Aoyama Nanami might not have known that he had come down from the top floor a few minutes earlier. He had happened to take in her anxious expressions and movements outside the glass wall.
"Hello, Miss Aoyama. Welcome."
Seeing that she was still somewhat surprised, Sakurakoji Talent spoke first.
"Sakurakoji-san, could you be..."
Although she had expected it, the instant she truly saw Sakurakoji Talent standing there, Aoyama Nanami's eyes widened and her expression completely froze. She had never imagined that the Young Master the maid had mentioned was actually Sakurakoji Talent.
Didn't that mean Sakurakoji-san was even more remarkable than she had thought?
She had long noticed that Sakurakoji Talent was mysterious and didn't seem like an ordinary person, but she had never expected him to be the young master of some great family. Was this some urban romance drama?
She suddenly had the strange sense of familiarity of being in trouble when a friend abruptly said he was done pretending, revealed that he was a billionaire, and casually solved her predicament.
"I am the owner of this apartment, as well as the interviewer conducting Miss Aoyama's interview today."
"Please don't be so reserved. Have a seat."
Sakurakoji Talent nodded, confirming her guess, and gestured for her to sit across from him.
"Oh, okay."
Just as I thought!
Aoyama Nanami wailed inwardly as she sat down nervously. The sofa was even softer and springier than she had expected, and the way it enveloped her body nearly made her cry out. Fortunately, she forcibly held it in.
"Don't be nervous, Miss Aoyama." Seeing that her expression was still stiff, Sakurakoji Talent reassured her.
"Although this is an interview, just as I said before, I believe you are fully qualified for this job. So the real purpose of today is simply for us to get acquainted."
"Put simply, it's just a formality."
"Huh? I've been hired?" Aoyama Nanami forgot her nervousness as the sudden good news diluted her unease, and she blurted out in surprise.
"Yes, provided you have no objections to the job or the compensation."
The sudden happy news made Aoyama Nanami beam with delight, her excitement plain to see. But soon, a different kind of conflict and unease surfaced.
"But is this really okay? Choosing me so casually?" After gritting her teeth and hesitating, she voiced her concerns.
"I know Sakurakoji-san wants to help me, but if I truly can't adapt to this job, please don't worry about my feelings. Just tell me directly!"
"I don't want you to worry so much because of me."
Her serious and competitive personality made her unwilling to take advantage of others. Especially something like forcing her way in through connections despite lacking the ability—she considered that shameful and refused to accept it.
Sakurakoji Talent watched her approvingly and nodded to himself. This aspect of her personality was quite likable as well. He smiled and replied,
"Of course. It isn't a particularly difficult job. There are some things you will need to learn, but I believe you can manage it."
"I don't unconditionally help every acquaintance either. I chose Miss Aoyama only because you truly are very suitable."
"Also, this is my family's head maid, Miss Yashiro Ichiyo. If there is anything you don't understand in the future, you can ask her at any time."
Sakurakoji Talent looked toward Yashiro Ichiyo, who was still standing by at the side, and introduced her.
Yashiro Ichiyo smiled and gave a slight bow in greeting. Aoyama Nanami hurriedly stood up and bowed in return.
"As for the compensation... please take a look at this." Sakurakoji Talent handed her several white sheets densely covered in black text.
"This is a preliminary employment contract. If you think everything is fine, just sign your name."
"Okay."
Aoyama Nanami carefully accepted it, laid it flat on the table in front of her, and began examining its contents.
While she carefully read through the terms on the paper, Yashiro Ichiyo poured her a cup of black tea.
"Thank you!" Aoyama Nanami quickly came to her senses and thanked her quietly.
Sakurakoji Talent took a sip of coffee. Although he preferred green tea, he did not dislike coffee either. Naturally, black coffee was out of the question—he simply could not drink it without sugar and milk.
Watching Aoyama Nanami's profile as she reviewed the contract, Sakurakoji Talent gave her another point in his mental evaluation. Her careful attitude toward everything deserved affirmation. It was clear she was not some Shiro-chan who could be easily fooled. Perhaps she had been burned by this sort of thing before; her expression was extremely serious.
Of course, he could have added some outrageous clauses to the contract and ensured Aoyama Nanami would not notice them, then worked her to the bone for free afterward and even manipulated her however he pleased... but there was no need for that. After all, he was no demon.
He did not care about this little bit of money.
As he inhaled the aroma of the coffee and absentmindedly considered his future plans, time quickly passed.
Aoyama Nanami read quickly. Perhaps because she did not want to take up too much of his time, she set down the documents in her hands after only a few minutes.
"Is this really okay, Sakurakoji-san? This compensation and these working hours..."
For who knew how many times, she asked the question again, looking at Sakurakoji Talent as if she wanted to say more.
It was not that the treatment was poor. On the contrary, it was far too good and overly favorable to her. Although Sakurakoji Talent had briefly told her about it before, the contract's terms were even more generous than she had imagined.
Not only would her working hours be based on her free time, but they would also help her transfer into Filia's vocal music department. Her tuition could be paid in installments by deducting a portion from her monthly salary, and her food and lodging would be fully covered.
Even after deducting the tuition portion, the salary she would receive each month would still be no less than the combined total of all her previous part-time jobs!
Taken as a whole, it far exceeded the average salary of ordinary office workers. The benefits were frighteningly good.
This made her uneasy. What kind of job was this, exactly? They were not going to make her sell prohibited goods, were they?
The contract only vaguely stated that her job involved completing tasks requested by her employer, with no limits on the content. She could refuse anything especially inappropriate, and there was no penalty for breach of contract. It probably was not anything too outrageous.
"Have you finished reading? Do you have any other questions? If not, sign it." Sakurakoji Talent rested his cheek on one hand and leaned against the cushion, signaling with his eyes.
"Ah, yes. I don't have any questions." Aoyama Nanami shook her head, pulled herself together, picked up the fountain pen beside her, and signed her name on the last page of the employment contract.
It would be far too foolish to reject and give up such a good job.
"If possible, I would like to start working right away, so I can earn an income as soon as possible. You know, my situation is a little..." Aoyama Nanami interlaced and tapped her fingers together, unable to hide her embarrassment.
"Mm, that's fine. You can look around and learn here today, and get used to the work you'll be doing later."
"Thank you very much! But what exactly will I be doing?"
"Hmm? Haven't I said?" Sakurakoji Talent thought about it and realized that he indeed had not. After taking the signed papers she handed him, he gestured with his palm toward Yashiro Ichiyo, who stood at the side.
"The same as her. From now on, you'll be her junior."
"?" At first, Aoyama Nanami did not understand what he meant. After taking a few seconds to figure it out, she immediately cried out in shock, "A maid?!"
Image: "Let me see what you're looking forward to," Location: "Images/1755000927-100446961-113715143.jpg"
Author: Thanks to Jiyou and Ruthless NaOH for the item donations.
Also, in case some readers did not see it yesterday, I'll say it again. I received feedback that the letter-to-readers chapters in the work-related section appeared after every update chapter. Since everyone should have already read them, I have now deleted the previous letters to avoid affecting the reading experience. If you have downloaded and cached the book, simply refresh the chapters once.
The Daily Life of Attracting Bees and Butterflies: Editorial Department Sends Congratulations
"Sakurakoji-san, you said my job would be the same as Miss Yashiro's, so does that mean..." Aoyama Nanami's eyelids twitched, and her entire expression became unnatural.
"Just as you think, dear." Sakurakoji Talent gave her a simple smile. "She is my family's head maid and now spends most of her time here. Your future job will be to assist her in handling some matters concerning this apartment."
"And whenever I need you, carry out certain tasks I assign to you."
"When necessary, become my Personal Maid."
A hint of teasing showed in Sakurakoji Talent's gentle gaze. "From now on, call me Young Master."
"You're kidding?!" Aoyama Nanami held her head in both hands, her face full of anguish.
She had never imagined it would be this kind of job! What the heck was with being a maid? Whenever she heard those two words, she thought of the female employees at street-side cafes wearing those embarrassing Maid Outfits!
She had once considered working at one herself, but her inner resistance and embarrassment had made her back away from the idea.
Thinking that she would have to go to work in that outfit every day from now on—this was practically a public execution!
Besides, what era was this? Did maids really still exist?
Aoyama Nanami looked at Sakurakoji Talent with mixed emotions, hoping he would change his mind, but the result was destined to disappoint her.
"Then that's settled. Ichiyo, measure her sizes later and prepare several Maid Outfits for her."
"Yes, Young Master."
Hearing the words Maid Outfit from Sakurakoji Talent's mouth made Aoyama Nanami feel even more embarrassed. Her smooth-skinned face flushed red, and her pearly teeth trembled as they bit down on her lower lip.
She wanted to refuse, but she did not know how to say it. This job was a little unusual, but it did not truly violate her bottom line. She could not possibly reject such a well-paying job just because she was embarrassed, not even wanting the money, could she? Life was not that easy.
Her throat bobbed as the hands clutching the hem of her school uniform tightened desperately. Aoyama Nanami forcibly suppressed the emotions about to burst out and made herself accept the reality.
A maid is a maid! It's not that big a deal!
After making her decision, Aoyama Nanami raised her tear-filled eyes, her gaze incomparably resolute.
Secretly admiring her bashful appearance, Sakurakoji Talent felt that she was even cuter than usual at that moment. Just as someone had once said, among all the beauties in the world, nothing compared to the shy charm of a young girl lowering her head!
Thanks for the treat, Sakurakoji Talent silently gave his approval.
"Gurgle, gurgle~"
In the quiet atmosphere, the faint sound stood out so sharply that all three began looking for its source, eventually finding the culprit.
Sakurakoji Talent's gaze toward Aoyama Nanami had become as gentle as that of a mother looking at her child, but that only made Aoyama Nanami want to die even more!
"Miss Aoyama, did you skip lunch today too?"
"...Um, yes. Sorry." Aoyama Nanami's already extremely bashful cheeks grew even redder, enough to rival a fully ripened apple.
Knowing that excuses were useless, she directly admitted the truth. Her eyes were lifeless as she stared at the floor like a dead fish, her head spinning slightly as she could not help wondering why the world had not exploded yet.
"That was my oversight."
Sakurakoji Talent truly thought so. He had only considered leaving the other party enough time to eat lunch, but had forgotten the cruel reality that the end of the month had just passed, and she simply had no money for lunch!
Poor girl, what kind of life had she been living before? A few traces of pity appeared in Sakurakoji Talent's eyes.
"Ichiyo, put the measurements aside for now. Take her to get something to eat immediately."
After Yashiro Ichiyo answered, she led the blank-faced Aoyama Nanami, who had already completely lost awareness of her surroundings, out of the room.
Sakurakoji Talent shook his head and walked toward the elevator. Before work, he still had time to rest for a while.
The day after successfully recruiting Aoyama Nanami, Sakurakoji Talent received an unfamiliar email.
At first, he assumed it was ordinary spam, but the sender's name did not look like it.
After opening and reading it, the slight confusion on his face turned into delight. He let out a long breath and felt utterly refreshed.
"Has it finally come?"
The sender was an editor from Fumikage Fantastic Bunko, congratulating him on the tremendous success of DanMachi's first volume.
Apparently, in just over a week, DanMachi's sales had exceeded fifty thousand copies. They had been urged to reprint it several times, online reviews were overwhelmingly positive, and the first volume was expected to surpass one hundred thousand copies in sales, placing him among bestselling authors!
This was still only because he was a new author. If he continued releasing sequels later or had it adapted into an anime, its sales and popularity could be expected to continue rising.
For a promising new bestselling author who had finally emerged, the bunko naturally could not treat him carelessly.
Thus, the bunko's editor had sent an email asking whether he had time to meet and get acquainted. The email address was the contact information he had provided when submitting the book, and it was the only way they knew to contact him.
Sakurakoji Talent naturally would not refuse such a request. Rather, this was exactly why he had done all these things.
After thinking briefly, Sakurakoji Talent sent a reply explaining when he was free and saying that he could go directly to the bunko's office, asking the other party to provide its specific address.
Although he had entrusted the previous matter to Yashiro Ichiyo, once he became familiar with them later, that should no longer be necessary. He could simply deal directly with the editor.
Email was not like real-time messaging software. Many people checked it only once a day, or even once every two or three days, so messages were not usually delivered very quickly.
However, Sakurakoji Talent received the other party's reply shortly afterward. It seemed they had left it running in the background to conveniently receive messages.
This reply was much simpler. After a polite greeting, it asked whether he was available today and directly included a line with the address at the end.
He considered his schedule for the day. Mm, there was nothing special. Sakurakoji Talent looked back at his phone, settled on a time, and sent it over.
Two minutes later, he received another reply saying they would be awaiting his arrival, and he did not respond again.
Just as he put down his phone, he recalled the editor saying that DanMachi had also become highly popular online, and he could not help feeling curious.
He opened his phone and began searching the browser for information related to DanMachi.
The related content could not compare to that of other similar titles. After all, only the first volume had been released, and he had not opened a personal account, so it naturally could not spark particularly intense discussion.
For the most part, there were only self-motivated bloggers sharing their thoughts about the book's writing and content after reading it, or illustrators and hobbyists praising the beautiful illustrations in DanMachi.
What attracted the most attention, naturally, was the fact that the author and illustrator used the same pen name.
Before you continue