Chapter 10

Yuto checked his calendar for the hundredth time, making sure he had the week correct. Even after being told repeatedly over the previous few days, he wanted to make absolutely certain that today was, in fact, the day. The cultural festival. A wicked smile played on his lips as he confirmed the date.

Rin was selected for the planning committee, which meant Yuto could enjoy plenty of free time away from her. She had spent months planning this event, and Yuto had spent months planning to break up with her. At this cultural festival, he would, without fail, break up with Rin once and for all.

Their class had chosen to do a maid café. Something Yuto couldn’t have cared less about. Although it wasn’t exactly what he was hoping for, he had to work with the tools he was given. He even thought up the perfect scheme to break up with Rin.

He called this plan ‘Operation Moe Moe Breakup’… It sounded better in his head. Regardless of this poor sense of naming, his plan would be simple. He would give Rin impossible tasks; her failure to fulfil his requests would make her think they were incompatible, and they would break up.

Flawless.

Yuto began to cackle like a madman.

“Ya alright, lil bro?” Rei asked, slipping on her shoes and actually dressed as if she were taking her work seriously for once.

“I couldn’t be better.”

“Ah, ya get to see Rin in a maid outfit today. No wonder ya giddy.”

“Noa is jealous of big brother,” Noa commented, sulking as she rested her head on the kitchen bench.

“Don’t worry, we’ll see her tomorrow,” Rei rested her hand on Noa’s head.

“But Noa wants to be spoiled by her,” she complained, sulking.

“I understand, I feel the same way, but Yuto will be spoilt on our behalf,” Rei turned her head towards Yuto, who was trying to sneak out of the room unnoticed.

“I see thatcha itching to get to see Rin in a maid dress already.”

Yuto ignored them as he left for school. After arriving at school, he made sure to book a time slot for the café with Hana, then moseyed around until lunchtime.

“Hi Yuto!” Hana sang, skipping up to him. “Are you ready?”

“I guess.” Yuto was already beginning to regret making this booking. He was having the most peaceful nap on the school bench until his alarm went off.

“I bet you are excited to see Rin?”

Yuto replayed his plan in his head once more. “I cannot wait,” he replied without concern about how his comments could be misconstrued.

“Oh my.” Hana covered her mouth, and her eyes widened. “I can’t believe you openly admitted it.”

“Today will be a good day,” Yuto mused, not waiting for Hana as he made his way towards the classroom.

He slid open the classroom door with the confidence only a delusional man could possess. The room had been transformed with lavish decorations, creating a sense of faux elegance.

“Welcome back, master,” the maids chanted as Yuto and Hana entered. Yuto had promised he would attend to Rin, but he was beginning to have second thoughts.

Rin took a step forward and bowed gracefully. She was wearing a pink maid dress with a white apron adorned with several cat pins. Her brown hair had a slight front braid, and a laced headband sat atop her head.

She nervously shuffled.

“Please follow me, masters,” she replied, avoiding Yuto’s gaze as she motioned for them to follow.

They were taken to a table, and Rin ran through the entire menu that the other two already knew off by heart. After all, they’d have to do this tomorrow.

Once their orders were collected, Rin quickly darted off to notify the kitchen. Whilst she was gone, Hana leaned in to Yuto. “You should compliment her.”

Rin returned a few moments later.

“You have very good braiding skills.” Yuto gave a momentary thumbs up before Hana elbowed him in the guts.

“I meant to compliment her about her appearance! Call your girlfriend cute!” she snapped.

“Rin, you are very cute,” Yuto replied in a monotone voice. He’d already resigned himself to his fate, knowing that it was going to be far too much of a hassle if he kept fighting.

“C-cute?” Rin mumbled, her face as red as the ketchup bottles. As she was struggling to find her words, another student returned with their meal, giving Rin just enough time to compose herself back into character.

“Now, what would my masters want me to draw on their meals?” she asked, picking up the ketchup bottle.

“Can I get a cat?” Hana asked.

“Certainly,” Rin replied with a smile and slight bow.

“And what can I draw for you, Master?” Rin asked Yuto.

He was waiting for this exact moment.

“Could I get the MK-189 Flash Knight Crimson Blade Iron Soldier?” Yuto commented, requesting the most complicated mecha design he could possibly imagine. He wasn’t even a fan of mecha series; he had specifically watched countless hours of these shows simply to select the most specific and difficult design he could imagine.

“Don’t you think that’s a bit mean?” Hana asked.

“I know Rin will absolutely be able to draw this image. That’s how compatible we are,” he replied with little faith in Rin.

“But-” Hana began to reply as Rin placed her hand on her shoulder.

“It’s alright. Master requested this because he believes in me. That will power me up to do my best as a maid.”

“I don’t-” Yuto began, before Rin cut him off with a finger to his lips.

“Don’t worry, Master, I got this,” she replied before flexing her muscle.

She began meticulously moving her arm. The ketchup danced across his plate as if he were observing da Vinci reincarnated. She continued to move her soft hands gracefully until it was done.

“Wow! Rin, that’s incredible!” Hana exclaimed. Her eyes looked like they were about to pop out. Several other classmates who had gathered to watch were applauding the sheer brilliance of the image. Even Yuto couldn’t fault the design.

“Really?” Rin asked, nervously gazing at the ground.

“Yeah! Honestly, I had no idea you could draw like that!” Hana continued to praise.

“Well, I didn’t tell anyone,” she replied with a nervous chuckle. “Anyway, we need to power up your dish with a moe moe kyun!”

Rin struck a pose, and Hana turned to Yuto, lowering her head.

“I’m so sorry, Yuto. I didn’t realise that you were just trying to get Rin to break out of her comfort zone. You really are the perfect couple, just like you said.”

Yuto had sat in silence this entire time. He stared, spaced out, at the ceiling. He couldn’t believe the image in front of him. It was like Monet. So perfect. So refined. So utterly contrary to his expectations, which meant his plan had backfired once again.

Rin turned, and her maid's dress flowed with her movement. Looking back, she gave Yuto a wink.

“I can’t believe you picked up that I was practising art. Thank you for paying such close attention to me, Yuto, my love.”

❤︎ --- ୨୧ --- ❤︎

End of Chapter 10