REMAID- A Maid's Tears

It takes a long time to catch up with her. By the time we do, we're in the middle of the shops area.

“Mina, wait!” I called out. Admittedly, even though I have a good idea of what happened, what exactly to say is entirely lost on me. Still, I can’t just let her stay feeling so upset. My conscience would never allow it.

“What?! What do you want from me, Yuta?!” Mina stops and finally turns to face me. Her eyes are filled with a seething rage and her teeth are grit tight. I gulp. She’s definitely not in a mood to be listening to someone she doesn’t like. I look over at Rimi and she seems to understand what I’m thinking, walking over to Mina and taking her hand.

“Mina, I’m so sorry, okay? I know it must be annoying-”

“Annoying?! You think it’s just fucking annoying?!” She pushes past Rimi, walking straight up to me and pointing a finger right at my face. “You. People like fucking you…can’t keep your dick in your pants to save your life. I see your eyes. Always measuring me up and down, you filth. Like every other bastard at that hell hole I’m stuck in. Tell me I’m wrong! Tell me you aren’t thinking disgusting thoughts about the rich bitch Ryuga!” I’m lost for words. Why did she have to come at me when I’ve got nothing to say.

“I-I don’t-” I can’t even finish that sentence. I am perverted. I do look at women and feel myself get perverted feelings. “I d-don’t think of you like a Ryuga.” I try to say the one truth I can think of.

“IS THAT SO?! YOU LITTLE LIAR!” She gets in my face, and I can see the tears in her eyes. “JUST LIKE THAT, IT’S SO EASY FOR MEN TO LIE! I’M JUST A BUSTY LITTLE RYUGA WHO CAN MAKE YOU AN EASY CHECK, RIGHT?! DON’T ANSWER THAT YOU LYING BASTARD!” She’s begun to scream, and I feel myself starting to panic. Anger, confusion, compassion, excitement at a woman being so close. I’m hopeless, but I won’t convince her of anything if I can’t shut that part down.

“NO, THAT’S NOT WHAT I THINK!” I try to overpower her voice but she’s already moved on before she can even have the chance to process my words.

“I thought I’d be safe at home. No one like that was there. There was grandma and mom and that was it. I was so safe…and then you invaded it. You took your crotch and broke down the damn door with your leering gaze. 'Oh, I bet I can make that Ryuga chick mine'. It's the same thought every boy at that school has, and it was all I could feel off you. All I still feel off you! There’s no place in this world where I’m safe. I’ll always have to be around people like you, and if I’m not you’ll just come back to tear down all my happiness. I hate you, Yuta Mamoya! I hate men and I FUCKING HATE YOU!” She screamed, tears falling from her eyes.

“I’m…I’m not a bitch…I just wanna be alone. Just leave me alone. Please leave me alone.” She tries to wipe her eyes, but her arms can’t do a damn thing. Shit, she’ll never stop like that. I pull off my bag and begin scrounging around in there until I find an unused microfiber cloth. Thank god dad was sure to throw one in, just in case. I walk over and hold it out to her. She doesn’t respond for a few moments, until she finally notices it. She stares at the cloth for a moment, then she looks at me. Her tear filled eyes, filled with so much hate, start to turn to confusion.

“You won’t pick up much with skin. This’ll clean them faster. Can’t walk with full eyes, you know?” I told her. Slowly, her hand moves out, and takes the cloth into her hand. Staring at it, she seems even more confused. “Your name isn’t Ryuga, by the way. It’s Mina. A lot of people seem really confused, and it’s disturbing. You’d think they’d learn it by now.” Those words seem to finally change the emotions in her eyes. The hate is gone, but the confusion remains.

“You also look nothing like a check. Not even a pay stub. You remind me more of a human girl. Last I checked they didn’t hand out big versions of those at contests.”

“W-what are you-” Mina tries to talk, wiping her tears with the cloth.

“So, your name is Mina, and you’re a normal girl. Remember that yourself, since you seem like you need the reminder after that rant you threw at me.” I sigh, rubbing the back of my head. “And…you’re right. About me being…objectifying. It’s not conscious, or, I try to not let it be, but sometimes I see a hot girl and get really dirty thoughts I can’t control. But…I don’t wanna stay like that. I want you to not see some pervert who’s after what they think is a big pay day. I want you to see me, like I see you. So, let’s make a deal.” I hold out my hand to her.

“I’ll become a better person, and you’ll be my friend. Does that sound possible?” I ask. There’s a quiet between us, but it doesn’t feel hostile.

“You-you’re joking. You’re lying. You’re pulling one of your stupid jokes out of your ass.” She begins spitting out reasons for me to be insincere. I block them all.

“No jokes. No lies. I just wanna be friends.” I say, my hand still out.

“I could…never be friends with a man-”

“Then what about with a Yuta?” I interrupt. She finally stops. Her eyes return to the cloth. What seems like thousands of thoughts all at once seem to flood through her mind. I wish I could read all of them. Her eyes, even though they’re wet, are so beautiful…I bite my tongue for thinking that. Not now. Not when you can help it. Don’t be a dick. Be her friend.

“You…idiot…” She seems to finally make a decision. Turning to face me, she slaps my hand away. “I…can’t believe…some man…” She says, her lips shaking.

“Do I have to just be some man?” I ask.

“I-I…” Her eyes avert to the ground. “I don’t mind…being a little nicer…but it doesn’t mean I have to like you. I’ll never like you. But…I think I may be able to tolerate you. As long as you stop looking at me like an animal.” She whispers.

“I promise.” I don’t move, letting her do what she’s most comfortable with. She holds the cloth tight, before turning around. Walking ahead, she grabs Rimi’s arm and drags her along with her. Rimi looks back at me, and smiles. She seems to think I did good.

I’m not sure if I did. Well, I did my best, I suppose.

I stay where I am, looking out at the sky. The sun has reached the halfway point between noon and the horizon. I watch it for a long while.