"Emiya-kun, how are you holding up?" I turned to find Tsubasa looking at me with a raised eyebrow. "You looked like you could use a hand around here."
"Ah, sorry about that." I used my hand to rub my eyes. "I haven't been getting enough rest for some time now, what with work, the occasional hunts, the fact that the supposed user of [Divine Dividing] is coming after my head and supposedly other factions having heard of our fight with Kokabiel and are trying to figure out who I am."
"Yeah, that would make anyone lose sleep." Tsubasa nodded her head lightly. "Honestly speaking, the bit about your fight being streamed to others suggests that someone is keeping an eye out on us, so we will have to step up our security measures for the next few months."
That was that, but considering the interest that Vali and Georg has shown and the manner they spoke of the surveillance, I got the feeling that it was not so much of the devils that was being monitored but more of the fight, specifically Kokabiel and I. Someone wanted to spy on us.
But why?
"That said." Tsubasa started smirking. "You will need your wits today, Mr 'Butler'. We have a lot of guests coming right now" I let out a resigned sigh as I pulled at my collar, feeling a little restricted by the bow-tie.
It had taken a while, but the academy was finally repaired enough to let all the students back for lessons, and since it was coinciding with a parent-teacher conference, Sona and the others decided to hold a celebration for the reopening of the academy by letting the students run a fair so as to generate revenue for the school while showing what they can accomplish to their parents. A 'win-win' situation as they would say.
And apparently my class decided to do a joint operation with Tsubasa's, Meguri's, Momo's and Reya's for a maid café theme, and I was the butler due to my job as cook/bartender and worryingly enough, the girls wanting to see me in a suit.
Joy.
"Yeah, I better get my head back in the present." I pulled the bow-tie a little looser to have a bit more breathing room. "So how are we doing on ingredients?"
"We are still going strong. The others went to get extras a few minutes ago, so we should be good for the next couple of hours." Tsubasa looked around us at the array of kitchen equipment and cooking ingredients. "But honestly you looked like you are about to get swarmed by all the orders. We could get some of the others to help out if you need."
"Hmm. That would be ideal, maybe you can get a couple of the others to help with the presentation at least." I pointed to a table with a few squeeze tubes and cream fillings. "If we get more volunteers that would be very helpful."
"Oh, I think we can definitely get more volunteers." Tsubasa gave a wry smile. "The girls really wanted to be here with you after tasting some of your creations. Kaichou actually had to draft out a restraining order to ensure you don't get mobbed."
For that I was really thankful. Some of the expressions on my fellow classmates after eating some of my food were enough to remind me of some of the females back at the Clock Tower, and that honestly scared me more than some of the Dead Apostles and monsters I had to face on my jobs.
What was with teenage girls these days?
"So~" Tsubasa twirled a little while lifting her skirt lightly and giving a teasing smile. "You never really commented on any of our costumes despite our praises on yours. So what do you think? Does this look good on me?" With a light roll of my eyes, I gave her a look-over.
To go with the theme, she was dressed in a western style maid outfit, complete with a head dress and cuffs on her sleeves. But considering this was my homeland with an entire culture devoted to cosplaying, there were aspects that one would definitely NOT see in proper outfits, such as the dangerously short black skirt that Tsubasa had right now that was displaying her long legs in plain view. The short leggings somehow add a certain appeal to them and I had to admit that the outfit really brought out her slim figure in an alluring manner.
"It looks good on you." I complimented her clothing while internally petting myself on the back for having a mind of steel to control my emotions, because it was rather distracting and I would prefer not to give her the satisfaction that she was getting to her.
But it seemed she was not done with me yet.
"Oh, is that so?" The teasing smile now resembled something that should be on Rin's face as she curtsied. "Thank you, Master~"
Damn it.
"Tsubasa-san, please don't do that." I put my hand to my face to hide the blush that was threatening to appear on my face. "People might misunderstand."
"Ara~ I am merely saying my thanks to my master." Tsubasa leaned forward to emphasize her figure while maintaining that smile. "After all, it is a maid's job to serve. Please accept it, Master~"
"Tsubasa Yura." My eye twitched as I was now struggling to keep my hormones in check. Not an easy feat to do considering the manner she spoke those words with such a sultry tone.
"Oh, I have been a bad maid. I am so sorry master." Then with an action that would make Rin laugh out in pleasant agony while gasping at the boldness of her moves, Tsubasa turned towards the table and bent down to have her rear facing me, her short skirt threatening to reveal the forbidden treasure underneath it while she peered over her shoulder with an expression that seemed more suitable on some adult video game. "Please punish me~"
'Root Damn It, Girl!' I was practically chanting every known prayer in all languages to rid my mind of evil thoughts and I was begging for the universe to not screw with me at this point.
So I was both totally thankful and scared shitless when Reya came into the room to check on us.
"… Yura-chan, what are you doing?" Reya asked while one of her eyes twitched at the sight before her.
"Ara~ I was just playing around with Emiya-kun." Tsubasa straightened her body and looked at Reya with her hands on her hips with a teasing smile. "I wanted to see his flustered expressions after he commented on my costume."
"We do not have time for this." Reya put on a look that I had come to dub "Kusaka Reya's Lecturing Expression" and placed one hand on her hip. "We are going behind schedule and the customers are pouring in, we need more manpower."
"Okay, I am coming out then." Tsubasa moved to the door only to stop by her side. "But next time I will have my turn with him." Turning to me with a wave and a wink, she said "I will be getting some of the others to help you out. See you later." With that, she left the room, leaving behind a slightly awkward atmosphere in the room.
"So…" I tried to dispel the mood by speaking first. "Everything all right out there?"
"Yes, nothing too drastic for now." Reya let out a tired sigh. "Although we do have some troublemakers trying to get frisky with the other girls again."
"Do I need to go out again to teach them some manners?" I cracked my knuckles while giving out one of my trademark smiles.
"Oh no~ you don't have to do that!" Reya raised her arms in a slight panic and waved her hands, likely remembering what I did to the previous group of grabbers. "Most of them got the idea after seeing you trash the other customers earlier, and the few that are still trying their luck are introduced to Xenovia."
Ah that was nice. Despite the suggestions from the girls (and downright begging from the guys), the former exorcist saw fit to assist in the security of the tour, and she was very good in dealing with troublemakers who tried to harass the girls around the area. I don't think I ever saw an arm bent in such a manner before, or ever heard a man scream in such high octaves after getting hit in the family jewels.
God, the screams.
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A/N : The Story Needs More Power Stones ;)
PS : if we can reach 400 Stones by the end of the week, I will throw you an extra chapter
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if you want to read ahead of the public release you can go to my p atreon :
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