the group, she goes to an empty room to practice her vocals, and only reappears when she receives a summons.

However, despite calling it training, these past two days have mostly been about speedrunning games and cultivating her interest.

She couldn't get involved in other matters, and it seemed that Sakurakoji Talent didn't intend for her to participate in the internal work of the apartment complex.

"Um, that~" Kato Megumi shifted uncomfortably, twisting her arms and feeling a chill in her arms and below her.

Why don't I feel this sense of shame when my school uniform usually includes a short skirt?

Just changing clothes makes such a big difference; are uniforms really that magical?

To match the outfit and for convenience while working, she tied up her originally loose short hair, leaving only a short ponytail.

"Why is Aoyama -senpai's maid outfit different from mine?" She looked enviously at Aoyama Nanami's long Maid Outfit.

That one not only had an extremely long skirt that almost connected to the shoes, but also had very little exposed skin on the upper body, and its style was completely different from hers—it really looked like an authentic ancient Maid Outfit from a movie or TV series.

If she had worn that, she probably wouldn't have been so shy.

"Of course it's my interest, is that even a question? "Sakurakoji Talent's inner monologue.

But you can't really answer like that, what if you scare the child away?

"Actually, it's because there weren't any spare clothes in your size at the mansion. I had to have someone buy a few sets from nearby, but it seems like this style is all the rage on the market lately, so there's nothing I can do."

He pretended not to understand and looked at her with feigned confusion. "Isn't that the situation outside?"

"Th-that was..." Kato Megumi recalled her memories.

Indeed, this style of clothing can often be seen on restaurant staff soliciting customers on the street while shopping.

In the end, she had never actually seen any other maids before.

Could it be that this is actually quite normal and common? She couldn't help but think that.

"No, it seems there's no problem... I'm sorry, I was overthinking it." She pressed her skirt, which looked like it might float up at any moment, and bowed her head in apology.

"That's good. You can continue to follow Nanami and study hard."

"Yes, I will try my best!"

"Yes, I'm cheering you on!"

Aoyama Nanami took in all his nonsense, his gaze indifferent, gradually turning cold.

What? They don't have these in stock? Aren't these clothes made to order after taking measurements?

And this style is clearly the kind of embarrassing work uniform you see in cafes! It's designed to cater to modern men... This is clearly just your personal taste!

You're taking advantage of the fact that they're new here and don't know anything!

But she didn't dare expose him in public. She had just received punishment from her master a couple of days ago, and she didn't want to experience it again tonight.

Thinking of this, her cold expression vanished instantly, replaced by tightly pursed pink lips, trembling, watery eyes, and a flushed Shy face...

After exchanging a few words with the two women, he scanned the room and turned his curious gaze to the next victim.

"Senpai Utaha ~ What are you doing~"

He put down the two who were still playing games, crouched down behind Kasumigaoka Utaha who seemed to be working seriously but should have overheard their conversation, and whispered in her ear.

Chapter 251 Surprise Inspection and Guidance on Direction

Kasumigaoka Utaha trembled. The warmth by her ear, the familiar scent on her nose, the gentle and magnetic voice like an ASMR, and the itching sensation from the hair that wasn't her own... all made her head spin.

The emotions in his pupils were instantly confused, and his fingers unconsciously pressed hard on the Keyboard, drawing a long, endless blank line on the document on the screen.

Sakurakoji Talent naturally inhaled the pleasant fragrance emanating from her, his expression calm.

Hmm, it smells a little different from the first time, but it's also familiar. Looks like I'm using the skincare products he gave me.

Compared to the simple, refreshing scent of skincare products, her body odor was much more complex, likely a mixture of perfume, shampoo, facial cleanser... and perhaps even her natural body scent?

In short, it smells great, he likes it a lot—he has an urge to kiss it right now and kiss it.

He slipped his hand over her shoulder, lifted her soft, white hands that were hovering over the Keyboard, and gently placed them on the table, stopping her rampage against the computer.

But even after being stopped, he didn't remove his hand; instead, he continued to exchange body temperatures.

Why are you so agitated? Am I that scary?

"No, it's not scary. How could Talent-kun be scary?" Kasumigaoka Utaha, her ears burning red, without daring to turn her head.

"Really? That's good. Now tell me, what were you doing just now?" As he spoke, he spread her ten fingers on the table and then grasped them through the gap above.

"Ugh!" Feeling his movements, Kasumigaoka Utaha let out a soft sob, barely managing to compose herself. "N-nothing, I was just revising the script."

"Really? You're not lying to me? You'll be punished if you lie to me, you know?" He stroked her slender hand, warning her.

"I never lied to you!"

"Hmm~ Oh, I thought you were eavesdropping on our conversation." He whispered in her ear, guessing, "Do you think my behavior of deceiving an innocent girl is extremely awful and cunning?"

"That's not true! I don't think Talent-kun is a vulgar person at all!" Distracted by the breath in her ear, she subconsciously spoke her mind.

Even in this situation, she didn't forget to suppress her voice, scan the room, and constantly pay attention to the movements of the others, afraid that they would look over.

Fortunately, the sounds of the game and the music from their respective computers were enough to mask the commotion.

"Heh heh, is that so? So in Senpai Utaha's mind, I'm a very lewd person?" He gripped his hand slightly tighter.

"Ah no, that's..." Realizing she had misspoke, Kasumigaoka Utaha hurriedly tried to explain, her red eyes trembling.

"I won't listen! Besides, didn't you just say you were revising the script? And you said you weren't lying to me?"

"Ah..."

Knowing she had already self-destructed, Kasumigaoka Utaha leaned her head weakly on his shoulder, giving up on making excuses.

"In order to punish the child who lied, and to better emulate the image of myself in Senpai Utaha's mind, I have no choice but to..."

"What else can I do?" Kasumigaoka Utaha felt a sense of foreboding, but also a faint sense of anticipation.

This anxious and uneasy feeling in her heart was like an intoxicating drug, instantly causing her to lose the thinking and reaction abilities that she should have as the top history student at Toyonosaki High School.

"This is the only way!" Before proceeding, Sakurakoji Talent added, "Be careful to control your voice, okay?"

Controlling the sound? What is it that she needs to control?

Before she could figure out the answer, she felt a wet, soft touch on her earlobe, which almost made her scream.