趴玻璃上做给别人看

Chapter 59.5 Idle Talk – A Maid’s Story.

＜　El and Es　＞

There was a group of ten people directly under the chief maid Yukari―― The all-purpose maid squad reverently called 『The Great Ten』.

Right now, each of those ten were “Demon Captains” who had over ten maids under them as subordinates, but they were originally “Newcomers” working under Yukari as their captain.

……If any of the new maids would complain about something, those maids would surely answer with: “Work without saying anything is impossible”.

Among the Ten Great were two red-haired sisters, called El and Es. El was the elder sister, at 16, and Es was the youngest, at 15 years old. El had shoulder-length hair, a bit improper for a girl, and her character was tough and strong-minded, like a tomboy. Es on the other side had a side ponytail, and she was more like a meek girl. Their names and appearances were quite similar, but their personalities were the complete opposite.

There wasn’t a single maid in House Firstest that didn’t know of these two. Why? Because it was really easy to remember them. The sun and the moon, fire and water, convex and concave…… there could be many comparisons, but these sisters’ personalities were like that.

And the characteristics of these two girls were remarkably reflected on their squads.

The elder sister-led group called the 『El Squad 』 was known as the best “fighting group” among the all-purpose maids. Only those with higher than normal fighting skills were gathered here, and they were harshly trained until they were exhausted. Therefore, the new maids feared it. “It’s very hard to join them,” they said. On the other hand, those with strong fighting spirits actively volunteered for the El Squad. Being part of the El Squad was proof that you were a fierce person. But as a result, the surrounding people always saw them with weird eyes.

The 『Es Squad』 led by the younger sister, on the other hand, was said to be the most “Orthodox” group in the all-purpose maid corps. In this squad, all members continued to polish and refine different kinds of skills every day, until they reached the level worthy of being called “All-purpose maids”. Obviously starting off with waiting, cleaning and laundry, but also self-defense techniques and language, going all the way to business administration. At first glance many saw it as wide and shallow knowledge, but in reality, it was outrageous. Extensive and deep, more extensive than anyone, deeper than anyone. The maids who didn’t measure up were quickly cut off. In that sense, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the Es Squad was a carefully selected “Elite Group”.

So, like this. Each Squad had their own characteristics.

But those quirks weren’t visible at the beginning. Only as they spent time together, did their captain’s character and beliefs gradually influence them.

In short, who they followed was how they grew. Almost like a parent and a child.

——

——

“Hey. Bitch, you stole my headband, didn’t you? “

On a certain day. El Squad’s maid Momo grabbed another maid by the chest in the cafeteria. As one could see from the rough attitude and tone, she was a famous maid even among the newcomers as a hardcore bully. Whether it was good or bad, her 180 centimeters height was considerably intimidating, simply by standing next to you.

“Ara, what would you be talking about? I really have no idea.”

The other maid was Marina, a member belonging to the Es Squad, and an Elite according to herself. She was a maid with a somewhat high amount of pride.

“Don’t lie to me!　You stole it! “

“Why would you think I did such an act?　There’s no evidence of it.”

“Ha!　I saw you when you did it! “

“Like I said, where is the evidence?　How can you prove it was me? “

“Evidence? It’s in my eyes……”

“You know, it’s a bother to be told so randomly that I stole something without bringing any evidence. Just like Es-sama has repeatedly said, it’s important to secure evidence. Right?　Girls.”

Marina then asked the people around her. And surely, just as Marina said, the maids next to her, who were also close friends, nodded without hesitation. In a complete turn around, the atmosphere in the place now changed and Momo was now seen as the villain.

“……But I saw it.”

“Haaa, how many times do I have to say it so that you understand?　It’s just a waste of time. I’ll just say it one last time. How can I be a suspect if there’s no evidence? “

“…………Tch.”

Momo, with a mortified face, released the hand holding Marina up. Marina dusted off her chest, then opened her mouth again.

“How can someone with this low of intelligence work as a maid?　Oh. Speaking of which, you aren’t very maid-like…… go away, your stinky sweat will stick to me.”

She giggled, as if to make fun of her. Momo couldn’t say anything back, she just clenched her fist. Then, sensing she had the upper hand, Marina continued further.

“Get it?　We’re maids who serve the great one who will one day will become the world’s greatest. You should feel ashamed to call yourself a maid serving the Firstest Family. And what’s with those guys? Aren’t all the people in your squad more like mercenaries?　No wonder it’s hard to even call you a maid. That’s right, that’s why you shouldn’t be wearing headbands. I’m sure you’ll even poke your head with it.”

“Bitch……! “

Too many words. Momo, whose self had not only been made fun of, but also her friends and captain, couldn’t suppress her anger and tried to take matters into her own hands.

“So, you’ll use violence?　Ohh, look at yourself. That’s why you’re disqualified as a maid.”

But Marina continued to provoke Momo, who couldn’t talk back.

――That’s when an unexpected person came.

“Ohh, what’s wrong Momo? You can go ahead and hit her.”

“C-Captain! ? “

El of the Ten Great. Right now, it was meal time for the newcomers, so there shouldn’t be a captain in this place. However, El had appeared and the cafeteria became noisy.

“W-Why is El-sama here……? “

“Ara, I’m here too, Marina. Place your hands behind your back.”

“Es-sama! ? “

The little sister Es also appeared. Marina’s face paled. The reason she froze was because her captain was there. In other words, their misdeeds so far had been known to their captains.

“Come one, hit her. Until you’re done.”

“Here you go, Momo-san. Do as you like.”

El and Es said such a thing with a smile.

Momo then turned towards Marina. Marina’s eyes were moistened and she was trembling. It was an expression of despair. Well, that’s a given. Her elite road on which she walked turned into hell in just a moment.

“……Sorry. I can’t.”

Momo lowered her head after some contemplation. She felt she too was at fault since she couldn’t procure any evidence. And, she did not train in order to hit an opponent who was crying and offering no resistance.

“Is that so? Clench your teeth.”

El said while floating a gentle smile.

Immediately after―― A tightly clenched fist assaulted Momo.

“Gguee!　Agh!　Buh! “

A relentless liver blow. Then, as her posture crumbled, an elbow right to the face. And after she fell to her knees, a kick to the solar plexus.

Everyone present thought “That’s too much”, but nobody uttered a word.

The 180-cm tall woman was one-sidedly beaten by a 16 years-old girl who wasn’t even 160-cm in height. All the newcomers trembled seeing the figure of the captain of the fighting corps, the『El Squad』.

“The worst thing you can do is go after someone without any proof. Properly remember it.”

“Y……Yes……Captain……”

While bleeding from the nose in a crouching position, Momo answered.

“Next time, make sure you have enough evidence before going after someone. Then, you can go wild without problems.”

“……Yes……”

El told her subordinates “Take her to her room”, and silently watched Momo being carried away.

“…………”

Es watched her sister’s schooling with warm eyes.

It looked like so long ago. These two sisters had fallen into slavery after being framed for a crime they didn’t commit―― but now, only a few people knew this fact.

Right now, they spend their days as the happiest. However, the pain of those false accusations would probably never disappear from these two sister’s minds. Therefore, their aversion to doubting people couldn’t be wiped away.

However, looking at it from the other side, this was engraved into their bodies and they understood the measures to take. Both Es and El knew that “Innocent and guilty without evidence” were pretty much the same.

That’s why they both stuck to ‘evidence’ more than anyone else. At the very least, in the places where their eyes reached, in this house where their beloved master lived, false accusations must never be forgiven. This was something they kept in their minds every day. So, their subordinates should have grown following those ideals.

“Well now, Marina.”

“……Hiiii.”

Still, there were exceptions.

Like purposely erasing evidence after doing something they shouldn’t.

Es took out Momo’s headband, which was of course proof of Marina’s misdeeds, and looked straight at her while spinning it on her finger.

Heaven’s net has large meshes, but nothing escapes, as the proverb says. As their name of the Sun and Moon of Firstest, their judgement was strict.

“It’s re-education time. But don’t worry, I’m not as strict as my sister, El.”

So she said, with a warm smile. Marina felt an immeasurable dread, cold sweat dripping down her spine.

……After that. A few days later, a Marina that looked like a completely different person, returned. It became a topic among the maids about what kind of education someone would receive to suddenly change to an almost completely different person, and it became a rumor among them that the younger sister might be way scarier than the elder sister.

＜　Yve　＞

Among the all-purpose maid corps, there was a maid nicknamed the “White Demon”, and was rumored to be the “most dangerous among the Ten Great”.

She was one of the ten people directly under Yukari, a girl named Yve.

Always silent, always expressionless, almost as if she was a doll. Coupled with that otherworldly beauty of hers, some called her the “Assassin puppet doll”.

Yes, she was a top-notch assassin, a proud member of the all-purpose maid corps.

If the 『El Squad』 could make a crying child shut, the 『Yve Squad』 would physically shut it ‘down’.

That would mean…… without sound, without anyone noticing, in just an instant. No traces nor corpses would ever be found.

And as such, the Yve Squad was given a stare a bit different than the El Squad. And their captain was the White Demon herself.

If one would ask the maids who the strongest among the maids was, with the exception of chief maid Yukari, nine out of ten would answer―― “That would be Yve-sama”.

She was that frightening.

This time, the story will focus on her.

——

Demon child―― That was my nickname.

I had no friends. Not even acquaintances. I only ever spoke to mommy and daddy.

I was always locked up at home. This way is better, that’s what mommy and daddy always said.

Still, I could hear the voices from the outside. Voices calling out to me. Yells. “COME OUT, YOU DEMON CHILD”―― they said.

A certain night. Mommy and daddy invited me to go outside. It was the first time, so I was confused. But they were always smiling, so, I was a bit glad and followed them.

I was then placed inside a wagon while all the villagers yelled abusive words.

The two of them didn’t come with me. They just received something from a fat man. At that moment, they had a smile I had never seen before.

And so, the carriage left. But the abuse didn’t stop. And now mommy and daddy were also on their side. Ahh, I see. I noticed it. I was sold off.

Was I betrayed?　That’s probably right. Was I sad?　I think I was.

But. At the time, I didn’t understand it well enough.

I just found out later.

I’m different from others. My skin is white. So is my hair. And my eyes are red. It seems I was too scary. Almost like a demon.

I just found out later.

Both mommy and daddy kept me at a distance. They never spoke to me more than necessary, and when they did it was like a mechanical voice, awkward… weird… But they were the only ones who talked to me, so I thought it was normal. How weird.

I just found out later.

I became 17 this year. The same age as Master. Apparently, this is when my life properly began.

——

“１． Preliminary investigation. ２． Speed. ３． Corpse disposal. The results of the assassination are determined by these three steps.”

Hi, Yve here. Today is Yukari-sama’s assassination lecture, this is my 19th lecture. Obviously, out of 19 lectures, full marks. Looks like this time it’ll be a review lesson since there are many first-time participants. I have bad eyesight, so I sit in the front row.

The attendees were the Ten Great, all the other girls from my team, and a few other girls I haven’t seen before. Everyone listened very attentively.

“Investigation is a game of perseverance. Blend into the air, never stand out, collect information about the target without letting people remember your face. I may be unsuitable for this. I’m a dark elf, so I naturally stand out.”

Yeah, I’m not suited for it either. After all, I’m pure white.

“The speed in assassination, you acquire it with technique and experience. Kill decisively, not making a sound, without the target being able to speak. For it, you can use skills such as Assassination and Thread Manipulation. The point is to not get too worked up. Like cutting in half an onion, or crushing a garlic with the side of a kitchen knife. Do it as if you were doing something you normally do.”

I wonder if Yukari-sama is hungry……?

“For the corpse disposal, it should ideally be done with a group. Several people working together, be it burying it, chopping it to pieces, or cremating it. You need to make a plan and stick to it. And be sure to leave the premises without being noticed by anyone. I will not allow you to cause trouble for Master. If you don’t need to dispose of the body, try to leave the spot as soon as possible.”

Oh, hearing the basics after all this time. Yup, indeed, the most important thing is――

“These three points are the basics of assassination, but the most important thing is the preliminary investigation. Target selection, behavioral patterns, intrusion routes, escape routes, people coming in and out, dead times, hours of little guarding, effective assassination methods, and corpse disposal ways. Everything depends on the investigation.”

Yup, preliminary investigation. I can’t do that, I’m ashamed to always have to depend on the others for this. And because the proper assassination work hasn’t started yet, I’m not doing anything at present. Maybe this is the reason why I feel out of place?

“……We’re all aware that currently there are suspicious movements in the Capital, right?　From now on, we will need to focus more on research and information gathering. That’s why you have to learn about investigative work.”

See? I’m being left out more and more.

Yukari-sama then said “Aside from Yve, the other Ten are dismissed. Yve, you stay a bit more”, and then, she gathered the remaining maids and began to teach them how to train for preliminary investigation. Ahh, I’m the only one left out again.

“You have it hard, Yve. Because I have no talent in assassination I have stay behind, but let’s do our best. Sorry, hahaha.”

El talked to the gloomy me. I know she’s just joking. But I’m happy!

“Ah……yeah……uhmm……-o my best.”

“Huh?　Sorry, what was that?　I couldn’t hear you at all.”

“……do……-y best……”

“HEY!　El-ane, don’t bully Yve! “

“What! ?　I’m not bullying her! “

“Don’t give me excuses!　You were! “

…………Ahh, I’ve done it again……

I want to get along with everyone, but this always happens. All because I never had any conversation with people other than mommy and daddy until I was this age. This is troubling……

Because my voice is so quiet, people can’t hear me even if I speak over and over, so they often mistake me as being silent. It’s impossible to talk to others. I only have myself to talk with, and even when I tried laughing, they just get scared of my face. Haa……I’m just a shy, withdrawn, silent and expressionless White Demon puppet doll of assassination after all.

Even coming this far, is it still impossible for me to make a friend?　Or rather!　Would it be impossible for me to speak with my Master for my whole life! ?　Ugh……

“Yve. Come this way.”

“……Ye, s.”

Coming back to my senses thanks to Yukari-sama’s voice, I answered while looking down, and followed her.

Our destination was the garden. Yukari-sama always teaches me how to use 【Thread Manipulation】 in this place. And since I can’t go investigate, this can’t be helped.

“You don’t have to be so depressed. You are the second greatest user of Thread Manipulation that I’ve ever seen. Be more confident.”

“Y-Yes……”

Nicely done, me! I was praised by Yukari-sama. It’s good that I’ve been messing around with all the threats that were sitting around in my cell since I was little.

Ahh, but there’s someone who’s better than me…… I wonder if that’s Yukari-sama?

“You have a face like you care about the first place.”

“Ye……No.”

“The greatest one is Master. He hasn’t learned it yet, but I’m sure of it without even seeing it.”

Whoa, how can that be so?　Yukari-sama sure is good at joking. But when she talks about Master, I feel a bit happy. A warm feeling that can reach out even to me. I feel a laugh will escape!

“E he……hiyuhehehe……”

“…………Is this that boring? I see.”

E-Eh?　That’s totally not the case!　It was interesting.

“Be prepared for today’s training, Yve.”

“……Ehhh……! “