Why is Minami-kun here?!

Minami looked directly into her eyes and smiled, as to reassure her that her secret was safe.

He totally misunderstood! Satoko thought, paralyzed in her place.

Minami walked away from her desk and resumed his job.

This is a tragedy! I can’t let my crush think I read inappropriate things at school!

Satoko squinted her eyes, embarrassed. She didn’t know what to do. She went back to the blackboard and continued cleaning it.

I’ll wait for him to start a conversation and then clarify.

“Speaking of which, Itou-san, why do you always wear your scarf even inside the classroom?”

Satoko lowered her gaze and squeezed the towel in her hands.

He surely thinks I’m strange.

Minami put a finger on his chin. “Thinking about it, I never saw your face, maybe only once or twice.” He let out a little laugh. “You’re really peculiar, Itou-san.”

Satoko covered her nose under the scarf, flustered.

It seems like he’s talking about a rare animal species.

She glanced at him and saw that he was intent on cleaning the desks with a busy expression. The dust in the air was raining around him like grains of sunshine and a golden ray was resting on his face, making his hair look like refined gold threads.

Satoko blushed. He looks like an angel.

Suddenly, Minami glanced up and their eyes met. The boy smiled cheerfully.

Oh, the book! I can tell him now.

Satoko looked away and grabbed a lock of hair to play with to release the tension.

“M-Minami-kun, about the book…”

The boy tilted his head to one side. “Itou-san, it’s okay, I did it too sometimes. There’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

Please, stop trying to console me! It’s not like that!

“The fact is…” She clasped her hands. “It’s not what you think!”

Minami glanced at her, confused. Satoko could swear she saw interrogative points spawning over his head.

“Then what is it? I thought you were trying to hide the fact that you read a book instead of listening to the lesson.”

Satoko was ready with an excuse, but her words got stuck in her throat.

Uh?! So he wasn’t thinking anything strange?

The two stared blankly at each other.

Please, someone bury me under a pit.

“I’m sorry if I misunderstood—”

Satoko waved her hands to stop him. “No, no! You actually are right. I think I’m the one who misunderstood.”

She fidgeted with her fingers. I feel bad for believing he could have such thoughts, he’s actually so pure…

Minami burst out laughing. “It’s fine, even if I don’t get what’s there to misunderstand.”

Satoko’s cheeks caught fire.

How embarrassing! Mei, this is all your fault!

***

After finishing cleaning, Satoko went straight to The Nightingale for her first day of work.

“Welcome” Tomoki, the butler at the entrance greeted her and motioned for her to go up the stairs.

Satoko bowed her head and ran upstairs.

Aaah, I’m late! Why did my shift have to be today?

She ran through the main room, still empty, and rushed to the dressing room.

If I hurry, I’ll make it in time.

She opened the door abruptly and looked up, finding three guys that were staring at her confusedly. She froze in place.

Oh no, I forgot my colleagues are boys!

One of them was very tall with messy orange hair and piercings. He had just taken off his shirt and was holding it in his hands with a clueless expression. His shoulders were broad and his body muscular: he looked like a scoundrel, more than a butler.

Next to him, there was a shorter and thinner boy with light brown hair and what you would call a pretty face. He was staring at her with a pout depicted on his delicate face, he seemed to be offended.

The third one was Hiroto, who was wearing only his white shirt over his black trousers.

Satoko shifted her gaze from one to another and slammed the door shut, her face completely red.

Please, fairy godmother, transform me into a speck of dust…

She heard a bit of commotion inside and the door opened again. On the threshold there was the only boy she was familiar with: Hiroto.

“We all use this room, so it’s better if you go to the restroom.” He looked away. “We would like to avoid such accidents.”

Satoko nodded, mortified. I should have at least knocked.

“Also, the boss told me to give you these.” He handed her neatly folded clothes and a cosmetic bag.

“T-Thank you.” She took everything and ran away to the restroom, too embarrassed to continue the conversation any longer.

She entered the women’s restroom and sighed.

Why do I have to make a fool of myself every time? She cried on herself, but immediately shook her head.

“Stay strong, Satoko, you will make it until the end of this terrible day!”

She unfolded the clothes and put them on. This time, she also wore a chest binder that made the costume seem overall more realistic. Now she looked like a true butler.

She brushed her black hair carefully and gathered them in a high ponytail, then opened the cosmetic bag the boss provided her with. Her eyes sparkled.

These products are on another level, I can’t believe I can really use them!

Excited, she applied the make-up she saw in a tutorial video to make her features more masculine. When she was done, she couldn’t believe her eyes.

I really look like a boy now!

She admired her reflection in the mirror, proud of herself. At first, she wasn’t sure that the make-up would have worked, but she did a pretty good job. No one would have recognized her like this.

She got out of the restroom and went to the dressing room to hang up the school uniform in a wardrobe. Luckily, the boys already left. Then she approached the main room.

“Oh, here you are!” Mr. Ikeda exclaimed. “Let’s move on to the presentations. Guys, this is the new butler: Itou Satoko, but you should call him Satoshi during working hours.”

Oh, right, my name is mainly used for girls. Satoshi is a good alternative, nice idea boss! She raised her thumb up for approval, then turned to the other butlers.

Even if they were the same boys of before, they looked different. The scoundrel looked more elegant and his hair was combed perfectly, the same went for the short one, his hair was less casual than before.

Satoko bowed her head and squinted her eyes. I can’t look at them directly in their face after what happened.

The boy with orange hair smirked. “I’m Kuma Kenji, the thug butler.”

The short one winked. “And I’m Tsubura Akito, the cute butler!”

Satoko raised her eyebrows. Thug… butler? Cute… butler? Shouldn’t the butlers all be the same?

Hiroto sighed, exasperated. “Don’t listen to them, this is not a host club.” He bowed politely. “I’m Shigeru Hiroto, by the way. I will be your mentor during your first days, if you have any doubt, don’t hesitate to ask me.”

Satoko nodded. “Thank you.”

Mr. Ikeda smiled. “Satoshi-kun, today is your exam day: if you do well, I’ll officially hire you.”

Satoko’s jaw dropped. Exam day? He never mentioned it before, what a jerk! She rolled up her sleeves. After studying all those books I’ll never fail!

“Ah, you can’t roll up your sleeves, it doesn’t look professional.”

Her enthusiasm immediately broke into a thousand pieces.

“Yes, boss” she mumbled, depressed.

Mr. Ikeda clapped his hands cheerfully. “We’re about to open, good job guys!” He glanced at Satoko. “Do your best to pass the exam, Satoshi-kun.”

Satoko turned to the entrance and took a deep breath: it was time to get serious.

***

In a very short time the cafe was already full, Satoko was shocked at how popular that place was.

What’s so interesting about it? I can’t understand.

At that moment, the door opened again and two girls entered.

“Satoshi, take care of them” Hiroto said.

Satoko nodded and walked towards them.

“Welcome back, ojou-sama, how did your promenade go?” The girl bowed politely. “I’m Satoshi, your trusted butler. You must be tired, may I help you carry your luggage?”

Perfect, I said it clearly!

The girls’ eyes lit up. “Yes, please!”

After accompanying them to their table and taking their order, Satoko informed Mr. Takahashi and returned to the main room.

“Satoshi, there’s someone you must take care of” Hiroto said.

I must? Oh, maybe it’s a guy.

She glanced at the threshold and her eyes widened.

What? No, it can’t be…

A blonde guy with eyes of the same colour of honey was standing at the door with a clueless expression. He was holding the hand of a younger girl that was similar to him.

Satoko squeezed her eyes and rubbed them with her hands, but the vision didn’t change. She turned pale and screamed internally.

Why is Minami-kun here?!!