Don't touch customers!

Why is Minami-kun here?!!

Satoko glanced at Hiroto with pleading eyes.

I can’t serve my crush dressed as a butler, please, understand me!

Hiroto raised an eyebrow. “You’re here to take care of boys, remember?”

Satoko let down her head, resigned. She stared at her butler costume and a thought flashed through her mind.

Wait, technically, I’m not the Itou Satoko he knows. I’m Satoshi right now and it’s the first time I see that blonde guy over there. She nodded, convinced. Yes, it must be like this.

She walked confidently towards the door and stopped in front of Minami and the younger girl.

“Welcome back, ojou-sama and danna-sama. I’m the butler of this mansion, Satoshi.” She bowed politely. “You must be tired, let me take your luggages.”

The girl immediately handed her bag to Satoko, but Minami hesitated, since he was back from the football club and his bag was heavy.

“Don’t bother, I can do it myself—”

Without notice, Satoko grabbed the arm with which he was holding the bag and slightly pulled him towards herself.

“Danna-sama, I won’t allow you to carry your own bag.”

She stared into his eyes with a serious expression.

Please, just give me your luggage! I don't want to make it weirder than it already is!

Minami’s eyes widened, surprised.

“Okay, if you insist…”

He reluctantly gave his bag to Satoko.

“Perfect, now let me accompany you to your table.”

Satoko turned around to guide them and glanced at her costume. Is an outfit really capable of giving this much confidence? Unbelievable.

She accompanied Minami and the girl, who she suspected was his little sister, to a free table. Minami reached the chair with his hand to pull it, but Satoko placed her hand on top of his to stop him. The boy flinched and looked up, meeting the girl’s eyes.

“Danna-sama, you’re really in the mood for jokes today.” She gently moved his hand away and pulled the chair. “Here, take a seat.”

Minami did as he was told and sat down, then looked up at Satoko.

“Thank you, but there’s no need to call me that way. Minami is fine.”

Satoko crossed her arms, indignant.

“What are you talking about? It should be Minami-sama, at the very least. If I didn’t call my master that, it would be like putting shame on his name.” She placed a hand on the table and bent towards him. “Please, don’t ever say that again, danna-sama.” Her expression was extremely intimidating.

Please, don’t hate me! It’s the costume, not me!

Minami stared at her and his cheeks turned red. “...Fine.”

Meanwhile, his sister’s jaw dropped on the floor.

“The fanservice here is so good…”

Hiroto, who was watching from afar, stretched an arm in her direction, shocked.

“Boss, didn’t you tell her she can’t touch customers?”

Mr. Ikeda smirked, amused. “Well, she’s not touching him.”

“Boss!”

Mr. Ikeda chuckled. “Let her be, I think she likes that boy.”

Hiroto suddenly blushed. “Oh, shut up! You know I don’t like this topic.”

The boss laughed. “I know, I know.”

Satoko straightened up and pulled the chair for Minami’s sister, then grabbed the menu and opened it, showing the pages.

“What can I prepare for you, ojou-sama and danna-sama? You can try our special menu Elizabeth, or would you prefer something else?”

Minami looked at her sister. “You decide, Kazuha.”

The girl put a hand on her chin. “We’ll go with the Elizabeth, thank you.”

“As you command. If you need me for anything, please, ring the silver bell on your table. I will be here for you at any time.” Satoko bowed politely and walked away.

When she was at a safe distance, she sighed.

I hope he doesn’t recognise me, otherwise I don’t know what I would do. She peeked at him. Luckily, he doesn’t seem to suspect anything for now.

“You!” Hiroto exclaimed.

Satoko lowered her gaze and fidgeted with her fingers.

“Don’t touch the customers ever again.” His tone was cold. “Also, don’t exaggerate with fanservice, it’s not necessary.”

The girl nodded, mortified. It’s all Minami-kun’s fault… And also this costume’s with a weird personality.

She returned to her job and, when the menu for Minami’s table was ready, she took the cart and concentrated.

Please, don’t do strange things.

She pulled the cart and stopped next to Minami and his sister.

“Sorry for keeping you waiting, here is your tea.” She took the tray and placed the porcelain cups in front of the two customers, then elegantly poured tea from the teapot.

She felt Minami’s eyes staring at her, but stayed strong. She couldn’t get distracted during job: she had to pass the exam.

“This tea is called Earl Grey and is one of the most recognized flavored teas in the world. This British tea is typically a black tea base flavored with oil from the rind of bergamot orange, a citrus fruit” Satoko explained. “Earl Grey tea is cherished not just for its flavour but also for its health benefits. With its antioxidant content and natural compounds, moderate consumption of Earl Grey can seamlessly fit into a balanced, healthy lifestyle.”

Minami gave her an admiring look. “Wow, you know a lot of things.”

Satoko smiled. “Of course, danna-sama, as it should be expected of the butler of your exquisite mansion.”

She placed the teapot on the table and covered it with a cosy.

“I chose this honey-coloured cosy to match the colour of your splendid hair, ojou-sama and danna-sama.”

Minami smiled, his cheeks tinted pink. “Thank you, I appreciate it.”

Satoko’s heart melted. He’s so cute even with strangers.

She took the three-tiered tray and put it on the table.

“Here are sandwiches, scones to be accompanied with clotted cream and strawberry jam, petit fours, shortbread and madeleine. I suggest you start with the scones before they get cold, but you can proceed as you prefer. Enjoy your meal and ring the silver bell if you need anything.”

Satoko bowed and walked away.

Please, don’t stay here too long.

***

At closing time, Satoko was exhausted. In the end, Minami and his sister stayed for an hour, then she had to make them leave because they couldn’t occupy a table for more than sixty minutes.

From what she could understand, Minami had accompanied her sister because she wanted to come to The Nightingale at all costs, but he didn’t want to let her go alone, since she was only in the first year of high school.

He’s caring even with his sister, he’s such a wonderful person. Satoko thought, moved.

All the four butlers gathered in the dressing room to change back on their everyday clothes. Satoko was there only to take her uniform.

At that moment, Mr. Ikeda entered the room.

“Well, it’s time to decide if you can keep on working here, Satoshi” he announced.

He stayed upstairs all day to test if she was fitted for the job. He made her feel nervous, but, at the same time, helped her do her best on her first day.

Maybe I should thank him, after all.

“What do you think, Hiroto?” the boss asked.

“Why should I evaluate her? You are the boss here.”

“I just want your opinion, since you’re his mentor!”

The boy shook his head, resigned, and shifted his gaze on Satoko.

Please, say I was good! She begged him with her eyes. I don’t want to waste a week of intense studying!

He sighed and looked away.

“I think she’s fine, except for that blonde guy, she was good.”

Satoko smiled cheerfully. Thank you, Hiroto!

Mr. Ikeda nodded. “I think so, too.” He reflected for some time, then smiled from ear to ear. “I made my decision: you’re officially part of our team, Miss Itou!”

Satoko slightly raised her fists to celebrate.

“Wait, did you just call him ‘Miss’?” Kenji, the thug butler, exclaimed.

“Yes, because she’s a girl. Don’t tell me you didn’t understand it, Kenji.” Akito, the ‘cute’ butler teased him.

Kenji stared at Satoko, bewildered. “How did you understand it?”

“She’s the same girl who entered while we were changing. You’re truly stupid, sometimes, Kenji.”

The orange-haired boy blinked twice, astonished. “Wow, she looks like a true boy.”

Satoko slightly smiled. It means that the make-up works.

After changing back to her school uniform, she left the cafe and set off towards home.

I’m exhausted, I never came back home this late. And I still have to do my homework.

She looked up at the night sky, walking under the city lights.

The view isn’t that bad at this hour, after all.

She smiled behind her scarf. In the end, she was happy to have accepted to work in the Nightingale, it was a funny and relaxing job.

And I also got to talk with Minami-kun!

“Itou-san?”

Satoko’s mind was catapulted back to Earth.

Think of the devil…

She hid her nose under the scarf.