Butler kabedon?!

During lunch break, Satoko, Mei and Watanabe went outside and took a seat on a bench under a tree.

Watanabe sighed. “It’s so hot! I can’t wait for the summer vacations to start, so I can stay in front of a fan all day.”

“There is homework to do, though” Mei replied.

Watanabe pouted. “There was no need to remind me.” She took a bite of an onigiri. “Speaking of which, how is the studying for the exams going?”

Satoko hid her face under her scarf. “Bad.”

Watanabe nodded, resigned. “Me too.”

They both turned to Mei with hopeful eyes.

“If you want something you should just ask.”

Watanabe and Satoko clasped their hands.

“Please, help us!”

Mei brought a hand to her chin and pretended to think about it. “Mmm… Fine.”

“Yay!” Watanabe celebrated.

“Thank you, Mei, you save me every year.” Satoko bowed her head non-stop.

Mei slightly smiled. “This is what friends do.”

Without Mei I would be done for, that’s a sure thing.

Satoko had never been very good at school and now that she was working part-time her scholastic performance wasn’t benefiting from it.

“Satoko-chan, aren’t you hot with a scarf in the middle of the summer?” Watanabe asked, suddenly.

Satoko glanced at the foulard wrapped around her neck.

Thinking about it, I must look very dumb with the summer uniform and a scarf.

“This is more of a foulard than a scarf, by the way. It’s lighter…”

“It still looks hot to me.”

Mei laughed a little. “She always wears it, no matter the season.”

“Wow, this is commitment. I would have given up right away.”

No, it’s just social anxiety. Satoko thought, disillusioned.

***

After school, Satoko went straight to The Nightingale, as always.

Lately, she was having a hard time with the butler uniform: it was very hot even with the air conditioner, since it was summer, but she couldn’t do without the chest binder and the tailcoat with padded shoulders. The other boys wore only the shirt and the vest, but they were suffering from the heat too.

“Ah, it’s too hot! Mr. Takahashi, can you convince the boss to close the cafe during holidays?” Akito complained.

“If only I could. During holidays we have a lot more guests” Mr. Takahashi replied.

“Ugh, I hate when my skin is sweaty!”

“Stop complaining, it’s time to work” Hiroto intervened.

At that moment, Kenji got out of the dressing room and a cloud of deodorant made the others cough.

“Did you shower in the deodorant?!” Hiroto grumbled.

“Sorry, but it’s better this way, trust me” Kenji replied, a little embarrassed.

He was the one who suffered heat the most: he was the type of person who got sweaty very easily.

Satoko wiped her forehead with a towel. I hope the heat won’t ruin the make-up. She imagined a scene where she was serving tea to the customers and the foundation started dripping from her face into the cups. Her face turned pale.

Luckily, the boss provided me with a setting spray.

At opening time, the regulars arrived and they started working. The customers were almost always the same, plus some new people.

Minami-kun should be here shortly. Satoko thought, checking the hour.

Minami was one of the most loyal customers: he visited everyday, even if it was just for ten minutes. He came only to see Satoshi.

One day, after finding out Minami was her crush, Kenji offered to take her place, but the blonde guy asked specifically for Satoshi as soon as he saw another butler approach him.

I think the situation got a bit out of hand, but I really don’t know what to do. I have the courage to speak to him freely only when I’m Satoshi…

At that moment, the door opened and the unmistakable mane of blonde hair fluttered as Minami was glancing around, looking for his trusted butler.

Satoko immediately walked towards him.

“Welcome back, danna-sama, it’s time for your afternoon tea.” She bowed, but the heat made her dizzy.

Oh no, not now, please!

She aggressively placed her hand on the closed door, next to Minami’s face, to support herself. She started seeing coloured dots, so she closed her eyes and waited until she was fine again.

She opened her eyes and found in front of herself two pink lips.

What is happening?

She looked up and met Minami’s honey eyes, who were staring at her with a flustered expression.

Satoko’s eyes widened. She shifted her gaze to her hand and analyzed the situation, realising what she had just done.

K-Kabedon?!

Everyone in the cafe was staring at them, surprised.

“I like this new greeting” Minami said, blushing.

Why do the strangest things always happen with Minami-kun?! Satoko cried to herself.

She was about to take her distance, when the snap of a picture resounded in the room. Her body stiffened.

No, wait, they can’t take pictures here. She lowered her gaze. I don’t want strange pictures of me circulating on the internet.

Her breathing became heavy and her heart started beating faster, gripped by anxiety.

No, no, please, someone do something. I… I can’t breathe. She clenched her fists. I need to calm down and deal with it composedly.

Minami noticed that something was wrong and grabbed her arm. Satoko looked up.

“Danna-sama?”

Her eyes widened. He was looking at something behind her back with a fierce gaze, his eyebrows tightened. His usual bright aura had suddenly darkened, she had never seen him like this. He gently moved away her arm and stepped up, covering her behind him.

Hiroto was already walking towards the girl who took the picture, but Minami was faster.

“Delete that picture” he asserted. His tone was freezing cold.

The girl turned to him. “W-What?”

“Don’t you know that you can’t take pictures inside the cafe?”

“I-I…” She lowered her gaze, frightened. “I didn’t mean any harm.”

“Delete that picture immediately.”

Satoko was staring at Minami, shocked.

Is he so angry because of me? She could hear the sound of her heart beating strong, but at the same time a sad feeling was taking over. Minami-kun, would you have done the same if I was Satoko and not Satoshi?

The girl did as she was told and ran away from the cafe, embarrassed.

Minami turned to Satoko and smiled brightly. “Everything’s fine now, Satoshi.”

A chill ran down Satoko’s spine. His duality is insane!

“Thank you, danna-sama. Let me accompany you to your table.”

Minami nodded cheerfully and let Satoko guide him through the tables.

Hiroto was staring blankly at the blonde boy.

“Wow, he was furious” Kenji commented.

“Hehe, he loves our Satoshi so much” Akito chuckled.

Hiroto pursed his lips. “What is wrong with him?” He mumbled, then looked away. “Well, at least he saved me some work.”

***

After closing time, Mr. Ikeda went upstairs to check on the butlers.

“Is everything okay, guys?”

“Yes, except for a crazy girl who snapped a picture of Satoshi” Hiroto replied.

Mr. Ikeda narrowed his eyes. “Did you make her delete it?”

“Minami dealt with it. He was furious, you had to see him, boss” Kenji replied.

“Minami? The blonde guy?” The boss glanced at Satoko.

She nodded, mortified. “I know, I should have been more professional and deal with it myself.”

“It’s fine, I imagine you panicked at that moment, it’s normal. You will get better at it after gaining more experience.”

Satoko felt reassured by his words. He was always comprehensive with her.

“Let’s talk about something more important, right now.” Mr. Ikeda smiled intimidatingly. “Don’t you dare fail the exams, I have a lot planned for this summer.”

Satoko, Kenji and Akito avoided eye-contact.

“Beautiful chandeliers, are they new?” Akito asked.

Hiroto sighed. “Is it possible that you never try to put more effort into studying?”

“I put effort, it’s just that I don’t understand anything” Kenji retorted.

“I know, you’re a hopeless case. I was talking to Akito, who has a degree in slacking off.”

Akito pouted and feigned an offended expression. “That’s not true, you’re so mean!”

Satoko walked stealthily towards the door. I don’t want him to find out I suck in school, I’ll leave now that he’s distracted.

“Since you’re such a genius, why don’t you help us? Just like you did last year?” Akito proposed.

“That’s a good idea! Satoshi, you should join us!” Kenji exclaimed.

Satoko glanced at them, surprised. Do they really want me in the group?

“Don’t decide on your own, I’m the one who explains things, not you!” Hiroto complained.

Oh. Satoko lowered her gaze. He clearly doesn’t want me around.

“Hiroto is right, I don’t want to stress him out.”

Hiroto turned to her. “Wait, I didn’t mean—”

“I’ll just go. Have fun with your study group.”

She opened the door and got out of the cafe, a little sad. She took a deep breath, trying to chase away negative thoughts.