Living Normally In An Abnormal World - Chapter 37.1: After the Competition

Chapter 37.1: After the Competition

 “Ara~, It’s a problem for me if you just stay quiet. I already figured out that you’re a man’.”

 Hanaka-san put something on her right hand. It’s the same thing that’s on my left hand now.

At one glance, it’s clear as day. Those are handcuffs.

My thoughts stopped abruptly due to the sudden development. I know that I can’t easily escape from my current situation.

 Since I couldn’t escape, there was no point in lying.

“Yes, I’m a man. As for why I was a maid earlier, it’s because Yaya-sama asked me to come to today’s competition. That’s why, I decided to be a maid for this competition and only stand by her side to not let unnecessary attention come to me.”

“Quite interesting. Well you’re decision is indeed good and right. But you probably don’t know. The kind of person the Yaya-chan I know is. Or do you?”

“No.”

“Yaya-san is known as the missing girl among the maids. That’s because she goes somewhere in an instant, regardless of whether you take your eyes off her or not. But it’s weird, today, even when she still wanders, she always seems to be still by your side. That I’ve already confirmed numerous times..”

 She spoke calmly.

 Now that I think about it, she did turn around to check on me several times.

 Indeed, if I knew about Yaya-chan, I would have found that unnatural.

 I did not account for that.

“To begin with, I suspected something was up when I met you in Auntie’s private room. You’re a maid that only started working recently as Yaya-chan’s attendant, it was impossible for you to even stay at a private room, even more, Auntie’s private room. So, I thought you were someone special. Well, there are various other factors too that I noticed that led me to such conclusions, but that’s enough. Now, Yuu… or should I say, Kinoshita Yuuto-sama?”

“For you to even know my name, I’m quite shocked. So? What do you plan on doing now that you’ve caught me?”

“You’re handcuffed, here alone with me. You can’t even run away. What do you think I will do to you?”

“That’s true. I can still feel myself being chained to you with this handcuffs.”

“It’s good that you understand.”

Even if I try to get away from her, I won’t be able to because of the handcuffs. Well, even if I do move, she can just pull me instantly with the handcuffs.

“Fufufu~, Yuuto-sama. Ever since the first time I saw you, I’ve set my eyes on making you mine.”

“Please calm down. This is wrong, a misunderstanding, a mistake that you are about to commit on a whim.”

“It’s fine. I am sure of what I am doing. It is not wrong.”

This is bad, I clearly can’t have a calm conversation with her.

Damn it. At this rate, my chastity is in danger.

Even with the slightest movement on my side, she’ll most likely react to it. If she catches me reaching to my jacket to pull out something, I’m done. At this distance, even if I am able to use the stun gun I stored on my jacket, she probably will have a chance at countering me.

But, I can[‘t stall time as I am not sure if someone will even come to help me. 

Well, it is what it is.

“Now, now. Please let me enjoy your back!”

Eh? Back?

“You’re taller than me, with a broad and muscular back, and even through your clothes, I can see those finely-shaped lines! Even through photos, that sense of security always made my heart flutter! And your sexy, beautiful skin, glistening with sweat, oil, and the sunlight, made me excited over and over again! I’ve been staring at your suit from behind all day. I wanted to hug and caress your back at least once, and taste it! I’ll pay any amount you ask for, so please, please let me hug your back!”

Ah… I don’t understand what she’s talking about.

But the only thing that I am sure of is that… She has a back fetish or something?

Basically, uhm? I was afraid of losing my chastity, but her actual aim was my back. Was it all a misunderstanding on my side?

And while thinking about that, I said,

“If you just asked normally, I could’ve let you do so.”

“Auh!”

I flicked her forehead with a sigh of exasperation.

“That hurts.”

She, while mending to her forehead, looked at me with teary eyes.

If it was the usual me, I would’ve instantly apologized for what I just did, but this time it wasn’t so easy. I was really afraid of what will happen with my chastity, you know?  I wanted her to know that this was to be expected as a payback for what she did or made me feel.

“Ugh, and you even handcuffed me for such reasons.”

“Well! If you were to run away it would be a big problem for me!”

“There’s always a limit to something, you know?!”

I’ve been speaking to Hanaka-san in a formal way because she’s an esteemed young lady, But that’s done, I’ll just speak bluntly to her from now on.

“Are you okay with this? The 2nd most noble family in the whole world, the Yamazaki family’s lady, were about to force something on a boy? This probably won’t be perceived as just a joke.”

“But if I miss this chance, I don’t know when I’ll see you again. House rule number one, get close to any man you’re interested in.”

“That’s not my problem. But for now, will you take off the handcuffs since I won’t run away?”

“I understand.”

 She takes out a key and unlocks the handcuffs. The sense of relief I feel after being released from the handcuffs, which were only on for a few minutes, is still overwhelming.

 Or rather, it’s nice that she took them off, but is it really okay for her to just take them off without much of a fuss? She did start it.

 Well, for me it’s a good thing.

“Now, please let me enjoy your back!”

“Nope, impossible.”

“Why?!”

“If you thought I would let you do such a thing even though we just met for the first time, you are largely mistaken!”

I’m not a bitch!

Here I thought she was a cool and aloof girl like Asuka, but she was actually a very expressive girl. Well not like I care about that.

“That’s… No way…”

I’m a bit guilty for making her feel down, but today I came here for Yaya-chan. She’s probably already mad by now, I can’t make her wait any more than this.

I’m sorry, but I’m here for Yaya-chan. I’m definitely angry, and I don’t want to keep you waiting any longer.

“Ah, wait a minute. Didn’t you say you wouldn’t run away?”

“I’m not running away, I’m leaving.”

 As I walked, she stopped in her tracks,

“Name your price. How much will it take for you to let me feel it?”

 This time it’s money, huh?

 I stopped walking, too,

“I don’t need it, I have enough.”

 and started walking again.

“Wait, wait! I can pay any amount! I can offer you enough to live a life of luxury, and it’s not a lie! Wait, I…… Kya!”

 She probably didn’t think she’d be turned down. And she fell as she tried to stop me from walking away.

I guess I’ll just turn around and see how she’s looking and continue on my way.

“…!”

 She’s holding her foot, which seems to be sprained.

 …

“Hm?”

 I squat down in front of her and turn my back to her.

“What’s that?”

“I’ll give you a piggyback ride.”

“A piggyback ride, what’s that?”

“Have you never had one?”

“No.”

“It’s carrying someone on your back.”

“Eh, but just now”

“Just accept it before I change my mind. Else I’ll just leave you here.”

“Thank you.”

 I give her a piggyback ride. And I start walking.

 I really am… Why do I always end up doing things that I know will be a waste of effort?

“Yuuto-sama, can I ask you something?”

“What is it?”

“Why are you so stubborn about refusing money? Men will be nice to us women if we give them a lot of money. But you’re different, Yuuto-sama. You seem to be afraid of something. Would you mind telling me what it is?”

“Money changes people. I’m just afraid of changing myself.”

“Yuuto-sama, I don’t think you’ll change.”

“There’s no certainty. Better safe than sorry. As such, I want to avoid talks regarding money.”

“…I understand.”

“Thank you.”

“You shouldn’t be thanking someone like me. I should be the one apologizing to you..”

“It’s fine as long as you reflect on it. But don’t let it happen again.”

“Yes.”

“Then, let’s end this conversation. Let’s get along, Hanaka-san.”

“Yes! Yuuto-sama, I look forward to getting along with you for a long time!”

 I felt a sense of crisis when I was handcuffed, but I’m glad it worked out.

 As I walked, I felt a sharp pain in my abdomen.

“Ugh!”

 I almost kneel down, but I grit my teeth and bear it because of Hanaka-san, who has sprained her foot.

 What is it, what’s going on?

“Yuuto-sama, you idiot. Today you were supposed to be my maid, yet you’re here with Hanaka-san.”

It was Yaya-chan.

“Sorry, Hanaka-san found out about me. We were just talking.”

“It took so long! And you’re giving her a piggyback ride. Today’s PDA is my turn.”

 She lightly punches my stomach.

“Yuuto-sama, we’ll be together until we get back.”

“I understand.”

“Hm. Then, put Hanaka-san down.”

“I’m sorry, Yaya-san. I sprained my foot, so…”

“Despite that, you sure are having fun rubbing your face on his back.”

“Well, I love it!”

“Mou~ Yuuto-sama, leave Hanaka-san behind.”

“Yaya-chan, be gentle with the injured.”

“Yuuto-sama, you’re too kind.”

“Sorry, it’s in my nature.”

“I know.”

 Yaya-chan walks next to me. I can’t hold her hand because I’m giving Hanaka-san a piggyback ride, so she’s holding onto the hem of my shirt.

 After that, I took Hanaka-san to the infirmary to see Maria, Erina, and Shiori-san, and then we headed to Yaya-chan’s private room.

“Today, I have a present for you, Yaya-chan.”

 In her private room, I take out what I had prepared for today. It’s not very expensive, but…

“Oh, thank you, Yuto-sama. I’ll definitely treasure it.”

 What I had prepared was a sakura flower hairpin. Yaya-chan always uses hairpins to tie her hair, so I thought she might like it.

“Yuto-sama, does it suit me?”

 Her white, beautiful hair is adorned with a sakura flower hairpin. It suits her very well.

“Yes, it suits you very well.”

“♪”

“Congratulations on your victory, Yaya-chan, you were amazing.”

“Hm, it was easy for me.”

“But, of all the piano performances I’ve ever heard, yours was the best.”

“Thank you.”

 After that, Yaya-chan sat on my lap and fell asleep.

 She must have been tired from today’s events.

 I gently stroked Yaya-chan’s beautiful hair, whispered “good job,” and slowly closed my eyes.