I Was Reincarnated as a Duke as a Matter of Course, So I Bought a Slave on a Whim and Now There’s No Turning Back - 6

Chapter 6: The Birth of a Mom-Type Maid

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Yes, two weeks had already passed since the wildly successful Naked Bonding Operation. Time passed without incident, and at the same time I was being chased around by studies in preparation for the Academy. Mother had even gone out of her way to hire a private tutor, but what on earth was this person even talking about?

Now, now, calm yourself. In times like this, it is written even in the Kojiki (Japanese chronicle of myths) that one should ask the beautiful girl beside you who looks far too perfect in a maid outfit.

“…Hey, Yuka, do you understand this?”

“Yes. If you listen properly, it’s understandable.”

That was rather harsh.

“…Don’t say that. Teach me.”

“I will teach you later. As much as you like.”

“Really? Thanks.”

“Yes.”

After the exchange, Yuka turned forward again and resumed listening to the lecture.

…She adapted fast. Maybe she had started opening her heart from that very first bath on the day she arrived, but in just two weeks, she had changed considerably. No, this was probably who she had been all along. She talked frequently with Mother and Moore, and I could clearly see the life returning to her eyes. I was nothing but happy about it but at the same time, I felt a little lonely thinking she might spread her wings and fly off somewhere beyond me.

Go on ahead without me! (internal dramatic sincerity)

Well, she had become a maid at the mansion, so apparently she would stay by my side for the time being. By the way, I wasn’t listening to the tutor at all. I didn’t understand him, and Yuka explained things much more clearly. And just like that, the lesson ended. If I didn’t physically hold my eyelids up with my hand, they felt ready to close.

“Luka-sama, are you alright?”

“…Yeah, I’m just a little sleepy.”

That was a lie. It wasn’t “a little,” so please let me dive into my bed.

It was still daytime, but I didn’t have anything else to do today. I had to get to my room before Mother found me. What would happen if Mother found me? I would die (I would not die).

“Fwaa~, I’m going to sleep.”

“No. I was told by Madam not to spoil Luka-sama.”

“Is a nap considered spoiling?”

“Yes.”

I see. You should try telling that to every salaryman in the world. You’d get erased.

“Besides, I said I would teach you the contents of the lesson.”

“It can wait. Why don’t you rest too, Yuka?”

“I am fine. Please wake up.”

“No! No!”

This was bad, I was so sleepy my ego was turning into a small animal…

Wah, look what I’ve become.

Jokes aside, I had to do something about this situation that felt like having two mothers.

“…Yuka, let’s sleep. We’ll get scolded together.”

“No.”

Wah!!

“No.”

The refusal did not change. Instant. Merciless.

“Wasn’t that response too fast?”

“A nap is spoiling.”

“Your values are too strict.”

Yuka crossed her arms and looked down at me steadily. She was still shorter than me, yet she had an intimidating presence.

“Luka-sama runs away too quickly.”

“I’m not running away. It’s a strategic retreat.”

“It is the same.”

I had no rebuttal to that.

“…Then I will propose conditions.”

“Oh? Negotiations?”

A faint light of hope appeared.

“We will review for one hour.”

“Okay.”

“After that, a thirty-minute break.”

“A nap?”

“You may close your eyes only.”

“Isn’t that a nap?”

Yuka paused for a moment, thinking.

“…It will be tacitly permitted.”

“Yes!”

When I made a small fist pump, Yuka sighed.

“…Is this truly acceptable?”

“What is?”

“That a mere slave interferes with her master’s actions.”

Oof. It seemed the “slave” part of her still lingered. I needed to spoil that out of existence immediately (sense of mission blossoming in me).

“It’s fine. And I told you, didn’t I? We’re equals.”

“…Is that so…”

“Yeah. More importantly, help me study. I want to sleep.”

When I turned back toward the desk, Yuka pulled the paper closer and placed her finger next to mine.

“Here.”

“Hm?”

Close. She closed the distance between us so nonchalantly. 

“This formula does not need to be memorized.”

“Wait, really?”

“Luka-sama has only fire affinity. This expansion assumes water affinity.”

“Let’s punch the tutor.”

“As a foundational theory, it is correct.”

“I see.”

Yuka continued explaining calmly. Her words were few, yet somehow they entered my head effortlessly.

…Ah, I see.

“Yuka.”

“Yes.”

“You’re way too good at teaching.”

“…I am but ordinary.”

The corner of her mouth relaxed just a little. And so, one hour passed. Miraculously, I endured without falling asleep. Several times a small animal version of myself tried to emerge, but in those moments I pinched my thigh hard enough to nearly tear it.

“…We are finished.”

“I survived…”

When I leaned back in my chair, my vision swayed slightly.

“Then, your break.”

“Finally…”

I collapsed forward onto the desk. The moment I closed my eyes, my consciousness melted away.

…How much time had passed?

“Luka-sama.”

“…Mm.”

A small voice echoed. When I tried to lift my head, it wouldn’t move.

“Thirty minutes have passed.”

“…Five more minutes…”

“No.”

And yet, as she said that, Yuka was gently supporting my head.

Soft.

“…There’s… a mom here…?”

“…Is that a compliment?”

“Probably…”

Before she could answer, my consciousness sank again. As everything faded, Yuka’s voice sounded just a little softer.

“…You really are hopeless.”

Was she angry? Exasperated? Or—

Well, whatever. At the very least, right now, Yuka was beside me.

And that was enough for today.

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