My Beautiful Childhood Friend Is Working in a Maid Cafe For Some Reason - Chapter 102

After finishing dinner, we all decided to play together.

Even though Tadokoro had called it a training camp, it was clear that nothing camp-like was going to happen.

In the first place, the only thing we could think of doing at a maid club training camp was maid roleplay. But knowing Tadokoro’s personality, spending an entire day doing that was out of the question. I knew she’d get bored and suggest playing instead.

That’s why I had prepared various things in advance.

I lined up the snacks and drinks I had bought on the table, and we chose which game to play from the ones I had brought along.

We decided to play cards, but…

“Ah, Senpai, not that one! The one next to it!”

“Yuu-kun, which one is the Joker? I’ll take it from you.”

We couldn’t play Old Maid at all because Yukina and Tadokoro were making too much noise.

Next, we tried playing Concentration, but it ended up being Yukina’s one-woman show. Is being smart tied to having a good memory? She was way too good.

So, we stopped playing cards.

Then, we decided to play the Life board game I had bought.

“Senpai…what’s this? A Life game full of maids?”

“Apparently, it’s a game where you either live as a maid or as a master and compete. I’ve never played it before either.”

I had seen it at a store and bought it at first sight, thinking, “This is it!”

“Good purchase, Oyama.”

“Right? It looks fun, doesn’t it?”

As expected, I get along well with Akiba. His eyes were sparkling, eager to start playing. Tadokoro, on the other hand, looked unimpressed, but I didn’t mind.

“Yuu-kun, you’ve been looking forward to playing this, haven’t you?”

Yukina smiled warmly at me, probably because she knew how excited I had been ever since I bought the game.

We started with me and Akiba as the masters, and Yukina and Tadokoro as the maids.

“Hmm, there are various roles, huh? Let’s see…Ugh, what is this?”

The space Tadokoro landed on required her to say Yukina’s famous line, “Welcome home, Master!” to earn 1 million gold.

But 1 million gold just for saying that? If this happened in real life, Yukina and Miyuki would be millionaires.

“You don’t have to say it if you don’t want to. No one’s forcing you.”

The rules weren’t strict. Besides, if you let someone off now, they might return the favor later when you’re in a tough spot.

“I-I’ll say it. Gotta earn while I can.”

With that, she turned to face me.

“Wait, why are you looking at me?”

“Because…I don’t want to say it to Akiba-senpai.”

“I wouldn’t want to hear it either. Just thinking about it gives me chills.”

“That’s awful!”

“Shut up. Oyama, just let her say it to you.”

“Well, if that’s how it is. It’s just a game, after all.”

Tadokoro took a deep breath repeatedly. She fidgeted nervously, avoiding eye contact every time our eyes met.

She’s really embarrassed…Well, I get it. It must be tough. Still, it’s impressive that maids can say this without hesitation.

I glanced at Yukina, who tilted her head curiously, as if to say, “What?” She seemed determined to keep her maid identity a secret, showing no sign of discomfort.

It wasn’t something I needed to broadcast, so I turned back to Tadokoro and said, “It’s nothing.”

“Here I go…”

Tadokoro, seemingly ready, opened her eyes wide.

“W-Welcome home, Master…”

To be honest, Tadokoro looked incredibly cute. She was fidgety and shy, lacking her usual energy. But that just made her embarrassment all the more obvious, highlighting her innocence.

In other words, I was certain this would be a hit.

“This is so embarrassing…Please say something…”

“Ah, well…it was good. Probably worth a million.”

“What kind of comment is that…But I guess earning a million makes it worth it.”

Tadokoro awkwardly smiled, clutching the large bill marked “1 million.” Somehow, even that looked cute right now.

While I was lost in thought, Yukina kicked me under the table. It seemed neither of the other two noticed. I glanced at Yukina, who was smiling, but her eyes weren’t. She was angry.

“A-Alright, it’s Akiba’s turn next.”

I urged the game forward, trying to escape the situation.

“Ugh…Why? Why did everyone leave me?”

In the final stages of the game, Akiba landed on a space where all the maids in the mansion betrayed him, and he lost all his money.

With this, Akiba had no chance of winning. Now, it was just Yukina and Tadokoro as my competition.

“Hehe, look, Yuu-kun! I’m getting married! I’m going to be a bride!”

Yukina landed on a space where she married her master and became rich. She was happily celebrating by herself. I wasn’t sure if she was happy because she could win the game or because she landed on a marriage space, but it was probably best not to dig too deep.

“Heh, too bad, Yukina-senpai. This game is mine!”

Tadokoro landed on a space called “Career Evolution.” Apparently, she had evolved from a regular maid into an assassin maid.

She then succeeded in assassinating the master who had purchased her earlier in the game, seizing all the money from the other players in a ridiculously unfair move.

As a result, Tadokoro won the game.

“That was actually pretty fun.”

Tadokoro celebrated her victory alone, looking satisfied.

“One more time! Let’s play one more round!”

Surprisingly, Yukina challenged her.

I thought she’d be in a bad mood after losing, but her smiling face showed she was enjoying herself.

“Fine by me. I’ll take you on.”

“I won’t lose this time.”

“I’ll win again.”

The two of them glared at each other, sparks flying.

In the middle of that, Akiba raised his hand.

“Sorry to interrupt, but can I go to the bathroom first?”

“…Way to kill the mood.”

“Shut up.”

“Well, whatever. I want to change clothes anyway, so let’s take a break.”

With Tadokoro and Akiba gone, I was left alone with Yukina for a bit.

“You seem to be having fun. Enjoying yourself?”

“Yeah. I’ve never done something like this before, and I used to sleep early during school trips. Staying up late with everyone is exciting.”

“I see.”

Soon after, Akiba returned, and Tadokoro came back from changing. But Tadokoro’s outfit was…different. Very different.

“…What’s with that outfit?”

“Huh? It’s a bear hoodie.”

“Even though you say that like it’s the most natural thing…”

“I always wear this at night. Is it weird?”

Weird? No, it was kind of…charming.

Also, how did she fit a hoodie in her backpack?

“It suits you, Junior. I might want one like that too.”

“Thank you, Yukina-senpai! Let’s go shopping for one sometime. Anything would look good on you, senpai.”

It seemed like Yukina and Tadokoro had gotten pretty close. I was happy about that; it was a good sign.

Maybe Yukina would enjoy spending time with other people besides me and discover new things. That would be nice.

“Alright, let’s start round two! The night is still young!”

With Tadokoro’s loud voice, the night continued.