Chapter 430 - Natsume Itsuki
Come to think of it, this was the third time I'd met 'her,' the one who had, for some reason, held a high opinion of me from the very beginning. And all three times had been in this very place.
"—Here you are."
"Thank you."
In the 'office' that was apparently used as a sort of hideout, this was the third time the maid had served me coffee. The only difference this time was that,
"Well then... shall we get to the reason for your visit?"
She—Natsume Itsuki—sat down across the desk from me.
I had only ever seen her standing in attendance to Togo-shi, so this was the first time I was seeing her sit so calmly. The way she settled in with such composure gave off a strange aura... or perhaps I was just intimidated because I was acutely aware of how weak my position was.
In any case, I had to steel myself.
"First of all... again, I apologize for summoning you so suddenly. Thank you for making time for me."
"Please, don't worry about it. Maids have a surprising amount of free time."
Just as she had when she'd replied to me earlier in the afternoon, the maid responded pleasantly, showing no sign of being bothered. To be honest, her composed demeanor was a little frightening right now.
There was no doubt I was the only one feeling intimidated, but it was a fact that out of everyone connected to Yotsuya, she was by far the hardest one to read.
"Fufu, you seem rather tense."
"...I confess, a little. Which means this is a matter worth being tense about."
"I see. In that case, I will also listen with the appropriate gravity."
Her gentle, unwavering smile, combined with the unreal nature of her maid uniform, created an intense pressure—No, don't flinch. You'll just end up shadowboxing alone again.
"This is about So... I mean, your young lady, Natsume-san."
"I imagine so. Also, please feel free to call her Sora. My young lady is a difficult child who pouts when she is called 'young lady.'"
"Ah, I see..."
"Furthermore, there's no need to be so tense around me. I don't know what Chitose-san might have told you, but I am just a beautiful and kind maid, you see."
"............"
Damn it.
This woman is even harder to get a read on than I thought.
"Well, then... to get straight to the point—"
"Before that, just one thing."
She wouldn't let me take the lead in the conversation, once again seizing the reins. She was serious, just as she'd said, and I didn't sense any trace of playfulness, but her presence felt... fluffy.
It was like trying to push on a curtain; completely futile.
"Please tell me, what is your 'position' in calling me here today?"
"My position?"
"Yes. Are you here as Haru, Sora's partner? Or are you here as Haru Kasuga, Sora's fiancé? My response will not change depending on your answer, so please feel free to speak your mind."
This is just for my own personal curiosity, she added, but it was a loaded question that was impossible to answer 'freely.'
For a moment, I hesitated about how to answer. But when I calmed down, I realized there was no need, reason, or meaning in overthinking it.
"I haven't thought about it. So, my answer is 'none in particular'."
The maid tilted her head, her dark eyes staring at me, her soft gaze prompting me to continue. Well, of course, she would, I thought.
"Partner, fiancé... though the latter is just a pretense. It's neither of those. At this point, I don't care about labels or named relationships anymore."
I was aware that I was about to say something embarrassing—but I would not hesitate. I'd decided to follow someone's example and be the 'me' that was needed.
"I just, as 'Haru,' have things I want to tell 'Sora.' Things I want to talk about. Things I want to confirm with her. I have apologies to make, questions to ask, promises to make... and many, many other things."
"............"
"My position doesn't matter. There are just things that I have to say to her."
Natsume-san stared at me, her expression terrifyingly blank. Her eyes didn't waver, her face didn't change; she just looked straight into my eyes—
"Kasuga-san."
"Yes."
When she spoke again, she was smiling for the first time.
"To be honest, I did not like you."
"...Yes."
I could think of countless reasons why. I nodded, taking it in, but contrary to her harsh words, Natsume-san just giggled.
"Please don't misunderstand. I was simply jealous of the 'knight in shining armor' who stole my dear Sora's heart. My feelings were basically, 'who the hell is this guy?'"
"Wha—... Y-yes."
"So, I had no particular feelings about you as a person. In other words, I had zero interest. That's my personal view, of course."
"...Uh,............"
Leaving me at a loss for how to react, the freewheeling maid continued her tirade.
"I trusted Sora's judgment of character... or rather, I trusted the people she grew attached to, so aside from my jealousy, I held no ill will. I even said something arrogant like, 'Your thorough risk management is a point in your favor,' so I did hold you in some regard."
"W-well, thank you..."
"But, that aside, I also thought you were a boring person."
Her beautiful smile stung.
"I mean that in a comparative sense. The 'Acrobat' I first saw was a much more fun-loving person."
"...You mean during the Four Pillar War?"
When I asked, Natsume-san nodded and let out a cheerful 'fufu.'
"It's embarrassing to admit, but I don't know much about the virtual world. You might think, 'What is she doing working for Yotsuya?' but it's just that I can't seem to get interested in it. I wouldn't know how to explain why even if you asked."
"I see..."
"However, even to my eyes—you at that time were captivating. I had high hopes, you know? I thought that perhaps this person could protect my precious young lady. That he would stand by her side, never losing that audacious smile... and take her hand."
Au-audacious...?
"But then I met you in the real world, and you were just an ordinary boy who was a little considerate. Forgive my bluntness, but I was honestly disappointed."
"..............................I have no excuse..."
"Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to apologize."
"Yes...?"
Honestly, I was completely lost now. Her conversational style was too free, proving that this maid truly was unparalleled among the Yotsuya affiliates—
"The you right now is quite... no, about eighty percent charming. You were cowering from reality, putting on a front, weren't you? Haru Kasuga-san."
—a maid who walked her own path.
"I said my response would not change depending on your answer, but I take it back. If this is the Haru-san I'm dealing with, then I see no need to be needlessly considerate either."
"Y-yes... Um, no... I mean............ Huh?"
"So, with that said, let's hear your request in detail. There is no need for you to hold back with me, Kasuga-san. Ask me anything."
"Even if you say 'anything'...
Just give me thirty seconds, seriously.
I had run through various scenarios before coming here, but I had never once predicted that this maid would cut loose and be this much of a free spirit.
I mean, yes, in a roundabout way, I did get the words I wanted to hear, but still...
"By the way, may I ask why you chose me? If it concerns Sora, the master would have been a more suitable choice than a maid who has barely interacted with you... or rather, I imagine he would have been easier for you to work with."
"Ah, well... as for that..."
That was precisely because of the words I wanted to hear—because she, who had said 'I do not like you,' was the most suitable person for the job.
"Because I thought you, Natsume-san, would absolutely never be on my side."
What I wanted wasn't support. I wanted my resolve to be judged, and then I wanted to receive 'absolution' from someone who was unequivocally on Sora's side and Sora's alone.
That's why it had to be Natsume Itsuki. When I explained my reasoning,
"Kasuga-san."
"Yes."
"As I thought, that side of you is far more charming."
"...I'm honored."
And the maid—who was both a sister and a mother to my precious partner—narrowed her eyes softly and offered a cheerful smile.