Kuonji Alice

Novas Etier, Seventh Floor, private bedroom.

The morning sunlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the room in a warm golden glow.

Higashino Makoto leaned against the headboard, holding a cup of black tea in his hand, his golden eyes half-closed.

Reisen left yesterday; her term has ended, and she's being replaced.

She didn't cry when she left, but her rabbit ears drooped the whole time.

He's probably going to cry afterwards, isn't he?

Knock knock knock.

A knock sounded on the door, three times, neither hurried nor slow.

Higashino Makoto did not get up.

"Come in."

The door was pushed open, with a certain unhurried rhythm.

The door hinges creaked softly, and sunlight streamed in through the cracks, casting a golden ribbon across the floor.

Then, a faint aroma, like that of black tea, wafted in.

Higashino Makoto looked up. A figure was standing in the doorway.

Slender limbs, pale skin, and cold, expressionless black pupils.

Her shoulder-length black hair, undyed of any other color, gleamed softly in the sunlight.

She was wearing a black long-sleeved top and black leggings, with black as the main color, which made her look solemn and aloof.

He was carrying a small, black leather suitcase with no decorations on it.

She stood there, elegant and serene, like a delicate doll.

But something was flickering slightly in those dark pupils.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto."

She spoke, her voice clear and calm, carrying a pure and ethereal quality unique to young girls.

"Kuonji Alice, from today onwards, will serve as your secretary. Please take good care of me."

She bowed slightly, her movements textbook perfect, but without any extra emotion.

Higashino Makoto looked at her, a hint of interest flashing in his golden eyes.

As a girl with no money, no connections, and no status, she was taciturn and as delicate as a doll.

What would it be like to have someone like that as a secretary?

"Come in."

Alice Kuonji straightened up and stepped into the room.

Her steps were light and quiet, without making a sound.

Black leggings accentuated her slender legs, while a black long-sleeved top covered most of her skin, revealing only a pair of pale hands.

She walked up to Higashino Makoto, stopped, and looked at him with her dark eyes.

Please give me your guidance.

She said it again.

Didn't you sleep well last night?

Higashino Makoto noticed the faint dark circles under her eyes.

Alice Kuonji's fingers twitched slightly.

She was packing her luggage yesterday and didn't get much sleep.

Alice Kuonji was silent for a moment.

"... I'll be careful."

Higashino Makoto looked at her for two seconds, then smiled.

"Very good, I like honest, good children."

I don't like lying either.

Alice Kuonji's tone was calm.

Higashino Makoto nodded, recalling one of her settings, and placed the teacup in his hand on the bedside table.

"Can you brew tea? I remember you like black tea."

"Meeting."

"Let's make a cup and try it."

Alice Kuonji walked to the table and took out a tea set from her suitcase.

It wasn't the tea set that Novas Etier used, but rather one that she commissioned to be designed herself.

The black ceramic teapot, black teacups, and black teaspoon are all adorned with elegant and intricate patterns, exuding an artistic feel at first glance.

She placed the teapot on the table, took a small tin can from her suitcase, opened it, and found it contained dark brown tea leaves.

The movements were fluid and graceful, without a single unnecessary element.

Hot water, warming the pot, adding tea leaves, pouring water, waiting—each step is executed with precision, like performing a ritual.

Higashino Makoto watched her make tea, a hint of appreciation flashing in his golden eyes; the girl's demeanor was pleasing to the eye.

The doll-like girl stood there quietly, elegant, reserved, and serene; just looking at her was a pleasure.

Please use it.

Alice Kuonji placed the teacup in front of him.

Higashino Makoto took the teacup, took a sip, and found the black tea to be at the perfect temperature, with a subtle fruity aroma and a hint of honey sweetness. It was arguably one of the best teas he had ever tasted.

"It's good, very delicious."

"Thank you for the compliment."

Higashino Makoto put down his teacup.

"Alice Kuonji, remember to make me a cup of tea every day from now on."

"Good."

"Also, wearing a maid outfit."

Alice Kuonji's fingers paused for a moment.

Her black pupils stared at him, her expression still blank, but Higashino Makoto noticed that her eyelashes trembled slightly.

"Okay, but... why?"

"Because it looks good, I think you would look great in a maid outfit."

Alice Kuonji was silent for a moment, then nodded with a barely perceptible gesture.

"... good."

Higashino Makoto's lips curled up slightly.

Teasing such a doll-like girl is indeed very interesting; she doesn't blush, doesn't panic, and doesn't say things like "You're too mean."

She would only remain silent, and then say okay, but that silence itself was a response.

"Alice Kuonji, have you ever worn a maid outfit before?"

"No."

"Do you need me to prepare that for you?"

"No need, I have my own."

Higashino Makoto raised an eyebrow.

"You have a maid outfit?"

Alice Kuonji lowered her head and looked at her hands.

"... prepared before, but never worn."

Higashino Makoto was somewhat interested in this.

Why prepare this?

Rumors circulated that Higashino Makoto was a maid enthusiast, as Novas Etier had previously claimed.

Of course, she wouldn't say that.

"... nice."

Higashino Makoto looked at her for two seconds.

Then he laughed from the bottom of his heart.

"That's true, you'll definitely look good in it."

In the afternoon, in Higashino Makoto's study.

Sunlight streamed in through the window, illuminating the entire room.

Higashino Makoto leaned back in his armchair, holding a book on magic theory borrowed from the library, his eyes scanning the densely packed text.

Alice Kuonji sat beside him, holding a cup of tea in her hands, her long black hair hanging down her shoulders, her face expressionless.

She had already changed into a maid outfit.

A black dress, a white apron, a white bow at the neckline, and a white headband.

The skirt hem reached her knees, revealing her slender calves and black over-the-knee socks.

She stood there, like a delicate doll.

No, she should be described as a young lady dressed as a maid.

"Alice Kuonji, you look great in a maid outfit."

"... Thanks."

"But you don't look like a maid."

"... Like what?"

"Like a young lady dressed as a maid."

Alice Kuonji was silent for a moment.

"... I was born a young lady."

"I know, that's why it's funny when you wear a maid outfit."

Alice Kuonji remained silent.

Her fingers lightly rubbed against the handle of the teacup, and she lowered her head so that no one could see her expression.

There was a knock on the door.

Three strokes, neither hurried nor slow.

"Come in."

The door was pushed open, Rem walked in, her blue eyes looking at Higashino Makoto, then at Alice Kuonji, before lowering her head.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto, dinner is ready."

"Knew."

"And... my sister said the new secretary looks really cute, like a doll."

Higashino Makoto glanced at Alice Kuonji.

Alice Kuonji's expression remained unchanged.

That guy even knows how to compliment people, could it be that he's taken a liking to Alice Kuonji's black tea?

"... I see."

Rem bowed slightly, then turned and walked out of the room, the door closing behind her.

Higashino Makoto put down his book.

"Alice Kuonji, could you teach Rem and the others how to make your black tea?"

Alice Kuonji thought about it for a moment and did not refuse.

"Able."

"Then starting tomorrow, you will teach them how to make tea."

"... good."

Higashino Makoto stood up, walked up to her, and looked down at her.

It really looks great! I have great taste.

Alice Kuonji raised her head, her dark pupils looking at him.

Higashino Makoto reached out and gently patted her head.

Alice Kuonji didn't dodge; her body stiffened slightly for a moment, then relaxed.

"Let's go get something to eat."

"Yes."

The two left the study and walked into the corridor.

Alice Kuonji walked half a step behind him, her steps light and quiet, her black maid outfit gleaming softly in the sunset.