Secret mission

Minami Hiroshi was a common seventeen year old boy: he attended Murata High School and was a member of the football club. He had always been a sunny person and, maybe, that was the reason because he had a lot of friends since he was a kid.

His parents had never taken much care of him because they were busy with work and, being the eldest brother, he was the one to look after his little sister, Kazuha. He grew up trying to give her all the love their parents didn’t have time to give them both.

Of course, he didn’t blame them: rather, he was grateful for their sacrifices, so he just accepted that reality as the only possible one. They simply didn’t have time to dedicate to him, it wasn’t their fault.

Then, his numbness was suddenly unsettled by an encounter, like a gentle breeze disheveling his normality. A person who insisted on taking care of him, no matter his reluctance, someone who showed him affection and endearment, made room for himself in his life, occupying every day more space in Hiroshi’s heart.

That person was Satoshi, his affectionate butler.

He was able to make Hiroshi feel safe and appreciated with his gentle way to give him attention and he became a reassuring presence for him.

But, after some time, Hiroshi found himself thinking about Satoshi way too often, wondering what kind of life he had outside The Nightingale and what he looked like when he casually hung out with his friends.

Everytime Satoshi smiled at him, his heart started throbbing as if he had run for a mile. It was a matter of time before he realised that Satoshi was his first crush.

Nonetheless, Hiroshi knew that it couldn’t work between them. Thinking about it more deeply, they were strangers: they didn’t know anything about each other and asking him out would have been rude. So he decided to simply support him on his job and keep his feelings for himself.

Until, one day, a suspicion had come to his mind: what if Satoshi was actually someone he knew?

That was the reason why he was waiting for the closing time in front of The Nightingale. He wanted to see Satoshi’s true identity when he would have come out of the cafe without the butler costume and the make-up.

I should have thought of this method earlier…

Anyway, he already had his suspicions and was waiting for a specific person to show up: Itou Satoko, his classmate.

Ever since he was able to see her face at the summer festival, he couldn’t stop thinking about the fact that she looked like Satoshi. And his ideas were upheld by her amazing performance at the sports festival.

I would recognise that way of holding trays everywhere.

His mind went back to the day before, when Itou let him tie her hair up.

She looked so cute, to think that Satoshi and her are the same person…

The image of his affectionate butler pouring tea elegantly in his cup pervaded his mind. He placed his hands on his cheeks and bent on his knees, blushing hard.

She’s adorable in both ways.

Now, every time he saw Satoshi, he thought about Itou, and every time he saw Itou, he thought about Satoshi: it was becoming a nightmare. It was difficult to control himself even during a normal conversation.

He bit his lips, frustrated. If only I could tell her and take everything out of my chest.

But the situation was complicated. If she didn’t tell him anything about her job, it meant that she wanted to keep it a secret, so he didn’t want to embarrass her by telling her that he understood everything.

Hiroshi furrowed his eyebrows, stressed out.

This is too difficult, I’m not used to thinking this much.

He shook his head and got up again, under the confused glances of other people that were passing by.

Whatever, now the priority is to discover if Satoshi is truly Itou-san, I shouldn’t get distracted.

***

When it was finally closing time, he walked a little far away to not draw attention and waited patiently.

The door of The Nightingale opened and a group of four people came out. Hiroshi’s eyes were instantly drawn by Satoshi’s long ponytail: he was wearing a hoodie and a pair of baggy pants and was talking with the other three butlers.

Hiroshi frowned. Strange, if he was truly Itou-san, he should be wearing our school’s uniform.

He squeezed his eyelids to see better through the sunglasses.

But it looks like those clothes are big on him, maybe someone lent them to him…

At that moment, one of the other three guys placed an arm around Satoshi’s shoulder. Seeing that, Minami pursed his lips, a bit annoyed.

Why is he touching him like that?

He shifted his gaze on the other guy.

Hands off— Wait! His eyes widened. That is Ogawa’s school uniform! And I’m sure that guy with orange hair is Kuma Kenji, the one from the football club.

He brought a finger to his chin, thoughtful. Wasn’t he also Itou-san’s friend? If that’s the case… He glanced at Hiroto. He should be Shigeru-san.

In fact, he was wearing a Nichi Highschool uniform.

Then, even if she’s not wearing her uniform, she must be Itou-san, and the clothes must be of one of them.

Hiroshi scratched the back of his head, pouting. I know that I’m not very smart, but I feel a little offended if she thought she could trick me this easily.

At that moment, Satoshi quickly glanced back and Minami instantly turned his back to him, acting nonchalant.

I hope he didn’t notice me…

He looked back to check if he was still looking, but he was now talking with Hiroto.

Minami stayed still, enchanted by Satoshi’s… No, Itou’s delicate side profile. She had a pretty pointy nose and two elegant thin lips, along with her blue eyes that could either penetrate your soul like a sharp knife or give you the most gentle glances. To Minami’s eyes, she was insanely pretty.

His heart started beating faster and he felt hot on the back of his neck.

I wonder why she always covers up when she looks so beautiful.

***

The next week

The class president was standing behind the teaching post, more serious than ever.

“Guys, we should decide what to do for the school’s festival. Any suggestions?”

Watanabe immediately raised her hand. “A haunted house!”

Just hearing those words made Hiroshi shiver, while a general chatter spread through the class.

Anything, but not a haunted house! I’m scared to death of ghosts…

He wanted to say it, but he was afraid he would have made himself look ridiculous. What seventeen year old teen still feared ghosts?

“It’s a good idea, I’ll put it on the list” the class president said.

Hiroshi stayed strong and kept on smiling.

I will have to endure.

Suddenly, a timid voice rose up from the desks in the back rows.

“Er… B-But what if someone is scared?”

Minami’s eyes widened in surprise. Itou-san? He turned to her. Did she really speak up for me?

But Itou didn’t look back at him. Hiroshi pouted, a little disappointed.

Maybe she wasn’t referring to me.

“What about a butler cafe, instead?” someone suggested.

“Oh, yes, there are a lot of cool guys in this class!”

And you haven’t even seen the coolest yet. Minami smiled proudly, shooting a quick glance at Itou.

He turned to the class president. “I have experience, so I can help in case we do that!”

Suddenly, silence fell in the room and everyone stared blankly at him. “What do you mean?”

Oh, I messed up.

Minami chuckled. “I once accompanied my sister to one of them, so I’m informed on the topic.”

“Oh, that’s perfect then! Since everyone seems to agree…” The class president wrote something on the blackboard, then turned to his classmates again. “...It’s settled. Class 3-B will hold a butler cafe at the school festival!”

Everyone clapped enthusiastically, Hiroshi included. He turned to look at Itou, beaming with joy.

I’m sure Itou-san will be glad to do something she used to—

Itou was staring at him with an indecipherable expression. Her blue eyes, barely visible, looked like a stormy sea.

Hiroshi’s skin turned pale. Did I do something wrong? Why does she look like she wants to kill me?!

He looked away. And here I thought she would be happy…

“Oh, do you think it would be cool if even the girls dress up?”

“Omg, yes! At least the tall ones, like Kobayashi and Itou—”

TONF!

A loud thud echoed throughout the class and everyone glanced to the back rows to see what happened: Itou collapsed on her desk and was motionless, as if her soul had left her body.

Minami stood up immediately with a worried expression.

“Itou-san?! Are you okay?!”